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EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION FOR LOUISE BONVECHIO, VICE PRESIDENT & CFO - COMMUNITY BANCORP /VTexhibit32_2.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION FOR STEPHEN P. MARSH, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO - COMMUNITY BANCORP /VTexhibit31_1.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION FOR STEPHEN P. MARSH, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO - COMMUNITY BANCORP /VTexhibit32_1.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION FOR LOUISE BONVECHIO, VICE PRESIDENT & CFO - COMMUNITY BANCORP /VTexhibit31_2.htm
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  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 March 31, 2011

OR
[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to                 

Commission File Number 000-16435



Vermont
03-0284070
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont
05829
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(zip code)
   
Registrant's Telephone Number:  (802) 334-7915

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 for such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ( X )  No (  )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  YES (  ) NO (  )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer (  )
Accelerated filer (  )
Non-accelerated filer   (  )    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ( X )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES (  )     NO(X)

At May 9, 2011, there were 4,627,607 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock.


 
 

 

FORM 10-Q
Index
   
   
Page  
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
Financial Statements
4  
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
22  
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
39  
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
39  
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
Legal Proceedings
39  
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
39  
Item 6
Exhibits
40  
 
Signatures
41  

 
 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary, "the Company".

 
 

 

Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
 
March 31
   
December 31
   
March 31
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
2011
   
2010
   
2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
                 
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 34,115,851     $ 51,441,652     $ 9,280,046  
  Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    5,553       6,635       1,213  
     Total cash and cash equivalents
    34,121,404       51,448,287       9,281,259  
  Securities held-to-maturity (fair value $38,442,000 at 03/31/11,
                       
   $38,157,000 at 12/31/10 and $47,593,000 at 03/31/10)
    37,948,665       37,440,714       47,157,935  
  Securities available-for-sale
    28,460,688       21,430,436       22,872,120  
  Restricted equity securities, at cost
    4,308,550       4,308,550       3,906,850  
  Loans held-for-sale
    1,054,416       2,363,938       460,795  
  Loans
    386,953,338       389,068,859       383,672,422  
    Allowance for loan losses
    (3,709,918 )     (3,727,935 )     (3,545,807 )
    Unearned net loan fees
    (50,871 )     (74,351 )     (123,171 )
        Net loans
    383,192,549       385,266,573       380,003,444  
  Bank premises and equipment, net
    12,747,376       12,791,971       13,247,973  
  Accrued interest receivable
    1,966,089       1,789,621       2,118,425  
  Bank owned life insurance
    3,965,349       3,933,331       3,842,739  
  Core deposit intangible
    2,023,910       2,130,432       2,529,888  
  Goodwill
    11,574,269       11,574,269       11,574,269  
  Other real estate owned (OREO)
    764,500       1,210,300       718,000  
  Prepaid expense - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
    1,379,677       1,533,157       1,959,157  
  Other assets
    9,330,696       8,711,070       8,398,651  
        Total assets
  $ 532,838,138     $ 545,932,649     $ 508,071,505  
                         
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                       
 Liabilities
                       
  Deposits
                       
    Demand, non-interest bearing
  $ 53,917,918     $ 55,570,893     $ 51,665,027  
    NOW and money market accounts
    178,615,118       182,427,902       140,384,990  
    Savings
    61,151,720       56,461,370       55,259,464  
    Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    51,902,372       52,014,363       53,689,519  
    Other time deposits
    91,970,219       91,717,735       98,987,259  
        Total deposits
    437,557,347       438,192,263       399,986,259  
  Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    18,010,000       33,010,000       36,022,000  
  Repurchase agreements
    21,479,815       19,107,815       17,815,163  
  Capital lease obligations
    823,886       834,839       866,420  
  Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       12,887,000       12,887,000  
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
    2,525,250       2,773,063       3,092,536  
        Total liabilities
    493,283,298       506,804,980       470,669,378  
                         
 Shareholders' Equity
                       
  Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 25 shares issued
                       
    and outstanding ($100,000 liquidation value)
    2,500,000       2,500,000       2,500,000  
  Common stock - $2.50 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
                       
   4,860,113 shares issued at 03/31/11, 4,834,615 shares
                       
   issued at 12/31/10, and 4,782,483 shares issued at 03/31/10
    12,150,283       12,086,538       11,956,208  
  Additional paid-in capital
    26,833,255       26,718,403       26,308,634  
  Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    618,976       368,848       (843,864 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
    75,103       76,657       103,926  
  Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 03/31/11,
                       
     12/31/10 and 03/31/10
    (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )
        Total shareholders' equity
    39,554,840       39,127,669       37,402,127  
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 532,838,138     $ 545,932,649     $ 508,071,505  
                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 

 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
           
 Consolidated Statements of Income
           
(Unaudited)
           
 For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
 Interest income
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 5,303,865     $ 5,451,021  
   Interest on debt securities
               
     Taxable
    70,810       112,281  
     Tax-exempt
    261,889       307,450  
   Dividends
    18,896       16,137  
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    21,652       350  
        Total interest income
    5,677,112       5,887,239  
                 
 Interest expense
               
   Interest on deposits
    1,112,783       1,214,480  
   Interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    117,209       137,201  
   Interest on repurchase agreements
    37,914       48,851  
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    243,564       243,564  
        Total interest expense
    1,511,470       1,644,096  
                 
     Net interest income
    4,165,642       4,243,143  
 Provision for loan losses
    187,500       125,001  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    3,978,142       4,118,142  
                 
 Non-interest income
               
   Service fees
    550,518       560,804  
   Income from sold loans
    201,141       136,282  
   Income on bank owned life insurance
    32,019       29,723  
   Other income
    675,791       504,992  
        Total non-interest income
    1,459,469       1,231,801  
                 
 Non-interest expense
               
   Salaries and wages
    1,466,816       1,392,671  
   Employee benefits
    540,437       555,856  
   Occupancy expenses, net
    807,612       779,175  
   FDIC insurance
    170,297       158,368  
   Amortization of core deposit intangible
    106,522       133,152  
   Other expenses
    1,257,830       1,269,599  
        Total non-interest expense
    4,349,514       4,288,821  
                 
    Income before income taxes
    1,088,097       1,061,122  
 Income tax expense
    143,229       122,210  
        Net income
  $ 944,868     $ 938,912  
                 
 Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.20  
 Weighted average number of common shares
               
  used in computing earnings per share
    4,635,324       4,558,198  
 Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12  
 Book value per share on common shares outstanding at March 31,
  $ 7.97     $ 7.63  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 


 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           
(Unaudited)
           
For The Years Ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
           
  Net income
  $ 944,868     $ 938,912  
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by
               
   Operating Activities:
               
    Depreciation and amortization, bank premises and equipment
    253,061       264,548  
    Provision for loan losses
    187,500       125,001  
    Deferred income tax
    13,540       (86,466 )
    Net gain on sale of loans
    (201,141 )     (136,282 )
    Gain on sale of bank premises and equipment
    0       (9,649 )
    Gain on Trust LLC
    (42,372 )     (16,296 )
    Amortization of bond premium, net
    87,668       95,390  
    Write down of OREO
    10,000       25,000  
    Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
    11,332,576       6,414,847  
    Originations of loans held for sale
    (9,821,913 )     (6,417,377 )
    Decrease in taxes payable
    (370,310 )     (291,324 )
    Increase in interest receivable
    (176,468 )     (223,112 )
    Amortization of FDIC insurance assessment
    153,480       146,408  
    Increase in mortgage servicing rights
    (176,605 )     (57,733 )
    Increase in other assets
    (165,224 )     (118,085 )
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (32,018 )     (29,723 )
    Amortization of core deposit intangible
    106,522       133,152  
    Amortization of limited partnerships
    122,147       123,897  
    Decrease in unamortized loan fees
    (23,480 )     (29,017 )
    Decrease in interest payable
    (16,415 )     (24,620 )
    Decrease in accrued expenses
    (325,850 )     (298,487 )
    (Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (760 )     23,116  
       Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,858,806       552,100  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
  Investments - held-to-maturity
               
    Maturities and pay downs
    7,121,895       9,092,359  
    Purchases
    (7,629,846 )     (11,484,044 )
  Investments - available-for-sale
               
    Maturities, calls, pay downs and sales
    4,000,000       2,000,000  
    Purchases
    (11,120,276 )     (1,006,250 )
  Decrease (increase) in loans, net
    1,888,431       (1,698,119 )
  Proceeds from sales of bank premises and equipment,
               
    net of capital expenditures
    (208,466 )     134,543  
  Proceeds from sales of OREO
    435,800       (81,650 )
  Recoveries of loans charged off
    21,573       14,734  
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,490,889 )     (3,028,427 )
                 
 
 

 

   
2011
   
2010
 
 Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
  Net decrease in demand, NOW, money market and savings accounts
    (775,409 )     (4,205,409 )
  Net increase (decrease) in time deposits
    140,493       (14,594,062 )
  Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements
    2,372,000       (1,227,051 )
  Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    0       (389,000 )
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    0       23,000,000  
  Repayments on long-term borrowings
    (15,000,000 )     0  
  Decrease in capital lease obligations
    (10,953 )     (10,116 )
  Dividends paid on preferred stock
    (46,875 )     (46,875 )
  Dividends paid on common stock
    (374,056 )     (373,044 )
       Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (13,694,800 )     2,154,443  
                 
       Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (17,326,883 )     (321,884 )
  Cash and cash equivalents:
               
          Beginning
    51,448,287       9,603,143  
          Ending
  $ 34,121,404     $ 9,281,259  
                 
 Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period
               
  Interest
  $ 1,527,885     $ 1,668,716  
                 
  Income taxes
  $ 500,000     $ 500,000  
                 
 Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
  Change in unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
  $ (2,356 )   $ (13,570 )
                 
  Loans and bank premises transferred to OREO
  $ 0     $ 81,650  
                 
 Common Shares Dividends Paid
               
  Dividends declared
  $ 647,865     $ 543,492  
  (Increase) decrease in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared
    (95,212 )     2,252  
  Dividends reinvested
    (178,597 )     (172,700 )
    $ 374,056     $ 373,044  

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

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

     The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company contained herein have been made.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2010 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full annual period ending December 31, 2011, or for any other interim period.

Note 2.  Recent Accounting Developments

     In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements," to amend the disclosure requirements related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.  The guidance requires new disclosures on the transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 (quoted prices in active market for identical assets or liabilities) and Level 2 (significant other observable inputs) of the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons and the timing of the transfers.  Additionally, the guidance requires a roll forward of activities on purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements of the assets and liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 fair value measurements).  The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010, except for the disclosure on the roll forward activities for any Level 3 fair value measurements, which became effective for the Company on January 1, 2011.  Adoption of this new guidance requires additional disclosures of fair value measurements but did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

     On July 21, 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses,” which requires significant new disclosures about the allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of financing receivables.  The ASU is intended to enhance transparency about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of loan and lease receivables by requiring disclosure of an evaluation of the nature of the credit risk inherent in the entity’s financing receivables portfolio, as well as disclosure of how that risk is analyzed and assessed in arriving at the allowance for credit losses and the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance.  Under this standard, disclosures about the allowance for credit losses and fair value are to be presented by portfolio segment, while credit quality information, impaired financing receivables and non-accrual status are to be presented by class of financing receivable.  In addition to existing requirements, ASU 2010-20 requires an entity to provide additional disclosures about (1) credit quality indicators of financing receivables at the end of the reporting period by class of financing receivables; (2) the aging of past due financing receivables at the end of the reporting period by class of financing receivable; (3) the nature and extent of troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the period, by class of financing receivable, and their effect on the allowance for credit losses; (4) the nature and extent of financing receivables modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the reporting period, by class of financing receivable, and their effect on the allowance for credit losses; and (5) significant purchases and sales of financing receivables during the reporting period, disaggregated by portfolio segment.  The disclosures are to be presented at the level of disaggregation that management uses when assessing and monitoring the portfolio’s risk and performance.  ASU 2010-20 is effective for interim and annual financial reporting periods ending after December 15, 2010, as it relates to disclosures required as of the end of a reporting period.  On January 19, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-01, “Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20,” temporarily deferring the ASU 2010-20 effective date of the disclosure requirements for public entities about troubled debt restructurings.  The purpose of the delay is to make the disclosure requirements concurrent with the effective date of the FASB’s guidance on determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring.  Currently, the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring is anticipated to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011.  Other than requiring additional disclosures, adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  On April 5, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02 “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring”, which clarifies when creditors should classify loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings.  The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and applies retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after the beginning of the year.  The guidance on measuring the impairment of a receivable restructured in a troubled debt restructuring is effective on a prospective basis.  The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance.

