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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
Commission File Number 000-22374
Fidelity Southern Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Georgia |
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58-1416811 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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3490 Piedmont Road, Suite 1550 |
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30305 |
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Atlanta, Georgia |
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(Zip Code) |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(404) 240-1504
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
Common Stock, without stated par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
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
registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment of this
Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Exchange Act
Rule 12b-2). Yes þ No o
The aggregate market value of the common equity held by
non-affiliates of the registrant (assuming for these purposes,
but without conceding, that all executive officers and directors
are affiliates of the registrant) as of
December 31, 2004 (based on the average bid and ask price
of the Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
System on June 30, 2004) was $84,468,769.
At March 10, 2005, there were 9,168,132 shares of Common
Stock outstanding, without stated par value.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants Annual Report to Shareholders
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, are
incorporated by reference into Parts I and II. Portions of the
registrants definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part
III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
General
Fidelity Southern Corporation (FSC) is a registered
bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. At
December 31, 2004, all of Fidelitys principal
activities were conducted by its wholly owned subsidiary,
Fidelity Bank and its subsidiaries (the Bank or
FB). The Bank was first organized as a national
banking corporation in 1973. Fidelity, as used herein, includes
FSC and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
At December 31, 2004, Fidelity had total assets of
$1,224 million, total loans of $995 million, total
deposits of $1,016 million and shareholders equity of
$79 million.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report on Form 10-K may include forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that reflect
Fidelitys current expectations relating to present or
future trends or factors generally affecting the banking
industry and specifically affecting Fidelitys operations,
markets and services. Without limiting the foregoing, the words
believes, expects,
anticipates, estimates,
projects and intends and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions
Fidelity believes are reasonable and may relate to, among other
things, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, changes
in interest rates and litigation results. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially from those projected for many
reasons, including without limitation, changing events, and
trends that have influenced Fidelitys assumptions. These
trends and events include:
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(i) |
changes in the interest rate environment which may reduce
margins; |
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(ii) |
non-achievement of expected growth; |
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(iii) |
less favorable than anticipated changes in the national and
local business environment and securities markets; |
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(iv) |
adverse changes in regulatory requirements affecting Fidelity; |
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(v) |
greater competitive pressures among financial institutions in
Fidelitys market; |
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(vi) |
changes in fiscal, monetary, regulatory, and tax policies; |
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(vii) |
changes in political, legislative, and economic conditions; |
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(viii) |
inflation; and |
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(ix) |
greater loan losses than previously experienced. |
This list is intended to identify some of the principal factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements included herein and
are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and
uncertainties in our business. Investors are encouraged to read
the related section in Fidelitys 2004 Annual Report to
Shareholders and those discussed below under Risk
Factors.
Market Area
Fidelity conducts banking activities primarily through 19
branches in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett counties
in Georgia. Fidelitys customers are primarily individuals
and small and medium sized businesses located in Georgia.
Indirect automobile lending (the purchase of consumer automobile
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installment sales contracts from automobile dealers) and
residential construction and mortgage lending are also conducted
from its Jacksonville, Florida, offices and two offices in
Georgia.
Products and Services
Fidelitys primary products and services are
(i) depository accounts, (ii) direct and indirect
automobile and home equity lending, (iii) secured and
unsecured installment loans, (iv) trust services, credit
card loans, and merchant services activities through agency
relationships, (v) construction and residential real estate
loans, (vi) commercial loans, including commercial loans
secured by real estate, and (vii) international trade
services. Fidelity also provides investment services through an
affiliation with an independent broker-dealer.
Fidelity offers a full range of depository accounts and services
to both individuals and businesses. As of December 31,
2004, deposits totaled approximately $1,016 million,
consisting of (in millions):
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Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
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116 |
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Interest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts
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251 |
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Savings deposits
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127 |
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Time deposits, including brokered deposits (less than $100,000)
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320 |
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Time deposits ($100,000 or more)
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202 |
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Total
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1,016 |
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Fidelitys primary lending activities include consumer
loans (primarily indirect automobile loans), real estate loans,
construction loans, and commercial loans to small and medium
sized businesses. Secured construction loans to home builders
and residential mortgages are primarily made in the Atlanta,
Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida, metropolitan areas. The
loans are generally secured by first and second real estate
mortgages. Fidelity offers direct installment loans to consumers
on both a secured and unsecured basis. Commercial lending
consists of the extension of credit for business purposes.
