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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2004

 

Commission File Number 0-26589

 

FIRST NATIONAL LINCOLN CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MAINE      01-0404322

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

MAIN STREET, DAMARISCOTTA, MAINE          04543

(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip code)

 

(207) 563-3195

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Common Stock, $.01 par value per share

 

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 twelve 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 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.

[_]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes x No[_]

 

 

State the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2004:

Common Stock, $.01 par value per share: $123,726,000

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of March 1, 2005

Common Stock: 9,898,067 shares

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1. Discussion of Business

 

First National Lincoln Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated under the general business laws of the State of Maine on January 15, 1985, for the purpose of becoming the parent holding company of The First National Bank of Damariscotta (the "Bank"). The common stock of the Bank is the principal asset of the Company, which has no other subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's securities consisted of one class of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of which there were 7,356,836 shares outstanding and held of record by approximately 1,500 shareholders.

The Bank was chartered as a national bank under the laws of the United States on May 30, 1864. The Bank's capital stock consists of one class of common stock of which 120,000 shares, par value $2.50 per share, are authorized and outstanding. All of the Bank's common stock is owned by the Company.

The Bank has seven offices in Mid-Coast Maine, including its principal office located on Main Street, Damariscotta, Lincoln County, Maine and six branch offices located at U.S. Route 1, Waldoboro, Maine; Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Maine; Route 27, Wiscasset, Maine; U.S. Route 1, Rockport, Maine; Elm Street, Camden, Maine; and Route 1, Rockland, Maine. The Bank also maintains an Operations Center at the corner of Bristol Road and Cross Street in Damariscotta.

On January 14, 2005, the merger of FNB Bankshares (FNB) of Bar Harbor, Maine, and its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Bar Harbor, into the Company was completed. As a result of the merger, the Company added seven banking offices and one investment management office in Hancock and Washington counties, which are commonly referred to as the Down East region of Maine. FNB's subsidiary, The First National Bank of Bar Harbor, was merged into the Bank at closing, and as of January 31, 2005, the combined banks have operated under a new name: The First, N.A. Additional information about the merger can be found in "Subsequent Events" in Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The Bank emphasizes personal service to the community, concentrating on retail banking. Customers are primarily small businesses and individuals for whom the Bank offers a wide variety of services, including checking, savings and investment accounts, consumer and commercial and mortgage loans. The Bank has not made any material changes in its mode of conducting business during the past five years. The banking business in the Bank's market area historically has been seasonal with lower deposits in the winter and spring and higher deposits in the summer and fall. This swing is fairly predictable and has not had a materially adverse effect on the Bank.

In addition to providing traditional banking services, the Company provides investment management and private banking services through Pemaquid Advisors, which is an operating division of the Bank. In 2000, the Bank separated its Trust and Investment Services Department into a separate division with a different brand identity. Under the name of Pemaquid Advisors, the division is focused on taking advantage of opportunities created as the larger banks have altered their personal service commitment to clients not meeting established account criteria. Pemaquid Advisors is able to offer a comprehensive array of private banking, financial planning, investment management and trust services to individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations and municipalities of varying asset size, and to provide the highest level of personal service. The staff includes investment and trust professionals with extensive experience.

In June, 2001, the Bank acquired White Pine Asset Management of Portland, Maine, which then became part of Pemaquid Advisors. Pemaquid Advisors operates from its offices on Bristol Road in Damariscotta, Maine, Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine.

The financial services landscape has changed considerably over the past five years in the Bank's primary market area. Two large out-of-state banks have continued to experience local change as a result of mergers and acquisitions at the regional and national level. Credit unions have continued to expand their membership and the scope of banking services offered. Non-banking entities such as brokerage houses, mortgage companies and insurance companies are offering very competitive products. Many of these entities and institutions have resources substantially greater than those available to the Bank and are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions as the Company and the Bank. Interstate banking also could intensify competition if out-of-state institutions increasingly take advantage of recent legislation liberalizing interstate banking and branching opportunities in Maine.

In November of 1999, Congress adopted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act ("GLBA"). This legislation breaks down the firewalls separating related business in order to create more competition and a level playing field. In this case, the Act eliminates depression-era restrictions which separate the business of banking from the business of insurance and securities underwriting, and also resulted in modifications to protect consumers and streamline regulation. While the Company views this legislation as an opportunity to offer a more comprehensive range of financial products and services, at the same time it will also provide additional competition in the marketplace.

Over the past decade, due to more liberal interstate banking laws, Maine has seen an increase in acquisitions of locally-owned Maine-based banks. It is Management's view that these acquisitions often result in customer dissatisfaction as the decision-making on loans, marketing, and other aspects of the acquired banks' businesses are

 

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shifted from local bank management possessing independent decision-making power to management operating under policies and guidelines from corporate headquarters in other states. The Company believes that this shift often results in delayed decision-making by management which is not familiar with the needs of the acquired bank's customers or the communities they serve. Individuals and small businesses are particularly sensitive to these changes since they may not fit the product parameters established by the larger banks.

Thus, the Company believes that there will continue to be a need for a bank in the Bank's primary market area with local management having decision-making power and emphasizing loans to small and medium-sized businesses and to individuals. The Bank has concentrated on extending business loans to such customers in the Bank's primary market area and to extending investment and trust services to clients with accounts of all sizes. The Bank's management also makes decisions based upon, among other things, the knowledge of the Bank's employees regarding the communities and customers in the Bank's primary market area. The individuals employed by the Bank, to a large extent, reside near the branch offices and thus are generally familiar with their communities and customers. This is important in local decision-making and allows the Bank to respond to customer questions and concerns on a timely basis and fosters quality customer service.

The Bank has worked and will continue to work to position itself to be competitive in its market area. The Bank's ability to make decisions close to the marketplace, Management's commitment to providing quality banking products, the caliber of the professional staff, and the community involvement of the Bank's employees are all factors affecting the Bank's ability to be competitive. If the Company and the Bank are unable to compete successfully, however, the business and operations could be adversely affected.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

The Company is a financial holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"), and section 225.82 of Regulation Y issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"), and is required to file with Federal Reserve Board an annual report and other information required pursuant to the Act. The Company is subject to examination by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Act requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for a financial holding company to acquire or hold more than a 5% voting interest in any bank, and controls interstate banking activities. The Act restricts First National Lincoln Corporation's non-banking activities to those which are determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be closely related to banking. The Act does not place territorial restrictions on the activities of non-bank subsidiaries of financial holding companies. The majority of the Company's cash revenues are generally derived from dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. These dividends are subject to various legal and regulatory restrictions which are summarized in Note 17 to the accompanying financial statements.

The Bank is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and is subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act. As a result, it must meet certain liquidity and capital requirements, which are discussed in the following sections.

 

Customer Information Security

The FDIC, the OCC and other bank regulatory agencies have published final guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding nonpublic personal information about customers that implement provisions of the GLBA (the "Guidelines"). Among other things, the Guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its Board of Directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information, and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

 

Privacy

The FDIC, the OCC and other regulatory agencies have published final privacy rules pursuant to provisions of the GLBA ("Privacy Rules"). The Privacy Rules, which govern the treatment of nonpublic personal information about consumers by financial institutions, require a financial institution to provide notice to customers (and other consumers in some circumstances) about its privacy policies and practices, describe the conditions under which a financial institution may disclose nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties, and provide a method for consumers to prevent a financial institution from disclosing that information to most nonaffiliated third parties by "opting-out" of that disclosure, subject to certain exceptions.

 

USA Patriot Act.

The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the "Patriot Act"), designed to deny terrorists and others the ability to obtain access to the United States financial system, has significant implications for depository institutions, broker-dealers and other

 

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businesses involved in the transfer of money. The Patriot Act requires financial institutions to implement additional policies and procedures with respect to money laundering, suspicious activities, currency transaction reporting and due diligence on customers. Implementation of the Patriot Act's requirements will occur in stages, as rules regarding its provisions are finalized by government agencies.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("S-O Act") implements a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures for public companies (including publicly-held bank holding companies such as the Company) designed to promote honesty and transparency in corporate America and better protect investors from the type of corporate wrongdoings that occurred at Enron and WorldCom, among other companies. The S-O Act's principal provisions, many of which have been interpreted through regulations released in 2003 and 2004, provide for and include, among other things:

      The creation of an independent accounting oversight board;

      Auditor independence provisions which restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients;

      Additional corporate governance and responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company certify financial statements;

      The forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer's securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve-month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement;

      An increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to, audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the Company's independent auditors;

      Requirements that audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer;

      Requirements that companies disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a 'financial expert' (as such term is defined by the SEC) and if not, why not;

      Expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods;

      A prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions, such as the Bank, on nonpreferential terms and in compliance with other bank regulatory requirements;

      Disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; and

      A range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations.

The Company has taken steps to comply with and anticipates that it will incur additional expenses in continuing to comply with the provisions of the S-O Act and its underlying regulations. Management believes that such compliance efforts have strengthened the Company's overall corporate governance structure and does not expect that such compliance has to date, or will in the future have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

 

Capital Requirements and FDICIA

The OCC has established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by FDIC-insured banks. The Federal Reserve Board has established substantially identical guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital, on a consolidated basis, by bank holding companies. If a banking organization's capital levels fall below the minimum requirements established by such guidelines, a bank or bank holding company will be expected to develop and implement a plan acceptable to the FDIC or the Federal Reserve Board, respectively, to achieve adequate levels of capital within a reasonable period, and may be denied approval to

acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses, merge with other institutions or open branch facilities until such capital levels are achieved. Federal legislation requires federal bank regulators to take "prompt corrective action" with respect to insured depository institutions that fail to satisfy minimum capital requirements and imposes significant restrictions on such institutions. See "Prompt Corrective Action" below.

 

Leverage Capital Ratio

The regulations of the OCC requires national banks to maintain a minimum "Leverage Capital Ratio" or "Tier 1 Capital" (as defined in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines discussed in the following paragraphs) to Total Assets of 4.0%. Any bank experiencing or anticipating significant growth is expected to maintain capital well above the minimum levels. The Federal Reserve Board's guidelines impose substantially similar leverage capital requirements on bank holding companies on a consolidated basis.

 

 

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Risk-Based Capital Requirements.

The regulations of the OCC also require national banks to maintain minimum capital levels measured as a percentage of such banks' risk-adjusted assets. A bank's qualifying total capital ("Total Capital") for this purpose may include two components: "Core" (Tier 1) Capital and "Supplementary" (Tier 2) Capital. Core Capital consists primarily of common stockholders' equity, which generally includes common stock, related surplus and retained earnings, certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, and (subject to certain limitations) mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships, less all other intangible assets (primarily goodwill). Supplementary Capital elements include, subject to certain limitations, a portion of the allowance for losses on loans and leases, perpetual preferred stock that does not qualify for inclusion in Tier 1 capital, long-term preferred stock with an original maturity of at least 20 years and related surplus, certain forms of perpetual debt and mandatory convertible securities, and certain forms of subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock.

The risk-based capital rules assign a bank's balance sheet assets and the credit equivalent amounts of the bank's off-balance sheet obligations to one of four risk categories, weighted at 0%, 20%, 50% or 100%, respectively. Applying these risk-weights to each category of the bank's balance sheet assets and to the credit equivalent amounts of the bank's off-balance sheet obligations and summing the totals results in the amount of the bank's total Risk-Adjusted Assets for purposes of the risk-based capital requirements. Risk-Adjusted Assets can either exceed or be less than reported balance sheet assets, depending on the risk profile of the banking organization. Risk-Adjusted Assets for institutions such as the Bank will generally be less than reported balance sheet assets because its retail banking activities include proportionally more residential mortgage loans and certain investment securities with a lower risk weighting and relatively smaller off-balance sheet obligations.

The risk-based capital regulations require all banks to maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to Risk-Adjusted Assets of 8.0%, of which at least one-half (4.0%) must be Core (Tier 1) Capital. For the purpose of calculating these ratios: (i) a banking organization's Supplementary Capital eligible for inclusion in Total Capital is limited to no more than 100% of Core Capital; and (ii) the aggregate amount of certain types of Supplementary Capital eligible for inclusion in Total Capital is further limited. For example, the regulations limit the portion of the allowance for loan losses eligible for inclusion in Total Capital to 1.25% of Risk-Adjusted Assets. The Federal Reserve Board has established substantially identical risk-based capital requirements, which are applied to bank holding companies on a consolidated basis. The risk-based capital regulations explicitly provide for the consideration of interest rate risk in the overall evaluation of a bank's capital adequacy to ensure that banks effectively measure and monitor their interest rate risk, and that they maintain capital adequate for that risk. A bank deemed by its federal banking regulator to have excessive interest rate risk exposure may be required to maintain additional capital (that is, capital in excess of the minimum ratios discussed above). The Bank believes, based on its level of interest rate risk exposure, that this provision will not have a material adverse effect on it.

On December 31, 2004, the Company's consolidated Total and Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratios were 12.71% and 11.62%, respectively, and its Leverage Capital Ratio was 8.03%. Based on the above figures and accompanying discussion, the Company exceeds all regulatory capital requirements and is considered well capitalized.

 

Prompt Corrective Action.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") requires, among other things, that the federal banking regulators take "prompt corrective action" with respect to, and imposes significant restrictions on, any bank that fails to satisfy its applicable minimum capital requirements. FDICIA establishes five capital categories consisting of "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" and "critically undercapitalized." Under applicable regulations, a bank that has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 6.0% or greater and a Leverage Capital Ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure is deemed to be "well capitalized." A bank that has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 4.0% or greater and a Leverage Capital Ratio of 4.0% (or 3% for banks with the highest regulatory examination rating that are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth or expansion) or greater and does not meet the definition of a well capitalized bank is considered to be "adequately capitalized." A bank that has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 8.0% or has a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 4.0%, except as noted above, a Leverage Capital Ratio of less than 4.0% is considered "undercapitalized." A bank that has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 6.0%, or a Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 3.0% or a Leverage Capital Ratio that is less than 3.0% is considered to be "significantly undercapitalized," and a bank that has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized." A bank may be deemed to be in a capital category lower than is indicated by its actual capital position if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. FDICIA generally prohibits a bank from making capital distributions (including payment of

 

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dividends) or paying management fees to controlling stockholders or their affiliates if, after such payment, the bank would be undercapitalized.

Under FDICIA and the applicable implementing regulations, an undercapitalized bank will be (i) subject to increased monitoring by its primary federal banking regulator; (ii) required to submit to its primary federal banking regulator an acceptable capital restoration plan (guaranteed, subject to certain limits, by the bank's holding company) within 45 days of being classified as undercapitalized; (iii) subject to strict asset growth limitations; and (iv) required to obtain prior regulatory approval for certain acquisitions, transactions not in the ordinary course of business, and entries into new lines of business. In addition to the foregoing, the primary federal banking regulator may issue a "prompt corrective action directive" to any undercapitalized institution. Such a directive may (i) require sale or re-capitalization of the bank, (ii) impose additional restrictions on transactions between the bank and its affiliates, (iii) limit interest rates paid by the bank on deposits, (iv) limit asset growth and other activities, (v) require divestiture of subsidiaries, (vi) require replacement of directors and officers, and (vii) restrict capital distributions by the bank's parent holding company. In addition to the foregoing, a significantly undercapitalized institution may not award bonuses or increases in compensation to its senior executive officers until it has submitted an acceptable capital restoration plan and received approval from its primary federal banking regulator.

Not later than 90 days after an institution becomes critically undercapitalized, the primary federal banking regulator for the institution must appoint a receiver or, with the concurrence of the FDIC, a conservator, unless the agency, with the concurrence of the FDIC, determines that the purpose of the prompt corrective action provisions would be better served by another course of action. FDICIA requires that any alternative determination be "documented" and reassessed on a periodic basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a receiver must be appointed after 270 days unless the appropriate federal banking agency and the FDIC certify that the institution is viable and not expected to fail.

 

Deposit Insurance Assessments.

The FDIC uses a risk-based system which assigns the Bank to one of three capital categories (1) well capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized, or (3) undercapitalized, and to one of three subgroups within a capital category on the basis of supervisory evaluations by the applicable Bank's primary federal regulator and, if applicable, other information relevant to the Bank's financial condition and the risk posed to the BIF. An institution's assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned. The FDIC is authorized to raise the assessment rates in certain circumstances. If the FDIC determines to increase the assessment rates for all institutions, institutions in all risk categories could be affected. The FDIC has exercised this authority several times in the past and may raise BIF insurance premiums again in the future. If the FDIC takes such action, it could have an adverse effect on the earnings of the Bank, the extent of which is not currently quantifiable. The risk classification to which an institution is assigned by the FDIC is confidential and may not be disclosed. Assessment rates in 2004 ranged from 0% of domestic deposits for an institution in the lowest risk category (i.e. well capitalized and healthy from a supervisory standpoint) to 0.27% of domestic deposits for institutions in the highest risk category (i.e., undercapitalized and unhealthy from a supervisory standpoint). The Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 eliminates the minimum assessment and authorizes the Financing Corporation (FICO) to levy assessments on BIF-assessable deposits. The actual assessment rates for FICO are adjusted on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the assessment bases of the insurance funds. FDICIA also directs regulators to establish underwriting and operations standards, encompassing such areas as real estate lending, consumer disclosure rules, internal controls and new reporting requirements.

 

Brokered Deposits and Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Limitations.

Under FDICIA, a bank cannot accept brokered deposits unless it either (i) is "Well Capitalized" or (ii) is "Adequately Capitalized" and has received a written waiver from its primary federal banking regulator. For this purpose, "Well Capitalized" and "Adequately Capitalized" have the same definitions as in the Prompt Corrective Action regulations. See "Prompt Corrective Action" above. Banks that are not in the "Well Capitalized" category are subject to certain limits on the rates of interest they may offer on any deposits (whether or not obtained through a third-party deposit broker). Pass-through insurance coverage is not available in banks that do not satisfy the requirements for acceptance of brokered deposits for deposits of certain employee benefit plans, except that pass-through insurance coverage will be provided for employee benefit plan deposits in institutions which at the time of acceptance of the deposit meet all applicable regulatory capital requirements and send written notice to their depositors that their funds are eligible for pass-through deposit insurance. The Bank currently accepts brokered deposits.

 

Real Estate Lending Standards.

FDICIA requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to adopt uniform real estate lending standards. The FDIC and the OCC have adopted regulations which establish supervisory limitations on Loan-to-Value ("LTV") ratios in real estate loans by FDIC-insured banks, including national banks. The regulations require banks to establish LTV ratio limitations within or below the prescribed uniform range of supervisory limits.

 

 

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Standards for Safety and Soundness.

Pursuant to FDICIA the federal bank regulatory agencies have prescribed, by regulation, standards and guidelines for all insured depository institutions and depository institution holding companies relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest rate risk exposure; (v) asset growth; and (vi) compensation, fees and benefits. The compensation standards prohibit employment contracts, compensation or benefit arrangements, stock option plans, fee arrangements or other compensatory arrangements that would provide "excessive" compensation, fees or benefits, or that could lead to material financial loss. In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies are required by FDICIA to prescribe standards specifying; (i) maximum classified assets to capital ratios; (ii) minimum earnings sufficient to absorb losses without impairing capital; and (iii) to the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly-traded shares of depository institutions and depository institution holding companies.

 

Consumer Protection Provisions.

FDICIA also includes provisions requiring advance notice to regulators and customers for any proposed branch closing and authorizing (subject to future appropriation of the necessary funds) reduced insurance assessments for institutions offering "lifeline" banking accounts or engaged in lending in distressed communities. FDICIA also includes provisions requiring depository institutions to make additional and uniform disclosures to depositors with respect to the rates of interest, fees and other terms applicable to consumer deposit accounts.

 

FDIC Waiver of Certain Regulatory Requirements.

The FDIC issued a rule, effective on September 22, 2003, that includes a waiver provision which grants the FDIC Board of Directors extremely broad discretionary authority to waive FDIC regulatory provisions that are not specifically mandated by statute or by a separate regulation.

 

Impact of Monetary Policy

The monetary policies of regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, have a significant effect on the operating results of banks and bank holding companies. Through open market securities transactions and changes in its discount rate and reserve requirements, the Board of Governors exerts considerable influence over the cost and availability of funds for lending and investment. The nature of future monetary policies and the effect of such policies on the future business and earnings of the Company and the Bank cannot be predicted. See Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, regarding the Bank's net interest margin and the effect of interest-rate volatility on future earnings.

 

Employees

At December 31, 2004, the Company had 137 employees and full-time equivalency of 135 employees. The Company enjoys good relations with its employees. A variety of employee benefits, including health, group life and disability income, a defined contribution retirement plan, and an incentive bonus plan, are available to qualifying officers and employees.

 

 

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ITEM 2. Properties

 

The principal office of the Bank is located in Damariscotta, Maine, and serves the people of Damariscotta, Newcastle, Edgecomb, Jefferson, Bremen, Wiscasset, Nobleboro, South Bristol and Bristol. A branch office opened in Waldoboro in 1975, which is located approximately ten miles from Damariscotta on U.S. Rt. 1, serves the population of Waldoboro and the surrounding towns of Friendship, Warren, Washington and Monhegan Island.

In 1979, a branch office was opened in Boothbay Harbor, which is situated approximately 16 miles from Damariscotta. This office serves the towns of Boothbay, West Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and neighboring areas. Expansion of the Bank's Boothbay Harbor office began in the fall of 1995 to better serve customer needs and included utilization of an adjacent property that was purchased in 1994. The project was completed in the summer of 1996. In 2002, the Bank purchased additional property in Boothbay Harbor for use as an auxiliary office for the branch and for Pemaquid Advisors.