Note 3.  Earnings per Common Share

     Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends), including Dividend Reinvestment Plan shares issuable upon reinvestment of dividends, and reduced for shares held in treasury.

The following table illustrates the calculation for the periods ended March 31, as adjusted for the cash dividends declared on the preferred stock:

For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net income, as reported
  $ 944,868     $ 938,912  
Less: dividends to preferred shareholders
    46,875       46,875  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 897,993     $ 892,037  
Weighted average number of common shares
               
   used in calculating earnings per share
    4,635,324       4,558,198  
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.20  

Note 4.  Comprehensive Income

     Accounting principles generally require recognized revenues, expenses, gains, and losses to be included in net income.  Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as the after-tax effect of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are not reflected in the statement of income, but the cumulative effect of such items from period-to-period is reflected as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss).  Other comprehensive income or loss, along with net income, comprises the Company's total comprehensive income.

 
 
The Company's total comprehensive income for the comparison periods is calculated as follows:

For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net income
  $ 944,868     $ 938,912  
                 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
               
     Change in unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale
               
       securities arising during the period
    (2,356 )     (13,570 )
        Tax effect
    801       4,614  
        Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
    (1,555 )     (8,956 )
               Total comprehensive income
  $ 943,313     $ 929,956  

Note 5.  Investment Securities

Securities available-for-sale (AFS) and held-to-maturity (HTM) consisted of the following:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities AFS
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
March 31, 2011
                       
U.S. Government sponsored enterprise (GSE) debt securities
  $ 23,277,044     $ 57,776     $ 71,815     $ 23,263,005  
U.S. Government securities
    5,027,492       28,152       0       5,055,644  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       99,679       0       142,039  
    $ 28,346,896     $ 185,607     $ 71,815     $ 28,460,688  
                                 
December 31, 2010
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 16,234,676     $ 88,091     $ 9,377     $ 16,313,390  
U.S. Government securities
    5,037,252       37,666       232       5,074,686  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       0       0       42,360  
    $ 21,314,288     $ 125,757     $ 9,609     $ 21,430,436  
                                 
March 31, 2010
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 17,598,571     $ 125,439     $ 6,323     $ 17,717,687  
U.S. Government securities
    5,047,922       37,571       3,532       5,081,961  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    68,164       4,308       0       72,472  
    $ 22,714,657     $ 167,318     $ 9,855     $ 22,872,120  

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities HTM
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value*
 
                         
March 31, 2011
                       
States and political subdivisions
  $ 37,948,665     $ 493,335     $ 0     $ 38,442,000  
                                 
December 31, 2010
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 37,440,714     $ 716,286     $ 0     $ 38,157,000  
                                 
March 31, 2010
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 47,157,935     $ 435,065     $ 0     $ 47,593,000  

The scheduled maturities of debt securities available-for-sale were as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
March 31, 2011
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 12,137,321     $ 12,200,055  
Due from one to five years
    16,167,215       16,118,594  
    $ 28,304,536     $ 28,318,649  
                 
December 31, 2010
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 14,172,100     $ 14,248,432  
Due from one to five years
    7,099,828       7,139,644  
    $ 21,271,928     $ 21,388,076  
                 
March 31, 2010
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 10,251,580     $ 10,308,291  
Due from one to five years
    12,394,913       12,491,357  
    $ 22,646,493     $ 22,799,648  

The scheduled maturities of debt securities held-to-maturity were as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value*
 
March 31, 2011
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 28,814,724     $ 28,815,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,439,601       4,563,000  
Due from five to ten years
    782,407       906,000  
Due after ten years
    3,911,933       4,158,000  
    $ 37,948,665     $ 38,442,000  
                 
December 31, 2010
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 28,468,783     $ 28,469,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,253,527       4,433,000  
Due from five to ten years
    789,962       969,000  
Due after ten years
    3,928,442       4,286,000  
    $ 37,440,714     $ 38,157,000  
                 
March 31, 2010
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 38,844,223     $ 38,844,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,458,048       4,567,000  
Due from five to ten years
    1,345,755       1,455,000  
Due after ten years
    2,509,909       2,727,000  
    $ 47,157,935     $ 47,593,000  

*Method used to determine fair value on HTM securities rounds values to nearest thousand.

     All debt securities with unrealized losses are presented in the table below.  The Company had no debt securities with an unrealized loss of 12 months or more for the periods presented.

   
Less than 12 months
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Loss
 
March 31, 2011
           
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 10,089,293     $ 71,815  
                 
December 31, 2010
               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 2,037,894     $ 9,377  
U.S. Government securities
    1,007,225       232  
    $ 3,045,119     $ 9,609  
                 
March 31, 2010
               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 2,057,787     $ 6,323  
U.S. Government securities
    1,002,445       3,532  
    $ 3,060,232     $ 9,855  

     At March 31, 2011 and 2010 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio included two classes of Fannie Mae preferred stock with an aggregate cost basis of $42,360 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and an aggregate cost basis of $68,164 as of March 31, 2010.  The cost basis of those shares reflects an other-than-temporary impairment write down of $25,804 recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2010 and two other-than-temporary impairment write downs recorded in prior periods.  The fair market value of the Fannie Mae preferred stock as of March 31, 2011 was $142,039, an increase of $99,679 from the December 31, 2010 fair market value of $42,360.

     At March 31, 2011, there were seven U.S. GSE debt securities in an unrealized loss position compared to two U.S. GSE debt securities and one U.S. Government security in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010.  The seven U.S. GSE debt securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011 included the two GSE debt securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010, but those two debt securities were not the same two in an unrealized loss at March 31, 2010.  These unrealized losses were principally attributable to changes in prevailing interest rates for similar types of securities, and not deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.

     Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions, or adverse developments relating to the issuer, warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by rating agencies or other adverse developments in the status of the securities have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition.

 
 

 
Note 6.  Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The composition of net loans follows:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Commercial
  $ 32,212,288     $ 31,045,424  
Commercial real estate
    134,172,888       133,494,431  
Residential real estate
    209,107,512       213,834,818  
Consumer
    12,515,066       13,058,124  
      388,007,754       391,432,797  
Deduct:
               
Allowance for loan losses
    3,709,918       3,727,935  
Unearned net loan fees
    50,871       74,351  
Loans held for sale
    1,054,416       2,363,938  
      4,815,205       6,166,224  
Net Loans
  $ 383,192,549     $ 385,266,573  

The following is an age analysis of past due loans by class:

         
90 Days
   
Total
               
Over 90 Days
 
March 31, 2011
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                     
Commercial
  $ 921,982     $ 7,177     $ 929,159     $ 31,283,129     $ 32,212,288     $ 7,177  
Commercial real estate
    599,903       446,842       1,046,745       133,126,143       134,172,888       231,237  
Residential real estate
    6,246,153       1,151,442       7,397,595       200,655,501       208,053,096       292,060  
Consumer
    133,522       38,201       171,723       12,343,343       12,515,066       38,201  
Total
  $ 7,901,560     $ 1,643,662     $ 9,545,222     $ 377,408,116     $ 386,953,338     $ 568,675  
                                                 
           
90 Days
   
Total
                   
Over 90 Days
 
December 31, 2010
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                                 
Commercial
  $ 915,924     $ 54,376     $ 970,300     $ 30,075,124     $ 31,045,424     $ 29,446  
Commercial real estate
    939,910       130,512       1,070,422       132,424,009       133,494,431       94,982  
Residential real estate
    6,117,292       2,108,870       8,226,162       203,244,718       211,470,880       1,194,477  
Consumer
    242,742       38,466       281,208       12,776,916       13,058,124       38,466  
Total
  $ 8,215,868     $ 2,332,224     $ 10,548,092     $ 378,520,767     $ 389,068,859     $ 1,357,371  

     The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

     The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to the loans that are deemed impaired.  A specific allowance is established when the loan’s impaired basis is less than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers non-impaired loan pools and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.  The entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio, regardless of specific, general and unallocated components considered in determining the amount of the allowance.

General component

     The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors and stratified by the following loan segments: commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate, and consumer loans. Management uses an average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment. This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-performing loans, levels of and trends in loan risk groups, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of any changes in loan related policies, experience, ability and the depth of management, documentation and credit data exception levels, national and local economic trends, external factors such as competition and regulation and lastly concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available. There were no changes in the Company’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component for loan losses during the first quarter of 2011.

     The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. The Company has policies, procedures and internal controls commensurate with the risk profile of each of these segments. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

Commercial – Loans in this segment include commercial and industrial loans and to a lesser extent loans to finance agricultural production. Commercial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business, including trade assets and equipment. While not the primary collateral, in many cases these loans may also be secured by the real estate of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, soft consumer spending, unfavorable foreign trade conditions and the rising cost of labor or raw materials are examples of issues that can impact the credit quality in this segment.

Commercial Real Estate – Loans in this segment are principally made to businesses and are generally secured by either owner-occupied, or non-owner occupied commercial real estate. A relatively small portion of this segment includes farm loans secured by farm land and buildings.  As with commercial loans, repayment of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans is expected from the cash flows of the business and the segment would be impacted by similar issues. The non-owner occupied commercial real estate portion includes both residential and commercial construction loans, vacant land and real estate development loans and multi-family dwelling and commercial rental property loans. Repayment of construction loans is expected from permanent financing takeout; the Company generally requires a commitment or eligibility for the take-out financing prior to construction loan origination. Real estate development loans are generally repaid from the sale of the subject real property as the project progresses. Construction and development lending run additional risks, including the project exceeding budget, not being constructed according to plans, not receiving permits, or the pre-leasing or occupancy rate not meeting expectations. Repayment of multi-family loans and commercial rental property loans is expected from the cash flow generated by rental payments received from the individuals or businesses occupying the real estate. Commercial real estate loans are impacted by issues such as competitive market forces, vacancy rates, cap rates, net operating incomes, lease renewals and overall economic demand. In addition, loans in the recreational and tourism sector can be affected by weather conditions, such as unseasonably low winter snowfalls. Commercial real estate lending also carries a higher degree of environmental risk than other real estate lending.

Residential Real Estate – All loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Consumer Loans – Loans in this segment are made to individuals for consumer and household purposes.  This segment includes both loans secured by automobiles and other consumer goods, as well as loans that are unsecured.  This segment also includes overdrafts, which are extensions of credit made to both individuals and business to cover temporary shortages in their deposit accounts and are generally unsecured.  The Company maintains policies restricting the size and length of these extensions of credit.  The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Specific component

     A specific allowance is established when a loan’s impaired basis is less than the carrying value of the loan. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, in management’s estimation it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management evaluates the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and frequency of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

     Impaired loans may also include troubled loans that are restructured. A troubled debt restructuring occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. Troubled debt restructurings may include the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan’s terms, or a combination of the two.

     Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement.