As of December 31, 2004, Fidelity had total loan
outstandings, including loans held-for-sale, of (in millions):
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Consumer Installment loans
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520 |
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Real Estate mortgage loans
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227 |
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Real Estate construction loans
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162 |
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Commercial loans
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86 |
(3) |
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Total
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995 |
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Includes $509 million of indirect automobile loans financed
for individuals, of which $30 million was held-for-sale. |
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Includes $37 million of presold residential construction
loans in various stages of completion, $99 million of
commercial loans secured by real estate, and $4 million in
originated residential mortgage loans held-for-sale. |
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Includes $13 million of indirect automobile loans financed
for businesses. |
As noted, the loan categories in the above schedule are based on
certain regulatory definitions and classifications. Certain of
the following discussions are in part based on Fidelity defined
loan portfolios and may not conform to the above classifications.
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Fidelity consumer lending primarily consists of indirect
automobile lending. Fidelity also makes direct consumer loans,
including direct automobile loans, home equity, and personal
loans.
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Indirect Automobile Lending |
Fidelity acquires, on a nonrecourse basis, consumer installment
contracts secured by new and used vehicles purchased by
consumers from franchised motor vehicle dealers and selected
independent dealers located primarily in Georgia, Florida, and
North Carolina. As of December 31, 2004, the aggregate
amount of consumer indirect automobile loans outstanding was
$522 million, which includes $30 million in indirect
automobile loans held-for-sale. A portion of the indirect
automobile loans originated by Fidelity is sold, and
$223 million in loans previously sold are being serviced by
Fidelity for others.
During 2004, the Fidelity produced $448 million of indirect
automobile loans, selling $149 million to third parties
through six sales. Indirect automobile loans held-for-sale
fluctuate from month to month as pools of loans are developed
for sale.
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Residential Mortgage Banking |
Fidelity is engaged in the residential mortgage banking
business, focusing on one-to-four family properties. Fidelity
offers Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Veterans
Administration (VA), and conventional and
non-conforming loans (those with balances over $359,650). In
addition, loans are purchased from independent mortgage
companies located in the Southeast. Fidelity operates its
residential mortgage banking business from four locations in the
Atlanta metropolitan area and a loan origination office in
Jacksonville, Florida. Fidelity is an approved originator and
servicer for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC) and Federal National Mortgage Association
(FNMA), and is an approved originator for loans
insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD).
Mortgage loans held-for-sale fluctuate due to economic
conditions, interest rates, the level of real estate activity,
and seasonal factors. During 2004, Fidelity originated
approximately $13 million in loans to be held in
Fidelitys portfolio. Fidelity sells mortgages, servicing
released, to investors. Fidelity does not service mortgage loans
for third parties.
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International Trade Services |
Fidelity provides services to individuals and business clients
in meeting their international business requirements. Letters of
credit, foreign currency drafts, foreign and documentary
collections, export finance, and international wire transfers
represent some of the services provided.
At December 31, 2004, Fidelity had investment securities
totaling $165 million. These securities may include obligations
of the U.S. Treasury, agencies of the U.S. Government, including
mortgage backed securities and other investments required by
law, regulation, or contract.
Significant Operating Policies
The Board of Directors of the Bank has delegated lending
authority to its loan officers, each of whom is limited as to
the amount of secured and unsecured loans he can make to a
single borrower or related group of borrowers. As our lending
relationships are important to our success, the Board of
Directors of the Bank has established review committees and
written guidelines for lending activities. In particular, the
Officers Credit Committee reviews all lending
relationships with total exposure exceeding $250,000 and the
Loan and Discount Committee must approve all significant
renewals of residential construction loan relationships. In
addition, the Officers Credit Committee must approve all
commercial loan relationships
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and all new residential construction loan relationships
exceeding the combined approval authority of the Banks
senior executive management up to and including $5,000,000.
The Banks written guidelines for lending activities
require, among other things, that:
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Secured loans, except indirect installment loans which are
generally secured by the vehicle purchased, be made only to
persons who are well-established and have net worth, collateral,
and cash flow to support the loan; |
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Real estate loans be made for loans secured by real property
located primarily in Georgia or Florida; |
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Unsecured loans be made to persons who maintain depository
relationships with the Bank; |
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Loan renewal requests be reviewed in the same manner as an
application for a new loan; and |
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Working capital loans be repaid out of current earnings of the
commercial borrower and that such loans be secured by the assets
of the commercial borrower, preferably real estate. |
The Bank originates short-term residential construction loans
for housing and residential acquisition and development loans in
the Atlanta and Jacksonville metropolitan areas. Residential
construction loans are made through the use of officer guidance
lines, which are approved, when appropriate, by the Banks
Loan and Discount Committee. These guidance lines are approved
for established builders with track records and adequate
financial strength to support the credit being requested. Loans
may be for speculative starts or for pre-sold residential
property to specific purchasers.
