|
|
 | | | |
- close
- close
- close
- close
| |||||||||
First South Bancorp 10-K 2012
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 OR
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission File No. 0-22219
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (252) 946-4178
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2011, was approximately $35.4 million based on the closing sale price of the registrant’s Common Stock as listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. For purposes of this calculation, it is assumed that directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 5% of the registrant’s outstanding voting stock are affiliates.
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 28, 2012: 9,751,271.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following lists the documents incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K into which the document is incorporated:
FIRST SOUTH BANCORP, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. Business
Forward Looking Statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 states that disclosure of forward looking information is desirable for investors and encourages such disclosure by providing a safe harbor for forward looking statements by corporate management. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of risks and uncertainties could cause its actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company's forward looking statements. There are risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, growth projections and results of the Company's business. They include, but are not limited to, economic growth, interest rate movements, timely development of technology enhancements for products, services and operating systems, the impact of competitive products, services and pricing, customer requirements, regulatory changes and similar matters. Readers of this report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements that are subject to influence by these risk factors and unanticipated events. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from management's expectations.
General
First South Bancorp, Inc. First South Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Virginia corporation that serves as the holding company for First South Bank (the “Bank”), a North Carolina chartered commercial bank. The Company’s principal business is overseeing the business of the Bank and operating through the Bank a commercial banking business. The Bank has one significant operating segment, the providing of general commercial banking services to its markets located in the state of North Carolina. The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FSBK”.
First South Bank. The Bank is a North Carolina chartered commercial bank headquartered in Washington, North Carolina. The Bank received federal insurance of its deposits in 1959.
The Bank’s principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public and investing these funds in commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, consumer loans and loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, single-family residences in the Bank’s market area.
The Bank’s income consists principally of interest and fees earned on loans and investments, loan servicing and other fees, gains on the sale of loans and investments, and service charges and fees collected on deposit accounts. The Bank’s principal expenses are interest expense on deposits and borrowings and noninterest expense such as compensation and employee benefits, office occupancy expenses, FDIC insurance premiums, and other miscellaneous expenses. Funds for these activities are provided principally by deposits, borrowings, repayments of outstanding loans and investments and other operating revenues.
Market Area. The Bank makes loans and obtains deposits throughout eastern, northeastern, southeastern and central North Carolina, where the Bank’s offices are located. As of December 31, 2011, management estimates that more than 95% of deposits and loans came from its primary market area.
The economy of the Bank’s primary market area is diversified, with employment distributed among manufacturing, agriculture and non-manufacturing activities. There are a significant number of major employers in the Bank’s primary market area. The average unemployment rate in the Bank’s market area is relatively comparable to the national average and the average unemployment rate for the State of North Carolina.
Critical Accounting Policies. The Bank has identified the policies below as critical to its business operations and the understanding of its results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on the Bank’s business operations is discussed throughout Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, where such policies affect reported and expected financial results.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Loan Impairment and Allowance for Credit Losses. A loan or lease is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan or lease agreement. All collateral-dependent loans are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the collateral, while uncollateralized loans and other loans determined not to be collateral dependent are measured for impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate.
The Bank uses several factors in determining if a loan or lease is impaired. The internal asset classification procedures include a thorough review of significant loans, leases and lending relationships and include the accumulation of related data. This data includes loan and lease payment status, borrowers’ financial data and borrowers’ operating factors such as cash flows, operating income or loss, etc.
The allowance for credit losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on the Bank’s past loan and lease loss experience, known and inherent risks in the loan and lease portfolio and in unfunded loan commitments, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, certain qualitative factors and current economic conditions. While management believes that it has established the allowance for credit losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and has taken into account the views of its regulators and the current economic environment, there can be no assurance in the future that regulators or risks in its loan and lease portfolio and in unfunded loan commitments will not require adjustments to the allowance for credit losses.
Income Taxes. Deferred tax asset and liability balances are determined by application to temporary differences of the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes will become payable or receivable. Temporary differences are differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk. The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. See Unfunded Commitments Composition below for additional information.
Lending Activities
General. The Bank’s gross loan portfolio totaled $541.5 million at December 31, 2011, representing 72.5% of total assets at that date. It is the Bank’s policy to concentrate its lending within its market area. The Bank originates a significant amount of commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 2011, commercial real estate and construction loans amounted to $371.5 million, or 68.6% of the gross loan portfolio. The Bank has no direct sub-prime or Alt-A loan exposure in its loan portfolio. In recent years, the Bank has sought to increase originations of commercial business loans and consumer loans. At December 31, 2011, commercial business loans totaled $17.7 million, or 3.3% of the gross loan portfolio, and consumer loans totaled $76.4 million, or 14.1% of the Bank’s gross loan portfolio. At December 31, 2011, $68.2 million, or 12.6% of the gross loan portfolio, consisted of single-family, residential mortgage loans. The Bank relies on ASC 310, Receivables, for general guidance regarding accounting disclosures for loans receivable.
Loan Portfolio Composition. The following tables summarize the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by classification of loan category at the dates indicated. The summary of loans at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are based on new loan classifications, as the classifications have been revised in 2011. Prior periods are based on historic loan classifications. At December 31, 2011, the Bank had no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of gross loans other than as disclosed below.
Unfunded Commitments Composition. The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business, primarily to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, as listed in the table above. Those instruments involve varying degrees and elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Bank’s exposure to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit underwriting policies and procedures in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.
The Bank estimates probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments and records a reserve for unfunded commitments in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2011 and 2010 the balance of the reserve for unfunded commitments was $254,000 and $237,000, respectively.
See Historical Loss and Qualitative Analysis below for additional information regarding the assessment of the reserve for unfunded commitments, including historical loss percentages and qualitative factors allocated among the specific categories of unfunded commitments. In developing this analysis, the Bank relies on actual historical loss experience for the most recent eight quarters and exercises management’s best judgment in assessing qualitative risk. There were no changes in the Bank’s accounting policy and methodology used to estimate the reserve for unfunded commitments at December 31, 2011. See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding unfunded commitments and off-balance sheet risk.
The following table sets forth selected data relating to the composition of the Bank’s unfunded commitments by type of loan at the dates indicated.
Loan Maturities. The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 2011 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the portfolio based on their maturity and repricing terms, including scheduled repayments of principal. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less.
The table does not include any estimate of prepayments which significantly shorten the average life of mortgage loans and may cause the Bank’s repayment experience to differ from that shown below. Loan balances are net of construction loans in process. Lease balances are included in other loans.
The following table sets forth at December 31, 2011 the dollar amount of all loans due one year or more after December 31, 2011 which have predetermined interest rates and have floating or adjustable interest rates.
Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans do not reflect the actual life of such assets. The average life of loans can be substantially less than their contractual terms because of prepayments. In addition, due-on-sale clauses on loans generally give the Bank the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other things, that the borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid. The average life of mortgage loans tends to increase when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially higher than rates on existing mortgage loans and, conversely, decrease when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially lower than rates on existing mortgage loans.
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans. The Bank generally has authority to originate and purchase loans secured by real estate located throughout the state of North Carolina and the United States. Consistent with its emphasis on being a community-oriented financial institution, the Bank concentrates its lending activities in its market area. The Bank has not participated in sub-prime lending activities.
The Bank’s loan originations are derived from a number of sources, including referrals from depositors and borrowers, repeat customers, advertising, calling officers as well as walk-in customers. The Bank’s solicitation programs consist of advertisements in local media, in addition to participation in various community organizations and events. Real estate loans are originated by the Bank’s loan personnel. The Bank’s loan personnel consists of both salaried with an annual incentive and commission paid mortgage loan officers. Loan applications are accepted at the Bank’s offices, by mail, through the Bank’s website, and loan officers originating loans at off-site locations, such as a realtor office. Historically, the Bank generally has not purchased loans; however, during the year ended December 31, 2011 the Bank purchased $5.4 million of commercial real estate loans. In the future, the Bank may consider making additional loan purchases.
In recent years, the Bank has sold or exchanged for mortgage-backed securities a significant amount of fixed-rate, single-family mortgage loans that it originated. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, these transactions totaled $60.9 million, $87.5 million and $109.8 million, respectively. Such loans are sold to or exchanged with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”, also known as “Freddie Mac”). The Bank generally retains servicing on loans sold or exchanged to FHLMC.
Loan Underwriting Policies. The Bank’s lending activities are subject to the Bank’s written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards, its outside investors and to loan origination procedures prescribed by the Bank’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and its management. Detailed loan applications are obtained to determine the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay, and the more significant items on these applications are verified through the use of credit reports, financial information and confirmations. All mortgage loans and any single commercial or consumer loan over $1.5 million or any borrower with aggregate credit of greater than $3.0 million must be approved by the Director’s Loan Committee, made up of three outside directors who serve on a rotating basis. Such loans are presented weekly by the Management Loan Committee. The President does not serve on the loan committee of the Board. Individual officers of the Bank have been granted authority by the Board to approve consumer and commercial loans up to varying specified dollar amounts, depending upon the type of loan and the lender’s level of expertise. In addition, committees of credit administrators and loan officers have loan authorities greater than individual authorities. These authorities are based on aggregate borrowings of an individual or entity. On a monthly basis, the full Board reviews the actions taken by the loan committees.
Applications for single-family residential mortgage loans are underwritten and closed in accordance with the standards of FHLMC or the investor’s guidelines. The Bank uses an automated underwriting software program owned by FHLMC named Loan Prospector on the majority of mortgage loans underwritten for sale to FHLMC. In addition, mortgage loans sold to other investors may be manually underwritten by the Bank, or through FHLMC’s Loan Prospector, or the respective investor, or the respective investor’s representatives, or through an investor’s automated underwriting system, if applicable. Generally, after receipt of a loan application from a prospective borrower, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, a credit report and verifications are ordered, or obtained, to verify specific information relating to the loan applicant’s employment, income and credit standing. If a proposed loan is to be secured by real estate, an appraisal of the real estate is usually undertaken either by an appraiser approved by the Bank and licensed by the State of North Carolina or an evaluation by qualified Bank personnel. In the case of single-family residential mortgage loans, except when the Bank becomes aware of a particular risk of environmental contamination, the Bank generally does not obtain a formal environmental report on the real estate at the time a loan is made. A formal environmental report may be required in connection with nonresidential real estate loans.
It is the Bank’s policy to record a lien on the real estate securing a loan and to obtain title insurance which insures that the property is free of prior encumbrances and other possible title defects. Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance policies prior to closing and, when the property is in a flood plain as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), obtain flood insurance.
If the amount of a residential mortgage loan originated or refinanced exceeds 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or contract price, the Bank’s practice generally is to obtain private mortgage insurance at the borrower’s expense on that portion of the principal amount of the loan that exceeds 80%. Certain government insured or guaranteed mortgage loans have loan-to-values higher than 95%, which are generally sold to outside investors, servicing released. The Bank generally makes single-family residential mortgage loans with up to a 95% loan-to-value ratio if the required private mortgage insurance is obtained. The Bank generally limits the loan-to-value ratio on commercial real estate mortgage loans to 85%, although the loan-to-value ratio on commercial real estate loans in limited circumstances has been as high as 100%. The Bank generally limits the loan-to-value ratio on multi-family residential real estate loans to 85%, although in limited circumstances the loan-to-value ratio has been higher. The Bank is subject to regulations that limit the amount the Bank can lend to one borrower. See “— Depository Institution Regulation — Limits on Loans to One Borrower.” Under these limits, the Bank’s loans-to-one-borrower were limited to $13.5 million at December 31, 2011. At that date, the Bank had no lending relationships in excess of the loans-to-one-borrower limit.
Interest rates charged by the Bank on loans are affected principally by competitive factors, the demand for such loans and the supply of funds available for lending purposes. These factors are, in turn, affected by general economic conditions, monetary policies of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative tax policies and government budgetary matters.
Single-Family Residential Real Estate Lending. The Bank is an originator of single-family, residential real estate loans in its market area. At December 31, 2011, single-family, residential mortgage loans, excluding home improvement loans, totaled $68.2 million, or 12.6% of the gross loan portfolio. The Bank originates fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans at competitive interest rates. At December 31, 2011, $40.7 million, or 59.7%, of the residential mortgage loan portfolio was comprised of fixed-rate residential mortgage loans. Generally, the Bank retains fixed-rate mortgages with maturities of 10 years or less while fixed-rate loans with longer maturities may be retained in portfolio or sold in the secondary market. The Bank also originates conventional and government mortgage loans in its market area, which are underwritten, closed and sold servicing retained in the secondary market or servicing released to an outside investor.
The Bank also offers adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans. The adjustable-rate loans currently offered by the Bank have interest rates which adjust every one, three, five, seven, or ten years from the closing date of the loan or on an annual basis commencing after an initial fixed-rate period of one, three, five, seven or ten years in accordance with a designated index plus a stipulated margin. The primary index utilized by the Bank is the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant comparable maturity equal to the loan adjustment period, as made available by the Federal Reserve Board (the “Treasury Rate”). The Bank offers adjustable-rate loans that meet FHLMC underwriting standards, as well as loans that do not meet such standards. The Bank’s adjustable-rate single-family residential real estate loans that do not meet FHLMC standards have a cap of generally 2.0% on any increase in the interest rate at any adjustment date, and include a cap on the maximum interest rate over the life of the loan, which cap generally is 3.0% to 6.0% above the initial rate. In return for providing a relatively low cap on interest rate increases over the life of the loan, the Bank’s adjustable-rate loans provide for a floor on the minimum interest rate over the life of the loan, which floor generally is the initial rate. Further, the Bank generally does not offer “teaser” rates, i.e., initial rates below the fully indexed rate, on such loans. The adjustable-rate mortgage loans offered by the Bank that do conform to FHLMC standards have a cap of up to 6.0% above the initial rate over the life of a loan and include a floor. All of the Bank’s adjustable-rate loans require that any payment adjustment resulting from a change in the interest rate of an adjustable-rate loan be sufficient to result in full amortization of the loan by the end of the loan term and, thus, do not permit any of the increased payment to be added to the principal amount of the loan, or so-called negative amortization. At December 31, 2011, $27.5 million, or 40.3%, of residential mortgage loans were adjustable-rate loans.
The retention of adjustable-rate loans in the loan portfolio helps reduce the Bank’s exposure to increases or decreases in prevailing market interest rates. However, there are unquantifiable credit risks resulting from potential increases in costs to borrowers in the event of upward repricing of adjustable-rate loans. It is possible that during periods of rising interest rates, the risk of default on adjustable-rate loans may increase due to increases in interest costs to borrowers. Further, although adjustable-rate loans allow the Bank to increase the sensitivity of its interest-earning assets to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest sensitivity is limited by the initial fixed-rate period before the first adjustment and the lifetime interest rate adjustment limitations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that yields on the adjustable-rate loans will fully adjust to compensate for increases in the Bank’s cost of funds.