Unallocated component

     An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

The changes in the allowance for loans losses for the period ended March 31 are summarized as follows:

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 3,727,935     $ 3,450,542  
Provision for loan losses
    187,500       125,001  
Recoveries of amounts charged off
    21,573       14,734  
      3,937,008       3,590,277  
Amounts charged off
    (227,090 )     (44,470 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 3,709,918     $ 3,545,807  

 

The allowance for loan losses and select loan information by portfolio segment was as follows:

         
Commercial
   
Residential
                   
March 31, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
   
Allowance for loan losses
 
   Beginning balance
  $ 302,421     $ 1,391,898     $ 1,830,816     $ 151,948     $ 50,852     $ 3,727,935  
      Charge-offs
    (700 )     0       (188,800 )     (37,590 )     0       (227,090 )
      Recoveries
    8,106       1,090       0       12,377       0       21,573  
      Provision
    (53,379 )     3,958       114,103       25,130       97,688       187,500  
   Ending balance
  $ 256,448     $ 1,396,946     $ 1,756,119     $ 151,865     $ 148,540     $ 3,709,918  
                                                 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 14,500     $ 51,200     $ 254,100     $ 0     $ 0     $ 319,800  
 Collectively evaluated  for impairment
    241,948       1,345,746       1,502,019       151,865       148,540       3,390,118  
Total
  $ 256,448     $ 1,396,946     $ 1,756,119     $ 151,865     $ 148,540     $ 3,709,918  
   
Loans
 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 92,215     $ 1,325,271     $ 3,072,612     $ 0             $ 4,490,098  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    32,120,073       132,847,617       206,034,900       12,515,066             $ 383,517,656  
Total
  $ 32,212,288     $ 134,172,888     $ 209,107,512     $ 12,515,066             $ 388,007,754  

         
Commercial
   
Residential
                   
December 31, 2010
 
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
   
Allowance for loan losses
 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 3,700     $ 51,200     $ 337,800     $ 0     $ 0     $ 392,700  
 Collectively evaluated  for impairment
    298,721       1,340,698       1,493,016       151,948       50,852       3,335,235  
Total
  $ 302,421     $ 1,391,898     $ 1,830,816     $ 151,948     $ 50,852     $ 3,727,935  
   
Loans
 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 61,226     $ 1,145,194     $ 3,219,911     $ 0             $ 4,426,331  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    30,984,199       132,349,237       210,614,907       13,058,124               387,006,466  
Total
  $ 31,045,425     $ 133,494,431     $ 213,834,818     $ 13,058,124             $ 391,432,797  

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had no acquired loans with deteriorated credit quality.

Impaired loans by portfolio segment were as follows:

         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
March 31, 2011
 
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized
 
                               
With no related allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial
  $ 2,427     $ 2,531           $ 13,679     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
    180,077       180,077             90,038       0  
   Residential real estate
    1,966,456       2,634,063             1,552,373       0  
                                       
With an allowance recorded
                                     
   Commercial
    89,788       95,034       14,500       63,042       0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,145,194       1,145,672       51,200       1,145,195       0  
   Residential real estate
    1,106,156       1,264,496       254,100       1,593,889       0  
                                         
Total
                                       
   Commercial
  $ 92,215     $ 97,565     $ 14,500     $ 76,721     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
  $ 1,325,271     $ 1,325,749     $ 51,200     $ 1,235,233     $ 0  
   Residential real estate
  $ 3,072,612     $ 3,898,559     $ 254,100     $ 3,146,262     $ 0  
                                         
Total
  $ 4,490,098     $ 5,321,873     $ 319,800     $ 4,458,216     $ 0  

 

 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
December 31, 2010
 
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized
 
                               
With no related allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial
  $ 24,930     $ 61,460     $ 0     $ 106,737     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
    0       0       0       494,150       0  
   Residential real estate
    1,138,290       1,527,508       0       1,186,068       0  
                                         
With an allowance recorded
                                       
   Commercial
    36,296       39,856       3,700       37,300       0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,145,194       1,145,672       51,200       1,158,924       0  
   Residential real estate
    2,081,621       2,303,744       337,800       1,661,441       0  
                                         
Total
                                       
   Commercial
  $ 61,226     $ 101,316     $ 3,700     $ 144,037     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
  $ 1,145,194     $ 1,145,672     $ 51,200     $ 1,653,074     $ 0  
   Residential real estate
  $ 3,219,911     $ 3,831,252     $ 337,800     $ 2,847,509     $ 0  
                                         
Total
  $ 4,426,331     $ 5,078,240     $ 392,700     $ 4,644,620     $ 0  

Interest income recognized on impaired loans is immaterial for both periods presented.

Credit Quality Grouping
 
     Credit quality grouping allows for the evaluation of trends in credit quality that are used in developing the allowance for loan losses. The Company groups credit risk into Groups A, B and C. The manner the Company utilizes to assign risk grouping is driven by loan purpose. Commercial purpose loans are individually risk graded while the retail portion of the portfolio is generally grouped by delinquency pool.
 
Group A loans - Acceptable Risk – are loans that are expected to perform as agreed under their respective terms.  Such loans carry a normal level of risk that does not require management attention beyond that warranted by the loan or loan relationship characteristics, such as loan size or relationship size. Group A loans include commercial loans that are individually risk rated and retail loans that are rated by pool. Group A retail loans include both performing consumer and residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans are loans to individuals secured by 1-4 family homes, including first mortgages, home equity and home improvement loans. Loan balances fully secured by deposit accounts or that are fully guaranteed by the Federal Government are considered acceptable risk.
 
Group B loans – Management Involved - are loans that require greater attention than the acceptable loans in Group A. Characteristics of such loans may include, but are not limited to, borrowers that are experiencing negative operating trends such as reduced sales or margins, borrowers that have exposure to adverse market conditions such as increased competition or regulatory burden, or that have had unexpected or adverse changes in management. These loans have a greater likelihood of migrating to an unacceptable risk level if these characteristics are left unchecked. Group B is limited to commercial loans that are individually risk rated.
 
Group C loans – Unacceptable Risk – are loans that have distinct shortcomings that require a greater degree of management attention.  Examples of these shortcomings include a borrower's inadequate capacity to service debt, poor operating performance, or insolvency.  These loans are more likely to result in repayment through collateral liquidation. Group C loans range from those that are likely to sustain some loss if the shortcomings are not corrected, to those for which loss is imminent and non-accrual treatment is warranted. Group C loans include individually rated commercial purpose loans, and retail loans adversely rated in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification Policy. Group C retail loans include 1-4 family residential real estate loans and home equity loans past due 90 days or more with loan-to-value ratios greater than 60%, home equity loans 90 days or more past due where bank does not hold first mortgage, irrespective of loan-to-value, loans in bankruptcy where repayment is likely but not yet established, and lastly consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due.
 
     Commercial purpose loan ratings are assigned by the commercial account officer; for larger and more complex commercial loans, the credit rating is a collaborative assignment by the lender and the credit analyst. The credit risk rating is based on the borrower's expected performance, i.e., the likelihood that the borrower will be able to service its obligations in accordance with the loan terms. Credit risk ratings are meant to measure risk versus simply record history.  Assessment of expected future payment performance requires consideration of numerous factors.  While past performance is part of the overall evaluation, expected performance is based on an analysis of the borrower's financial strength, and historical and projected factors such as size and financing alternatives, capacity and cash flow, balance sheet and income statement trends, the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, and the quality of the borrower’s management.  Other factors influencing the credit risk rating to a lesser degree include collateral coverage and control, guarantor strength and commitment, documentation, structure and covenants and industry conditions.  There are uncertainties inherent in this process.
 
     Credit risk ratings are dynamic and require updating whenever relevant information is received.  The risk ratings of larger or more complex loans, and Group B and C rated loans, are assessed at the time of their respective annual reviews, during quarterly updates, in action plans or at any other time that relevant information warrants update. Lenders are required to make immediate disclosure to the Chief Credit Officer of any increase in loan risk, even if considered temporary in nature.
 
 

 
The risk ratings within the loan portfolio by class were as follows:

Retail Loans
 
                   
         
Residential
       
March 31, 2011
 
Consumer
   
Real Estate
   
Total
 
                   
Group A
  $ 12,456,909     $ 195,142,982     $ 207,599,891  
Group C
    58,157       3,024,408       3,082,565  
Total
  $ 12,515,066     $ 198,167,390     $ 210,682,456  

Retail Loans
 
                   
         
Residential
       
December 31, 2010
 
Consumer
   
Real Estate
   
Total
 
                   
Group A
  $ 12,997,587     $ 200,884,188     $ 213,881,775  
Group C
    60,537       3,426,455       3,486,992  
Total
  $ 13,058,124     $ 204,310,643     $ 217,368,767  

 
Commercial Purpose Loans
 
                         
   
Residential
         
Commercial
       
March 31, 2011
 
Real Estate
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Total
 
                         
Group A
  $ 14,831,026     $ 29,165,570     $ 112,424,825     $ 156,421,421  
Group B
    276,372       914,995       6,464,176       7,655,543  
Group C
    2,235,214       2,131,723       8,881,397       13,248,334  
Total
  $ 17,342,612     $ 32,212,288     $ 127,770,398     $ 177,325,298  

Commercial Purpose Loans
 
                         
   
Residential
         
Commercial
       
December 31, 2010
 
Real Estate
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Total
 
                         
Group A
  $ 13,453,586     $ 28,148,611     $ 110,982,274     $ 152,584,471  
Group B
    883,271       1,617,895       9,455,795       11,956,960  
Group C
    2,297,324       1,278,919       5,946,355       9,522,598  
Total
  $ 16,634,182     $ 31,045,425     $ 126,384,424     $ 174,064,030  


Note 7.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     As a result of the merger with LyndonBank on December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $11,574,269.  The goodwill is not amortizable and is not deductible for tax purposes.

     The Company also recorded $4,161,000 of acquired identified intangible assets representing the core deposit intangible which is subject to amortization as a non-interest expense over a ten year period using a double declining method.

     Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible for the first three months of 2011 was $106,522.  As of March 31, 2011, the remaining annual amortization expense related to core deposit intangible, absent any future impairment, is expected to be as follows:

2011
  $ 319,564  
2012
    340,869  
2013
    272,695  
2014
    272,695  
2015
    272,695  
Thereafter
    545,392  
Total
  $ 2,032,910  

     Management evaluates goodwill for impairment annually and the core deposit intangible for impairment if conditions warrant.  As of the date of the most recent evaluation (December 31, 2010), management concluded that no impairment existed.

Note 8.  Fair Value

     FASB ASC Topic 820-10-20, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides a framework for measuring and disclosing fair value under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  The ASC Topic 820-10-20 requires disclosures about the fair value of assets and liabilities recognized in the balance sheet in periods subsequent to initial recognition, whether the measurements are made on a recurring basis (for example, available-for-sale investment securities) or on a nonrecurring basis (for example, impaired loans).

     Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The ASC Topic 820-10-20 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes certain derivative contracts, residential mortgage servicing rights, impaired loans, and OREO.

Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.  For example, this category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained residual interest in securitizations, and highly-structured or long-term derivative contracts.

     A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reflected in the balance sheet at the dates presented are summarized below:

March 31, 2011
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Total
 
Assets:
                 
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 23,263,005     $ 23,263,005  
U.S. Government securities
    4,030,003       1,025,641       5,055,644  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    142,039       0       142,039  
                         
December 31, 2010
                       
Assets:
                       
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 16,313,390     $ 16,313,390  
U.S. Government securities
    4,038,740       1,035,946       5,074,686  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       0       42,360  
                         
March 31, 2010
                       
Assets:
                       
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 17,717,687     $ 17,717,687  
U.S. Government securities
    2,006,935       3,075,026       5,081,961  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    72,472       0       72,472  


Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reflected in the balance sheet at the dates presented are summarized below:

March 31, 2011
 
Level 2
 
Assets:
     
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,362,331  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    2,021,338  
OREO
    764,500  
         
December 31, 2010
       
Assets:
       
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,076,708  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    2,870,411  
OREO
    1,210,300  
 
March 31, 2010
 
Level 2
 
Assets:
     
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,029,799  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    2,341,106  
OREO
    718,000  

     The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant.  The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.

