10-Q 1 tenq0911.htm FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X ]   Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
   
[    ]    Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
  For the transition period from to __________

 

Commission file number 1-12053

 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name Of Small Business Issuer as specified in its Charter)

 

Georgia   58-1392259
(State Or Other Jurisdiction Of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation Or Organization)   Identification No.)

 

201 FIRST STREET, S.E., MOULTRIE, GEORGIA 31768

Address Of Principal Executive Offices

 

(229) 985-1120 _

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code

 

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 [ X ] No [ ]

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

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

 

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

 

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

Class   Outstanding At October 27, 2011
Common Stock, $1 Par Value   2,547,837

 

 
 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      PAGE #
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
  ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
           
  The following financial statements are provided for Southwest Georgia  
  Financial Corporation as required by this Item 1.  
         
    a.         Consolidated balance sheets - September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and  
      December 31, 2010 (audited). 2
           
    b.         Consolidated statements of income (unaudited) – for the three months and  
      the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. 3
           
    c.          Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (unaudited) - for the  
      three months and the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. 4
           
    d.         Consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited) for the nine months  
      ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. 5
           
    e.          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
           
  ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF  
      FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 27
           
  ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT  
    MARKET RISK 35
       
  ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES                     35
           
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION  
           
  ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS   36
           
  SIGNATURE   37

  

1
 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
   (Unaudited)  (Audited)
   September 30,  December 31,
   2011  2010
ASSETS          
Cash and due from banks  $5,602,273   $5,111,869 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   6,861,631    10,958,766 
           Cash and cash equivalents   12,463,904    16,070,635 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   31,945,493    54,945,921 
Investment securities held to maturity (fair value          
 approximates $46,715,108 and $46,570,196)   45,296,745    46,255,446 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   1,943,000    1,649,900 
           Total investment securities   79,185,238    102,851,267 
           
Loans   182,467,540    157,758,504 
Less: Unearned income   (25,562)   (25,874)
         Allowance for loan losses   (2,903,305)   (2,754,614)
           Loans, net   179,538,673    154,978,016 
           
Premises and equipment, net   9,668,523    9,221,341 
Foreclosed assets, net   2,364,838    3,288,121 
Intangible assets   602,335    640,876 
Bank owned life insurance   4,537,397    3,029,314 
Other assets   5,393,461    6,324,361 
           
           Total assets  $293,754,369   $296,403,931 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Liabilities:          
 Deposits:          
     NOW accounts  $27,313,899   $29,238,582 
     Money Market   46,410,601    50,468,227 
     Savings   24,411,143    22,635,415 
     Certificates of deposit $100,000 and over   31,273,831    32,472,318 
     Other time accounts   60,116,101    65,858,838 
           Total interest-bearing deposits   189,525,575    200,673,380 
     Noninterest-bearing deposits   47,361,101    38,857,679 
           Total deposits   236,886,676    239,531,059 
           
 Short-term borrowed funds   2,000,000    2,000,000 
 Long-term debt   22,000,000    24,000,000 
 Other liabilities   4,651,185    4,097,279 
           Total liabilities   265,537,861    269,628,338 
           
Stockholders' equity:          
 Common stock - $1 par value, 5,000,000 shares          
   authorized, 4,293,835 shares issued   4,293,835    4,293,835 
 Capital surplus   31,701,533    31,701,533 
 Retained earnings   18,735,784    17,925,895 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (400,849)   (1,031,875)
 Treasury stock, at cost 1,745,998 shares for 2011          
   and 2010   (26,113,795)   (26,113,795)
           Total stockholders' equity   28,216,508    26,775,593 
           
           Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $293,754,369   $296,403,931 

2
 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
   For the Three Months  For the Nine Months
   Ended September 30,
  Ended September 30,
   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
   2011  2010  2011  2010
Interest income:                    
   Interest and fees on loans  $2,605,362   $2,502,409   $7,708,466   $7,467,286 
   Interest on taxable securities available for sale   262,643    335,313    1,061,942    1,430,868 
   Interest on taxable securities held to maturity   155,536    160,849    500,335    451,599 
   Interest on tax exempt securities   190,656    153,810    506,217    436,785 
   Dividends   3,753    3,291    10,738    3,783 
   Interest on deposits in other banks   7,203    17,397    26,955    46,593 
           Total interest income   3,225,153    3,173,069    9,814,653    9,836,914 
                     
Interest expense:                    
   Interest on deposits   324,216    495,753    1,070,131    1,611,566 
   Interest on federal funds purchased   1    1    1,788    2 
   Interest on other short-term borrowings   13,306    40,802    30,436    110,751 
   Interest on long-term debt   191,427    169,780    590,154    514,130 
           Total interest expense   528,950    706,336    1,692,509    2,236,449 
           Net interest income   2,696,203    2,466,733    8,122,144    7,600,465 
Provision for loan losses   480,000    150,000    780,000    450,000 
           Net interest income after provision for loan losses   2,216,203    2,316,733    7,342,144    7,150,465 
                     
Noninterest income:                    
   Service charges on deposit accounts   373,659    401,846    1,075,437    1,188,343 
   Income from trust services   52,887    66,598    163,521    187,490 
   Income from retail brokerage services   73,178    57,767    248,037    228,575 
   Income from insurance services   272,596    237,459    934,779    847,839 
   Income from mortgage banking services   346,467    308,546    1,119,245    997,142 
   Provision for foreclosed property losses   (75,000)   (75,000)   (225,000)   (200,000)
   Net loss on sale or disposition of assets   (110,582)   (23,583)   (163,785)   (20,766)
   Net gain on the sale of securities   156,045    0    376,604    534,973 
   Net loss on the impairment of equity securities   0    0    (12,265)   0 
   Other income   98,700    115,613    407,375    393,748 
           Total noninterest income   1,187,950    1,089,246    3,923,948    4,157,344 
                     
Noninterest expense:                    
   Salaries and employee benefits   1,965,606    1,739,443    5,782,322    5,177,824 
   Occupancy expense   261,844    237,600    716,962    652,736 
   Equipment expense   216,477    200,838    578,197    560,726 
   Data processing expense   256,787    255,049    774,509    749,778 
   Amortization of intangible assets   55,816    51,910    163,541    155,729 
   Other operating expenses   624,097    663,680    1,969,517    1,946,480 
           Total noninterest expenses   3,380,627    3,148,520    9,985,048    9,243,273 
           Income before income taxes   23,526    257,459    1,281,044    2,064,536 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (75,367)   18,274    216,372    512,635 
           Net income  $98,893   $239,185   $1,064,672   $1,551,901 
                     
Earnings per share of common stock:                    
   Net income, basic  $0.04   $0.09   $0.42   $0.61 
   Net income, diluted  $0.04   $0.09   $0.42   $0.61 
   Dividends paid per share  $—     $—     $0.10   $0.10 
Weighted average shares outstanding   2,547,837    2,547,837    2,547,837    2,547,837 
Diluted average shares outstanding   2,547,837    2,547,837    2,547,875    2,547,913 

3
 

 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
   For the Three Months  For the Nine Months
   Ended September 30,  Ended September 30,
   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
   2011  2010  2011  2010
             
Net income  $98,893   $239,185   $1,064,672   $1,551,901 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                    
   Unrealized gain on securities                    
     available for sale, net of tax expense                    
     of $95,240 and $(19,100) for the quarter                    
     and of $325,074 and $250,210 for the year   184,879    (37,078)   631,026    485,702 
Total comprehensive income  $283,772   $202,107   $1,695,698   $2,037,603 

