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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

Commission File Number: 0-22374

Fidelity Southern Corporation


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Georgia
  58-1416811

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
   
3490 Piedmont Road, Suite 1550
  Atlanta, GA 30305

(Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)

(404) 639-6500


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     o     Yes     x     No

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

         
Class
  Shares Outstanding at July 30, 2004

 
Common Stock, no par value
    8,982,538  


 

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION

INDEX

                 
            Page Number(s)
      Financial Information        
 
  Item l.   Consolidated Financial Statements        
 
      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2004, (unaudited) and December 31, 2003     3  
 
      Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the Three Months and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003     4-5  
 
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003     6  
 
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     7-11  
 
  Item 2   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     11  
 
  Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk (included in Part I Item 2)     16-18  
 
  Item 4.   Controls and Procedures     24  
      Other Information        
 
  Item 1.   Legal Proceedings     24  
 
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     24  
 
  Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K     24-25  
Signature Page
Exhibits
        25  
 
      31.1 Rule 13a – 14 (a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer     26-27  
 
      31.2 Rule 13a – 14 (a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer     28-29  
 
      32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 1350     30  
 
      32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 1350     31  

2


 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    (Unaudited)   December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)   June 30, 2004
  2003
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 20,479     $ 20,529  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
    1,149       921  
Federal funds sold
    6,695       18,566  
Investment securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $131,562 and $144,860 at June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively)
    129,612       145,280  
Investment securities held-to-maturity (approximate fair value of $54,484 and $46,010 at June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively)
    54,976       45,749  
Loans held-for-sale
    39,181       37,291  
Loans
    893,729       795,738  
Allowance for loan losses
    (10,980 )     (9,920 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Loans, net
    882,749       785,818  
Premises and equipment, net
    13,136       13,916  
Other real estate
    216       938  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,831       4,897  
Other assets
    19,964       18,014  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 1,172,988     $ 1,091,919  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities
               
Deposits
               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 120,921     $ 111,500  
Interest-bearing deposits:
               
Demand and money market
    257,315       169,357  
Savings
    114,113       130,992  
Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    193,310       172,315  
Other time deposits
    310,570       303,815  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    996,229       887,979  
Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings
    100       24,500  
Other short-term borrowings
    17,679       23,396  
Subordinated debt
    36,598        
Trust preferred securities
          35,500  
Other long-term debt
    45,000       45,425  
Accrued interest payable
    2,688       2,786  
Other liabilities
    1,875       1,207  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    1,100,169       1,020,793  
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Common stock, no par value. Authorized 50,000,000; issued 8,992,709 and 8,888,939; outstanding 8,981,617 and 8,877,847 at June 30, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively.
    41,467       40,516  
Treasury stock
    (69 )     (69 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes
    (1,210 )     259  
Retained earnings
    32,631       30,420  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
    72,819       71,126  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,172,988     $ 1,091,919  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


 

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Six Months Ended   Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)   June 30,
  June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Interest income
                               
Loans, including fees
  $ 23,891     $ 25,495     $ 12,080     $ 12,785  
Investment securities
    4,476       3,327       2,179       1,583  
Federal funds sold
    58       113       28       36  
Deposits with other banks
    8       32       4       3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest income
    28,433       28,967       14,291       14,407  
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
    8,906       10,120       4,585       4,937  
Short-term borrowings
    406       445       64       359  
Trust preferred securities
          1,143             576  
Subordinated debt
    1,515       676       757       336  
Other long-term debt
    720       285       360       19  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    11,547       12,669       5,766       6,227  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    16,886       16,298       8,525       8,180  
Provision for loan losses
    2,500       1,800       1,300       800  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    14,386       14,498       7,225       7,380  
Noninterest income
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    2,246       2,597       1,163       1,338  
Other fees and charges
    551       623       289       323  
Mortgage banking activities
    963       1,844       690       971  
Brokerage activities
    364       211       157       93  
Indirect lending activities
    2,161       1,413       1,053       719  
SBA lending activities
    455       35       105        
Securities gains, net
    130       331              
Other operating income
    423       590       215       417  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest income
    7,293       7,644       3,672       3,861  
Noninterest expense
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    8,834       9,441       4,327       4,631  
Furniture and equipment
    1,468       1,365       754       683  
Net occupancy
    1,862       1,934       982       949  
Communication expenses
    727       779       411       371  
Professional and other services
    1,108       1,828       535       638  
Stationary, printing and supplies
    338       505       180       352  
Other insurance expense
    516       414       192       252  
Other operating expenses
    2,276       2,543       1,139       1,219  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest expense
    17,129       18,809       8,520       9,095  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
    4,550       3,333       2,377       2,146  
Income tax expense
    1,446       992       728       667  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations
    3,104       2,341       1,649       1,479  

