Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - SIERRA BANCORPFinancial_Report.xls
EX-32 - CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC FINANCIAL REPORT (SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION) - SIERRA BANCORPv229233_ex32.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION) - SIERRA BANCORPv229233_ex31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION) - SIERRA BANCORPv229233_ex31-1.htm
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2011

Commission file number:  000-33063

SIERRA BANCORP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

California
33-0937517
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification No)

86 North Main Street, Porterville, California  93257
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

(559) 782-4900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  R                    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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  R                    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.
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer R
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  ¨                    No  R

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

Common stock, no par value, 14,046,666 shares outstanding as of August 1, 2011

 
 

 
 
FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents
 
Page
Part I - Financial Information
1
 
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
1
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
2
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
3
 
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
4
     
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition & Results of Operations
12
 
Forward-Looking Statements
12
 
Critical Accounting Policies
12
 
Overview of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition
13
 
Earnings Performance
15
 
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
15
 
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses
19
 
Non-interest Revenue and Operating Expense
20
 
Provision for Income Taxes
23
 
Balance Sheet Analysis
23
 
Earning Assets
23
 
Investments
23
 
Loan Portfolio
25
 
Credit Quality and Nonperforming Assets
27
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
31
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
36
 
Other Assets
36
 
Deposits and Interest-Bearing Liabilities
37
 
Deposits
37
 
Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities
38
 
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities
39
 
Liquidity and Market Risk Management
39
 
Capital Resources
41
     
 
Item 3. Qualitative & Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk
43
     
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
43
     
Part II - Other Information
44
 
Item 1. - Legal Proceedings
44
 
Item 1A. - Risk Factors
44
 
Item 2. - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
44
 
Item 3. - Defaults upon Senior Securities
44
 
Item 4. - (Removed and Reserved)
44
 
Item 5. - Other Information
44
 
Item 6. - Exhibits
45
     
Signatures
46

 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1
SIERRA BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 49,265     $ 42,110  
Interest-bearing deposits in banks
    19,102       325  
Federal Funds Sold
    -       210  
Total Cash & Cash Equivalents
    68,367       42,645  
Investment securities available for sale
    402,736       331,730  
Loans and leases:
               
Loans held for sale
    -       914  
Gross loans and leases
    772,551       804,626  
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    (20,711 )     (21,138 )
Deferred loan and lease fees, net
    229       113  
Net Loans and Leases
    752,069       784,515  
Premises and equipment, net
    20,033       20,190  
Operating leases, net
    547       904  
Foreclosed assets
    18,231       20,691  
Goodwill
    5,544       5,544  
Other assets
    78,372       80,352  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,345,899     $ 1,286,571  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 273,684     $ 251,908  
Interest bearing
    842,482       800,366  
Total Deposits
    1,116,166       1,052,274  
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements
    3,980       -  
Short-term borrowings
    -       14,650  
Long-term borrowings
    15,000       15,000  
Other liabilities
    14,413       14,122  
Junior subordinated debentures
    30,928       30,928  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    1,180,487       1,126,974  
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Serial Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, no par value; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 14,046,666 and 13,976,741 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    64,024       63,477  
Additional paid in capital
    1,760       1,652  
Retained earnings
    95,604       93,570  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    4,024       898  
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    165,412       159,597  
                   
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 1,345,899     $ 1,286,571  

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

 
1

 

SIERRA BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

   
For the Quarter
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2011
   
2011
   
2011
 
Interest income:
                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 11,918     $ 13,495     $ 23,700     $ 27,073  
Interest on investment securities:
                               
Taxable
    2,285       2,043       4,201       4,150  
Tax-exempt
    721       673       1,437       1,318  
Interest on Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits
    25       5       33       22  
Total interest income
    14,949       16,216       29,371       32,563  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Interest on deposits
    1,125       1,671       2,216       3,329  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    5       55       39       92  
Interest on long-term borrowings
    142       142       282       318  
Interest on manditorily redeemable trust preferred securities
    180       180       361       355  
Total interest expense
    1,452       2,048       2,898       4,094  
                                 
Net Interest Income
    13,497       14,168       26,473       28,469  
                                 
Provision for loan losses
    3,000       3,500       6,600       6,900  
                                 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
    10,497       10,668       19,873       21,569  
                                 
Non-interest revenue:
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    2,446       2,887       4,701       5,590  
Other income, net
    1,027       1,102       2,348       2,260  
Total other operating income
    3,473       3,989       7,049       7,850  
                                 
Other operating expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    5,201       5,151       10,911       10,930  
Occupancy expense
    1,625       1,819       3,200       3,559  
Other
    4,729       4,578       9,146       9,232  
Total other operating expenses
    11,555       11,548       23,257       23,721  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    2,415       3,109       3,665       5,698  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
    231       565       (48 )     814  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 2,184     $ 2,544     $ 3,713     $ 4,884  
                                 
PER SHARE DATA
                               
Book value
  $ 11.78     $ 12.00     $ 11.78     $ 12.00  
Cash dividends
  $ 0.06     $ 0.06     $ 0.12     $ 0.12  
Earnings per share basic
  $ 0.16     $ 0.22     $ 0.27     $ 0.42  
Earnings per share diluted
  $ 0.16     $ 0.22     $ 0.26     $ 0.42  
Average shares outstanding, basic
    14,012,574       11,646,409       13,997,264       11,638,638  
Average shares outstanding, diluted
    14,084,997       11,749,546       14,072,974       11,723,566  

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

 
2

 

SIERRA BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 3,713     $ 4,884  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Gain on sales of loans
    (53 )     (37 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets
    (12 )     115  
Loss on sale on foreclosed assets
    296       337  
Writedowns on foreclosed assets
    1,305       653  
Share-based compensation expense
    117       68  
Provision for loan losses
    6,600       6,900  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,257       1,535  
Net amortization on securities premiums and discounts
    2,660       1,372  
Increase in unearned net loan fees
    (117 )     (330 )
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    (707 )     (506 )
Proceeds from sales of loans
    1,725       932  
Net decrease (increase) in loans held-for-sale
    914       (498 )
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable and other assets
    1,766       (2,004 )
Decrease in other liabilities
    (1,361 )     (572 )
Net decrease in restricted stock, at cost
    670       334  
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision
    (6 )     13  
Excess tax provision (benefit) from equity based compensation
    10       (12 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    18,777       13,184  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Maturities of securities available for sale
    408       4,960  
Proceeds from sales/calls of securities available for sale
    1,275       6,912  
Purchases of securities available for sale
    (104,699 )     (73,005 )
Principal paydowns on securities available for sale
    34,638       33,589  
Decrease in loans receivable, net
    20,543       7,564  
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    (734 )     (1,185 )
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets
    3,434       2,911  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (45,135 )     (18,254 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Increase (decrease) in deposits
    63,892       (33,830 )
Decrease (increase) in borrowed funds
    (14,650 )     21,900  
Increase in fed funds purchased
    3,980       -  
Cash dividends paid
    (1,679 )     (1,397 )
Payments of stock issuance costs
    (23 )     -  
Stock options exercised
    570       225  
Excess tax (benefit) provision from equity based compensation
    (10 )     12  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    52,080       (13,090 )
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
    25,722       (18,160 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
               
Beginning of period
    42,645       66,235  
End of period
  $ 68,367     $ 48,075  

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

 
3

 

SIERRA BANCORP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2011

Note 1 – The Business of Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”), headquartered in Porterville, California, is a California corporation registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.  The Company was incorporated in November 2000 and acquired all of the outstanding shares of Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”) in August 2001.  The Company’s principal subsidiary is the Bank, and the Company exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and of such other subsidiaries it may acquire or establish.  At the present time, the Company’s only other direct subsidiaries are Sierra Statutory Trust II and Sierra Capital Trust III, which were formed in March 2004 and June 2006, respectively, solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities.  Pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB’s) standard on the consolidation of variable interest entities, these trusts are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the financial statements of the Company.  References herein to the “Company” include Sierra Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiary, the Bank, unless the context indicates otherwise.

The Bank is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Porterville, California, that offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services to communities in the central and southern sections of the San Joaquin Valley.  Our branch footprint stretches from Fresno on the north to Bakersfield on the south, and on the southern end extends east through the Tehachapi plateau and into the northwestern tip of the Mojave Desert.  The Bank was incorporated in September 1977 and opened for business in January 1978, and in the ensuing years has grown to be the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley.  Our growth has primarily been organic, but includes the acquisition of Sierra National Bank in 2000.  We currently operate 25 full service branch offices throughout our geographic footprint, as well as an internet branch which provides the ability to open deposit accounts and submit certain loan applications online.  The Bank’s newest “brick and mortar” branches opened for business in Selma in February 2011 and Farmersville in March 2010.  In January 2011 we closed our first branch ever, in Bakersfield on California Avenue due to lease issues, and we are currently searching for a suitable location to replace that branch.  In addition to our full-service branches, the Bank has an agricultural credit division and an SBA lending unit with staff located at our corporate headquarters, and offsite ATM’s at eight different non-branch locations.  The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to maximum insurable amounts.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a condensed format, and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for such period. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has taken subsequent events into consideration and recognized them where appropriate. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter, or for the full year. Certain amounts reported for 2010 have been reclassified to be consistent with the reporting for 2011. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
4

 

Note 3 – Current Accounting Developments

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles allow reporting entities several alternatives for displaying other comprehensive income and its components in financial statements, and ASU 2011-05 is intended to improve the consistency of this reporting issue. The amendments in this ASU require all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. Furthermore, the entity is required to present, on the face of the financial statements, adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statements, where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in the ASU do not change the following: 1) items that must be reported in other comprehensive income; 2) when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income; 3) the option to present components of other comprehensive income either net of related tax effects or before related tax effects; or, 4) how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The amendments in ASU 2011-05 should be applied retrospectively. For public entities, such as the Company, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s adoption of this ASU will impact our presentation of comprehensive income, but not the calculation of such.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to substantially converge the fair value measurement and disclosure guidance in U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amended guidance changes several aspects of current fair value measurement guidance, including the following provisions: 1) the application of the concepts of “highest and best use” and “valuation premise”; 2) the introduction of an option to measure groups of offsetting assets and liabilities on a net basis; 3) the incorporation of certain premiums and discounts in fair value measurements; and, 4) the measurement of the fair value of certain instruments classified in shareholders’ equity. In addition, the amended guidance includes several new fair value disclosure requirements, including, among other things, information about valuation techniques and unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements and a narrative description of Level 3 measurements’ sensitivity to changes in unobservable inputs. For public entities such as the Company, the provisions of ASU 2011-04 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and are to be applied prospectively. The implementation of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to change fair value measurements for any of the Company’s assets or liabilities carried at fair value, and thus should not impact the Company’s statements of income and condition.
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, in an effort to improve financial reporting by creating greater consistency in the way GAAP is applied for various types of debt restructurings.  ASU 2011-02 is intended to assist creditors in determining whether a modification of the terms of a loan meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), both for purposes of recording an impairment loss and for disclosure of TDR’s.  In evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a TDR, a creditor must separately conclude that both of the following exist:  1) the restructuring constitutes a concession; and 2) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  The amendments to Topic 310 clarify the guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession, and likewise clarify the guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  In addition, the amendments to Topic 310 preclude creditors from using the effective interest rate test in the debtor’s guidance on restructuring of payables (paragraph 470-60-55-10) when evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a TDR.  For public companies, such as Sierra Bancorp, the new 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 fiscal year of adoption.  Early adoption is permitted, and the Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-02 for the reporting period ended June 30, 2011.  There was a total of $552,000 in loan balances that were added to performing TDR’s at June 30, 2011 as a direct result of the Company’s adoption of ASU 2011-02, with only a negligible impact on our allowance for loan and lease losses.

 
5

 

In July 2010, the FASB updated disclosure requirements with respect to the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  According to the guidance, there are two levels of detail at which credit information must be presented - the portfolio segment level and class level.  The portfolio segment level is defined as the level where financing receivables are aggregated in developing a company’s systematic method for calculating its allowance for credit losses.  The class level is the second level at which credit information will be presented, and represents the categorization of financing receivables at a slightly less aggregated level than the portfolio segment level.  Companies are required to provide the following disclosures as a result of this update:  A roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses at the portfolio segment level, with the ending balances further categorized according to impairment method along with the balance reported in the related financing receivables at period-end; additional disclosures of nonaccrual and impaired financing receivables by class as of period-end; credit quality and past due/aging information by class as of period-end; information surrounding the nature and extent of loan modifications and troubled-debt restructurings and their effect on the allowance for credit losses during the period; and details on any significant purchases or sales of financing receivables during the period.  The increased period-end disclosure requirements became effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010, with the exception of the additional period-end disclosures surrounding troubled-debt restructurings which were deferred in December 2010 and became effective for annual and interim reporting periods ending on or after June 15, 2011.  The increased disclosures for activity within a reporting period become effective for periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, with retrospective application to January 1, 2011.  The provisions of this FASB update expanded the Company’s current disclosures with respect to our allowance for loan and lease losses and the credit quality of our financing receivables.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.  This update added disclosure requirements for significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2, clarified existing fair value disclosure requirements about the appropriate level of disaggregation, and clarified that a description of the valuation techniques was required for recurring and nonrecurring Level 2 and 3 fair value measurements.  The Company adopted these provisions of the ASU in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements commencing with the period ended March 31, 2010.  The adoption of these provisions only affected the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and as a result had no impact on the Company’s statements of income and condition.  An additional requirement of this ASU is that activity within Level 3, including purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, be presented on a gross basis rather than as a net number as currently permitted.  This provision of the ASU became effective for the Company’s reporting period ending March 31, 2011.  As this provision only amended the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, our adoption of it had no impact on the Company’s statements of income and condition.

Note 4 – Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

During the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, cash paid for interest due on interest-bearing liabilities was $2.942 million and $4.304 million, respectively.  There was $1.643 million in cash paid for income taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2011, and $5.360 million in cash paid for income taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2010.  Assets totaling $2.948 million and $5.455 million were acquired in settlement of loans for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, respectively, and we received $3.268 million in cash from the sale of foreclosed assets during the first half of 2011 relative to $2.911 million during the first half of 2010.  The Company extended $1.381 million in loans to finance the sale of foreclosed assets during the six months ended June 30, 2011, but none during the first six months of 2010.

Note 5 – Share Based Compensation

The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) was adopted by the Company in 2007.  Our 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) was concurrently terminated, although options to purchase 292,723 shares that were granted prior to the termination of the 1998 Plan were still outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and remain unaffected by the termination.  The 2007 Plan provides for the issuance of both “incentive” and “nonqualified” stock options to officers and employees, and of “nonqualified” stock options to non-employee directors of the Company.  The 2007 Plan also provides for the potential issuance of restricted stock awards to these same classes of eligible participants, on such terms and conditions as are established at the discretion of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee.  The total number of shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued stock reserved and available for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2007 Plan was initially 1,500,000 shares, although options have been granted since the inception of the plan and the number remaining available for grant as of June 30, 2011 was 1,040,360.  No restricted stock awards have been issued by the Company.