 

4
 

  

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    
   For the Nine Months
   Ended September 30,
   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:  2011  2010
   Net income  $1,064,672   $1,551,901 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to          
       net cash provided by operating activities:          
       Provision for loan losses   780,000    450,000 
       Provision for foreclosed asset losses   225,000    200,000 
       Depreciation   599,462    581,756 
       Net amortization and (accretion) of investment securities   271,501    196,221 
       Income on cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance   (108,081)   (115,405)
       Amortization of intangibles   163,541    155,729 
       Loss on sale/writedown of foreclosed assets   166,605    40,999 
       Net loss on the impairment of equity securities   12,265    0 
       Net gain on sale of securities   (376,604)   (534,973)
       Net (gain) loss on disposal of other assets   (2,820)   20,767 
   Change in:          
       Funds held related to mortgage banking activities   501,308    (16,453)
       Other assets   453,824    369,052 
       Other liabilities   52,598    (140,558)
               Net cash provided by operating activities   3,803,271    2,759,036 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
   Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities HTM   12,620,888    3,572,325 
   Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities AFS   9,020,707    6,559,746 
   Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale   23,188,518    17,856,535 
   Purchase of securities held to maturity   (11,865,948)   (24,064,431)
   Purchase of securities available for sale   (8,249,195)   (1,633,218)
   Net change in loans   (26,009,077)   (1,208,584)
   Purchase bank owned life insurance   (1,400,002)   0 
   Expenditures for improvements to other real estate owned   (42,401)   0 
   Purchase of premises and equipment   (1,048,824)   (1,995,816)
   Proceeds from sales of other assets   1,274,499    697,380 
               Net cash provided for investing activities   (2,510,835)   (216,063)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
   Net change in deposits   (2,644,383)   18,217,132 
   Payment of short-term debt   (2,000,000)   0 
   Cash dividends paid   (254,784)   (254,784)
               Net cash provided for financing activities   (4,899,167)   17,962,348 
           
Increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (3,606,731)   20,505,321 
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   16,070,635    23,296,417 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period  $12,463,904   $43,801,738 
           
NONCASH ITEMS:          
   Increase in foreclosed properties and decrease in loans  $668,420   $120,165 
   Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale  $956,100   $735,912 

5
 

 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

_________

 

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”), a bank-holding company organized under the laws of Georgia, provides deposit, lending, and other financial services to businesses and individuals primarily in the Southwest region of Georgia. The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to regulation by certain federal and state agencies.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The interim financial statements furnished reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10K.

 

6
 

NOTE 1

 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accounting and reporting policies of Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to general practices within the banking industry. The following is a description of the more significant of those policies.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation and its wholly-owned direct and indirect Subsidiaries, Southwest Georgia Bank (the “Bank”) and Empire Financial Services, Inc. (“Empire”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation.

 

Nature of Operations

 

The Corporation offers comprehensive financial services to consumer, business, and governmental customers through its banking offices in southwest Georgia. Its primary deposit products are savings and certificates of deposit, and its primary lending products are consumer and commercial mortgage loans. The Corporation provides, in addition to conventional banking services, investment planning and management, trust management, mortgage banking, and commercial and individual insurance products. Insurance products and advice are provided by the Bank’s Southwest Georgia Insurance Services Division. Mortgage banking for primarily commercial properties is provided by Empire, a mortgage banking services subsidiary.

 

The Corporation’s primary business is providing banking services through the Bank to individuals and businesses principally in Colquitt County, Baker County, Thomas County, Worth County, Lowndes County and the surrounding counties of southwest Georgia. The Bank also operates Empire Financial Services, Inc. in Milledgeville, Georgia. Our first full-service banking center in Valdosta, Georgia opened in June 2010 and a mortgage origination office was opened in January 2011 in Valdosta, Georgia. Construction has begun on our second banking center in Valdosta and the new branch is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2012.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with these evaluations, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

 

A substantial portion of the Corporation’s loans are secured by real estate located primarily in Georgia. Accordingly, the ultimate collection of these loans is susceptible to changes in the real estate market conditions of this market area.

 

7
 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statement of Cash Flows

 

For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Corporation considers cash and cash equivalents to include all cash on hand, deposit amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and federal funds sold. The Corporation maintains its cash balances in several financial institutions. Accounts at the financial institutions are secured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. Uninsured deposits aggregate to $166,043 at September 30, 2011.

 

Investment Securities

 

Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income.

 

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses in accordance with ASC 320-10-65, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Corporation to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

 

Premises and Equipment

 

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation has been calculated primarily using the straight-line method for buildings and building improvements over the assets estimated useful lives. Equipment and furniture are depreciated using the modified accelerated recovery system method over the assets estimated useful lives for financial reporting and income tax purposes for assets purchased on or before December 31, 2003. For assets acquired since 2003, the Corporation used the straight-line method of depreciation. The following estimated useful lives are used for financial statement purposes:

 

Land improvements 5 – 31 years  
Building and improvements 10 – 40 years  
Machinery and equipment 5 – 10 years  
Computer equipment 3 – 5 years  
Office furniture and fixtures 5 – 10 years  

 

All of the Corporation’s leases are operating leases and are not capitalized as assets for financial reporting purposes. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense and betterments are capitalized.

 

Long-lived assets are evaluated regularly for other-than-temporary impairment. If circumstances suggest that their value may be impaired and the write-down would be material, an assessment of recoverability is performed prior to any write-down of the asset. Impairment on intangibles is evaluated at each balance sheet date or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount should be assessed. Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge recorded in the income statement.

 

8
 

Loans and Allowances for Loan Losses

 

Loans are stated at principal amounts outstanding less unearned income and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is credited to income based on the principal amount outstanding at the respective rate of interest except for interest on certain installment loans made on a discount basis which is recognized in a manner that results in a level-yield on the principal outstanding.

 

Accrual of interest income is discontinued on loans when, in the opinion of management, collection of such interest income becomes doubtful. Accrual of interest on such loans is resumed when, in management’s judgment, the collection of interest and principal becomes probable.

 

Fees on loans and costs incurred in origination of most loans are recognized at the time the loan is placed on the books. Because loan fees are not significant, the results on operations are not materially different from the results which would be obtained by accounting for loan fees and costs as amortized over the term of the loan as an adjustment of the yield.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Allowance for loan loss for impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10-35.

 

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Corporation does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures.

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes the collection of the principal is unlikely. The allowance is an amount which management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible based on evaluation of the collectibility of loans and prior loss experience. This evaluation takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolios, current economic conditions that may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay, overall portfolio quality, and review of specific problem loans.

 

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic conditions. Also, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

9
 

Foreclosed Assets

 

In accordance with policy guidelines and regulations, properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. A valuation allowance is established to record market value changes in foreclosed assets. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets. As of September 30, 2011, the valuation allowance for foreclosed asset losses was $500,000.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets are amortized over a determined useful life using the straight-line basis. These assets are evaluated annually as to the recoverability of the carrying value. The remaining intangibles have a remaining life of two to eight years.