In 1988, a branch office was opened in Wiscasset, which is approximately eight miles from Damariscotta. This office serves the towns of Wiscasset, Edgecomb, Alna, Woolwich and Dresden.

In 1997, the Bank purchased and renovated a property on Route 1 in Rockport, Maine, in which to open its first branch office outside of Lincoln County, Maine. Rockport is located in Knox County, Maine, which is contiguous to Lincoln County, Maine, and with similar demographic characteristics. This move into Knox County was made to provide additional growth opportunities for the Bank, which has limited potential for growth in its existing market area.

In May of 1998, the Bank opened a sixth branch in Camden, Maine, which is geographically contiguous to Rockport, Maine. The addition of this branch in the Knox County market has allowed the Bank to better serve customers in this area by providing both in-town and out-of-town locations that meet different customer needs.

In September of 2001, the Bank opened its Rockland office at the corner of Route One and Broadway in Rockland Maine. Located in Knox County between the Waldoboro and Rockport offices, the Rockland office serves the towns of Rockland, Thomaston, Owl's Head and St. George.

An operations center is located in the block adjacent to the Damariscotta office, fronting on Bristol Road. It was put in service in July, 1989. The Bank also owns real estate on Water Street in Damariscotta, Maine, which was put into use for additional office space during 1995.

In 2001, the Bank purchased property at 9 Bristol Road in Damariscotta, Maine and moved its Pemaquid Advisors division into the facility. The division also occupies leased office space on Pleasant Street in Brunswick, Maine, from which it provides its services to the Brunswick/Portland market.

In 2002, the Bank purchased property formerly owned by Fleet Bank on Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor for use as a conference and loan closing facility as well as to provide space for Pemaquid Advisors. In 2003, the Company purchased an abutting property to this to provide potential for future expansion.

As result of the FNB merger which was completed on January 14, 2005, the Company added seven banking offices and one investment management office in Hancock and Washington counties.

The Company owns all of its facilities except for the Camden and Brunswick locations, for which the Bank entered into long-term leases. Management believes that the Bank's current facilities are suitable and adequate in light of its current needs and its anticipated needs over the near term.

 

 

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ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or the Bank is a party or to which any of its property is subject, other than routine litigation incidental to the business of the Bank. None of these proceedings is expected to have a material effect on the financial condition of the Company or of the Bank.

 

 

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ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The following was submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company during the fourth quarter of 2004:

 

On or about November 22, 2004, notice was mailed providing notice of a special meeting of shareholders of the Company at 10:00 a.m., local time, on January 11, 2005, at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, Newcastle, Maine, for the following purposes:

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve an agreement and plan of merger, dated as of August 25, 2004, between the Company and FNB Bankshares, as described in an accompanying joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus;

to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement; and

to transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

The close of business on November 19, 2004, was fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting.

 

The results of the voting were as follows:

 

 

#1 - Merger

#2 - Special Meeting

 

For

Against

Abstain

For

Against

Abstain

Brokers

1,785,065

31,800

2,388

1,752,293

65,772

1,188

Direct

3,594,821

263,228

4,542

3,558,389

263,528

40,674

 

5,379,886

295,028

6,930

5,310,682

329,300

41,862

 

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ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters

 

The common stock of First National Lincoln Corporation (ticker symbol FNLC) trades on the NASDAQ National Market System. The following table reflects the high and low prices of actual sales in each quarter of 2004 and 2003. Such quotations do not reflect retail mark-ups, mark-downs or brokers' commissions.

 

 

20041

20031

 

High

Low

High

Low

1st Quarter

$16.83

$14.80

$12.50

$10.00

2nd Quarter

24.52

15.08

13.77

11.17

3rd Quarter

19.70

17.00

14.33

13.06

4th Quarter

19.25

16.96

17.02

14.17

1Adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split, paid in the form of a 200% stock dividend, in 2004.

 

The last transaction of the Company's stock on the NASDAQ National Market System during 2004 was on December 31 at $17.45 per share. There are no warrants outstanding with respect to the Company's common stock, and the Company has no securities outstanding which are convertible into common equity.

The table below sets forth the cash dividends declared in the last two fiscal years:

 

Date Declared

Amount Per Share1

Date Payable

March 20, 2003

$0.090

April 30, 2003

June 19, 2003

$0.093

July 31, 2003

September 25, 2003

$0.097

October 31, 2003

December 18, 2003

$0.100

January 30, 2004

March 11, 2004

$0.103

April 30, 2004

June 17, 2004

$0.110

July 30, 2004

September 16, 2004

$0.115

October 29, 2004

December 16, 2004

$0.120

January 28, 2005

1Adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split, paid in the form of a 200% stock dividend, in 2004.

 

The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends depends on receipt of dividends from the Bank. Dividends may be declared by the Bank out of its net profits as the directors deem appropriate, subject to the limitation that the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year may not exceed the total of its net profits of that year plus retained net profits of the preceding two years. The Bank is also required to maintain minimum amounts of capital-to-total-risk-weighted-assets, as defined by banking regulators. At December 31, 2004, the Bank was required to have minimum Tier 1 and Tier 2 risk-based capital ratios of 4.00% and 8.00%, respectively. The Bank's actual ratios were 11.05% and 12.14%, respectively, as of December 31, 2004.

The Company issues shares to the Bank's 401k Investment and Savings Plan pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), contained in Section 3(a)(11) thereof and Rule 147 promulgated thereunder. During 2004, 8,780 shares were issued pursuant to this Plan.

 

 

Page 10

 

 

 

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

Dollars in thousands,

except for per share amounts

Years ended December 31,

 

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

 

Summary of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

$35,195

32,688

34,258

33,960

30,890

 

Operating Expense

23,275

22,303

25,072

26,239

24,390

 

Net Interest Income

21,504

17,744

17,103

15,031

12,770

 

Provision for Loan Losses

880

907

1,323

1,230

700

 

Net Income

8,509

7,427

6,507

5,493

4,607

 

Per Common Share Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

1.16

1.02

0.90

0.77

0.64

 

Diluted

1.14

1.00

0.88

0.75

0.63

 

Cash Dividends (Declared)

0.45

0.38

0.33

0.27

0.22

 

Book Value

7.18

6.57

5.89

5.20

4.65

 

Market Value

17.45

16.63

10.49

7.37

5.17

 

Financial Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Average Equity

17.10%

16.39%

16.34%

15.51%

15.15%

 

Return on Average Assets

1.41

1.41

1.39

1.33

1.27

 

Average Equity to Average Assets

8.22

8.58

8.49

8.55

8.36

 

Net Interest Margin( Tax-Equivalent)

3.93

3.73

4.00

3.99

3.88

 

Dividend Payout Ratio (Declared)

38.62

37.13

36.16

35.65

34.20

 

Allowance for Loan Losses/Total Loans

0.99

1.05

1.11

1.00

0.87

 

Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans

0.34

0.39

0.32

0.22

0.89

 

Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets

0.25

0.29

0.27

0.20

0.69

 

Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent)

48.78

48.32

50.49

50.60

52.06

 

At Year End

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

$634,238

568,812

494,068

434,466

393,216

 

Total Loans

478,332

398,895

332,074

301,304

264,929

 

Total Investment Securities

126,827

136,689

122,073

108,186

105,220

 

Total Deposits

369,844

359,077

334,224

262,689

254,566

 

Total Borrowings

207,206

157,822

113,365

131,357

102,919

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

52,815

47,718

42,695

37,334

33,160

 

 

 

 

 

High

Low

 

Market price per common share of stock during 2004

 

 

$24.52

14.80

Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a

200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004

 

 

Page 11

 

 

 

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

First National Lincoln Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in the State of Maine on January 15, 1985, to become the parent holding company of The First National Bank of Damariscotta (the "Bank"). The Company generates almost all of its revenues from the Bank, which was chartered as a national bank under the laws of the United States on May 30, 1864. The Bank has seven offices in Mid-Coast Maine, including its principal office in Damariscotta, as well as branch offices in Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Waldoboro and Wiscasset. The Bank emphasizes personal service to the communities it serves, concentrating primarily on small businesses and individuals.

The Bank offers a wide variety of traditional banking services and derives the majority of its revenues from net interest income -- the spread between what it earns on loans and investments and what it pays for deposits and borrowed funds. While net interest income typically increases as earning assets grow, the spread can vary up or down depending on the level and direction of movements in interest rates. Management believes the Bank has limited exposure to changes in interest rates, as discussed in "Interest Rate Risk Management" elsewhere in Management's Discussion. In addition, the banking business in the Bank's market area historically has been seasonal with lower deposits in the winter and spring and higher deposits in the summer and fall. This seasonal swing is fairly predictable and has not had a materially adverse effect on the Bank.

Non-interest income is the Bank's secondary source of revenue and includes fees and service charges on deposit accounts, fees for processing merchant credit card receipts, income from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans, and income from investment management and private banking services through Pemaquid Advisors, an operating division of the Bank. Pemaquid Advisors operates three offices in Damariscotta, Boothbay Harbor and Brunswick, Maine.

The Company posted record earnings in 2004, continuing the positive growth in both assets and income seen during the past ten years. During this period, the Company focused on cost reduction and increased efficiency prior to 1997 to increase its profitability. In the subsequent years, however, the Company's strategy has changed to controlled, profitable, "organic" growth and selective growth through acquisition, if attractive opportunities became available.

The value of this strategy can be seen in the Company's expansion into Knox County during the past six years, where offices were opened in Rockport and Camden in 1997 and 1998, respectively, and in Rockland in 2001. These offices have far exceeded their initial goals and have provided the opportunity for substantial new market growth. This expansion has not come at the expense of profitability, however. Since the Bank has traditionally operated on a lower net interest margin than its peers, it operates with lower expenses than its peers, and this is reflected in its efficiency ratio, which is consistently better than its peer's, on average. In 2004, the Company's non-interest operating expenses increased 15.3% or $1,771,000 over 2003's total, and posted an efficiency ratio of 0.49, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The impact of this can be seen in the Company's return on average assets and return on average equity, which were 1.41% and 17.10%, respectively, in 2004, and significantly higher than those of its peer group, on average.

 

Subsequent Events

The merger of FNB Bankshares (FNB) of Bar Harbor, Maine, and its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Bar Harbor, into the Company was completed on January 14, 2005. In its 2004 Strategic Plan, the Company identified certain markets in which it would consider future growth opportunities, including the area served by FNB Bankshares. The products and services available in the FNB Bankshares market area will be enhanced as a result of the combination of the two companies, and this will also provide a larger capacity to lend money and a stronger overall funding base.

As part of the merger, the Company issued 2.35 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of FNB in exchange for each of the 1,048,814 shares of the common stock outstanding of FNB. Cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Company's stock was paid at the rate of $17.87 per share. At the time of the merger, there were outstanding options to purchase 126,208 shares of FNB common stock under the FNB Bankshares Stock Option Plan. Of these, options to acquire 40,630 FNB shares were converted into options to acquire an aggregate of 95,479 common shares of the Company at a purchase price of $3.80 per share. Holders of unexercised options to purchase FNB shares that were not converted were paid cash to retire their options at the rate of $42.00 for each share subject to the option, less the option exercise price per share. The total amount paid to retire the remaining options was approximately $2.6 million.

The total value of the transaction was $47,961,000, and all of the voting equity interest of FNB was acquired in the transaction. The Company assumed all outstanding liabilities of FNB, including liabilities under certain Employment Continuity Agreements and Split Dollar Agreements with executive officers of FNB. The merger was intended to qualify as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes and provide for a tax-free exchange of shares.

The transaction will be accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the operations of FNB will be included in the Company’s future consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The purchase price will be allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill, none of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill related to the core deposit intangible will be amortized over its

 

Page 12

 

 

expected economic life, and remaining goodwill is evaluated annually for possible impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

As a result of the merger, the Company added seven banking offices and one investment management office in Hancock and Washington counties, which are commonly referred to as the Down East region of Maine. FNB's subsidiary, The First National Bank of Bar Harbor, was merged into the Bank at closing, and as of January 31, 2005, the combined banks have operated under a new name: The First, N.A.

Total assets of FNB at December 31, 2004, were $229.3 million, an increase of $9.7 million or 4.4% over total assets of $219.6 million at December 31, 2003. During 2004, FNB's balance sheet saw a shift in favor of the loan portfolio, with total loans increasing $24.5 million or 15.2% from $161.1 million at December 31, 2003 to $185.6 million at December 31, 2004. During the same period, investment securities decreased $8.5 million or 24.1% from $35.4 million to $26.8 million. Balance sheet growth in 2004 was funded almost entirely with deposits.

Net income for FNB was $2.4 million, an increase of $0.4 million or 21.3% over net income posted for 2003 of $2.0 million. This continues the earnings growth experienced by FNB during the past five years, one of the positive factors evaluated by the Company in its decision to enter into the merger. FNB's efficiency ratio in 2004 was 0.72, an improvement over the efficiency ratio for FNB of 0.73 in 2003. It is expected that the combined entity will realize cost savings from redundant expenses, such as regulatory fees, audit costs, legal costs, and outsourced costs. The Company also expects that a larger legal lending limit, increased capital base and a wider range of funding sources will enable the combined entity to grow assets at a higher rate in the Down East region served by FNB as a result of the merger. This, in the long-term, is expected to enhance the overall profitability of the Company.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

Management's discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of such financial statements requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, Management evaluates its estimates, including those related to the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing rights. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results are likely to differ from the amount derived from Management's estimates and assumptions, and such differences could be substantial.

Management believes the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is based on Management's evaluation of the level of the allowance required in relation to the estimated loss exposure in the loan portfolio. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is a significant estimate and therefore regularly evaluates it for adequacy by taking into consideration factors such as prior loan loss experience, the character and size of the loan portfolio, business and economic conditions and Management's estimation of probable losses. The use of different estimates or assumptions could produce different provisions for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is discussed in more detail in the Assets and Asset Quality section of this report.

The valuation of mortgage servicing rights is also a critical accounting policy which requires significant estimates and assumptions. The Bank often sells mortgage loans it originates and retains the ongoing servicing of such loans, receiving a fee for these services, generally 0.25% of the outstanding balance of the loan per annum. Mortgage servicing rights are recognized when they are acquired through sale of loans and are reported in other assets. They are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Management uses an independent firm which specializes in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights to determine the fair value which is recorded on the balance sheet. This includes an evaluation for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights, which can vary depending upon current interest rates and prepayment expectations, as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. The use of different assumptions could produce a different valuation for both mortgage servicing rights and impairment.

 

 

Page 13

 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $8.5 million -- the highest ever recorded by the Company. This represents a 14.6% or $1.1 million increase from net income of $7.4 million posted in 2003 and is $2.0 million, or 30.8%, above 2002's net income of $6.5 million. The results in 2004 are attributable to strong asset growth, wider net interest margins compared to 2003, and controlled operating expenses.

 

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in 2004 was $21.5 million, an increase of $3.8 million or 21.2% over the $17.7 million posted by the Company in 2003. Asset growth was responsible for the largest amount of this increase, both in the loan portfolio as well as in investments, when based on average balances for the year. At the same time, margins widened in 2004 primarily due to lower average funding costs for the year for both deposits and other borrowings when compared to 2003.

The following tables present changes in interest income and expense attributable to changes in interest rates, volume, and rate/volume1 for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Tax-exempt income is calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, using a 35.0% tax rate in 2004, 2003, and 2002.

 

Year ended December 31, 2004 compared to 2003

 

 

Dollars in thousands

Volume

Rate

Rate/Volume1

Total

Interest on earning assets

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

$ (48)

1

(1)

(48)

Investment securities

316

219

10

545

Loans held for sale

(88)

(6)

4

(90)

Loans

4,296

(1,308)

(262)

2,726

Total interest income

4,476

(1,094)

(249)

3,133

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

Deposits

629

(1,149)

(125)

(645)

Borrowings

1,052

(932)

(247)

(127)

Total interest expense

1,681

(2,081)

(372)

(772)

Change in net interest income

$ 2,795

987

123

3,905

 

Year ended December 31, 2003 compared to 2002

 

 

Dollars in thousands

Volume

Rate

Rate/Volume1

Total

Interest on earning assets

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

$ 10

(18)

(2)

(10)

Investment securities

673

(1,279)

(112)

(718)

Loans held for sale

(28)

(27)

5

(50)

Loans

3,211

(3,422)

(496)

(707)

Total interest income

3,866

(4,746)

(605)

(1,485)

Interest expense

-

-

-

 

Deposits

1,282

(2,713)

(451)

(1,882)

Borrowings

108

(619)

(15)

(526)

Total interest expense

1,390

(3,332)

(466)

(2,408)

Change in net interest income

$ 2,476

(1,414)

(139)

923

1 Represents the change attributable to a combination of change in rate and change in volume.

 

The following table presents, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the interest earned or paid for each major asset and liability category, the average yield for each major asset and liability category, and the net yield between assets and liabilities. Tax-exempt income has been calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using a 35% rate. Unrecognized interest on non-accrual loans is not included in the amount presented, but the average balance of non-accrual loans is included in the denominator when calculating yields.

 

Page 14

 

 

 

 

 

2004

2003

2002

Dollars in thousands

Amount of interest

Average Yield/Rate

Amount of interest

Average Yield/Rate

Amount of interest

Average Yield/Rate

Interest on earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits

$ 4

0.99%

$ 52

0.96%

$ 62

1.34%

Investments

7,512

5.54%

6,967

5.37%

7,685

6.44%

Loans held for sale

11

5.72%

101

6.11%

151

7.46%

Loans

24,162

5.50%

21,436

5.86%

22,143

6.93%

Total interest-earning assets

31,689

5.51%

28,556

5.67%

30,041

6.74%

Interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

5,175

1.44%

5,820

1.79%

7,702

2.76%

Other borrowings

3,849

2.43%

3,976

3.18%

4,502

3.68%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

9,024

1.74%

9,796

2.17%

12,204

3.04%

Net interest income

$ 22,665

 

$ 18,760

 

$ 17,837

 

Interest rate spread

 

3.77%

 

3.50%

 

3.70%

Net interest margin

 

3.94%

 

3.73%

 

4.00%

 

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income decreased by 9.3% from $5.1 million in 2003 to $4.7 million in 2004. The decrease was attributable to decreased income on mortgage origination and servicing due to lower volumes of loans originated and sold in a flat to rising interest rate climate, and decreased document preparation fees on loans. Non-interest income increased by 4.0% from $5.0 million in 2002 to $5.1 million in 2003. The increase was attributable to increased income on mortgage origination and servicing due to higher volumes of loans originated and sold in a favorable interest rate climate, and increased document preparation fees on loans.

 

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased 15.3% to $13.4 million in 2004 from $11.6 million in 2003. This increase was the result of budgeted compensation increases and additional marketing costs. Non-interest expense increased 0.5% to $11.6 million in 2003 from $11.5 million in 2002. This very small increase was the result of budgeted but not filled staff positions, higher levels of deferred loan origination costs in accordance with SFAS 91, and a reduction in costs associated with asset liquidation.

 

Net Income

Net income for 2004 was $8.5 million -- a 14.6% or $1.1 million increase from net income of $7.4 million that was posted in 2003. Net interest income, the most significant component, increased 21.2%. Earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased 13.7% to $1.16, compared to $1.02 in 2003, and $0.90 in 2002. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis increased 14.3% for the year ended December 31, 2004, to $1.14, compared to $1.00 in 2003, and $0.88 in 2002. Both earnings per share and net income set new records in 2004. Book value per share was $7.18 on December 31, 2004, up from $6.57 on December 31, 2003 and $5.89 on December 31, 2002.

Net income for 2003 was $7.4 million -- a 14.1% or $0.9 million increase from net income of $6.5 million that was posted in 2002. While net interest income increased only 3.7%, the significant increase in non-interest income and controlled operating expense played a major role in the Company's overall results in 2003.

 

Key Ratios

Return on average assets in 2004 was 1.41%, equal to the 1.41% posted in 2003 and up from 1.39% in 2002. Return on average equity was 17.10% in 2004, compared to 16.39% in 2003 and 16.34% in 2002. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to the record earnings caused by the factors noted above.

The Company's efficiency ratio -- a benchmark measure of the amount spent to generate a dollar of income -- was 0.49 in 2004 compared to 0.60 for its peer group, on average. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing the Company's operating expenses (which excludes the provision for loan losses) by the total of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis before provision for loan losses and other operating income (which excludes securities gains). The Company's efficiency ratio was 0.48 in 2003 compared to 0.60 for its peer group average.

 

 

Page 15

 

 

 

Investment Management and Fiduciary Activities

As of December 31, 2004, Pemaquid Advisors, the Bank's private banking and investment management division, had assets under management with a market value of $159.5 million, consisting of 578 trust accounts, estate accounts, agency accounts, and self-directed individual retirement accounts. This compares to December 31, 2003 when 614 accounts with market value of $134.8 million were under management. The growth in assets under management during 2004 was the result of a combination of business development activities as well as an increase in the market value of existing assets.