Pursuant to FASB’s standards on stock compensation, share-based compensation expense is reflected in our income statement for each option granted over the vesting period of such option.  The Company is utilizing the Black-Scholes model to value stock options, and the “multiple option” approach is used to allocate the resulting valuation to actual expense.  Under the multiple option approach, an employee’s options for each vesting period are separately valued and amortized.  This appears to be the preferred method for option grants with multiple vesting periods, which is the case for most options granted by the Company.  A pre-tax charge of $53,000 was reflected in the Company’s income statement during the second quarter of 2011 and $28,000 was charged during the second quarter of 2010, as compensation expense related to outstanding and unvested stock options.  For the first half, these charges amounted to $118,000 in 2011 and $66,000 in 2010.

 
6

 

Note 6 – Earnings Per Share

The computation of earnings per share, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period.  There were 14,012,574 weighted average shares outstanding during the second quarter of 2011, and 11,646,409 during the second quarter of 2010.  There were 13,997,264 weighted average shares outstanding during the first six months of 2011, and 11,638,638 during the first six months of 2010.

Diluted earnings per share include the effect of the potential issuance of common shares, which for the Company is limited to “in-the-money” shares that would be issued on the exercise of outstanding stock options.  The dilutive effect of options outstanding was calculated using the treasury stock method, excluding anti-dilutive shares and adjusting for unamortized expense and windfall tax benefits.  For the second quarter and first six months of 2011, the dilutive effect of options outstanding calculated under the treasury stock method totaled 72,423 and 75,710, respectively, which were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share.  Likewise, for the second quarter and first six months of 2010, shares totaling 103,137 and 84,928, respectively, were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding in order to calculate diluted earnings per share.

Note 7 – Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is derived from unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities. Reclassification adjustments, resulting from gains or losses on investment securities that were realized and included in net income of the current period that also had been included in other comprehensive income as unrealized holding gains or losses in the period in which they arose, are excluded from comprehensive income of the current period. The Company’s comprehensive income was as follows:

Comprehensive Income
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
For the Quarter
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Net Income
  $ 2,184     $ 2,544     $ 3,713     $ 4,884  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Unrealized holding gain
    3,450       1,366       5,289       2,550  
Less: reclassification adjustment
    -       -       -       -  
Pre-tax other comprehensive inc/(loss)
    3,450       1,366       5,289       2,550  
Less: tax impact of above
    1,450       574       2,223       1,072  
Net other comprehensive income
    2,000       792       3,066       1,478  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 4,184     $ 3,336     $ 6,779     $ 6,362  

Note 8 – 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, in order to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit, and standby letters of credit.  They involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and issuing letters of credit as it does for making loans included on the balance sheet.  The following financial instruments represent off-balance-sheet credit risk (dollars in thousands):

   
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Commitments to extend credit
  $ 143,501     $ 142,309  
Standby letters of credit
  $ 11,380     $ 7,761  
Commercial letters of credit
  $ 9,427     $ 9,435  
 
 
7

 

Commitments to extend credit consist primarily of unfunded single-family residential construction loans and home equity lines of credit, and commercial real estate construction loans and commercial revolving lines of credit. Construction loans are established under standard underwriting guidelines and policies and are secured by deeds of trust, with disbursements made over the course of construction. Commercial revolving lines of credit have a high degree of industry diversification. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party, while commercial letters of credit represent the Company’s commitment to pay a third party on behalf of a customer upon fulfillment of contractual requirements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.
 
Note 9 – Fair Value Disclosures and Reporting, the Fair Value Option and Fair Value Measurements

FASB’s standards on financial instruments, and on fair value measurements and disclosures, require all entities to disclose the estimated fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair values.  In addition to those footnote disclosure requirements, FASB’s standard on investments requires that our debt securities, which are classified as available for sale, and our equity securities that have readily determinable fair values, be measured and reported at fair value in our statement of financial position.  Certain impaired loans are also reported at fair value, as explained in greater detail below, and foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  While the fair value option outlined under FASB’s standard on financial instruments permits companies to report certain other financial assets and liabilities at fair value, we have not elected the fair value option for any additional financial assets or liabilities.

Fair value measurements and disclosure standards also establish a framework for measuring fair value.  Fair value is defined as 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.  Further, they establish a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The standards describe three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 
·
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

 
·
Level 2: Significant observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 
·
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the factors that market participants would likely consider in pricing an asset or liability.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any estimates.  Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value disclosures are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented.  The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments disclosed at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
·
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings:  For cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings, the carrying amount is estimated to be fair value.

 
8

 

 
·
Investment securities:  The fair values of investment securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities when quoted prices for the specific securities are not readily available.

 
·
Loans and leases:  For variable-rate loans and leases that re-price frequently with no significant change in credit risk or interest rate spread, fair values are based on carrying values.  Fair values for other loans and leases are estimated by discounting projected cash flows at interest rates being offered at each reporting date for loans and leases with similar terms, to borrowers of comparable creditworthiness.  Fair values of loans held for sale are estimated using quoted market prices for similar loans or the amount that has been committed to purchase the loan.  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value.

 
·
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies:  The fair values are based on cash surrender values at each reporting date.

 
·
Investment in, and capital commitments to, limited partnerships:  The fair values of our investments in WNC Institutional Tax Credit Fund Limited Partnerships and any other limited partnerships are estimated using quarterly indications of value provided by the general partner.  The fair values of undisbursed capital commitments are assumed to be the same as their book values.

 
·
Other investments:  Included in other assets are certain long-term investments carried at cost, which approximates their estimated fair value.

 
·
Deposits:  Fair values for demand deposits and other non-maturity deposits are equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, which is the carrying amount.  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a cash flow analysis, discounted at interest rates being offered at each reporting date by the Bank for certificates with similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.

 
·
Short-term borrowings:  The carrying amounts approximate fair values for federal funds purchased, overnight FHLB advances, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days of the reporting dates.  Fair values of other short-term borrowings are estimated by discounting projected cash flows at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 
·
Long-term borrowings:  The fair values of the Company’s long-term borrowings are estimated using projected cash flows discounted at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 
·
Subordinated debentures:  The fair values of subordinated debentures are determined based on the current market value for like instruments of a similar maturity and structure.

 
·
Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit:  Commitments to extend credit are primarily for adjustable rate loans.  Commitments to fund fixed rate loans and letters of credit, where such exist, are also at rates which approximate market rates at each reporting date.  Thus, if funded, the carrying amounts would approximate fair values for the newly created financial assets at the funding date.  However, because of the high degree of uncertainty with regard to whether or not these commitments will ultimately be funded, fair values for loan commitments and letters of credit in their current undisbursed state cannot reasonably be estimated, and only notional values are disclosed in the table below.

 
9

 

Estimated fair values for the Company’s financial instruments at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
       
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
June 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    68,367       68,367       42,645       42,645  
Investment securities available for sale
    402,736       402,736       331,730       331,730  
Loans and leases, net
    752,069       780,684       784,515       816,185  
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
    32,298       32,298       31,591       31,591  
Other investments
    7,691       7,691       8,361       8,361  
Investments in limited partnerships
    10,198       10,198       10,899       10,899  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,695       5,695       5,677       5,677  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    1,116,166       1,117,063       1,052,274       1,052,085  
Repurchase agreements
    3,980       3,980       -       -  
Overnight borrowings
    -       -       9,650       9,650  
Short-term borrowings
    -       -       5,000       5,000  
Long-term borrowings
    15,000       15,529       15,000       15,736  
Subordinated debentures
    30,928       11,651       30,928       11,610  
Limited partnership capital commitment
    392       764       417       417  
Accrued interest payable
    722       722       678       678  
                                 
   
Notional Amount
           
Notional Amount
         
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
                               
Commitments to extend credit
    143,501               142,309          
Standby letters of credit   
    11,380               7,761          
Commercial letters of credit
    9,427               9,435          

For each category of financial assets that were actually reported at fair value at June 30, 2011, the Company used the following methods and significant assumptions:

 
·
Investment Securities:  The fair values of trading securities and securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on the their relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

 
·
Loans held for sale:  Since loans designated by the Company as available-for-sale are typically sold shortly after making the decision to sell them, realized gains or losses are usually recognized within the same period and fluctuations in fair values are thus not relevant for reporting purposes.  If available-for-sale loans stay on our books for an extended period of time, the fair value of those loans is determined using quoted secondary-market prices.

 
·
Impaired loans:  Impaired loans carried at fair value are those for which it is probable that the bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (including both interest and principal) according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, and for which the carrying value has been written down to the fair value of the loan.  The carrying value is equivalent to the fair value of the collateral, net of expected disposition costs, for collateral-dependent loans, or the present value of anticipated future cash flows for other loans.

 
·
Foreclosed assets: Repossessed real estate (OREO) and other assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is appraised value less expected selling costs for OREO and some other assets such as mobile homes, and estimated sales proceeds as determined by using reasonably available sources for all other assets. Foreclosed assets for which appraisals can be feasibly obtained are periodically measured for impairment using updated appraisals. Other foreclosed assets are periodically re-evaluated by adjusting expected cash flows and timing of resolution, again using reasonably available sources. If impairment is determined to exist, the book value of a foreclosed asset is immediately written down to its estimated impaired value through the income statement, thus the carrying amount is equal to the fair value and there is no valuation allowance.

 
10

 

Assets reported at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Fair Value Measurements - Recurring
                   
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
                       
   
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2011, Using
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investment Securities
                       
U.S. Government agencies
  $ -     $ 5,028     $ -     $ 5,028  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    -       73,922       -       73,922  
U.S. Government agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
    -       322,171       -       322,171  
Other Securities
    1,615       -       -       1,615  
Total availabe-for-sale securities
    1,615       401,121       -       402,736  
                                 
Loans Held for Sale
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 1,615     $ 401,121     $ -     $ 402,736  
                                 
   
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010, Using
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investment Securities
                       
U.S. Government agencies
  $ -     $ 5,062     $ -     $ 5,062  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    -       70,102       -       70,102  
U.S. Government agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
    -       255,143       -       255,143  
Other Securities
    1,423       -       -       1,423  
Total availabe-for-sale securities
    1,423       330,307       -       331,730  
                                 
Loans Held for Sale
    914       -       -       914  
Total
  $ 2,337     $ 330,307     $ -     $ 332,644  

Assets for which a nonrecurring change in fair value has been recorded are summarized below:

Fair Value Measurements - Nonrecurring
             
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
                   
   
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2011, Using
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Impaired Loans
  $ -     $ 26,312     $ 13,699     $ 40,011  
Foreclosed Assets
  $ -     $ 16,273     $ 1,958     $ 18,231  
                                 
   
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010, Using
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Impaired Loans
  $ -     $ 29,482     $ 6,705     $ 36,187  
Foreclosed Assets
  $ -     $ 3,123     $ 17,568     $ 20,691  

The table above only includes impaired loan balances for which a specific reserve has been established or on which a write-down has been taken.  Information on the Company’s total impaired loan balances, and specific loss reserves associated with those balances, is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, in the “Credit Quality and Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections.

 
11

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 2
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, and “estimates” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecast in, or implied by such forward-looking statements.

A variety of factors could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, and should be considered when evaluating the potential future financial performance of the Company.  These include, but are not limited to, continued deterioration in economic conditions in the Company’s service areas; risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates; liquidity risks; increases in nonperforming assets and net credit losses that could occur, particularly in times of weak economic conditions or rising interest rates; the Company’s ability to secure buyers for foreclosed properties; the loss in market value of available-for-sale securities that could result if interest rates change substantially or an issuer has real or perceived financial difficulties; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the Company’s ability to successfully deploy new technology; the success of branch expansion; and risks associated with the multitude of current and future laws and regulations to which the Company is and will be subject.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The financial information and disclosures contained within those statements are significantly impacted by Management’s estimates and judgments, which are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under current circumstances.  Actual results may differ from those estimates under divergent conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments, and have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s stated results of operations.  In Management’s opinion, the Company’s critical accounting policies deal with the following areas:  the establishment of the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses, as explained in detail in the “Provision for Loan and Lease Losses” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections of this discussion and analysis; the valuation of impaired loans and foreclosed assets, which is discussed under “Credit Quality and Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses”; income taxes, especially with regard to the ability of the Company to recover deferred tax assets, as discussed in the “Provision for Income Taxes” and “Other Assets” sections of this discussion and analysis; goodwill, which is evaluated annually for impairment based on the fair value of the Company and for which it has been determined that no impairment exists; and equity-based compensation, which is discussed in greater detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.  Critical accounting areas are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Company’s financial statements incorporate the most recent expectations with regard to these areas.

 
12

 

OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Second Quarter 2011 compared to Second Quarter 2010
 
Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was $2.184 million, representing a decline of $360,000, or 14%, relative to net income of $2.544 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  Basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2011 were $0.16, compared to $0.22 basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2010.  The Company’s annualized return on average equity was 5.36% and annualized return on average assets was 0.65% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared to a return on equity of 7.36% and return on assets of 0.77% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The primary drivers behind the variance in net income are as follows:

·
Net interest income was down $671,000, or 5%, due to a 27 basis point drop in the Company’s net interest margin, partially offset by a $15 million increase in average interest-earning assets.  Negative factors impacting our net interest margin in the second quarter of 2011 include lower loan yields resulting from increased competition for quality loans, and a shift from average loan balances into lower-yielding investment balances.  These negatives were partially offset by net interest recoveries in the second quarter of 2011, a reduced reliance on interest-bearing liabilities due to growth in average non-interest bearing deposits and equity, and a shift in average balances from non-deposit borrowings and CDARS deposits into lower-cost core deposit categories.

·
The Company’s loan loss provision was reduced by $500,000, or 14%.  Thus far in 2011, our loan loss provision has been utilized to provide specific reserves for impaired loans and to replenish reserves subsequent to loan charge-offs.  Net loans charged off totaled $3.753 million in the second quarter of 2011, including a $1.4 million charge-off associated with a single non-accruing loan for which we had a $1.2 million reserve already established as of year-end 2010.  Net charge-offs were $2.722 million in the second quarter of 2010.

·
Total non-interest revenue declined by $516,000, or 13%, due primarily to a drop in overdraft income resulting from procedural changes implemented pursuant to regulatory guidance.  Another unfavorable variance in non-interest income was the result of a $378,000 increase in costs associated with low-income housing tax credit investments, which are accounted for as a reduction in income.  These unfavorable variances were partially offset by a higher level of debit card interchange income, higher merchant fees, an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance associated with deferred compensation plans, and gains on leased equipment subsequent to the termination of leases.

·
Total operating expense had a negligible variance for the quarterly comparison.  Salaries and benefits increased by only $50,000, or 1%, despite the addition of staff for newer branches and a $120,000 increase in deferred compensation accruals.  Occupancy expense declined by $194,000, or 11%, for the quarter, due mainly to a drop in depreciation expense, lower maintenance/repair costs, and the January 2011 closure of a branch with a relatively costly lease.  Other non-interest expenses increased by an aggregate $151,000, or 3%, due in large part to a $501,000 increase in write-downs on foreclosed assets and an increase in directors deferred fee accruals, which were partially offset by favorable variances in certain other costs including those associated with online deposit accounts and internet banking, marketing expense, FDIC assessments, and sundry losses.

First Half 2011 Compared to First Half 2010

Net income for the first six months of 2011 was $3.713 million, a drop of $1.171 million, or 24%, relative to net income for the first six months of 2010.  Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.27 and $0.26, respectively, for the first six months of 2011, compared to $0.42 basic and diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2010.  The Company realized an annualized return on average equity of 4.62% for the first half of 2011 and 7.17% for the first half of 2010, and a return on assets for the same periods of 0.57% and 0.74%, respectively.  The principal reasons for the first half net income variance include the following:

 
13

 

·
Net interest income declined by $1.996 million, due to a 29 basis point net interest margin decline and a $9 million drop in average interest-earning assets.  The drop in our net interest margin for the comparative year-to-date periods was the result of the same circumstances discussed for the quarterly comparison.