     Real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are carried as OREO and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling cost at the date of foreclosure.  Any write-downs based on the asset's fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  After foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of their new cost basis or fair value, less estimated cost to sell.  Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed.  Appraisals are then done periodically on properties that management deems significant, or evaluations may be performed by management on properties in the portfolio that are less vulnerable to market conditions.  Subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its cost or fair value, less estimated cost to sell.

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  There were no Level 3 financial instruments at March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, or March 31, 2010.

Fair values of financial instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values.

Investment securities:  The fair value of securities available for sale equals quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined using quoted market prices for similar securities.  Level 1 securities include certain U.S. Government securities and U.S. GSE preferred stock.  Level 2 securities include asset-backed securities, including obligations of U.S. GSEs and certain U.S Government securities.

Restricted equity securities:  Restricted equity securities are comprised of Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) stock and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) stock.  These securities are carried at cost, which is believed to approximate fair value, based on the redemption provisions of the FRBB and the FHLBB.  The stock is nonmarketable, and redeemable at par value.

Loans and loans held-for-sale:  For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying amounts.  The fair values for other loans (for example, fixed rate residential, commercial real estate, and rental property mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan fair value estimates include judgments regarding future expected loss experience and risk characteristics.  The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for loans that are held-for-sale approximate their fair values.  Loan impairment is deemed to exist when full repayment of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan is no longer probable.  Impaired loans are reported based on one of three measures: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the fair value is less than an impaired loan’s recorded investment, an impairment loss is recognized as part of the ALL.  Accordingly, certain impaired loans may be subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  Management has estimated the fair values of these assets using Level 2 inputs, such as the fair value of collateral based on independent third-party appraisals for collateral-dependent loans.

The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant.  The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.

Mortgage servicing rights:  Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated regularly for impairment based upon the fair   value of the servicing rights as compared to their amortized cost. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income, with loans divided into strata for valuation purposes based on their rates, terms and features. The Company obtains a third party valuation based upon loan level data, including note rate, type and term of the underlying loans. The model utilizes a variety of observable inputs for its assumptions, the most significant of which are loan prepayment assumptions and the discount rate used to discount future cash flows.  Mortgage servicing rights are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are classified as Level 2 assets.

Deposits, federal funds purchased and borrowed funds:  The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (for example, checking and savings accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The fair values for certificates of deposit and debt are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates and debt to a schedule of aggregated contractual maturities on such time deposits and debt.

Junior subordinated debentures:  Fair value is estimated using current rates for debentures of similar maturity.

Capital lease obligations:  Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow calculation using current rates.  Based on current rates, carrying value approximates fair value.

Accrued interest:  The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values.

Off-balance-sheet credit related instruments:  Commitments to extend credit were evaluated and fair value was estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit-worthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

 
 

 
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 34,121     $ 34,121     $ 51,448     $ 51,448     $ 9,281     $ 9,281  
Securities held-to-maturity
    37,949       38,442       37,441       38,157       47,158       47,593  
Securities available-for-sale
    28,461       28,461       21,430       21,430       22,872       22,872  
Restricted equity securities
    4,309       4,309       4,309       4,309       3,907       3,907  
Loans and loans held-for-sale, net
    384,247       393,310       387,631       397,123       380,464       390,874  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,253       1,362       1,077       1,056       991       1,030  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,966       1,966       1,790       1,790       2,118       2,118  
                                                 
Financial liabilities:
                                               
Deposits
    437,557       439,994       438,192       440,913       399,986       402,241  
Federal funds purchased and other
                                               
  borrowed funds
    18,010       18,240       33,010       33,250       36,022       35,991  
Repurchase agreements
    21,480       21,480       19,108       19,108       17,815       17,815  
Capital lease obligations
    824       824       835       835       866       866  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       13,366       12,887       13,155       12,887       12,541  
Accrued interest payable
    175       175       192       192       209       209  

The estimated fair values of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were immaterial as of the dates presented in the above table.


Note 9.  Mortgage Servicing Rights

     The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of the mortgage servicing rights for the periods indicated:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2010
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 1,076,708     $ 932,961     $ 932,961  
   Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
    107,216       403,026       48,222  
   Mortgage servicing rights amortized
    (82,273 )     (392,233 )     (94,668 )
   Change in valuation allowance
    151,662       132,954       104,179  
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,253,313     $ 1,076,708     $ 990,694  

Note 10.  Legal Proceedings

     In the normal course of business the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 11.  Subsequent Event

     The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to March 31, 2011 for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements, as required by GAAP.  On March 22, 2011, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per share payable May 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2011.  This dividend, amounting to $647,865, was accrued at March 31, 2011.

 

 
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
for the Period Ended March 31, 2011

    The following discussion analyzes the consolidated financial condition of Community Bancorp. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, as of March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, and its consolidated results of operations for the periods then ended.  The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is therefore eligible for relief from certain disclosure requirements.  In accordance with such provisions, the Company has elected to provide its audited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for two, rather than three, years.

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     The Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains certain forward-looking statements about the results of operations, financial condition and business of the Company and its subsidiary. When used therein, the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "predicts," or similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.

     Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Future results of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward looking statements included in this discussion include, but are not limited to, estimated contingent liability related to assumptions made within the asset/liability management process, management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level, credit risk expectations relating to the Company's loan portfolio and its participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) program, and management's general outlook for the future performance of the Company, summarized below under "Overview". Although forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this Report, except as required by applicable law.  The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

     Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) general economic conditions, either nationally, regionally or locally continue to deteriorate, resulting in a decline in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services; (2) competitive pressures increase among financial service providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial service industry generally, including competitive pressures from non-bank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems; (3) interest rates change in such a way as to reduce the Company's margins;  (4) changes in laws or government rules, or the way in which courts and government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, increase our costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business; (5) changes in federal or state tax policy; (6) changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (7) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (8) changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits; and (9) the effect of and changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies and regulation of the money supply by the Federal Reserve Board, which, in turn, may result in inflation and interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations and in changes in the demand for our loan and deposit products.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP or GAAP) must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  However, two non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G.  We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G.

     Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions.  However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

OVERVIEW

     The Company’s consolidated assets on March 31, 2011 were $532,838,138, a decrease of $13,094,511, or 2.4% from December 31, 2010, and an increase of $24,766,633, or 4.9% from March 31, 2010.  The most significant change in assets in both comparison periods was in cash with an increase of $24,835,805 from year to year and a decrease of $17,325,801 from year end.  Much of the decrease in cash, during the first quarter of 2011 was attributable to the pay off of a Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) advance that matured in January in the amount of $15,000,000.  The increase in cash when comparing the two quarters was from an increase in deposits, particularly in NOW and money market accounts, without a significant increase in loans and investments.  Approximately $19,000,000 of the increase in NOW accounts came from an increase in an account with the Company’s affiliate, Community Financial Services Group (CFSG) which was opened at the end of the first quarter in 2010.  While there was a slight increase in municipal deposits year over year, the Company also experienced an increase in core deposits of approximately $8,000,000 or 4.0% for the same period.  Although gross loans increased $3,874,537 or 1.0% when comparing the first quarter 2010 to the first quarter 2011, there was a decrease of $3,425,043 or 0.9% from year end 2010 to March 31, 2011.  Demand for 1-4 family residential loans was strong in 2011, with most of these loans sold in the secondary market.  Some of the liquidity was used to increase the available-for-sale securities portfolio.  The decrease in the securities held-to-maturity portfolio from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011, which is the municipal portfolio, is a result of the competitive nature of this business; the decrease was attributed primarily to two relationships each equal to approximately $5,000,000.

    Total liabilities increased $36,135,602, or 7.7%, from March 31, 2010 to December 31, 2010, but then decreased $13,521,682 or 2.7% by March 31, 2011 due to the pay down of the matured FHLBB advance.  Positive earnings, net of dividends declared, have resulted in increases in retained earnings and shareholders’ equity of $39,554,840 as of March 31, 2011 compared to $39,127,669 on December 31, 2010 and $37,402,127 on March 31, 2010, increases of 1.1% and 5.8% respectively.

     Net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $944,868 or $0.19 per common share compared to $938,912 or $0.20 per common share for the first quarter of 2010.  Although earnings increased over the 2010 comparison period, an increase in the weighted average number of common shares of 77,126 resulted in a decrease of $0.01 in earnings per common share.  Net interest income was lower in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010 due to the prolonged low interest rate environment.  The asset base continues to be replaced or repriced at lower rates while the opportunity to decrease interest rates on deposits is limited.  Non-interest income was also greater during the first quarter of 2011 than the first quarter 2010, due to fee income from the sale of residential loans, in the secondary market.  One of the more significant items that contributed to the positive variance was the valuation adjustment to mortgage servicing rights.  The increase in residential mortgage rates at the end of the quarter, together with normal net growth in the servicing portfolio, partially offset by amortization of servicing rights resulted in a net increase of $151,662 in servicing rights as of March 31, 2011 versus a net increase of $104,179 as of March 31, 2010.  Income generated from the servicing rights during the first quarter of 2011 was $24,944, compared to an expense of $46,447 during the first quarter of 2010, creating a variance of $118,873 in mortgage servicing rights impairment adjustments and net revenues between periods.  Operating expenses increased $60,693, or 1.4% when comparing the two quarters, a level that management considers manageable.

     On March 22, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, payable on May 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2011.  This represented an increase of $0.02 per share in the quarterly cash dividend paid in recent prior quarters.

    The Company is focused on increasing the profitability of the balance sheet, improving expense efficiency, and prudently managing risk, particularly as it pertains to credit in order to remain a well-capitalized bank in this challenging economic environment.

     Global economic indicators point toward a recovering U.S. economy; consumer confidence has improved and household spending is increasing at a moderate pace.  Economic and labor market information indicates that the State of Vermont is recovering, however slowly and cautiously.  Employers in the manufacturing, professional and business services and tourism industries are reporting significant over-the-year increases in employment.  While these trends are encouraging, it will take time before enough jobs are added to recoup the number of jobs that were lost during the economic downturn.  Particularly hard hit are those who have been unemployed for an extended period of time.  The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Vermont in March 2011 was 5.4% compared to 6.6% in March 2010.  Conditions are generally better than 2010, however of great concern is the rising price of fuel and the impact it will have to the consumer and all sectors of the economy.  The manufacturing industry was hardest hit early in the recession, however reports from two local manufacturers of wood products indicate that production has increased and they have increased work hours for production crews.  In the farming sector, milk prices increased during 2010 and are projected to remain at these levels for at least the first half of 2011; however production costs are a challenge with the rising cost of fuel and feed.  The 2010 construction season was very slow for both commercial and residential contractors, leaving many with depleted financial resources and less prepared for the slow winter season and their 2011 startup.  Some commercial contractors have found work at the local ski resort that is undergoing a major expansion. Tourism activity during the 2010 fall foliage season and the 2010-11 winter season was good with local hotels reporting stable bookings.  The local real estate markets improved somewhat during 2010, sparked by the low interest rate environment.  Local real estate agents report that sales have increased across all price points.  Another positive note for the northeastern Vermont market area is the local multi-phase ski area expansion project, referred to above, where construction of two hotels, a hockey arena, an indoor water park and a golf clubhouse are expected to transform the ski resort to a year-round indoor and outdoor recreation destination resort.  This project is expected to inject $90 million of construction funding into the local economy over the next two years utilizing Federal EB5 program capital from foreign investors.