 

Average Daily Balance Sheets

The following table shows the Company's average daily balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

2002

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 12,968

10,734

9,419

Interest-bearing deposits

406

5,418

4,640

Investments

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

59,161

52,201

60,480

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

35,127

29,045

21,774

Other securities

41,344

48,507

37,045

Total investments

135,632

129,753

119,299

Loans held for sale

198

1,646

2,025

Loans

 

 

 

Commercial

148,819

132,650

112,483

Consumer

26,058

26,475

29,898

State and municipal

12,385

12,006

8,377

Real estate

252,074

194,851

168,872

Total loans

439,336

365,982

319,630

Allowance for loan losses

(4,525)

(3,964)

(3,401)

Net loans

434,811

362,018

316,229

Premises and equipment

8,970

7,680

7,803

Other assets

10,470

10,735

9,526

Total assets

$ 603,455

527,984

468,941

Deposits

 

 

 

Demand

$ 29,907

27,689

24,316

NOW

57,365

51,462

45,916

Money market

81,785

86,199

50,490

Savings

65,452

62,496

53,313

Certificates of deposit

74,730

69,754

76,115

Certificates of deposit over $100,000

81,085

55,376

53,022

Total Deposits

390,324

352,976

303,172

Borrowed funds

158,308

125,191

122,253

Other liabilities

5,208

4,490

3,697

Total Liabilities

553,840

482,657

429,123

Common stock

74

74

74

Additional paid-in capital

3,047

4,638

4,638

Retained earnings

44,183

40,510

36,002

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale

2,311

2,497

1,294

Treasury stock

-

(2,392)

(2,190)

Total capital

49,615

45,327

39,818

Total liabilities and capital

$ 603,455

527,984

468,941

 

 

Page 16

 

 

 

Assets and Asset Quality

 

The Company experienced strong asset growth in 2004, with the loan portfolio increasing by $79.4 million or 19.9%, while the investment portfolio decreased $9.9 million or 7.2%. Total assets increased by 11.5% or $65.4 million from $568.8 million at December 31, 2003, to $634.2 million at December 31, 2004. Asset growth was funded with deposits, which increased $10.8 million, or 3.0%, and borrowed funds, which increased $49.4 or 31.3%. The balance sheet growth enabled the Company to increase net interest income by $3.7 million or 21.2% to $21.5 million.

The Bank's loan delinquency ratio compares very well to its peers, decreasing in 2004 to 0.80% at year end versus 1.00% on December 31, 2003 and 1.04% on December 31, 2002. In Management's opinion, there has been no pattern or trend in loan delinquencies which is of concern. The levels seen in 2004 and 2003 are related to the Bank's ability to control loan quality and resolve delinquency issues quickly.

 

Investment Activities

During 2004, the Company's investment portfolio decreased 7.2% to end the year at $126.8 million, compared to $136.7 million on December 31, 2003. Much of the Company's investment portfolio consists of callable securities, and many of these securities were called by issuers in 2004, which resulted in lower portfolio yield.

The Company's investment securities are classified into two categories: securities available for sale and securities to be held to maturity. Securities available for sale consists primarily of debt securities which Management intends to hold for indefinite periods of time. They may be used as part of the Company's funds management strategy, and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, changes in liquidity needs, to increase capital ratios, or for other similar reasons. Securities to be held to maturity consists primarily of debt securities that the Company has acquired solely for long-term investment purposes, rather than for trading or future sale. For securities to be categorized as held to maturity, Management must have the intent and the Company must have the ability to hold such investments until their respective maturity dates. The Company does not hold trading account securities.

All investment securities are managed in accordance with a written investment policy adopted by the Board of Directors. It is the Company's general policy that investments for either portfolio be limited to government debt obligations, time deposits, banker's acceptances, corporate bonds and commercial paper with one of the three highest ratings given by a nationally recognized rating agency.

In 2003, the growth in the Company's investment portfolio was primarily in U.S. Government Agency securities, and tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions. These were selected to enhance the portfolio's overall yield while not materially adding to the Company's level of interest rate risk. The following table sets forth the Company's investment securities at their carrying amounts as of December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002.

 

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

2002

Securities available for sale

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

$ 2,942

2,925

-

Mortgage-backed securities

3,602

5,463

6,397

State and political subdivisions

14,240

14,852

14,626

Corporate securities

22,765

26,461

28,288

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

7,696

6,871

6,195

Federal Reserve Bank stock

53

53

53

Other equity securities

594

820

851

 

$ 51,892

57,445

56,410

Securities to be held to maturity

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

26,529

44,419

30,952

Mortgage-backed securities

16,607

8,409

16,090

State and political subdivisions

24,196

17,823

12,032

Other securities

7,603

8,593

6,589

 

74,935

79,244

65,663

Total securities

$ 126,827

136,689

122,073

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the yields and expected maturities of the Company's investment securities as of December 31, 2004. Yields on tax-exempt securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a tax-rate of 35%. Mortgage-backed securities are presented according to their final contractual maturity date, while the calculated yield takes into effect the intermediate cashflows from repayment of principal which results in a much shorter average life.

 

Page 17

 

 

 

 

 

Available For Sale

Held to Maturity

Dollars in thousands

Fair

Value

Yield to maturity

Amortized Cost

Yield to maturity

U.S. Treasury & Agency

$ -

-

$ -

-

Due in 1 year or less

-

-

-

-

Due in 1 to 5 years

-

-

-

-

Due in 5 to 10 years

-

-

11,522

4.64%

Due after 10 years

2,942

3.00%

15,007

5.51%

Total

2,942

3.00%

26,529

5.13%

Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

 

Due in 1 year or less

-

-

-

-

Due in 1 to 5 years

188

11.13%

149

3.12%

Due in 5 to 10 years

624

1.61%

2,311

4.40%

Due after 10 years

2,790

3.13%

14,147

4.25%

Total

3,602

3.28%

16,607

4.26%

State & Political Subdivisions

 

 

 

 

Due in 1 year or less

-

-

-

-

Due in 1 to 5 years

-

-

661

5.98%

Due in 5 to 10 years

7,746

4.76%

6,917

4.60%

Due after 10 years

6,494

5.12%

16,618

4.48%

Total

14,240

4.92%

24,196

4.55%

Corporate Securities

 

 

 

 

Due in 1 year or less

763

6.30%

125

4.00%

Due in 1 to 5 years

11,938

7.69%

478

8.01%

Due in 5 to 10 years

8,671

7.75%

-

-

Due after 10 years

1,393

3.71%

7,000

4.23%

Total

22,765

7.42%

7,603

4.46%

Equity Securities

8,343

2.35%

-

-

 

$ 51,892

5.38%

$ 74,935

4.68%

 

Lending Activities

The loan portfolio experienced growth in almost all areas during 2004, with the most significant increase seen in residential real estate loans and commercial loans. Total loans were $478.3 million at December 31, 2004, a 19.9% increase from total loans of $398.9 million at December 31, 2003. The strong growth in the loan portfolio seen in 2004 was the result of keeping much of the Bank's residential mortgage origination in portfolio and growth in all loan categories in the Bank's newest offices in Knox County. This continues the loan growth trend experienced by the Company over the past ten years. In Management's opinion, should refinancing activity slow down due to an increase in interest rates, net income will not have a significant adverse impact due to the potential for increased market share and the continued opportunity to retain mortgage loans which are originated in the Bank's portfolio. The following tables summarize the Bank's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

 

Dollars in thousands

As of December 31,

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

$47,382

9.9%

40,521

10.2%

37,082

11.2%

32,638

10.8%

30,695

11.6%

Other

110,280

23.1%

97,487

24.4%

82,504

24.8%

68,378

22.7%

53,362

20.1%

Residential real estate

Term

279,110

58.4%

223,251

56.0%

174,070

52.4%

159,743

53.0%

139,300

52.6%

Construction

1,066

0.2%

2,483

0.6%

1,019

0.3%

2,522

0.9%

1,060

0.4%

Consumer

26,544

5.5%

26,123

6.5%

27,925

8.4%

30,727

10.2%

33,028

12.5%

Municipal

13,950

2.9%

9,030

2.3%

9,474

2.9%

7,296

2.4%

7,484

2.8%

Total loans

$478,332

100% 

398,895

100% 

332,074

100% 

301,304

100% 

264,929

100% 

 

 

Page 18

 

 

 

The Bank issued both VISA and MasterCard credit cards until December 2002 when outstanding balances totaling $2.5 million were sold. Credit cards included in consumer loans in the table above totaled $2.5 million in 2001, and $2.7 million in 2000.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the contractual maturities of the Bank's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2004.

 

Dollars in thousands

< 1 Year

1 - 5 Years

5 - 10 Years

> 10 Years

Total

Commercial real estate

$ 324

658

3,779

42,622

47,383

Commercial other

19,102

18,342

18,379

54,457

110,280

Residential real estate

6

1,210

7,346

270,547

279,109

Residential construction

1,066

-

-

-

1,066

Consumer

3,291

9,448

5,129

8,676

26,544

Municipal

2,535

700

1,068

9,647

13,950

Totals

$ 26,324

30,358

35,701

385,949

478,332

 

The following table provides a listing of loans by category, excluding loans held for sale, between variable and fixed rates as of December 31, 2004.

 

Dollars in thousands

Amount

% of total

Variable-rate loans

 

 

Commercial loans

$ 135,085

28.2%

State and municipal loans

7,696

1.6%

Consumer loans

3,727

0.8%

Equity loans

65,032

13.6%

Residential adjustable-rate mortgages

134,825

28.2%

Total variable-rate loans

346,365

72.4%

Fixed-rate loans

131,967

27.6%

Total loans

$ 478,332

100.0%

 

Loan Concentrations

As of December 31, 2004, the Bank did not have any concentration of loans in one particular industry that exceeded 10% of its total loan portfolio.

 

Loans Held for Sale

Although the Bank placed a larger volume of residential mortgages into the secondary market during the first six months of 2004 in comparison to the latter half of the year, the total amount of loans sold into the secondary market during 2004 was lower than that sold in 2003. This resulted in a lower level of non-interest income but increased the level of interest income since a higher level of loans was retained in the Bank's portfolio. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value, with no balance at December 31, 2004 compared to $1.0 million at December 31, 2003.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Loan Loss Experience

The allowance for loan losses represents the amount available for credit losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio. Loans are charged off when they are deemed uncollectible, after giving consideration to factors such as the customer's financial condition, underlying collateral and guarantees, as well as general and industry economic conditions.

Adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is determined using a consistent, systematic methodology, which analyzes the risk inherent in the loan portfolio. In addition to evaluating the collectibility of specific loans when determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, Management also takes into consideration other factors such as changes in the mix and size of the loan portfolio, historic loss experience, the amount of delinquencies and loans adversely classified, and economic trends. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is assessed by an allocation process whereby specific loss allocations are made against certain adversely classified loans, and general loss allocations are made against segments of the loan portfolio which have similar attributes. The Company’s historical loss experience, industry trends, and the impact of the local and regional economy on the Company’s borrowers, were considered by Management in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is increased by provisions charged against current earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectibility of the loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries on

 

Page 19

 

 

loans previously charged off are credited to the allowance. While Management uses available information to assess possible losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on increases in non-performing loans, changes in economic conditions, growth in loan portfolios, or for other reasons. Any future additions to the allowance would be recognized in the period in which they were determined to be necessary. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses as an integral part of their examination process. Such agencies may require the Company to record additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of Management.

Credit quality of the commercial portfolios is quantified by a corporate credit rating system designed to parallel regulatory criteria and categories of loan risk. Individual loan officers monitor their loans to ensure appropriate rating assignments are made on a timely basis. Risk ratings and quality of the commercial loan portfolio are also assessed on a regular basis by an independent loan review consulting firm. An ongoing portfolio trend analyses and individual credit reviews to evaluate loan risk and compliance with corporate lending policies are also performed. The level of allowance allocable to each group of risk-rated loans is then determined by applying a loss factor that estimates the amount of probable loss in each category. The assigned loss factor for each risk rating is based upon Management’s assessment of historical loss data, portfolio characteristics, economic trends, overall market conditions and past experience.

Consumer loans, which include residential mortgages, home equity loans/lines, and direct/indirect loans, are generally evaluated as a group based on product type and on the basis of delinquency data and other credit data available due to the large number of such loans and the relatively small size of individual credits. Allocations for these loan categories are principally determined by applying loss factors that represent Management’s estimate of inherent losses. In each category, inherent losses are estimated based upon Management’s assessment of historical loss data, portfolio characteristics, economic trends, overall market conditions and past experience. In addition, certain loans in these categories may be individually risk-rated if considered necessary by Management.

The other method used to allocate the allowance for loan losses entails the assignment of reserve amounts to individual loans on the basis of loan impairment. Certain loans are evaluated individually and are judged to be impaired when Management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all of the contractual interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. Under this method, loans are selected for evaluation based on internal risk ratings or non-accrual status. A specific reserve is allocated to an individual loan when that loan has been deemed impaired and when the amount of a probable loss is estimable on the basis of its collateral value, the present value of anticipated future cash flows, or its net realizable value. At December 31, 2004, impaired loans with specific reserves totaled $0.7 million (all of these loans were on non-accrual status) and the amount of such reserves were $0.2 million.

All of these analyses are reviewed and discussed by the Directors' Loan Committee, and recommendations from these processes provide Management and the Board of Directors with independent information on loan portfolio condition. As a result of these analyses, the Company has concluded that the level of the allowance for loan losses was adequate as of December 31, 2004.

The following table reflects the Bank's allowance for loan losses by category of loan as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000. The unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses is a general reserve that is not allocated to a specific portion of the loan portfolio. The commercial category includes commercial real estate loans. The percentages represent the proportion of each category to the total amount of loans outstanding at each date.

 

Dollars in thousands

As of December 31,

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

Real estate

$856

58%

690

56%

568

53%

618

54%

562

53%

Commercial

2,509

36%

2,237

37%

1,835

39%

1,467

36%

907

34%

Consumer

711

6%

752

7%

806

8%

604

10%

631

13%

Unallocated

638

-

521

-

491

-

311

-

201

-

Total

$4,714

100%

4,200

100%

3,700

100%

3,000

100%

2,301

100%

 

Net loans charged off in 2004 were $0.4 million, or 0.08% of average loans outstanding for the year due to fewer consumer loan chargeoffs resulting from the sale of the Bank's credit card portfolio in 2002 and a change in indirect automobile loan practices. This compares to net loan chargeoffs of $0.4 million, or 0.10% in 2003 and $0.6 million or 0.19% in 2002. The following table summarizes the activity with respect to loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

 

Page 20

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

Balance at beginning of year

$4,200

3,700

3,000

2,301

2,035

Loans charged off:

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial1

260

184

432

391

164

Real estate mortgage

-

19

24

1

5

Consumer

180

352

268

243

388

Total

440

555

724

635

557

Recoveries on loans previously charged off

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial1

14

52

16

34

44

Real estate mortgage

-

2

-

1

6

Consumer

60

94

85

69

73

Total

74

148

101

104

123

Net loans charged off

366

407

623

531

434

Provision for loan losses

880

907

1,323

1,230

700

Balance at end of year

$4,714

4,200

3,700

3,000

2,301

Ratio of net loans charged off to average loans outstanding

0.08%

0.10%

0.19%

0.19%

0.17%

1 Includes commercial real estate loans

 

During 2004, a provision of $0.9 million was made to the allowance for loan losses, compared to a provision of $0.9 million in 2003, and $1.3 million in 2002. In Management's opinion, this level of provision in 2004 was appropriate given the amount of growth in the loan portfolio and the overall credit quality of the portfolio. At December 31, 2004, the allowance for loan losses stood at $4.7 million, or 0.98% of total loans outstanding. This compares to $4.2 million or 1.05% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2003, and $3.7 million, or 1.11% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2002. In Management's opinion, past levels of provision to the allowance for loan losses have been appropriate, as demonstrated by net loans charged off shown in the table above.

 

Non-Performing Assets

The Bank's loan delinquency ratio decreased slightly in 2004 and was 0.80% on December 31, 2004, versus 1.00% on December 31, 2003. In Management's opinion, there has been no pattern or trend in non-performing assets of concern. The increase in 2000 was related to isolated circumstances involving a small number of borrowers. This level remains low relative to the Bank's peer group average, and the levels at December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are in line with the Management's opinion of a normal range of delinquency rates for the Bank. The following table sets forth a summary of delinquent loans (more than ninety days past due) by category, total loans carried on a non-accrual basis, and income not recognized from non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

 

 

As of December 31,

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

Commercial real estate and business

$ 1,580

1,320

921

655

2,479

Residential real estate

270

517

463

275

267

Consumer

32

78

92

150

103

Total

$ 1,882

1,915

1,476

1,080

2,849

Non-accrual loans included in above total

$ 1,601

1,537

1,070

667

2,366

Income not recognized from non-accrual loans

$ 189

85

108

77

185

 

The Bank places a loan on non-accrual status only after a careful review of the loan circumstances and a determination that payment in full of principal and/or interest is not expected. Income not recognized from non-accrual loans represents the interest income, as of the end of each period, that would have been recorded on loans placed on non-accrual status if they were current in accordance with their original terms. None of these amounts were included in interest income for the same periods.

Other real estate owned was sold during 2004, and at December 31, 2004 there were no properties owned, compared to two properties valued at $51,000 at December 31, 2003. Other real estate owned and repossessed assets are comprised of properties or other assets acquired through a foreclosure proceeding, or acceptance of a deed or title in lieu

 

Page 21

 

 

of foreclosure. These can include properties which secure loans where the Bank obtains possession of the underlying collateral from the borrower or other assets repossessed in connection with non-real estate loans. Other real estate owned and repossessed assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less the estimated selling expenses of the collateral. An allowance is established for the amount by which cost exceeds fair value less estimated selling expenses on a property by property basis. Losses arising from the acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Operating expenses and any subsequent provisions to reduce the carrying value of the property are charged to operations. Gains and losses upon disposition of the property are reflected in earnings as realized.

 

Funding, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company's principal sources of funding are deposits and borrowed funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. The Company has a comprehensive liquidity management program. It maintains adequate funding for its assets by acquiring deposits in its local market as well as through wholesale sources. The Bank's liquidity position is further supplemented with securities repurchase agreements with certain brokers and a $5.0 million credit line with a correspondent bank.

While the Bank maintains an available for sale portfolio of securities to enhance its overall liquidity position, its present policy is not to liquidate securities to meet short-term liquidity needs. Instead, the Bank uses Federal Home Loan Bank advances or its securities repurchase agreements for this purpose. At December 31, 2004, the Company had a net unrealized gain of $2.0 million (net of $1.0 million in deferred income taxes) on available for sale securities.

Deposit balances generally increase during the summer and autumn months of each year due to increased seasonal business activity and also fluctuate as a result of changes in volume of wholesale certificates of deposit due to interest rates. In 2004, the maximum amount of deposits at any month end was $413.1 million on July 31. This balance is somewhat higher than the $369.8 million at December 31, 2004, as a result of higher levels of wholesale certificates of deposit that were replaced with repurchase agreements. Because of uncertainty about future interest rates, in recent years investors have shown a preference for short-term deposits which could reprice quickly should rates rise.

As of December 31, 2004, the Bank had primary sources of liquidity of $79.1 million, or 9.2% of its assets. It is Management's opinion that this is adequate. The Bank has established guidelines for liquidity management, with policies and procedures prescribed in its funds management policy. Management has not seen any recent significant deposit trends which would have a material effect on the Bank's liquidity position.

 

Deposits

The Bank realized an increase in deposits of 3.0% from year end 2003 to 2004, compared to a 7.4% increase in 2003 and a 27.2% increase in 2002 from year end to year end. The majority of growth in 2004 was seen in certificates of deposit. The addition of three offices in Knox County during the past six years has provided additional deposit gathering opportunities for the Bank, and in 2004, these offices posted deposit growth of $4.0 million.

The Bank's average cost of deposits (including non-interest-bearing accounts) was 1.33% for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 1.65% for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2.54% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This reduction in average cost realized over the past two years is consistent with the interest rate policy and actions of the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board. The following table sets forth the average daily balance for the Bank's principal deposit categories for each period.

 

 

Years ended December 31,

% growth

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

2002

2004 vs. 2003

Demand deposits

$ 29,907

27,689

24,316

8.0%

NOW accounts

57,365

51,462

45,916

11.5%

Money market accounts

81,785

86,199

50,490

(5.1%)

Savings

65,452

62,496

53,313

4.7%

Certificates of deposit

155,815

125,130

129,137

24.5%

Total Deposits

$ 390,324

352,976

303,172

10.6%

 

 

Page 22

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the average cost of each category of interest-bearing deposits for the periods indicated.

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

2004

2003

2002

NOW

0.20%

0.20%

0.49%

Money market

1.38%

1.47%

2.47%

Savings

0.79%

0.93%

1.83%

Certificates of deposit

2.19%

3.09%

4.07%

Total interest-bearing deposits

1.44%

1.79%

2.76%

 

Of all certificates of deposit, $103.9 million or 78.1% will mature by December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Bank held a total of $69.1 million in certificate of deposit accounts with balances in excess of $100,000. The following table summarizes the time remaining to maturity for these certificates of deposit:

 

 

As of December 31,

Dollars in thousands

2004

2003

Within 3 Months

$ 37,187

$ 11,949

3 Months through 6 months

12,162

5,940

6 months through 12 months

12,448

18,524

Over 12 months

7,332

27,807

Total

$ 69,129

$ 64,220

 

Borrowed Funds

Borrowed funds consists mainly of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLB) which are secured by FHLB stock, funds on deposit with FHLB, U.S. Treasury and Agency notes and mortgage-backed securities and qualifying first mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2004, the Bank's total FHLB borrowing capacity was $190.2 million, of which $38.2 million was unused, which includes a credit line of $8.0 million for overnight borrowings. As of December 31, 2004, advances totaled $151.9 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.74% and remaining maturities ranging from one month to eight years. This compares to advances totaling $136.4 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.73% and remaining maturities ranging from one month to eight years, as of December 31, 2003.

The Bank offers securities repurchase agreements to municipal and corporate customers as an alternative to deposits. The balance of these agreements as of December 31, 2004 was $49.9 million, compared to $20.3 million on December 31, 2003, and $19.3 million on December 31, 2002.