 

Credit Related Financial Instruments

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

 

Retirement Plans

 

The Corporation and its subsidiaries have post-retirement plans covering substantially all employees. The Corporation makes annual contributions to the plans in amounts not exceeding the regulatory requirements.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Corporation and its subsidiaries file a consolidated income tax return. Each subsidiary computes its income tax expense as if it filed an individual return except that it does not receive any portion of the surtax allocation. Any benefits or disadvantages of the consolidation are absorbed by the parent company.  Each subsidiary pays its allocation of federal income taxes to the parent company or receives payment from the parent company to the extent that tax benefits are realized.

 

The Corporation reports income under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.  Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit associated with certain temporary differences and tax credits will be realized.

 

The Corporation adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48), included in FASB ASC Subtopic 740-10, Income Taxes, as of June 30, 2006. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on examination.  For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.  The adoption had no effect on the Corporation’s financial statement for the quarter ending September 30, 2011.

 

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The Corporation recognizes penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.  The Corporation is subject to U.S. federal and Georgia state income tax audit for returns for the tax period ending December 31, 2010. 

 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) completed an audit of the Corporation’s tax returns in May 2010 for periods ending December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.  Adjustments from the examiner and payments to the IRS approximated $337,000.  The result of the audit did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial statements. Thus, no FIN 48 liability was recorded for additional tax, interest or penalties.   We are aware of no additional material uncertain tax positions which would require a FIN 48 liability to be recorded for the current year. 

 

Trust Department

 

Trust income is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements on the cash basis in accordance with established industry practices. Reporting of such fees on the accrual basis would have no material effect on reported income.

 

Servicing and Origination Fees on Loans

 

The Corporation from the Bank’s subsidiary, Empire, recognizes as income in the current period all loan origination and brokerage fees collected on loans originated and closed for investing participants. Loan servicing fees are based on a percentage of loan interest paid by the borrower and recognized over the term of the loan as loan payments are received. Empire does not directly fund any mortgages and acts as a service-oriented broker for participating mortgage lenders. Fees charged for continuing servicing fees are comparable with market rates charged in the industry. Based on these facts and after a thorough analysis and evaluation of deferred mortgage servicing costs as defined under ASC 860, they are insignificant and immaterial to be recognized. Late charges assessed on past due payments are recognized as income by the Corporation when collected.

 

Advertising Costs

 

It is the policy of the Corporation to expense advertising costs as they are incurred. The Corporation does not engage in any direct-response advertising and accordingly has no advertising costs reported as assets on its balance sheet. Costs expensed during the third quarter of 2011 were $35,561 and $118,956 for the nine-month period.

 

Recent Market and Regulatory Developments

 

The financial services industry is facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the current national and global economic crisis. The global and U.S. economies are experiencing significantly reduced business activity. Dramatic declines in the housing market during the past two years, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs, initially of mortgage-backed securities but spreading to credit default swaps and other derivative securities, have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital; to merge with larger and stronger institutions; and, in some cases, to fail. The Corporation is fortunate that the markets it serves have been impacted to a lesser extent than many areas around the country.

11
 

 

On September 29, 2009, the FDIC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) that would require insured institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The FDIC Board voted to adopt a uniform three-basis point increase in assessment rates effective on January 1, 2011, and extend the restoration period from seven to eight years. This rule was finalized on November 2, 2009. As a result, the Corporation is carrying a prepaid asset of $753 thousand as of September 30, 2011. The Corporation’s quarterly risk-based deposit insurance assessments will be paid from this amount until the amount is exhausted or until December 30, 2014, when any amount remaining would be returned to the Corporation.

 

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (The Act) became law. The Act was intended to address many issues arising in the recent financial crisis and is exceedingly broad in scope affecting many aspects of bank and financial market regulation. The Act requires, or permits by implementing regulation, enhanced prudential standards for banks and bank holding companies inclusive of capital, leverage, liquidity, concentration and exposure measures. In addition, traditional bank regulatory principles such as restrictions on transactions with affiliates and insiders were enhanced. The Act also contains reforms of consumer mortgage lending practices and creates a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection which is granted broad authority over consumer financial practices of banks and others. It is expected as the specific new or incremental requirements applicable to the Corporation become effective that the costs and difficulties of remaining compliant with all such requirements will increase. The Act also permanently raises the current standard maximum FDIC deposit insurance amount to $250,000.

 

On November 9, 2010, the FDIC adopted the final rule that provides temporary unlimited coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at all FDIC-insured depository institutions (IDIs) in anticipation of the expiration of the TAGP on December 31, 2010. The separate coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts became effective on December 31, 2010, and terminates on December 31, 2012. Unlike the TAGP, The Act definition of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts does not include either low-interest Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts or Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTAs). The final rule included notice and disclosure requirements that IDIs were required to implement by December 31, 2010.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” This ASU is intended to simplify how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The new guidance allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity no longer is required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The ASU will be effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which revises how entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements.  The ASU requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements.  In a continuous statement of comprehensive income, an entity would be required to present the components of the income statement as presented today, along with the components of other comprehensive income.  In the two-statement approach, an entity would be required to present a statement that is consistent with the income statement format used today, along with a second statement, which would

12
 

immediately follow the income statement, that would include the components of other comprehensive income.  The ASU eliminates the option for presenting components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, requires that the statement of comprehensive income directly follows the income statement (if using the two statement approach), and requires that reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income are presented on the face of the financial statements. The ASU does not change the items that an entity must report in other comprehensive income.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.”  This ASU is a result of joint efforts by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) to develop a single, converged fair value framework for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”).  This ASU is largely consistent with existing fair value measurement principles in U.S. GAAP; however, some of the components of this ASU could change how fair value measurement guidance in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” is applied.  This ASU does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting.  ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively. The Corporation is already disclosing its fair value measurements in compliance with the converged guidance, and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 provides guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties in order to determine when a restructured loan is a troubled debt restructuring. This ASU is effective for the Corporation’s financial statements for annual and interim periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and must be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the period of adoption. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-01 which temporarily defers the effective date in ASU 2010-20 for disclosure about troubled debt restructuring by creditors to coincide with the effective date of ASU 2011-02 clarifying what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The adoption of this disclosure-only guidance is not expected to have an effect on the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

NOTE 2

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Corporation adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, which provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles.  ASC 820 applies to all financial statement elements that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis.

 

The Corporation utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  From time to time, the Corporation may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans and foreclosed real estate. Additionally, the Corporation is required to disclose, but not record, the fair value of other financial instruments.

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Fair Value Hierarchy:

Under ASC 820, the Corporation groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.  These levels are:

 

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded inactive markets.

 

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

 

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities which are either recorded or disclosed at fair value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For disclosure purposes for cash, due from banks and federal funds sold, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Investment Securities Available for Sale:

Investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange and U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and state, county and municipal bonds.  Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.

 

Investment Securities Held to Maturity:

Investment securities held to maturity are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. For disclosure purposes, fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock:

For disclosure purposes the carrying value of other investments approximate fair value.

 

Loans:

The Corporation does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and a specific allocation is established within the allowance for loan losses.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310,  Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loans, (ASC 310).  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of three methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, and discounted cash flows.  Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans.  In accordance with ASC 820, impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair

14
 

value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Corporation records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2.  When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Corporation records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of fixed rate loans which are not considered impaired, is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For unimpaired variable rate loans, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value for disclosure purposes.

 

Foreclosed Assets:

Other real estate properties are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to other real estate.  Subsequently, other real estate assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value.  Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Corporation records the other real estate as nonrecurring Level 2.  When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Corporation records the other real estate asset as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

Deposits:

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, while the fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates at which comparable certificates would be issued.