     While there are some signs of a recovery, the recent recession may continue to have a negative impact on the consumer, particularly as it relates to credit performance, which tends to lag economic cycles.  Although the Company saw an increase in past dues and non-performing loans during 2010 while customers struggled to make their mortgage payments due to layoffs, reduced income and high levels of other consumer debt, the situation moderated slightly during the first quarter of 2011, with the ratio of past dues and nonperforming loans to gross loans decreasing from 1.6% at the end of the first quarter 2010 to 1.3% at March 31, 2011.  These economic factors are considered in assessing the level of the Company’s reserve for loan losses in an effort to adequately reserve for probable losses due to consequences of the recession. The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $125,001 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $187,500 in the first quarter of 2011.

     There were significant regulatory changes affecting banks in 2010, which are likely to impact all aspects of the financial services industry for many years to come.  In particular, the comprehensive Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) enacted in July 2010 contains many new requirements and mandates applicable to banking institutions and authorizes numerous rulemakings by various agencies to implement its provisions.  Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act: creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as an independent agency to implement and (with respect to larger institutions) enforce federal consumer protection laws; changes the method for calculating regulatory capital by bank holding companies and restricts the use of trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital (subject to certain grandfathering); imposes new price controls on debit card interchange fees; imposes new disclosure, escrow, appraisal and other requirements applicable to mortgage lending; adopts new disclosure and voting requirements for public companies relating to executive compensation arrangements (subject to a delayed effective date for smaller reporting companies); makes permanent the increase to $250,000 in the amount of maximum FDIC insurance coverage; changes the assessment formula for FDIC insurance premiums from one based on deposits to one based on assets; provides permanent relief for smaller reporting companies such as the Company from the auditor attestation requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and extends through 2012 the temporary unlimited deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing accounts.  An amendment to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act enacted in December 2010 included interest on lawyer trust accounts (IOLTAs) within the definition of “non-interest bearing transaction account” for purposes of the Dodd-Frank Act’s unlimited deposit insurance coverage.

     In the short-term, the Dodd-Frank Act’s price controls on interchange fees, scheduled for implementation by Federal Reserve Board rule in July 2011, are likely to have an adverse impact on bank fee income, even for smaller institutions like the Company that are not directly subject to the rule as competitive pricing pressures in the market place effectively drive down interchange fees for all banks.

     The regulatory environment continues to increase operating costs and place extensive burden on personnel resources to comply with a myriad of legal requirements, including those under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act.  It is unlikely that these administrative costs and burdens will moderate in the future.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared according to US GAAP.  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 in the consolidated financial statements and related notes.  The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.  Because of the significance of these estimates and assumptions, there is a high likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported for the Company under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates.  Management evaluates on an ongoing basis its judgment as to which policies are considered to be critical.

Allowance for Loan Losses - Management believes that the calculation of the allowance for loan losses (ALL) is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  In estimating the ALL, management considers historical experience as well as other qualitative factors, including the effect of current economic indicators and their probable impact on borrowers and collateral, trends in delinquent and non-performing loans, trends in criticized and classified assets, concentrations of credit, levels of exceptions, and the impact of competition in the market. Management’s estimates used in calculating the ALL may increase or decrease based on changes in these factors, which in turn will affect the amount of the Company’s provision for loan losses charged against current period income.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.

Other Real Estate Owned - Occasionally, the Company acquires property in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted, other real estate owned (OREO).  Such properties are carried at fair value, which is the market value less estimated cost of disposition, i.e. sales commissions and costs associated with the sale.  Market value is defined as the cash price that might reasonably be anticipated in a current sale that is within 12 months, under all conditions requisite to a fair sale.  A fair sale means that a buyer and seller are each acting prudently, knowledgeably, and under no necessity to buy or sell.  Market value is determined, as appropriate, either by obtaining a current appraisal or evaluation prepared by an independent, qualified appraiser, or third-party valuation firm, and finally if the Company has limited exposure and limited risk of loss, by the opinion of management as supported by an inspection of the property and its most recent tax valuation.  If the Company has a valid appraisal or an appropriate evaluation obtained in connection with the real estate loan, and there has been no obvious and material change in market conditions or physical aspects of the property, then the Company need not obtain another appraisal or evaluation when it acquires ownership of the property. Under recent and current market conditions, and periods of declining market values, the Company will generally obtain a new appraisal or evaluation.

     The amount, if any, by which the recorded amount of the loan exceeds the fair value, less cost to sell, is a loss which is charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of foreclosure or repossession. The recorded amount of the loan is the loan balance adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount and unamortized loan fees or costs, less any amount previously charged off, plus recorded accrued interest.

Other Than Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities - Companies are required to perform quarterly reviews of individual debt and equity securities in their investment portfolios to determine whether decline in the value of a security is other than temporary. A review of other-than-temporary impairment requires companies to make certain judgments regarding the materiality of the decline and the probability, extent and timing of a valuation recovery, the company’s intent to continue to hold the security and, in the case of debt securities, the likelihood that the company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  Pursuant to these requirements, management assesses valuation declines to determine the extent to which such changes are attributable to fundamental factors specific to the issuer, such as financial condition and business prospects, or to market-related or other factors, such as interest rates, and in the case of debt securities, the extent to which the impairment relates to credit losses of the issuer, as compared to other factors.  Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed in accordance with GAAP to be other than temporary, and declines in fair value of debt securities below their cost that are related to credit losses, are recorded in earnings as realized losses.  The non-credit loss portion of an other than temporary decline in the fair value of debt securities below their cost basis (generally, the difference between the fair value and the estimated net present value of the debt security) is recognized in other comprehensive income as an unrealized loss.

Mortgage Servicing Rights - Mortgage servicing rights associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are required to be initially capitalized at fair value and subsequently accounted for using the “fair value method” or the “amortization method”. Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  The value of capitalized servicing rights represents the estimated present value of the future servicing fees arising from the right to service loans in the portfolio. The carrying value of the mortgage servicing rights is periodically reviewed for impairment based on a determination of fair value compared to amortized cost, and impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance and is recorded as amortization of other assets.  Subsequent improvement (if any) in the estimated fair value of impaired mortgage servicing rights is reflected in a positive valuation adjustment and is recognized in other income up to (but not in excess of) the amount of the prior impairment. Critical accounting policies for mortgage servicing rights relate to the initial valuation and subsequent impairment tests. The methodology used to determine the valuation of mortgage servicing rights requires the development and use of a number of estimates, including anticipated principal amortization and prepayments of that principal balance. Factors that may significantly affect the estimates used are changes in interest rates and the payment performance of the underlying loans.  The Company analyzes and accounts for the value of its servicing rights with the assistance of a third party consultant.

Goodwill - Management utilizes numerous techniques to estimate the value of various assets held by the Company, including methods to determine the appropriate carrying value of goodwill.  In addition, goodwill from a purchase acquisition is subject to ongoing periodic impairment tests, which include an evaluation of the ongoing assets, liabilities and revenues from the acquisition and an estimation of the impact of business conditions.

Other - Management utilizes numerous techniques to estimate the carrying value of various assets held by the Company, including, but not limited to, bank premises and equipment and deferred taxes. The assumptions considered in making these estimates are based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed by management to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The use of different estimates or assumptions could produce different estimates of carrying values and those differences could be material in some circumstances.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The Company’s net income for the first quarter of 2011 was $944,868, representing an increase of $5,956 or 0.6% over net income of $938,912 for the first quarter of 2010. This resulted in earnings per share of $0.19 and $0.20, respectively, for the first quarters of 2011 and 2010.  Core earnings (net interest income) for the first quarter of 2011 decreased $77,501 or 1.8% over the first quarter of 2010.  Although interest income decreased $210,127 or 3.6%, this decrease was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $132,626 or 8.1% year over year.  Despite a $3,874,537 increase in loans between periods, interest and fees on loans, the major component of interest income, decreased by $147,156 or 2.7% due to a decrease in rates between periods.  Interest expense on deposits, the major component of interest expense, decreased $101,697 or 8.4% between periods, attributable in part to a decrease of $8,804,187 in time deposits as well as a decrease in the rates paid on these deposit accounts.  NOW and money market accounts increased $38,230,128 or 27.2% while the rate paid on these accounts decreased, contributing to the decrease in interest expense on deposits.

     As a result of the 2007 LyndonBank merger, the Company is required to amortize the fair value adjustments of the acquired loans and time deposits against net interest income and the core deposit intangible against non-interest expense.  The loan fair value adjustment was a net premium, creating a decrease in interest income of $12,716 for the first three months of 2011 compared to decrease of $11,978 recorded for the first three months of 2010.  The certificate of deposit fair value adjustment was fully amortized as of December 31, 2010, thus resulting in no earnings impact in the first quarter of 2011, compared to an interest expense of $78,000 for the same period last year.  The amortization of the core deposit intangible amounted to a non-interest expense of $106,522 for the first three months of 2011, compared to $133,152 for the first three months of 2010.

    Other income, a component of non-interest income, increased $170,799 or 33.8% for the first three months of 2011, compared to the first three months of 2010.  Mortgage servicing rights was the major component of the increase, with a net increase of $118,873 year over year. The Company recognized income of $80,513 from its Supplemental Executive Retirement Program (SERP) investment assets during the first quarter of 2011, compared to income of $32,934 for the first quarter of 2010, reflecting improved market conditions between periods.  Salaries and wages, a component of non-interest expense, increased $74,145 due to normal salary increases during the first three months of 2011, compared to the first three months of 2010.

      Return on average assets (ROA), which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings.  Return on average equity (ROE), which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings.  The Company’s ROA and ROE have remained fairly level over the past year with slight decreases for March 31, 2011 compared to March 31, 2010.  The following table shows these ratios annualized for the comparison periods.

For the quarter ended March 31,
2011 
2010   
     
Return on Average Assets
0.70%
0.76%
Return on Average Equity
9.67%
10.18%
     


The following table summarizes the earnings performance and balance sheet data of the Company for the 2011 and 2010 comparison periods.
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
Balance Sheet Data
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net loans
  $ 384,246,965     $ 387,630,511  
Total assets
    532,838,138       545,932,649  
Total deposits
    437,557,347       438,192,263  
Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    18,010,000       33,010,000  
Total liabilities
    493,283,298       506,804,980  
Total shareholders' equity
    39,554,840       39,127,669  
                 
Three Months Ended March 31,
    2011       2010  
                 
Total interest income
  $ 5,677,112     $ 5,887,239  
Less:
               
Total interest expense
    1,511,470       1,644,096  
  Net interest income
    4,165,642       4,243,143  
Less:
               
Provision for loan losses
    187,500       125,001  
                 
Non-interest income
    1,459,469       1,231,801  
Less:
               
Non-interest expense
    4,349,514       4,288,821  
  Income before income taxes
    1,088,097       1,061,122  
Less:
               
Applicable income tax expense
    143,229       122,210  
                 
   Net Income
  $ 944,868     $ 938,912  
                 
Per Share Data
               
                 
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.20  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12  
Book value per common shares outstanding
  $ 7.97     $ 7.63  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    4,635,324       4,558,198  
Number of common shares outstanding
    4,650,012       4,572,382  

 
INTEREST INCOME VERSUS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)

     The largest component of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments versus the interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds (i.e. other borrowings).  The Company’s level of net interest income can fluctuate over time due to changes in the level and mix of earning assets, and sources of funds (volume) and from changes in the yield earned and costs of funds (rate).  A portion of the Company’s income from municipal investments is not subject to income taxes.  Because the proportion of tax-exempt items in the Company's portfolio varies from year-to-year, to improve comparability of information across years, the non-taxable income shown in the tables below have been converted to a tax equivalent basis. The Company’s corporate tax rate is 34%; therefore, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we divide the tax-free income by 66%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equivalent to $1.52 in taxable income.

     Tax-exempt income is derived from municipal investments which comprised the entire held-to-maturity portfolio of $37,948,665 at March 31, 2011, and $47,157,935 at March 31, 2010.