The Bank participates in the Note Option Depository which is offered by the U.S. Treasury Department. Under the Treasury Tax and Loan Note program, the Bank accumulates tax deposits made by its customers and is eligible to receive additional Treasury Direct investments up to an established maximum balance of $5.0 million. The balances invested by the Treasury are increased and decreased at the discretion of the Treasury. The deposits are generally made at interest rates that are favorable in comparison to other borrowings. The balances on the Treasury Tax and Loan note at December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 were $0.4 million, $1.1 million, and $3.5 million, respectively.

The maximum amount of borrowed funds outstanding at any month-end during each of the last three years was $207.2 million at the end of December during 2004, $151.7 million at the end of November for the year 2003, and $143.6 million at the end of May for the year 2002. The average amount outstanding during 2004 was $158.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 2.43%. This compares to an average outstanding amount of $125.2 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.18% in 2003, and an average outstanding amount of $122.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.68% in 2002. This reduction in average cost realized over the past two years is consistent with the interest rate policy and actions of the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Capital Resources

Capital at December 31, 2004 was sufficient to meet the requirements of regulatory authorities. For the year, average equity to average assets was 8.22% in 2004, versus 8.58% in 2003. Leverage capital of the Company, or total shareholders' equity divided by average total assets for the current quarter less goodwill and any net unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale, stood at 8.02% on December 31, 2004, versus 8.06% in 2003.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had tier-one risk-based capital of 11.62% and tier-two risk-based capital of 12.71%, versus 11.82% and 12.92%, respectively, in 2003. To be rated "well-capitalized", regulatory requirements call

 

Page 23

 

 

for minimum tier-one and tier-two risk-based capital ratios of 6.00% and 10.00%, respectively. The Company's actual levels of capitalization were comfortably above the standards to be rated "well-capitalized" by regulatory authorities. During 2004, the Company declared cash dividends of $0.103 per share for the first quarter, $0.110 per share for the second quarter, $0.115 per share for the third quarter, and $0.120 per share for the fourth quarter. The Company's dividend payout ratio was 38.62% of earnings in 2004, 37.13% in 2003, and 36.16% in 2002.

In determining future dividend payout levels, the Board of Directors carefully analyzes capital requirements and earnings retention, as set forth in the Company's Dividend Policy. The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends to its shareholders depends on receipt of dividends from its subsidiary, the Bank. The subsidiary may pay dividends to its parent out of so much of its net profits as the Bank's directors deem appropriate, subject to the limitation that the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year may not exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years. The amount available for dividends in 2005 will be that year's net income plus $9.7 million. A total of $3.3 million in dividends was declared in 2004.

In 2004, 86,100 shares of common stock were issued in conjunction with the exercise of stock options for consideration totaling $0.3 million. The Company also purchased 24,393 shares of common stock for total consideration of $0.4 million, and 32,136 shares were issued via employee stock programs and the dividend reinvestment plan during the year.

Management knows of no present trends, events or uncertainties that will have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on capital resources, liquidity, or results of operations, including the FNB Bankshares merger.

 

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Activities

The following table sets forth the contractual obligations and commitments to extend credit of the Company as of December 31, 2004:

 

Dollars in thousands

Total

Less than 1 Year

1-3 Years

4-5 Years

More than 5 Years

Borrowed funds

$207,206

157,491

22,000

15,000

12,715

Operating leases

198

65

133

-

-

Certificates of deposit

133,029

103,901

20,092

9,036

-

Total contractual obligations

$340,433

261,457

42,225

24,036

12,715

Unused line, collateralized by residential real estate

$41,049

41,049

-

-

-

Other unused commitments

31,932

31,932

-

-

-

Standby letters of credit

41,000

41,000

-

-

-

Commitments to extend credit

11,652

11,652

-

-

-

Total loan commitments and unused lines of credit

$125,633

125,633

-

-

-

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These include commitments to originate loans, commitments for unused lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Commitments for unused lines are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract and generally have fixed expiration dates. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee a customer's performance to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's off-balance-sheet activities consisted entirely of commitments to extend credit.

 

Capital Purchases

In 2004, the Company made capital purchases totaling $1.1 million. This cost will be amortized over an average of ten years, adding approximately $108,000 to pre-tax operating costs per year. The capital purchases included primarily real estate improvements for branch premises and equipment related to technology.

 

Effect of Future Interest Rates on Post-retirement Benefit Liabilities

In evaluating the Company's post-retirement benefit liabilities, Management believes changes in discount rates will not have a significant impact on future operating results or financial condition.

 

 

Page 24

 

 

 

Other Information

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Statement of Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004) (SFAS No. 123 (R)), "Share-Based Payment." SFAS 123(R) will, with certain exceptions, require entities that grant stock options and shares to employees to recognize the fair value of those options and shares as compensation cost over the service (vesting) period in their financial statements. The measurement of that cost will be based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments used.

SFAS No. 123(R) will be effective for the Company's quarterly interim financial reporting period ending September 30, 2005. Management expects adoption of SFAS 123(R) will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2003, AcSEC issued SOP 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. The SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. A transition provision applies for certain aspects of loans currently within the scope of Practice Bulletin 6, Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans. The SOP addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. It includes loans acquired in business combinations and applies to all nongovernmental entities, including not-for-profit organizations. The SOP does not apply to loans originated by the entity.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain disclosures in Management's Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain certain forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). In preparing these disclosures, Management must make assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning the level of future interest rates, general local, regional and national economic conditions, competitive pressures, prepayments on loans and investments, required levels of capital, needs for liquidity, and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. These forward-looking statements may be subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, those matters referred to in the preceding sentence.

Although First National Lincoln Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect the Company's business.

 

 

Page 25

 

 

 

Quarterly Information

The following tables provide unaudited financial information by quarter for each of the past two years:

 

Dollars in thousands

2004 Q1

2004 Q2

2004 Q3

2004 Q4

Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

Cash

$9,236

13,777

16,659

14,770

Investments

138,069

141,301

137,210

126,827

Net loans

411,363

438,853

456,777

473,618

Other assets

19,551

20,041

19,556

19,023

Total assets

$578,219

613,972

630,202

634,238

Deposits

$384,251

386,573

401,479

369,844

Borrowed funds

139,515

173,661

172,442

207,206

Other liabilities

5,101

4,223

4,749

4,373

Stockholders' equity

49,352

49,515

51,532

52,815

Total liabilities & equity

$578,219

613,972

630,202

634,238

Income Statements

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

$7,121

7,417

7,875

8,113

Interest expense

2,168

2,184

2,263

2,408

Net interest income

4,953

5,233

5,612

5,705

Provision for loan losses

240

240

240

160

Net interest income after provision

4,713

4,993

5,372

5,545

Non-interest income

1,103

1,120

1,300

1,143

Non-interest expense

3,124

3,236

3,576

3,436

Income before taxes

2,692

2,877

3,096

3,252

Income taxes

768

821

880

941

Net income

$1,924

2,056

2,216

2,311

Basic earnings per share

$0.26

0.28

0.30

0.31

Diluted earnings per share

$0.26

0.28

0.30

0.31

 

 

Page 26

 

 

 

 

Dollars in thousands

2003 Q1

2003 Q2

2003 Q3

2003 Q4

Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

Cash

$13,946

19,073

13,758

17,087

Investments

128,667

128,291

139,196

136,689

Net loans

343,821

365,090

380,739

395,677

Other assets

17,654

18,673

18,125

19,359

Total assets

$504,088

531,127

551,818

568,812

Deposits

$340,377

359,010

370,952

359,077

Borrowed Funds

115,151

121,933

129,583

157,822

Other liabilities

4,608

4,582

4,550

4,195

Stockholders' equity

43,952

45,602

46,733

47,718

Total liabilities & equity

$504,088

531,127

551,818

568,812

Income Statements

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

$6,868

6,804

6,815

7,053

Interest expense

2,768

2,640

2,229

2,159

Net interest income

4,100

4,164

4,586

4,894

Provision for loan losses

225

225

225

232

Net interest income after provision

3,875

3,939

4,361

4,662

Non-interest income

1,223

1,210

1,543

1,173

Non-interest expense

2,758

2,757

3,076

3,010

Income before taxes

2,340

2,392

2,828

2,825

Income taxes

661

663

816

818

Net income

$1,679

1,729

2,012

2,007

Basic earnings per share

$0.23

0.24

0.28

0.28

Diluted earnings per share

$0.23

0.23

0.27

0.27

 

 

Page 27

 

 

 

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, and First National Lincoln Corporation's market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The Bank's Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to interest rate risk. All guidelines and policies established by ALCO have been approved by the Board of Directors.

 

Asset/Liability Management

 

The primary goal of asset/liability management is to maximize net interest income within the interest rate risk limits set by ALCO. Interest rate risk is monitored through the use of two complementary measures: static gap analysis and earnings simulation modeling. While each measurement has limitations, taken together they present a reasonably comprehensive view of the magnitude of interest rate risk in the Company, the level of risk through time, and the amount of exposure to changes in certain interest rate relationships.

Static gap analysis measures the amount of repricing risk embedded in the balance sheet at a point in time. It does so by comparing the differences in the repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. A gap is defined as the difference between the principal amount of assets and liabilities which reprice within a specified time period. The cumulative one-year gap, at year-end, was -9.3% of total assets. ALCO's policy limit for the one-year gap is plus or minus 20% of total assets. Core deposits with non-contractual maturities are presented based upon historical patterns of balance attrition and pricing behavior which are reviewed at least annually.

The gap repricing distributions include principal cash flows from residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in the time frames in which they are expected to be received. Mortgage prepayments are estimated by applying industry median projections of prepayment speeds to portfolio segments based on coupon range and loan age.

The Company's summarized static gap, as of December 31, 2004, is presented in the following table:

 

 

0-90

90-365

1-5

5+

Dollars in thousands

Days

Days

Years

Years

Investment securities at amortized cost

$ 17,489

12,112

67,670

29,556

Loans held for sale

-

-

-

-

Loans

177,471

72,910

168,988

58,963

Other interest-earning assets

4,793

-

-

-

Non-rate-sensitive assets

787

-

-

23,499

Total assets

$ 200,540

85,022

236,658

112,018

Interest-bearing deposits

$ 134,214

48,887

29,131

157,612

Borrowed funds

138,545

18,948

21,997

27,716

Non-rate-sensitive liabilities and equity

1,132

3,081

18,713

34,262

Total liabilities and equity

$ 273,891

70,916

69,841

219,590

Period gap

(73,351)

14,106

166,817

(107,572)

Percent of total assets

-11.57%

2.22%

26.30%

-16.96%

Cumulative gap (current)

(73,351)

(59,245)

107,572

-

Percent of total assets

-11.57%

-9.34%

16.96%

0.00%

 

The earnings simulation model forecasts one- and two-year net interest income under a variety of scenarios that incorporate changes in the absolute level of interest rates as well as basis risk, as represented by changes in the shape of the yield curve and changes in interest rate relationships. Management evaluates the effects on income of alternative interest rate scenarios against earnings in a stable interest rate environment. This analysis is also most useful in determining the short-run earnings exposures to changes in customer behavior involving loan payments and deposit additions and withdrawals.

The most recent simulation model projects net interest income would increase by approximately 3.4% of stable-rate net interest income if rates fall gradually by one percentage point over the next year, and decrease by approximately 1.2% if rates rise gradually by two percentage points. Both scenarios are well within ALCO's policy limit of a decrease in net interest income of no more than 10.0% given a 2.0% move in interest rates, up or down. Management believes this reflects a reasonable interest rate risk position. Within a two-year horizon and assuming no additional change in interest rates, the model forecasts that net interest income would be higher than that earned in a stable rate environment

 

Page 28

 

 

by 5.7% in a falling rate scenario and decrease by 1.6% in a rising rate scenario. A summary of the Company's interest rate risk simulation modeling, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 is presented in the following table:

 

Changes in Net Interest Income

2004

2003

Year 1

 

 

Projected changes if rates decrease by 1.0%

+3.4%

+2.2%

Projected change if rates increase by 2.0%

-1.2%

-0.4%

Year 2

 

 

Projected changes if rates decrease by 1.0%

+5.7%

+2.8%

Projected change if rates increase by 2.0%

-1.6%

-5.6%

 

This dynamic simulation model includes assumptions about how the balance sheet is likely to evolve through time and in different interest rate environments. Loans and deposits are projected to maintain stable balances. All maturities, calls and prepayments in the securities portfolio are assumed to be reinvested in similar assets. Mortgage loan prepayment assumptions are developed from industry median estimates of prepayment speeds for portfolios with similar coupon ranges and seasoning. Non-contractual deposit volatility and pricing are assumed to follow historical patterns. The sensitivities of key assumptions are analyzed annually and reviewed by ALCO.

A variety of financial instruments can be used to manage interest rate sensitivity. These may include the securities in the investment portfolio, interest rate swaps, and interest rate caps and floors. Frequently called interest rate derivatives, interest rate swaps, caps and floors have characteristics similar to securities but possess the advantages of customization of the risk-reward profile of the instrument, minimization of balance sheet leverage and improvement of liquidity. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was not using any derivative instruments for interest rate risk management.

Management believes that the current level of interest rate risk is acceptable as of December 31, 2004. The Company engages an independent consultant to periodically review its interest rate risk position, as well as the effectiveness of simulation modeling and reasonableness of assumptions used. As of December 31, 2004, there were no significant differences between the views of the independent consultant and Management regarding the Company's interest rate risk exposure.

 

 

Page 29

 

 

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data  

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 14,770,000

$ 17,087,000

Securities available for sale

51,892,000

57,445,000

Securities to be held to maturity, fair value of $75,601,000

at December 31, 2004, and $80,820,000 at December 31, 2003

74,935,000

79,244,000

Loans held for sale, at cost

-

982,000

Loans

478,332,000

398,895,000

Less allowance for loan losses

4,714,000

4,200,000

Net loans

473,618,000

394,695,000

Accrued interest receivable

2,791,000

2,743,000

Premises and equipment, net

9,061,000

9,007,000

Other real estate owned

-

51,000

Other assets

7,171,000

7,558,000

Total assets

$ 634,238,000

$ 568,812,000

Liabilities

 

 

Demand deposits

$ 31,181,000

$ 28,874,000

NOW deposits

60,550,000

52,161,000

Money market deposits

76,411,000

80,586,000

Savings deposits

68,673,000

63,356,000

Certificates of deposit

63,900,000

69,880,000

Certificates of deposit $100,000 or more

69,129,000

64,220,000

Total deposits

369,844,000

359,077,000

Borrowed funds

207,206,000

157,822,000

Other liabilities

4,373,000

4,195,000

Total liabilities

581,423,000

521,094,000

Commitments and contingent liabilities (notes 12, 13 and 17)

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

Common stock, one cent par value

74,000

74,000

Additional paid-in capital

3,973,000

4,650,000

Retained earnings

46,809,000

42,988,000

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale,

net of tax of $1,009,000 in 2004 and $1,286,000 in 2003

1,959,000

2,497,000

Treasury stock, at cost, 179,670 shares in 2003

-

(2,491,000)

Total shareholders’ equity

52,815,000

47,718,000

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 634,238,000

$ 568,812,000

Common stock

 

 

Number of shares authorized

18,000,000

18,000,000

Number of shares issued

7,356,836

7,443,810

Number of shares outstanding

7,356,836

7,264,140

Book value per share

$ 7.18

$ 6.57

Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a

200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

 

Page 30

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary

 

Years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Interest and dividend income

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$23,982,000

$21,374,000

$22,154,000

Interest on deposits with other banks

4,000

52,000

62,000

Interest and dividends on investments (includes tax-exempt income of $1,802,000 in 2004, $1,585,000 in 2003, and $1,075,000 in 2002)

6,542,000

6,114,000

7,091,000

Total interest and dividend income

30,528,000

27,540,000

29,307,000

Interest expense

 

 

 

Interest on deposits

5,175,000

5,820,000

7,702,000

Interest on borrowed funds

3,849,000

3,976,000

4,502,000

Total interest expense

9,024,000

9,796,000

12,204,000

Net interest income

21,504,000

17,744,000

17,103,000

Provision for loan losses

880,000

907,000

1,323,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

20,624,000

16,837,000

15,780,000

Non-interest income

 

 

 

Fiduciary and investment management income

874,000

773,000

728,000

Service charges on deposit accounts

1,177,000

1,110,000

985,000

Mortgage origination and servicing income

419,000

930,000

685,000

Other operating income

2,197,000

2,335,000

2,553,000

Total non-interest income

4,667,000

5,148,000

4,951,000

Non-interest expense

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

7,071,000

6,017,000

5,766,000

Occupancy expense

850,000

772,000

738,000

Furniture and equipment expense

1,431,000

1,339,000

1,286,000

Other operating expenses

4,019,000

3,472,000

3,755,000

Total non-interest expense

13,371,000

11,600,000

11,545,000

Income before income taxes

11,920,000

10,385,000

9,186,000

Income tax expense

3,411,000

2,958,000

2,679,000

Net income

$ 8,509,000

$ 7,427,000

$ 6,507,000

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$ 1.16

$ 1.02

$ 0.90

Diluted earnings per share

1.14

1.00

0.88

Cash dividends declared per share

0.45

0.38

0.33

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

7,330,434

7,266,669

7,214,895

Incremental shares

149,721

195,042

170,412

Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a

200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

 

Page 31

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Number

 

 

 

unrealized

 

 

 

of

 

 

 

gain on

 

 

 

common

 

Additional

 

securities

 

Total

 

shares

Common

paid-in

Retained

available

Treasury

Shareholders'

 

outstanding

stock

capital

earnings

for sale

stock

equity

Balance at December 31, 2001

7,174,125

$ 74,000

4,650,000

34,030,000

784,000

(2,204,000)

37,334,000

Net income

-

-

-

6,507,000

-

-

6,507,000

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of taxes of $714,000

-

-

-

-

1,386,000

-

1,386,000

Comprehensive income

-

-

-

6,507,000

1,386,000

-

7,893,000

Cash dividends declared

-

-

-

(2,363,000)

-

-

(2,363,000)

Payment to repurchase common stock

(96,201)

-

-

-

-

(945,000)

(945,000)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

166,155

-

-

-

-

628,000

628,000

Tax benefit of disqualifying disposition of incentive stock option shares

-

-

-

148,000

-

-

148,000

Balance at December 31, 2002

7,244,079

74,000

4,650,000

38,322,000

2,170,000

(2,521,000)

42,695,000

Net income

-

-

-

7,427,000

-

-

7,427,000

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of taxes of $168,000

-

-

-

-

327,000

-

327,000

Comprehensive income

-

-

-

7,427,000

327,000

-

7,754,000

Cash dividends declared

-

-

-

(2,761,000)

-

-

(2,761,000)

Payment to repurchase common stock

(44,271)

-

-

-

-

(605,000)

(605,000)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

64,332

-

-

-

-

635,000

635,000

Balance at December 31, 2003

7,264,140

74,000

4,650,000

42,988,000

2,497,000

(2,491,000)

47,718,000

Net income

-

-

-

8,509,000

-

-

8,509,000

Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax benefit of $277,000

-

-

-

-

(538,000)

-

(538,000)

Comprehensive income

-

-

-

8,509,000

(538,000)

-

7,971,000

Cash dividends declared

-

-

-

(3,292,000)

-

-

(3,292,000)

Payment to repurchase common stock

(25,543)

-

-

-

-

(404,000)

(404,000)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

118,239

-

(625,000)

-

-

1,447,000

822,000

Retirement of treasury stock

-

-

(52,000)

(1,396,000)

-

1,448,000

-

Balance at December 31, 2004

7,356,836

$ 74,000

3,973,000

46,809,000

1,959,000

(0)

52,815,000

Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a

200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

Page 32

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net income

$8,509,000

$7,427,000

$6,507,000

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation

1,009,000

966,000

952,000

Deferred income taxes

(3,000)

-

(255,000)

Provision for loan losses

880,000

907,000

1,323,000

Loans originated for resale

(15,375,000)

(53,859,000)

(42,531,000)

Proceeds from sales of loans

16,357,000

55,490,000

40,384,000

Net gain on sale of credit card portfolio

-

-

(219,000)

Net loss (gain) on sale of other real estate owned

4,000

(24,000)

-

Net change in other assets and accrued interest receivable

100,000

(896,000)

(308,000)

Net change in other liabilities

455,000

243,000

30,000

Net amortization (accretion) of premiums (discounts) on investments

88,000

458,000

(604,000)

Net cash provided by operating activities

12,024,000

10,712,000

5,279,000

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities, payments and calls of securities

available for sale

6,245,000

15,364,000

2,255,000

Proceeds from maturities, payments and calls of securities

to be held to maturity

48,494,000

27,606,000

40,172,000

Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned

47,000

228,000

15,000

Net proceeds from sale of credit card portfolio

-

-

2,718,000

Purchases of securities available for sale

(1,529,000)

(15,987,000)

(5,581,000)

Purchases of securities to be held to maturity

(44,251,000)

(41,562,000)

(48,029,000)

Net increase in loans

(79,803,000)

(67,228,000)

(33,960,000)

Capital expenditures

(974,000)

(2,229,000)

(1,222,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

(71,771,000)

(83,808,000)

(43,632,000)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Net increase in demand deposits, savings,

and money market accounts

11,838,000

12,178,000

83,926,000

Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit

(1,071,000)

12,675,000

(12,391,000)

Advances on long-term borrowings

8,215,000

30,000,000

24,000,000

Repayments on long-term borrowings

(27,331,000)

(28,000,000)

-

Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

68,500,000

42,457,000

(41,992,000)

Payment to repurchase common stock

(404,000)

(605,000)

(945,000)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

822,000

635,000

628,000

Dividends paid

(3,139,000)

(2,663,000)

(2,261,000)

Net cash provided by financing activities

57,430,000

66,677,000

50,965,000

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(2,317,000)

(6,419,000)

12,612,000

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

17,087,000

23,506,000

10,894,000

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$14,770,000

17,087,000

23,506,000

Interest paid

$ 9,086,000

$10,148,000

$12,228,000

Income taxes paid

3,529,000

2,756,000

2,668,000

Non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

Loans transferred from other real estate owned, net

-

-

(68,000)

Net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale

(815,000)

495,000

2,100,000

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

Page 33

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Nature of Operations

First National Lincoln Corporation (the Company) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Damariscotta (the Bank), provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers from seven offices in Mid-Coast Maine. Pemaquid Advisors, a division of the Bank, provides investment management, private banking and financial planning services. Pemaquid Advisors has three offices in Mid-Coast Maine.