Inter-agency guidelines adopted by Federal banking regulators
require that financial institutions establish real estate
lending policies. The guidelines also establish certain maximum
allowable real estate loan-to-value standards. The Bank has
adopted standards which are in compliance with Federal and state
regulatory requirements.
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Loan Review and Nonperforming Assets |
The Banks Credit Review Department reviews the Banks
loan portfolio to identify potential deficiencies and
appropriate corrective actions. The Credit Review Department
reviews more than 30% of the commercial and construction loan
portfolios and reviews 10% of the consumer portfolio annually.
The results of the reviews are presented to the Banks Loan
and Discount Committee on a monthly basis.
A provision for loan losses and a corresponding increase in the
allowance for loan losses are recorded monthly, taking into
consideration historical charge-off experience, delinquency,
current economic conditions, results of credit reviews, and
managements estimate of losses inherent in the loan
portfolio.
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Asset/ Liability Management |
Fidelitys Asset/ Liability Committee (ALCO)
manages Fidelitys assets and liabilities. ALCO attempts to
manage asset growth, liquidity, and capital in order to maximize
income and reduce interest rate risk. ALCO directs
Fidelitys overall acquisition and allocation of funds and
reviews and sets rates on deposits, loans, and fees.
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Investment Portfolio Policy |
Fidelitys investment portfolio policy is to maximize
income consistent with liquidity, asset quality, regulatory
constraints, and asset/liability objectives. The policy is
reviewed at least annually by FSCs and the Banks
Boards of Directors. The Boards of Directors are provided
information monthly concerning purchases, sales, resulting gains
or losses, average maturity, Federal taxable equivalent yields,
and appreciation or depreciation by investment categories.
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Supervision and Regulation
FSC is a registered bank holding company subject to regulation
by the Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve or
FRB) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended (Holding Company Act). FSC is required to
file financial information with the Federal Reserve periodically
and is subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve.
The Bank converted from a national bank to a state chartered
commercial bank on May 9, 2003, under the Financial
Institutions Code of Georgia. The Bank is subject to regulations
by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
(GDBF) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC), the Banks primary Federal regulator.
Pursuant to the approval of the GDBF, 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. The Banks leverage capital ratio as of
December 31, 2004, was 8.27%.
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Holding Company Regulations |
The Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to
obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve (i) before
it may acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more
than 5% of the voting shares of any bank that it does not
control; (ii) before it or any of its subsidiaries, other
than a bank, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a
bank; and (iii) before it merges or consolidates with any
other bank holding company. In addition, a bank holding company
is generally prohibited from engaging in non-banking activities
or acquiring direct or indirect control of voting shares of any
company engaged in such activities. This prohibition does not
apply to activities found by the Federal Reserve, by order or
regulation, to be so closely related to banking or managing or
controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of
the activities that the Federal Reserve has determined by
regulation or order to be closely related to banking are: making
or servicing loans and certain types of leases; performing
certain data processing services; acting as fiduciary or
investment or financial advisor; providing discount brokerage
services; and making investments in corporations or projects
designed primarily to promote community welfare.
FSC is an affiliate of the Bank under the Federal
Reserve Act, which imposes certain restrictions on
(i) loans by the Bank to FSC, (ii) investments in the
stock or securities of FSC by the Bank, (iii) the
Banks accepting the stock or securities of FSC from a
borrower as collateral for loans, and (iv) the purchase of
assets from FSC by the Bank. Further, a bank holding company and
its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in
arrangements in connection with any grant of credit, lease or
sale of property, or furnishing of services.
The GDBF regulates and monitors all areas of the Banks
operations and activities, including reserves, loans, mergers,
issuances of securities, payments of dividends, interest rates,
mortgage servicing, accounting, and the establishment of
branches. Interest and certain other charges collected or
contracted for by the Bank are also subject to state usury laws
or certain Federal laws concerning interest rates.