The Bank makes a loan commitment on single-family residential mortgage loans of between 15 and 90 days for each loan approved. If the borrower desires a longer commitment, the commitment may be extended for good cause and upon written approval. Fees of between $175 and $650 are charged in connection with the issuance of a commitment letter. The interest rate is guaranteed for the commitment period.
Construction Lending. The Bank also offers residential and commercial construction loans, with a substantial portion of such loans originated to date being for the construction of single-family dwellings in the Bank’s primary market area. Residential construction loans are offered primarily to individuals building their primary, investment or secondary residence, as well as to selected local builders to build single-family dwellings. Generally, loans to owner/occupants for the construction of owner-occupied, single-family residential properties are originated in connection with the permanent loan on the property and have a construction term of 6 to 18 months. Such loans are offered on a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate basis. Generally, interest rates on residential construction loans made to the owner/occupant have interest rates during the construction period above the rate offered by the Bank on the permanent loan product selected by the borrower. Upon completion of construction, the permanent loan rate will be set at the rate then offered by the Bank on that permanent loan product, not to exceed the predetermined permanent rate cap. Interest rates on residential construction loans to builders are generally set at the prime rate plus a margin of between 0.0% and 1.0% and adjust either monthly or daily. Interest rates on commercial construction loans are generally based on the prime rate plus a negotiated margin of between 0.0% and 1.0% and adjust either monthly or daily, with construction terms generally not exceeding 18 months. Advances are made on a percentage of completion basis. The Bank has restricted originating speculative construction loans, and has limited most new construction lending to those with contracts or pre-sales and to builders who hold lot inventory financed by the Bank, with limited exceptions as approved by credit administration. At December 31, 2011, commercial construction loans totaled $25.4 million, which amounted to 4.7% of the gross loan portfolio.
Prior to making a commitment to fund a loan, the Bank requires an appraisal of the property by appraisers approved by the Board for loans in excess of $250,000. For loans up to $250,000, the Bank requires an evaluation of the property by qualified Bank personnel, or an outside appraisal by an approved appraiser. The Bank also reviews and inspects each project at the commencement of construction and periodically during the term of the construction loan. The Bank generally charges a 0.0% to 1.25% construction loan fee for speculative builder loans. For construction loans to owner-occupants, the Bank generally charges a 0.0% to 1.0% construction loan fee. For residential construction loans, the Bank generally charges an origination fee, construction fee, and/or a commitment fee up to 1.0% of the commitment amount.
Construction financing generally is considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate and the borrower is unable to meet the Bank’s requirements of putting up additional funds to cover extra costs or change orders, then the Bank will demand that the loan be paid off and, if necessary, institute foreclosure proceedings, or refinance the loan. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the Bank may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with collateral having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment. The Bank has sought to minimize this risk by limiting construction lending to qualified borrowers (i.e., borrowers who satisfy all credit requirements and whose loans satisfy all other underwriting standards which would apply to the Bank’s permanent mortgage loan financing for the subject property). On loans to builders, the Bank works only with selected builders with whom it has experience and carefully monitors the creditworthiness of the builders. Builder relationships are analyzed and underwritten annually by the Bank’s credit administration department.
Commercial Real Estate Lending. The Bank originates commercial real estate loans, generally limiting such originations to loans secured by properties in its primary market area and to borrowers with whom it has other loan relationships. The Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans to finance the acquisition of small office buildings and commercial and industrial buildings with a preference to owner occupied. Such loans generally range in size from $100,000 to $2.0 million. At December 31, 2011, commercial real estate loans totaled $346.1 million, which amounted to 63.9% of the gross loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans are originated for three to seven year terms with interest rates that adjust based on either the prime rate as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, plus a negotiated margin of between 0.0% and 1.0% for shorter term loans, or on a fixed-rate basis with interest calculated on a 15 to 25-year amortization schedule generally with a balloon payment due after three to seven years.
Commercial real estate lending entails significant additional risks as compared with single-family residential property lending. Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. The payment experience on such loans typically is dependent on the successful operation of the real estate project, retail establishment or business. These risks can be significantly affected by supply and demand conditions in the market for office, retail and residential space, and, as such, may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the economy generally. To minimize these risks, the Bank generally limits itself to its market area or to borrowers with which it has prior experience or who are otherwise known to the Bank. It has been the Bank’s policy to obtain annual financial statements of the business of the borrower or the project for which commercial loans are made for loans over $1.0 million. In addition, in the case of commercial mortgage loans made to a partnership or a corporation, the Bank obtains personal guarantees from an owner with 20% or more interest in the company and for loans over $1.0 million annual financial statements of the principals of the partnership or corporation.
The Bank has implemented a concentration reduction plan for monitoring and establishing target ranges for reducing the commercial real estate (“CRE”) concentration, including various segments of CRE in the commercial loan portfolio.
The Bank put a moratorium on acquisition and development loans (A&D loans) in June 2008. There have been no new A&D loans originated since that time, except for two new loans for phase 2 of existing projects. One project has performed as anticipated and was fully paid out as of December 31, 2011, and the second project has a contract in place to purchase all the lots being developed. The Bank restricted loans for lots and land beginning in mid-2009, and imposed a full moratorium on these types of loans in the third quarter of 2010. Because the acquisition, development and construction portfolio (AD&C) was not decreasing at the rate desired through the moratoriums on A&D, lots and land loans, the Bank restricted spec construction loans beginning in January 2011. Generally, the Bank will not make new spec construction loans, except on lots currently securing debt to the Bank. In addition, beginning in January 2011, the Bank imposed restrictions on new loans for non-owner occupied CRE loans.
Beginning in 2011, the Bank will not extend, directly or indirectly, any additional credit to or for the benefit of any borrower who is obligated in any manner to the Bank on any extension of credit or portion thereof that has been charged-off or is adversely classified as doubtful or loss, so long as such credit remains uncollected. In addition, the Bank will not make additional advances to any borrower whose loan or line of credit has been adversely classified as substandard without prior approval of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Commercial Lending. The Bank’s commercial loans consist of loans secured by commercial real estate and commercial business loans, which are not secured by real estate. For a discussion of the Bank’s commercial real estate lending see “Commercial Real Estate Lending.”
As a commercial bank, the Bank originates commercial business loans. The Bank originates commercial business loans to small and medium sized businesses in its market area. The Bank’s commercial borrowers are generally small businesses engaged in manufacturing, distribution, retailing, service companies, or professionals in healthcare, accounting and law. Commercial business loans are generally made to finance the purchase of inventory, new or used equipment or commercial vehicles, to support trading assets and for short-term working capital. Such loans generally are secured by equipment and inventory, and, if possible, cross-collateralized by a real estate mortgage, although commercial business loans are sometimes granted on an unsecured basis. Such loans generally are made for terms of five years or less, depending on the purpose of the loan and the collateral, with loans to finance operating expenses made for one year or less, with interest rates that typically either adjust daily at a rate equal to the prime rate as stated in The Wall Street Journal, plus a margin of between 0.0% and 2.0% or at a negotiated fixed rate. Generally, commercial loans are made in amounts ranging between $5,000 and $3.5 million. At December 31, 2011, commercial business loans totaled $17.7 million, or 3.3% of the gross loan portfolio.
The Bank underwrites its commercial business loans on the basis of the borrower’s cash flow and ability to service the debt from earnings rather than relying solely on the basis of underlying collateral value, and the Bank seeks to structure such loans to have more than one source of repayment. The borrower is required to provide the Bank with sufficient information to allow the Bank to make its lending determination. In most instances, this information consists of at least two years of financial statements, a statement of projected cash flows, current financial information on any guarantor and any additional information on the collateral. For most unsecured loans over $50,000 with maturities exceeding one year, the Bank requires that borrowers and guarantors provide updated financial information at least annually throughout the term of the loan.
The Bank’s commercial business loans may be structured as short-term loans, term loans or as lines of credit. Short-term commercial business loans are generally for periods of 12 months or less and are generally self-liquidating from asset conversion cycles. Commercial business term loans are generally made to finance the purchase of assets and have maturities of five years or less. Commercial business lines of credit are typically made for the purpose of supporting trading assets and providing working capital. Such loans are usually approved with a term of 12 months and are reviewed annually. The Bank also offers secured standby letters of credit for its commercial borrowers. The terms of standby letters of credit generally do not exceed one year, and they are underwritten as stringently as any commercial loan and generally are of a performance nature.
Commercial business loans are often larger and may involve greater risk than other types of lending. Because payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation of the business involved, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks through its underwriting guidelines, which require that the loan be supported by adequate cash flow of the borrower, profitability of the business, collateral and personal guarantees of the individuals in the business. In addition, the Bank limits this type of lending to its market area and to borrowers with which it has prior experience or who are otherwise well known to the Bank.
Lease Receivables. Lease receivables are originated by the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, First South Leasing, LLC (“FSL”). FSL primarily offers leases on equipment utilized for business purposes. Rental terms generally range from 12 to 60 months and include options to purchase the leased equipment at the end of the lease. Most leases provide 100% of the cost of the equipment and are secured by the leased equipment. FSL requires the leased equipment to be insured and that FSL be listed as a loss payee and named as an additional insured on the insurance policy. At December 31, 2011, lease receivables totaled $7.6 million, or 1.4% of the gross loan portfolio.
Consumer Lending. The Bank also originates consumer loans. The consumer loans originated by the Bank include automobile loans, certificate of deposit loans, home equity loans and miscellaneous other consumer loans, both secured and unsecured loans. At December 31, 2011, consumer loans totaled $76.4 million, or 14.1% of the gross loan portfolio.
The Bank’s automobile loans are generally underwritten in amounts up to 90% of the lesser of the purchase price of the automobile or, with respect to used automobiles, the resale value as published by the National Automobile Dealers Association. The terms of most such loans do not exceed 72 months. The Bank requires that the vehicles be insured and the Bank be listed as loss payee on the insurance policy. At December 31, 2011, automobile loans totaled $794,000, or 0.1% of the gross loan portfolio.
The Bank generally makes certificate of deposit loans for up to 90% of the depositor’s account balance, but may make a loan of up to 100% of the depositor’s account balance subject to approval by credit administration. The interest rate is normally 2.0% above the annual percentage yield paid on the account and the account must be pledged as collateral to secure the loan. Interest generally is billed on a monthly basis. At December 31, 2011, loans on certificates of deposit totaled $1.3 million, or 0.2% of the gross loan portfolio.
At December 31, 2011, the Bank had $30.5 million in home equity line of credit loans, representing 5.6% of its gross loan portfolio. The home equity lines of credit have adjustable interest rates tied to the prime interest rate plus a margin, and require monthly payments based on the outstanding balance. Home equity lines of credit are generally secured by subordinate liens against residential real property. The Bank requires that fire and extended coverage casualty insurance (and if appropriate, flood insurance) be maintained in an amount at least sufficient to cover its loan. Home equity loans are generally limited so that the amount of such loans, along with any senior indebtedness, does not exceed 85% of the value of the real estate security.
Consumer lending affords the Bank the opportunity to earn yields higher than those obtainable on single-family residential lending. However, consumer loans entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of loans which are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as automobiles. Repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by events such as job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Further, the application of various state and federal laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency law, may limit the amount which may be recovered. In underwriting consumer loans, the Bank considers the borrower’s credit history, an analysis of the borrower’s income and ability to repay the loan, and the value of the collateral.
Loan Fees and Servicing. The Bank receives fees in connection with late payments and for miscellaneous services related to its loans. The Bank also charges fees in connection with loan originations. These fees can consist of origination, discount, construction and/or commitment fees, depending on the type of loan. The Bank services loans sold to FHLMC with servicing retained, generally for an annual servicing fee of 0.25% of the loan amount.
The Bank has also developed a program to originate residential mortgage loans for a local credit union. The Bank receives a 1.0% origination fee for each loan as well as an annual servicing fee of 0.375% of the loan amount. All of these loans are funded and closed in the name of the credit union. The Bank has explored the possibility of developing similar arrangements with other institutions, although none are currently planned.
Nonperforming Loans and Other Problem Assets. It is management’s policy to continually monitor its loan portfolio to anticipate and address potential and actual delinquencies. When a borrower fails to make a payment on a loan, the Bank takes immediate steps to have the delinquency cured and the loan restored to current status. Loans which are delinquent more than 15 days incur a late fee of 4.0% on mortgage and consumer loans and up to 6.0% on commercial loans, of the monthly payment of principal and interest due. As a matter of policy, the Bank will contact the borrower after the loan has been delinquent 15 days. If payment is not promptly received, the borrower is contacted again, and efforts are made to formulate an affirmative plan to cure the delinquency. Generally, after any loan is delinquent 30 days or more, a default letter is sent to the borrower. If the default is not cured after 45 days from the default letter, formal legal proceedings may commence to collect amounts owed.
Loans generally are placed on nonaccrual status, and accrued but unpaid interest is reversed, when, in management’s judgment, it is determined that the collectibility of interest, but not necessarily principal, is doubtful. Generally, this occurs when payment is delinquent in excess of 90 days. Consumer loans that have become more than 180 days past due are generally charged off, or a specific allowance may be provided for any expected loss. All other loans are charged off when management concludes that they are uncollectible. See Notes 1 and 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this report for additional information.
Payments to nonaccrual loans which have no impairment or impaired loans that have been adjusted to fair market value are applied to principal and interest as scheduled. Payments to nonaccrual loans which are impaired but have not been adjusted to fair market value are posted as principal receipts. Mortgage and consumer loans are generally removed from nonaccrual status and interest resumes accruing once a loan has had a period of sustained payments, generally six months. Commercial loans are generally removed from nonaccrual status and interest resumes accruing when none of the principal and interest is due and unpaid or when the loan becomes otherwise well secured and in the process of collection and has had a period of sustained payments, generally six months.
In a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), the Bank’s primary objective is to make the best of a difficult situation. Concessions are granted to protect as much of the loan amount as possible. Additionally, the Bank expects to obtain more cash or other value from the borrower, or increase the probability of collection, by granting a concession than by not granting one. The Bank faces significant challenges when working with borrowers who are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciated collateral values, or prolonged sales and rental absorption periods. While borrowers may experience deterioration in their financial condition, many continue to be creditworthy customers who have the willingness and capacity to repay their debts. In such cases, the Bank finds it mutually beneficial to work constructively together with its borrowers, and that prudent restructurings are often in the best interest of the Bank and the borrower.