·
The Company’s provision for loan losses was $6.6 million in the first half of 2011, which represents a drop of $300,000, or 4%, relative to the first half of 2010.  Net charge-offs increased by $1.3 million, however, due to the charge-off of a pre-established reserve on a non-performing loan that was resolved in the second quarter of 2011.

·
Total non-interest income declined by $801,000, or 10%.  Similar to the quarterly comparison, the largest changes in the components of non-interest income for the half include lower overdraft fee income and higher low-income housing tax credit investment costs, partially offset by an increase in income generated by deferred compensation BOLI, a higher level of debit card interchange fees, and gains realized upon the termination of equipment leases.

·
Total non-interest expense reflects a drop of $464,000, or 2%, for the first half of 2011.  Significant reductions within this category are evident in occupancy expense, marketing costs, internet banking and online account costs, foreclosed asset operating expense, FDIC assessments, and sundry losses.  These reductions were partially offset by a $692,000 increase in write-downs on foreclosed assets, and higher directors deferred fee costs.

·
The Company recorded a negative income tax provision of $48,000 for the first half of 2011, as compared to a provision of $814,000 for the first half of 2011 that resulted in a tax accrual rate of 14%.  The income tax provision was negative for the first half of 2011 due to a high level of tax credits relative to taxable income, as adjusted for the favorable impact of tax-exempt interest income and BOLI income.

FINANCIAL CONDITION SUMMARY

June 30, 2011 relative to December 31, 2010
 
The most significant characteristics of, and changes in, the Company’s balance sheet during the first six months of 2011 are outlined below:

·
The Company’s assets totaled $1.346 billion at June 30, 2011, an increase of $59 million, or 5%, relative to total assets of $1.287 billion at December 31, 2010.  Total assets increased due to growth in investment securities and an increase in cash and balances due from banks, partially offset by lower loan balances.  Gross loan and lease balances declined $33 million, or 4%, due to runoff in the normal course of business, prepayments, transfers to OREO, and charge-offs.  Weak loan demand from quality borrowers and aggressive competition have hindered our ability to counteract this contraction.

·
The $65 million balance of nonperforming assets at June 30, 2011 reflects a decline of $1 million, or 2%, since year-end 2010, and is well below its peak of $78 million reached a year earlier.  In addition to nonperforming assets we had $14.3 million in performing restructured troubled debt (TDR’s) at June 30, 2011, an increase of $2 million, or 15%, relative to year-end 2010.

·
Our allowance for loan and lease losses was $20.7 million as of June 30, 2011, which represents a slight decline relative to the balance at year-end 2010 due primarily to the charge-off of a pre-established specific reserve that was included in the allowance at December 31, 2010.  Even though the allowance for loan and lease losses fell slightly, our allowance as a percentage of total loans increased by 6 basis points, to 2.68% at June 30, 2011 from 2.62% at December 31, 2010, because loan balances fell during the first half of the year.

·
Total deposits increased by $64 million, or 6%.  While $33 million of that growth was in core non-maturity deposits, NOW deposits dropped by $6 million, or 3%, due to runoff in our online-only accounts subsequent to interest rate adjustments.  We also added $15 million in longer-term wholesale-sourced brokered deposits for interest rate risk management purposes, in order to create a more defensive posture for the eventuality of rising interest rates.  Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings were reduced by $15 million during the first six months of the year, but other borrowings increased by $4 million subsequent to a customer’s transfer of $4 million from money market deposits into a non-deposit sweep account.

 
14

 

·
Total capital increased by $6 million, or 4%, to $165 million at June 30, 2011.  Because capital increased and risk-adjusted assets declined, our consolidated total risk-based capital ratio increased to 21.38% at June 30, 2011 from 20.33% at year-end 2010.  Further, our tier one risk-based capital ratio was 20.12% and our tier one leverage ratio was 13.75% at June 30, 2011.

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

The Company earns income from two primary sources. The first is net interest income, which is interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. The second is non-interest income, which consists mainly of customer service charges and fees but also comes from non-customer sources such as bank-owned life insurance. The majority of the Company’s non-interest expenses are operating costs that relate to providing a full range of banking services to our customers.

NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN

For the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, net interest income declined by $671,000, or 5%.  For the year-to-date comparison, net interest income declined by $1.996 million, or 7%.  The level of net interest income depends on several factors in combination, including growth in earning assets, yields on earning assets, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, the relative volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the mix of products which comprise the Company’s earning assets, deposits, and other interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income can also be impacted by the reversal of interest for loans placed on non-accrual, and by the recovery of interest on loans that have been on non-accrual and are either sold or returned to accrual status.

The following Average Balances and Rates tables show the average balance of each significant balance sheet category, and the amount of interest income or interest expense associated with that category, for the comparative quarters and year-to-date periods.  The tables also show the calculated yields on each major component of the Company’s investment and loan portfolio, the average rates paid on each key segment of the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities, and our net interest margin for the periods noted.

 
15

 

Average Balances and Rates
 
For the Quarter
   
For the Quarter
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Ended June 30, 2011 (1)(2)(3)
   
Ended June 30, 2010 (1)(2)(3)
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate/Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate/Yield
 
 Assets                                    
Investments:
                                   
Federal funds sold/due from time
  $ 36,802     $ 25       0.27 %   $ 10,215     $ 5       0.19 %
Taxable
    312,808       2,285       2.89 %     234,371       2,043       3.45 %
Non-taxable
    73,396       721       5.98 %     67,829       673       6.04 %
Equity
    1,595       -       0.00 %     1,607       -       0.00 %
Total Investments
    424,601       3,031       3.19 %     314,022       2,721       3.88 %
                                                 
Loans and Leases:(4) (5)
                                               
Agricultural
    13,886       179       5.17 %     9,719       122       5.03 %
Commercial
    107,006       1,598       5.99 %     119,237       1,784       6.00 %
Real Estate
    556,509       9,091       6.55 %     623,481       10,285       6.62 %
Consumer
    41,031       946       9.25 %     51,286       1,139       8.91 %
Direct Financing Leases
    7,117       104       5.86 %     11,484       165       5.76 %
Other
    48,459       -       0.00 %     54,702       -       0.00 %
Total Loans and Leases
    774,008       11,918       6.18 %     869,909       13,495       6.22 %
Total Interest Earning Assets (5)
    1,198,609       14,949       5.13 %     1,183,931       16,216       5.62 %
Other Earning Assets
    7,882                       9,196                  
Non-Earning Assets
    133,018                       131,800                  
Total Assets
  $ 1,339,509                     $ 1,324,927                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
Interest Bearing Deposits:
                                               
NOW
  $ 175,621     $ 205       0.47 %   $ 182,036     $ 530       1.17 %
Savings Accounts
    83,492       50       0.24 %     69,641       41       0.24 %
Money Market
    165,083       192       0.46 %     167,208       245       0.59 %
CDAR's
    49,144       71       0.59 %     78,669       168       0.86 %
Certificates of Deposit<$100,000
    158,083       271       0.69 %     144,702       296       0.82 %
Certificates of Deposit$100,000
    196,870       286       0.58 %     193,209       315       0.65 %
Brokered Deposits
    15,000       50       1.34 %     15,000       76       2.03 %
Total Interest Bearing Deposits
    843,293       1,125       0.54 %     850,465       1,671       0.79 %
Borrowed Funds:
                                               
Federal Funds Purchased
    3       -       0.00 %     -       -       0.00 %
Repurchase Agreements
    1,634       5       1.23 %     -       -       0.00 %
Short Term Borrowings
    1       -       0.00 %     26,676       55       0.83 %
Long Term Borrowings
    15,000       142       3.80 %     15,000       142       3.80 %
TRUPS
    30,928       180       2.33 %     30,928       180       2.33 %
Total Borrowed Funds
    47,566       327       2.76 %     72,604       377       2.08 %
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
    890,859       1,452       0.65 %     923,069       2,048       0.89 %
Demand Deposits
    269,716                       248,832                  
Other Liabilities
    15,559                       14,454                  
Shareholders' Equity
    163,375                       138,572                  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 1,339,509                     $ 1,324,927                  
                                                 
Interest Income/Interest Earning Assets
                    5.13 %                     5.62 %
Interest Expense/Interest Earning Assets
                    0.48 %                     0.70 %
Net Interest Income and Margin(6)
          $ 13,497       4.65 %           $ 14,168       4.92 %

(1)
Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2)
Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 35% effective tax rate.
(3)
Annualized
(4)
Net loan costs have been included in the calculation of interest income.  Net loan costs were approximately $145 thousand and $148 thousand for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
 Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.
(5)
Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.
(6)
Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 
16

 

Average Balances and Rates
 
For the Six Months
   
For the Six Months
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Ended June 30, 2011 (1)(2)(3)
   
Ended June 30, 2010 (1)(2)(3)
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate/Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate/Yield
 
Assets                                    
Investments:
                                   
Federal funds sold/due from time
  $ 25,967     $ 33       0.25 %   $ 16,073     $ 22       0.27 %
Taxable
    294,874       4,201       2.83 %     228,162       4,150       3.62 %
Non-taxable
    72,609       1,437       6.06 %     66,064       1,318       6.10 %
Equity
    1,572       -       0.00 %     1,563       -       0.00 %
Total Investments
    395,022       5,671       3.24 %     311,862       5,490       3.95 %
                                                 
Loans and Leases:(4) (5)
                                               
Agricultural
    12,992       331       5.14 %     9,696       242       5.03 %
Commercial
    104,609       3,120       6.01 %     119,181       3,538       5.99 %
Real Estate
    563,054       18,140       6.50 %     625,169       20,693       6.67 %
Consumer
    42,548       1,890       8.96 %     52,990       2,263       8.61 %
Direct Financing Leases
    7,530       219       5.86 %     11,832       337       5.74 %
Other
    49,091       -       0.00 %     53,190       -       0.00 %
Total Loans and Leases
    779,824       23,700       6.13 %     872,058       27,073       6.26 %
Total Interest Earning Assets (5)
    1,174,846       29,371       5.17 %     1,183,920       32,563       5.67 %
Other Earning Assets
    8,114                       9,278                  
Non-Earning Assets
    133,510                       129,758                  
Total Assets
  $ 1,316,470                     $ 1,322,956                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
Interest Bearing Deposits:
                                               
NOW
  $ 176,358     $ 420       0.48 %   $ 171,352     $ 914       1.08 %
Savings Accounts
    80,852       96       0.24 %     67,378       77       0.23 %
Money Market
    160,811       382       0.48 %     171,248       497       0.59 %
CDAR's
    40,998       125       0.61 %     96,359       431       0.90 %
Certificates of Deposit<$100,000
    159,727       545       0.69 %     144,648       616       0.86 %
Certificates of Deposit$100,000
    194,093       573       0.60 %     193,754       621       0.65 %
Brokered Deposits
    10,939       75       1.38 %     18,083       173       1.93 %
Total Interest Bearing Deposits
    823,778       2,216       0.54 %     862,822       3,329       0.78 %
Borrowed Funds:
                                               
Federal Funds Purchased
    3       -       0.00 %     2       -       0.00 %
Repurchase Agreements
    821       4       0.98 %     -       -       0.00 %
Short Term Borrowings
    2,538       35       2.78 %     18,084       92       1.03 %
Long Term Borrowings
    15,000       282       3.79 %     17,099       318       3.75 %
TRUPS
    30,928       361       2.35 %     30,928       355       2.31 %
Total Borrowed Funds
    49,290       682       2.79 %     66,113       765       2.33 %
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
    873,068       2,898       0.67 %     928,935       4,094       0.89 %
Demand Deposits
    265,781                       243,251                  
Other Liabilities
    15,524                       13,459                  
Shareholders' Equity
    162,097                       137,311                  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 1,316,470                     $ 1,322,956                  
                                                 
Interest Income/Interest Earning Assets
                    5.17 %                     5.67 %
Interest Expense/Interest Earning Assets
                    0.50 %                     0.70 %
Net Interest Income and Margin(6)
          $ 26,473       4.68 %           $ 28,469       4.97 %
 

(1)
Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2)
Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 35% effective tax rate.
(3)
Annualized
(4)
Net loan costs have been included in the calculation of interest income.  Net loan costs were approximately $338 thousand and $187 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
 Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.
(5)
Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.
(6)
Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 
17

 

The Volume and Rate Variances table below sets forth the dollar difference in interest earned or paid for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the noted periods, and the amount of such change attributable to changes in average balances (volume) or changes in average interest rates.  Volume variances are equal to the increase or decrease in average balance multiplied by prior period rates, and rate variances are equal to the increase or decrease in rate times prior period average balances.  Variances attributable to both rate and volume changes are calculated by multiplying the change in rate by the change in average balance, and have been allocated to the rate variance.

Volume & Rate Variances
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2011 over 2010
   
2011 over 2010
 
   
Increase(decrease) due to
   
Increase(decrease) due to
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
Assets:
                                   
Investments:
                                   
Federal funds sold / Due from time
  $ 13     $ 7     $ 20     $ 14     $ (3 )   $ 11  
Taxable
    684       (442 )     242       1,213       (1,162 )     51  
Non-taxable(1)
    55       (7 )     48       131       (12 )     119  
Equity
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total Investments
    752       (442 )     310       1,358       (1,177 )     181  
Loans and Leases:
                                               
Agricultural
    52       5       57       82       7       89  
Commercial
    (183 )     (3 )     (186 )     (433 )     15       (418 )
Real Estate
    (1,105 )     (89 )     (1,194 )     (2,056 )     (497 )     (2,553 )
Consumer
    (228 )     35       (193 )     (446 )     73       (373 )
Direct Financing Leases
    (63 )     2       (61 )     (123 )     5       (118 )
Other
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total Loans and Leases
    (1,527 )     (50 )     (1,577 )     (2,976 )     (397 )     (3,373 )
Total Interest Earning Assets
    (775 )     (492 )     (1,267 )     (1,618 )     (1,574 )     (3,192 )
Liabilities
                                               
Interest Bearing Deposits:
                                               
NOW
    (19 )     (307 )     (326 )     27       (521 )     (494 )
Savings Accounts
    8       1       9       15       4       19  
Money Market
    (3 )     (51 )     (54 )     (30 )     (85 )     (115 )
CDAR's
    (63 )     (33 )     (96 )     (248 )     (58 )     (306 )
Certificates of Deposit < $100,000
    27       (51 )     (24 )     64       (135 )     (71 )
Certificates of Deposit > $100,000
    6       (35 )     (29 )     1       (49 )     (48 )
Brokered Deposits
    -       (26 )     (26 )     (68 )     (30 )     (98 )
Total Interest Bearing Deposits
    (44 )     (502 )     (546 )     (239 )     (874 )     (1,113 )
Borrowed Funds:
                                               
Federal Funds Purchased
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Repurchase Agreements
    -       5       5       -       4       4  
Short Term Borrowings
    (55 )     -       (55 )     (79 )     22       (57 )
Long Term Borrowings
    -       -       -       (39 )     3       (36 )
TRUPS
    -       -       -       -       6       6  
Total Borrowed Funds
    (55 )     5       (50 )     (118 )     35       (83 )
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
    (99 )     (497 )     (596 )     (357 )     (839 )     (1,196 )
Net Interest Margin/Income
  $ (676 )   $ 5     $ (671 )   $ (1,261 )   $ (735 )   $ (1,996 )
(1) Yields on tax exempt income have not been computed on a tax equivalent basis.
 