 

Federal Funds Purchased:

For disclosure purposes the carrying amount for Federal funds purchased is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

 

FHLB Advances:

For disclosure purposes the fair value of the FHLB fixed rate borrowing is estimated using discounted cash flows, based on the current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit:

Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and the fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

 

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Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011.

   Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total
Investment securities available for sale  $152,000   $31,793,493   $0   $31,945,493 

 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis:

The Corporation may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period.  Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are included in the table below as of September 30, 2011.

   Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total
Foreclosed assets  $0   $2,364,838   $0   $2,364,838 
Impaired loans   0    8,017,159    0    8,017,159 
    Total assets at fair value  $0   $10,381,997   $0   $10,381,997 

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Corporation’s assets and liabilities which are required to be either disclosed or recorded at fair value at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2011  December 31, 2010
             
   Carrying
Amount
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Carrying
Amount
  Estimated
Fair Value
   (Dollars in thousands)  (Dollars in thousands)
             
Assets:                    
 Cash and cash equivalents  $12,464   $12,464   $16,071   $16,071 
 Investment securities available for sale   31,945    31,945    54,946    54,946 
 Investment securities held to maturity   45,297    46,715    46,255    46,570 
 Federal Home Loan Bank stock   1,943    1,943    1,650    1,650 
 Loans  $179,539   $178,627   $154,978   $153,293 
Liabilities:                    
 Deposits  $236,887   $237,234   $239,531   $240,009 
 FHLB advances  $24,000   $25,209   $26,000   $27,678 

 

Limitations:

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial statement element. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Fair value estimates included herein are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the fair value of assets and liabilities that are not required to be recorded or disclosed at fair value like premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

 

NOTE 3

 

Investment Securities

 

Debt and equity securities have been classified in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent. The amortized cost of securities as shown in the consolidated balance sheets and their estimated fair values at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, were as follows: 

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Securities Available For Sale:

September 30, 2011  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
                     
State and municipal securities  $3,054,000   $142,353   $0   $3,196,353 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   27,177,468    1,419,672    0    28,597,140 
      Total debt securities AFS   30,231,468    1,562,025    0    31,793,493 
Equity securities   174,549    0    22,549    152,000 
                     
      Total securities AFS  $30,406,017   $1,562,025   $22,549   $31,945,493 

 

December 31, 2010  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
                     
U.S. Government Treasury securities  $11,061,282   $0   $427,752   $10,633,530 
State and municipal securities   5,655,242    190,509    0    5,845,751 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   37,423,357    1,090,228    114,746    38,398,839 
      Total debt securities AFS   54,139,881    1,280,737    542,498    54,878,120 
Equity securities   222,664    0    154,863    67,801 
                     
      Total securities AFS  $54,362,545   $1,280,737   $697,361   $54,945,921 

 

Securities Held to Maturity:

September 30, 2011  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
                     
U.S. Government Agency securities  $995,190   $10,220   $0   $1,005,410 
State and municipal securities   26,187,405    742,318    18,084    26,911,639 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   18,114,150    683,909    0    18,798,059 
                     
      Total securities HTM  $45,296,745   $1,436,447   $18,084   $46,715,108 

 

 

December 31, 2010  Amortized
Cost
  Unrealized
Gains
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
                     
U.S. Government Agency securities  $6,999,651   $13,189   $5,080   $7,007,760 
State and municipal securities   17,682,419    252,077    138,934    17,795,562 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   21,573,376    276,011    82,513    21,766,874 
                     
      Total securities HTM  $46,255,446   $541,277   $226,527   $46,570,196 

 

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Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in continuous loss position, follows:

 

September 30, 2011  Less Than Twelve Months  Twelve Months or More
   Gross Unrealized Losses   
Fair
Value
  Gross Unrealized Losses   
Fair
Value
Securities Available for Sale                    
Temporarily impaired debt securities:                    
State and municipal securities  $0   $0   $0   $0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   0    0    0    0 
Total debt securities AFS   0    0    0    0 
Temporarily impaired equity securities   0    0    0    0 
Other-than-temporarily impaired equity securities   22,549    152,000    0    0 
Total securities available for sale  $22,549   $152,000   $0   $0 
                     
Securities Held to Maturity                    
Temporarily impaired debt securities:                    
U.S. Government Agency  $0   $0   $0   $0 
State and municipal securities   18,084    2,626,183    0    0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   0    0    0    0 
Total securities held to maturity  $18,084   $2,626,183   $0   $0 
                

 

December 31, 2010  Less Than Twelve Months  Twelve Months or More
   Gross Unrealized Losses   
Fair
Value
  Gross Unrealized Losses   
Fair
Value
Securities Available for Sale                    
Temporarily impaired debt securities:                    
U.S. Government Treasury securities  $427,752   $10,633,530   $0   $0 
State and municipal securities   0    0    0    0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   114,746    6,443,200    0    0 
Total debt securities AFS   542,498    17,076,730    0    0 
Temporarily impaired equity securities   0    0    12,208    57 
Other-than-temporarily impaired equity securities   0    0    142,655    67,744 
Total securities available for sale  $542,498   $17,076,730   $154,863   $67,801 
                     
Securities Held to Maturity                    
Temporarily impaired debt securities:                    
U.S. Government Agency  $5,080   $1,994,920   $0   $0 
State and municipal securities   138,934    6,795,789    0    0 
Residential mortgage-backed securities   82,513    3,819,645    0    0 
Total securities held to maturity  $226,527   $12,610,354   $0   $0 

 

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Management assesses whether an other-than-temporary impairment is present when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date.  For such securities, other-than-temporary impairment is considered to have occurred if the Corporation intends to sell the security, if it is more likely than not the Corporation will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or if the present values of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost.

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As of September 30, 2011, the Corporation’s other-than-temporarily impaired equity security was one issue of Fannie Mae preferred stock of $174,549 of amortized cost, unrealized loss of $22,549 recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and fair value of $152,000. As of December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s other-than-temporarily impaired equity securities were two issues of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock of $210,399 of amortized cost, unrealized loss of $142,655 recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and fair value of $67,744. In March 2011, the Corporation sold the remaining shares of Freddie Mac preferred stock. Previously in 2008, the Corporation took a charge against earnings of $4,104,901 for the impairment of these preferred stock issues.

 

In the second quarter of 2011, it was determined that common stock held in the Corporation’s investment portfolio of a FDIC problem bank was impaired and a loss of $12,265 was recognized.

 

At September 30, 2011, the debt securities with unrealized losses have depreciated 0.7% from the Corporation’s amortized cost basis. These unrealized losses relate principally to current interest rates for similar types of securities. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government, its agencies, or other governments, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer’s financial condition. Management has the ability to hold debt securities until maturity, or for the foreseeable future if classified as available-for-sale. Also, no declines in debt securities are deemed to be other-than-temporary.