 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Bank. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

In preparing the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing rights.

 

Investment Securities

Investment securities are classified as available for sale or held to maturity when purchased. There are no trading account securities.

Securities available for sale consist primarily of debt securities which Management intends to hold for indefinite periods of time. They may be used as part of the Bank's funds management strategy, and may be sold in response to changes in interest rates or prepayment risk, changes in liquidity needs, to increase capital, or for other similar reasons. These assets are accounted for at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses adjusted through shareholders' equity, net of related income taxes.

Securities to be held to maturity consist primarily of debt securities which Management has acquired solely for long-term investment purposes, rather than for purposes of trading or future sale. For securities to be held to maturity, Management has the intent and the Bank has the ability to hold such securities until their respective maturity dates. Such securities are carried at cost adjusted for the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Investment securities transactions are accounted for on a settlement date basis; reported amounts would not be materially different from those accounted for on a trade date basis. Gains and losses on the sales of investment securities are determined using the amortized cost of the specific security sold.

 

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consist of residential real estate mortgage loans and are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value, as determined by current investor yield requirements.

 

Loans

Loans are generally reported at their outstanding principal balances, adjusted for chargeoffs, the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs to originate loans. Loan commitments are recorded when funded.

 

Loan Fees and Costs

Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized in interest income as an adjustment to the loan yield over the life of the related loans. The unamortized net deferred fees and costs are included on the balance sheets with the related loan balances, and the amortization is included with the related interest income.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans considered to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level determined by Management to be adequate to absorb probable losses. This allowance is increased by provisions charged to operating expenses and recoveries on loans previously charged off. Arriving at an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses necessarily involves a high degree of judgment. In determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses, Management takes into consideration several factors, including reviews of individual non-performing loans and performing loans listed on the watch report requiring periodic evaluation, loan portfolio size by

 

Page 34

 

 

category, recent loss experience, delinquency trends and current economic conditions. Loans more than 30 days past due are considered delinquent.

Impaired loans, including restructured loans, are measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Management takes into consideration impaired loans in addition to the above mentioned factors in determining the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses.

 

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period the change is enacted.

 

Accrual of Interest Income and Expense

Interest on loans and investment securities is taken into income using methods which relate the income earned to the balances of loans and investment securities outstanding. Interest expense on liabilities is derived by applying applicable interest rates to principal amounts outstanding. Recording of interest income on problem loans, which includes impaired loans, ceases when collectibility of principal and interest within a reasonable period of time becomes doubtful. Cash payments received on non-accrual loans, which includes impaired loans, are applied to reduce the loan's principal balance until the remaining principal balance is deemed collectible, after which interest is recognized when collected. As a general rule, a loan may be restored to accrual status when payments are current and repayment of the remaining contractual amounts is expected or when it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection.

 

Premises and Equipment

Premises, furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed by straight-line and accelerated methods over the asset's estimated useful life.

 

Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)

Real estate acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure is transferred to OREO and recorded at the lower of cost or fair market value, less estimated costs to sell, based on appraised value at the date actually or constructively received. Loan losses arising from the acquisition of such property are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent provisions to reduce the carrying value of a property are recorded to the allowance for OREO losses and a charge to operations on a specific property basis.

 

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share data are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to the stock options outstanding, determined by the treasury stock method. All share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a 200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004.

 

Post-Retirement Benefits

The cost of providing post-retirement benefits is accrued during the active service period of the employee.

 

Segments

First National Lincoln Corporation, through the branches of its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Damariscotta, provides a broad range of financial services to individuals and companies in Mid-Coast Maine. These services include demand, time, and savings deposits; lending; credit card servicing; ATM processing; and investment management and trust services. Operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporate-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company's banking operations are considered by Management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes both net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes the change in unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of tax, and is disclosed in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity.

 

 

 

Page 35

 

 

 

Stock Options

The Company established a stock option plan in 1995. Under the plan, the Company may grant options to its employees for up to 200,000 shares of common stock. Only incentive stock options may be granted under the plan. The option price of each option grant is determined by the Options Committee of the Board of Directors, and in no instance shall be less than the fair market value on the date of the grant. An option's maximum term is ten years from the date of grant.

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for the stock option plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", to stock-based employee compensation. Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a 200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004.

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Net income

 

 

 

As reported

$ 8,509,000

7,427,000

6,507,000

Value of option grants, net of tax

-

-

60,000

Pro forma

$ 8,509,000

7,427,000

6,447,000

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

As reported

$ 1.16

1.02

0.90

Value of option grants, net of tax

-

-

0.01

Pro forma

$ 1.16

1.02

0.89

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

As reported

$ 1.14

1.00

0.88

Value of option grants, net of tax

-

-

0.01

Pro forma

$ 1.14

1.00

0.87

 

The fair market value of options granted, net of tax, was $60,000 in 2002. No options were granted in 2004 or 2003. The weighted average fair market value of options granted was $2.77 in 2002. The fair market value in 2002 is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: quarterly dividends of $0.07, risk-free interest rate of 1.59%, volatility of 37.73%, and an expected life of 10 years.

 

Loan Servicing

Servicing rights are recognized when they are acquired through sale of loans. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum.

 

Note 2. Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For the purposes of reporting consolidated cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and federal funds sold. At December 31, 2004 the Company had a contractual clearing balance of $500,000 and a reserve balance requirement of $5,091,000 at the Federal Reserve Bank, which are satisfied by both cash on hand at branches and balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The Company maintains a portion of its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant risk with respect to these accounts.

 

 

Page 36

 

 

 

Note 3. Investment Securities

 

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2004 and 2003:

 

 

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair Value

As of December 31, 2004

Cost

Gains

Losses

(Estimated)

Securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

$ 3,000,000

-

(57,000)

2,943,000

Mortgage-backed securities

3,524,000

82,000

(4,000)

3,602,000

State and political subdivisions

13,550,000

690,000

-

14,240,000

Corporate securities

20,536,000

2,232,000

(3,000)

22,765,000

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

7,696,000

-

-

7,696,000

Federal Reserve Bank stock

53,000

-

-

53,000

Other equity securities

565,000

32,000

(4,000)

593,000

 

$ 48,924,000

3,036,000

(68,000)

51,892,000

Securities to be held to maturity:

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

$ 26,529,000

288,000

(77,000)

26,740,000

Mortgage-backed securities

16,607,000

164,000

(312,000)

16,459,000

State and political subdivisions

24,196,000

729,000

(121,000)

24,804,000

Corporate securities

7,603,000

-

(5,000)

7,598,000

 

$ 74,935,000

1,181,000

(515,000)

75,601,000

 

 

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair Value

As of December 31, 2003

Cost

Gains

Losses

(Estimated)

Securities available for sale:

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

$ 3,000,000

-

(75,000)

2,925,000

Mortgage-backed securities

5,405,000

88,000

(30,000)

5,463,000

State and political subdivisions

13,981,000

871,000

-

14,852,000

Corporate securities

23,585,000

2,896,000

(20,000)

26,461,000

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

6,871,000

-

-

6,871,000

Federal Reserve Bank stock

53,000

-

-

53,000

Other equity securities

766,000

56,000

(2,000)

820,000

 

$ 53,661,000

3,911,000

(127,000)

57,445,000

Securities to be held to maturity:

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury and agency

$ 44,419,000

714,000

(31,000)

45,102,000

Mortgage-backed securities

8,409,000

225,000

(30,000)

8,604,000

State and political subdivisions

17,823,000

717,000

(14,000)

18,526,000

Corporate securities

8,593,000

-

(5,000)

8,588,000

 

$ 79,244,000

1,656,000

(80,000)

80,820,000

 

 

Page 37

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of investment securities at December 31, 2004:

 

 

Securities available for sale

Securities to be held to maturity

 

Amortized

Fair Value

Amortized

Fair Value

As of December 31, 2004

Cost

(Estimated)

Cost

(Estimated)

Due in 1 year or less

$ 751,000

763,000

125,000

125,000

Due in 1 to 5 years

11,025,000

12,125,000

1,288,000

1,333,000

Due in 5 to 10 years

15,542,000

17,041,000

20,749,000

21,007,000

Due after 10 years

13,292,000

13,621,000

52,773,000

53,136,000

Equity securities

8,314,000

8,342,000

-

-

 

$ 48,924,000

51,892,000

74,935,000

75,601,000

 

At December 31, 2004 securities carried at $102,918,000, with a fair value of $103,296,000, were pledged to secure borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, public deposits, repurchase agreements, and for other purposes as required by law. This compares to securities carried at $49,896,000, with a fair value of $50,287,000, as of December 31, 2003 for the same purpose.

Gains and losses on the sale of securities available for sale are computed by subtracting the amortized cost at the time of sale from the security's selling price, net of accrued interest to be received. There were no realized gains or losses in 2004, 2003, or 2002.

Management reviews securities with unrealized losses for other than temporary impairment. As of December 31, 2004, there were 32 securities with unrealized losses held in the Company's portfolio. These securities were temporarily impaired as a result of changes in interest rates reducing their fair market value, of which three had been temporarily impaired for 12 months or more. At the present time, there have been no material changes in the credit quality of these securities resulting in temporary impairment. Information regarding securities temporarily impaired is summarized below:

 

 

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Total

 

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

As of December 31, 2004

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

U.S. Treasury and agency

$12,990,000

(134,000)

-

-

12,990,000

(134,000)

Mortgage-backed securities

14,757,000

(303,000)

655,000

(13,000)

15,412,000

(316,000)

State and political sub-divisions

3,052,000

(121,000)

-

-

3,052,000

(121,000)

Corporate securities

473,000

(8,000)

-

-

473,000

(8,000)

Other equity securities

473,000

(4,000)

-

-

473,000

(4,000)

 

$31,745,000

(570,000)

655,000

(13,000)

32,400,000

(583,000)

 

 

Note 4. Loan Servicing

 

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Bank serviced loans for others totaling $90,944,000 and $87,906,000, respectively. Net gains from the sale of loans totaled $201,000 in 2004, $550,000 in 2003, and $482,000 in 2002.

In 2004, mortgage servicing rights of $234,000 were capitalized, and amortization for the year totaled $250,000. After deducting for an impairment reserve of $132,000 at December 31, 2004, mortgage servicing rights had a fair value of $577,000, which is included in other assets. In 2003, mortgage servicing rights of $589,000 were capitalized, and amortization for the year totaled $357,000. After deducting for a valuation allowance of $125,000 and impairment reserve of $20,000, at December 31, 2003, mortgage servicing rights had a fair value of $581,000, which is included in other assets.

 

 

Page 38

 

 

 

Note 5. Loans

 

The following table shows the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2004 and 2003:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Real estate loans

 

 

Residential

$ 278,879,000

223,251,000

Commercial

47,082,000

40,521,000

Commercial and industrial loans

110,811,000

97,487,000

State and municipal loans

13,724,000

9,030,000

Consumer loans

26,769,000

26,123,000

Residential construction loans

1,067,000

2,483,000

Total loans

$ 478,332,000

398,895,000

 

Loan balances include net deferred loan costs of $1,026,000 in 2004 and $986,000 in 2003. Pursuant to collateral agreements, qualifying first mortgage loans, which were valued at $239,278,000 and $187,202,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively, were used to collateralize borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, loans on non-accrual status totaled $1,613,000 and $1,537,000, respectively. Interest income which would have been recognized on these loans, if interest had been accrued, was $189,000 for 2004, $85,000 for 2003, and $108,000 for 2002. Loans past due greater than 90 days which are accruing interest totaled $281,000 at December 31, 2004 and $378,000 at December 31, 2003. The Company continues to accrue interest on these loans because it believes collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured.

Transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Balance at beginning of year

$ 4,200,000

3,700,000

3,000,000

Provision charged to operating expenses

880,000

907,000

1,323,000

 

5,080,000

4,607,000

4,323,000

Loans charged off

(440,000)

(555,000)

(724,000)

Recoveries on loans

74,000

148,000

101,000

Net loans charged off

(366,000)

(407,000)

(623,000)

Balance at end of year

$ 4,714,000

4,200,000

3,700,000

 

Information regarding impaired loans is as follows:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Average investment in impaired loans

$ 1,617,000

1,222,000

1,367,000

Interest income recognized on impaired loans, all on cash basis

39,000

11,000

17,000

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Balance of impaired loans

$ 1,601,000

1,537,000

Less portion for which no allowance for loan losses is allocated

(913,000)

(980,000)

Portion of impaired loan balance for which an allowance for loan losses is allocated

$688,000

557,000

Portion of allowance for loan losses allocated to the impaired loan balance

$228,000

204,000

 

Loans to directors, officers and employees totaled $17,750,000 at December 31, 2004 and $16,599,000 at December 31, 2003. A summary of loans to directors and executive officers, which in the aggregate exceed $60,000, is as follows:

 

Page 39

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

Balance at beginning of year

$ 9,048,000

7,281,000

New loans

3,112,000

4,579,000

Repayments

(1,621,000)

(2,812,000)

Balance at end of year

$ 10,539,000

9,048,000

 

 

Note 6. Premises and Equipment

 

Premises and equipment are carried at cost and consist of the following:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Land

$ 1,608,000

1,608,000

Land improvements

556,000

539,000

Buildings

7,462,000

7,091,000

Equipment

8,768,000

8,094,000

 

18,394,000

17,332,000

Less accumulated depreciation

9,333,000

8,325,000

 

$ 9,061,000

9,007,000

 

 

Note 7. Other Real Estate Owned

 

The following summarizes other real estate owned:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans

$ -

51,000

Less allowance for losses

-

-

Other real estate owned, net

$ -

51,000

 

 

 

Page 40

 

 

 

Note 8. Income Taxes

 

The current and deferred components of income tax expense were as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Federal income tax:

 

 

 

Current

$ 3,278,000

2,838,000

2,830,000

Deferred

(3,000)

-

(255,000)

 

3,275,000

2,838,000

2,575,000

State franchise tax

136,000

120,000

104,000

 

$ 3,411,000

2,958,000

2,679,000

 

The actual tax expense differs from the expected tax expense (computed by applying the applicable U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate to income before income taxes) as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Expected tax expense

$ 4,053,000

3,531,000

3,123,000

Non-taxable income

(734,000)

(651,000)

(484,000)

State franchise tax, net of federal tax benefit

90,000

79,000

69,000

Other

2,000

(1,000)

(29,000)

 

$ 3,411,000

2,958,000

2,679,000

 

Items that give rise to the deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the tax effect of each at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Allowance for loan losses

$ 1,501,000

1,270,000

Net deferred loan costs

(400,000)

(380,000)

Accrued pension and post-retirement

288,000

322,000

Depreciation

(215,000)

(81,000)

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale

(1,009,000)

(1,286,000)

Mortgage servicing rights

(163,000)

(165,000)

Other assets

(82,000)

(108,000)

Other liabilities

(102,000)

(34,000)

Net deferred income tax liability

$ (182,000)

(462,000)

 

The deferred income tax asset and liability at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Asset

$ 1,789,000

1,558,000

Liability

(1,971,000)

(2,020,000)

 

$ (182,000)

(462,000)

 

No valuation allowance is deemed necessary for the deferred tax asset.

 

Page 41

 

 

 

Note 9. Certificates of Deposit

 

At December 31, 2004, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:

 

2005

$ 103,901,000

2006

12,864,000

2007

7,228,000

2008

6,557,000

2009

2,479,000

Total

$ 133,029,000

 

Interest on certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more was $1,732,000, $1,834,000, and $2,343,000 in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Note 10. Borrowed Funds

 

Borrowed funds consist of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLB), Treasury Tax & Loan Notes, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase with municipal and commercial customers.

Pursuant to collateral agreements, FHLB advances are collateralized by all stock in FHLB, qualifying first mortgage loans, U.S. Government and Agency securities not pledged to others, and funds on deposit with FHLB. As of December 31, 2004, the Bank's total FHLB borrowing capacity was $190,187,000, of which $38,234,000 was unused and available for additional borrowings. All FHLB advances as of December 31, 2004 had fixed rates of interest until their respective maturity dates, except for the FHLB overnight line of credit, which has an interest rate which can fluctuate daily.

Under the Treasury Tax & Loan Note program, the Bank accumulates tax deposits made by customers and is eligible to receive Treasury Direct investments up to an established maximum balance. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase include U.S. Treasury and Agency securities and other securities. Repurchase agreements have maturity dates ranging from one to 365 days. The Bank also has in place a $5.0 million credit line with a correspondent bank which is currently not in use.

Borrowed funds at December 31, 2004 and 2003 have the following range of interest rates and maturity dates:

 

As of December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

 

 

 

 

2005

1.48%

-

2.32%

$102,241,000

2006

1.85%

-

2.04%

5,000,000

2007

1.37%

-

4.47%

17,000,000

2009 and thereafter

3.93%

-

5.41%

27,713,000

 

 

 

 

151,954,000

Treasury Tax & Loan Notes (rate at December 31, 2004 was 1.90%)

 

 

variable

392,000

Repurchase agreements

 

 

 

 

Municipal and commercial customers

0.80%

-

2.25%

49,860,000

Broker

 

 

2.59%

5,000,000

 

 

 

 

$207,206,000

 

 

Page 42

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

 

 

 

 

2004

1.14%

-

4.89%

$66,914,000

2005

1.48%

-

2.08%

23,000,000

2006

1.19%

-

2.04%

7,000,000

2007

3.99%

-

4.47%

12,000,000

2010 and thereafter

3.93%

-

5.41%

27,500,000

 

 

 

 

136,414,000

Treasury Tax & Loan Notes (rate at December 31, 2003 was 0.73%)

 

 

variable

1,110,000

Repurchase agreements

 

 

 

 

Municipal and commercial customers

0.80%

-

1.50%

20,298,000

 

 

 

 

$157,822,000

 

 

Note 11. Employee Benefit Plans

 

401(k) Plan

The Bank has a defined contribution plan available to substantially all employees who have completed six months of service. Employees may contribute up to 50.0% of their compensation (not to exceed $12,000 if under age 50 and $14,000 if over age 50), and the Bank may provide a match of up to 3.0% of compensation. Subject to a vote of the Board of Directors, the Bank may also make a profit-sharing contribution to the Plan. Such contribution equaled 2.5% of each eligible employee's compensation in 2004, 2.5% in 2003, and 3.0% in 2002. The expense related to the 401(k) plan was $220,000, $217,000, and $216,000 in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

 

Supplemental Retirement Plan

The Bank also sponsors an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain officers. The agreement provides supplemental retirement benefits payable in installments over 20 years upon retirement or death. The costs for this plan are recognized over the service periods of the participating officers. The expense of this supplemental plan was $147,000 in 2004, $135,000 in 2003, and $113,000 in 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the accrued liability of this plan was $839,000 and $709,000, respectively.

 

Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

The Bank sponsors two post-retirement benefit plans. One plan provides a subsidy for health insurance premiums to employees hired prior to June 30, 1988 and who retired before June 30, 1996. This subsidy is based on years of service and ranges between $40 and $80 per month per retiree. The other plan provides life insurance coverage to employees who retired prior to December 31, 2002. The Bank also provides health insurance for retired directors, with a maximum subsidy of $540 per month per retired director. None of these plans are pre-funded. The Bank elected to recognize the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation as of January 1, 1993 of $578,000 as a component of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost over a 20-year period.

In December 2003, the President signed the federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) into law. The Act includes the following two new features to Medicare (Medicare Part D) that could affect the measurement of the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the Plan:

  A subsidy to plan sponsors that is based on 28% of an individual beneficiary's annual prescription drug costs between $250 and $5,000

  The opportunity for a retiree to obtain a prescription drug benefit under Medicare

During 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.” The FSP addresses employers’ accounting for the effects of the Act and was effective for the Company in 2004. The accounting for the Act will depend on the Company’s assessment as to whether the prescription drug benefits available under its plan are actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D, among other factors. Currently, due to the lack of clarifying regulations related to the Act, the Company cannot determine if the benefit it provides would be considered actuarially equivalent to the benefit provided under the Act and, accordingly, the potential impact of applying the FSP is not known.

The following tables set forth the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation, funded status, and net periodic benefit cost:

 

Page 43

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Change in benefit obligations

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$ 542,000

415,000

428,000

Service cost

4,000

6,000

5,000

Interest cost

33,000

35,000

34,000

Benefits paid

(45,000)

(41,000)

(52,000)

Actuarial (gain) loss

(3,000)

127,000

-

Benefit obligation at end of year

$531,000

$542,000

415,000

Funded status

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

$ (531,000)

(542,000)

(415,000)

Unamortized prior service cost

(14,000)

(11,000)

(43,000)

Unamortized net actuarial loss (gain)

40,000

48,000

(46,000)

Unrecognized transition obligation

237,000

266,000

290,000

Accrued benefit cost

$ (268,000)

(239,000)

(214,000)

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Components of net periodic benefit cost

 

 

 

Service cost

$ 4,000

6,000

5,000

Interest cost

33,000

35,000

34,000

Amortization of unrecognized transition asset

29,000

29,000

29,000

Amortization of prior service cost

3,000

3,000

(3,000)

Amortization of accumulated losses

5,000

4,000

2,000

Net periodic benefit cost

$ 74,000

77,000

67,000

Weighted average assumptions as of December 31

 

 

 

Discount rate

7.0%

7.0%

7.0%

 

The above discount rate assumption was used in determining both the accumulated benefit obligation as well as the net benefit cost. The measurement date for benefit obligations was as of year-end for all years presented. The estimated amount of benefits to be paid in 2004 is $45,000. For years ending 2005 through 2010 the estimated amount of benefits to be paid is $45,000 per year, and the total estimated amount of benefits to be paid for years ended 2011 through 2015 is $225,000. Plan expense for 2005 is estimated to be $75,000.