 
As shown above, the volume variance for the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010 was negative $676,000, despite the fact that average interest-earning assets were $15 million higher.  The negative volume variance was primarily the result of an unfavorable shift in average earning asset balances.  We experienced a $96 million drop in average loans due to declining balances of relatively high-yielding real estate, commercial and consumer loans, and there was a corresponding increase of $111 million in the average balance of investments, including a $27 million increase in overnight fed funds sold and short-term interest-earning deposits in other banks, which have yields that are significantly lower than average loan yields.  Unfavorable changes in average asset balances were partially countered by positive swings in average liability and equity balances.  We experienced movement out of CDARS and wholesale borrowings into lower-cost core deposits for the comparative quarters, including a $21 million increase in the average balance of non-interest bearing demand deposits.  A $25 million increase in average equity, resulting from our registered direct offering in October 2010 and the addition of net income, also helped reduced our reliance on interest-bearing liabilities and thus helped limit the magnitude of the negative volume variance.

 
18

 

The impact of interest rate changes on net interest income was effectively neutral for the quarterly comparison, with just a $5,000 favorable rate variance.  There hasn’t been a significant change in market interest rates during the past year, but our weighted average yield on interest-earning assets was 49 basis points lower due to the addition of investment securities in a relatively low-rate environment, and lower real estate loan yields, which declined 7 basis points due to increased competition for quality loans.  Factors offsetting the negative pressures on our rate variance include a drop in our weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which was 24 basis points lower due primarily to a 70 basis point drop in the cost of NOW accounts and an improving deposit mix.  Also helping offset the negative factors impacting the rate variance were net interest recoveries of $97,000 on resolved non-accrual loans in the second quarter of 2011 relative to net interest reversals of $120,000 on loans placed on non-accrual status in the second quarter of 2010, and a $32 million reduction in average interest-bearing liabilities facilitated by increases in average demand deposits and average equity.

The Company’s net interest margin, which is tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets, is affected by the same factors discussed above relative to rate and volume variances.  Our net interest margin was 4.65% in the second quarter of 2011, a decline of 27 basis points relative to the second quarter of 2010.  Negative factors impacting our net interest margin in 2011 include a shift from average loan balances into lower-yielding investment balances and lower real estate loan yields.  Having a favorable impact on our net interest margin were a shift in average balances from higher-cost liabilities into lower-cost core deposits, a reduced reliance on interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest recoveries.  We expect that our net interest margin could continue to experience slight contraction due to heightened competitive pressures on loan yields, and that effect will be exacerbated if the negative trend in loan balances is not reversed.

For the first half of 2011 relative to the first half of 2010, the negative variance in net interest income attributable purely to volume changes was $1.261 million, and there was a negative rate variance of $735,000.  The negative volume variance for the half was due in part to the fact that average interest-earning assets declined by $9 million.  Furthermore, as with the quarterly comparison, there was movement out of average loan balances into lower-yielding investments, although that unfavorable shift was partially offset by relatively strong growth in the average balance of low-cost customer deposits and equity.

The same factors discussed for the quarterly rate variance were applicable with regard to the rate variance for the half, but the negative impact was more pronounced.  For the first half of 2011 relative to the first half of 2010 the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell by 22 basis points, while the weighted average yield on earning assets was 50 basis points lower.

The Company’s net interest margin for the first half of 2011 was 4.68%, a drop of 29 basis points relative to the net interest margin of 4.97% in the first half of 2010.  For the half, negative forces include the shift into lower yielding investment securities and a 17 basis point drop in real estate loan yields.  Positive developments include a shift from higher-cost CDARS and non-deposit borrowings into lower-cost core deposits, as well as a $25 million increase in average equity.  Net interest recoveries were $71,000 for the first half of 2011, relative to net interest reversals of $405,000 in the first half of 2010.

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans.  The Company sets aside an allowance for loan and lease losses through periodic charges to earnings, which are reflected in the income statement as the provision for loan losses.  Those charges are in amounts sufficient to achieve an allowance for loan and lease losses that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable loan losses related to specifically-identified impaired loans, as well as probable incurred loan losses in the remaining loan portfolio.

 
19

 
 
The Company’s provision for loan losses was reduced by $500,000, or 14%, in the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, and was $300,000 lower in the first half of 2011 than in the first half of 2010.  The loan loss provision typically includes reserve replenishment subsequent to loan charge-offs, as well as the enhancement of general reserves for performing loans and specific reserves for impaired loans as needed pursuant to a detailed analysis of the adequacy of our allowance for loan and lease losses.  Thus far in 2011, our loan loss provision has been utilized primarily to provide specific reserves for impaired loans and to replenish reserves subsequent to loan charge-offs.  Balances transferred to non-accrual status totaled $20.6 million for the first half of 2011, although the net increase in non-accrual loans was only $1.2 million, and net loans charged off during the same period totaled $7.0 million relative to $5.7 million in the first half of 2010.  The Company’s policies for monitoring the adequacy of the allowance and determining loan amounts that should be charged off, and other detailed information with regard to changes in the allowance, are discussed below in “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.”

NON-INTEREST REVENUE AND OPERATING EXPENSE

The following table provides details on the Company’s non-interest income and operating expense for the second quarter and first half of 2011 relative to the second quarter and first half of 2010:

Non Interest Income/Expense
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
For the Quarter
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2011
   
% of Total
   
2010
   
% of Total
   
2011
   
% of Total
   
2010
   
% of
Total
 
OTHER OPERATING INCOME:                                                
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 2,446       70.43 %   $ 2,887       72.37 %   $ 4,701       66.69 %   $ 5,590       71.21 %
Other service charges, commissions & fees
    986       28.39 %     1,325       33.22 %     1,892       26.84 %     2,155       27.45 %
Gains on sales of loans
    10       0.29 %     12       0.30 %     53       0.75 %     36       0.46 %
Gains on securities
    -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %     -       0.00 %
Loan servicing income
    1       0.03 %     1       0.03 %     7       0.10 %     10       0.13 %
Bank owned life insurance
    256       7.37 %     53       1.33 %     630       8.94 %     423       5.39 %
Other
    (226 )     -6.51 %     (289 )     -7.25 %     (234 )     -3.32 %     (364 )     -4.64 %
Total non-interest income
    3,473       100.00 %     3,989       100.00 %     7,049       100.00 %     7,850       100.00 %
As a % of average interest-earning assets (2)
            1.16 %             1.35 %             1.21 %             1.34 %
                                                                 
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
                                                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    5,201       45.01 %     5,151       44.60 %     10,911       46.92 %     10,930       46.08 %
Occupancy costs
                                                               
Furniture & equipment
    528       4.57 %     637       5.52 %     1,049       4.51 %     1,305       5.50 %
Premises
    1,097       9.49 %     1,182       10.23 %     2,151       9.25 %     2,254       9.50 %
Advertising and marketing costs
    494       4.28 %     555       4.81 %     916       3.94 %     1,077       4.54 %
Data processing costs
    390       3.38 %     449       3.89 %     663       2.85 %     829       3.49 %
Deposit services costs
    610       5.28 %     710       6.15 %     1,247       5.36 %     1,394       5.88 %
Loan services costs
                                                               
Loan processing
    219       1.90 %     235       2.03 %     445       1.91 %     375       1.58 %
Foreclosed assets
    1,100       9.52 %     650       5.63 %     1,724       7.41 %     1,289       5.43 %
Other operating costs
                                                               
Telephone & data communications
    362       3.13 %     284       2.46 %     657       2.83 %     566       2.39 %
Postage & mail
    145       1.25 %     143       1.24 %     286       1.23 %     285       1.20 %
Other
    192       1.66 %     250       2.16 %     422       1.81 %     491       2.07 %
Professional services costs
                                                               
Legal & accounting
    434       3.76 %     338       2.93 %     816       3.51 %     674       2.84 %
Other professional service
    548       4.74 %     636       5.51 %     1,481       6.37 %     1,605       6.77 %
Stationery & supply costs
    163       1.41 %     160       1.39 %     335       1.44 %     372       1.57 %
Sundry & tellers
    72       0.62 %     168       1.45 %     154       0.66 %     275       1.16 %
Total non-interest Expense
  $ 11,555       100.00 %   $ 11,548       100.00 %   $ 23,257       100.00 %   $ 23,721       100.00 %
As a % of average interest-earning assets (1)
            3.87 %             3.91 %             3.99 %             4.04 %
Efficiency Ratio (2)
    65.03 %             61.16 %             66.56 %             62.91 %        

(1) Annualized
(2) Tax Equivalent

 
20

 

The Company’s results reflect a decline in total non-interest income of $516,000, or 13%, for the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, and for the first half of 2011 the drop in non-interest income was $801,000, or 10%, relative to the first half of the prior year.  As discussed in greater detail below, the decline in 2011 is due primarily to a large drop in overdraft income and a higher level of costs associated with low-income housing tax credit investments (which are accounted for as a reduction in income), which were partially offset by a higher level of debit card interchange income, higher merchant fees, an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance associated with deferred compensation plans, and gains on leased equipment subsequent to the termination of leases relative to losses in the prior year.  Total other operating income was an annualized 1.16% of average interest-earning assets in the second quarter of 2011 relative to 1.35% in the second quarter of 2010, and was an annualized 1.21% of average earning assets for the first half of 2011 relative to 1.34% for the first half of 2010.

Service charge income on deposits declined by $441,000, or 15%, in the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, and fell by $889,000, or 16%, for the comparative year-to-date periods.  Service charges were 0.55% of average transaction account balances in the second quarter of 2011 relative to 0.67% in the second quarter of 2010, and were 1.06% for the first half of 2011 in comparison to 1.35% in the first half of 2010.  The drop was centered in overdraft income, with returned item and overdraft charges falling by $539,000, or 25%, for the second quarter, and by $1.034 million, or 25%, for the first half, primarily as the result of procedural changes implemented pursuant to new consumer-focused legislation and updated regulatory guidelines on overdrafts.

Other service charges, commissions, and fees were down $339,000, or 26%, for the quarter, and dropped by $263,000, or 12%, for the half, largely as the result of an increase in pass-through operating costs associated with our investment in low-income housing tax credit funds.  Because we adjusted expense accruals for partnership losses on our tax credit investments in the second quarter of 2010 subsequent to the receipt of updated partnership financial statements, the accruals reflect declines in 2011 of $378,000 for the quarter and $374,000 for the half.  Partially offsetting this were increases in debit card point-of-sale interchange fees of $79,000 for the quarter and $194,000 for the half, due to an increase in the number of active cards outstanding and increased per-card usage.  Debit card interchange fees, which totaled $1.272 million in the first half of 2011, could be negatively impacted when the Durbin Amendment becomes effective in October of this year, although the potential dollar impact is difficult to predict.  Merchant fees also increased in 2011, by $62,000 for the quarter and $98,000 for the first half.

There were no gains on securities in 2011 or 2010, and loan sale and servicing income remained at minimal levels.  However, bank-owned life insurance income increased by $203,000, or 383%, in the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, and was up by $207,000, or 49%, for the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010.  The increases are due to fluctuations in income on BOLI associated with deferred compensation plans, which is classified as “separate account” BOLI.  The Company owns and derives income from two basic types of BOLI:  “general account,” and “separate account.”  At June 30, 2011, the Company had $29.4 million invested in single-premium general account BOLI.  Income from our general account BOLI is used to fund expenses associated with executive salary continuation plans and director retirement plans, and is typically fairly consistent with interest credit rates that do not change frequently.  In addition to general account BOLI, the Company had $2.9 million invested in separate account BOLI at June 30, 2011, the earnings on which help offset deferred compensation accruals for certain directors and senior officers.  These deferred compensation BOLI accounts have returns pegged to participant-directed investment allocations which can include equity, bond, or real estate indices, and are thus subject to gains or losses.  This often results in significant fluctuations in income from period to period, and net gains on separate account BOLI totaled $9,000 in the second quarter of 2011 relative to a net loss of $203,000 in the second quarter of 2010, while for the year-to-date comparison net gains were $132,000 in 2011 relative to a net loss of $91,000 in 2011.  As noted, gains and losses on separate account BOLI are related to participant gains and losses on deferred compensation balances.  Participant gains are accounted for as expense accruals which, combined with their associated tax effect, effectively offset income on separate account BOLI, while participant losses result in expense accrual reversals that also effectively offset losses on separate account BOLI.

The “Other” category under non-interest income includes gains and losses on the disposition of real properties and other assets, and rental income generated by the Company’s alliance with Investment Centers of America (ICA).  Other non-interest income increased by $63,000, or 22%, in the second quarter of 2011 in comparison to the second quarter of 2010, and was up $130,000, or 36%, in the first half of 2011 relative to the first half of 2010, due mainly to gains on the disposition of leased equipment subsequent to the termination of leases in 2011, relative to losses in the prior year.  For the second quarter, gains on leased equipment totaled $65,000 in 2011 relative to losses of $8,000 in 2010, and for the first six months, gains were $13,000 in 2011 relative to losses of $112,000 in 2010.  While slightly lower in 2011, losses on the sale of OREO also impacted all of the comparative periods, with net losses totaling $313,000 in the second quarter of 2011 and $296,000 in the first half of 2011, in comparison to net losses of $328,000 in the second quarter of 2010 and $337,000 in the first half of 2010.

 
21

 

Total operating expense (non-interest expense) was $11.555 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, a negligible change relative to total operating expense for the second quarter of 2010.  As detailed below, a sizeable increase in OREO write-downs for the quarter was offset by lower occupancy expense, lower deposit costs, and smaller declines in several other expense categories.  Non-interest expense fell slightly to an annualized 3.87% of average interest-earning assets for the second quarter of 2011 from 3.91% in the second quarter of 2010.  For the comparative year-to-date periods, non-interest expense fell by $464,000, or 2%, since the favorable variances in occupancy costs and various other expense categories exceeded the increase in foreclosed asset expense.  Non-interest expenses were an annualized 3.99% of average earning assets for the first half of 2011, relative to 4.04% in the first half of 2010.

The largest component of non-interest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased by only $50,000, or 1%, for the quarter, and fell slightly for the first six months despite the addition of staff for newer branches and increases in deferred compensation expense of $120,000 and $126,000 for the quarter and the half, respectively.  Personnel expense has been well-controlled primarily because of a slight reduction in staffing:  The Company had 381 full-time equivalent employees at June 30, 2011, down from 397 at June 30, 2010.  Due to relatively large declines in other expense categories, salaries and benefits increased slightly to 45.01% of total non-interest expense for the second quarter of 2011 from 44.60% in the second quarter of 2010, and to 46.92% for the first half of 2011 from 46.08% in the first half of 2010.

Occupancy expense dropped by $194,000, or 11%, for the quarter, and by $359,000, or 10%, for the half, due mainly to a drop in depreciation expense, lower maintenance/repair costs, and the January 2011 closure of a branch with a relatively costly lease.  Marketing costs also declined by $61,000, or 11%, for the second quarter, and by $161,000, or 15%, for the half, although the drop was due to the timing of payments and does not represent a permanent decline.  Data processing costs were down as well, decreasing by $59,000, or 13%, for the second quarter, and $166,000, or 20%, for the comparative year-to-date periods.  The decline for the quarter was primarily due to lower internet banking costs, while the difference for the first half was due mainly to $181,000 in non-recurring vendor credits for prior-year overcharges on processing software, which were received in the first quarter of 2011.  Deposit services costs declined $100,000, or 14%, for the second quarter, and were down $147,000, or 11%, for the year-to-date comparison, due primarily to lower costs associated with our online deposit products.  Loan processing costs reflect a small decline for the second quarter but were up by $70,000, or 19%, for the first half, due primarily to increases in costs related to appraisals and collections.