The Bank offers a variety of restructuring concessions for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition that would not otherwise be considered. TDR concessions may include, but are not limited to any one or combination of the following: a modification of the loan terms such as a reduction of the contractual interest rate, principal, payment amount or accrued interest; an extension of the maturity date at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new debt with similar risks; a change in payment type, i.e. from principal and interest, to interest only with all principal due at maturity; a substitution or acceptance of additional collateral; and a substitution or addition of new debtors for the original borrower.
The Bank’s restructuring success includes but is not limited to any one or combination of the following: improves the prospects for repayment of principal and interest; reduces the prospects of further write downs and charge-offs; reduces the prospects of potential additional foreclosures; helps borrowers to maintain a creditworthy status; and ultimately will reduce the volume of classified, criticized and/or nonaccrual loans.
The Bank relies on ASC 310-40-50 for guidance regarding disclosure of TDRs. Under ASC 310-40-50-2, information about an impaired loan that has been restructured in a TDR involving a modification of terms need not be included in disclosures required by paragraphs 310-10-50-15(a) and 310-10-50-15(c) in years after the restructuring if both of the following conditions exist:
When a restructuring agreement with a particular borrower specifies a market rate that is less than a market rate the Bank would be willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, that loan will not qualify or be considered for redesignating in a subsequent period. Information about any such loans that do not qualify for redesignating will continue to be disclosed as required.
When a restructuring agreement with a particular borrower specifies a market rate that is equal to or greater than a market rate the Bank would be willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, that loan may qualify and will be considered for redesignating in a subsequent period if the loan is not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement and is in compliance with its modified terms. Since these loans meet the conditions of ASC 310-40-50-2, information regarding these loans may be omitted from disclosures required by paragraphs 310-10-50-15(a) and 310-10-50-15(c) in years after the restructuring.
Generally, loans whose terms are modified in troubled debt restructurings are evaluated for impairment. However, if the Bank has written down a loan and the measure of the restructured loan is equal to or greater than the recorded investment, no impairment would be recognized. The Bank is required to disclose the amount of the write-down and the recorded investment in the year of the write-down, but is not required to disclose the recorded investment in that loan in later years if the two criteria in ASC 310-40-50-2 are met. The Bank continues to measure loan impairment on the contractual terms specified by the original loan agreement in accordance with ASC 310-10-35-20 through 35-26 and 310-10-35-37 for those certain loans that may meet the criteria to be redesignated and are no longer called TDRs.
On a loan-by-loan basis, the Bank restructures loans that were either on nonaccrual basis prior to restructuring or on accrual basis prior to restructuring. If a loan was on nonaccrual basis prior to restructuring, it remains on nonaccrual basis until the borrower has demonstrated a willingness and ability to meet the terms and conditions of the restructuring and to make the restructured loan payments, generally for a period of at least six months. The Bank has not immediately placed any restructured loan on accrual status that were on nonaccrual status prior to restructuring. If a restructured loan was on accrual basis prior to restructuring and the Bank expects the borrower to perform to the terms and conditions of the loan after restructuring (i.e. the loan was current, on accrual basis, the monthly payment is not significantly larger than the contractual payment before restructuring, and the borrower has the ability to make the restructured loan payments), the loan remains on an accrual basis and placement on nonaccrual is not required. See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding troubled debt restructuring.
The Bank also performs restructurings on certain troubled loan workouts whereby existing loans are restructured into a multiple two note structure (i.e., A Note and B Note structure). The Bank separates a portion of the current outstanding debt into a new legally enforceable note (Note A) that is reasonably assured of repayment and performance according to prudently modified terms. The portion of the debt that is not reasonably assured of repayment (Note B) is adversely classified and charged-off upon restructuring. Information concerning multiple note restructures for certain commercial real estate loan workouts for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:
_________________
The benefit of this workout strategy is for the Note A to remain a performing asset for which the borrower has the willingness and ability to meet the restructured payment terms and conditions. In addition, this workout strategy reduces the prospects of further write downs and charge offs, and also reduces the prospects of a potential foreclosure. Following this restructuring, the Note A credit classification generally improves from “substandard” to “pass”.
The general terms of the new loans restructured under the Note A and Note B structure differ as follows:
Note A: First lien position; fixed or adjustable current market interest rate; fixed month term to maturity; payments – interest only to maturity, or full principal and interest to maturity. Note A is underwritten in accordance with the Company’s customary underwriting standards and is generally on an accrual basis.
Note B: Second lien position; fixed or adjustable below current market interest rate; fixed month term to maturity; payments – due in full at maturity. Note B is underwritten in accordance with the Company’s customary underwriting standards, except for the below market interest rate and payment terms, and is on a nonaccrual basis and charged-off.
Aside from the loans defined as nonaccrual, over 90 days past due, classified, or restructured, there were no loans at December 31, 2011, where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers caused management to have serious concerns as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms and may result in disclosure as nonaccrual, over 90 days past due or restructured.
The level of non-performing loans is primarily attributable to the current economic environment. Downward pressure has impacted the market values of housing and other real estate, significantly impacting property values in the Bank’s market area and credit quality of certain borrowers. Management has evaluated its non-performing loans and believes they are either well collateralized or adequately reserved. However, there can be no assurance in the future that regulators, increased risks in the loan portfolio, adverse changes in economic conditions or other factors will not require further adjustments to the allowance for credit losses.
Based on an impairment analysis of the loan portfolio, at December 31, 2011 there were $78.9 million of loans classified as impaired, net of $13.4 million in write-downs. As of December 31, 2011, the allowance for loan losses included $1.6 million specifically provided for these impaired loans. A loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan arrangement. All collateral-dependent loans are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the collateral, while uncollateralized loans and other loans determined not to be collateral dependent are measured for impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate. The Bank uses several factors in determining if a loan is impaired. The internal asset classification procedures include a thorough review of significant loans and lending relationships and include the accumulation of related data. This data includes loan payments status, borrowers’ financial data and borrowers’ operating factors such as cash flows, operating income or loss, and various other matters. See Notes 1 and 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Bank had $43.0 million of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2011, segregated by the following classifications: residential mortgage - $1.1 million; commercial real estate - $34.4 million; commercial construction - $3.5 million; commercial non-real estate - $1.5 million; commercial unsecured - $60,000; consumer real estate $2.2 million; home equity lines-of-credit - $287,000; and consumer unsecured - $1,000. See Notes 1 and 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) acquired in settlement of loans is classified as real estate acquired through foreclosure. It is recorded at the lower of the estimated fair value (less estimated selling costs) of the underlying real estate or the carrying amount of the loan. In most cases, the estimated fair values are derived from an initial appraisal, an updated appraisal or a broker’s price opinion (“BPO”) with appropriate comparables. In certain instances when a listing agreement is renewed for a lesser amount, management will adjust the recorded estimated fair value of the subject property accordingly. Additionally, in certain instances when the Bank receives an offer to purchase near the end of a quarterly accounting period for less than the current carrying value and the sale does not consummate until the next accounting period, management will adjust the recorded estimated fair value of the subject property accordingly. Costs related to holding such real estate is charged against income in the current period. Any required write-down of a loan to its fair value (less estimated selling costs) upon foreclosure is charged against the allowance for credit losses. See Notes 1, 6 and 18 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
Classified Assets and Credit Quality. Federal regulations require that the Bank classify its assets on a regular basis. In addition, in connection with regulatory examinations, examiners have authority to identify problem assets and if appropriate, classify them in their reports of examination. There are four classifications for problem assets: “special mention,” “substandard,” “doubtful” and “loss.” Special mention assets contain a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention and which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected. Substandard assets have one or more well-defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified as a loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. Assets classified as special mention, substandard or doubtful require a bank to establish general allowances for loan losses. If an asset or portion thereof is classified as loss, a bank must either establish a specific allowance for loss in the amount of the portion of the asset classified as loss, or charge off such amount. Work-in-process loans are loans that have been approved and sent to the attorney for closing, but have not yet been returned for processing. These loans are not given a risk grade until they have been processed and are therefore excluded from the credit quality reporting.
The Bank assigns a risk grade to each commercial, consumer, and in-house mortgage loan. The grading system established by the Bank includes grades 1 through 9. These grades are defined as follows: “1” is Excellent and considered to be of the highest quality with significant financial strength, stability, and liquidity; “2” is Above Average and supported by above average financial strength and stability; “3” is Average and supported by upper tier industry-average financial strength and stability; “4” is Acceptable and supported by lower end industry-average financial strength and stability; “5” is Watch and has been identified by the lender as a loan that has shown some degree of deterioration from its original status; “6” is Special Mention; “7” is Substandard; “8” is Doubtful; and “9” is Loss. Risk grades 1 through 5 are collectively labeled “Pass” by regulators, and have minimal risk and minimal loss history. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding credit quality indicators and risk grading.
The Bank reviews its loan portfolio not less than quarterly to determine whether any loans require classification or re-classification. At December 31, 2011, the Bank had $106.5 million of classified loans, including $37.3 million classified as special mention, $69.1 million classified as substandard, and none classified as doubtful or as loss; compared to $100.6 million of classified assets at December 31, 2010, including $38.9 million classified as special mention, $61.7 million classified as substandard, $27,000 classified as doubtful and none classified as loss.
Allowance for Credit Losses. The Bank maintains both general and specific allowances for loan and lease losses and an allowance for unfunded loan commitments (collectively, the “allowance for credit losses”) at levels the Bank believes are appropriate in light of the risk inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and in unfunded loan commitments. The Bank has developed policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses that reflect the assessment of credit risk and impairment analysis. This assessment includes an analysis of qualitative and quantitative trends in the levels of classified loans. Future assessments of credit risk may yield different results, depending on changes in the qualitative and quantitative trends, which may require increases or decreases in the allowance for credit losses.
The Bank uses a variety of modeling and estimation tools for measuring its credit risk and performing impairment analysis, which is the basis used in developing the allowance for credit losses. The factors supporting the allowance do not diminish the fact that the entire allowance for credit losses is available to absorb probable losses in both the loans and lease portfolio and in unfunded loan commitments. The Bank’s principal focus is on maintaining the adequacy of the total allowance for credit losses. Based on the overall credit quality of the loan and lease receivable portfolio, the Bank believes it has established the allowance for credit losses pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and has taken into account the views of its regulators and the current economic environment. Management evaluates the information upon which it bases the allowance for credit losses quarterly and believes its accounting decisions remain accurate. However, there can be no assurance in the future that regulators, increased risks in its loans and leases portfolio, changes in economic conditions and other factors will not require additional adjustments to the allowance for credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses calculation methodology takes into account accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and regulatory guidance. The calculation methodology is focused on current borrower analysis and loss factors that are indicative of actual historical loss experience over the most recent eight quarters. The allowance for credit losses contains both general and specific reserves. The Bank may establish a specific reserve for certain loans calculated using an estimate of the expected cash flows from the borrower discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, and for collateral dependent loans for which an impairment analysis has not yet been completed. For collateral dependent loans when impairment can be reasonably calculated, the Bank will write down the affected loan by the level of that impairment.
See Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information regarding lending activities and the allowance for credit losses.
Following is a summary of activity in the allowance for credit losses, which includes the allowance for loan and lease losses and unfunded loan commitments, for the periods indicated:
The following table allocates the allowance for credit losses by loan portfolio segment at the dates indicated. The allocation of the allowance to each segment is not necessarily indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.
___________
Historical Loss and Qualitative Analysis. The assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses includes an analysis of actual historical loss percentages of both classified and pass loans and qualitative factors allocated among specific categories of loans. In developing this analysis, the Bank relies on actual loss history for the most recent eight quarters and exercises management’s best judgment in assessing credit risk. There were no changes in the Company’s accounting policy and methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses during this reporting period. The following table sets forth information with respect to the Bank’s allocation of historical loss percentages used in determining the allowance for credit losses (ACL) for each of the loan categories and risk grades at December 31, 2011.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Bank’s allocation of qualitative factors, including various subjective areas assessed in terms of basis points used in determining the overall adequacy of the ACL as of December 31, 2011. The determination of risk will result in a positive or negative adjustment to the ACL evaluation and validation. Adjustments for each component may range from +25 basis points to -10 basis points. A component score of 0 basis points indicates no effect on the ACL. A component rating of +25 basis points indicates the assessed maximum potential of increased risk to the adequacy of the ACL. A -10 basis point component rating indicates the most positive effect on the ACL.
Investment Activities
General. Interest income from mortgage-backed securities and investment securities generally provides the second largest source of income to the Bank, after interest and fees on loans. The Board has authorized investment in U.S. Government and agency securities, state government obligations, municipal securities, obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), mortgage-backed securities, commercial paper and corporate bonds. The Bank’s objective is to use such investments to reduce credit risk and provide liquidity. At December 31, 2011, the Bank’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio totaled $138.5 million. At such date, the Bank had an unrealized gain of $3.7 million, net of deferred taxes, with respect to its securities.
Investment and aggregate investment limitations and credit quality parameters of each class of investment are prescribed in the Bank’s investment policy. The Bank performs an analysis on mortgage-backed securities and investment securities on a quarterly basis to determine the impact on earnings and market value under various interest rate scenarios and prepayment conditions. Securities purchases are subject to the oversight of the Bank’s Investment Committee consisting of four directors and are reviewed by the Board on a monthly basis. The Bank’s President has authority to make specific investment decisions within the parameters determined by the Board.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. At December 31, 2011, the Bank’s mortgage-backed securities totaled $138.5 million, or 18.5% of total assets. Mortgage-backed securities represent a participation interest in a pool of single-family or multi-family mortgages, the principal and interest payments on which are passed from the mortgage originators through intermediaries that pool and repackage the participation interest in the form of securities to investors such as the Bank. Such intermediaries may include government sponsored entities such as FHLMC, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”, also known as “Fannie Mae”) and the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”, also known as “Ginnie Mae”) which guarantee the payment of principal and interest to investors. Mortgage-backed securities generally increase the quality of the Bank’s assets by virtue of the guarantees that back them, are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings or other obligations of the Bank.
The FHLMC is a public corporation chartered by the U.S. Government. The FHLMC issues participation certificates backed principally by conventional mortgage loans. The FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate return of principal on participation certificates. FHLMC securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; however, their securities are considered to be good quality investments with marginal credit risks. The maximum loan limit for FNMA and FHLMC is currently $417,000.