 

 

Page 44

 

 

 

Note 12. Shareholders' Equity

 

The Company has reserved 480,000 shares of its common stock to be made available to directors and employees who elect to participate in the stock purchase or savings and investment plans. As of December 31, 2004, 373,992 shares had been issued pursuant to these plans, leaving 106,008 shares available for future use. The issuance price is based on the market price of the stock at issuance date.

Sales of stock to directors and employees amounted to 16,950 shares in 2004, 25,473 shares in 2003 and 15,471 shares in 2002.

In 2001, the Company established a dividend reinvestment plan to allow shareholders to use their cash dividends for the automatic repurchase of shares in the Company. When the plan was established, 600,000 shares were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as of December 31, 2004, 61,248 shares have been issued, leaving 538,752 shares for future use. Participation in this plan is optional and at the individual discretion of each shareholder. Shares are purchased for the plan from the Company at a price per share equal to the average of the daily bid and asked prices reported on the NASDAQ System for the five trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the dividend payment date. Sales of stock under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan amounted to 15,186 shares in 2004, 18,525 shares in 2003, and 21,084 shares in 2002.

In 1995, the Company's shareholders adopted a Stock Option Plan and authorized 600,000 shares to be reserved for options to be granted to certain key officers of the Company and the Bank. The option exercise price is equal to or exceeds the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant, and options are generally not exercisable before two years from the date granted. All options expire ten years from the date of grant.

The following table sets forth the status of the plan as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and changes during the years then ended:

 

 

Number of Shares

Weighted Average Exercise Price

Balance at December 31, 2001

414,000

$ 3.28

Granted in 2002

33,000

9.33

Exercised in 2002

(129,600)

2.27

Forfeited in 2002

(3,000)

7.50

Balance at December 31, 2002

314,400

4.29

Exercised in 2003

(19,800)

2.53

Balance at December 31, 2003

294,600

4.41

Exercised in 2004

(86,100)

3.41

Forfeited in 2004

(3,000)

6.17

Balance at December 31, 2004

205,500

$ 4.81

 

The number and weighted average exercise price of exercisable options as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are shown in the following table. The range of exercise prices for outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2004 was as follows:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

2004

Number of options

181,500

221,100

204,900

Weighted average exercise price

$4.37

$3.37

$3.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 45

 

 

 

 

As of December 31 2004,

Number Outstanding

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years

Weighted Average Exercise Price

Options outstanding

 

 

 

$2.13 to $4.00

120,000

1.7

$ 3.15

$4.01 to $6.00

15,000

5.5

5.54

$6.01 to $8.00

45,000

4.3

6.41

$8.01 to $9.33

25,500

7.1

9.33

 

205,500

3.2

$ 4.81

Options exercisable

 

 

 

$2.13 to $4.00

120,000

1.7

$ 3.15

$4.01 to $6.00

7,500

5.0

5.58

$6.01 to $8.00

45,000

4.3

6.41

$8.01 to $9.33

9,000

7.1

9.33

 

181,500

2.7

$ 4.37

 

A revision to the Maine Business Corporation Act requires that stock reacquired by a corporation be classified as "authorized but unissued", effectively eliminating a corporation's ability to hold treasury stock. In order to recognize the effect of the revision, the Company retired its treasury stock as of June 30, 2004. The 101,120 shares so retired are available for reissuance as authorized, but unissued shares.

 

Note 13. Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk  

 

The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to originate loans, commitments for unused lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

Commitments for unused lines are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on Management's credit evaluation of the borrower. The Bank did not incur any losses on its commitments in 2004, 2003 or 2002.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee a customer's performance to a third party, with the customer being obligated to repay (with interest) any amounts paid out by the Bank under the letter of credit. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for loan commitments and standby letters of 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. At December 31, the Bank had the following off-balance-sheet financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Unused lines, collateralized by residential real estate

$ 41,049,000

34,651,000

Other unused commitments

31,932,000

31,929,000

Standby letters of credit

41,000

50,000

Commitments to extend credit

11,652,000

9,175,000

 

The Bank grants residential, commercial and consumer loans to customers principally located in the Mid-Coast region of Maine. Collateral on these loans typically consists of residential or commercial real estate, or personal property. Although the loan portfolio is diversified, a substantial portion of borrowers' ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the economic conditions in the area, especially in the real estate sector.

 

Page 46

 

 

 

Note 14. Earnings Per Share

 

The following tables provide detail for basic earnings per share (EPS) and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002:

 

 

Income

Shares

Per-Share

 

(Numerator)

(Denominator)

Amount

For the year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Net income as reported

$ 8,509,000

 

 

Basic EPS: Income available to common shareholders

8,509,000

7,330,434

$ 1.16

Effect of dilutive securities: incentive stock options

 

149,721

 

Diluted EPS: Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions

$ 8,509,000

7,480,155

$ 1.14

For the year ended December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Net income as reported

$ 7,427,000

 

 

Basic EPS: Income available to common shareholders

7,427,000

7,266,669

$ 1.02

Effect of dilutive securities: incentive stock options

 

195,042

 

Diluted EPS: Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions

$ 7,427,000

7,461,711

$ 1.00

For the year ended December 31, 2002

 

 

 

Net income as reported

$ 6,507,000

 

 

Basic EPS: Income available to common shareholders

6,507,000

7,214,895

$ 0.90

Effect of dilutive securities: incentive stock options

 

170,412

 

Diluted EPS: Income available to common shareholders plus assumed conversions

$ 6,507,000

7,385,307

$ 0.88

 

All earnings per share calculations have been made using the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each year. All of the dilutive securities are incentive stock options granted to certain key members of Management. The dilutive number of shares has been calculated using the treasury method, assuming that all granted options were exercisable at each year end. Share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the three-for-one stock split in the form of a 200% stock dividend payable June 1, 2004, to shareholders of record on May 12, 2004.

 

 

Page 47

 

 

 

Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Fair value estimates, methods, and assumptions are set forth below for the Company's financial instruments.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, due from banks and federal funds sold approximate their relative fair values.

 

Investment Securities

The fair values of investment securities are estimated based on bid prices published in financial newspapers or bid quotations received from securities dealers. The fair value of certain state and municipal securities is not readily available through market sources other than dealer quotations, so fair value estimates are based on quoted market prices of similar instruments, adjusted for differences between the quoted instruments and the instruments being valued. Fair values are calculated based on the value of one unit without regard to any premium or discount that may result from concentrations of ownership of a financial instrument, possible tax ramifications, or estimated transaction costs. If these considerations had been incorporated into the fair value estimates, the aggregate fair value could have been changed. The carrying values of restricted equity securities approximate fair values.

 

Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of loans held for sale is determined by the current investor yield requirements.

 

Loans

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. The fair values of performing loans are calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest risk inherent in the loan. The estimates of maturity are based on the Company's historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions, and the effects of estimated prepayments. Fair values for significant non-performing loans are based on estimated cash flows and are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information. Management has made estimates of fair value using discount rates that it believes to be reasonable. However, because there is no market for many of these financial instruments, Management has no basis to determine whether the fair value presented above would be indicative of the value negotiated in an actual sale.

 

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

The fair value is based on the actual cash surrender value of life insurance policies.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable

The fair value estimate of this financial instrument approximates the carrying value as this financial instrument has a short maturity. It is the Company's policy to stop accruing interest on loans for which it is probable that the interest is not collectible. Therefore, this financial instrument has been adjusted for estimated credit loss.

 

Deposits

The fair value of deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposits compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market. If that value were considered, the fair value of the Company's net assets could increase.

 

Borrowed Funds

The fair value of borrowed funds is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently available for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

 

Accrued Interest Payable

The fair value estimate approximates the carrying amount as this financial instrument has a short maturity.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments

Off-balance-sheet instruments include loan commitments. Fair values for loan commitments have not been presented as the future revenue derived from such financial instruments is not significant.

 

 

Page 48

 

 

 

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These values do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on Management's judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include the deferred tax asset, premises and equipment, and other real estate owned. In addition, tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

The estimated fair values for the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2003

 

Carrying

Estimated

Carrying

Estimated

 

amount

fair value

amount

fair value

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$14,770,000

14,770,000

17,087,000

17,087,000

Securities available for sale

51,892,000

51,892,000

57,445,000

57,445,000

Securities to be held to maturity

74,935,000

75,601,000

79,244,000

80,820,000

Loans held for sale

-

-

982,000

982,000

Loans (net of allowance for loan losses)

473,618,000

474,199,000

394,695,000

395,892,000

Cash surrender value of life insurance

4,793,000

4,793,000

4,648,000

4,648,000

Accrued interest receivable

2,791,000

2,791,000

2,743,000

2,743,000

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Deposits

$369,844,000

370,100,000

359,077,000

360,566,000

Borrowed funds

207,206,000

206,220,000

157,822,000

165,750,000

Accrued interest payable

476,000

476,000

539,000

539,000

 

 

 

Page 49

 

 

 

Note 16. Other Operating Income and Expense

 

Other operating income and other operating expense includes the following items greater than 1% of revenues.

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Other operating income

 

 

 

Merchant discount fees

$ 1,039,000

988,000

967,000

Other operating expense

 

 

 

Merchant interchange fees

766,000

733,000

681,000

 

 

Note 17. Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends to its shareholders depends primarily on receipt of dividends from its subsidiary, the Bank. The subsidiary may pay dividends to its parent out of so much of its net income as the Bank's directors deem appropriate, subject to the limitation that the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year may not exceed the total of its net income of that year combined with its retained net income of the preceding two years and subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements. The amount available for dividends in 2005 will be 2005 earnings plus retained earnings of $9,707,000 from 2004 and 2003.

The payment of dividends by the Company is also affected by various regulatory requirements and policies, such as the requirements to maintain adequate capital. In addition, if, in the opinion of the applicable regulatory authority, a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice (which, depending on the financial condition of the bank, could include the payment of dividends), that authority may require, after notice and hearing, that such bank cease and desist from that practice. The Federal Reserve Bank and the Comptroller of the Currency have each indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank's capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. The Federal Reserve Bank, the Comptroller and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued policy statements which provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.

In addition to the effect on the payment of dividends, failure to meet minimum capital requirements can also result in mandatory and discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have an impact on the Company's operations. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measurements of the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 or total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2004, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of December 31, 2004, the most recent notification from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency classified the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since this notification that Management believes have changed the institution's category.

The actual and minimum capital amounts and ratios for the Bank are presented in the following table:

 

Page 50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be

 

 

 

well-capitalized

 

 

For capital

under prompt

 

 

adequacy

corrective action

 

Actual

purposes

provisions

As of December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Tier 2 capital to

$52,491,000

34,596,000

43,245,000

risk-weighted assets

12.14%

8.00%

10.00%

Tier 1 capital to

$47,777,000

17,298,000

25,947,000

risk-weighted assets

11.05%

4.00%

6.00%

Tier 1 capital to

$47,777,000

25,118,000

31,398,000

average assets

7.61%

4.00%

5.00%

As of December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Tier 2 capital to

$47,163,000

30,386,000

37,983,000

risk-weighted assets

12.42%

8.00%

10.00%

Tier 1 capital to

$42,963,000

15,193,000

22,790,000

risk-weighted assets

11.31%

4.00%

6.00%

Tier 1 capital to

$42,963,000

22,307,000

27,884,000

average assets

7.70%

4.00%

5.00%

 

The actual and minimum capital amounts and ratios for the Company, on a consolidated basis, are presented in the following table:

 

 

 

 

To be

 

 

 

well-capitalized

 

 

For capital

under prompt

 

 

adequacy

corrective action

 

Actual

purposes

provisions

As of December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Tier 2 capital to

$55,118,000

34,697,000

n/a

risk-weighted assets

12.71%

8.00%

n/a

Tier 1 capital to

$50,404,000

17,348,000

n/a

risk-weighted assets

11.62%

4.00%

n/a

Tier 1 capital to

$50,404,000

25,118,000

n/a

average assets

8.03%

4.00%

n/a

As of December 31, 2003

 

 

 

Tier 2 capital to

$49,238,000

30,481,000

n/a

risk-weighted assets

12.92%

8.00%

n/a

Tier 1 capital to

$45,038,000

15,241,000

n/a

risk-weighted assets

11.82%

4.00%

n/a

Tier 1 capital to

$45,038,000

22,355,000

n/a

average assets

8.06%

4.00%

n/a

 

 

 

Page 51

 

 

 

Note 18. Condensed Financial Information of Parent

 

Condensed financial information for First National Lincoln Corporation exclusive of its subsidiary is as follows:

 

Balance Sheets

 

As of December 31,

2004

2003

Assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,651,000

922,000

Dividends receivable

900,000

750,000

Investments

459,000

735,000

Investment in subsidiary

50,188,000

45,607,000

Premises and equipment

228,000

230,000

Other assets

305,000

222,000

Total assets

$ 53,731,000

48,466,000

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

Dividends payable

$ 884,000

726,000

Other liabilities

32,000

22,000

Total liabilities

916,000

748,000

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

Common stock

74,000

74,000

Additional paid-in capital

3,973,000

4,650,000

Retained earnings

48,749,000

45,449,000

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

19,000

36,000

Treasury stock

-

(2,491,000)

Total shareholders' equity

52,815,000

47,718,000

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 53,731,000

48,466,000

 

Statements of Income

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Investment income

$ 56,000

60,000

56,000

Other expense

74,000

63,000

84,000

Loss before Bank earnings

(18,000)

(3,000)

(28,000)

Equity in earnings of Bank

 

 

 

Remitted

3,276,000

2,825,000

2,618,000

Unremitted

5,251,000

4,605,000

3,917,000

Net income

$ 8,509,000

7,427,000

6,507,000

 

 

 

Page 52

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

For the years ended December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net income

$ 8,509,000

7,427,000

6,507,000

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

 

provided by operations:

 

 

 

Depreciation

2,000

2,000

-

(Increase) decrease in other assets

(83,000)

328,000

(86,000)

Decrease in other liabilities

19,000

-

(22,000)

Unremitted earnings of Bank

(5,251,000)

(4,605,000)

(3,917,000)

Net cash provided by operating activities

3,196,000

3,152,000

2,482,000

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities and calls of investments

250,000

75,000

-

Capital expenditures

-

(232,000)

 

Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities

250,000

(157,000)

-

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Payments to purchase common stock

(404,000)

(605,000)

(945,000)

Proceeds from sale of common stock

822,000

635,000

628,000

Dividends paid

(3,135,000)

(2,663,000)

(2,261,000)

Net cash used in financing activities

(2,717,000)

(2,633,000)

(2,578,000)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

729,000

362,000

(96,000)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

922,000

560,000

656,000

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$ 1,651,000

922,000

560,000

 

 

 

Page 53

 

 

 

Note 19: Subsequent Events

 

The merger of FNB Bankshares (FNB) of Bar Harbor, Maine, and its subsidiary, The First National Bank of Bar Harbor, into the Company was completed on January 14, 2005. In its 2004 Strategic Plan, the Company identified certain markets in which it would consider future growth opportunities, including the area served by FNB Bankshares. The products and services available in the FNB Bankshares market area will be enhanced as a result of the combination of the two companies, and this will also provide a larger capacity to lend money and a stronger overall funding base. It is expected that the combined entity will realize cost savings from redundant expenses, such as regulatory fees, audit costs, legal costs, and outsourced costs.

As part of the merger, the Company issued 2.35 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of FNB in exchange for each of the 1,048,814 shares of the common stock outstanding of FNB. Cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Company's stock was paid at the rate of $17.87 per share, which was the average high/low price of the Company's stock for the 30-day period ending January 9, 2005, under terms specified in the Merger Agreement. At the time of the merger, there were outstanding options to purchase 126,208 shares of FNB common stock under the FNB Bankshares Stock Option Plan. Of these, options to acquire 40,630 FNB shares were converted into options to acquire an aggregate of 95,479 common shares of the Company at a purchase price of $3.80 per share. Holders of unexercised options to purchase FNB shares that were not converted were paid cash to retire their options at the rate of $42.00 for each share subject to the option, less the option exercise price per share. The total amount paid to retire the remaining options was approximately $2.6 million.

The total value of the transaction was $47,961,000, and all of the voting equity interest of FNB was acquired in the transaction. The Company assumed all outstanding liabilities of FNB, including liabilities under certain Employment Continuity Agreements and Split Dollar Agreements with executive officers of FNB. The merger was intended to qualify as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes and provide for a tax-free exchange of shares.

The transaction will be accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the operations of FNB will be included in the Company’s future consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The purchase price will be allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill, none of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill related to the core deposit intangible will be amortized over its expected economic life, and remaining goodwill is evaluated annually for possible impairment under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The final allocation will be determined upon the Company's completion of its analysis of the value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The estimated fair value of these assets and liabilities to be recorded is shown in the following table:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 6,963,000

Investments

26,790,000

Loans held for sale

591,000

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses

183,434,000

Accrued interest receivable

1,219,000

Premises and equipment

7,927,000

Other assets

4,205,000

Identified intangibles

2,834,000

Goodwill

26,005,000

Deposits

(193,014,000)

Borrowed funds

(17,035,000)

Other liabilities

(1,958,000)

 

$ 47,961,000

 

 

Page 54

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

First National Lincoln Corporation

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of First National Lincoln Corporation and Subsidiary’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 10, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ BERRY, DUNN, McNEIL & PARKER

Portland, Maine

March 10, 2005

 

 

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ITEM 9. Changes in and/or Disagreements with Accountants  

on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

9 -- Changes in and/or Disagreements with Accountants

 

None.

 

9A -- Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), as of December 31, 2004, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Company and its management recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and the Company’s management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Also, based on management’s evaluation, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company reviews its disclosure controls and procedures, which may include its internal controls over financial reporting, on an ongoing basis, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve with its business.

 

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements and other financial information contained in this Form 10-K. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for identifying the framework used to evaluate its effectiveness. Management has designed processes, internal control and a business culture that foster financial integrity and accurate reporting. The Company’s comprehensive system of internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s accounting policies and internal control over financial reporting, established and maintained by management, are under the general oversight of the Company’s Board of Directors, including the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee.

 

Management has made a comprehensive review, evaluation, and assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. The standard measures adopted by management in making its evaluation are the measures in Internal Control - Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (“the COSO”). Based upon its review and evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2004, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective and that there were no material weaknesses.

 

Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, an independent registered public accounting firm, which has audited and reported on the consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-K, has issued its written attestation report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which follows this report.

 

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Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

First National Lincoln Corporation

 

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that First National Lincoln Corporation (“Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). First National Lincoln Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that First National Lincoln Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also in our opinion, First National Lincoln Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of First National Lincoln Corporation as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated March 10, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

/s/ Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker

Portland, Maine

March 10, 2005

 

9B -- Other Information

 

None

 

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ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than five nor more than twenty-five persons as determined by the Board prior to each Annual Meeting, with Directors serving for "staggered terms" of three years. A resolution of the Board of Directors adopted pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation has established the number of Directors at ten. In order to be a candidate for a Director of the Company, each individual must meet the following criteria:

      Be a citizen of the United States.

      Have the financial capacity to own and/or purchase the minimum equity interest in First National Lincoln Corporation as specified in the Company's bylaws.

      Be available to attend the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committee meetings, as scheduled from time to time.

      Be of good character and an experienced business professional.

      Contribute to the range of talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the Board.

      Have the ability and willingness to represent the interests of the Shareholders of the Company.

      Meet any additional criteria that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency may establish for Directors of a National Bank.

Each person listed below has consented to be named as a nominee, and the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees listed below may not be able to serve as a Director if elected.

 

The following are nominees for three-year terms as Director Expiring in 2008 as proposed by the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Katherine M. Boyd has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1993. A resident of Boothbay Harbor, she owns the Boothbay Region Greenhouses with her husband. Ms. Boyd serves as President of the Boothbay Region YMCA.

Carl S. Poole, Jr. has served as a Director of the Company since its organization in 1985 and has served as a Director of the Bank since 1984. Mr. Poole is President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Poole Brothers Lumber, a lumber and building supply company with locations in Damariscotta, Pemaquid and Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

David B. Soule, Jr. has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1989. Mr. Soule has been practicing law in Wiscasset since 1971. He served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, is a past President of the Lincoln County Bar Association and is a former Public Administrator, Lincoln County. He also serves as Trustee of the Wiscasset Public Library and has served as Selectman, Planning Board Chair and other volunteer positions with the Town of Westport.

Bruce B. Tindal has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1999. Mr. Tindal has been a licensed real estate broker since 1974. Mr. Tindal formed and is owner of Tindal & Callahan Real Estate in Boothbay Harbor, which has been in operation since 1985. Mr. Tindal serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Andrews Village Association, a subsidiary of St. Andrews Hospital. Mr. Tindal is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, Council of Residential Specialists, Real Estate Buyers Agent Council and the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.