     The following table shows the reconciliation between reported net interest income and tax equivalent, net interest income for the three month comparison periods of 2011 and 2010.

For the Three Months Ended March 31:
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net interest income as presented
  $ 4,165,642     $ 4,243,143  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    134,913       158,383  
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 4,300,555     $ 4,401,526  

     The following table presents average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) and interest expense are both expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the 2011 and 2010 comparison periods.

Average Balances and Interest Rates
 
                                     
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31:
 
         
2011
               
2010
       
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                                   
                                     
 Loans (1)
  $ 389,001,889     $ 5,303,865       5.53 %   $ 382,812,068     $ 5,451,021       5.77 %
 Taxable investment securities
    23,703,792       70,810       1.21 %     23,606,738       112,281       1.93 %
 Tax exempt investment securities
    36,604,441       396,802       4.40 %     46,423,263       465,833       4.07 %
 Sweep and interest earning accounts
    37,541,055       21,652       0.23 %     110,943       350       1.28 %
 Other investments
    4,695,550       18,896       1.63 %     975,150       16,137       6.71 %
     Total
  $ 491,546,727     $ 5,812,025       4.80 %   $ 453,928,162     $ 6,045,622       5.40 %
                                                 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
                                                 
 NOW and money market funds
  $ 177,943,228     $ 353,516       0.81 %   $ 136,775,027     $ 319,199       0.95 %
 Savings deposits
    57,848,479       30,170       0.21 %     53,209,384       40,569       0.31 %
 Time deposits
    144,073,247       729,097       2.05 %     157,259,018       854,712       2.20 %
 Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    22,410,000       100,416       1.82 %     33,970,678       119,572       1.43 %
 Repurchase agreements
    20,379,073       37,914       0.75 %     19,336,027       48,851       1.02 %
 Capital lease obligations
    827,642       16,793       8.12 %     869,919       17,629       8.11 %
 Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       243,564       7.66 %     12,887,000       243,564       7.66 %
     Total
  $ 436,368,669     $ 1,511,470       1.40 %   $ 414,307,053     $ 1,644,096       1.61 %
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 4,300,555                     $ 4,401,526          
Net interest spread (2)
                    3.40 %                     3.79 %
Net interest margin (3)
                    3.55 %                     3.93 %
                                                 
(1) Included in gross loans are non-accrual loans with an average balance of $4,594,164 and $4,719,812 for the three months ended
 
      March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount and allowance for loan losses.
 
(2) Net interest spread is the difference between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.
 
     
    The average volume of earning assets for the first three months of 2011 increased $37,618,565 or 8.3% compared to the same period of 2010, while the average yield decreased 60 basis points.  The average volume of loans increased $6,189,821 or 1.6%, while the average yield decreased 24 basis points.  Interest earned on the loan portfolio comprised 91.3% of total interest income for the first three months of 2011 and 90.2% for the 2010 comparison period.  The average volume of sweep and interest earning accounts increased $37,430,112.  Sweep and interest earning assets consists primarily of excess funds held in the Company’s account at the FRBB.  The FRBB began paying interest to financial institutions on balances left in their accounts overnight at a much higher rate than that of the Company’s other correspondent banks causing the Company to leave the funds in this account instead of selling the funds overnight to these other correspondent banks.  Other investments now include FHLBB stock which began paying a modest dividend in the first quarter of 2011 after not paying dividends for the past two years. The average volume of the tax exempt investment portfolio (classified as held-to-maturity) decreased $9,818,822 or 21.1%, and the average tax equivalent yield increased 33 basis points.  Interest earned on tax exempt investments (which is presented on a tax equivalent basis) comprised 6.8% of total interest income for the first three months of 2011 compared to 7.7% for the same period in 2010.  The Company has experienced additional competition from other local financial institutions in our municipal market, which is reflected in the decrease of our tax exempt investment portfolio.

     In comparison, the average volume of interest bearing liabilities for the first three months of 2011 increased $22,061,616 or 5.3% over the 2010 comparison period, while the average rate paid on these accounts decreased 21 basis points.  The average volume of NOW and money market funds increased $41,168,201 or 30.1% and the average rate paid decreased 14 basis points.  This increase was due in large part to a new NOW account held by the Company’s affiliate, CFSG, which had an average balance of $24,964,005 during the first quarter of 2011. The Company began offering a new money market product, insured cash sweep account (ICS), during the second half of 2010 which at March 31, 2011 carried an average balance of $8,422,550, contributing to the increase in NOW and money market funds.  This product has brought in new funds but most of the interest has come from the Company’s CDARS customers who are looking for alternatives to placing their money in time deposit accounts that are not as liquid.  The average volume of time deposits decreased $13,185,771 or 8.4%, and the average rate paid on time deposits decreased 15 basis points.  Of the decrease in time deposits, $6,730,321 was due to the shift of customer’s from the CDARS program to the ICS program.  The average volume of federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds decreased $11,560,678 or 34.0% from an average volume of $33,970,678 for the first three months of 2010 to $22,410,000 for the same period in 2011.  As the borrowings have matured, the funds held at our FRBB account were used to pay off these borrowings.

    The prolonged low interest rate environment has resulted in the Company’s earning assets being replaced and repriced to lower interest rates, while the opportunity to reduce rates on interest-bearing deposits is more limited which is evident in the decrease of 60 basis points on the average yield on earning assets versus a decrease of 21 basis points on the average rate paid on the interest bearing liabilities during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. The cumulative result of all these changes was a decrease of 39 basis points in the net interest spread and a decrease of 38 basis points in the net interest margin.  Further opportunity does exist to reallocate the excess funds held at the FRBB to fund loans with would improve both the net interest spread and net interest margin.

    The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the first three months of 2011 and 2010 resulting from volume changes in average assets and average liabilities and fluctuations in rates earned and paid.

Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense
 
                   
   
Variance
   
Variance
       
Rate / Volume
 
Due to
   
Due to
   
Total
 
   
Rate (1)
   
Volume (1)
   
Variance
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                 
 Loans
  $ (235,221 )   $ 88,065     $ (147,156 )
 Taxable investment securities
    (41,933 )     462       (41,471 )
 Tax exempt investment securities
    37,496       (106,527 )     (69,031 )
 Sweep and interest earning accounts
    (96,834 )     118,136       21,302  
 Other investments
    (58,796 )     61,555       2,759  
     Total
  $ (395,288 )   $ 161,691     $ (233,597 )
                         
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                       
 NOW and money market funds
  $ (62,118 )   $ 96,435     $ 34,317  
 Savings deposits
    (13,945 )     3,546       (10,399 )
 Time deposits
    (58,964 )     (66,651 )     (125,615 )
 Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    32,725       (51,881 )     (19,156 )
 Repurchase agreements
    (13,560 )     2,623       (10,937 )
 Capital lease obligations
    10       (846 )     (836 )
 Junior subordinated debentures
    0       0       0  
     Total
  $ (115,852 )   $ (16,774 )   $ (132,626 )
                         
       Changes in net interest income
  $ (279,437 )   $ 178,465     $ (100,971 )
                         
(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:
 
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume
                       
          Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate
                       
Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:
 
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume
                       
Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate
                 

NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest Income: The Company's non-interest income increased $227,668 or 18.5% for the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, from $1,231,801 to $1,459,469.  The income from loan sales increased $64,859 or 47.6% for the first three months of 2011, with income from sold loans totaling $201,141 versus $136,282 for the same period in 2010.  The volume of loans sold during the first three months of 2011 was $11,332,576 compared to $6,414,847 in the same period in 2010.  The low interest rate environment continued to not only help the Company build its commercial and residential real estate mortgage loan portfolios, but also generated secondary market residential mortgage loan activity.  Mortgage servicing rights, a component of other income, increased $118,873 or 205.9% year over year, due in part to a positive valuation adjustment of $151,662 at March 31, 2011 compared to a positive valuation adjustment of $104,179 at March 31, 2010.  Another component of other income, investment income on SERP assets held in a rabbi trust, increased $47,579 or 144.5% from $32,934 in 2010 to $80,513 in 2011.

Non-interest Expense: The Company's non-interest expense increased $60,693 or 1.4% to $4,349,514 for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $4,288,821 for the 2010 comparison period.  Salaries and wages increased from $1,392,671 to $1,466,816, accounting for the largest increase in non-interest expense at $74,145 or 5.3% during the first three months of 2011, compared to the first three months of 2010.  Occupancy expenses increased $28,437 or 3.7% from $779,175 to $807,612 year over year. This increase was due primarily to maintenance on buildings, which includes heating and snow removal, attributable to the severe weather conditions experienced in the Northeast Kingdom this winter.  The amortization of the core deposit intangible associated with the LyndonBank acquisition decreased $26,603 or 20.0% to $106,522 for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $133,152 for the first quarter of 2010, offsetting a portion of the increases noted above.

     Total losses relating to various limited partnership investments for affordable housing in our market area constitute a portion of other expenses.  These losses amounted to $122,147 in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $123,897 in the first quarter of 2010. These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits, and are designed to yield between 8% and 10%.The Company amortizes its investments in these limited partnerships under the effective yield method, resulting in the asset being amortized consistent with the periods in which the Company receives the tax benefit.

APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

     The provision for income taxes expense increased to $143,229 for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $122,210 for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of $21,109 or 17.2%. This increase is due primarily to the lower proportion of tax exempt income.  Although in prior periods the limited partnership tax credits have been contributing factors to the shift between tax benefit and expense, no such shifts occurred between comparison periods, with tax credits for the first quarter of 2011 of $133,518, compared to $133,701 for the first quarter of 2010.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percent of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
Assets
                                   
 Loans (gross)*
  $ 388,007,754       72.82 %   $ 391,432,797       71.70 %   $ 384,133,217       75.61 %
 Securities available-for-sale
    28,460,688       5.34 %     21,430,436       3.93 %     22,872,120       4.50 %
 Securities held-to-maturity
    37,948,665       7.12 %     37,440,714       6.86 %     47,157,935       9.28 %
*includes loans held for sale
                                               

 
   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
Liabilities
                                   
 Time deposits
  $ 143,872,591       27.00 %   $ 143,732,098       26.33 %   $ 152,676,778       30.05 %
 Savings deposits
    61,151,720       11.48 %     56,461,370       10.34 %     55,259,464       10.88 %
 Demand deposits
    53,917,918       10.12 %     55,570,893       10.18 %     51,665,027       10.17 %
 Now & money market funds
    178,615,118       33.52 %     182,427,902       33.42 %     140,384,990       27.63 %
 Federal funds purchased
    0       0.00 %     0       0.00 %     3,012,000       0.59 %
 Long-term borrowings
    18,010,000       3.38 %     33,010,000       6.05 %     33,010,000       6.50 %

     The Company's loan portfolio decreased $3,425,043 or 0.9%, from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011, and increased $3,874,537or 1.0%, from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011.  A portion of the decrease is attributable to in-house residential loans that were refinanced and sold in the secondary market.  Securities available-for-sale increased $7,030,252 or 32.8% through purchases from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011, and $5,588,568 or 24.4% year over year.  The Company has begun purchasing investments to cover future maturities that will occur over the next several months of 2011.  Securities held-to-maturity increased $507,951 or 1.4% during the first three months of 2011, and decreased $9,209,270 or 19.5% year to year.  As noted earlier in this discussion, an increase in competition for municipal investments is the primary reason for the decrease year to year in this portfolio.