Foreclosed asset costs increased by $450,000, or 69%, for the quarter, and were $435,000, or 34%, higher for the first half, due to an increase in OREO write-downs.  Write-downs on OREO totaled $847,000 in the second quarter of 2011 relative to $346,000 in the second quarter of 2010, and were $1.305 million for the first six months of 2011, relative to $613,000 in the first six months of 2010.  For the year-to-date period, a reduction of $217,000 in foreclosed asset operating expenses helped partially offset the increase in write-downs.  Foreclosed asset operating expenses totaled $253,000 in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to $265,000 in the second quarter of 2010, and were $418,000 in the first half of 2011 relative to $636,000 in the first half of 2010.

Telecommunications costs increase by $78,000 for the quarter and $91,000 for the first half due to the addition and enhancement of data circuits, as well as fluctuations in the timing of payments.  The drop in the “other” category under other operating costs for the quarter and year-to-date periods is from lower depreciation expense on operating leases, where the Bank is the lessor.  Under professional services costs, legal and accounting costs increased in 2011due in large part to consulting costs which were necessitated by the numerous changes in regulatory expectations and the associated promulgation of new guidance, as referenced above.  The cost of other professional services declined, however, since increases in directors deferred compensation accruals, which are related to the increase in BOLI income as discussed above, were more-than-offset by lower FDIC assessments and lower accruals for directors fee continuation plans.  Our accruals for FDIC assessments totaled $951,000 in the first half of 2011 relative to $1.118 million in the first half of 2010.  The accrual for the first half of 2011 is close to our expectation for FDIC assessments going forward, although no assurance can be provided in that regard.  Sundry losses were down $96,000 for the comparative quarters and $121,000 for the year-to-date comparison, due mainly to a non-recurring settlement of $75,000 paid to a customer in the second quarter of 2010, for a fraud loss on a deposit account.

 
22

 

Because income fell by a relatively greater amount than non-interest expense, the Company’s tax-equivalent overhead efficiency ratio increased to 65.03% in the second quarter of 2011 from 61.16% in the second quarter of 2010, and to 66.56% for the first half of 2011 from 62.91% for the first half of 2010.  The overhead efficiency ratio represents total operating expense divided by the sum of fully tax-equivalent net interest and non-interest income, with the provision for loan losses, investment gains/losses, and other extraordinary gains/losses excluded from the equation.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The Company sets aside a provision for income taxes on a monthly basis.  The amount of the tax provision is determined by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to pre-tax book income, adjusted for permanent differences between pre-tax book income and actual taxable income.  Such permanent differences include but are not limited to tax-exempt interest income, increases in the cash surrender value of BOLI, California Enterprise Zone deductions, certain expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions, and tax credits.  Our tax credits consist primarily of those generated by a $9.6 million investment in low-income housing tax credit funds, and California state employment tax credits.  Our provision for income taxes was only 9.6% of pre-tax income in the second quarter of 2011 relative to 18.2% in the second quarter of 2010, and we had a negative income tax provision for the first half of 2011 relative to a provision of 14.3% of pre-tax income for the first half of 2010.  The lower provision in 2011 is primarily the result of the level of tax credits relative to our tax liability, and the favorable impact of tax-exempt interest income and BOLI income on that tax liability.  As is evident, our tax accrual rate is currently very sensitive to changes in pretax income.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

EARNING ASSETS

INVESTMENTS

The major components of the Company’s earning asset base are its investments and loans, and the detailed composition and growth characteristics of both are significant determinants of the financial condition of the Company.  The Company’s investments are analyzed in this section, while the loan and lease portfolio is discussed in a later section of this Form 10-Q.

The Company’s investments consist of debt and marketable equity securities (together, the “investment portfolio”), investments in the time deposits of other banks, surplus interest-earning balances in our Federal Reserve Bank account, and overnight fed funds sold.  Surplus Federal Reserve Bank balances and fed funds sold to correspondent banks represent the investment of temporary excess liquidity.  The Company’s investments serve several purposes:  1) they provide liquidity to even out cash flows from the loan and deposit activities of customers; 2) they provide a source of pledged assets for securing public deposits, bankruptcy deposits and certain borrowed funds which require collateral; 3) they constitute a large base of assets with maturity and interest rate characteristics that can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio, to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources of the Company; 4) they are an alternative interest-earning use of funds when loan demand is light; and 5) they can provide partially tax exempt income.  Aggregate investments were 31% of total assets at June 30, 2011, compared to 26% at December 31, 2010.

We had no fed funds sold at June 30, 2011, relative to $210,000 at December 31, 2010. Our balance of interest-bearing balances at other banks exceeded $19 million at June 30, 2011, however, up from only $325,000 at the end of 2010, primarily because excess balance sheet liquidity was placed in our Federal Reserve Bank account at higher yields than could be realized by selling fed funds. Surplus liquidity, which was generated during the quarter from growth in deposits and loan runoff, was also deployed into longer-term, higher-yielding agency-issued mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds, hence the book balance of the Company’s investment portfolio increased by $71 million, or 21%, during the first six months of 2011. The book balance of our investment securities was $403 million at June 30, 2011. Although the Company currently has the intent and the ability to hold the securities in its investment portfolio to maturity, the securities are all marketable and are classified as “available for sale” to allow maximum flexibility with regard to interest rate risk and liquidity management. Pursuant to FASB’s guidance on accounting for debt and equity securities, available for sale securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their estimated fair market value, with monthly tax-effected “mark-to-market” adjustments made vis-à-vis accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. The following table sets forth the Company’s investment portfolio by investment type as of the dates noted:

 
23

 
 
Investment Portfolio
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair Market
   
Amortized
   
Fair Market
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Available for Sale
                       
US Treasury securities
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
US Government Agencies & Corporations
    4,884       5,028       4,954       5,062  
Mortgage-backed securities
    316,493       322,171       252,320       255,143  
State & political subdivisions
    71,816       73,922       70,201       70,102  
Equity securities
    2,705       1,615       2,705       1,423  
Total Investment Securities
  $ 395,898     $ 402,736     $ 330,180     $ 331,730  

Mortgage-backed securities increased by $67 million, or 26%, net of prepayments, during the first six months of 2011. The balance of municipal bonds increased by $4 million, or 5%, as the Company has also taken advantage of relative value in that sector. It should be noted that all newly purchased municipal bonds have strong underlying ratings. No equity securities were bought or sold during the first six months of 2011, although the market value of those securities increased slightly. Investment portfolio securities that were pledged as collateral for FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements, public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law totaled $137 million at June 30, 2011 and $146 million at December 31, 2010, leaving $266 million in unpledged debt securities at June 30, 2011 and $186 million at December 31, 2010. Securities pledged in excess of actual pledging needs, and thus available for liquidity purposes if necessary, totaled $83 million at June 30, 2011 and $103 million at December 31, 2010.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had 57 securities and 141 securities, respectively, with unrealized losses.  Management has evaluated these securities as of the respective dates, and does not believe that any of the associated unrealized losses are other than temporary.  Information pertaining to these investment securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, is disclosed in the table below.

 
24

 

Investment Portfolio - Unrealized Losses
     
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
June 30, 2011
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
Over 12 Months
 
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
US Treasuries
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
US Government Agencies
    -       -       -       -  
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions
    5,601       (145 )     2,600       (181 )
Agency-Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS)
    40,249       (183 )     -       -  
Private-Label MBS
    -       -       279       (3 )
Other Securities
    -       -       1,615       (1,090 )
    TOTAL
  $ 45,850     $ (328 )   $ 4,494     $ (1,274 )

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
Over 12 Months
 
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
US Treasuries
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
US Government Agencies
    -       -       -       -  
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions
    24,728       (884 )     2,478       (283 )
Agency-Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS)
    108,203       (1,009 )     -       -  
Private-Label MBS
    -       -       558       (21 )
Other Securities
    -       -       1,408       (1,292 )
    TOTAL
  $ 132,931     $ (1,893 )   $ 4,444     $ (1,596 )

LOAN PORTFOLIO

The Company’s loans and leases, gross of the associated allowance for losses and deferred fees and origination costs, totaled $773 million at the end of June 2011, a drop of $33 million, or 4%, since December 31, 2010.  Loan balances have been declining because of runoff in the normal course of business (including prepayments), transfers to OREO, and charge-offs.  Furthermore, loan origination activity in our branches has been light due to weak demand from creditworthy borrowers, tightened credit criteria for real estate loans, heightened competition, and increased attention devoted to monitoring and managing current loan relationships.  Management has made selective personnel changes and realigned branch objectives in order to place additional emphasis on high-quality loan growth, with a particular focus on commercial loans and agricultural loans, and we have seen a recent increase in the volume of potential loan deals reviewed.  However, no assurance can be provided that loan balances will not continue to decline, especially in the near term.  A comparative schedule of the distribution of the Company’s loans at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, by outstanding balance as well as by percentage of total loans, is presented in the following Loan and Lease Distribution table.  The balances shown for each loan type are before deferred or unamortized loan origination, extension, or commitment fees, and deferred origination costs for loans in that category.

 
25

 

Loan and Lease Distribution
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Real Estate:
           
1-4 family residential construction
  $ 14,741     $ 13,866  
Other construction/land
    44,681       52,047  
1-4 family - closed-end
    101,107       105,459  
Equity lines
    67,685       70,783  
Multi-family residential
    11,260       10,962  
Commercial RE- owner occupied
    185,587       187,970  
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied
    114,917       120,500  
Farmland
    56,032       61,293  
Total Real Estate
    596,010       622,880  
Agricultural production
    15,476       13,457  
Commercial and industrial
    92,394       94,768  
Small Business Administration loans
    19,418       18,616  
Direct finance leases
    8,214       10,234  
Consumer loans
    41,039       45,585  
Total Loans and Leases
  $ 772,551     $ 805,540  
Percentage of Total Loans and Leases
               
Real Estate:
               
1-4 family residential construction
    1.91 %     1.72 %
Other construction/land
    5.78 %     6.46 %
1-4 family - closed-end
    13.09 %     13.09 %
Equity lines
    8.77 %     8.79 %
Multi-family residential
    1.46 %     1.36 %
Commercial RE- owner occupied
    24.02 %     23.33 %
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied
    14.88 %     14.96 %
Farmland
    7.25 %     7.61 %
Total Real Estate
    77.16 %     77.32 %
Agricultural production
    2.00 %     1.67 %
Commercial and industrial
    11.96 %     11.77 %
Small Business Administration loans
    2.51 %     2.31 %
Direct finance leases
    1.06 %     1.27 %
Consumer loans
    5.31 %     5.66 %
Total Loans and Leases
    100.00 %     100.00 %

Agricultural production loans show an increase of $2 million, or 15%, relative to their year-end 2010 balance, due to seasonal disbursements and increased activity in the ag lending area.  SBA loan balances also increased slightly, but balances declined in the total real estate, commercial, direct finance lease, and consumer loan categories.  The largest drop within the real estate category came in “other construction/land” loans, followed closely by sizeable declines in non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans and loans secured by farmland.  Loans secured by farmland declined because of the payoff of a $9 million loan, when the borrower sold the underlying collateral.  Charge-offs represent about $4 million of the total $27 million decline in real estate loan balances, and we had close to $3 million in balances transferred to OREO.  Charge-offs were close to $2 million for commercial loans and were over $1 million for consumer loans, which declined by $2 million and $5 million, respectively.

Although not reflected in the loan totals above, the Company occasionally originates and sells, or participates out portions of, certain commercial real estate loans, agricultural or residential mortgage loans, and other loans to non-affiliated investors, and we currently provide servicing for some of those loans including a small number of SBA loans.  The balance of loans serviced for others declined to $570,000 at June 30, 2011 from $5.0 million at December 31, 2010, due primarily to our foreclosure on a real estate loan for which we had sold a participating interest.

 
26

 

CREDIT QUALITY AND NONPERFORMING ASSETS

The Company monitors the credit quality of loans on a continuous basis using the regulatory and accounting classifications of pass, special mention, substandard and impaired to characterize the associated credit risk.  Balances classified as “loss” are immediately charged-off.  The Company uses the following definitions of risk classifications:

·
Pass – Loans listed as pass include larger non-homogeneous loans not meeting the risk rating definitions below and smaller, homogeneous loans that are not assessed on an individual basis.

·
Special Mention – Loans classified as special mention have potential issues that deserve the close attention of management.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses could eventually diminish the prospects for full repayment of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, or could result in deterioration of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

·
Substandard – Loans classified as substandard are loans with at least one clear and well-defined weakness such as a highly leveraged position, unfavorable financial operating results and/or trends, uncertain repayment sources or poor financial condition, which could jeopardize ultimate recoverability of the debt.

·
Impaired – A loan is considered impaired, when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans include all nonperforming loans, loans classified as restructured troubled debt, and certain other loans that are still being maintained on accrual status.  If the Bank grants a concession to a borrower in financial difficulty, the loan falls into the category of a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).  TDR’s may be classified as either nonperforming or performing loans depending on their accrual status.