The deposits of the Bank are insured by the FDIC subject to the
limits provided by applicable law. The major functions of the
FDIC with respect to insured banks include paying depositors to
the extent provided by law if an insured bank is closed without
adequate provision having been made to pay claims of depositors,
acting as a receiver of state banks placed in receivership when
appointed receiver by state authorities, and preventing the
development or continuance of unsound and unsafe banking
practices. The FDIC may also recommend to the appropriate
Federal agency supervising an insured bank that the agency take
informal action against such institution. The FDIC may implement
the enforcement action itself if the agency fails to follow the
FDICs recommendation. The FDIC has the authority to
examine all insured banks and is empowered to place into
receivership or require the sale of a bank to another
institution when
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the banks capital leverage ratio is 2% or less and take
other actions with respect to banks which do not meet the
applicable capital ratio.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of
1991 (1991 Act) permits the Bank Insurance Fund
(BIF) to borrow up to $30 billion from the U.S.
Treasury (to be repaid through deposit insurance premiums over
15 years) and to permit the BIF to borrow working capital from
the Federal Financing Bank in an amount up to 90% of the value
of the assets the FDIC has acquired from failed banks. Pursuant
to the 1991 Act, the FDIC has implemented a risk-based
assessment system whereby banks are assessed on a sliding scale,
depending on their placement in nine separate supervisory
categories. Effective June 1, 1996, the BIF reached a
reserve ratio of 1.30% of total estimated deposits and the FDIC
lowered the assessment rate schedule for BIF members to no
assessment for the healthiest banks and to $.27 per $100 of
deposits for less healthy institutions. Because of the
Banks rating, the Bank paid no FDIC deposit insurance
premium in 2004. All banks are required to pay the Financing
Corporation (FICO) debt service assessment. The FICO
rates are determined quarterly and are not tied to the FDIC Risk
Assessment. In 2004 the FICO Assessment paid was approximately
$.15 per $100 of deposits.
The 1991 Act imposes other substantial auditing and reporting
requirements and increases the role of independent accountants
and outside directors on banks having assets of
$500 million or more. The 1991 Act also provides for a ban
on the acceptance of brokered deposits except by well
capitalized institutions and adequately capitalized institutions
with the permission of the FDIC, and for restrictions on the
activities engaged in by state banks and their subsidiaries as
principal, including insurance underwriting, to the same
activities permissible for national banks and their
subsidiaries, unless the state bank is well capitalized and a
determination is made by the FDIC that the activities do not
pose a significant risk to the insurance fund.
Information regarding Fidelitys capital requirements are
contained in Notes 2 and 13 of the notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements under the headings Regulatory
Agreements and Shareholders Equity and
in General above.
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act
of 1994 (the Interstate Banking Act) has two major
provisions regarding the merger, acquisition, and operation of
banks across state lines. First, it preempted state law to
permit adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies
to acquire banks in any state. States may, however, adopt a
minimum restriction requiring that target banks located within
the state be in existence for a period of years, up to a maximum
of five years, before such bank may be subject to the Interstate
Banking Act. The Interstate Banking Act establishes deposit caps
which prohibit acquisitions that would result in the acquirer
controlling 30% or more of the deposits of insured banks and
thrifts held in the state in which the acquisition or merger is
occurring or in any state in which the target maintains a branch
or 10% or more of the deposits nationwide. State-level deposit
caps are not preempted as long as they do not discriminate
against out-of-state acquirers. The Federal deposit caps apply
only to initial entry acquisitions.
The Interstate Banking Act also provides that, unless an
individual state elects to prohibit out-of-state banks from
operating interstate branches within its territory, adequately
capitalized and managed bank holding companies will be able to
consolidate their multistate bank operations into a single bank
subsidiary and to branch interstate through acquisitions. De
novo branching by an out-of-state bank would be permitted only
if it is expressly permitted by the laws of the host state. The
authority of a bank to establish and operate branches within a
state will continue to be subject to applicable state branching
laws.
Georgia requires that a bank located within the state be in
existence for a period of five years before it may be acquired
by an out-of-state institution. Georgia also requires
out-of-state institutions to purchase an existing bank or branch
in the state rather than starting a de novo bank. Many states,
including
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Georgia, have enacted legislation which permits banks with
different home states to merge if the states involved have
enacted legislation permitting interstate bank mergers prior to
June 1, 1997. Under Georgia law, new or additional branch
banks may be established anywhere in the state with the prior
approval of the appropriate regulator.
The Interstate Banking Act also requires that state law of the
host state applies to an out-of-state, state-chartered bank that
branches in the host state to the same extent that it applies to
a national bank operating a branch in the host state. In
addition, bank branches operating in the host state and
chartered in another state may exercise powers they have under
their home-state charters if host state-chartered banks or
national banks may exercise those powers.