 

The following is a nominee for one-year term as Director Expiring in 2006 as proposed by the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Tony C. McKim joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank upon completion of the mergers of FNB Bankshares (FNB) and The First National Bank of Bar Harbor into the Company and the Bank on January 14, 2005. Prior to the merger, Mr. McKim was President and Chief Executive Officer of FNB and its subsidiary. Mr. McKim is involved in several local associations including Camp Beech Cliff, MDI Hospital, Maine Seacoast Mission, Jackson Laboratory, the Acadian Football League and Maine Bankers Association.

 

The following is a nominee for two-year term as Director Expiring in 2007 as proposed by the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Mark N. Rosborough has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since completion of the merger of FNB and its subsidiary into the Company and the Bank on January 14, 2005. Prior to the merger, Mr. Rosborough served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of FNB and its subsidiary. Mr. Rosborough is President of J. T. Rosborough Insurance Agency and Hancock Travel. He is also a partner in Rosborough Leasing, Rosborough Rentals, Penrose, 3 Dummies and TISA. He is past member of the Ellsworth City Counsel, serves on the advisory counsel for two major

 

Page 58

 

 

insurance carriers as well as the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross for Hancock and Waldo Counties.

 

Directors Continuing in Office:

 

The following Directors’ terms will expire in 2006:

Daniel R. Daigneault has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank since 1994. Prior to being employed by the Bank, Mr. Daigneault was Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Camden National Bank, Camden, Maine. He is a member of the American Bankers Association’s Government Relations Council and a member of the University of Maine Business School Advisory Board. Mr. Daigneault is past Chairman of the Maine Bankers Association and past President of the Boothbay Region YMCA Board of Trustees.

Robert B. Gregory has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1987 and has served as Chairman of both the Company and the Bank since September 1998. Mr. Gregory has been a practicing attorney since 1980, first in Lewiston, Maine and since 1983 in Damariscotta, Maine.

 

The following Directors’ terms will expire in 2007:

Randy A. Nelson has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 2004. He currently is the Douglas Professor of Economics and Finance at Colby College, where he teaches corporate finance and economics. Prior to joining the faculty of Colby in 1987, he taught for eight years in the business school at the University of Delaware.

Stuart G. Smith has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1997. A resident of Camden, he and his wife own and operate Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport and Lord Camden Inn and Bayview Landing in Camden, Maine. Mr. Smith is also on the board and part owner of the Mid Coast Recreation Center in Rockport an indoor tennis and ice skating facility.

 

Directors Who Have Retired or Resigned:

 

Malcolm E. Blanchard retired as a Director in December of 2004 after reaching the Company's mandatory retirement age for Directors. Mr. Blanchard had served as a Director of the Company since its organization in 1985 and as a Director of the Bank since 1976. In 2004, he served as Chairman of the Company's Nominating, Options and Compensation Committees.

Dana L. Dow resigned as a Director of the Company in January of 2005, as a result of his recent election to the Maine State Senate and the time conflict that was created. Mr. Dow had served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1999. In 2004, he served as a member of the Company's Audit Committee.

 

There are no family relationships among any of the Directors of the Company, and there are no arrangements or understandings between any Director and any other person pursuant to which that Director has been or is to be elected. No Director of the Bank or the Company serves as a Director on the board of any other corporation with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or that is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or of any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

About the Board of Directors and Its Committees

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, First National Lincoln Corporation had a Board comprised of ten directors. During 2004 there were 12 regular Board meetings, three special Board meetings and one Annual Meeting. All directors attended at least 75% of Board meetings and meetings held by Committees of which they were members in 2004, and the aggregate attendance at Board and Committee meetings by all members of the Board of Directors in 2004 was in excess of 90%. All Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all Directors were in attendance at the 2004 Annual Meeting. There are four standing committees of the Company’s Board of Directors: Audit, Options, Nominating and Compensation.

 

Audit Committee

The members of the Company’s Audit Committee are David B. Soule, Jr., Chairman, Randy A. Nelson and Mark N. Rosborough. This committee met five times during 2004. The Company’s Audit Committee receives and reviews reports on examinations and accounting audits of the Company, and works to ensure the adequacy of operating practices, procedures and controls. The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Company’s Audit Committee, which was published in the Company's 2004 Annual Proxy Statement.

 

 

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Options Committee

The members of the Company’s Options Committee are Stuart G. Smith-Chair, Carl S. Poole, Jr., Mark N. Rosborough and Bruce B. Tindal . This committee did not meet during 2004. The Company’s Options Committee is responsible for administering the 1995 Stock Option Plan which provides for grants of incentive stock options to purchase Company common stock.

 

Nominating Committee

The members of the Company’s Nominating Committee are Stuart G. Smith-Chair, Carl S. Poole, Jr., and Mark N. Rosborough. This committee met once during 2004. The Company’s Nominating Committee is responsible for the nomination of Board of Director members, establishing the tenure and the retirement policies for members of the Board of Directors and reviewing the Board of Directors’ overall effectiveness. Each of the members of the Nominating Committee is independent as defined under the listing standards of the Nasdaq stock market.

 

Compensation Committee

The Company’s Compensation Committee is a standing committee of the Bank’s Board of Directors since all executive compensation is paid by the Bank. The Committee consists of Stuart G. Smith-Chair, Carl S. Poole, Jr., Mark N. Rosborough and Bruce B. Tindal. This committee met twice during 2004. None of the members of this committee served on a similar committee for any other company. The function of this committee is to establish the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and to review the compensation of other senior executive officers.

 

In addition to the Compensation Committee, there are five other standing committees of the Bank’s Board of Directors: Executive, Audit, Asset/Liability, Trust, and Directors’ Loan. Certain members of management also serve on some committees of the Bank.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board reviewed the independence of the Company’s directors in February 2005 on the basis of the standards adopted by the Nasdaq. In this review, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each director, and any member of his or her immediate family and of the Company or the Bank and between certain entities in which any director or any immediate family member has certain interests, on the one hand, and the Company or the Bank, on the other hand. The purpose of this review was to determine which of such transactions or relationships were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent under the Nasdaq rules.

As a result of the review, the Board affirmatively determined that as of February 2005 all of the directors are independent of the Company, the Bank and under the Nasdaq rules with the exception of President Daigneault, EVP McKim, and Chairman Gregory. During 2004, however, it was the determination of the Board that Chairman Gregory was independent of the Company under the Nasdaq rules.

 

 

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Executive Officers

 

Each Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank is identified in the following table, which also sets forth their respective ages, offices and periods served as an Executive Officer of the Company or the Bank. The table includes Messrs. McKim, Dalrymple, Lay and Wrobel who became Executive Officers of the Company on January 14, 2005, in conjunction with the merger of FNB Bankshares of Bar Harbor, Maine, into the Company.

 

Name & Age1

Office & Position

Period Served

Daniel R. Daigneault

52

President & Chief Executive Officer of the Company

and of the Bank

1994 to date

Tony C. McKim

37

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank

2005 to date

F. Stephen Ward

51

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank

1993 to date

Charles A. Wootton

48

Executive Vice President and Clerk of the Company,

Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Officer of the Bank

2000 to date

Jeffrey C. Dalrymple

49

Senior Vice President, Senior Business Relationship Officer of the Bank

2005 to date

Richard M. Elder

39

Senior Vice President, Retail Services

2002 to date

Michael T. Martin

49

Senior Vice President and Credit Administration Officer of the Bank

1993 to date

Susan A. Norton

44

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Compliance

2002 to date

Walter F. Vietze

63

Senior Vice President and Senior Operations Officer of the Bank

1984 to date

Ronald J. Wrobel

47

Senior Vice President of Operations of the Bank

2005 to date

 

William M. Hunter, II 54

Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer of First Advisors

2003 to date

 

Daniel M. Lay

43

Managing Principal and Senior Trust Officer of First Advisors

2005 to date

 

R. Kraig Buthy

39

Vice President, Controller

2003 to date

 

(1) As of December 31, 2004

 

Daniel R. Daigneault has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank since 1994. Prior to being employed by the Company and the Bank, Mr. Daigneault was Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Camden National Bank, Camden, Maine.

Tony C. McKim joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank with the merger of FNB Bankshares on January 14, 2005. Prior to the merger, Mr. McKim was President and Chief Executive Officer of FNB Bankshares and The First National Bank of Bar Harbor.

F. Stephen Ward has served as Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1994 and as Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since 1993. In 2005, Mr. Ward was promoted to Executive Vice President. Mr. Ward has been employed by the Bank since 1990 and served as Assistant Vice President and Marketing Officer from 1990 to 1993. From 1978 to 1990 Mr. Ward was employed by Down East Enterprises, Inc.

Charles A. Wootton has been employed by the Bank since January 2000. In 2005, Mr. Wootton was promoted to Executive Vice President for Banking Services and Senior Loan Officer. From 1981 to 2000 Mr. Wootton was employed by Camden National Bank, serving as branch manager, commercial loan and business development officer. In 1996, Mr. Wootton became Vice President responsible for branch administration.

Jeffrey C. Dalrymple has been employed by the Bank since January 2005 when the Bank merged with First National Bank of Bar Harbor. Mr. Dalrymple is currently Senior Vice President, Senior Business Relationship Officer in Bar Harbor. Prior to joining The First National Bank of Bar Harbor in 1998, Mr. Dalrymple was employed by Key Bank.

 

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Richard M. Elder has been employed by the Bank since 1993. In 2005, Mr. Elder was promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Services. Mr. Elder previously served as Manager of the Bank’s Boothbay Harbor branch and Senior Commercial Loan Officer.

Michael T. Martin has been employed by the Bank since 1993 and was promoted to Senior Vice President for Credit Administration in 2001. He was employed by Fleet Bank from 1980 to 1992 and by Canal National Bank from 1977 to 1980. His primary responsibilities were in Loan Review and Credit Administration.

Susan A. Norton has been employed by the Bank since 1992 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Compliance in 2005. In 1995, Ms. Norton was the Assistant Compliance Officer and Education Officer. She also holds the position of CRA Officer as well as being the Compliance Officer for the Company.

Walter F. Vietze has been employed by the Bank since 1984. From 1979 to 1984, Mr. Vietze was employed by Casco Bank, Portland, Maine. His primary responsibilities involved providing online banking services to correspondent banks. Prior to 1979, Mr. Vietze was affiliated with BayBanks in Massachusetts.

Ronald J. Wrobel has been employed by the Bank since January 2005 when the Bank merged with First National Bank of Bar Harbor. Mr. Wrobel is currently Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining The First National Bank of Bar Harbor in 1992, Mr. Wrobel was employed by KPMG Peat Marwick in Portland, Maine.

William M. Hunter, II has been employed with the Company since 2001 with the acquisition of White Pine Asset Management. In 2002, Mr. Hunter was named as Chief Investment Officer and in 2003 he was promoted to Managing Principal of First Advisors. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hunter was Executive Vice President in charge of KeyCorp’s national trust business.

Daniel M. Lay has been employed by the Bank since January 2005 when the Bank merged with First National Bank of Bar Harbor. Mr. Lay is currently Managing Principal and Senior Trust Officer for First Advisors. Prior to joining the First National Bank of Bar Harbor in 1993, Mr. Lay was an associate counsel with the firm of Eaton, Peabody, Bradford & Veague, P.A. in Bangor.

R. Kraig Buthy has been employed by the Bank as Controller since 2003. In 2005 Mr. Buthy was promoted to Vice President. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Buthy was Controller at Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel, Maine.

 

There are no family relationships among any of the Executive Officers, nor are there any arrangements or understandings between any Executive Officer and any other person pursuant to which that Executive Officer has been or is to be elected.

The Federal Reserve Act permits the Bank to contract for or purchase property from any of its Directors only when such purchase is made in the regular course of business upon terms not less favorable to the Bank than those offered by others unless the purchase has been authorized by a majority of the Board of Directors not interested in the transaction. Similarly, the Federal Reserve Act prohibits loans to Executive Officers of the Bank unless such loans are on terms not more favorable than those afforded other borrowers and certain other prescribed conditions have been met.

The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of its business with Directors, Officers and principal shareholders of the Company and their affiliates. All such transactions have been made upon substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with others. In the opinion of management, such loans have not involved more than the normal risk of collectibility nor have they presented other unfavorable features. The total amount of loans outstanding at December 31, 2004 to the Company’s Directors, Executive Officers and their associates was $9,511,338, which constituted 1.99% of the Bank’s total loans outstanding at that date.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company's Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which was adopted by the Board of Directors on June 19, 2003, and the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2004, are attached to this report as Exhibits 14.1 and 14.2, respectively.

 

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that the Company’s directors, executive officers, and any person holding more than ten percent of the Company’s Common Stock file with the SEC reports of ownership changes, and that such individuals furnish the Company with copies of the reports.

Based solely on a review of the reports furnished to the Company, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable transactions were reported,1 the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 the Company’s officers, directors and greater than ten percent owners timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a); except that one report, covering a total of one transaction, was filed late by SVP Michael T. Martin.

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Item 306 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, First National Lincoln Corporation ("the Company") is required to disclose whether it has at least one "Financial Expert" serving on its Audit Committee, and if so, the name of the expert and whether the expert is independent of management. A company that does not have an Audit Committee Financial Expert must disclose this fact and explain why it has no such expert.

At the present time, the Company's Audit Committee does not have a member who meets the Securities and Exchange Commission's complete definition of a financial expert. It is the opinion of the Company's Board of Directors, however, that the Company addresses its audit functions with a depth of penetration and rigor that meets the intent of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the following reasons:

The Company is a one-bank holding company owning all of the capital stock in The First National Bank of Damariscotta ("the Bank"). All Directors of the Bank meet the requirements and qualifications imposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Bank's principal regulator which conducts regular supervisory examinations of the Bank. In addition to requiring knowledge of the banking industry and financial regulatory system, these qualifications require a "background, knowledge, and experience in business or another discipline to oversee the Bank."

All members of the Audit Committees of the Bank and the Company are independent directors, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ. Three of the members operate their own businesses and have knowledge of accounting for both their own businesses as well as for the Bank and the Company. The fourth member of the Committee has a PhD in Economics and is a Chaired Professor of Economics and Finance. The members of the Audit Committee have a combined experience of 37 years as directors of the Bank and the Company.

Internal audit work of the Bank and the Company is outsourced to a professional firm which conducts all internal audits except for loan review, for which a second professional firm performs quality control loan review. Both firms provide detailed quarterly reports to the Audit Committee and the Director Loan Committees, respectively.

The Bank is a highly regulated entity which undergoes regular and thorough examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, with additional oversight by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company is a "Financial Holding Company" as defined by the Federal Reserve Board and as such is regulated and regularly examined by the Federal Reserve Board.

The Company also continuously reviews, at its own initiative, the expertise of the members of its Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.

 

 

_________________________

1An issuer does not have an obligation to research or make inquiry regarding delinquent Section 16(a) filings beyond reviewing copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 received by the issuer. In addition, Item 405 of Regulation S-K provides that an issuer may rely on a written representation from an insider to the effect that no Form 5 was required to be filed.

 

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ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

 

Executive Compensation

 

The table below sets forth the cash compensation and certain other compensation paid to the President & Chief Executive Officer as well as the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, the Executive Vice President & Senior Loan Officer and the Senior Vice President & Senior Operations Officer during 2004, 2003, and 2002 . No other Executive Officers of the Company and the Bank at December 31, 2004, received compensation in excess of $100,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term

 

 

Annual Compensation

 

Compensation

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary

Bonus1

Other2

# Options

Daniel R. Daigneault

2004

$275,000

$127,250

$16,642

-0-

President &

2003

$241,500

$74,678

$17,387

-0-

Chief Executive Officer

2002

$230,000

$49,960

$19,217

-0-

F. Stephen Ward

2004

$138,000

$34,420

$14,150

-0-

Executive Vice President &

2003

$131,250

$31,281

$13,728

-0-

Chief Financial Officer

2002

$125,000

$25,000

$11,283

-0-

Charles A. Wootton

2004

$123,500

$30,865

$13,303

-0-

Executive Vice President &

2003

$115,500

$28,868

$12,079

-0-

Senior Loan Officer

2002

$110,000

$22,720

$11,800

5,000

Walter F. Vietze

2004

$92,500

$17,668

$6,272

-0-

Senior Vice President &

2003

$86,500

$18,503

$6,684

-0-

Senior Operations Officer

2002

$83,000

$13,836

$5,973

-0-

 

1 Bonuses are listed in the year earned and normally accrued. Such bonuses may be paid in the following year. The 2003 bonus figure for President Daigneault includes a $30,000 discretionary bonus that was awarded and paid in 2004 after the Compensation Committee reviewed the final results of 2003 and evaluated the CEO’s performance in meeting his individual goals. This was in addition to the 2003 stakeholder bonus.

2 (a) Amounts shown include contributions paid by the Company to the respective accounts of the named Executive Officers in the 401(k) Plan. In 2004 the Company and the Bank contributed to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan a matching amount for the salary deferred by Messrs. Daigneault, Ward, Wootton and Vietze equal to 3.0% of their respective earnings and a profit-sharing component of 2.5% for 2004 and 2003, and 3.0% for 2002, of their respective earnings, which were subject to IRS regulations limiting the maximum amount of an officer’s earnings eligible for matching or profit-sharing 401(k) contributions to $200,000. These percentages were equivalent to the 401(k) Plan match and profit sharing contributions made for all eligible employees.

(b) This figure also recognizes the value to the officers of a Company-owned vehicle to Messrs. Daigneault, Ward and Wootton which were $4,600, $5,200 and $5,200 respectively for 2004.

(c) Also included in 2004 is the economic value of split dollar life insurance benefits provided to Messrs. Daigneault, Ward and Vietze under the Life Insurance Endorsement Split Dollar Plan agreement for Bank Owned Life Insurance. This value was $767 for Mr. Daigneault, $529 for Mr. Ward, and $564 for Mr. Vietze.

 

Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee consists of four independent members of the Board of Directors. This Committee has the responsibility for conducting the annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee is also responsible for determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and approving the compensation of the other senior executive officers of the Company and Bank. The Company is committed to providing competitive compensation packages to attract and retain quality high performance executives who can and do make major contributions to the Company’s overall success. The compensation package generally includes base salary, cash bonuses, stock option grants and other benefits which the Committee may deem appropriate to remain competitive and reward an executive officer for high performance.

 

 

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Base salaries:

The amount of base compensation potentially payable to the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers is determined by reviewing independent salary surveys of compensation of executives for similar financial institutions located primarily in the New England region. Base salaries are targeted at market levels taking into consideration the executive’s level of responsibility, experience, knowledge, leadership and attainment of performance goals and objectives.

 

Annual Performance Compensation:

In 1994, the Company instituted a formal performance-based compensation program called “Performance Compensation for Stakeholders”. The objective of the program is to align the performance of all employees with the Company’s short term and long term objectives. In 2004, total cash payout under this Stakeholder Performance Compensation program was 19.00% of the participating employees’ base salaries paid to all eligible employees.

The performance compensation program’s overall objective is to maximize the long-term viability of the Company and increase shareholder value. It addresses this by tying the performance payout to multiple goals which include profitability, growth, productivity and loan quality. The guiding principle is to reach a balance of profitability, growth, productivity and loan quality which should collectively have a positive impact on maximizing long-term shareholder value. The Committee believes that this performance based program provides a reward for high levels of current performance without sacrificing the achievement of long-term goals. Each year specific key performance indicators are chosen along with company wide financial performance trigger levels. In 2004 some of the indicators were: loan volume, deposit volume, nonperforming loan levels, past –due loan percentages, non-interest income, Investment Division revenues, net interest income and the efficiency ratio. Since its introduction in 1994 in the opinion of Management, the Board and this Committee, the program has been successful in meeting its objectives as measured by the Company’s exceptional performance over the last ten years.

In addition to this “ Stakeholder” bonus program, the Committee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, may also establish a discretionary bonus fund. The CEO working in conjunction with the Compensation Committee may grant additional cash bonuses to selected executive officers and employees in recognition of their outstanding performance during the year. The Chief Executive Officer is excluded for eligibility under this particular discretionary bonus fund. The Compensation Committee may from time to time grant the Chief Executive Officer a cash bonus in addition to the formal Stakeholder Performance Compensation program based upon the CEO surpassing previously established performance goals or work accomplishments above and beyond the stakeholder program.

 

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer

As previously noted, the amount of base salary potentially payable to the Chief Executive Officer is determined by reviewing independent salary surveys of CEOs of similar financial institutions located primarily in New England. The Committee takes into consideration the actual salaries paid to CEOs of these banks in relationship to the performance of the Company in comparison to the selected peer group.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors at the beginning of each year agree to a set of performance objectives for the Bank as a whole and the CEO individually. Throughout the year the attainment of the performance objectives is carefully monitored and evaluated and all employees are well aware of how the Bank is performing and whether the goals are being met. These performance objectives are a combination of Company financial targets such as attainment of certain profitability levels, return on equity, and increases in earnings per share. In addition, goals are set for asset growth as well as loan quality targets. Goals are also set for non-financial performance items such as implementation of strategic plan initiatives and compliance with regulatory matters.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company posted outstanding performance results with a 14.6% increase in net income and a return on average equity of 17.10%. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer also did an excellent job at meeting all of his other performance objectives. In 2003, the Company posted comparable performance results with a 14.1% increase in net income and a return on average equity of 16.39%.