Credit quality classifications for the Company’s loan balances were as follows, as of the dates indicated:

 
27

 

Credit Quality Classifications
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011
 
   
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Impaired
   
Total
 
Real Estate:
                             
1-4 - family residential construction
  $ 5,221     $ 5,585     $ -     $ 3,935     $ 14,741  
Other construction/Land
    19,280       16,575       985       7,841       44,681  
1-4 Family - closed end
    80,749       6,413       1,942       12,003       101,107  
Equity Lines
    63,258       1,054       1,614       1,759       67,685  
Multi-family residential
    5,234       3,074       -       2,952       11,260  
Commercial RE - owner-occupied
    147,864       16,747       12,186       8,790       185,587  
Commercial RE - non-owner occupied
    75,228       8,679       5,904       25,106       114,917  
Farmland
    41,570       9,247       4,703       512       56,032  
Total Real Estate
    438,404       67,374       27,334       62,898       596,010  
                                         
Agricultural
    13,517       1,627       217       115       15,476  
Commercial and Industrial
    76,379       7,674       5,146       3,195       92,394  
Small Business Administration
    13,781       1,533       580       3,524       19,418  
Direct finance leases
    7,414       173       164       463       8,214  
Consumer loans
    36,809       722       549       2,959       41,039  
Total Gross Loans and Leases
  $ 586,304     $ 79,103     $ 33,990     $ 73,154     $ 772,551  
       
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Impaired
   
Total
 
Real Estate:
                             
1-4 - family residential construction
  $ 4,309     $ 5,500     $ -     $ 4,057     $ 13,866  
Other construction/Land
    24,988       17,979       1,411       7,669       52,047  
1-4 Family - closed end
    83,543       6,345       2,326       12,331       104,545  
Equity Lines
    66,560       1,426       1,558       1,239       70,783  
Multi-family residential
    4,930       3,076       -       2,956       10,962  
Commercial RE - owner-occupied
    149,451       18,892       11,936       7,691       187,970  
Commercial RE - non-owner occupied
    79,842       7,498       6,051       27,109       120,500  
Farmland
    35,949       21,091       3,848       405       61,293  
Total Real Estate
    449,572       81,807       27,130       63,457       621,966  
                                         
Agricultural
    11,547       1,673       237       -       13,457  
Commercial and Industrial
    79,083       8,156       5,425       2,104       94,768  
Small Business Administration
    13,219       1,335       621       3,441       18,616  
Direct finance leases
    9,604       129       -       501       10,234  
Consumer loans
    42,436       830       775       1,544       45,585  
Total Gross Loans and Leases
  $ 605,461     $ 93,930     $ 34,188     $ 71,047     $ 804,626  

The table below shows our average investment in impaired loans and interest recognized on those loans for the periods noted:

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
   
6 months ended
   
12 months ended
 
   
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
  $ 83,755     $ 86,336  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
  $ 326     $ 1,575  
Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans
  $ -     $ -  
 
 
28

 

Nonperforming assets are comprised of loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest, and foreclosed assets, including mobile homes and other real estate owned (“OREO”). OREO consists of properties acquired by foreclosure or similar means, which the Company is offering or will offer for sale. Nonperforming loans and leases result when reasonable doubt exists with regard to the ability of the Company to collect all principal and interest on a loan or lease. At that point, we stop accruing interest on the loan or lease in question, and reverse any previously-recognized interest to the extent that it is uncollected or associated with interest-reserve loans. Any asset for which principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more is also placed on non-accrual status, even if interest is still being received, unless the asset is both well secured and in the process of collection. The loan balances classified by the Company as past due and nonaccrual were as follows, as of the indicated dates:

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011
 
   
Still Accruing
       
   
30-89 Days
Past Due
   
Over 90 Days
Past Due
   
Nonaccrual
 
Real Estate:
                 
Commercial and land development
  $ 687     $ -     $ 9,701  
1-4 Family residential
    3,130       -       6,504  
Multifamily residential
    -       -       -  
Commercial real estate and other
    24,718       -       21,750  
Commercial and Industrial
    5,208       -       7,683  
Consumer and Other
    948       167       1,541  
    $ 34,691     $ 167     $ 47,179  

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Still Accruing
       
   
30-89 Days
Past Due
   
Over 90 Days
Past Due
   
Nonaccrual
 
Real Estate:
                 
Commercial and land development
  $ 14,747     $ -     $ 10,241  
1-4 Family residential
    6,491       -       6,134  
Multifamily residential
    2,634       -       -  
Commercial real estate and other
    5,078       -       22,521  
Commercial and Industrial
    3,400       -       5,946  
Consumer and Other
    1,183       -       1,112  
    $ 33,533     $ -     $ 45,954  
 
 
29

 

The following table presents comparative data for the Company’s nonperforming assets and performing TDR’s, as of the dates noted:
 
Nonperforming Assets
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)            
   
June 30
   
December 31
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
NON-ACCRUAL LOANS:
           
Real Estate:
           
1-4 family residential construction
  $ 3,936     $ 4,057  
Other Construction/Land
    5,765       6,185  
1-4 family - closed-end
    4,745       4,894  
Equity Lines
    1,759       1,239  
Multi-family residential
    -       -  
Commercial RE- owner occupied
    8,028       7,412  
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied
    13,209       14,704  
Farmland
    513       405  
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
    37,955       38,896  
Agricultural products
    99       -  
Commercial and Industrial
    3,597       2,005  
Small Business Administration Loans
    3,524       3,440  
Direct finance leases
    463       501  
Consumer loans
    1,541       1,112  
TOTAL NONPERFORMING LOANS
  $ 47,179     $ 45,954  
                 
Foreclosed assets
    18,231       20,691  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 65,410     $ 66,645  
Performing loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDR's) (1)
  $ 14,328     $ 12,465  
Nonperforming loans as a % of total gross loans and leases
    6.11 %     5.70 %
Nonperforming assets as a % of total gross loans and leases and foreclosed assets
    8.27 %     8.07 %

(1) Performing TDRs are not included in nonperforming loans above, nor are they included in the numerators used to calculate the ratios disclosed in this table
 

Total nonperforming assets declined by $1.2 million, or 2%, during the first six months of 2011. Total nonperforming loans increased by $1.2 million, or 3%, but foreclosed assets declined by $2.5 million. The balance of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2011 includes $12.8 million in TDR’s which were paying as agreed under modified terms or forbearance agreements but were still classified as nonperforming. As shown in the table, we also had $14.3 million in loans classified as performing TDR’s for which we were still accruing interest at June 30, 2011, relative to a balance of $12.5 million at December 31, 2010. Performing TDR’s increased by $1.9 million during the first six months of 2011, with $552,000 of the increase resulting from the Company’s early adoption of ASU 2011-02, Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.

Non-accruing loan balances secured by real estate comprised $38.0 million of total nonperforming loans at June 30, 2011, and reflect a net decrease of $941,000, or 2%, during the first six months of 2011. Gross additions to nonperforming real estate loans totaled $14.8 million for the first half of 2011, much of which was comprised of balances secured by commercial real estate. Offsetting some of the increase created by additional real estate loans placed on non-accrual status during the first six months of 2011 were net pay-downs on nonperforming real estate loans of $9.0 million, charge-offs totaling $3.5 million, $2.6 million in transfers to OREO from nonperforming real estate loans, and the return to accrual status of $715,000 in balances.

Nonperforming commercial and SBA loans increased by a combined $1.7 million, or 31%, during the first six months of 2011, ending the period at $7.1 million. Gross additions to nonperforming commercial and SBA loans totaled $4.2 million for the half, but this was offset by net pay-downs of $841,000, the return to accrual status of $346,000 in loans, and the charge-off of $1.4 million in loan balances. Non-accrual direct finance leases did not change materially during first six months of 2011, and nonperforming consumer loans, which are largely unsecured, increased by $429,000, or 39%, to a total of $1.5 million.

 
30

 

As noted above, foreclosed assets declined by $2.4 million, or 12%, during the first six months of 2011. The balance of foreclosed assets at June 30, 2011 had an aggregate carrying value of $18.2 million, and was comprised of 78 properties classified as OREO and 11 mobile homes. Much of our OREO consists of vacant lots or land, but there are also 18 residential properties totaling $2.3 million, and five commercial buildings with a combined book balance of $2.0 million. At the end of 2010 foreclosed assets totaled $20.7 million, comprised of 79 properties in OREO and 17 mobile homes. All foreclosed assets are periodically evaluated and written down to their fair value less expected disposition costs, if lower than the then-current carrying value.

Total nonperforming assets were 8.27% of gross loans and leases plus foreclosed assets at June 30, 2011, up slightly from 8.07% at December 31, 2010. While we anticipate relatively slow progress with regard to the resolution of nonperforming assets, an action plan is in place for each of our non-accruing loans and foreclosed assets and they are all being actively managed. Collection efforts are continuously pursued for all nonperforming loans, but we cannot provide assurance that all will be resolved in a timely manner or that nonperforming balances will not increase further.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

The allowance for loan and lease losses, a contra-asset, is established through a provision for loan and lease losses based on management’s evaluation of probable loan losses on certain specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred losses inherent in the remaining loan portfolio. It is maintained at a level that is considered adequate to absorb remaining probable loan losses, after factoring in charge-offs taken against the allowance and recoveries credited back to the allowance. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when cash payments are received subsequent to the charge off. At June 30, 2011, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $20.7 million, or 2.68% of gross loans, a 2% dollar decline relative to the $21.1 million allowance at December 31, 2010 which was 2.62% of gross loans. The allowance declined by $4.2 million, or 17%, in comparison to June 30, 2010, due to the charge-off of certain impaired, collateral-dependent loan balances against previously-established specific reserves during the intervening 12 months, and declining loan balances. The Company’s total allowance was 43.90% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2011, relative to 46.00% at December 31, 2010 and 47.83% at June 30, 2010. An allowance for potential losses inherent in unused commitments, totaling $160,000 at June 30, 2011, is included in other liabilities.

We employ a systematic methodology, consistent with FASB guidelines on loss contingencies and impaired loans, for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan and lease losses and adjusting it on at least a quarterly basis. Pursuant to that methodology, impaired loans and leases are individually analyzed and a criticized asset action plan is completed specifying the financial status of the borrower and, if applicable, the characteristics and condition of collateral and any associated liquidation plan. A specific loss allowance is created for each impaired loan, if necessary. The following tables disclose the unpaid principal balance, recorded investment (including accrued interest), average recorded investment, and interest income recognized for impaired loans on our books as of the dates indicated. Balances are shown by loan type, and are further broken out by those that required an allowance and those that did not, with the associated allowance disclosed for those that required such.
 
 
31

 

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011
 
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Recorded
Investment (1)
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
With an Allowance Recorded
                             
Real Estate:
                             
Construction and land development
  $ 8,532     $ 6,597     $ 1,536     $ 9,012     $ 44  
1-4 Family residential
    7,903       8,090       1,314       8,169       112  
Multifamily residential
    2,952       2,975       37       2,979       81  
Commercial RE and Other
    20,109       21,018       3,668       21,711       124  
Commercial and Industrial
    7,910       7,792       2,847       8,131       1  
Consumer and Other
    1,938       1,970       950       2,020       7  
    $ 49,344     $ 48,442     $ 10,352     $ 52,022     $ 369  
                                         
With no Related Allowance Recorded
                                       
Real Estate:
                                       
Construction and land development
  $ 8,327     $ 6,526     $ -     $ 9,394     $ 26  
1-4 Family residential
    6,133       5,928       -       6,359       69  
Multifamily residential
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial RE and Other
    14,299       14,704       -       15,228       148  
Commercial and Industrial
    386       399       -       476       -  
Consumer and Other
    258       261       -       276       1  
      29,403       27,818       -       31,733       244  
Total
  $ 78,747     $ 76,260     $ 10,352     $ 83,755     $ 613  

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Recorded
Investment (1)
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
With an Allowance Recorded
                             
Real Estate:
                             
Construction and land development
  $ 6,493     $ 5,306     $ 1,544     $ 10,938     $ 43  
1-4 Family residential
    8,047       8,208       1,068       8,279       181  
Multifamily residential
    2,956       2,963       37       2,966       212  
Commercial RE and Other
    15,749       16,216       2,580       18,203       155  
Commercial and Industrial
    6,065       6,114       2,235       6,670       1  
Consumer and Other
    1,170       1,205       565       1,227       18  
    $ 40,480     $ 40,012     $ 8,029     $ 48,283     $ 610  
                                         
With no Related Allowance Recorded
                                       
Real Estate:
                                       
Construction and land development
  $ 10,264     $ 7,670     $ -     $ 11,545     $ 129  
1-4 Family residential
    5,782       5,607       -       5,964       99  
Multifamily residential
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial RE and Other
    19,456       19,920       -       20,140       736  
Commercial and Industrial
    6       6       -       9       -  
Consumer and Other
    374       377       -       395       1  
      35,882       33,580       -       38,053       965  
Total
  $ 76,362     $ 73,592     $ 8,029     $ 86,336     $ 1,575  

(1) Principal balance on Bank's books, plus unamortized deferred loan costs and unpaid accrued interest, less unamortized deferred loan fees
 
 
32

 

Similar but condensed information for the comparative periods noted is provided in the following table:

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
   
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
  $ 26,455     $ 32,035  
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
    46,699       39,012  
Total impaired loans
  $ 73,154     $ 71,047  
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 10,352     $ 8,029  
Total non-accrual loans
  $ 47,179     $ 49,954  
Total loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing
  $ 167     $ -  

The loss allowance represents the difference between the face value of the loan and either its current appraised value less estimated disposition costs, or its net present value as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow approach is used to measure impairment on loans for which it is anticipated that repayment will be provided from cash flows other than those generated solely by the disposition of underlying collateral. If a distressed borrower displays the desire and ability to continue paying on the loan, but is unable to do so except on a modified basis, an amended repayment plan may be negotiated. For these TDR’s, the act of modification in and of itself suggests that the Company believes the source of repayment will likely be from borrower-generated cash flows, thus they are also typically evaluated for impairment by discounting projected cash flows.

For loans where repayment is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral, impairment is measured using the fair value of the collateral. If the collateral value, net of the expected costs of disposition, is less than the loan balance, then a specific loss reserve is established for the amount of the collateral coverage shortfall. If the discounted collateral value is greater than or equal to the loan balance, no specific loss reserve is established. At the time a collateral-dependent loan is designated as nonperforming, a new appraisal is ordered and typically received within 30 to 60 days if a recent appraisal was not already available. We generally use external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral for nonperforming real estate loans, although the Company’s licensed staff appraisers may update older appraisals based on current market conditions and property value trends. Until an updated appraisal is received, the Company uses the existing appraisal to determine the amount of the specific loss allowance that may be required, and adjusts the specific loss allowance, as necessary, once a new appraisal is received. Updated appraisals are generally ordered at least annually for collateral-dependent loans that remain impaired. Current appraisals were available for 77% of the Company’s impaired loan balances at June 30, 2011. Furthermore, the Company analyzes collateral-dependent loans on at least a quarterly basis, to determine if any portion of the recorded investment in such loans can be identified as uncollectible and would therefore constitute a confirmed loss. All amounts deemed to be uncollectible are promptly charged off against the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses, with the loan then carried at the fair value of the collateral, as appraised, less estimated costs of disposition if such costs were not reflected in appraised values. Once a charge-off or write-down is recorded, it will not be restored to the loan balance on the Company’s accounting books.
 
Our methodology also provides that a “general” allowance be established for probable incurred losses inherent in loans and leases that are not impaired. These unimpaired loan balances are segregated by credit quality, and are then evaluated in pools with common characteristics. At the present time, pools are based on the same segmentation of loan types presented in our regulatory filings. While this methodology utilizes historical loss data and other measurable information, the classification of loans and the establishment of the allowance for loan and lease losses are both to some extent based on management’s judgment and experience. Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan and lease losses that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Quantitative information includes our historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, current collateral values, and the anticipated timing of collection of principal for nonperforming loans. Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in our markets and, in particular, the state of the agricultural industry and other key industries in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Lending policies and procedures (including underwriting standards), the experience and abilities of lending staff, the quality of loan review, credit concentrations (by geography, loan type, industry and collateral type), the rate of loan portfolio growth, and changes in legal or regulatory requirements are additional factors that are considered. The total general reserve established for probable incurred losses on unimpaired loans was $10.4 million at June 30, 2011.