     Time deposits increased $140,493 or 0.1% from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011 and decreased $8,804,187 or  5.8% from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011 due primarily to the shift of customer’s from the CDARS program to the ICS program.  Savings deposits increased $4,690,350 or 8.3% during the first three months of 2011 and $5,892,256 or 10.7% year to year.  Demand deposits decreased $1,652,975 or 3.0% during the first three months of 2011, compared to an increase of $2,252,891 or 4.4% year to year.  NOW and money market funds reported a decrease of $3,812,784 or 2.1% for the first three months of 2011, while year over year an increase of $38,230,128 or 27.2% was reported due primarily to the NOW account held by the Company’s affiliate, CFSG.  Long-term borrowings as presented for the table above decreased $15,000,000 or 45.4% in both comparison periods.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk.  The Company's Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO) is made up of the Executive Officers and all the Vice Presidents of the Bank.  The ALCO formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity and various business strategies.  The ALCO meets monthly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk.  In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved and periodically reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet.

     Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s financial instruments also change, thereby impacting net interest income (NII), the primary component of the Company’s earnings.  Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity.  The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses.  It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process.  The ALCO utilizes the results of this simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes.  The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.  Furthermore, the model simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing a flattening yield curve as well. This sensitivity analysis is compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point (bp) shift upward and a 100 bp shift downward in interest rates.  The analysis also provides a summary of the Company's liquidity position. Furthermore, the analysis provides testing of the assumptions used in previous simulation models by comparing the projected NII with actual NII.  The asset/liability simulation model provides management with an important tool for making sound economic decisions regarding the balance sheet.

     The Company’s Asset/Liability Policy has been enhanced with a contingency funding plan to help management prepare for unforeseen liquidity restrictions to include hypothetical severe liquidity crises.

     While management’s assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Credit Risk - A primary challenge of management is to reduce the exposure to credit loss within the loan portfolio. Management follows established underwriting guidelines, and exceptions to the policy must be approved in accordance with limits prescribed by the Board of Directors.  The adequacy of the loan loss coverage is reviewed quarterly by the risk management committee of the Board of Directors and then presented to the full Board of Directors for approval.  This committee meets to discuss, among other matters, potential exposures, historical loss experience, and overall economic conditions.  Existing or potential problems are noted and addressed by senior management in order to assess the risk of probable loss or delinquency.  A variety of loans are reviewed periodically by an independent loan review firm in order to assure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies and procedures and regulatory guidance. The Company maintains a Credit Administration department whose function includes credit analysis and monitoring and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio, including delinquent and non-performing loans. The Company also monitors concentration of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans.  The Company has seen an increase in commercial loans as a percent of the total loan portfolio, intends to continue this strategy of commercial portfolio growth, and is committed to adding additional resources to the commercial credit function to manage the risk as this growth materializes.

     The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
 
                         
Construction & land development
  $ 17,747,597       4.57 %   $ 19,125,953       4.89 %
Secured by farm land
    10,585,319       2.73 %     10,555,596       2.70 %
1 - 4 family residential
    209,107,512       53.89 %     213,834,818       54.61 %
Commercial real estate
    105,839,972       27.28 %     103,812,882       26.52 %
Loans to finance agricultural production
    1,230,728       0.32 %     1,158,201       0.30 %
Commercial & industrial loans
    30,981,560       7.98 %     29,887,223       7.64 %
Consumer loans
    12,515,066       3.23 %     13,058,124       3.34 %
     Total gross loans
    388,007,754       100.00 %     391,432,797       100.00 %
Deduct:
                               
Reserve for loan losses
    3,709,918               3,727,935          
Unearned loan fees
    50,871               74,351          
Loans held-for-sale
    1,054,416               2,363,938          
      4,815,205               6,166,224          
      Net loans
  $ 383,192,549             $ 385,266,573          

Allowance for loan losses and provisions - The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio (See “Critical Accounting Policies). Although the Company, in establishing the allowance, considers the inherent losses in individual loans and pools of loans, the allowance is a general reserve available to absorb all credit losses in the loan portfolio.  No part of the allowance is segregated for, or allocated to, any particular loan or pools of loans.

     When establishing the allowance each quarter the Company applies a combination of historical loss factors and qualitative factors to segments of loans, including the residential mortgage, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer loan portfolios.  The Company will shorten or lengthen its look back period for determining average portfolio historical loss rates as the economy either contracts or expands; during a period of economic contraction a shortening of the look back period may more conservatively reflect the current economic climate.  In light of the recent recession, in late 2008 the Company modified its allowance methodology by shortening its historical look back period from five years to one to two years, and by also comparing loss rates to losses experienced during the last economic downturn, from 1999 to 2002. The highest loss rates experienced for these look back periods are applied to the various pools in establishing the allowance.

     The Company then applies numerous qualitative factors to each of these segments of the loan portfolio. Those factors include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans, criticized and classified loans, volumes and terms of loans, and the impact of any loan policy changes. Experience, ability and depth of lending personnel, levels of policy and documentation exceptions, national and local economic trends, the competitive environment, and geographic and industry concentrations of credit are also factors considered.

     Specific allocations to the reserve are made for impaired loans.  Impaired loans are those that have been placed in non-accrual status. Commercial and commercial real estate loans are placed in non-accrual status when there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, payment in full of principal and interest is not expected, and/or principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more. Such a loan need not be placed in non-accrual status if it is both well secured and in the process of collection.  Residential mortgages and home equity loans are considered for non-accrual status at 90 days past due and are evaluated on a case by case basis to assure that the Company’s net income is not materially overstated. The Company obtains current property appraisals and valuations and considers the cost to carry and sell collateral in order to assess the level of specific allocations required. Consumer loans are generally not placed in non-accrual but are charged off by the time they reach 120 days past due.

     A portion of the allowance (termed "unallocated") is established to absorb inherent losses that exist as of the valuation date although not specifically identified through management's process for estimating credit losses.  While the allowance is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire allowance is available to support loan losses, regardless of category.

     The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default and foreclosure. As a result of the recession that began in 2008, the Company has experienced increasing trends in delinquencies and the levels of non-performing loans and criticized and classified assets, which is consistent with the length and depth of the most recent economic recession and the current measured recovery. Accordingly, during 2009 the Company had carried the maximum qualitative factor adjustment for economic conditions and is now slowly decreasing that factor as the recovery progresses. The factors for trends in delinquency and non-accrual loans and criticized and classified assets were similarly increased and have now leveled off as the recovery takes hold. The sluggish pace of the economic recovery and the lack of national economic stimulus funding in 2011 will likely translate into a slow and measured reversal of the negative trends experienced in the loan portfolio since the onset of the 2008 recession.

     The Company’s non-performing assets decreased $1,170,798 or 16.7% during the quarter from $6,994,117 at December 31, 2010 to $5,823,319 as of March 31, 2011.  The improvement is due to several factors, including the sale of two residential OREO properties that had combined carrying values of $445,800 at December 31, 2010, a $164,800 partial charge off of a residential mortgage loan, and the improved payment performance of several residential mortgage loans, which typically occurs during income tax refund season.

     The Company’s non-accruing loans increased $63,767 or 1.4% during the quarter from $4,426,331 at December 31, 2010 to $4,490,098 as of March 31, 2011.  Specific allocations to the reserve decreased for the same period, from $392,700 to $319,800 largely due to the $164,800 residential loan partial charge off. Non-accrual loans include 5 loans totaling $2,612,275 classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”), down from $2,795,588 at December 31, 2010.  The reduction in TDR balances is principally due to the default of two of those loans totaling $965,716 and the related partial charge off of $164,800. Two other loans totaling $1,109,655 are scheduled to begin payments in April 2011 after completing a forbearance period; the last TDR loan is performing as agreed under its restructured terms. The impaired portfolio mix as of December 31, 2010 includes approximately 68% residential real estate, 30% commercial real estate, and 2% in commercial or installment loans not secured by real estate, compared to 73%, 26%, and 1%, at December 31, 2010.

     The Company is not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans.

     As of March 31, 20011 and December 31, 2010, the OREO balance was $764,500 and $1,210,300 respectively.  The Company’s OREO portfolio at March 31, 2011 consisted of three properties acquired through the normal foreclosure process, with a carrying value of $271,000 and one former LyndonBank branch property in Derby, Vermont with an estimated fair value of $493,500.  This property was placed in OREO a short time after the merger, when that branch was consolidated with the Company’s other offices located in close proximity.

     During the first quarter of 2011, the Company sold two OREO properties for $444,500 and has entered into purchase and sale agreements on the former LyndonBank property, one residential property and one commercial property. The Company recorded an additional $10,000 write-down in 2011 as a result of one of the 2011 sales and does not expect further write-downs in connection with the other purchase and sale agreements. Upon closing of these transactions the Company expects to be left with one of the properties that it held at March 31, 2011, a residential OREO property with a carrying value of $58,000.

      The Company is committed to a conservative lending philosophy and maintains high credit and underwriting standards. As of March 31, 2011, the Company maintained a residential loan portfolio of $209,107,512 compared to $213,834,818 as of December 31, 2010 and a commercial real estate portfolio (including construction, land development and farm land loans) of $134,172,888 as of March 31, 2011 and $133,494,431 as of December 31, 2010, together accounting for approximately 90% of the total loan portfolio for each period.

     The residential mortgage portfolio makes up the largest segment of the loan portfolio and as a result of the severity and depth of the recent recession it has recently seen the greatest degree of collection and foreclosure activity and losses. The Company however, has not experienced delinquencies and losses to the extent of national peers as the Company maintains a mortgage loan portfolio of traditional mortgage products and has not engaged in higher risk loans such as option ARM products, high loan-to-value products, interest only mortgages, subprime loans and products with deeply discounted teaser rates. In areas of the country where such risky products were originated, borrowers with little or no equity in their property have been defaulting on mortgages they can longer afford, and walking away from those properties as real estate values have fallen precipitously.  While real estate values have declined in the Company’s market area, the sound underwriting standards historically employed by the Company have mitigated the trends in defaults and property surrenders experienced elsewhere.  Residential mortgages with loan-to-values exceeding 80% are generally covered by private mortgage insurance (PMI).  A 90% loan-to-value residential mortgage product without PMI is only available to borrowers with excellent credit and low debt-to-income ratios and has not been widely originated.  Junior lien home equity products make up 22% of the residential mortgage portfolio with maximum loan-to-value ratios (including prior liens) of 80%.  The residential mortgage portfolio has performed well in light of the depth of the recent recession and the slow recovery.

     Risk in the Company’s commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios is mitigated in part by using government guarantees issued by federal agencies such as the US Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development. At March 31, 2011 the Company had $22,343,004 in guaranteed loans, compared to $22,074,715 at December 31, 2010.
 
 

 
The following table summarizes the Company's loan loss experience for the three months ended March 31,

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Loans outstanding end of period
  $ 388,007,754     $ 384,133,217  
Average loans outstanding during period
  $ 389,001,889     $ 382,812,068  
Non-accruing loans
  $ 4,490,098     $ 5,306,490  
                 
Loan loss reserve, beginning of period
  $ 3,727,935     $ 3,450,542  
Loans charged off:
               
  Residential real estate
    (188,800 )     (17,000 )
  Commercial real estate
    0       0  
  Commercial loans not secured by real estate
    (700 )     (40 )
  Consumer loans
    (37,590 )     (27,430 )
       Total loans charged off
    (227,090 )     (44,470 )
Recoveries:
               
  Residential real estate
    0       1,078  
  Commercial real estate
    1,090       1,022  
  Commercial loans not secured by real estate
    8,106       1,539  
  Consumer loans
    12,377       11,095  
        Total recoveries
    21,573       14,734  
Net loans charged off
    (205,517 )     (29,736 )
Provision charged to income
    187,500       125,001  
Loan loss reserve, end of period
  $ 3,709,918     $ 3,545,807  
                 
Net charge offs to average loans outstanding
    0.053 %     0.008 %
Provision charged to income as a percent of average loans
    0.048 %     0.033 %
Loan loss reserve to average loans outstanding
    0.954 %     0.926 %
Loan loss reserve to non-accruing loans *
    82.624 %     66.820 %

*The percentage includes two loans that were transferred to non-accrual status during the first quarter of 2010 carrying 90% guarantees by USDA Rural Development which, if the guaranteed portion were deducted, would increase the coverage to 106.3% as of March 31, 2011 and 82.3% as of March 31, 2010.