 

NOTE 4

 

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The composition of the Corporation’s loan portfolio and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, was as follows:

             
   September 30, 2011  December 31, 2010
             
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans  $36,741,361    20.1%  $27,851,844    17.7%
Real estate:                    
Construction loans   12,189,089    6.7%   16,900,325    10.7%
Commercial mortgage loans   62,770,975    34.4%   47,649,217    30.2%
Residential loans   59,490,131    32.6%   51,609,504    32.7%
Agricultural loans   6,933,366    3.8%   8,428,009    5.3%
Deposit account overdrafts   71,943    0.1%   127,189    0.1%
Consumer loans   4,270,675    2.3%   5,192,416    3.3%
                     
        Loans Outstanding   182,467,540    100.0%   157,758,504    100.0%
                     
Unearned discount   (25,562)        (25,874)     
Allowance for loan losses   (2,903,305)        (2,754,614)     
      Net loans  $179,538,673        $154,978,016      

 

The Corporation’s only significant concentration of credit at September 30, 2011, occurred in real estate loans which totaled approximately $141 million. However, this amount was not concentrated in any specific segment within the market or geographic area. Average loans outstanding were $179,093,448 for the three months and $170,906,475 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Beginning in 2009, certain 1-4 family mortgage loans were pledged to Federal Home Loan Bank to secure outstanding advances. At September 30, 2011, $27,869,446 loans were pledged in this capacity.

 

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The following table shows maturities as well as interest sensitivity of the commercial, financial, agricultural, and construction loan portfolio at September 30, 2011.

 

   Commercial,
Financial,
Agricultural and
Construction
      
Distribution of loans which are due:     
    In one year or less  $16,128,249 
    After one year but within five years   29,129,025 
    After five years   3,673,176 
      
         Total  $48,930,450 

 

The following table shows, for such loans due after one year, the amounts which have predetermined interest rates and the amounts which have floating or adjustable interest rates at September 30, 2011.

 

   Loans With      
   Predetermined  Loans With   
   Rates  Floating Rates  Total
Commercial, financial,               
agricultural and construction  $27,766,745   $5,035,456   $32,802,201 

 

The following table presents information concerning outstanding balances of nonaccrual, past-due, renegotiated and potential problem loans as well as foreclosed assets for the indicated period.

 

   Nonaccrual
Loans
  Past-Due
Loans
  Renegotiated
Loans
  Potential
Problem
Loans
  Total  Foreclosed Assets
September 30, 2011  $4,286,033   $0   $51,998   $39,452   $4,377,483   $2,364,838 
December 31, 2010  $186,331   $0   $34,012   $829,894   $1,050,237   $3,288,121 

 

Appraisal Policy

 

When a loan is first identified as a problem loan, the appraisal is reviewed to determine if the appraised value is still appropriate for the collateral. For the duration that a loan is considered a problem loan, the appraised value of the collateral is monitored on a quarterly basis. If significant changes occur in market conditions or in the condition of the collateral, a new appraisal will be obtained.

 

Nonaccrual Policy

 

The Corporation does not accrue interest on any loan (1) that is maintained on a cash basis due to the deteriorated financial condition of the borrower, (2) for which payment in full of principal or interest is not expected, or (3) upon which principal or interest has been past due for ninety days or more unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.

 

A loan subsequently placed on nonaccrual status may be returned to accrual status if (1) all past due interest and principal is paid with expectations of any remaining contractual principal and interest being repaid or (2) the loan becomes well secured and in the process of collection.

 

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Loans placed on nonaccrual status amounted to $4,286,033 and $186,331 at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively. There were no past due loans over ninety days and still accruing at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010. The accrual of interest is discontinued when the loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest income that would have been recorded on these nonaccrual loans in accordance with their original terms totaled $28,614 and $4,365 as of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

The following table presents an age analysis of past due loans and nonaccrual loans segregated by class of loans. We do not have any accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due.

 

   Age Analysis of Past Due Loans
As of September 30, 2011
   30-89 Days Past Due  Greater than 90 Days  Total Past Due Loans  Nonaccrual Loans  Current Loans  Total Loans
                   
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans  $302,620   $0   $302,620   $17,713   $36,421,028   $36,741,361 
Real estate:                              
Construction loans   227,486    0    227,486    98,961    11,862,642    12,189,089 
Commercial mortgage loans   957,967    0    957,967    3,932,931    57,880,077    62,770,975 
Residential loans   355,172    0    355,172    236,118    58,898,841    59,490,131 
Agricultural loans   0    0    0    0    6,933,366    6,933,366 
Consumer & other loans   31,656    0    31,656    310    4,310,652    4,342,618 
                               
        Total loans  $1,874,901   $0   $1,874,901   $4,286,033   $176,306,606   $182,467,540 

 

Impaired Loans

 

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

 

At September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, impaired loans amounted to $8,017,159 and $4,083,365, respectively. Included in the allowance for loan losses was $300,000 related to impaired loans at September 30, 2011 and $0 at December 31, 2010. The large majority of the Corporation’s impaired loans were partially charged-off to their fair value determined primarily using the loans’ collateral fair value. In September 2011, a $4,122,000 commercial real estate loan was charged down by $412,000 and placed in nonaccrual with a $300,000 specific reserve for loan losses. On October 31, 2011, this large nonaccrual loan was paid off and a recovery was recorded.

 

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The following table presents impaired loans, segregated by class of loans as of September 30, 2011:

 

   Unpaid Principal Balance  Recorded Investment with Allowance  Related Allowance  Year-to-date
Average Recorded Investment
  Interest
Income Received During Impairment
                          
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans  $98,680   $98,680   $0   $361   $0 
Real estate:                         
Construction loans   0    0    0    0    0 
Commercial mortgage loans   7,793,340    8,093,340    300,000    4,127,431    114,010 
Residential loans   125,139    125,139    0    42,630    1,329 
Agricultural loans   0    0    0    0    0 
Consumer & other loans   0    0    0    0    0 
                          
        Total loans  $8,017,159   $8,317,159   $300,000   $4,170,422   $115,339 

 

Credit Risk Monitoring and Loan Grading

 

The Corporation employs several means to monitor the risk in the loan portfolio including volume and severity of loan delinquencies, nonaccrual loans, internal grading of loans, historical loss experience and economic conditions.

 

Loans are subject to an internal risk grading system which indicates the risk and acceptability of that loan. The loan grades used by the Corporation are for internal risk identification purposes and do not directly correlate to regulatory classification categories or any financial reporting definitions.

 

The general characteristics of the risk grades are as follows:

 

Grade 1 – Exceptional – Loans graded 1 are characterized as having a very high credit quality, exhibit minimum risk to the Corporation and have low administrative cost. These loans are usually secured by highly liquid and marketable collateral and a strong primary and secondary source of repayment is available.

 

Grade 2 – Above Average – Loans graded 2 are basically sound credits secured by sound assets and/or backed by the financial strength of borrowers of integrity with a history of satisfactory payments of credit obligations.

 

Grade 3 – Acceptable – Loans graded 3 are secured by sound assets of sufficient value and/or supported by the sufficient financial strength of the borrower. The borrower will have experience in their business area or employed a reasonable amount of time at their current employment. The borrower will have a sound primary source of repayment, and preferably a secondary source, which will allow repayment in a prompt and reasonable period of time.

 

Grade 4 – Fair – Loans graded 4 are those which exhibit some weakness or downward trend in financial condition and although the repayment history is satisfactory, it requires supervision by bank personnel. The borrower may have little experience in their business area or employed only a short amount of time at their current employment. The loan may be secured by good collateral; however, it may require close supervision as to value and/or quality and may not have sufficient liquidation value to completely cover the loan.

 

Grade 5a – Watch – Loans graded 5a contain a discernible weakness; however, the weakness is not sufficiently pronounced so as to cause concern for the possible loss of interest or principal. Loans in this category may exhibit outward signs of stress, such as slowness in financial disclosures or recent payments. However, such signs are not of long duration or of sufficient severity that default appears imminent. Loans in this category are not so deficient as to cause alarm, but do require close monitoring for further deterioration and possible downgrade.