 
33

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, there were no material changes made to the methodology used to determine our allowance for loan and lease losses. As we add new products and expand our geographic coverage, and as the economic environment changes, we expect to continue to enhance our methodology to keep pace with the size and complexity of the loan and lease portfolio and respond to pressures created by external forces. We engage outside firms on a regular basis to assess our methodology and perform independent credit reviews of our loan and lease portfolio. In addition, the Company’s external auditors, the FDIC, and the California DFI review the allowance for loan and lease losses as an integral part of their audit and examination processes. Management believes that the current methodology is appropriate given our size and level of complexity. The table that follows summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2011:

Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investment in Financing Receivables
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
    
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2011
 
   
Real Estate
   
Ag
products
   
Comm'l &
Industrial
   
SBA Loans
   
Finance
Leases
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                         
Beginning Balance
  $ 11,535     $ 69     $ 5,108     $ 1,489     $ 439     $ 2,824     $ 21,464  
Charge-offs
    2,495       -       926       48       1       546       4,016  
Recoveries
    45       -       95       62       7       54       263  
Provision
    1,342       (53 )     1,494       (234 )     18       433       3,000  
Ending Balance
  $ 10,427     $ 16     $ 5,771     $ 1,269     $ 463     $ 2,765     $ 20,711  

    
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
         
Ag
   
Comm'l &
         
Finance
             
   
Real Estate
   
products
   
Industrial
   
SBA Loans
   
Leases
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                         
Beginning Balance
  $ 10,142     $ 62     $ 5,797     $ 1,274     $ 284     $ 3,579     $ 21,138  
Charge-offs
    4,121       -       1,810       125       10       1,330       7,396  
Recoveries
    51       -       125       69       14       110       369  
Provision
    4,355       (46 )     1,659       51       175       406       6,600  
Ending Balance
  $ 10,427     $ 16     $ 5,771     $ 1,269     $ 463     $ 2,765     $ 20,711  
 
                                                       
Ending balance: individually  evaluated for impairment
  $ 6,555     $ -     $ 1,483     $ 1,099     $ 265     $ 949     $ 10,351  
                                                         
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 3,872     $ 16     $ 4,288     $ 170     $ 198     $ 1,816     $ 10,360  
 
                                                       
Ending balance: loans acquired with  deteriorated credit quality
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                                         
Loan balance:
                                                       
Ending Balance
  $ 596,010     $ 15,476     $ 92,394     $ 19,418     $ 8,214     $ 41,039     $ 772,551  
                                                         
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 62,900     $ 114     $ 3,957     $ 3,524     $ 463     $ 2,196     $ 73,154  
                                                         
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 533,110     $ 15,362     $ 88,437     $ 15,894     $ 7,751     $ 38,843     $ 699,397  
                                                         
Ending balance: loans acquired with  deteriorated credit quality
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

Similar information for the comparative periods noted is disclosed in the table below:
 
 
34

 
           
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
                             
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
For the Quarter
   
For the Six Months
   
For the Year
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended Dec 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2010
 
Balances:
                                       
Average gross loans and leases outstanding during period
  $ 774,008     $ 869,909     $ 779,824     $ 872,058     $ 851,292  
Gross loans and leases outstanding at end of period
  $ 772,551     $ 866,700     $ 772,551     $ 866,700     $ 805,540  
                                         
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 21,464     $ 24,096     $ 21,138     $ 23,715     $ 23,715  
Provision charged to expense
    3,000       3,500       6,600       6,900       16,680  
Charge-offs
                                       
Real Estate
                                       
1-4 family residential construction
    -       -       -       -       1,706  
Other Construction/Land
    379       138       1,096       267       4,579  
1-4 family - closed-end
    134       32       289       265       1,400  
Equity Lines
    282       26       540       26       596  
Multi-family residential
    -       -       -       97       97  
Commercial RE- owner occupied
    295       553       791       572       946  
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied
    1,405       -       1,405       113       1,358  
Farmland
    -       -       -       -       27  
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
  $ 2,495     $ 749     $ 4,121     $ 1,340     $ 10,709  
Agricultural products
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial & industrial loans(1)
    926       1,133       1,810       2,216       4,998  
Small Business Administration Loans
    48       54       125       100       293  
Direct Finance Leases
    1       -       10       505       646  
Consumer Loans
    546       1,002       1,330       1,988       3,691  
Consumer Credit Cards
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 4,016     $ 2,938     $ 7,396     $ 6,149     $ 20,337  
Recoveries
                                       
Real Estate
                                       
1-4 family residential construction
    -       -       -       25       25  
Other Construction/Land
    38       -       38       -       13  
1-4 family - closed-end
    4       3       9       6       41  
Equity Lines
    1       38       2       39       41  
Multi-family residential
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial RE- owner occupied
    1       -       1       -       -  
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied
    -       -       -       -       -  
Farmland
    1       -       1       -       -  
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
  $ 45     $ 41     $ 51     $ 70     $ 120  
Agricultural products
    -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial and Industrial
    95       41       125       91       462  
Small Business Administration Loans
    62       18       69       60       63  
Direct Finance Leases
    7       -       14       12       159  
Consumer Loans
    54       116       110       175       274  
Consumer Credit Cards
    -       -       -       -       2  
Total
  $ 263     $ 216     $ 369     $ 408     $ 1,080  
Net loan charge offs (recoveries)
  $ 3,753     $ 2,722     $ 7,027     $ 5,741     $ 19,257  
Balance at end of period
  $ 20,711     $ 24,874     $ 20,711     $ 24,874     $ 21,138  
                                         
RATIOS
                                       
Net Charge-offs to Average Loans and Leases (annualized)
    1.94 %     1.26 %     1.82 %     1.33 %     2.26 %
Allowance for Loan Losses to
                                       
Gross Loans and Leases at End of Period
    2.68 %     2.87 %     2.68 %     2.87 %     2.62 %
Allowance for Loan Losses to
                                       
NonPerforming Loans
    43.90 %     47.83 %     43.90 %     47.83 %     46.00 %
Net Loan Charge-offs to Allowance for Loan Losses at End of Period
    18.12 %     10.94 %     33.93 %     23.08 %     91.10 %
Net Loan Charge-offs to
                                       
Provision for Loan Losses
    125.10 %     77.77 %     106.47 %     83.20 %     115.45 %

(1) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
 
 
35

 

As shown in the table immediately above, the Company’s provision for loan and lease losses was reduced by $500,000, or 14%, for the second quarter of 2011 relative to the second quarter of 2010, while net loan balances charged off increased by $1.0 million, or 38%, for the same comparative periods. For the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010, the loan loss provision was down $300,000 and net charge-offs increased by $1.3 million. Real estate loan charge-offs experienced the largest increase among our main loan categories, rising by $1.7 million, or 233%, for the comparative quarters, and by $2.8 million, or 208%, for the comparative year-to-date periods, primarily because of a $1.4 million charge-off on a large nonperforming non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan that was resolved during the second quarter of 2011. For the first half, charge-offs on Other Construction/Land loans also increased by a substantial $829,000. Including write-downs taken in the first six months of 2011, we have taken a cumulative total of $4.5 million in write-downs on collateral-dependent loans still on our books at June 30, 2011, most of which were on construction loans. Material changes in the level of principal recoveries are not evident for any category. Since our allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level to cover probable losses on specifically identified loans as well as probable incurred losses in the remaining loan portfolio, any shortfall in the allowance created by loan charge-offs is typically covered by month-end, and always by quarter-end. Additional details on our provision for loan and lease losses and its relationship to actual charge-offs is contained above in the “Provision for Loan and Lease Losses” section.

The Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses at June 30, 2011 represents management’s best estimate of probable loan losses related to specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred loan losses in the remaining loan portfolio. Fluctuations in credit quality, changes in economic conditions, or other factors could induce us to augment the allowance, however, and no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial losses relative to the size of the allowance.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit as long as there are no violations of any conditions established in the outstanding contractual arrangement. Unused commitments to extend credit totaled $144 million at June 30, 2011 as compared to $142 million at December 31, 2010, although it is not likely that all of these commitments will ultimately be drawn down. Unused commitments represented approximately 19% of gross loans outstanding at June 30, 2011, and 18% at December 31, 2010. In addition to unused loan commitments, the Company had undrawn letters of credit totaling $21 million at June 30, 2011 and $17 million at December 31, 2010.

The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will ever be used. For more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 8 to the financial statements located elsewhere herein.

OTHER ASSETS

The balance of non-interest earning cash and due from banks was $49 million at June 30, 2011, compared to $42 million at December 31, 2010. Since the actual balance of cash and due from banks depends on the timing of collection of outstanding cash items (checks), it is subject to significant fluctuation in the normal course of business. While cash flows are normally predictable within limits, those limits are fairly broad and the Company manages its cash position through the utilization of overnight loans to and borrowings from correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Should a large “short” overnight position persist for any length of time, the Company typically raises money through focused retail deposit gathering efforts or by adding brokered time deposits. If a “long” position is prevalent, the Company will, to the extent possible, let brokered deposits or other wholesale borrowings roll off as they mature.
 
Because of frequent balance fluctuations, a more accurate gauge of cash management efficiency is the average balance for the period. The $34 million average of cash and due from banks for the first six months of 2011 was slightly higher than the $33 million average for the fourth quarter of 2010 due to a higher level of cash activity in our branches, which has required the maintenance of higher levels of vault cash, and the addition of a branch in February 2011.

 
36

 

Net premises and equipment declined by $157,000 during the first six months of 2011, since fixed asset additions related to our new Selma branch were more-than-offset by the aggregate increase in accumulated depreciation. Operating leases continue to decline, and totaled only $547,000 at June 30, 2011. Foreclosed assets are discussed above, in the section titled “Credit Quality and Nonperforming Assets.” Goodwill did not change during the period, ending first half with a balance of about $6 million. The Company’s goodwill is evaluated annually for potential impairment, and because the estimated fair value of the Company exceeded its book value (including goodwill) as of the measurement date and no impairment was indicated, no further testing was deemed necessary and it was determined that no goodwill impairment exists. “Other assets” were $2.0 million lower, with the most significant changes including a drop in our prepaid FDIC assessment subsequent to payments made in the first six months of 2011, and a decline in our net deferred tax asset. At June 30, 2011, the $78 million balance of other assets includes as its largest components $32 million in bank-owned life insurance (see discussion of BOLI in “Non-Interest Revenue and Operating Expense” section above), a $10 million investment in low-income housing tax credit funds, an $8 million investment in restricted stock, a deferred tax asset of $11 million, current prepaid income taxes totaling $3 million, accrued interest receivable totaling $6 million, and a prepaid FDIC assessment of $3 million. Restricted stock is comprised primarily of FHLB stock that typically experiences balance fluctuations in conjunction with our level of FHLB borrowings. However, the FHLB of San Francisco suspended stock repurchases for a period of time and only recently started to repurchase stock at minimal levels, thus our restricted stock investment is not expected to drop significantly even though our borrowings have declined. This stock is not deemed to be marketable or liquid and is thus not grouped with the Company’s investments described above. Our net deferred tax asset is evaluated as of every reporting date pursuant to FASB guidance, and we have determined that no impairment exists.

DEPOSITS AND INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

DEPOSITS

Another key balance sheet component impacting the Company’s net interest margin is our deposit base. Deposits provide liquidity to fund growth in earning assets, and the Company’s net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits is concentrated in less volatile and typically less costly core deposits, which include demand deposit accounts, interest-bearing demand accounts (NOW accounts), savings accounts, money market demand accounts (MMDA’s), and non-brokered time deposits under $100,000. Information concerning average balances and rates paid on deposits by deposit type for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is contained in the Average Rates and Balances tables appearing above in the section titled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.” A comparative schedule of the distribution of the Company’s deposits at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, by outstanding balance as well as by percentage of total deposits, is presented in the following Deposit Distribution table.

 
37

 

Deposit Distribution
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
 
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Demand
  $ 273,684     $ 251,908  
NOW
    178,768       184,360  
Savings
    85,400       74,682  
Money Market
    162,102       156,170  
CDAR's < $100,000
    2,504       1,614  
CDAR's $100,000
    50,427       31,652  
Customer Time deposit < $100,000
    147,278       164,223  
CustomerTime deposits $100,000
    201,003       187,665  
Brokered Deposits
    15,000       -  
Total Deposits
  $ 1,116,166     $ 1,052,274  
                 
Percentage of Total Deposits
               
Demand
    24.52 %     23.94 %
NOW
    16.02 %     17.52 %
Savings
    7.65 %     7.10 %
Money Market
    14.52 %     14.84 %
CDAR's < $100,000
    0.22 %     0.15 %
CDAR's $100,000
    4.52 %     3.01 %
Customer Time deposit < $100,000
    13.19 %     15.61 %
Customer Time deposits > $100,000
    18.01 %     17.83 %
Brokered Deposits
    1.35 %     0.00 %
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %

Total deposit balances increased by $64 million, or 6%, during the first six months of 2011. Furthermore, our deposit mix improved since much of that growth came in core non-maturity deposits, which were up by $33 million, or 5%. The growth in non-maturity deposits is due in part to our ongoing deposit acquisition programs, including our highly successful direct mail initiatives. During the first six months of 2011 non-interest bearing demand deposits rose by $22 million, or 9%; savings deposits were up $11 million, or 14%; and money market deposit balances increased by $6 million, or 4%. Money market deposits would have increased by even more, if not for a customer’s one-time transfer of $4 million from money market deposits into a repo sweep account in order to address the specific needs of that customer. NOW deposits were the exception, declining by $6 million, or 3%, subsequent to interest rate adjustments made on our online reward checking product. Customer time deposits under $100,000 were down $17 million, or 10%, since we have let deposits that are under the management of our Treasury Department roll off as they mature. Customer-sourced time deposits over $100,000, on the other hand, increased by $13 million, or 7%. CDAR’s deposits, which are also primarily sourced from customers in our market areas, increased by a combined total of $20 million, or 59%, as we re-acquired low-cost deposits from a local municipality. In addition to our customer deposit activity during the first six months of 2011, we added $15 million in wholesale-sourced brokered deposits with maturities in the two to four year range, for interest rate risk management purposes. Despite the addition of brokered deposits, management recognizes that maintaining a high level of core customer deposits is one of the keys to sustaining a strong net interest margin and we continue to focus energy toward that end.
 
With the recent repeal of Regulation Q, financial institutions gained the ability to pay interest on business demand deposit accounts. Because of that, we expect that $89 million in deposit balances currently in business-related money market sweep accounts will migrate into interest-bearing demand accounts over the next few quarters. This movement could have a slight favorable effect on interest expense, since it will eliminate the third party administrative costs that are associated with the money market sweep product and are accounted for as interest expense on deposits.

OTHER INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

The Company’s other interest-bearing liabilities include overnight borrowings from other banks (“fed funds purchased”), borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, securities sold under agreement to repurchase, and junior subordinated debentures that consist entirely of long-term borrowings from trust subsidiaries formed specifically to issue trust preferred securities (see Capital Resources section for a more detailed explanation of trust-preferred securities).

 
38

 

The Company uses overnight and short-term FHLB advances and fed funds purchased on uncommitted lines from correspondent banks to support liquidity needs created by seasonal deposit flows, to temporarily satisfy funding needs from increased loan demand, and for other short-term purposes. The FHLB line is committed, but the amount of available credit is dependent on the level of pledged collateral. We had no overnight fed funds purchased on our books at June 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010. We had no overnight FHLB advances at June 30, 2011, down from $10 million at the end of 2010. Term FHLB advances also declined by $5 million during the first six months of 2011, and totaled $15 million at June 30, 2011. Repurchase agreements represent customer “sweep accounts”, where deposit balances above a specified threshold are transferred at the close of every business day into non-deposit accounts secured by pledged investment securities. Repo sweep balances totaled approximately $4 million at June 30, 2011, up from zero at the end of 2010 due to a customer’s transfer of $4 million from a money market deposit account, as noted above. The Company had $31 million in junior subordinated debentures at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

OTHER NON-INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

Other non-interest bearing liabilities are principally comprised of accrued interest payable, accrued income taxes, other accrued but unpaid expenses, and certain clearing amounts. Other liabilities increased by $291,000, or 2%, during the first six months of 2011.