Mortgage-backed securities typically are issued with stated principal amounts, and the securities are backed by pools of mortgages that have loans with interest rates that are within a range and having varying maturities. The underlying pool of mortgages can be composed of either fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loans. As a result, the risk characteristics of the underlying pool of mortgages, (i.e., fixed-rate or adjustable-rate) as well as prepayment risk, are passed on to the certificate holder. The life of a mortgage-backed pass-through security thus approximates the life of the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than the loans which underlie such securities because of their payment guarantees or credit enhancements which offer nominal credit risk. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings of the Bank in the event that the Bank determined to utilize borrowings as a source of funds. Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the FHLMC are weighted at no more than 20% for risk-based capital purposes, compared to a weight of 50% to 100% for residential loans. See “Depository Institution Regulation — Capital Requirements.”
At December 31, 2011, mortgage-backed securities with an amortized cost of $132.3 million and a carrying value of $138.5 million were held as available for sale. Mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale mortgage-backed securities are recognized as direct increases or decreases in equity, net of applicable income taxes. At December 31, 2011, the Bank’s mortgage-backed securities had a weighted average yield of 4.02%. See Notes 1 and 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
At December 31, 2011, the average contractual maturity of the Bank’s fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities available for sale was approximately 24.9 years. The actual maturity of a mortgage-backed security varies, depending on when the mortgagors prepay or repay the underlying mortgages. Prepayments of the underlying mortgages may shorten the life of the investment, thereby adversely affecting its yield to maturity and the related market value of the mortgage-backed security. The yield is based upon the interest income and the amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount related to the mortgage-backed security. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted over the estimated term of the securities using a level yield method. The prepayment assumptions used to determine the amortization period for premiums and discounts can significantly affect the yield of the mortgage-backed security, and these assumptions are reviewed periodically to reflect the actual prepayment. The actual prepayments of the underlying mortgages depend on many factors, including the type of mortgage, the coupon rate, the age of the mortgages, the geographical location of the underlying real estate collateralizing the mortgages and general levels of market interest rates. The difference between the interest rates on the underlying mortgages and the prevailing mortgage interest rates is an important determinant in the rate of prepayments. During periods of falling mortgage interest rates, prepayments generally increase, and, conversely, during periods of rising mortgage interest rates, prepayments generally decrease. If the coupon rate of the underlying mortgage significantly exceeds the prevailing market interest rates offered for mortgage loans, refinancing generally increases and accelerates the prepayment of the underlying mortgages. Prepayment experience is more difficult to estimate for adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities.
Investment Securities. Investments in certain securities are classified into three categories and accounted for as follows: (1) debt securities bought with the intent to hold to maturity are classified as held for investment and reported at amortized cost; (2) debt and equity securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings; (3) debt and equity securities not classified as either held for investment securities or trading securities are classified as available for sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of equity. The Bank had no investment securities held for investment or trading at December 31, 2011.
Equity Securities. The equity securities held during 2009 consisted of shares of restricted common stock of Triangle Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: TCAP) received in 2007 upon completion of the TCAP public offering. Prior to the public offering, the Bank was a 2.2% limited partner in the Triangle Mezzanine Fund, LLLP, with a limited investment of $500,000. In the public offering, TCAP acquired the Triangle Mezzanine Fund, LLLP, and the limited partners received shares of TCAP restricted common stock in amounts equivalent to their limited investment in the Triangle Mezzanine Fund, LLLP. The TCAP equity securities were sold in 2010.
The Bank had $1.9 million of FHLB stock at December 31, 2011.
The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Bank’s investment, mortgage-backed, and equity securities portfolio at the dates indicated. See Notes 1and 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, carrying values, amortized cost and average yields for the Bank’s investment securities and mortgage-backed securities portfolio at December 31, 2011.
_______________
Deposit Activity and Other Sources of Funds
General. Deposits are the primary source of the Bank’s funds for lending, investment activities and general operational purposes. In addition to deposits, the Bank derives funds from loan principal and interest repayments, maturities of investment securities and mortgage-backed securities and interest payments thereon. Although loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, deposit inflows and outflows are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds, or on a longer term basis for general operational purposes. The Bank has access to borrowings from the FHLB of Atlanta.
Deposits. The Bank attracts deposits principally from within its market area by offering a variety of deposit instruments, including checking accounts, money market accounts, statement savings accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts, and certificates of deposit which range in maturity from seven days to five years. Deposit terms vary according to the length of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. Maturities, terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties for its deposit accounts are established by the Bank on a periodic basis. The Bank reviews its deposit pricing on a weekly basis or more frequently based on market conditions. In determining the characteristics of its deposit accounts, the Bank considers the rates offered by competing institutions, lending and liquidity requirements, growth goals and federal regulations. Management believes it prices its deposits comparably to rates offered by its competitors. The Bank does not accept brokered deposits, which are viewed as being less stable than other types of deposits.
The Bank attempts to compete for deposits with other institutions in its market area by offering competitively priced deposit instruments that are tailored to the needs of its customers. Additionally, the Bank seeks to meet customers’ needs by providing convenient customer service to the community, efficient staff and convenient hours of service. Substantially all of the Bank’s depositors are North Carolina residents. To provide additional convenience, the Bank participates in the Cirrus and STAR Automatic Teller Machine networks at locations throughout the United States, through which customers can gain access to their accounts at any time. To better serve its customers, the Bank has installed automatic teller machines at twenty-five office locations. The Bank provides both personal and business on-line banking services. These services include, but are not limited to, bill paying, access to check images, funds transfers between accounts, ACH originations, wire transfers and stop payment orders for checks, as applicable by personal or business account type. The Bank also provides imaged check statements, thereby eliminating the cost of returning paper items.
The following table sets forth the distribution of the Bank’s deposit accounts based on their original contractual maturities, and corresponding weighted average interest rates based on year-end balances. Management does not believe that the use of year-end balances instead of average balances resulted in any material difference in the information presented.
___________________
See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
The following table indicates the amount of the Bank’s certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2011. At such date, such deposits represented 30.4% of total deposits and had a weighted average rate of 1.6%.
At December 31, 2011, FHLMC mortgage-backed securities with an amortized cost of $5.1 million were pledged as collateral for deposits from public entities and repurchase agreements.
Borrowings. Historically deposits have been the primary source of funds for the Bank’s lending, investment and general operating activities. The Bank is authorized to use advances from the FHLB of Atlanta to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. The FHLB of Atlanta functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for its member financial institutions. As a member of the FHLB System, the Bank is required to own stock in the FHLB of Atlanta and is authorized to apply for advances. Advances are pursuant to several different programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. The FHLB capital stock requirement is based on the sum of a membership stock component totaling 0.20% of the Bank’s total assets plus an activity-based stock component of 4.5% of outstanding FHLB advances. Advances from the FHLB of Atlanta are secured by the Bank’s stock in the FHLB of Atlanta and other eligible assets. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Bank’s borrowings consisted of FHLB advances and retail repurchase agreements. Retail repurchase agreements represent agreements to sell securities under terms which require the Bank to repurchase the same or substantially similar securities by a specified date.
See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding short-term borrowings by the Bank at the dates and for the periods indicated:
(1) Based on month-end balances.
Competition. The Bank faces strong competition in originating real estate, commercial business and consumer loans and in attracting deposits. The Bank competes for real estate and other loans principally on the basis of interest rates, the types of loans it originates, the deposit products it offers and the quality of services it provides to borrowers. The Bank also competes by offering products which are tailored to the local community, including lease financing. Its competition in originating real estate loans comes primarily from other commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers. Commercial banks, credit unions and finance companies provide vigorous competition in consumer lending. Competition may increase as a result of the reduction of restrictions on the interstate operations of financial institutions.
The Bank attracts its deposits through its branch offices primarily from the local communities. Consequently, competition for deposits is principally from other commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions and brokers in the Bank’s primary market area. The Bank competes for deposits and loans by offering a variety of deposit accounts at competitive rates, convenient business hours, a commitment to outstanding customer service and a well-trained staff. The Bank believes it has developed strong relationships with local realtors and the community in general. The Bank’s primary market area for gathering deposits and/or originating loans is central, eastern, northeastern and southeastern North Carolina, where the Bank’s offices are located.
The Bank also makes securities brokerage services available through an affiliation with an independent broker-dealer.
Employees. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had 251 full-time and 16 part-time employees, none of whom were represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Management considers the Bank’s relationships with its employees to be good.
Depository Institution Regulation
General. The Bank is a North Carolina chartered commercial bank and its deposit accounts are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank is subject to supervision, examination and regulation by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (“Commissioner”) and the FDIC and to North Carolina and federal statutory and regulatory provisions governing such matters as capital standards, mergers, subsidiary investments and establishment of branch offices. The FDIC also has the authority to conduct special examinations. The Bank is required to file reports with the Commissioner and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition and will be required to obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, including mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions.
As a federally insured depository institution, the Bank is subject to various regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board” or “FRB”), including Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity), Regulation D (Reserve Requirements), Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers), Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Regulation CC (Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks), Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), the Fair Housing Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, among others.
The system of regulation and supervision applicable to the Bank establishes a comprehensive framework for the operations of the Bank, and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC and the depositors of the Bank, rather than stockholders. Changes in the regulatory framework could have a material effect on the Bank that in turn, could have a material effect on the Company. Certain of the legal and regulatory requirements are applicable to the Bank and Company. This discussion does not purport to be a complete explanation of all such laws and regulations and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the statutes and regulations involved.
Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act represents a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry in the United States. The Dodd-Frank Act includes, among other things:
The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits insured depository institutions and their holding companies from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances and prohibits them from owning equity interests in excess of three percent (3%) of tier 1 capital in private equity and hedge funds (known as the “Volcker Rule”). The Federal Reserve released a final rule on February 9, 2011 (effective on April 1, 2011) which requires a “banking entity,” a term that is defined to include bank holding companies like the Company, to bring its proprietary trading activities and investments into compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act restrictions no later than two years after the earlier of: (1) July 21, 2012, or (2) 12 months after the date on which interagency final rules are adopted. Pursuant to the compliance date final rule, banking entities are permitted to request an extension of this timeframe from the Federal Reserve. On October 11, 2011, the federal banking agencies released for comment proposed regulations implementing the Volcker Rule. The public comment period closed on February 13, 2012. The proposal has been criticized and there is no consensus as to what the provisions will ultimately include. The Company does not anticipate implications of the interagency rules on its investments once those rules are issued and will plan for any adjustments of its activities or its holdings in order to be in compliance by the announced compliance date.
A number of other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act remain to be implemented through the rulemaking process at various regulatory agencies. We are unable to predict the extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act or the forthcoming rules and regulations will impact our business. However, we believe that certain aspects of the legislation, including, without limitation, the additional cost of higher deposit insurance coverage and the costs of compliance with disclosure and reporting requirements and examinations could have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, we cannot predict whether there will be additional proposed laws or reforms that would affect the U.S. financial system or financial institutions, whether or when such changes may be adopted, how such changes may be interpreted and enforced, or how such changes may affect us.
Safety and Soundness Guidelines. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), as amended by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the “CDRI Act”), each federal banking agency was required to establish safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. The interagency guidelines require depository institutions to maintain internal controls and information systems and internal audit systems that are appropriate for the size, nature and scope of the institution’s business. The guidelines also establish certain basic standards for loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth and information security. The guidelines further provide that depository institutions should maintain safeguards to prevent the payment of compensation, fees and benefits that are excessive or that could lead to material financial loss, and should take into account factors such as comparable compensation practices at comparable institutions. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that a depository institution is not in compliance with the safety and soundness guidelines, it may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the guidelines. A depository institution must submit an acceptable compliance plan to its primary federal regulator within 30 days of receipt of a request for such a plan. Failure to submit or implement a compliance plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. Management believes that the Bank substantially meets all the standards adopted in the interagency guidelines.
Capital Requirements. The FRB and the FDIC have established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $150 million or more and state nonmember banks, respectively. The regulations impose two sets of capital adequacy requirements: minimum leverage rules, which require bank holding companies and state nonmember banks to maintain a specified minimum ratio of capital to total assets, and risk-based capital rules, which require the maintenance of specified minimum ratios of capital to “risk-weighted” assets. The regulations of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board require bank holding companies and state nonmember banks, respectively, to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of “Tier 1 capital” to total assets of 3.0% to be considered “adequately capitalized” under the federal banking regulations. Although setting a minimum 3.0% leverage ratio, the capital regulations state that only the strongest bank holding companies and banks, with excellent asset quality, high liquidity, low interest rate exposure, and the highest regulatory rating, are permitted to operate at or near such minimum level of capital. All other bank holding companies and banks must maintain a leverage ratio of at least 4.0% to be considered “adequately capitalized.” As discussed in greater detail below, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to FDIC-insured institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. Tier 1 capital is the sum of common stockholders’ equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus), and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries; minus all intangible assets (other than certain purchased mortgage servicing rights and credit card receivables), identified losses and certain investments. The regulatory capital rules state that voting common stockholders’ equity should be the dominant element within Tier 1 capital and that banking organizations should avoid overreliance on non-common equity elements.
DIF-insured banks must also deduct from Tier 1 capital an amount equal to its investments in, and extensions of credit to, subsidiaries engaged in activities that are not permissible for national banks, other than debt and equity investments in subsidiaries engaged in activities undertaken as agent for customers or in mortgage banking activities or in subsidiary depository institutions or their holding companies. Any bank or bank holding company experiencing or anticipating significant growth is expected to maintain capital well above the minimum levels. In addition, the FRB has indicated that whenever appropriate, and in particular when a bank holding company is undertaking expansion, seeking to engage in new activities or otherwise facing unusual or abnormal risks, it will consider, on a case-by-case basis, the level of an organization’s ratio of tangible Tier 1 capital to total assets in making an overall assessment of capital.
In addition to the leverage ratio, the regulations of the FRB and the FDIC require bank holding companies and state chartered nonmember banks to maintain a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, of which at least 4.0% must be Tier 1 capital. Qualifying total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 or “supplementary capital” items which include allowances for loan losses in an amount of up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, cumulative preferred stock and preferred stock with a maturity of 20 years or more, certain other capital instruments and up to 45% of unrealized gains on equity securities. The includible amount of Tier 2 capital cannot exceed the institution’s Tier 1 capital. Qualifying total capital is further reduced by the amount of the bank’s investments in banking and finance subsidiaries that are not consolidated for regulatory capital purposes, reciprocal cross-holdings of capital securities issued by other banks and certain other deductions. The risk-based capital regulations assign balance sheet assets and the credit equivalent amounts of certain off-balance sheet items to one of four broad risk weight categories ranging from 0% to 100%. The aggregate dollar amount of each category is multiplied by the risk weight assigned to that category based principally on the degree of credit risk associated with the obligor. The sum of these weighted values equals the bank holding company or the bank’s risk-weighted assets.