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The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act |
The activities permissible to bank holding companies and their
affiliates were substantially expanded by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act (Gramm-Leach). Among other things, Gramm-Leach
establishes a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations
among commercial banks, insurance companies, and securities
firms. Generally, the law (i) repeals the historical
restrictions and eliminates many Federal and state law barriers
to affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance
companies, and other financial service providers,
(ii) provides a uniform framework for the activities of
banks, savings institutions, and their holding companies,
(iii) broadens the activities that may be conducted by
subsidiaries of national banks and state banks,
(iv) provides an enhanced framework for protecting the
privacy of information gathered by financial institutions
regarding their customers and consumers, (v) adopts a
number of provisions related to the capitalization, membership,
corporate governance, and other measures designed to modernize
the Federal Home Loan Bank System, (vi) requires public
disclosure of certain agreements relating to funds expended in
connection with an institutions compliance with the
Community Reinvestment Act, and (vii) addresses a variety
of other legal and regulatory issues affecting both day-to-day
operations and long-term activities of financial institutions,
including the functional regulation of bank securities and
insurance activities.
Bank holding companies are permitted to engage in a wider
variety of financial activities than permitted under the prior
law, particularly with respect to insurance and securities
activities. In addition, in a change from the prior law, bank
holding companies are in a position to be owned, controlled, or
acquired by any company engaged in financially related
activities.
The Holding Company Act generally limits a bank holding
companys activities to managing or controlling banks,
furnishing services to, or performing services for its
subsidiaries and engaging in other activities that the FRB
determines to be so closely related to banking or managing or
controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In
determining whether a particular activity is permissible, the
FRB must consider whether the performance of such an activity
reasonably can be expected to produce benefits to the public
that outweigh possible adverse effects. Possible benefits
include greater convenience, increased competition, and gains in
efficiency. Possible adverse effects include undue concentration
of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of
interest, and unsound banking practices.
Gramm-Leach expanded the range of permitted activities of a bank
holding company which elects to become a financial holding
company. These permitted activities include the offering of any
service that is financial in nature or incidental thereto,
including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both
underwriting and agency), merchant banking, acquisitions of and
combinations with insurance companies and securities firms, and
additional activities that the FRB, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature,
incidental to such financial activities, or complementary
activities that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and
soundness of depository institutions or the financial system
generally.
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Fidelity has elected to date not to engage in any of the
additional activities authorized for a financial holding
company, although it has qualified to do business as an
insurance agency through a recently formed subsidiary of FSC.
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Regulation of Mortgage Banking |
The mortgage banking industry is subject to the rules and
regulations of, and examinations by, the GDBF, FNMA, FHLMC,
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA),
HUD, FHA, and state regulatory authorities with respect to
originating, processing, underwriting, selling, securitizing,
and servicing residential mortgage loans. In addition, there are
other Federal and state statutes and regulations affecting such
activities.
Various legislation requires that mortgage brokers and lenders,
including the Bank, make certain disclosures to applicants for
mortgage loans. The legislation also provides authority for the
GDBF to promulgate rules with respect to escrow accounts and the
advertising of mortgage loans. In addition, the legislation
imposes restrictions on unfair mortgage banking practices, as
defined therein.
There are numerous rules and regulations imposed on mortgage
loan originators that require originators to (i) establish
eligibility criteria for mortgage loans; (ii) prohibit
discrimination; (iii) regulate advertising of loans;
(iv) encourage lenders to identify and meet the credit
needs of the community, including low and moderate income
neighborhoods, consistent with sound lending practices, by
requiring that certain statistical information be maintained and
publicly available regarding mortgage lending practices within
certain geographical areas; (v) provide for inspections and
appraisals of properties; (vi) require credit reports on
prospective borrowers; (vii) regulate payment features; and
(viii), in some cases, fix maximum interest rates, fees and loan
amounts. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to
loss of approved status, termination of servicing contracts
without compensation to the servicer, demands for
indemnification or loan repurchases, and administrative
enforcement actions.
The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act)
contains anti-money laundering measures affecting insured
depository institutions, broker-dealers, and certain other
financial institutions. The Patriot Act requires such financial
institutions to implement policies and procedures to combat
money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and grants the
Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to establish
regulations and to impose requirements and restrictions on
financial institutions operations. In addition, the
Patriot Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to
consider the effectiveness of a financial institutions
anti-money laundering activities when reviewing bank mergers and
bank holding company acquisitions. Compliance with the Patriot
Act by Fidelity has not had a material impact on its results of
operations or financial condition.