     Given loan portfolio trends and the recent recession and measured recovery, the provision for loan losses was $187,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $125,001 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Charge offs during the first quarter of 2011 totaled $227,090, compared to $44,470 for the same period last year.  The higher level of 2011 charge off activity is attributable largely to one residential loan charge off of $168,400.  Management will continue to monitor the activity of non-performing loans, carefully assess the reserve requirement and adjust the provision in future periods as circumstances warrant. The Company has an experienced collections department that continues to actively work with borrowers to resolve problem loans.

Non-performing assets for the comparison periods were as follows:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Percent
         
Percent
 
   
Balance
   
of Total
   
Balance
   
of Total
 
Non-accrual loans:
                       
  Commercial loans
  $ 92,215       1.58 %   $ 61,226       0.88 %
  Commercial real estate
    1,325,271       22.76 %     1,145,194       16.37 %
  Residential real estate
    3,072,612       52.76 %     3,219,911       46.04 %
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing:
                               
  Commercial loans
    7,177       0.12 %     29,446       0.42 %
  Commercial real estate
    231,237       3.97 %     94,982       1.36 %
  Residential real estate
    292,060       5.02 %     1,194,477       17.08 %
  Consumer
    38,201       0.66 %     38,466       0.55 %
Other real estate owned
    764,500       13.13 %     1,210,300       17.30 %
   Total
  $ 5,823,273       100.00 %   $ 6,994,002       100.00 %

Market Risk - In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and liquidity risk in its loan and deposit-taking operations, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  Declining capital markets can result in fair value adjustments necessary to record decreases in the value of the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary-impairment.  The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes.  The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. During times of recessionary periods, a declining housing market can result in an increase in loan loss reserves or ultimately an increase in foreclosures.  Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product.  The deterioration of the economy and disruption in the financial markets during recent years may heighten the Company’s market risk.  As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

    The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.  Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. During the first three months of 2011, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance sheet risk.

    The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit (including commercial and construction lines of credit), standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.   Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.


     The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.  The Company's financial instruments or commitments whose contract amount represents credit risk as of March 31, 2011 were as follows:

   
Contract or
 
   
Notional Amount
 
       
Unused portions of home equity lines of credit
  $ 18,752,616  
Other commitments to extend credit
    34,569,549  
Residential construction lines of credit
    1,225,874  
Commercial real estate and other construction lines of credit
    8,634,518  
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit
    1,222,459  
Recourse on sale of credit card portfolio
    401,500  
MPF credit enhancement obligation, net of liability recorded
    1,876,364  

     Since some commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The recourse provision under the terms of the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio in 2007 is based on total lines, not balances outstanding.  The remaining recourse, which consists of business customers and Canadian customers, is subject to increase, but only to the extent that the Company, in its discretion, approves a requested increase by a customer whose credit line is still active and included in the recourse portfolio.  Based on historical losses, and adjusting for current economic conditions, the Company does not expect any significant losses from this commitment.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings.  Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities.  Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process.  The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available for sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to roll over risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds.  Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and funding requirements for loan commitments.  The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds; however, it is increasingly more challenging to fund the balance sheet with core deposits.

     In order to attract deposits, the Company has from time to time taken the approach of offering deposit specials at competitive rates, in varying terms that fit within the balance sheet mix.  The strategy of offering specials is meant to provide a means to retain deposits while not having to reprice the entire deposit portfolio.  The Company recognizes that with increasing competition for deposits, it may at times be desirable to utilize alternative sources of deposit funding to augment retail deposits and borrowings.  One-way deposits purchased through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) of Promontory Interfinancial Network provide an alternative funding source when needed.  Such deposits are generally considered a form of brokered deposits.  In addition, two-way CDARS deposits allow the Company to provide FDIC deposit insurance to its customers in excess of account coverage limits by exchanging deposits with other CDARS members.  At March 31, 2011, the Company reported $1,216,381 in CDARS deposits, representing exchanged deposits with other CDARS participating banks compared to $1,313,834 in exchange deposits at December 31, 2010.

     In 2009 the Company established a borrowing line with the FRBB to be used as a contingency funding source.  For this Borrower-in-Custody arrangement, the Company pledged eligible commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and home equity loans, resulting in an available line of $71,944,928 and $70,695,535, respectively at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Credit advances in the FRBB lending program are overnight advances with interest chargeable at the primary credit rate (generally referred to as the discount rate), currently 75 basis points.  At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding advances against this line.

     The Company has an unsecured Federal Funds line with the FHLBB with an available balance of $500,000 at March 31, 2011 and year end 2010.  Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily approximately 25 basis points higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.  As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, additional borrowing capacity of approximately $86,663,490 and $85,552,034, respectively, was available through the FHLBB secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio (generally, residential mortgages).

 

     The following table reflects the Company’s outstanding FHLBB advances against the respective lines as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2010
 
Long-Term Advances
                 
FHLBB term borrowing, 2.13% fixed rate, due January 31, 2011
  $ 0     $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000  
FHLBB Community Investment Program borrowing, 7.67% fixed rate,
                       
   due November 16, 2012
    10,000       10,000       10,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 0.31% fixed rate, due July 23, 2010
    0       0       5,000,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 1.00% fixed rate, due January 27, 2012
    6,000,000       6,000,000       6,000,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 1.71% fixed rate, due January 27, 2013
    6,000,000       6,000,000       6,000,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 2.72% fixed rate, due January 27, 2015
    6,000,000       6,000,000       6,000,000  
      18,010,000       28,010,000       33,010,000  
Short-Term Advances
                       
FHLBB term borrowing, 0.39% fixed rate, due January 19, 2011
    0       5,000,000       0  
                         
Overnight Borrowings
                       
Federal funds purchased (FHLBB),  0.28%
    0       0       3,012,000  
                         
Total Borrowings
  $ 18,010,000     $ 33,010,000     $ 36,022,000  

     Under a separate agreement, the Company has the authority to collateralize public unit deposits up to its FHLBB borrowing capacity ($86,663,490 and $85,552,034 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, less outstanding advances) with letters of credit issued by the FHLBB.  The Company offers a Government Agency Account to the municipalities collateralized with these FHLBB letters of credit.  At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately $18,600,000 and $40,550,000, respectively, of qualifying residential real estate loans was pledged as collateral to the FHLBB for these collateralized governmental unit deposits.

     On March 22, 2011, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.14 on common stock payable on May 1, 2011, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2011, which was accrued in the financial statements at March 31, 2011.

     The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011:

Balance at December 31, 2010 (book value $7.63 per common share)
  $ 39,127,669  
    Net income
    944,868  
    Issuance of stock through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    178,597  
    Dividends declared on common stock
    (647,865 )
    Dividends declared on preferred stock
    (46,875 )
    Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
    (1,554 )
    Balance at March 31, 2011 (book value $7.97 per common share)
  $ 39,554,840  

     The primary source of funds for the Company's payment of dividends to its shareholders is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank.  The Bank, as a national bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions contained in the National Bank Act.  Under such restrictions, the Bank may not, without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), declare dividends in excess of the sum of the current year's earnings (as defined) plus the retained earnings (as defined) from the prior two years.

     The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's and the Bank's financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Prompt corrective action capital requirements are applicable to banks, but not bank holding companies.

     Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  The Company’s Series A preferred stock ($2,500,000 liquidation preference) is includable without limitation in its Tier 1 capital.  For 2010 and prior annual and quarterly periods the Company’s trust preferred junior subordinated debentures have been includable in Tier 1 capital up to 25% of core capital elements, with the balance includable in Tier 2 capital.

     In accordance with changes in the regulatory requirements for calculating capital ratios, beginning March 31, 2011, the Company is required to deduct the amount of goodwill, net of deferred tax liability ($2,061,772 at March 31, 2011), for purposes of calculating the amount of trust preferred junior subordinated debentures includable in Tier 1 capital ($10,004,100).  Under the previous method the amount of trust preferred junior subordinated debentures includable in Tier 1 capital would have been $12,887,000, resulting in a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 11.39% and a ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets of 7.64%.  Management believes, as of March 31, 2011, that the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

     As of March 31, 2011 the Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory capital framework for Prompt Corrective Action and the Company exceeded applicable consolidated regulatory capital guidelines.
 
 

     The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and its subsidiary as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 exceeded regulatory guidelines and are presented in the following table.
 
         
Minimum
     
Minimum
To Be Well
     
For Capital
Capitalized Under
     
Adequacy
Prompt Corrective
 
Actual
Purposes:
Action Provisions:
 
Amount
Ratio 
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
As of March 31, 2011:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
   Company
$44,584
12.45%
$28,648
8.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$43,985
12.30%
$28,609
8.00%
$35,762
10.00%
 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
   Company
$37,920
10.59%
$14,324
4.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$40,204
11.24%
$14,305
4.00%
$21,457
6.00%
 
Tier I capital (to average assets)
   Company
$37,920
7.25%
$20,926
4.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$40,204
7.69%
$20,909
4.00%
$26,137
5.00%
 
As of December 31, 2010:
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
   Company
$43,942
12.33%
$28,505
8.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$43,364
12.20%
$28,439
8.00%
$35,549
10.00%
 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
   Company
$40,187
11.28%
$14,253
4.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$39,610
11.14%
$14,220
4.00%
$21,329
6.00%
 
Tier I capital (to average assets)
   Company
$40,187
7.52%
$21,376
4.00%
N/A
N/A
   Bank
$39,610
7.42%
$21,345
4.00%
$26,681
5.00%

     The Company intends to continue the past policy of maintaining a strong capital resource position to support its asset size and level of operations.  Consistent with that policy, management will continue to anticipate the Company's future capital needs and will adjust its dividend payment practices consistent with those needs.

     From time to time the Company may make contributions to the capital of Community National Bank.  At present, regulatory authorities have made no demand on the Company to make additional capital contributions.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The Company's management of the credit, liquidity and market risk inherent in its business operations is discussed in Part 1, Item 2 of this report under the captions "RISK MANAGEMENT" and “FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF BALANCE SHEET RISK”, which are incorporated herein by reference.  Management does not believe that there have been any material changes in the nature or categories of the Company's risk exposures from those disclosed in the Company’s 2010 annual report on form 10-K.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  As of March 31, 2011, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011 were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

     For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

     In the normal course of business the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     The following table provides information as to purchases of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, by the Company and by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18):

                     
Maximum Number of
 
               
Total Number of
   
Shares That May Yet
 
   
Total Number
   
Average
   
Shares Purchased
   
Be Purchased Under
 
   
of Shares
   
Price Paid
   
as Part of Publicly
   
the Plan at the End
 
For the period:
 
Purchased(1)(2)
   
Per Share
   
Announced Plan
   
of the Period
 
                         
January 1 – January 31
    0     $ 0.00       N/A       N/A  
February 1 – February 28
    14,423       8.85       N/A       N/A  
March 1 – March 31
    9,228       8.82       N/A       N/A  
     Total
    23,651     $ 8.84       N/A       N/A  

(1)  All 23,651 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of Community National Bank.  Such share purchases were facilitated through CFSG, which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan.  Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.

(2)  Shares purchased during the period do not include fractional shares repurchased from time to time in connection with the participant's election to discontinue participation in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report:
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

*This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Act of 1934.

 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements 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.

COMMUNITY BANCORP.


DATED:  May 10, 2011
/s/ Stephen P. Marsh                    
 
 
Stephen P. Marsh, President &
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
     
DATED:  May 10, 2011
/s/ Louise M. Bonvechio                
 
 
Louise M. Bonvechio,  Vice President
 
 
& Chief Financial Officer