4


 

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Six Months Ended   Three Months Ended
    June 30,
  June 30,
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Income from continuing operations
  $ 3,104     $ 2,341     $ 1,649     $ 1,479  
Discontinued operations:
                               
Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes of $0, $37, $0 and $81, respectively)
          78             173  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Income
  $ 3,104     $ 2,419     $ 1,649     $ 1,652  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ .35     $ .26     $ .19     $ .16  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .34     $ .26     $ .18     $ .16  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ .35     $ .27     $ .19     $ .18  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ .34     $ .27     $ .18     $ .18  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Dividends declared per share
  $ .10     $ .10     $ .05     $ .05  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
    8,932,328       8,860,955       8,980,216       8,863,154  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-fully diluted
    9,044,677       8,930,930       9,092,354       8,936,415  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5


 

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
(Dollars in thousands)   Six Months Ended June 30,
    2004
  2003
Operating Activities
               
Net income from continuing operations
  $ 3,104     $ 2,341  
Net income from discontinued operations
          78  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    2,500       1,800  
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    1,012       998  
Securities gains, net
    (130 )     (331 )
Gain on loan sales
    (1,240 )     (122 )
Proceeds from sales of other real estate
    236       1,253  
Gain on sales of other real estate
    (33 )     (107 )
Net increase in loans held-for-sale
    (1,890 )     (39,409 )
Net decrease in accrued interest receivable
    66       312  
Net decrease in accrued interest payable
    (98 )     (1,299 )
Net (increase) decrease in other assets
    (1,950 )     742  
Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    668       (2,823 )
Other
    901       204  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
    3,145       (36,363 )
Investing Activities
               
Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity
    (11,763 )     (30 )
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (5,746 )     (63,812 )
Maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity
    2,536       1,867  
Sales of investment securities available-for-sale
    2,567       7,761  
Maturities of investment securities available-for-sale
    16,608       52,861  
Net increase in loans (including loans sold)
    (187,888 )     (34,536 )
Proceeds from sale of loans
    90,215       11,215  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (231 )     (399 )
Net cash used in discontinued operations
          (1,189 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities
    (93,703 )     (26,262 )
Financing Activities
               
Net increase in demand deposits, money market accounts, and savings accounts
    80,500       9,032  
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits
    27,750       (56,188 )
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
    (30,117 )     54,330  
Net increase (decrease) in long-term borrowings
    673       (24,000 )
Dividends paid
    (893 )     (886 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    951       74  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
    78,864       (17,638 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (11,693 )     (80,263 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    40,016       126,938  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 28,323     $ 46,675  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 11,644     $ 13,968  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income taxes
  $ 1,600     $ 2,700  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Non-cash transfers to other real estate
  $     $ 110  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6


 

FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
June 30, 2004

Note A — Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Fidelity Southern Corporation and Subsidiaries (“Fidelity”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States followed within the financial services industry for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been included. All such adjustments are normal recurring accruals. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or shareholders’ equity. Operating results for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. These statements and the related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Fidelity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Note B — Shareholders’ Equity

     The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) is the principal regulator of Fidelity Southern Corporation (“FSC”), a bank holding company. Fidelity Bank, (the “Bank”) is a state chartered commercial bank subject to Federal and state statutes applicable to banks chartered under the banking laws of the State of Georgia, to members of the Federal Reserve System and to banks whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fidelity. The FRB, the FDIC and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “GDBF”) have established capital requirements as a function of their oversight of bank holding companies and state chartered banks. Each bank holding company and each bank must maintain the minimum capital ratios set forth in “Liquidity” and “Shareholders’ Equity” in MD&A.

     The Bank is principally regulated by the GDBF and the FDIC. At periodic intervals, the GDBF and the FDIC (the Bank’s primary Federal regulator) examine and evaluate the financial condition, operations and policies and procedures of Georgia state chartered commercial banks, such as the Bank, as part of their legally prescribed oversight responsibilities.

Note C – Regulatory Agreement

Pursuant to the approval of the GBDF, the Bank, agreed, among other things, to maintain a leverage capital ratio of not less than 7.00% for the twenty-four month period following the conversion to a state chartered bank, which occurred on May 9, 2003. The Bank’s leverage capital ratio as of June 30, 2004, was 8.36%. (See “Shareholders’ Equity”.)

7


 

Note D – Discontinued Operations

     In December 2002, Fidelity sold its credit card line of business, including all of its credit card accounts and outstanding balances. In accordance with the terms of the sale, Fidelity provided interim servicing for a fee until the conversion to the purchaser’s system on May 15, 2003, and substantially all related activities ceased by June 30, 2003. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the earnings and net liabilities of the credit card business were shown separately in the consolidated statements of income for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2003. Accordingly, all information in these consolidated financial statements for 2003 reflects continuing operations only, unless otherwise noted.