In addition to FDIC regulatory capital requirements, the Commissioner requires that the Bank have adequate capitalization based upon each Bank’s particular set of circumstances. The Bank is subject to the Commissioner’s capital surplus regulation which requires commercial banks to maintain a capital surplus of at least 50% of common capital. Common capital is defined as the total of the par value of shares times the number of shares outstanding.
Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Under FDICIA, the federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action if an insured depository institution fails to satisfy the minimum capital requirements discussed above, including a leverage limit, a risk-based capital requirement, and any other measure deemed appropriate by the federal banking regulators for measuring the capital adequacy of an insured depository institution. All institutions, regardless of their capital levels, are restricted from making any capital distribution or paying any management fees if the institution would thereafter fail to satisfy the minimum levels for any of its capital requirements. An institution that fails to meet the minimum level for any relevant capital measure (an “undercapitalized institution”) may be: (i) subject to increased monitoring by the appropriate federal banking regulator; (ii) required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan within 45 days; (iii) subject to asset growth limits; and (iv) required to obtain prior regulatory approval for acquisitions, branching and new lines of businesses. The capital restoration plan must include a guarantee by the institution’s holding company that the institution will comply with the plan until it has been adequately capitalized on average for four consecutive quarters, under which the holding company would be liable up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets or the amount necessary to bring the institution into capital compliance as of the date it failed to comply with its capital restoration plan. A “significantly undercapitalized” institution, as well as any undercapitalized institution that does not submit an acceptable capital restoration plan, may be subject to regulatory demands for recapitalization, broader application of restrictions on transactions with affiliates, limitations on interest rates paid on deposits, asset growth and other activities, possible replacement of directors and officers, and restrictions on capital distributions by any bank holding company controlling the institution. Any company controlling the institution may also be required to divest the institution or the institution could be required to divest subsidiaries. The senior executive officers of a significantly undercapitalized institution may not receive bonuses or increases in compensation without prior approval and the institution is prohibited from making payments of principal or interest on its subordinated debt. In their discretion, the federal banking regulators may also impose the foregoing sanctions on an undercapitalized institution if the regulators determine that such actions are necessary to carry out the purposes of the prompt corrective action provisions. If an institution’s ratio of tangible capital to total assets falls below the “critical capital level” established by the appropriate federal banking regulator, the institution will be subject to conservatorship or receivership within specified time periods.
Under the implementing regulations, the federal banking regulators, including the FDIC, generally measure an institution’s capital adequacy on the basis of its total risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its total capital to risk-weighted assets), Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its core capital to risk-weighted assets) and leverage ratio (the ratio of its core capital to adjusted total assets). The following table shows the Bank’s actual capital ratios and the required capital ratios for the various prompt corrective action categories as of December 31, 2011.
___________ * 3.0% if institution has the highest regulatory rating and meets certain other criteria.
A “critically undercapitalized” institution is defined as an institution that has a ratio of “tangible equity” to total assets of less than 2.0%. Tangible equity is defined as core capital plus cumulative perpetual preferred stock (and related surplus) less all intangibles other than qualifying supervisory goodwill and certain purchased mortgage servicing rights. The FDIC may reclassify a well capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory actions applicable to institutions in the next lower capital category (but may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) if the FDIC determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or that the institution has received and not corrected a less-than-satisfactory rating for any regulatory rating category. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
Community Reinvestment Act. The Bank, like other financial institutions, is subject to the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The purpose of the CRA is to encourage financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, including the needs of low-and moderate-income neighborhoods. The federal banking agencies have implemented an evaluation system that rates an institution based on its actual performance in meeting community credit needs. Under these regulations, an institution is first evaluated and rated under three categories: a lending test, an investment test and a service test. For each of these three tests, the institution is given a rating of either “outstanding,” “high satisfactory,” “low satisfactory,” “needs to improve,” or “substantial non-compliance.” A set of criteria for each rating has been developed and is included in the regulation. If an institution disagrees with a particular rating, the institution has the burden of rebutting the presumption by clearly establishing that the quantitative measures do not accurately present its actual performance, or that demographics, competitive conditions or economic or legal limitations peculiar to its service area should be considered. The ratings received under the three tests will be used to determine the overall composite CRA rating. The composite ratings currently given are: “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial non-compliance.”
The Bank’s CRA rating would be a factor to be considered by the FRB and the FDIC in considering applications submitted by the Bank to acquire branches or to acquire or combine with other financial institutions and take other actions and, if such rating was less than “satisfactory,” could result in the denial of such applications. During the Bank’s last compliance examination, the Bank received an outstanding rating with respect to CRA compliance.
Federal Home Loan Bank System. The FHLB System consists of 12 district FHLBs subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). The FHLBs provide a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. As a member of the FHLB of Atlanta, the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB of Atlanta. The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with investment in FHLB of Atlanta stock of $1.9 million at December 31, 2011. The FHLB of Atlanta serves as a reserve or central bank for its member institutions within its assigned district. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. It offers advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHFA and the Board of Directors of the FHLB of Atlanta. Long-term advances may only be made for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance, small businesses, small farms and small agribusinesses.
Reserves. Pursuant to regulations of the FRB, the Bank must maintain average daily reserves equal to 3% on transaction accounts of $11.5 million up to $71.0 million, plus 10% on the amount over $71.0 million. This percentage is subject to adjustment by the FRB. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in an account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of the reserve requirement is to reduce the amount of the institution’s interest-earning assets. The Bank is also subject to the reserve requirements of North Carolina commercial banks. North Carolina law requires state nonmember banks to maintain, at all times, a reserve fund in an amount set by the Commissioner. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank met all of its reserve requirements.
Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to limits set by the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) of the FDIC. The DIF was formed on March 31, 2006, upon the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Insurance Fund in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Reform Act”). The Reform Act established a range of 1.15% to 1.50% within which the FDIC may set the Designated Reserve Ratio (the “reserve ratio”). The Dodd-Frank Act gave the FDIC greater discretion to manage the DIF, raised the minimum DIF reserve ratio to 1.35%, and removed the upper limit of 1.50%. In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a restoration plan to ensure that the DIF reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC also proposed a comprehensive, long-range plan for management of the DIF. As part of this comprehensive plan, the FDIC has adopted a final rule to set the reserve ratio at 2.0%.
On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted and temporarily raised the standard limit of FDIC insurance coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor. On May 20, 2009, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act extended the temporary increase in the standard maximum deposit insurance amount (SMDIA) per depositor through December 31, 2013. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased FDIC insurance coverage to $250,000 per depositor.
The FDIC imposes a risk-based deposit insurance premium assessment on member institutions in order to maintain the DIF. This assessment system was amended by the Reform Act and further amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under this system, as amended, the assessment rates for an insured depository institution vary according to the level of risk incurred in its activities. To arrive at an assessment rate for a banking institution, the FDIC places it in one of four risk categories determined by reference to its capital levels and supervisory ratings. In addition, in the case of those institutions in the lowest risk category, the FDIC further determines its assessment rate based on certain specified financial ratios or, if applicable, its long-term debt ratings. The assessment rate schedule can change from time to time, at the discretion of the FDIC, subject to certain limits. The Dodd-Frank Act changed the methodology for calculating deposit insurance assessments from the amount of an insured institution’s domestic deposits to its total assets minus tangible capital. On February 7, 2011, the FDIC issued a new regulation implementing these revisions to the assessment system. The regulation became effective April 1, 2011.
In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, insured institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”), established by the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 to recapitalize the former Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation (“FSLIC”) deposit insurance fund. The FDIC established the FICO assessment rate effective for the first quarter of 2012 at 0.66 cents annually per $100 of assessable deposits. The quarterly FICO payments during the year ended December 31, 2011 averaged 0.925 cents annually per $100 of assessable deposits.
On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (the “TLGP”) to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in the banking system. The TLGP consists of two components: a temporary guarantee of newly-issued senior unsecured debt named the Debt Guarantee Program, and a temporary unlimited guarantee of funds in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at FDIC insured institutions named the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (“TAG”). All newly-issued senior unsecured debt will be charged an annual assessment of up to 100 basis points (depending on term) multiplied by the amount of debt issued and calculated through the date of that debt or June 30, 2012, whichever is earlier. The Bank elected to opt out of the Debt Guarantee Program. The Bank elected to participate in the TAG Program. On August 26, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule extending the TAG portion of the TLGP for six months through June 30, 2010 and it was extended again through December 31, 2010. The Bank elected to continue to participate in the TAG Program through December 31, 2010. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act extended unlimited FDIC insurance coverage to noninterest-bearing transaction deposit accounts from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2012. It does not apply to accounts earning any level of interest with the exception of Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (“IOLTA”) accounts. This unlimited FDIC insurance coverage is applicable to all applicable deposits at any FDIC-insured financial institution. Therefore, there is no additional FDIC insurance surcharge related to this coverage after December 31, 2010.
During 2009, the FDIC took several measures aimed at replenishing the DIF. On May 22, 2009, the FDIC imposed a 5 basis point special assessment on each insured institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009. On November 17, 2009, the FDIC voted to require insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, as well as all of 2010, 2011, and 2012. For purposes of determining the prepayment, the FDIC used an institution’s assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009. On December 30, 2009, the Bank paid a $4.7 million prepaid assessment and it was accounted for as a prepaid expense with a zero risk-weighting for risk-based regulatory capital purposes. On a quarterly basis after December 31, 2009, the Bank expenses its regular quarterly deposit insurance assessment and records an offsetting credit to the prepaid assessment asset, until the asset is exhausted. If the prepaid assessment is not exhausted by June 30, 2013, any remaining amount will be returned to the Bank. The Bank’s remaining prepaid assessment asset was $2.2 million at December 31, 2011. The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an insured institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. Management of the Bank is not aware of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of its FDIC deposit insurance.
Liquidity Requirements. FDIC policy requires that banks maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets (cash, certain time deposits, mortgage-backed securities, loans available for sale and specified United States government, state, or federal agency obligations) in an amount which it deems adequate to protect the safety and soundness of the bank. The FDIC currently has no specific level which it requires. The Bank maintains its liquidity position under policy guidelines based on liquid assets in relationship to deposits and short-term borrowings. Based on its policy calculation guidelines, the Bank’s calculated liquidity ratio was 25.8% of total deposits and short-term borrowings at December 31, 2011, which management believes is adequate.
Dividend Restrictions. Under FDIC regulations, the Bank is prohibited from making any capital distributions if after making the distribution, the Bank would have: (i) a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%; or (iii) a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%.
Limits on Loans to One Borrower. The Bank generally is subject to both FDIC regulations and North Carolina law regarding loans to any one borrower, including related entities. Under applicable law, with certain limited exceptions, loans and extensions of credit by a state chartered nonmember bank to a person outstanding at one time and not fully secured by collateral having a market value at least equal to the amount of the loan or extension of credit shall not exceed 15% of the unimpaired capital of the Bank. Loans and extensions of credit fully secured by readily marketable collateral having a market value at least equal to the amount of the loan or extension of credit shall not exceed 10% of the unimpaired capital fund of the Bank. Under these limits, the Bank’s loans to one borrower were limited to $13.5 million at December 31, 2011. At that date, the Bank had no lending relationships in excess of the loans-to-one-borrower limit. Notwithstanding the statutory loans-to-one-borrower limitations, the Bank has a self imposed loans-to-one-borrower limit, which currently is $7.2 million, which it has exceeded from time to time as approved in advance by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 2011, the Bank’s largest lending relationship was a $6.6 million relationship consisting of three commercial real estate loans. All loans within this relationship were current and performing in accordance with their contractual terms at December 31, 2011.
Transactions with Related Parties. Transactions between a state nonmember bank and any affiliate are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a state nonmember bank is any company or entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the state nonmember bank. In a holding company context, the parent holding company of a state nonmember bank (such as the Company) and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings institution or state nonmember bank. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B (i) limit the extent to which an institution or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus, and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus and (ii) require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar other types of transactions.
Loans to Directors, Executive Officers and Principal Stockholders. State nonmember banks also are subject to the restrictions contained in Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and the applicable regulations thereunder on loans to executive officers, directors and principal stockholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, executive officer and to a greater than 10% stockholder of a state nonmember bank and certain affiliated interests of such persons, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated interests, the institution’s loans-to-one-borrower limit and all loans to such persons may not exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Section 22(h) also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders of a depository institution, and their respective affiliates, unless such loan is approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the institution with any “interested” director not participating in the voting. Regulation O prescribes the loan amount (which includes all other outstanding loans to such person) as to which such prior board of directors approval is required as being the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus (or any loans aggregating $500,000 or more). Further, Section 22(h) requires that loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders generally be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons. Section 22(h) also generally prohibits a depository institution from paying the overdrafts of any of its executive officers or directors.
State nonmember banks also are subject to the requirements and restrictions of Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act on loans to executive officers. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act requires approval by the board of directors of a depository institution for such extensions of credit and imposes reporting requirements for and additional restrictions on the type, amount and terms of credits to such officers. In addition, Section 106 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”) prohibits extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders of a depository institution by any other institution which has a correspondent banking relationship with the institution, unless such extension of credit is on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
Additionally, North Carolina statutes set forth restrictions on loans to executive officers of state chartered banks, which provide that no bank may extend credit to any of its executive officers nor a firm or partnership of which such executive officers is a member, nor a company in which such executive officer owns a controlling interest, unless the extension of credit is made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions by the bank with persons who are not employed by the bank, and provided further that the extension of credit does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment.
Restrictions on Certain Activities. State chartered nonmember banks with deposits insured by the FDIC are generally prohibited from engaging in equity investments that are not permissible for a national bank. The foregoing limitation, however, does not prohibit FDIC-insured state banks from acquiring or retaining an equity investment in a subsidiary in which the bank is a majority owner. State chartered banks are also prohibited from engaging as a principal in any type of activity that is not permissible for a national bank and, subject to certain exceptions, subsidiaries of state chartered FDIC-insured banks may not engage as a principal in any type of activity that is not permissible for a subsidiary of a national bank, unless in either case, the FDIC determines that the activity would pose no significant risk to the DIF and the bank is, and continues to be, in compliance with applicable capital standards.
USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act (“Patriot Act”) is intended to strengthen U.S. law enforcement’s and the intelligence communities’ abilities to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The impact of the Patriot Act on financial institutions of all kinds is significant and wide ranging. The Patriot Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and imposes various regulations including standards for verifying client identification at account opening, and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could result in legal consequences for the institution.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation . The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (e.g., property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure of a financial institution to comply with these sanctions could result in legal consequences for the institution.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) (also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999) expanded certain activities in which banks and bank holding companies may engage. The GLBA made three fundamental changes: repealed key provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act to permit commercial banks to affiliate with investment banks; modified the Bank Holding Company Act (“BHCA”) to permit companies that own commercial banks to engage in any type of financial activity; and allows subsidiaries of banks to engage in a broad range of financial activities that are not permitted for banks themselves. The GLBA also contains a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including the privacy of customer information.
Privacy. In addition to expanding the activities in which banks and bank holding companies may engage, the GLBA imposes new requirements on financial institutions with respect to customer privacy. The GLBA generally prohibits disclosure of customer information to non-affiliated third parties unless the customer has been given the opportunity to object and has not objected to such disclosure. Financial institutions are further required to disclose their privacy policies to customers annually. Financial institutions, however, will be required to comply with state law if it is more protective of customer privacy than the GLBA. The privacy provisions became effective on July 1, 2002. The GLBA contains a variety of other provisions including a prohibition against ATM surcharges unless the customer has first been provided notice of the imposition and amount of the fee.
Regulation of the Company
General. The Company, as the sole shareholder of the Bank, is a bank holding company and is registered with the Federal Reserve Board. Bank holding companies are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FRB under the BHCA, and the regulations of the FRB. As a bank holding company, the Company is required to file with the FRB annual reports and such additional information as the FRB may require, and is subject to regular examinations by the FRB. The FRB also has extensive enforcement authority over bank holding companies, including, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders and to require that a holding company divest subsidiaries, including its bank subsidiaries. In general, enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of law and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.
Under the BHCA, a bank holding company must obtain FRB approval before: (i) acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would own or control more than 5% of such shares (unless it already owns or controls the majority of such shares); (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company; or (iii) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company. In evaluating applications for acquisitions, the FRB considers such things as the financial condition and management of the target and the acquirer, the convenience and needs of the communities involved (including CRA ratings) and competitive factors.
The BHCA also prohibits a bank holding company, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company, or from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve certain nonbank activities which, by statute or by FRB regulation or order, have been identified as activities closely related to the business of banking or managing or controlling banks. The list of activities permitted by the FRB includes, among other things, operating a savings institution, mortgage company, finance company, credit card company or factoring company; performing certain data processing operations; providing certain investment and financial advice; underwriting and acting as an insurance agent for certain types of credit-related insurance; leasing property on a full-payout, non-operating basis; selling money orders, travelers’ checks and United States Savings Bonds; real estate and personal property appraising; providing tax planning and preparation services; and, subject to certain limitations, providing securities brokerage services for customers. The Company currently engages in some of these permitted activities through the Bank, but has no present plans to operate a credit card company or factoring company, perform data processing operations, real estate and personal property appraising or provide tax planning and tax preparation services.
The GLBA authorized bank holding companies that meet specified qualitative standards to opt to become a “financial holding company.” A financial holding company may engage in activities that are permissible for bank holding companies in addition to activities deemed to be financial in nature or incidental to financial activities. These include insurance underwriting and investment banking. The Company has not opted to become a financial holding company.
The FRB has adopted guidelines regarding the capital adequacy of bank holding companies, which require bank holding companies to maintain specified minimum ratios of capital to total assets and capital to risk-weighted assets. See “— Depository Institution Regulation — Capital Requirements.”
Acquisition of Bank Holding Companies and Banks. Under the BHCA, any company must obtain approval of the FRB prior to acquiring control of the Company or the Bank. For purposes of the BHCA, “control” is defined as ownership of more than 25% of any class of voting securities of the Company or the Bank, the ability to control the election of a majority of the directors, or the exercise of a controlling influence over management or policies of the Company or the Bank. The Change in Bank Control Act (“CBCA”) and the related regulations of the FRB require any person or persons acting in concert, to file a written notice with the FRB before such person or persons may acquire control of the Company or the Bank. The CBCA defines “control” as the power, directly or indirectly, to vote 25% or more of any voting securities or to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or an insured bank; however, a rebuttable presumption of control exists upon the acquisition of power to vote 10% or more of a class of voting securities for a company whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Interstate Banking. Federal law allows the FRB to approve an application of an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company to acquire control of, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, a bank located in a state other than the holding company’s home state, without regard to whether the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. The FRB may not approve the acquisition of a bank that has not been in existence for a minimum of five years without regard for a longer minimum period specified by the law of the host state. The FRB is prohibited from approving an application if the applicant (and its depository institution affiliates) controls or would control (i) more than 10% of the insured deposits in the United States, or (ii) 30% or more of the deposits in the target bank’s home state or in any state in which the target bank maintains a branch. Federal law does not limit a state’s authority to restrict the percentage of total insured deposits in the state which may be held or controlled by a bank or bank holding company to the extent such limitation does not discriminate against out-of-state banks or bank holding companies. Individual states may also waive the 30% state-wide concentration limit.
The federal banking agencies are also authorized to approve interstate merger transactions without regard to whether such transaction is prohibited by the law of any state, unless the home state of one of the banks has adopted a law opting out of the interstate mergers. Interstate acquisitions of branches are permitted only if the law of the state in which the branch is located permits such acquisitions. Interstate mergers and branch acquisitions are subject to the nationwide and statewide insured deposit concentration amounts described above. North Carolina has enacted legislation permitting interstate banking acquisitions.
The Dodd-Frank Act allows national and state banks to establish branches in any state if that state would permit the establishment of the branch by a state bank chartered in that state.
Dividends. The FRB has issued a joint interagency statement on the payment of cash dividends by banking organizations, which expresses the FRB’s view that in setting dividend levels, a banking organization should consider its ongoing earnings capacity, the adequacy of its loan loss allowance, and the overall effect that a dividend payout would have on its cost of funding, its capital position, and, consequently, its ability to serve the expected needs of creditworthy borrowers. Banking organizations should not maintain a level of cash dividends that is inconsistent with the organization's capital position, that could weaken the organization's overall financial health, or that could impair its ability to meet the needs of creditworthy borrowers. Supervisors will continue to review the dividend policies of individual banking organizations and will take action when dividend policies are found to be inconsistent with sound capital and lending policies.
The FRB has also issued a supervisory letter (SR 09-4) to provide greater clarity regarding payment of dividends. The letter largely reiterates FRB supervisory policies and guidance, and heightens expectations that a bank holding company will inform and consult with the FRB supervisory staff sufficiently in advance of (i) declaring and paying a dividend that could raise safety and soundness concerns (i.e. declaring and paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period which the dividend is being paid); (ii) redeeming or repurchasing regulatory capital instruments when the bank holding company is experiencing financial weakness; or (iii) redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock that could result in a net reduction as of the end of a quarter in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred.
Furthermore, under the prompt corrective action regulations adopted by the FRB, the FRB may prohibit a bank holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “undercapitalized”. See “— Depository Institution Regulation — Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action.”
Bank holding companies are required to give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the their consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or would violate any law, regulation, FRB order, directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with the FRB. Bank holding companies whose capital ratios exceeded the thresholds for well capitalized banks on a consolidated basis are exempt from the foregoing requirement if they were given satisfactory ratings in their most recent regulatory inspection and are not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.
Incentive Compensation Policies and Restrictions. In July 2010, the federal banking agencies issued guidance which applies to all banking organizations supervised by the agencies. Pursuant to the guidance, to be consistent with safety and soundness principles, a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should: (1) provide employees with incentives that appropriately balance risk and reward; (2) be compatible with effective controls and risk management; and (3) be supported by strong corporate governance including active and effective oversight by the banking organization’s board of directors. Monitoring methods and processes used by a banking organization should be commensurate with the size and complexity of the organization and its use of incentive compensation.
In addition, in March 2011, the federal banking agencies, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, released a proposed rule intended to ensure that regulated financial institutions design their incentive compensation arrangements to account for risk. Specifically, the proposed rule would require compensation practices of the Registrant to be consistent with the following principles: (1) compensation arrangements appropriately balance risk and financial reward; (2) such arrangements are compatible with effective controls and risk management; and (3) such arrangements are supported by strong corporate governance. In addition, financial institutions with $1 billion or more in assets would be required to have policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the rule and would be required to submit annual reports to their primary federal regulator. The comment period has closed and a final rule has not yet been published.
Taxation – General. The Company files its federal and state income tax returns based on a fiscal year ending December 31.
Federal Income Taxation. The Company reports income taxes in accordance with financial accounting standards which require the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary difference between financial statement and tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has assessed if it had any significant uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2011 and determined there were none. Accordingly, no reserve for uncertain tax positions was recorded. The Company’s federal income tax returns have been audited through the year ended December 31, 2007.
State Income Taxation. Under North Carolina law, the corporate income tax currently is 6.90% of federal taxable income as computed under the Internal Revenue Code, subject to certain state adjustments. An annual state franchise tax is imposed at a rate of 0.15% applied to the greater of the institution’s (i) capital stock, surplus and undivided profits, (ii) investment in tangible property in North Carolina or (iii) appraised valuation of tangible property in North Carolina.
For additional information regarding taxation, see Notes 1 and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors. Not required for a Smaller Reporting Company
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. Not required for a Smaller Reporting Company
Item 2. Properties. The following table has the location and information regarding the Bank’s offices at December 31, 2011.
The book value of the Bank’s premises and equipment was $11.7 million at December 31, 2011. See Notes 1 and 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company and/or the Bank are party to various legal proceedings incident to their business. At December 31, 2011, there were no legal proceedings to which either the Company or the Bank was a party, or to which any of their property was subject, which were expected by management to result in a material loss to the Company or the Bank. There are no pending regulatory proceedings to which the Company or the Bank is a party or to which either of their properties is subject which are currently expected to result in a material loss.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Stock Listing Information. The Company's common stock is listed and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FSBK. There were 727 registered stockholders of record as of March 20, 2012.
Stock Price and Dividend Information. The following table presents the high and low trading price information of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market and dividends declared per share for the periods indicated.
Dividends. The Company’s ability to pay dividends on its Common Stock is principally dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company, which is subject to various regulatory restrictions and limitations. In order to preserve the Bank’s capital during the current stressed economic environment, in December 2010 the Company suspended quarterly cash dividend payments. The Board will continue to review the status of future dividend payments, which will depend upon the Company’s financial condition, earnings, equity structure, capital needs, economic conditions and regulatory requirements. For information on the regulatory restrictions and limitations on the ability of the Company to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to the Company, see “Item 1. Business – Regulation of the Company – Dividends.”
Performance Graph. Not required for a Smaller Reporting Company
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during 2011 or 2010.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. See Item 12 of this report for disclosure regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.
Registrar and Transfer Agent. Inquiries regarding stock transfer, registration, lost certificates or changes in name and address should be directed to the Company’s stock registrar and transfer agent: Registrar and Transfer Company, 10 Commerce Drive, Cranford, New Jersey 07016; via the Internet at www.rtco.com; or toll-free at 800-866-1340.
Investor Information. Stockholders, investors and analysts interested in additional information may contact William L. Wall, Secretary, First South Bancorp, Inc., P. O. Box 2047, Washington, NC 27889; or via email to bill.wall@firstsouthnc.com.
Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First South Bancorp, Inc. will be held Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time, at the main office of First South Bank, 1311 Carolina Avenue, Washington, North Carolina.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. The following table containing selected financial data is derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the five years ended December 31, 2011. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General. First South Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was formed to issue common stock, owning 100% of First South Bank (the "Bank") and operating through the Bank a commercial banking business; therefore, this discussion and analysis of consolidated financial condition and results of operation relates primarily to the Bank. The business of the Bank consists principally of attracting deposits from the general public and using them to originate secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans, permanent mortgage and construction loans secured by single-family residences and other loans. The Bank's earnings depend primarily on its net interest income, the difference between interest earned on interest earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The volume of noninterest income and noninterest expenses also impacts the Bank’s earnings.
Prevailing economic conditions, competition, as well as federal and state regulations, affect the operations of the Bank. The Bank's cost of funds is influenced by interest rates paid on competing investments, rates offered on deposits by other financial institutions in the Bank's market area and by general market interest rates. Lending activities are affected by the demand for financing of real estate and various types of commercial, consumer and mortgage loans, and by the interest rates offered on such financing. The Bank's business emphasis is to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community oriented financial institution dedicated to providing quality customer service and meeting the financial needs of the communities it serves. The Bank believes it has been effective in serving its customers because of its ability to respond quickly and effectively to customer needs and inquiries. The Bank's ability to provide these services has been enhanced by the stability of the Bank's senior management team.
The Company's common stock is listed and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FSBK.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. Liquidity generally refers to the Bank's ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its funding needs. Adequate liquidity guarantees sufficient funds are available to meet deposit withdrawals, fund loan commitments, maintain adequate reserve requirements, pay operating expenses, provide funds for debt service, and meet other general commitments. The Bank maintains its liquidity position under policy guidelines based on liquid assets in relationship to deposits and short-term borrowings. The Bank's primary sources of funds are customer deposits, loan principal and interest payments, proceeds from loan and securities sales, and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (the "FHLB"). While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are influenced by interest rates, economic conditions and local competition. The Bank’s primary investing activity is originating commercial, consumer and mortgage loans, lease financing receivables and purchases and sales of investment securities. The Bank’s primary financing activities are attracting checking, certificate, savings deposits, repurchase agreements and obtaining FHLB advances.
The levels of cash and cash equivalents depend on the Bank's operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. Cash and cash equivalents declined to $32.8 million at December 31, 2011, from $44.4 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank has other sources of liquidity if a need for additional funds arises. Mortgage-backed securities available for sale increased to $138.5 million at December 31, 2011, from $98.6 million at December 31, 2010. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Bank sold and exchanged real estate loans totaling $60.9 million and $87.5 million, respectively. Borrowings consisting of FHLB advances, junior subordinated debentures and retail repurchase agreements declined to $12.4 million at December 31, 2011, from $21.8 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank has pledged its FHLB Atlanta stock and certain loans as collateral for actual or potential FHLB advances. The Bank has credit availability with the FHLB of 20% of the Bank’s total assets. The Bank had $153.1 million of credit availability with the FHLB at December 31, 2011, compared to $151.9 million at December 31, 2010.
