Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
(a) On December 15, 2022, Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for First Guaranty. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the subsequent interim period through the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, there were no: (1) disagreements with Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The audit reports of Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC on the consolidated financial statements of First Guaranty as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
Before filing this Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), First Guaranty provided Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC with a copy of the disclosures contained in this Item 4.01(a). First Guaranty has requested that Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC issue a letter, addressed to the SEC, stating whether or not Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC agrees with the statements contained in this Item 4.01(a). A copy of Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC’s letter dated December 15, 2022, addressed to the SEC, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(b) On December 15, 2022, First Guaranty engaged Griffith, DeLaney, Hillman & Lett CPA, PSC to serve as First Guaranty’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective December 15, 2022 (the “Engagement Date”). First Guaranty’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors approved the engagement of Griffith, DeLaney, Hillman & Lett CPA, PSC.
During the two most recent fiscal years and through the Engagement Date, First Guaranty did not consult with Griffith, DeLaney, Hillman & Lett CPA, PSC regarding either:
1. application of accounting principles to any specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on First Guaranty’s financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to First Guaranty nor oral advice was provided that Griffith, DeLaney, Hillman & Lett CPA, PSC concluded was an important factor considered by First Guaranty in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or
2. any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1) (iv) and the related instructions) or reportable event (as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(v)).