LIQUIDITY AND MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows that are adequate to fund operations and meet other obligations and commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Company manages its liquidity in such a fashion as to be able to meet any unexpected changes in liquidity needs. Detailed cash flow projections are prepared on a monthly basis, with various scenarios applied to simulate our ability to meet liquidity needs under adverse conditions, and liquidity ratios are also calculated and reviewed on a regular basis. While these ratios are merely indicators and are not measures of actual liquidity, they are monitored closely and we are focused on maintaining adequate liquidity resources to draw upon should the need arise.

The Company, on occasion, experiences short-term cash needs as the result of loan growth or deposit outflows, or other asset purchases or liability repayments. To meet short-term needs, the Company can borrow overnight funds from other financial institutions, or solicit brokered deposits if deposits are not immediately obtainable from local sources. Availability on lines of credit from correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank, totaled $118 million at June 30, 2011. An additional $143 million in credit is available from the Federal Home Loan Bank if the Company pledges sufficient additional collateral and maintains the required amount of FHLB stock. The Company is also eligible to borrow approximately $62 million at the Federal Reserve Discount Window, if necessary, based on pledged assets at June 30, 2011. Further, funds can be obtained by drawing down the Company’s correspondent bank deposit accounts, or by liquidating unpledged investments or other readily saleable assets. In addition, the Company can raise immediate cash for temporary needs by selling under agreement to repurchase those investments in its portfolio which are not pledged as collateral. As of June 30, 2011, unpledged debt securities, plus pledged securities in excess of current pledging requirements, comprised $347 million of the Company’s investment portfolio balances. Other forms of balance sheet liquidity include but are not necessarily limited to fed funds sold, vault cash, and balances due from banks. The Company experienced a significant shift from contingent liquidity to actual balance sheet liquidity in 2010, due to the arrangement of a letter of credit from the FHLB for certain pledging requirements in place of investment securities. The FHLB letter of credit totaled $167 million at June 30, 2011. Management is of the opinion that its investments and other potentially liquid assets, along with other standby funding sources it has arranged, are more than sufficient to meet the Company’s current and anticipated short-term liquidity needs.

The Company’s primary liquidity and average loans to assets ratios were 40% and 56%, respectively, at June 30, 2011, as compared to internal policy guidelines of “greater than 8%” and “less than 78%.” The liquidity ratio is calculated with the balance of cash and due from banks, plus available investment securities and committed available-for-sale loans as the numerator, and non-collateralized deposits and short-term liabilities as the denominator. Other liquidity ratios reviewed by management and the Board include average net loans to core deposits, net non-core funding dependence, and reliance on wholesale funding, all of which were well within policy guidelines at June 30, 2011. Strong growth in core deposits combined with loan runoff and growth in investments has had a positive impact on our liquidity position in recent periods, although no assurance can be provided that this will continue to be the case.

 
39

 

INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does it have exposure to currency exchange rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk, and we have established policies and procedures to monitor and limit our earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The principal objective of interest rate risk management (sometimes referred to as “asset/liability management”) is to manage the financial components of the Company’s balance sheet in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital under a variety of interest rate scenarios. To identify areas of potential exposure to rate changes, the Company performs an earnings simulation analysis and a market value of portfolio equity calculation on a monthly basis.

The Company uses Sendero modeling software for asset/liability management in order to simulate the effects of potential interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest income, and to calculate the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments under different interest rate scenarios. The program imports balances, interest rates, maturity dates and re-pricing information for individual financial instruments, and incorporates assumptions on the characteristics of embedded options along with pricing and duration for new volumes to calculate the expected effect of a given interest rate change on the Company’s projected interest income and interest expense. Rate scenarios consisting of key rate and yield curve projections are run against the Company’s investments, loans, deposits and borrowed funds. These rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), economic (based on current trends and econometric models) or stable (unchanged from current actual levels).
 
The Company uses seven standard interest rate scenarios in conducting its simulations: “stable,” upward shocks of 100, 200 and 300 basis points, and downward shocks of 100, 200, and 300 basis points. Our policy is to limit any projected decline in net interest income relative to the stable rate scenario for the next 12 months to less than 5% for a 100 basis point (b.p.) shock, 10% for a 200 b.p. shock, and 15% for a 300 b.p. shock in interest rates. Per regulatory guidance, we also apply an upward shock of 400 b.p. for net interest income simulations and include the results in internal management reports. As of June 30, 2011 the Company had the following estimated net interest income sensitivity profile, without factoring in any potential negative impact on spreads resulting from competitive pressures:

Immediate Change in Rate
 
   
-300 b.p.
   
-200 b.p.
   
-100 b.p.
   
+100 b.p.
   
+200 b.p.
   
+300 b.p.
 
Change in Net Int. Inc. (in $000’s)
  $ -3,431     $ -2,690     $ -1,786     $ -850     $ -1,056     $ -65  
% Change
    -6.63 %     -5.20 %     -3.45 %     -1.64 %     -2.04 %     -0.13 %

Our current interest rate risk profile indicates that a drop in interest rates could have a negative impact on our net interest margin, although we consider the likelihood of further rate decreases to be minimal in the current environment. If there were an immediate and sustained downward adjustment of 100 basis points in interest rates, all else being equal, net interest income over the next twelve months would likely be around $1.786 million lower, a drop of 3.45% compared to net interest income under a stable rate scenario. The unfavorable variance increases when rates drop 200 or 300 basis points, due to the fact that certain deposit rates are already relatively low (on NOW accounts and savings accounts, for example), and will hit a natural floor of close to zero while variable-rate loan yields continue to drop. This effect is exacerbated by the fact that prepayments on fixed-rate loans tend to increase as rates decline, although our model assumptions include a presumed floor for our internal prime rate that partially offsets other negative pressures.

An increase in interest rates could also have an unfavorable effect on net interest income. Since many of our variable-rate loans are currently at rate floors, our model projects that if there were an immediate increase of up to 200 basis points in interest rates, the Company’s net interest income could be as much as $1.056 million lower than in a flat rate scenario due to the re-pricing lag that occurs while variable rates are increasing to floored levels. Without that effect our balance sheet would be slightly asset-sensitive, meaning that, all else being equal, net interest income would increase as rates rise. In fact, as can be seen above, loan rates lift from their floors and net interest income starts to benefit if interest rates increase by 300 basis points.

 
40

 

The economic (or “fair”) value of financial instruments on the Company’s balance sheet will also vary under the interest rate scenarios previously discussed. This variance is essentially a gauge of longer-term exposure to interest rate risk. It is measured by simulating changes in the Company’s economic value of equity (EVE), which is calculated by subtracting the fair value of liabilities from the fair value of assets. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at current replacement interest rates for each account type, while the fair value of non-financial accounts is assumed to equal book value for all rate scenarios. An economic value simulation is a static measure for balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, and this measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of the Company’s balance sheet evolve and as interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

The amount of change in economic value under different interest rate scenarios depends on the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including the stated interest rate or spread relative to current market rates or spreads, the likelihood of prepayment, whether the rate is fixed or floating, and the maturity date of the instrument. As a general rule, fixed-rate financial assets become more valuable in declining rate scenarios and less valuable in rising rate scenarios, while fixed-rate financial liabilities gain in value as interest rates rise and lose value as interest rates decline. The longer the duration of the financial instrument, the greater the impact a rate change will have on its value. In our economic value simulations, estimated prepayments are factored in for financial instruments with stated maturity dates, and decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on historical patterns and management’s best estimates. We have found that model results are highly sensitive to changes in the assumed decay rate for non-maturity deposits, in particular. The table below shows estimated changes in the Company’s EVE as of June 30, 2011, under different interest rate scenarios relative to a base case of current interest rates:

Immediate Change in Rate
 
   
-300 b.p.
   
-200 b.p.
   
-100 b.p.
   
+100 b.p.
   
+200 b.p.
   
+300 b.p.
 
Change in EVE (in $000’s)
  $ -58,235     $ -64,808     $ -31,663     $ +8,785     $ +9,670     $ +15,823  
% Change
    -18.13 %     -20.18 %     -9.86 %     +2.74 %     +3.01 %     +4.93 %

The table shows that our EVE will generally deteriorate in declining rate scenarios, but will likely benefit from rising rates. The changes in EVE are not symmetrical, however, due to the optionality inherent in certain financial instruments. Our EVE profile has changed substantially in recent periods, moving from unfavorable exposure to a benefit under rising rates, due in part to model adjustments to non-maturity deposit decay rates and loan prepayment rates which better reflect historical patterns. Effectively, lower deposit decay rates mean that we have a longer period to benefit from low-cost deposits, which are even more valuable when the cost of replacing them becomes greater, as would be the case in a rising rate environment. The updated EVE simulations also reflect greater exposure to declining rates, due in part to the acceleration of loan prepayments. In recent periods, we have intentionally focused on variable rate loans and longer-maturity funding in an attempt to benefit from the eventuality of rising rates, but this has also increased our exposure to declining rates. While further declines in market interest rates do not appear likely, that increased exposure has pushed the percentage change in EVE in a “rates down 200 basis points” scenario to the outer edge of our policy limits.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

At June 30, 2011, the Company had total shareholders’ equity of $165.4 million, comprised of $64.0 million in common stock, $1.8 million in additional paid-in capital, $95.6 million in retained earnings, and $4.0 million in accumulated other comprehensive income. Total shareholders’ equity at the end of 2010 was $159.6 million. The $5.8 million increase in shareholders’ equity during the first half was due in part to the addition of $3.7 million in net earnings, less $1.7 million in dividends paid. Accumulated other comprehensive income, representing the change in the mark-to-market differential of our investment securities (net of the tax impact), also increased by $3.1 million due to increasing market values, and the increase in capital related to stock options was $678,000.
 
 
41

 

The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate its capital adequacy, with risk-based capital ratios calculated separately for the Company and the Bank. Management reviews these capital measurements on a quarterly basis and takes appropriate action to ensure that they meet or surpass established internal and external guidelines. The Company and the Bank are both classified as “well capitalized,” the highest rating of the categories defined under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) of 1991. Each of the federal regulators has established risk based and leverage capital guidelines for the bank holding companies or banks it regulates, which set total capital requirements and define capital in terms of “core capital elements,” or Tier 1 capital; and “supplemental capital elements,” or Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as the sum of the core capital elements less goodwill and certain other deductions, notably the unrealized net gains or losses (after tax adjustments) on available-for-sale investment securities carried at fair market value. The following items are defined as core capital elements: (i) common shareholders’ equity; (ii) qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus (and, in the case of holding companies, senior perpetual preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury Department pursuant to the Troubled Asset Relief Program); (iii) qualified minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries and similar items; and (iv) qualifying trust preferred securities up to a specified limit. All of the $30 million in junior subordinated debentures on the Company’s balance sheet at June 30, 2011 was included in Tier 1 capital, however no assurance can be given that these debentures, which were issued in conjunction with trust preferred securities, will continue to be treated as Tier 1 capital in the future.
 
Tier 2 capital can include: (i) the allowance for loan and lease losses (but not more than 1.25% of an institution’s risk-weighted assets); (ii) perpetual preferred stock and related surplus not qualifying as Tier 1 capital; (iii) hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt instruments; (iv) a certain level of unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities; and (v) qualifying subordinated debt and redeemable preferred stock (but not more than 50% of Tier 1 capital). Because of the limitation on the allowance for loan and lease losses, only $11.5 million, or 55%, of our total allowance is currently included in Tier 2 capital for Sierra Bancorp’s consolidated calculations. The maximum amount of Tier 2 capital that is allowable for risk-based capital purposes is limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill. The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated.

Regulatory Capital Ratios
           
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
           
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Sierra Bancorp
           
Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets
    21.38 %     20.33 %
Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets
    20.12 %     19.06 %
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
    13.75 %     13.84 %
                 
Bank of the Sierra
               
Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets
    20.49 %     19.31 %
Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets
    19.23 %     18.04 %
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
    13.12 %     13.07 %
 
At the current time, there are no commitments that would necessitate the use of material amounts of the Company’s capital.

 
42

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 3

QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included as part of Part I, Item 2 above. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Market Risk Management”.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 4

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”) have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report was being prepared.
 
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred in the second quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
43

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operation.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c)      Stock Repurchases

The following table provides information concerning the Company’s repurchases of its Common Stock during the second quarter of 2011:

   
April
 
May
 
June
Total shares purchased
 
0
 
0
 
0
Average per share price
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan or program
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
Maximum number of shares remaining for purchase under a plan or program (1)
 
100,669
 
100,669
 
100,669

 
(1)
The current stock repurchase plan became effective July 1, 2003 and has no expiration date. The repurchase program initially provided that up to 250,000 shares of Sierra Bancorp’s common stock could be purchased by the Company from time to time. That amount was supplemented by 250,000 shares on May 19, 2005, another 250,000 shares on March 16, 2006, and an additional 500,000 shares on April 19, 2007.

ITEM 3 : DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4 : (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
 
ITEM 5 : OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

 
44

 

ITEM 6 : EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit #
 
Description
3.1
 
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Sierra Bancorp (1)
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (2)
10.1
 
1998 Stock Option Plan (3)
10.2
 
Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (4)
10.3
 
Salary Continuation Agreement for James C. Holly (4)
10.4
 
Salary Continuation Agreement and Split Dollar Agreement for James F. Gardunio (5)
10.5
 
Split Dollar Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (6)
10.6
 
Split Dollar Agreement and Amendment thereto for James C. Holly (6)
10.7
 
Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Vincent Jurkovich (6)
10.8
 
Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Robert Fields (6)
10.9
 
Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Gordon Woods (6)
10.10
 
Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Morris Tharp (6)
10.11
 
Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Albert Berra (6)
10.12
 
401 Plus Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (6)
10.13
 
Indenture dated as of March 17, 2004 between U.S. Bank N.A., as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (7)
10.14
 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Statutory Trust II, dated as of March 17, 2004 (7)
10.15
 
Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of March 17, 2004 (7)
10.16
 
Indenture dated as of June 15, 2006 between Wilmington Trust Co., as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (8)
10.17
 
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Capital Trust III, dated as of June 15, 2006 (8)
10.18
 
Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of June 15, 2006 (8)
10.19
 
2007 Stock Incentive Plan (9)
10.20
 
Sample Retirement Agreement Entered into with Each Non-Employee Director Effective January 1, 2007 (10)
10.21
 
Salary Continuation Agreement for Kevin J. McPhaill (10)
10.22
 
First Amendment to the Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (10)
11
 
Statement of Computation of Per Share Earnings (11)
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Section 302 Certification)
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Section 302 Certification)
32
  
Certification of Periodic Financial Report (Section 906 Certification)
 

 
(1)
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(2)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(3)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of Sierra Bancorp on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (Registration No. 333-53178) on January 4, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(4)
Filed as Exhibits 10.5 and 10.7 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(5)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 11, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(6)
Filed as Exhibits 10.10, 10.12, and 10.15 through 10.20 to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(7)
Filed as Exhibits 10.9 through 10.11 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 14, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(8)
Filed as Exhibits 10.26 through 10.28 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(9)
Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(10)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
(11)
Computation of earnings per share is incorporated by reference to Note 6 of the Financial Statements included herein.
 
 
45

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:

August 8, 2011
/s/ James C. Holly
Date
SIERRA BANCORP
 
James C. Holly
 
President &
 
Chief Executive Officer

August 8, 2011
/s/ Kenneth R. Taylor
Date
SIERRA BANCORP
 
Kenneth R. Taylor
 
Chief Financial Officer &
 
Chief Accounting Officer

 
46