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Grade 5b – Other Assets Especially Mentioned – Loans graded 5b may otherwise be classified more severely except that the loan is well secured by properly margined collateral, it is generally performing in accordance with the original contract or modification thereof and such performance has seasoned for a period of 90 days, or the ultimate collection of all principal and interest is reasonably expected. Loans in this grade are unsupported by sufficient evidence of the borrower’s sound net worth or repayment capacity or may be subject to third party action that would cause concern for future prompt repayment.

 

Grade 6 – Substandard – Loans graded 6 contain clearly pronounced credit weaknesses that are below acceptable credit standards for the Corporation. Such weaknesses may be due to either collateral deficiencies or inherent financial weakness of the borrower, but in either case represents less than acceptable credit risk. Loans in this grade are unsupported by sufficient evidence of the borrower’s sound net worth, repayment capacity or acceptable collateral.

 

Grade 7 – Doubtful – Loans graded 7 have such a pronounced credit weaknesses that the Corporation is clearly exposed to a significant degree of potential loss of principal or interest. Theses loan generally have a defined weakness which jeopardizes the ultimate repayment of the debt.

 

Grade 8 – Loss – Loans graded 8 are of such deteriorated credit quality that repayment of principal and interest can no longer be considered. These loans are of such little value that their continuance as an active bank asset is not warranted. As of September 30, 2011, all Grade 8 loans have been charged-off.

 

The following table presents internal loan grading by class of loans as of September 30, 2011:

  

                            
   1  2  3  4  5a  5b  6  7  Total
                            
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans  $361,340   $26,000   $30,142,358   $5,712,563   $262,418   $0   $218,969   $17,713   $36,741,361 
Real estate:                                             
Construction loans   0    1,167,936    6,154,899    2,238,085    17,381    2,507,341    103,447    0    12,189,089 
Commercial mortgage loans   0    10,150    32,488,549    16,037,208    1,349,909    4,403,475    8,481,684    0    62,770,975 
Residential loans   30,675    190,078    40,735,340    15,100,079    1,191,485    900,609    1,341,865    0    59,490,131 
Agricultural loans   0    1,102,578    4,216,920    952,967    119,684    475,351    65,866    0    6,933,366 
Consumer & other loans   302,898    26,647    3,240,409    569,547    58,500    22,010    122,607    0    4,342,618 
                                              
        Total loans  $694,913   $2,523,389   $116,978,475   $40,610,449   $2,999,377   $8,308,786   $10,334,438   $17,713   $182,467,540 

 

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses Methodology

 

The allowance for loan losses (ALL) is determined by a calculation based on segmenting the loans into the following categories: (1) impaired loans and nonaccrual loans, (2) loans with a credit risk rating of 5, 6, 7 or 8, (3) other outstanding loans, and (4) other commitments to lend. In addition, unallocated general reserves are estimated based on migration and economic analysis of the loan portfolio.

 

The ALL is calculated by the addition of the estimated loss derived from each of the above categories. The impaired loans and nonaccrual loans over $50,000 are analyzed on an individual basis to determine if the future collateral value is sufficient to support the outstanding debt of the loan. If an estimated loss is calculated, it is included in the estimated ALL until it is charged to the loan loss reserve. The calculation for loan risk graded 5, 6, 7, or 8, other outstanding loans and other commitments to lend is based on assigning an estimated loss factor based on a twelve quarter rolling historical net loss rate. The estimated requirement for unallocated general reserves from migration and economic analysis is determined by considering (1) trends in asset quality, (2) level and trends in charge-off experience, (3) macroeconomic trends and conditions, (4) micro economic trends and conditions and (5) risk profile of lending activities. Within each of these categories, a high risk factor percentage and a low risk factor percentage from a rating of excessive, high, moderate or low will be determined by management and applied to the loan portfolio. This results in a high and low range of the estimated reserves required. By adding the estimated high and low value from the migration and economic analysis to the estimated reserve from the loan portfolio, a high and low range of total estimated loss reserves is obtained. This amount is then compared to the actual amount in the loan loss reserve.

 

The calculation of ALL is performed on a monthly basis and is presented to the Loan Committee and the Board of Directors.

  

The following table details activity in the ALL and loans evaluated for impairment by class of loans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories. The annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding ratio was 1.08% for the three months and 0.49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

  

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Three months ended September 30, 2011:

 

   Commercial, Financial, and Agricultural  Construction Real Estate  Commercial Real Estate  Residential Real Estate  Agricultural Real Estate  Consumer and Other  Total
Allowance for loan losses:                     
Beginning balance, June 30, 2011  $372,897   $1,368,856   $672,789   $285,146   $0   $211,259   $2,910,947 
                                    
Charge-offs   65,490    0    412,219    16,458    0    0    494,167 
Recoveries   700    0    0    3,118    0    2,707    6,525 
Net charge-offs   64,790    0    412,219    13,340    0    (2,707)   487,642 
Provisions charged to operations   66,771    (295,847)   792,178    (31,286)   0    (51,816)   480,000 
Balance at end of period, September 30, 2011  $374,878   $1,073,009   $1,052,748   $240,520   $0   $162,150   $2,903,305 
                                    

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 

   Commercial, Financial, and Agricultural  Construction Real Estate  Commercial Real Estate  Residential Real Estate  Agricultural Real Estate  Consumer and Other  Total
Allowance for loan losses:                     
Beginning balance, December 31, 2010  $133,636   $1,395,722   $685,994   $301,902   $0   $237,360   $2,754,614 
                                    
Charge-offs   218,609    0    412,219    16,458    0    8,333    655,619 
Recoveries   6,020    0    0    9,849    0    8,441    24,310 
Net charge-offs   212,589    0    412,219    6,609    0    (108)   631,309 
Provisions charged to operations   453,831    (322,713)   778,973    (54,773)   0    (75,318)   780,000 
Balance at end of period, September 30, 2011  $374,878   $1,073,009   $1,052,748   $240,520   $0   $162,150   $2,903,305 
                                    
Ending balance -                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment  $0   $0   $300,000   $0   $0   $0   $300,000 
Collectively evaluated for impairment   374,878    1,073,009    752,748    240,520    0    162,150    2,603,305 
Balance at end of period  $374,878   $1,073,009   $1,052,748   $240,520   $0   $162,150   $2,903,305 
                                    
Loans:                                   
Ending balance -                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment  $230,650   $98,961   $8,481,684   $1,129,445   $0   $0   $9,940,740 
Collectively evaluated for impairment   36,510,711    12,090,128    54,289,291    58,360,686    6,933,366    4,342,618    172,526,800 
Balance at end of period  $36,741,361   $12,189,089   $62,770,975   $59,490,131   $6,933,366   $4,342,618   $182,467,540 
                                    

 

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The following table details activity in the ALL and loans evaluated for impairment by class of loans for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

   Commercial, Financial, and Agricultural  Construction Real Estate  Commercial Real Estate  Residential Real Estate  Agricultural Real Estate  Consumer and Other  Total
Allowance for loan losses:                     
Beginning balance, December 31, 2009  $122,844   $1,283,398   $630,681   $277,601   $0   $218,332   $2,532,856 
                                    