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 comprehensively revised the laws
affecting corporate governance, accounting obligations, and
corporate reporting for companies, such as Fidelity, with equity
or debt securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. In particular, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act established:
(i) new requirements for audit committees, including
independence, expertise, and responsibilities;
(ii) additional responsibilities regarding financial
statements for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the reporting company; (iii) new standards for
auditors and regulation of audits; (iv) increased
disclosure and reporting obligations for the reporting company
and their directors and executive officers; and (v) new and
increased civil and criminal penalties for violation of the
securities laws. The incremental current year and ongoing costs,
including the requirements of management on employee time, is
substantial and difficult to quantify.
10
Competition
The banking business is highly competitive. Fidelity competes,
other than for residential mortgages and indirect automobile
loans, for traditional bank business with numerous other
commercial banks and thrift institutions in Fulton, DeKalb,
Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett counties, Georgia, its primary
market area. Fidelity also competes for loans with insurance
companies, regulated small loan companies, credit unions, and
certain governmental agencies. Fidelity competes with
independent brokerage and investment companies, as well as state
and national banks and their affiliates and other financial
companies. Many of the companies with whom Fidelity competes
have greater financial resources than Fidelity.
The indirect automobile financing and mortgage banking
industries are also highly competitive. In the indirect
automobile financing industry, Fidelity competes with specialty
consumer finance companies, including automobile
manufacturers captive finance companies, in addition to
banks. The residential mortgage banking business of Fidelity
competes with independent mortgage banking companies, state and
national banks and their subsidiaries, as well as thrift
institutions and insurance companies.
Employees
As of December 31, 2004, Fidelity had 335 full-time
equivalent employees. Fidelity is not a party to any collective
bargaining agreement. Fidelity believes that its employee
relations are good.
Available Information
Fidelity files annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy
statements, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) under the Securities Exchange
Act. The public may read and copy any materials that we file
with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 450
Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an
Internet web site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding issuers, including
Fidelity, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can
obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov.
We also make available free of charge on or through our Internet
web site (http://www.lionbank.com) our Annual Report on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to
those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act as well as
Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5 as soon as
reasonably practicable after we electronically file such
material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
We also provide a copy of our Annual Report via mail, at no
cost, upon receipt of a written request to the following address:
Investor Relations
Fidelity Southern Corporation
P.O. Box 105075
Atlanta, Georgia 30348
Risk Factors
Credit Risk and Loan
Concentration
A major risk facing lenders is the risk of losing principal and
interest as a result of a borrowers failure to perform
according to the terms of the loan agreement, i.e. credit
risk. Fidelitys significant credit risks include
(i) the value of the underlying collateral, which may not
be sufficient to permit Fidelity to recover the full value of
the loan upon default, and (ii) the general creditworthiness of
the borrowers. There can be no assurance that the allowance for
loan losses will be adequate to cover future losses in the
existing loan portfolios. Loan losses exceeding Fidelitys
historical rates could have a material adverse effect on the
results of operations and financial condition of Fidelity.
11
Potential Impact of Changes
in Interest Rates
The profitability of Fidelity depends to a large extent upon its
net interest income, which is the difference between interest
income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and
investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing
liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The net interest
income of Fidelity would be adversely affected if changes in
market interest rates resulted in the cost of interest-bearing
liabilities increasing faster than the increase in the yield on
the interest-earning assets of Fidelity. In addition, a decline
in interest rates may result in greater than normal prepayments
of the higher interest-bearing obligations held by Fidelity.
Management Information
Systems
The sophistication and level of risk of Fidelitys business
requires the utilization of thorough and accurate management
information systems. Failure of management to effectively
implement, maintain, update, and utilize updated management
information systems could prevent management from recognizing in
a timely manner deterioration in the performance of its
business, particularly its indirect automobile loan portfolios.
Such failure to effectively implement, maintain, update, and
utilize comprehensive management information systems could have
a material adverse effect on the results of operations and
financial condition of Fidelity.
Adverse Economic
Conditions
Fidelitys major lending activities are indirect automobile
and real estate and commercial loans in the metropolitan areas
of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. Indirect
automobile loans and residential mortgage loans are also
produced for resale, with servicing rights often retained for
indirect automobile loans only. An increase in interest rates
could have a material adverse effect on the housing and
automobile industries and consumer spending generally. In
addition, an increase in interest rates could cause a decline in
the value of residential mortgage and indirect automobile loans
held-for-sale by Fidelity. These events, along with adverse
national, regional, and local economic conditions, could
adversely affect the results of operations and financial
condition of Fidelity.
