Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
On April 8, 2022, Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC advised First Guaranty's Audit Committee that it is declining to stand for reappointment as First Guaranty's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2022. Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC will continue as First Guaranty's independent registered public accounting firm for interim periods in 2022 until such time as the successor firm is appointed.
The audit reports of Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC on First Guaranty’s consolidated financial statements 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. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the subsequent interim period through April 8, 2022, 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 procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC would have caused Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its audit reports, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K.
First Guaranty is currently interviewing alternative independent registered public accounting firms to succeed Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC.
Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC will continue to provide services to First Guaranty including tax compliance services and the audit of the employee benefit plan.
First Guaranty has provided Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC with a copy of the disclosure contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). First Guaranty has requested that Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC issue a letter stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements. The letter from Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC to the SEC is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.