Note E – Contingencies

     Fidelity is a party to claims and lawsuits arising in the course of normal business activities.

     In addition, certain claims and lawsuits against Fidelity National Capital Investors, Inc. (“FNCI”), a former registered broker-dealer and a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity, were settled during the first quarter of 2004 and during 2003. On June 8, 2004, the SEC filed an order instituting administrative proceedings against FNCI, charging it with the failure to supervise a FNCI registered representative of a client’s accounts with the objective of preventing the registered representative from aiding and abetting the client in violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The action by the SEC resulted in a fine in the amount of $125,000, the acceptance of the FNCI filing seeking a full withdrawal of FNCI from registration with the SEC, all self-regulatory organizations and all jurisdictions, with an effective date five days after the date of the SEC order, and other sanctions. A provision of $125,000 was established for the fine during 2003. On April 15, 2003, the Bank began providing investment services to its customers through an affiliation with an independent broker-dealer. At that time, FNCI terminated its business as a registered broker-dealer.

     Although the ultimate outcome of all claims and lawsuits outstanding as of June 30, 2004, cannot be ascertained at this time, it is the opinion of management that these matters, when resolved, will not have a material adverse effect on Fidelity’s results of operations or financial condition.

Note F – Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     Fidelity’s comprehensive income (loss) items include net income and other comprehensive income (loss) related to unrealized gains and losses on investment securities classified as available-for-sale and reclassification adjustments for gains and losses on securities sales and calls included in net income. All other comprehensive income (loss) items are tax effected at a rate of 38%. During the second quarter of 2004, other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit was $2.7 million. Other comprehensive income net of tax was $.2 million for the comparable period of 2003. Comprehensive loss for the second quarter of 2004 was $1.0 million compared to comprehensive income of $1.8 million for the same period in 2003. Other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit was $1.5 million for the first half of 2004 compared to an other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit of $.3 million for the same period in 2003. Comprehensive income for the first half of 2004 was $1.6 million compared to comprehensive income of $2.1 million for the same period in 2003.

Note G – Stock Based Compensation

     Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS No. 123 and No. 148 and has been determined as if Fidelity had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of those statements. The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 and No. 148

8


 

for providing pro forma disclosures are not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net income for future periods.

     The following schedule reflects the pro forma results for the three months and the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2004 and 2003
  June 30, 2004 and 2003
    Net   Net Income Per Share
  Net   Net Income Per Share
    Income
  Basic
  Diluted
  Income
  Basic
  Diluted
June 30, 2004
                                               
As reported
  $ 1,649     $ .19     $ .18     $ 3,104     $ .35     $ .34  
Stock based compensation, net of related tax effect
    (20 )                 (40 )            
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 1,629     $ .19     $ .18     $ 3,064     $ .35     $ .34  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
June 30, 2003
                                               
As reported
  $ 1,652     $ .18     $ .18     $ 2,419     $ .27     $ .27  
Stock based compensation, net of related tax effect
    (20 )                 (40 )            
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 1,632     $ .18     $ .18     $ 2,379     $ .27     $ .27  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Note H — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 addresses whether business enterprises must consolidate the financial statements of entities known as “variable interest entities”. A variable interest entity is defined by FIN 46 to be a business entity which has one or both of the following characteristics: (1) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional support from other parties, which is provided through other interests that will absorb some or all of the expected losses of the entity; and, (2) the equity investors lack one or more of the following essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest: (a) direct or indirect ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting rights or similar rights, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity if they occur, which makes it possible for the entity to finance its activities, or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity if they occur, which is the compensation for risk of absorbing expected losses.

     Fidelity adopted FIN 46 and through review and analysis determined that Fidelity was the primary beneficiary of its trust preferred securities and that they should be consolidated for financial reporting purposes as of December 31, 2003. FIN 46 was revised in December 2003 (“FIN 46 (Revised)”) and the revised interpretations clarified that trust preferred securities such as those issued by Fidelity had to be deconsolidated for financial reporting purposes no later than the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. Fidelity has adopted FIN 46 (Revised) and consequently, the $35.5 million of trust preferred securities issued by trusts established by Fidelity are no longer consolidated for financial reporting purposes. Thus, the equity investments in the subsidiaries created to issue the obligations, the obligations themselves and related dividend income and interest expense are reported on a deconsolidated basis, with the investments in the amount of $1.1 million reported as investments held-to-maturity and dividends included as investment interest income. The obligations, including the amount related to the equity investments, in the amount of $36.6 million are reported as subordinated debt, with related interest expense reported as interest on subordinated

9


 

debt. This change had no material effect on the operations, financial condition or regulatory capital ratios of Fidelity or the Bank. Financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect the deconsolidation of the trust preferred issues.