Charge-offs   91,642    30,312    416,635    52,773    0    91,123    682,485 
Recoveries   263,399    0    0    0    0    40,844    304,243 
Net charge-offs   (171,757)   30,312    416,635    52,773    0    50,279    378,242 
Provisions charged to operations   (160,965)   142,636    471,948    77,074    0    69,307    600,000 
Balance at end of period, December 31, 2010  $133,636   $1,395,722   $685,994   $301,902   $0   $237,360   $2,754,614 
                                    
Ending balance -                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $0 
Collectively evaluated for impairment   133,636    1,395,722    685,994    301,902    0    237,360    2,754,614 
Balance at end of period  $133,636   $1,395,722   $685,994   $301,902   $0   $237,360   $2,754,614 
                                    
Loans:                                  
Ending balance -                                   
Individually evaluated for impairment  $352,591   $6,637,983   $9,127,008   $1,452,726   $1,954,531   $0   $19,524,839 
Collectively evaluated for impairment   27,499,253    10,262,342    38,522,209    50,156,778    6,473,478    5,319,605    138,233,665 
Balance at end of period  $27,851,844   $16,900,325   $47,649,217   $51,609,504   $8,428,009   $5,319,605   $157,758,504 

 

The following table is a summary of amounts included in the ALL for the impaired loans with specific reserves and the recorded balance of the related loans.

 

   September 30, 2011  December 31, 2010
           
Allowance for loss on impaired loans  $300,000   $0 
Recorded balance of impaired loans  $8,317,159   $4,083,365 

 

Transfers from Loans

 

Transfers from loans to other real estate owned and repossessed assets are non-cash transactions, and are not included in the statements of cash flow. Such transfers totaled $668,420 and $662,941 for the periods ended September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively.

  

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NOTE 5

 

Subsequent Events

 

The large commercial real estate loan that was placed on nonaccrual and charged down in September of 2011 was subsequently paid off on October 31, 2011.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In addition to historical information, this Form 10-Q report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The Corporation cautions that there are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Corporation’s forward-looking statements; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated results will be realized.

 

These factors include risks related to:

 

·         the conditions in the banking system, financial markets, and general economic conditions;

·         the Corporation’s ability to raise capital;

·         the Corporation’s ability to maintain liquidity or access other sources of funding;

·         the Corporation’s construction and land development loans;

·         asset quality;

·         the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;

·         technology difficulties or failures;

·         the Corporation’s ability to execute its business strategy;

·         the loss of key personnel;

·         competition;

·         the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations and other changes in financial services laws and regulations;

·         changes in regulation and monetary policy;

·         losses due to fraudulent and negligent conduct of customers, service providers or employees;

·         acquisitions or dispositions of assets or internal restructuring that may be pursued by the Corporation;

·         changes in or application of environmental and other laws and regulations to which the Corporation is subject;

·         political, legal and local economic conditions and developments;

·         financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts;

·         changes in commodity prices and interest rates; and

·         weather, natural disasters and other catastrophic events and other factors discussed in the Corporation’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Corporation. Any such statement speaks only as of the date the statement was made. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Additional information with respect to factors that may cause results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements is included in the Corporation’s current and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

27
 

Overview

 

The Corporation is a full-service community bank holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. The community of Moultrie has been served by the Bank since 1928. We provide comprehensive financial services to consumer, business and governmental customers, which, in addition to conventional banking products, include a full range of mortgage banking, trust, investment and insurance services. Our primary market area incorporates Colquitt County, where we are headquartered, and Baker, Lowndes, Thomas, and Worth Counties, each contiguous with Colquitt County, and the surrounding counties of southwest Georgia. We have five full-service banking facilities and seven automated teller machines.

 

Our strategy is to:

 

·         maintain the diversity of our revenue, including both interest and noninterest income through a broad base of business,

·         strengthen our sales and marketing efforts while developing our employees to provide the best possible service to our customers,

·         expand our market share where opportunity exists, and

·         grow outside of our current geographic market either through de-novo branching or acquisitions into areas proximate to our current market area.

 

We believe that investing in sales and marketing in this challenging market will provide us with a competitive advantage. To that end, we expanded geographically with a full-service banking center that was completed and opened in June of 2010 and a mortgage origination office that opened in January 2011 both in Valdosta, Georgia. Continuing our expansion in the Valdosta market, we have begun construction on our second banking center and we expect to have the branch open in the first quarter of 2012.

 

The Corporation’s profitability, like most financial institutions, is dependent to a large extent upon net interest income, which is the difference between the interest received on earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The Corporation’s earning assets are primarily loans, securities, and short-term interest-bearing deposits with banks and the interest-bearing liabilities are principally customer deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is highly sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. For example, after the overnight borrowing rate for banks reached 5.25% in September of 2007, the Federal Reserve Bank began decreasing it by 5% to a range of 0% to 0.25%. This historically low interest rate level has remained unchanged for the period from October 2008 through September 2011.

 

Broadening our revenue sources helps to reduce the risk and exposure of our financial results to the impact of changes in interest rates, which are outside of our control. Sources of noninterest income include our insurance agency and Empire, the Corporation’s commercial mortgage banking subsidiary, as well as fees on customer accounts, and trust and retail brokerage services. In the third quarter of 2011, noninterest income was 26.9% of the Corporation’s total revenue.

 

Our profitability is impacted also by operating expenses such as salaries, employee benefits, occupancy, and income taxes. Our lending activities are significantly influenced by regional and local factors such as changes in population, competition among lenders, interest rate conditions and prevailing market rates on competing uses of funds and investments, customer preferences and levels of personal income and savings in the Corporation’s primary market area.

 

The economic downturn continues to challenge our region; however, our strength and stability in the market and our focused efforts enabled us to achieve positive results in the third quarter of 2011. We continued to invest in our people and communities, fully aware of the near-term impact that would have on earnings. Although the economy is slowly recovering, regulatory burdens continue to outpace growth opportunities.

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Despite those challenges, we will continue to focus on our customers and believe that our strategic positioning, strong balance sheet and capital levels position us to sustain our franchise, capture market share and build customer loyalty.

 

The Corporation’s nonperforming assets increased to $6.803 million at the end of September 2011 compared with $3.657 million at September 30, 2010. Nonperforming assets were affected by one large commercial real estate loan that was placed in nonaccrual in the third quarter of 2011.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In the course of the Corporation’s normal business activity, management must select and apply many accounting policies and methodologies that lead to the financial results presented in the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation. Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy because of the uncertainty and subjectivity inherent in estimating the levels of allowance needed to cover probable credit losses within the loan portfolio and the material effect that these estimates have on the Corporation’s results of operations. We believe that the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2011, is adequate; however, under adverse conditions or assumptions, future additions to the allowance may be necessary. There have been no significant changes in the methods or assumptions used in our accounting policies that would have resulted in material estimates and assumptions changes. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a description of our significant accounting policies and contributes to the understanding of how our financial performance is reported.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity management involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be either depositors wanting to withdraw their funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation’s cash flows are generated from interest and fee income as well as from loan repayments and the maturity or sale of other earning assets. In addition, liquidity is continuously provided through the acquisition of new deposits and borrowings or the rollover of maturing deposits and borrowings. The Corporation strives to maintain an adequate liquidity position by managing the balances and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-earning liabilities so its short-term investments balance, at any given time, will adequately cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. Additionally, the Bank maintains relationships with correspondent banks that could provide funds on short notice, if needed.