Litigation and Potential
Litigation
Fidelity is subject to claims of violations of laws and
regulations in the conduct of its business. Although Fidelity
has established procedures to implement compliance with such
laws and regulations, there can be no assurances that, in all
instances, the activities undertaken will be in full compliance
thereof. Violations of such laws and regulations may result in
monetary liability and restrictions on its activities, which may
adversely affect the results of operations and financial
condition of Fidelity.
Dependence on Key
Personnel
Fidelity currently depends heavily on the services of its Chief
Executive Officer, James B. Miller, Jr., and a number of other
key management personnel. The loss of Mr. Millers
services, or of other key personnel, could materially and
adversely affect the results of operations and financial
condition of Fidelity. Fidelitys success will also depend
in part on its ability to attract and retain additional
qualified management personnel. Competition for such personnel
is strong in the banking industry and Fidelity may not be
successful in attracting or retaining the personnel it requires.
Governmental Regulation
Banking
Fidelity is subject to extensive supervision, regulation, and
control by several Federal and state governmental agencies,
including the FRB, GDBF, FDIC, FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. Future
legislation, regulations, and government policy could adversely
affect Fidelity and the financial institution industry as a
whole, including the cost of doing business. Although the impact
of such legislation, regulations, and policies cannot be
predicted, future changes may alter the structure of, and
competitive relationships among, financial institutions and the
cost of doing business.
12
Governmental Regulation
Mortgage Banking
Fidelitys mortgage banking operations are subject to
extensive regulation by Federal and state governmental
authorities and agencies, including FNMA, FHLMC, GNMA, the
Federal Housing Authority, and the Veterans Administration.
Consequently, Fidelity is subject to various laws, rules,
regulations, and judicial and administrative decisions that,
among other things, regulate credit-granting activities, govern
secured transactions, and establish collection, repossession and
claims-handling procedures, and other trade practices. Failure
to comply with regulatory requirements can lead to loss of
approved status, demands for indemnification or mortgage loan
repurchases, class action lawsuits, and administrative
enforcement actions. Although Fidelity believes that it is in
compliance in all material respects with applicable Federal,
state, and agency laws, rules, and regulations, there can be no
assurance that more restrictive laws, rules, and regulations
will not be adopted in the future which could make compliance
more difficult or expensive, restrict Fidelitys ability to
originate, purchase or sell mortgage loans, further limit or
restrict the amount of interest and other fees that may be
earned or charged on mortgage loans originated, purchased or
serviced by Fidelity, or otherwise adversely affect the results
of operations and financial condition of Fidelity.
Consumer and Debtor
Protection Laws
Fidelity is subject to numerous Federal and state consumer
protection laws that impose requirements related to offering and
extending credit. The Federal and state governmental authorities
may enact laws and amend existing laws to regulate further the
consumer industry or to reduce finance charges or other fees or
charges applicable to consumer revolving loan accounts. Such
laws, as well as any new laws or rulings which may be adopted,
may adversely affect Fidelitys ability to collect on
account balances or maintain previous levels of finance charges
and other fees and charges with respect to the accounts. Any
failure by Fidelity to comply with such legal requirements also
could adversely affect its ability to collect the full amount of
the account balances. Changes in Federal and state bankruptcy
and debtor relief laws could adversely affect the results of
operations and financial condition of Fidelity if such changes
result in, among other things, additional administrative
expenses and accounts being written off as uncollectible.
Composition of the Real
Estate Loan Portfolio
Fidelitys real estate loan portfolio includes residential
mortgages and construction and commercial loans secured by real
estate. Fidelity generates all of its real estate mortgage loans
in Georgia and Florida. Therefore, conditions of these real
estate markets could strongly influence the level of
Fidelitys nonperforming mortgage loans and the results of
operations and financial condition of Fidelity. Real estate
values and the demand for mortgages and construction loans are
affected by, among other things, changes in general or local
economic conditions, changes in governmental rules or policies,
the availability of loans to potential purchasers, and acts of
nature. Although Fidelitys underwriting standards are
intended to protect Fidelity against adverse general and local
real estate trends, declines in real estate markets could
adversely impact the demand for new real estate loans, the value
of the collateral securing Fidelitys loans, and the
results of operations and financial condition of Fidelity.