Note I – Variable Interest Entities

     FSC has three business trust subsidiaries that are variable interest entities, FNC Capital Trust 1 (“FNCCT1”), Fidelity National Capital Trust 1 (“FidNCT1”), and Fidelity Southern Statutory Trust 1 (“FSCST1”).

     During 2000, FNCCT1 and FidNCT1 and during 2003 FSCST1, issued common securities, all of which were purchased and are held by FSC, totaling $1.1 million and are classified by Fidelity as investments held-to-maturity in 2004 and trust preferred securities totaling $35.5 million and classified by Fidelity as subordinated debt beginning in 2004, which were sold to investors, with thirty year maturities. In addition, the $1.1 million borrowed from the business trust subsidiaries to purchase their respective common securities is classified as subordinated debt beginning in 2004. The trust preferred securities are callable by the business trust subsidiaries on or after defined periods. The trust preferred security holders may only terminate the business trusts under defined circumstances such as default, dissolution or bankruptcy. The trust preferred security holders and other creditors, if any, of each business trust have no recourse to Fidelity and may only look to the assets of each business trust to satisfy all debts and obligations.

     The only assets of FNCCT1, FidNCT1 and FSCST1 are subordinated debentures of FSC, which were purchased with the proceeds from the issuance of the common and preferred securities. FNCCT1 and FidNCT1 have fixed interest rates of 10.875% and 11.045%, respectively, while FSCST1 has a current interest rate of 4.69%, and reprices quarterly. FSC makes semi-annual interest payments on the subordinated debentures to FNCCT1 and FidNCT1 and quarterly interest payments to FSCST1, which use these payments to pay dividends on the common and preferred securities.

     The trust preferred securities are eligible for regulatory Tier 1 capital, with a limit of 25% of the sum of all core capital elements. All amounts exceeding the 25% limit are includable in regulatory Tier 2 capital.

     The FRB has determined that Fidelity and other financial institutions regulated by it should continue to include the trust preferred securities in their Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes, subject, together with other cumulative preferred stock, if any, to the 25 percent of Tier 1 capital limit, until notice is given to the contrary.

     The Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) has issued a notice of proposed rule making (“Proposal”) regarding risk-based capital standards for bank holding companies (“BHCs”) such as FSC. The Proposal is the result of a review conducted in part due to the promulgation of FIN 46 (Revised) and its effect on the financial reporting of trust preferred securities, but also addresses supervisory concerns and certain competitive equity considerations and clarifies policies regarding capital guidelines. Comments to the Proposal were requested by July 11, 2004, after which the FRB is expected to issue final rules regarding risk-based capital.

     The Proposal provides for a three year transition period, with an effective date of March 31, 2007, but requires BHCs not meeting the standards of the Proposal to consult with the FRB and develop a plan to comply with the standards by the effective date.

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     The Proposal defines the restricted core capital elements, including trust preferred securities, which may be included in Tier 1 capital, subject to an aggregate 25% of Tier 1 capital net of goodwill limitation. Excess restricted core capital elements may be included in Tier 2 capital, with trust preferred securities and certain other restricted core capital elements subject to a 50% of Tier 1 capital limitation.

     The Proposal defines trust preferred securities qualifying for inclusion as restricted core capital elements and FSC trust preferred securities meet those definitional tests. The Proposal requires that trust preferred securities be excluded from Tier 1 capital when within five years of maturity and be excluded from Tier 2 capital when within five years of maturity at 20% per year for each year during that five year period. FSC’s first trust preferred securities mature in March 2030.

     FSC’s only restricted core capital elements consist of its trust preferred securities issues and FSC has no recorded goodwill; therefore, the Proposal would have no impact on FSC’s capital ratios, its financial condition or its operating results. (See “Shareholders’ Equity” in MD&A and Note H – “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”.)

ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Critical Accounting Policies

     The accounting and reporting policies of Fidelity are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Fidelity’s financial position and results of operations are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, including estimates, assumptions and judgments made to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Different assumptions in the application of these policies, or results or conditions significantly different from certain assumptions could result in material changes in Fidelity’s consolidated financial position and/or consolidated results of operations. The more critical accounting and reporting policies include those related to the allowance for loan losses, loan related revenue recognition, other real estate owned and income taxes. Fidelity’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding its consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations. Significant accounting policies have been periodically discussed with and reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

     Fidelity’s critical accounting policies that are highly dependent on estimates, assumptions and judgment are substantially unchanged from the descriptions included in the notes to consolidated financial statements in Fidelity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

     The following analysis reviews important facto