In 2004 the independent directors of the Board also hired an outside consultant to review the compensation package of the CEO. The consultant provided the independent directors a comprehensive report addressing all aspects of the compensation package for the CEO. Based on the review of the information provided by the independent consultant as well as the review of base salaries of CEOs of peer group companies and taking into consideration the record performance of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary for 2004 was set at $275,000

Under the Performance Compensation program for all employees the Chief Executive Officer also earned the same Stakeholder bonus of 19.00% paid to all employees which calculated on his base salary amounted to $52,250. During 2004 the Company posted another year of record earnings with net income increasing $1.1 million or 14.6% over the prior year. In addition, loan growth was exceptional and loan quality remained very good with loan losses being at record lows as well. During the course of the year the Company was presented an opportunity to participate in negotiations for a potential merger. In recognition of the CEO working effectively with the Board in negotiating a Definitive Agreement for the merger with FNB Bankshares and obtaining all required regulatory and shareholder

 

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approvals as well as the excellent year of record earnings, this committee awarded the CEO an additional $75,000 cash bonus. These two bonus amounts comprise the total disclosed as Bonus in the compensation table.

 

2004 Compensation Committee Members:

Malcolm E. Blanchard, Chair

Robert B. Gregory

Carl S. Poole, Jr.

Stuart G. Smith

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

 

During 2004, Directors Gregory, Blanchard, Poole and Smith served as members of the Compensation Committee. No member of the Committee was, or ever has been, an officer or employee of the Company or the Bank. All Committee members are customers of and engage in transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business. As described in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, all loans to such individuals were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and, in the opinion of Management, did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

 

Stock Option Plan

 

In April 1995, the stockholders approved a Stock Option Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to encourage the retention of key employees by facilitating their purchase of a stock interest in the Company and to align their interest with those of the shareholders. The Plan provides for grants of options to purchase Company common stock and is administered by an Options Committee, which consists of four outside directors. During 2004, no stock options were granted under the 1995 Stock Option Plan. The following table sets forth the status of the Plan as of December 31, 2004:

 

Options approved by Shareholders

 

600,000

Options granted

 

(582,000)

Options forfeited

 

24,000

Ungranted options remaining

 

42,000

 

 

 

 

Weighted average exercise price

Number of options

Outstanding unexercised options

 

 

Exercisable

$ 4.37

181,500

Non-exercisable

8.14

24,000

 

$ 4.81

205,500

 

2004 Option Committee Members:

Malcolm E. Blanchard, Chair

 

 

Robert B. Gregory

 

 

Carl S. Poole, Jr.

 

Stuart G. Smith

 

 

Long-Term Compensation

 

Long-term compensation may be distinguished from annual compensation by the time frame for which performance results are measured to determine awards. While annual compensation covers a calendar year, long-term compensation is provided through the Company’s stock option plan, which covers a period of two to ten years. The following table sets forth information with respect to the named executives and all other employees concerning grants of stock options during 2004:

 

 

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Option Grants During the Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

 

Number of

% of

 

 

Potential realizable

 

securities

total

 

 

value at assumed rates

 

underlying

options

Exercise

 

of stock appreciation

 

options

granted in

price per

Expiration

for option term2

 

granted

fiscal year

Share1

Date

5%

10%

Daniel R. Daigneault

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

F. Stephen Ward

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

Charles A. Wootton

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

Walter F. Vietze

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

All other employees

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

All

-0-

0.0%

$ -0-

-

$ -0 -

$ -0 -

 

1 Under the Stock Option Plan, the exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted.

2 The dollar gains under these columns result from calculations assuming 5% and 10% growth rates compounded over a 10-year period as set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast future price appreciation of the Company’s common stock. The gains reflect a future value based upon growth at these prescribed rates. The values have not been discounted to present value. It is important to note that options have value to the listed executive and to all option recipients only if the stock price advances beyond the exercise price shown on the table during the effective option period.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to exercisable and unexercisable options held as of December 31, 2004:

 

Aggregated Option Exercises in 2004 and December 31, 2004 Option Values

 

 

 

 

Number of securities

Value of unexercised

 

 

 

underlying unexercised

in-the-money

 

Shares

 

options at year end

options at year end

 

acquired

Value

Exer-

Unexer-

Exer-

Unexer-

 

on exercise

realized

cisable

cisable

cisable

cisable

Daniel R. Daigneault

57,000

$ 787,000

72,000

-

$ 997,000

$ -

 

F. Stephen Ward

-

-

39,000

-

513,000

-

 

Charles A. Wootton

22,500

290,000

7,500

15,000

89,000

151,000

 

Walter F. Vietze

 

 

33,000

-

444,000

-

 

All other employees

6,600

105,000

30,000

9,000

341,000

74,000

 

All optionees

86,100

$1,182,000

181,500

24,000

$2,384,000

$225,000

 

 

Director Compensation

 

In 2004, each of the outside directors of the Bank, with the exception of the Chairman of the Board, received a director’s fee in the amount of $600 for each meeting attended and $300 for each meeting attended of a committee of which the director is a member. The Chairman of the Board received an annual fee of $25,000. The Chairman of the Executive Committee as well as the Chairman of the Audit Committee also received a stipend of $6,000 in addition to meeting fees paid for meetings attended. In addition to the above referenced fees, each of the outside directors was reimbursed for 85% of the cost of his or her health insurance premiums. This reimbursement amount is equivalent to the average rate provided to employees of the Company. Certain Board members were also paid fees for appraisals, consulting services and legal services, and such fees are on terms no more favorable to the recipient than are generally paid by the Bank for such services to other providers in the area. Fees and health insurance premiums paid by the Bank to its Directors as a group totaled $186,455 in 2004, but no fees are paid to Directors of the Company. President Daigneault and EVP McKim, who are the only directors who are also employees of the Company, receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank.

 

 

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Description of the Company’s Benefit Plans

 

Overview

The Company has reserved 480,000 shares of its common stock to be made available to directors and employees who elect to participate in the directors’ deferral, employee stock purchase, or 401(k) savings and investment plans. As of December 31, 2004, 373,992 shares had been issued pursuant to these plans, leaving 106,008 shares available for future issuance. The issuance price is based on the market price of the stock at issuance date. All shares issued under the 401(k) savings and investment plans are issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), contained in Section 3(a)(11) thereof and Rule 147 promulgated thereunder. During the period ending nine months after the date of issuance of these shares, these shares may be transferred only to residents of the State of Maine. Each certificate issued for these plan shares bears a legend referring to this restriction.

Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan prior to September 11, 1998, were issued pursuant to exemptions from registration under Section 3(a)(11) and Rule 147 of the Securities Act. Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan on or after September 11, 1998, have been issued pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The members of the Board of Directors and certain officers of the Company, who may be deemed to be “affiliates”, may resell shares of the Company’s common stock purchased or acquired under this plan only in accordance with certain restrictions imposed by the Securities Act and Rule 144 promulgated thereunder.

 

401(K) Plan

The Bank’s 401(k) Plan (The First National Bank of Damariscotta Savings and Investment Plan) is the Bank’s sole retirement plan, and was modified in 1996 after termination of the Bank’s traditional defined benefit pension plan. It is available to any employee who has attained the age of 21 and completed six months of continuous service. Employees may contribute up to 50.0% of their compensation (in 2005, not to exceed $14,000 if under age 50 and $18,000 if over age 50), and the Bank may provide a match of up to 3.0% of compensation. Subject to a vote of the Board of Directors, the Bank may also make a profit-sharing contribution to the Plan, and in 2004 this contribution equaled 2.5% of each eligible employee’s compensation. The 401(k) Plan is administered by a special committee appointed by the Board of Directors.

Employee contributions are 100% vested at all times, while employer contributions are vested over a five-year period. Upon termination of employment for any reason, a plan participant may receive his or her contribution account and earnings allocated to it, as well as the vested portion of his or her employer-matching account and earnings allocated to it. Non-vested amounts are forfeited and are used by the Bank to help defray plan administration expenses incurred by the Bank. The Bank paid $100,000 in matching contributions and $120,000 in profit-sharing contributions to this plan in 2004. Plan participants may direct the trustees of the 401(k) Plan to purchase specific assets for their accounts from a selection which includes seven mutual funds as well as the Company’s stock. As of December 31, 2004, 199,232 shares of the Company’s stock had been purchased by the 401(k) Plan at the direction of plan participants.

 

Stock Purchase Plan

The Bank instituted an employee and director stock purchase plan effective February 1, 1987, and the Board of Directors has allocated 2,400,000 shares of stock to be available for purchase under this plan. Employees who have been employed by the Bank for three consecutive calendar months are eligible to purchase shares on a quarterly basis through payroll deduction. The price per share for shares sold pursuant to the plan is defined as the closing price on the day the shares are purchased. As of December 31, 2004, 174,760 shares of the Company’s stock had been purchased pursuant to the plan.

 

Employee Benefits

The Bank provides all full-time employees with group life, health, and long-term-disability insurance through the Independent Bankers’ Employee Benefits Trust of Maine. A Flexible Benefits Plan is available to all full-time employees after satisfying eligibility requirements and to part-time employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week.

 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

The Bank also sponsors an un-funded, non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for certain executive officers. The plan provides supplemental retirement benefits payable in installments over 20 years upon retirement or death. The costs for this plan are recognized over the service lives of the participating executive officers. The projected retirement benefit for Mr. Daigneault, assuming he remains employed by the Bank until normal retirement age of 65, is $169,329 per year, with such payments beginning in the year 2017. The projected retirement benefit for Mr. Ward, assuming he remains employed by the Bank until normal retirement age of 65, is $61,127 per year, with such payments beginning in the year 2018. The projected retirement benefit for Mr. Vietze, assuming he remains employed by the Bank until normal

 

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retirement age of 65, is $39,235 per year, with such payments beginning in the year 2006. The benefits are capped at the above amounts and are subject to being substantially less should the named executive officer not remain employed until the normal retirement age of 65. The Plan also contains a restrictive covenant that may result in the executive officer forfeiting all accrued benefits should he accept employment with a competing financial institution within five years after his termination of employment with the Company. The expense for all participants in this supplemental plan was $147,000 in 2004, $135,000 in 2003, and $112,000 in 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the accrued liability of this plan was $839,000 and $709,000, respectively.

 

Stock Option Plan

On December 15, 1994, the Company’s board of directors adopted a Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) for the benefit of officers and other full-time employees of the Company and the Bank. This plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 1995 Annual Meeting. Under the Option Plan, 600,000 shares (subject to adjustment to reflect stock splits and similar events) are reserved from the authorized but unissued common stock of the Company for future issuance by the Company for exercise of stock options granted to certain key employees of the Company and the Bank from time to time. The purpose of the Option Plan is to encourage the retention of such key employees by facilitating their purchase of a stock interest in the Company. The Option Plan is intended to provide for the granting of incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) to employees of the Company or the Bank.

The Option Plan is administered by the Options Committee of the Company’s board of directors, which is comprised solely of directors who are ineligible to receive grants of stock options under the Option Plan and who have not received grants of options within the 12 months preceding their appointment to the Options Committee. The Options Committee selects the employees of the Bank and the Company to whom options are to be granted and designates the number of options to be granted. The Option Plan may be amended only by the vote of the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock if such amendment would increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Option Plan, change the eligibility criteria for grants of options under the Option Plan, change the minimum option exercise price or increase the maximum term of options. Other amendments may be effected by the Options Committee.

Employees selected by the Options Committee receive, at no cost to them, options under the Option Plan. The option exercise prices are equal to or exceed the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant, and no option is exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date it is granted. The fair market value of the shares is determined by the Options Committee as specified in the Option Plan. The optionee cannot transfer or assign any option other than by will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution, and the option may be exercised only by the employee during the employee’s lifetime. After an employee’s death, options may be exercised by the employee’s estate or heirs up to one year following the date of death. Code Section 422 limits option grants by providing that during the term of the Option Plan, no grant may be made to any employee owning more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares unless the exercise price is at least 110% of the underlying shares’ fair market value and such option is not exercisable more than five years following the option grant. The aggregate fair market value of the stock for which any employee may be granted incentive stock options which are first exercisable in any calendar year may generally not exceed $100,000.

While generally no options may be exercisable before the second anniversary of the grant date, in the event of a change in control involving the Company all options (other than those held by officers or directors of the Company or the Bank for less than six months) shall become immediately exercisable. Also, an employee whose employment is terminated in connection with or within two years after such a change in control event shall be entitled to exercise all options for up to three months following the date of termination; provided that options held by officers or directors shall not be exercisable until six months after the grant date. Employees whose services are terminated, other than following a change in control as described above, shall thereupon forfeit any options held; provided, however, that following termination due to disability an employee shall be entitled to exercise options for up to one year (provided, further, that officers may exercise only with respect to options held for at least six months).

The Company receives no monetary consideration for the granting of incentive stock options. Upon the exercise of options, the Company receives payment in cash from optionees in exchange for shares issued. No federal income tax consequences are incurred by the Company at the time incentive stock options are granted or exercised, unless the optionee incurs liability for ordinary income tax treatment upon exercise of the option, as discussed below, in which event the Company would be entitled to a deduction equal to the optionee’s ordinary income attributable to the options. Provided the employee holds the shares received on exercise of a stock option for the longer of two years after the option was granted or one year after it was exercised, the optionee will realize capital gains income (or loss) in the year of sale in an amount equal to the difference between the sale price and the option exercise price paid for shares. If the employee sells the shares prior to the expiration of the period, the employee realizes ordinary income in the year of disposition equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise

 

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price and capital gains income (or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between the sale price of the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.

In addition to the tax consequences discussed above, the excess of the option price over the fair market value of the optioned stock at the time of option exercise is required to be treated by an incentive optionee as an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.

 

Performance Graph

 

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the five-year cumulative total return of $100.00 invested in the Company’s common stock (“FNLC”), assuming reinvestment of all cash dividends and retention of all stock dividends, with a comparable amount invested in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and the NASDAQ Combined Bank Index (“NASD Bank”). The NASD Bank index is a capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of all NASDAQ stocks in the banking sector.

 

GRAPH OMITTED

 

 

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

FNLC

100.00

99.45

149.07

219.84

358.90

385.90

NASD Bank

100.00

90.97

80.19

62.47

80.38

89.10

S&P 500

100.00

114.67

126.23

131.93

175.52

199.51

 

 

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ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

Security Ownership of Directors, Management and Principal Shareholders 1

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock of the Company beneficially owned as of February 18, 2005 by (i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the Company’s common stock, (ii) each current director of the Company and nominee for a position on the Board, (iii) the named executive officers, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated below, each of the directors, executive officers and shareholders owning more than five percent of the Company’s stock has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of stock beneficially owned as set forth opposite his or her name. There were no owners of 5.0% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock as of February 18, 2005.

 

Directors & Executive Officers

 

Age2

 

Position

Term

Expires

Shares

Owned

Percent Owned

Katherine M. Boyd

53

Director of the Bank and the Company; Chairman, Trust Committee

2005

36,346

*

Daniel R. Daigneault

52

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Director of the Bank and the Company

2006

249,1863

2.52%

Robert B. Gregory4

51

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the Company

2006

46,513

*

Tony C. McKim

37

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Bank and the Company

2005

93,693

*

Randy A. Nelson

52

Director of the Bank and the Company Chairman, Asset/Liability Committee

2007

1,682

*

Carl S. Poole, Jr.

59

Director of the Bank and the Company

2005

276,784

2.80 %

Mark N. Rosborough

56

Director of the Bank and the Company

2005

115,084

1.17%

Stuart G. Smith

52

Director of the Bank and the Company;

Chairman, Options, Nominating, Compensation & Executive Committees

2007

92,024

*

David B. Soule, Jr.

59

Director of the Bank and the Company; Chairman, Audit Committees of the Bank and the Company

2005

19,514

*

Bruce B. Tindal

54

Director of the Bank and the Company Chairman, Directors’ Loan Committee

2005

15,023

*

Walter F. Vietze

63

Senior Vice President – Senior Operations Officer of the Bank

n/a

64,076 3

*

F. Stephen Ward

51

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank

n/a

85,9983

*

Charles A. Wootton

48

Executive Vice President and Clerk of the Company; Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Officer of the Bank

n/a

30,3033

*

Total Ownership of all Directors and Executive Officers as a group

1,273,094

12.89%

 

* Less than one percent of total outstanding shares

1 For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In general, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if he/she has or shares the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security, or if he/she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the security within 60 days. The figure set forth includes director’s qualifying shares owned by each person.

2 As of December 31, 2004.

3 Includes exercisable stock options.

4 Includes shares held as trustee.

 

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ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The Federal Reserve Act permits the Bank to contract for or purchase property from any of its Directors only when such purchase is made in the regular course of business upon terms not less favorable to the Bank than those offered by others unless the purchase has been authorized by a majority of the Board of Directors not interested in the transaction. Similarly, the Federal Reserve Act prohibits loans to Executive Officers of the Bank unless such loans are on terms not more favorable than those afforded other borrowers and certain other prescribed conditions have been met.

The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of its business with Directors, Officers and principal shareholders of the Company and their affiliates. All such transactions have been made upon substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with others. In the opinion of management, such loans have not involved more than the normal risk of collectibility nor have they presented other unfavorable features. The total amount of loans outstanding at December 31, 2004 to the Company’s Directors, Executive Officers and their associates was $9,511,338, which constituted 1.99% of the Bank’s total loans outstanding at that date.

 

 

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ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant, Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker (BDMP), for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q for the years ended December 31, 2004, and 2003 were $63,983 and $54,462, respectively.

 

Audit-Related Fees

The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services rendered by BDMP related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $32,865 and $1,042, respectively. These services related to audit requirements under the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and internal control reporting under FDICIA.

 

Tax Fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by BDMP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $9,350 and $13,451, respectively. The nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category are preparation of federal and state tax returns, review of estimated tax payments, review of compliance with information reporting requirements and tax planning.

 

FNB Merger

The aggregate fees billed for services by BDMP in conjunction with the merger with FNB for the year ended December 31, 2004, were $26,645. There were no fees billed for such services in 2003. These services related to the preparation of SEC filings for the merger.

 

All Other Fees

The aggregate fees billed for services provided by BDMP, other than the services reported in the paragraphs above, for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $7,840 and $32,710, respectively. The nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category are employee benefit plan audits in both years and administration and recordkeeping for an employee benefit plan in 2003.

 

None of the services described in each of the paragraphs above were provided under the de minimis exception set forth in Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C).

 

 

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ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

 

A -- Exhibits

 

Exhibit 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger With FNB Bankshares Dated August 25, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated August 25, 2004, filed under item 1.01 on August 27, 2004.

 

Exhibit 3.1 Conformed Copy of the Registrants Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 5.03 on October 7, 2004.

 

Exhibit 3.2 Conformed Copy of the Registrant's Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 5.03 on October 7, 2004.

 

Exhibit 10.1(a) FNB Bankshares' Stock Option Plan. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 5.03 on October 7, 2004.

 

Exhibit 10.1(b) Specimen FNB Bankshares Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement entered into with Messrs. Rosborough, McKim, Wroble, Dalrymple and Lay, whose FNB Bankshares options have been converted into options to purchase 5,287, 34,086, 15,275, 11,750 and 21,150 shares of the Registrant's stock, respectively, all at $3.80 per share, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 1.01 on January 14, 2005.

 

Exhibit 10.2(a) Specimen Employment Continuity Agreement entered into with Messrs. McKim, Wroble, Dalrymple and Lay, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 1.01 on January 14, 2005.

 

Exhibit 10.2(b) Specimen Amendment to Employment Continuity Agreement entered into with Messrs. McKim, Wroble, Dalrymple and Lay, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 1.01 on January 14, 2005.

 

Exhibit 10.3(a) Specimen Split Dollar Agreement entered into with Messrs. McKim, Wroble, Dalrymple and Lay. For Mr. McKim, the amount of the death benefit is $250,000; for Messrs. Lay, Dalrymple and Wrobel, the death benefit is $150,000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 1.01 on January 14, 2005.

 

Exhibit 10.3(b) Specimen Amendment to Split Dollar Agreement entered into with Messrs. McKim, Wroble, Dalrymple and Lay, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(b) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed under item 1.01 on January 14, 2005.

 

Exhibit 14.1 Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, adopted by the Board of Directors on June 19, 2003, as required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit 14.2 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, adopted by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2004, as required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(A) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Persuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Persuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

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B -- Reports on Form 8-K Filed During the Fourth Quarter of 2004

 

Changes to Registrant's bylaws were filed on Form 8-K under item 5.03 on October 7, 2004.

 

The Registrant's press release announcing its third quarter earnings was filed on Form 8-K under item 2.02 on October 21, 2003.

 

The Registrant's quarterly earnings brochure to be mailed to shareholders was filed under Item 8.01 on October 28, 2003.

 

The Registrant's press release announcing the fourth quarter 2004 dividend declaration was filed on Form 8-K under item 8.01 on December 16, 2003.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

FIRST NATIONAL LINCOLN COPORATION

 

By

/s/Daniel R. Daigneault

Daniel R. Daigneault, President

March 15, 2005

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

Title and Date

 

 

/s/Daniel R. Daigneault

President and Director

 

Daniel R. Daigneault

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

March 15, 2005

 

 

/s/F Stephen Ward

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

F. Stephen Ward

(Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer)

 

March 15, 2005

 

 

/s/Robert B. Gregory

Director and Chairman of the Board

Robert B. Gregory

March 15, 2005

 

 

/s/Katherine M. Boyd

Director

 

Katherine M. Boyd

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Tony C. McKim

Director

 

Tony C. McKim

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Randy A. Nelson

Director

 

Randy A. Nelson

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Carl S. Poole, Jr.

Director

 

Carl S. Poole, Jr.

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Mark N. Rosborough

Director

 

Mark N. Rosborough

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Stuart G. Smith

Director

 

Stuart G. Smith

March 15, 2005

 

/s/David B. Soule, Jr.

Director

 

David B. Soule, Jr.

March 15, 2005

 

/s/Bruce A. Tindal

Director

 

Bruce A. Tindal

March 15, 2005

 

 

 

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