The Company had $10.3 million of junior subordinated debentures outstanding at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. They were issued in 2003 through a private placement pooled trust preferred securities offering by First South Preferred Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust. The trust preferred securities bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 2.95% payable quarterly. They have a 30-year maturity and were first redeemable, in whole or in part, on or after September 30, 2008, with certain exceptions. For regulatory purposes, $10.0 million of the trust preferred securities qualifies as Tier 1 capital for the Company and the Bank, to the extent such proceeds have been invested in the Company and the Bank. Proceeds from the trust preferred securities were used by the statutory trust to purchase junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company. See Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
As a North Carolina chartered commercial bank and a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") insured institution, the Bank is required to meet various state and federal regulatory capital standards. The Bank's total regulatory capital was $81.6 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $80.1 million at December 31, 2010. The North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the “Commissioner”) requires the Bank to maintain a capital surplus of not less than 50% of common capital stock. The FDIC requires the Bank to meet a minimum leverage capital requirement of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings and common stockholders' equity, less any intangible assets) to assets ratio of at least 4%, and a total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 8%, of which 4% must be in the form of Tier 1 capital. The Bank was in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 2011 and 2010. See Note 13 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a description of the Bank’s actual regulatory capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Stockholders' equity increased to $84.1 million at December 31, 2011, from $79.5 million at December 31, 2010. The Company reported net income of $1.6 million for fiscal 2011, compared to a net operating loss of $2.4 million for fiscal 2010. There were 9,751,271 shares of common stock outstanding at both December 31, 2011 and 2010, net of 1,502,951 treasury shares.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from changes in interest rates. The risk of loss can be reflected in diminished and/or reduced potential net interest income in future periods. Interest rate risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in lending and deposit taking activities. The Bank considers interest rate risk to be a significant risk, which could potentially have a material impact on operating earnings. Interest rate risk is measured by computing estimated changes in net interest income and the economic value of equity ("EVE") of the cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. The Bank's exposure to interest rates is reviewed on a quarterly basis by management and the Board. Exposure to interest rate risk is measured with the use of interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine the potential change in net interest income and EVE in the event of hypothetical changes in interest rates, while interest rate sensitivity gap analysis is used to determine the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. If estimated changes to net interest income and EVE are not within Board established target risk tolerance limits, the Board may direct management to adjust the Bank's asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk within the approved target limits.
The EVE calculation is based on the net present value of discounted cash flows utilizing market prepayment assumptions. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit decay rates, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions the Bank may undertake in response to changes in interest rates.
EVE represents the economic value of portfolio equity and is equal to the market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities, with adjustments made for off-balance sheet items. The interest rate sensitivity analysis assesses the potential loss in risk sensitive instruments in the event of sudden and sustained 1% to 4% increases and decreases in market interest rates. With the Federal Reserve’s current policy of continuing to hold interest rates at lower levels, it is not foreseeable that interest rates can decline below zero if downward rate environment assumptions were run. Any data produced by these assumptions would not be reliable. Therefore, the Bank will not run any downward rate assumptions until interest rates increase. The Board has adopted an interest rate risk management policy that establishes maximum increases in net interest income of 10%, 20%, 29% and 34%; and maximum decreases in EVE of 10%, 19%, 27% and 32% in the event of sudden and sustained 1% to 4% increases in market interest rates.
Table 1 below presents a static simulation projection of changes in EVE and net interest income, before provision for credit losses (“PCL”), only in the event of sudden and sustained increases in market interest rates for the various rate shock levels at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, the Bank's estimated changes in EVE and net interest income were within the Board established target limits.
Table 1 - Projected Change in EVE and Net Interest Income
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in Table 1. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities to repricing, they may react in differing degrees to changes in market interest rates. The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Certain assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. In addition, the proportion of adjustable-rate loans in the Bank's portfolio could decrease in future periods due to refinance activity if market interest rates remain at or decrease below current levels. Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate from those assumed in the table. Also, the ability of many borrowers to repay their adjustable-rate debt may decrease in the event of an increase in interest rates.
The Bank uses interest sensitivity gap analysis to monitor the relationship between the maturity and repricing of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, while maintaining an acceptable interest rate spread. Interest sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities, and is considered negative when the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive assets. Generally, during a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap would adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap would result in an increase in net interest income. Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap would negatively affect net interest income. The Bank's goal is to maintain a reasonable balance between exposure to interest rate fluctuations and earnings.
Asset/Liability Management. The Bank strives to maintain consistent net interest income and reduce its exposure to adverse changes in interest rates by matching the terms to repricing of its interest-sensitive assets and liabilities. Factors beyond the Bank's control, such as market interest rates and competition, may also impact interest income and interest expense. The Bank's net interest income will generally increase when interest rates rise over an extended period of time, and conversely, will decrease when interest rates decline. The Bank can significantly influence its net interest income by controlling the increases and decreases in its interest income and interest expense, which are primarily caused by changes in market interest rates.
Interest rate risk and trends, liquidity and capital ratio requirements are reported to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) on a regular basis. The Board reviews the maturities of the Bank's assets and liabilities and establishes policies and strategies designed to regulate the flow of funds and to coordinate the sources, uses and pricing of such funds. The first priority in structuring and pricing assets and liabilities is to maintain an acceptable interest rate spread while reducing the net effects of changes in interest rates. The Bank's management is responsible for administering the policies and determinations of the Board with respect to the Bank's asset and liability goals and strategies.
A primary component in managing interest rate risk is based on the volume of interest sensitive assets such as commercial loans, consumer loans and lease financing receivables. Commercial loans, consumer loans and lease receivables declined to $473.2 million at December 31, 2011, from $569.7 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank also had $6.4 million of loans held for sale at December 31, 2011, compared to $4.5 million at December 31, 2010. Depending on conditions existing at a given time, the Bank may sell fixed-rate residential mortgage loans in the secondary market. In managing its portfolio of investment securities, a majority of mortgage-backed securities are held as available for sale, allowing the Bank to sell a security in a timely manner should an immediate liquidity need arise. Mortgage-backed securities classified as available for sale increased to $138.5 million at December 31, 2011, from $98.6 million at December 31, 2010.
The Bank uses interest sensitivity gap analysis to monitor the relationship between the maturity and repricing of its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, while maintaining an acceptable interest rate spread. Interest sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities, and is considered negative when the amount of interest-sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-sensitive assets. Generally, during a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap would adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap would result in an increase in net interest income. Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap would negatively affect net interest income. The Bank's goal is to maintain a reasonable balance between exposure to interest rate fluctuations and earnings.
Rate/Volume Analysis. Net interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates and changing volume on average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities.
Table 2 below represents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company's interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. For each category of average interest-earning asset and average interest-bearing liability, information is provided on changes attributable to: (i) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by old rate); (ii) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume); (iii) changes in rate-volume (changes in rate multiplied by the changes in volume); and (iv) net change (total of the previous columns).
Analysis of Net Interest Income. Net interest income primarily represents the difference between income derived from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by both the difference between the yield on earning assets and the average cost of funds ("interest rate spread"), and the relative volume of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits.
Table 3 below sets forth certain information relating to the Company's Statements of Financial Condition and Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, reflecting the yield on average earning assets and the average cost of funds for the periods indicated. Average balances are derived from month end balances. The Company does not believe that using month end balances rather than average daily balances has caused any material difference in the information presented.
The decline in net interest income results primarily from the decline in market interest rates and the decline in the volume of average earning assets. The decline in market interest rates has been significantly influenced by the Federal Reserve’s current policy of holding interest rates at record low levels in efforts to stimulate current economic conditions. The decline in the volume of earning assets has been influenced by a slowdown in loan originations due to the current recessionary economic environment, and the current volume of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned, as discussed below.
Table 2 - Rate/Volume Analysis
Table 3 - Yield/Cost Analysis
Results of Operations
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Total assets declined to $746.9 million at December 31, 2011, from $797.2 million at December 31, 2010. Average earning assets declined to $700.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, from $738.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting a net decline in the volume of the commercial loan, consumer loan and leases receivable portfolios. The ratio of earning assets to total assets increased to 91.2% at December 31, 2011, from 87.4% at December 31, 2010.
Mortgage-backed securities increased to $138.5 million at December 31, 2011, from $98.9 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank purchased $23.1 million of mortgage-backed securities available for sale during 2011, compared to none purchased during 2010. The Bank securitized $37.2 million of mortgage loans held for sale into mortgage-backed securities during 2011, compared to $48.4 million securitized during 2010. Loan securitizations help support a more balanced sensitivity to future interest rate changes and provide additional funds for maintaining adequate liquidity levels. The Bank sold $11.9 million mortgage-backed securities available for sale in 2011, compared to $37.8 million sold in 2010. Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities are used in daily liquidity management activities including funding borrowing maturities, deposit withdrawals or are reinvested into new investment securities or short-term interest bearing overnight funds.
Loans and lease receivables, net of the allowance for loan and lease losses and deferred loan fees, declined to $525.2 million at December 31, 2011, from $606.1 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank originates both secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans and adjustable rate mortgage loans, to take advantage of shorter terms to maturity and the ability to better manage exposure to market and interest rate risk due to changes in interest rates. The Bank also sells selected mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market in order to reduce its exposure to interest rate and credit risk, while retaining servicing rights to generate additional fee income. Loans serviced for others increased to $319.4 million at December 31, 2011, from $318.2 million serviced at December 31, 2010.
Commercial loans declined to $389.2 million at December 31, 2011, from $479.1 million at December 31, 2010, reflecting the net of principal repayments, valuation adjustments and a reduction in the volume of new loan originations. Certain commercial loans were the subject of foreclosure during 2011 and transferred to other real estate owned, as discussed below. The Bank has restricted originating new acquisition and development loans, lot loans or land loans. The Bank has also restricted originating speculative construction loans, and has limited most new construction lending to those with contracts or pre-sales and to builders who hold lot inventory financed by the Bank, with limited exceptions as approved by credit administration. Consumer loans declined to $76.4 million at December 31, 2011, from $82.5 million at December 31, 2010; while lease receivables declined to $7.6 million at December 31, 2011, from $8.1 million at December 31, 2010. Commercial loan, consumer loan and lease receivables originations declined to $44.5 million during fiscal 2011, from $96.1 million originated during fiscal 2010.
Residential mortgage loans increased to $68.2 million at December 31, 2011, from $56.5 million at December 31, 2010, reflecting the net effect of principal repayments, originations, sales and securitizations. The Bank originated $74.6 million of held for sale residential mortgage loans during 2011, compared to $95.1 million originated during 2010. The Bank also originated $20.5 million of residential mortgage loans for investors during 2011, compared to $26.0 million originated for investors during 2010. The Bank sold $23.7 million of loans held for sale during 2011, compared to $39.1 million sold during 2010. Loan sales help reduce exposure to future interest rate changes, provide funds for new loan originations and deposit withdrawals, and support daily liquidity management activities.
Nonperforming loans, including nonperforming restructured loans, increased to $43.0 million at December 31, 2011, from $41.3 million at December 31, 2010. The current level of nonperforming loans, consisting primarily of residential and commercial real estate loans, is attributable to the current economic environment and the financial stress of certain borrowers. Downward pressure has impacted the market values of housing and other real estate, significantly impacting property values in the Bank’s market area and credit quality of certain borrowers. Management has thoroughly evaluated all nonperforming loans and believes they are either well collateralized or adequately reserved. However, there can be no assurance in the future that regulators, increased credit risks in the loan portfolio, further declines in economic conditions and other factors will not require additional fair value adjustments to the nonperforming loans. The Bank’s unrecognized interest on nonperforming loans was $1.5 million at both December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 8.0% at December 31, 2011, from 6.6% at December 31, 2010. See Provision for Credit Losses and Allowance for Credit Losses below for additional discussion.
Other real estate owned increased to $17.0 million at December 31, 2011, from $11.6 million at December 31, 2010, reflecting foreclosures of certain real estate properties, net of sales. Other real estate owned consists of residential and commercial properties, developed building lots and a developed residential subdivision. Based on fair value analysis, the Bank believes the adjusted carrying values of these properties are representative of their fair market values, although there can be no assurances that the ultimate sales will be equal to or greater than the carrying values. The Bank recorded $2.5 million of fair value adjustments to other real estate owned in 2011, compared to $3.2 million in 2010. See Notes 1and 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Goodwill related to prior period acquisitions was $4.2 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is not amortized according to provisions of financial accounting standards. The unamortized balance of the Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually. The Company has performed annual impairment testing and determined there was no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.
Total deposits declined to $642.6 million at December 31, 2011, from $689.5 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank continues to compete in its market area for lower cost core demand deposits. During 2011 and amid intense competition, demand accounts increased to $243.7 million at December 31, 2011, from $234.5 million at December 31, 2010. Certificates of deposit declined to $369.9 million at December 31, 2011, from $430.5 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank attempts to manage its cost of deposits by monitoring the volume and rates paid on maturing certificates of deposits in relationship to current funding needs and market interest rates. The Bank did not renew certain higher rate maturing time deposits during 2011 and was able to reprice new and maturing time deposits at lower rates. The Bank may also use lower costing FHLB borrowings as a funding source, providing an effective means of managing its overall cost of funds.
Total borrowings declined to $12.4 million at December 31, 2011, from $21.8 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank had no FHLB advances at December 31, 2011, compared to $10.0 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank repaid the $10.0 million FHLB advance during 2011. Junior subordinated debentures were $10.3 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Repurchase agreements representing funds held in cash management accounts for commercial banking customers increased to $2.1 million at December 31, 2011, from $1.5 million at December 31, 2010.
Stockholders' equity increased to $84.1 million at December 31, 2011, from $79.5 million at December 31, 2010, reflecting the net effect of annual earnings and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company’s equity to assets ratio increased to 11.3% at December 31, 2011, from 10.0% at December 31, 2010. Accumulated other comprehensive income increased to $3.7 million at December 31, 2011, from $631,000 at December 31, 2010, reflecting an increase in unrealized gains on available for sale securities, net of deferred income taxes.
The Company paid no quarterly cash dividends in 2011, compared to three quarterly cash dividend payments in 2010, totaling $0.49 per share. In order to preserve the Bank’s capital during the currently stressed economic environment, the Company suspended quarterly cash dividend payments in December 2010. The Board will continue to review the status of future dividend payments, which will depend upon the Company’s financial condition, earnings, equity structure, capital needs, economic conditions and regulatory requirements.
The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during 2011 or 2010. Shares purchased are held as treasury stock, at cost. Treasury shares were 1,502,951 totaling $32.0 million at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Treasury shares are used for general corporate purposes including the exercise of stock options and funding shares for potential future stock splits. No shares were issued from the exercise of stock options during 2011, compared to 8,975 shares issued during 2010. No shares were tendered to pay the exercise price and income taxes incident to stock option exercises during 2011 or 2010.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
General. The Company reported net income of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to a net operating loss of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The net income per diluted common share was $0.16 per share for 2011, compared to net loss per diluted common share of $0.24 per share for 2010.