Monetary Policy
Fidelitys earnings are affected by general economic
conditions as well as by the monetary policies of the Federal
Reserve Board. Such policies, which include regulating the
national supply of bank reserves and bank credit, can have a
major effect upon the sources and cost of funds and the rates of
return earned on loans and investments. The Federal Reserve
System exerts a substantial influence on interest rates and
credit conditions, primarily through open market operations in
U.S. Government securities, varying the discount rate on member
bank borrowings and setting cash reserve requirements against
deposits. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in
interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the
purchase of investments, the generation of deposits, and rates
received on loans and investment securities and paid on
deposits. Fluctuations in the Federal Reserve Boards
monetary policies have had a significant impact
13
on the operating results of Fidelity Bank and all financial
institutions in the past and are expected to continue to do so
in the future.
Relationships with
Dealers
Fidelitys indirect automobile lending operation depends in
large part upon its ability to maintain and service its
relationships with automobile dealers. There can be no assurance
Fidelity will be successful in maintaining such relationships or
increasing the number of dealers with which it does business, or
that its existing dealer base will continue to generate a volume
of finance contracts comparable to the volume historically
generated by such dealers.
Item 2. Properties
Fidelitys principal executive offices consist of 19,175
square feet of leased space in Atlanta, Georgia. Fidelitys
operations are principally conducted from 65,897 square feet of
leased space located at 3 Corporate Square, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Bank has 19 branch offices located in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb,
Clayton, and Gwinnett Counties, Georgia, of which 12 are owned
and seven are leased. In addition, Fidelity acquired a branch
site in late 2004 and has initiated activities to build a
permanent facility. In the meantime, Fidelity intends to
initiate branch operations in a temporary facility during the
first half of 2005. Fidelity leases a loan production office in
Jacksonville, Florida.
Item 3. Legal
Proceedings
Fidelity is a party to claims and lawsuits arising in the course
of normal business activities. Although the ultimate outcome of
all claims and lawsuits outstanding as of December 31,
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 Fidelitys results of operations
or financial condition.
PART II
|
|
| Item 5. |
Market For Registrants Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities |
The information required by Item 5, other than as set forth
below, is incorporated herein by reference to the information
that appears under the heading Corporate and Shareholder
Information in our Annual Report to Shareholders.
Dividends
FSC has declared and paid the following dividends in the past
two fiscal years:
| |
|
|
|
|
| 2004 |
|
Dividend | |
| |
|
| |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
.05 |
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| 2005 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
.05 |
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
.05 |
|
See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements in
Item 8 for a discussion of the restrictions on the ability
of Fidelity to pay dividends.
14
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation
Plans
The following table presents information as of December 31,
2004, with respect to shares of common stock of Fidelity that
may be issued under equity compensation plans of Fidelity. The
equity compensation plans of Fidelity consist of the Stock
Option Plan and the 401(k) tax qualified savings plan.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available for | |
| |
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
Future Issuance Under | |
| |
|
to be Issued upon | |
|
Weighted Average | |
|
Equity Compensation Plans | |
| |
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
| Plan Category |
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
Reflected in Column A) | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders(1)
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
7.80 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders(2)
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
7.80 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
1997 Stock Option Plan |
| |
| (2) |
Excludes shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
and the 401(k) plan. |
15
|
|
| Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data |
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(Dollars in thousands except per share data) | |
|
Interest income
|
|
$ |
59,700 |
|
|
$ |
56,718 |
|
|
$ |
57,784 |
|
|
$ |
63,925 |
|
|
$ |
65,066 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
23,961 |
|
|
|
23,838 |
|
|
|
27,539 |
|
|
|
39,584 |
|
|
|
37,374 |
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
35,739 |
|
|
|
32,880 |
|
|
|
30,245 |
|
|
|
24,341 |
|
|
|
27,692 |
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
4,750 |
|
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
2,007 |
|
|
|
3,301 |
|
|
Noninterest income, including securities gains
|
|
|
14,550 |
|
|
|
13,756 |
|
|
|
19,623 |
|
|
|
20,207 |
|
|
|
17,188 |
|
|
Securities gains, net
|
|
|
384 |
|
|
|
331 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest expense
|
|
|
34,070 |
|
|
|
36,791 |
|
|
|
38,648 |
|
|
|
40,381 |
|
|
|
38,074 |
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
7,632 |
|
|
|
3,753 |
|
|
|
3,179 |
|
|
|
1,603 |
|
|
|
2,432 |
|
|
Income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
8,216 |
|
|
|
907 |
|
|
|
1,330 |
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
7,632 |
|
|
|
3,831 |
|
|
|
11,395 |
|
|
|
2,510 |
|
|
|
3,762 |
|
|
Dividends declared common
|
|
|