The volume of net earnings during 2011 was influenced by the amount of provisions for credit losses required to replenish net charge-offs; a decline in the volume of earning assets and an increase in the volume of non-earning assets between the respective reporting periods; while being partially offset by a reduction in interest funding expense.
The current economy continues to present a challenging credit environment for the Bank, for its customers and for the banking industry. The Bank continues to monitor and evaluate all significant loans in its portfolio, and will continue to manage its credit risk exposure in anticipation of future stabilization of the real estate market. Management believes competition and pricing pressures will continue on both deposits and loans into 2012. The amount and timing of any future Federal Reserve rate adjustments remains uncertain, and may further impact the Bank if those adjustments are significant.
As the Bank manages through the current economic cycle, it remains focused on long-term strategies. These strategies include remediating problem assets, maintaining adequate levels of capital and liquidity, improving efficiency in operations, building core customer relationships and improving franchise value along with stockholder value. The Bank continues to maintain a strong capital position in excess of the well-capitalized regulatory guidelines, and combined with strengthening of the allowance for credit losses should enhance future earnings as economic conditions substantially improve.
Two performance ratios are return on average assets (ROA) and return on average equity (ROE). ROA increased to 0.2% for 2011, from (0.3)% for 2010; while ROE increased to 1.9% for 2011, from (2.7)% for 2010. These ratios were negatively impacted in 2010 based on the reported net operating loss. The efficiency ratio (noninterest expenses as a percentage of net interest income plus noninterest income) increased to 67.8% for 2011, from 59.7% for 2010. The efficiency ratio measures the proportion of net operating revenues that are absorbed by overhead expenses, that have increased during the reporting periods primarily due to costs associated with other real estate owned.
Interest Income. Interest income declined to $39.3 million for 2011, from $42.9 million for 2010. This decline was influenced by the decline in the volume of average earning assets and continued lower interest rates during the reporting periods. The average balance of interest-earning assets declined to $700.2 million for 2011, from $738.1 million for 2010. The yield on average interest-earning assets declined to 5.6% for 2011, from 5.8% for 2010.
Interest Expense. Interest expense declined to $7.6 million for 2011, from $9.0 million for 2010. The decline in interest expense during 2011 reflects the decline in interest rates paid for funds and a decline in the volume of average interest-bearing liabilities. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities declined to $590.9 million for 2011, from $623.2 million for 2010. The average balance of noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased to $99.8 million for 2011, from $94.7 million for 2010. The average cost of funds, including noninterest-bearing deposits, declined to 1.1% for 2011, from 1.3% for 2010. This decline reflects a combination of lower interest rates, the repayment of higher costing borrowings and management’s efforts of controlling the Bank’s deposit cost.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income declined to $31.7 million for 2011, from $33.9 million for 2010. The decline in net interest income during 2011 is primarily attributable to lower market interest rates and greater decline in the volume of interest-earning assets than in interest-bearing liabilities. The net yield on interest-earning assets (net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets) declined marginally to 4.5% for 2011, from 4.6% for 2010. The Bank's interest rate spread (the difference between the effective yield on average interest-earning assets and the effective average cost of funds) also declined marginally to 4.5% for 2011, from 4.6% for 2010. See “Table 2 - Rate/Volume Analysis” and “Table 3 - Yield/Cost Analysis” above for additional information on interest income, interest expense, net interest income, average balances and yield/cost ratios.
Provision for Credit Losses. The Bank provided $10.8 million for credit losses in 2011, compared to $22.2 million provided in 2010. These provisions were necessary to replenish net charge-offs of $14.4 million for 2011, compared to $16.8 million for 2010, in order to bring the allowance for credit losses to an appropriate level in consideration of the inherent risk identified in the loan and lease portfolio and to provide support for the current volume of nonperforming loans discussed above.
Allowance for Credit Losses. The Bank maintains allowances for loan and lease losses and unfunded loan commitments (collectively the “allowance for credit losses”) at levels it believes are adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and in unfunded loan commitments. The Bank has developed policies and procedures for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses that reflect the assessment of credit risk and impairment analysis. This assessment includes an analysis of qualitative and quantitative trends in the levels of classified loans. In developing this analysis, the Bank relies on historical loss experience, valuation estimates and exercises judgment in assessing credit risk exposure. Future assessments of credit risk may yield different results, depending on changes in market values and qualitative and quantitative trends, which may require increases or decreases in the allowance for credit losses.
The Bank uses a variety of modeling, calculation methods and estimation tools for measuring credit risk and performing impairment analysis, which is the basis used in developing the allowance for credit losses. The factors supporting the allowance for credit losses do not diminish the fact that the entire allowance is available to absorb probable losses. The Bank’s principal focus is on the adequacy of the total allowance for credit losses. Based on the overall credit quality of the loan and lease receivable portfolio, the Bank believes it has established the allowance for credit losses pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and has taken into account current market values, the views of its regulators and the current economic environment. Management evaluates the information upon which it bases the allowance for credit losses quarterly and believes their accounting decisions remain accurate. However, there can be no assurance in the future that regulators, increased risks in its loans and leases portfolio, changes in economic conditions and other factors will not require additional adjustments to the allowance for credit losses.
The allowance for credit losses was $15.4 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $19.1 million at December 31, 2010. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases was 2.9% at December 31, 2011, compared to 3.0% at December 31, 2010, which management believes is appropriate. See Notes 1, 3 and 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the allowance for credit losses.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income declined to $9.4 million for 2011, from $10.8 million for 2010. Noninterest income consists of fees, service charges and servicing fees earned on loans, service charges and insufficient funds fees collected on deposit accounts, gains from loan and securities sales and other miscellaneous income. The Bank strives to maintain a consistent level of revenue across loan and deposit service offerings. Fees, service charges and loan servicing fees declined to $6.8 million for 2011, from $7.6 million for 2010. Fees, service charges and loan servicing fees are influenced by the volume of loans receivable and deposits outstanding, the volume of various types of loan and deposit account transactions processed, the volume of loans serviced for others and the collection of related fees and service charges.
Gains from mortgage loan sales were $864,000 for 2011, compared $1.2 million for 2010. Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale was $23.7 million in 2011, compared to $39.1 million sold in 2010. The Bank sells certain held for sale fixed-rate mortgage loans to reduce its exposure to future interest rate and credit risk, while retaining certain other held for sale mortgage loans for future securitization into available for sale mortgage-backed securities. In addition, the sale of mortgage loans also provides liquidity necessary to support the Bank’s operating, financing and lending activities.
Gains from the sale of mortgage-backed securities available for sale declined to $519,000 for 2011, from $1.7 million for 2010. The Bank sold $11.9 million of mortgage-backed securities available for sale during 2011, compared to $37.8 million sold during 2010. The Bank recorded net losses from the sales of other real estate owned of $68,000 for 2011, compared to $523,000 for 2010, in management’s best efforts to convert these nonperforming assets into earning assets. The Bank sold $5.7 million of other real estate owned during 2011, compared to $12.6 million sold during 2010.
Noninterest Expenses. Noninterest expenses increased to $28.0 million for 2011, from $26.7 million for 2010. Compensation and fringe benefits, the largest component of these expenses, declined to $14.9 million in 2011, from $15.6 million in 2010. The Bank’s full-time equivalent employees declined to 251 at December 31, 2011, from 281 at December 31, 2010, reflecting management’s efforts of controlling human resources costs, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient staffing levels necessary to support retail customer service, credit administration and banking operations. FDIC insurance premiums were $1.2 million for both 2011 and 2010, reflecting the volume of insured deposit accounts during the respective reporting periods, and changes in the FDIC’s deposit insurance assessment calculation. The FDIC changed their deposit insurance assessment calculation during 2011 to be based on assets and tier one capital versus on deposits. Expenses attributable to valuation adjustments, renovating, maintenance and property taxes paid for the current volume of other real estate owned properties increased to $2.0 million for 2011, from to $534,000 for 2010. Other noninterest expenses including premises and equipment, advertising, data processing, repairs and maintenance, office supplies, professional fees, taxes and insurance, etc., have remained relatively consistent during the respective reporting periods.
Income Taxes. The Company recorded an $848,000 income tax expense for 2011, compared to a $1.8 million income tax benefit for 2010. Pretax income increased to $2.4 million for 2011, from a pretax operating loss of $4.2 million for 2010. Changes in the amount of income tax expense or benefit reflect changes in pretax income or loss, deductible expenses, the application of permanent and temporary differences and the applicable income tax rates in effect during each period. The effective income tax expense rate for 2011 was 35.3%, compared to an effective income tax benefit rate of 43.1% for 2010. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
General. The Company reported a net operating loss of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to net income of $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The net loss per diluted common share was $0.24 per share for 2010, compared to net income per diluted common share of $0.72 per share for 2009.
The decline in net earnings during 2010 resulted primarily from the increased volume of provisions for credit losses required to replenish net charge-offs and to strengthen the allowance for credit losses, and changes in the volume of earning and non-earning assets between the respective reporting periods, while being partially offset by an increase in net interest income and a consistent level of non-interest income.
Return on average assets (ROA) and return on average equity (ROE), were negatively impacted in 2010 based on the reported net operating loss. ROA declined to (0.3)% for 2010, from 0.8% for 2009; while ROE declined to (2.7)% for 2010, from 8.0% for 2009. The efficiency ratio (noninterest expenses as a percentage of net interest income plus noninterest income) increased to 59.7% for 2010, from 57.6% for 2009.
Interest Income. Interest income declined to $42.9 million for 2010, from $49.1 million for 2009. This decline was impacted by lower interest rates during 2010; the increased volume of nonperforming loans; the decline in the volume of average earning assets; a slowdown of loan originations; and increased volume of other real estate owned. The average balance of interest-earning assets declined to $738.1 million for 2010, from $800.9 million for 2009. The yield on average interest-earning assets declined to 5.8% for 2010, from 6.1% for 2009.
Interest Expense. Interest expense declined to $9.0 million for 2010, from $16.1 million for 2009. This decline reflects the decline in interest rates paid for funds and a decline in the volume of average interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest-bearing liabilities declined to $623.2 million for 2010, from $679.3 million for 2009. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased to $94.7 million for 2010, from $90.6 million for 2009. The average cost of funds, including noninterest-bearing deposits, declined to 1.3% for 2010, from 2.1% for 2009, reflecting a combination of lower interest rates, the repayment of higher costing borrowings and management’s efforts to control the Bank’s funding cost.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased to $33.9 million for 2010, from $33.0 million for 2009. The increase in net interest income during 2010 is primarily attributable to lower market interest rates and management’s efforts to control funding cost. The net yield on interest-earning assets increased to 4.6% for 2010, from 4.1% for 2009. The interest rate spread increased to 4.6% for 2010, from 4.0% for 2009.
Provision for Credit Losses. The Bank recorded $22.2 million of provisions for credit losses during 2010, compared to $7.2 million provided in 2009. These provisions were necessary to replenish net charge-offs of $16.8 million for 2010, compared to $5.4 million for 2009, and to maintain the allowance for credit losses at an appropriate level in consideration of the inherent risk identified in the loan and lease portfolio, while providing support for the current volume of nonperforming loans previously discussed.
The Bank maintains allowances for loan and lease losses and unfunded loan commitments (collectively the “allowance for credit losses”) based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan and lease portfolio and past loss experience. The allowance for credit losses was $19.1 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $13.7 million at December 31, 2009. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans and leases was 3.0% at December 31, 2010, compared to 2.0% at December 31, 2009, which the Bank believes is appropriate.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income declined to $10.8 million for 2010, from $11.0 million for 2009. During 2010 and 2009, the Bank maintained a consistent level of revenue across loan and deposit service offerings. Fees, service charges and loan servicing fees declined to $7.6 million for 2010, from $8.1 million for 2009. Fees, service charges and loan servicing fees are attributable to the volume of various types of loan and deposit account transactions processed, the volume of loans serviced for others and the collection of related fees and service charges.
Gains from mortgage loan sales were $1.2 million for both 2010 and 2009. Proceeds from sales of loans were $39.1 million for 2010, compared to $34.3 million for 2009. Gains from sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities increased to $1.7 million for 2010, from $918,000 for 2009. The Bank sold $38.3 million of these securities during 2010, compared to $20.9 million sold in 2009. The Bank recorded losses from the sales of other real estate owned of $523,000 for 2010, compared to $201,000 for 2009. The Bank sold $12.6 million of other real estate owned during 2010, compared to $10.5 million sold during 2009.
Noninterest Expenses. Noninterest expenses increased to $26.7 million for 2010, from $25.3 million in 2009. The largest component of these expenses, compensation and fringe benefits, increased to $15.6 million in 2010 from $14.1 million in 2009. Full-time equivalent employees increased to 281 at December 31, 2010, from 278 at December 31, 2009, reflecting staffing levels necessary to support retail customer service, credit administration and banking operations. The increase also includes increased costs of employee group health insurance, retirement benefits and an expanded training program. FDIC insurance premiums declined to $1.2 million for 2010 from $1.3 million for 2009, reflecting the volume of insured deposit accounts and the FDIC’s risk-based deposit insurance premiums. Expenses attributable to maintaining other real estate owned declined to $534,000 for 2010 from to $905,000 for 2009. Other noninterest expenses including premises and equipment, advertising, data processing, repairs and maintenance, office supplies, professional fees, taxes and insurance, etc., have remained relatively consistent during the respective periods.
Income Taxes. The Company recognized a $1.8 million income tax benefit for 2010, compared to income tax expense of $4.4 million for 2009. The pretax operating loss was $4.2 million for 2010, compared to pretax income of $11.4 million for 2009. Changes in the amount of income tax expense or benefit reflect changes in pretax income or loss, deductible expenses, the application of permanent and temporary differences and the applicable income tax rates in effect during each period. The effective income tax benefit rate was 43.1% for 2010, compared to an effective income tax expense rate of 38.3% for 2009.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices. The consolidated financial statements of the Company and accompanying footnotes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. They require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time and due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Bank's operations. Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the assets and liabilities of the Bank are monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Bank's performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the price of goods and services.
Accounting Standards Codification™. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (the “Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied to nongovernmental entities. All previous US GAAP standards issued by a standard setter are superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered non authoritative. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on recent accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting principles, the respective effective and adoption dates, and the expected impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. The Bank is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, to which in the normal course of business, to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. See Item 1. Business –“Lending Activities – Unfunded Commitments Composition” and Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Not required for a Smaller Reporting Company
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements and supplementary data is included below:
[Letterhead of Turlington and Company, L.L.P.] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||