 

The liquidity and capital resources of the Corporation are monitored on a periodic basis by state and Federal regulatory authorities. As determined under guidelines established by these regulatory authorities, the Bank’s liquidity ratios at September 30, 2011, were considered satisfactory. At that date, the Bank’s short-term investments were adequate to cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. We are not aware of any known trends, events, or uncertainties that will have or that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s liquidity or operations. At September 30, 2011, the Corporation’s and the Bank’s risk-based capital ratios were considered adequate based on guidelines established by regulatory authorities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, total capital increased $1.4 million to $28.2 million and increased $904 thousand from the same period last year. Also, the Corporation continues to maintain a healthy level of capital adequacy as measured by its equity-to-asset ratio of 9.61% as of September 30, 2011. The Corporation is not aware of any events or trends likely to result in a material change in capital resources other than the effects of normal operations on the retention of net earnings. Also, the Corporation’s management is not aware of any current recommendations by the regulatory authorities which, if they were implemented, would have a material effect on the Corporation’s capital resources.

 

29
 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The Corporation’s results of operations are determined by its ability to effectively manage interest income and expense, to minimize loan and investment losses, to generate noninterest income and to control noninterest expense. Since interest rates are determined by market forces and economic conditions beyond the control of the Corporation, the ability to generate net interest income is dependent upon the Bank’s ability to obtain an adequate spread between the rate earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Thus, the key performance measure for net interest income is the interest margin or net yield, which is taxable-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets.

 

Performance Summary

 

The Corporation's net income after taxes for the three-month period ending September 30, 2011, was $99 thousand, down $140 thousand, or 58.7%, from net income of $239 thousand for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in net income reflects increased provisions for loan losses related to one large nonaccrual loan and increased personnel expenses related to staffing the Corporation’s continued expansion in Valdosta, Georgia.

 

On a per share basis, net income for the third quarter was $0.04 per diluted share compared with $0.09 per diluted share for the same quarter in 2010. The weighted average common diluted shares outstanding for the quarter were 2.548 million, the same as third quarter last year.

 

We measure our performance on selected key ratios, which are provided for the previous five quarterly periods.

 

   3rd Qtr  2nd Qtr  1st Qtr  4th Qtr  3rd Qtr
   2011  2011  2011  2010  2010
Return on average total assets   0.13%   0.76%   0.48%   0.40%   0.31%
Return on average total equity   1.39%   8.59%   5.57%   4.42%   3.49%
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets   9.41%   8.79%   8.57%   9.14%   8.98%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)   4.13%   4.21%   3.81%   3.84%   3.76%

 

Comparison of Statements of Income for the Quarter

 

Total interest income increased $52 thousand to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared with the same period in 2010, reflecting higher interest and fee income on loans of $103 thousand. Partially offsetting this increase was a $41 thousand decrease in interest on investment securities mainly due to a $1.2 million lower average volume of investments combined with a 5 basis point drop in yield on investments compared with the same quarter a year ago. Also, interest on deposits in other banks decreased $10 thousand when compared with the third quarter of 2010.

 

Total interest expense decreased $177 thousand, or 25.1%, to $529 thousand in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Interest paid on deposits decreased $172 thousand, or 34.6%, during the third quarter of 2011 due to the low interest rate environment. The average rate paid on average time deposits has decreased 58 basis points since September 30, 2010. Interest on total borrowings decreased $6 thousand compared with the same quarter in 2010.

 

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The primary source of revenue for the Corporation is net interest income, which is the difference between total interest income on earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing sources of funds. Net interest income improved to $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared with $2.5 million in net interest income in the 2010 third quarter. Net interest income after provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2011 was $2.2 million compared with $2.3 million for the same period in 2010. The provision for loan losses was $480 thousand for the third quarter of 2011 compared with $150 thousand in the same period last year due to a $300 thousand provision made to establish a specific reserve for the above-mentioned large nonaccrual loan and a $30 thousand increase in our regular quarterly reserve provision. The Corporation’s net interest margin was 4.13% for the third quarter of 2011, up 37 basis points from the same period last year due to a change in asset mix and much lower deposit costs.

 

Noninterest income was $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2011, up $99 thousand from the same period in 2010. The increase was primarily the result of a $156 thousand gain on sold securities recorded in the third quarter of 2011. Also contributing was income from retail brokerage, insurance and mortgage banking services which increased $15 thousand, $35 thousand and $38 thousand, respectively, compared with the third quarter of 2010. Partially offsetting these increases, losses of $111 thousand were incurred in the third quarter of 2011 mainly related to the sale of three foreclosed properties. Income from trust services and fees and charges on deposit accounts declined $14 thousand and $28 thousand, respectively, compared with the third quarter of 2010.

 

Total noninterest expense increased $232 thousand to $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared with the third quarter of 2010. Salaries and employee benefits increased $226 thousand to $2.0 million for the third quarter due primarily to staff expansion at the Valdosta locations. The Corporation also increased its quarterly pension contribution by $50 thousand due to low rates earned by fixed income investments in the plan. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $24 thousand and $16 thousand, respectively, compared with the third quarter last year. Other operating expenses decreased $40 thousand due primarily to lower FDIC insurance assessments.

 

Comparison of Statements of Income for the Nine-month Period

 

Total interest income for the first nine months of 2011 decreased $22 thousand to $9.8 million when compared with the same period in 2010. This decrease was primarily due to a $244 thousand decrease in interest on investment securities due to reinvesting proceeds from the call, sale or maturity of higher-yielding securities into lower-yielding securities. The yield on total investment securities dropped 71 basis points compared with the same period last year. Interest on deposits in other banks decreased $20 thousand compared with the first nine months of 2010. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in interest and fees on loans of $241 thousand due to a $10.3 million higher average volume of loans and increased loan origination fees compared with the first nine months of last year.

 

Total interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, decreased $544 thousand, or 24.3%, compared with the same period in 2010. The decrease in interest expense was primarily related to lower interest paid on interest-bearing deposits of $541 thousand, or 33.6%, compared with the first nine months of 2010 reflecting lower interest rates. Interest on total borrowings remained relatively flat for the first nine months of 2011 compared with the same period last year.

 

Net interest income for the first nine months of 2011 was $522 thousand higher at $8.1 million compared with
$7.6 million for the same period in 2010, primarily due to lower interest paid on deposits. A provision for loan losses of $780 thousand was recognized in the first nine months of 2011 compared with $450 thousand in the same period last year. As previously noted, the provision increase was due to the $300 thousand specific reserve and the increase in quarterly reserve provision. Net interest margin was 4.05% for the first nine months of 2011, up from 3.92% in the same period a year ago. 

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For the first nine months of 2011, noninterest income was $3.9 million, down $233 thousand from the same period in 2010. The decrease was primarily attributed to a $158 thousand lower net gain on the sale of securities as well as a $164 thousand loss related mostly to the sale of foreclosed properties in the first nine months of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. We also recognized a $225 thousand provision for market value losses in foreclosed assets and a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts of $113 thousand, or 9.5%, when compared with the same period of 2010. These decreases in revenue were partially offset by income from insurance services which increased $87 thousand when compared with the nine-month period in 2010. Revenue from mortgage banking and retail brokerage services also increased $122 thousand and $19 thousand, respectively, compared with the same period in 2010.

 

Noninterest expense increased $742 thousand to $10.0 million in the first nine months of 2011 compared with the same period last year. The change was mainly due to a $604 thousand year-over-year increase in salary and employee benefits due primarily to Valdosta’s staffing increase. Occupancy, equipment and data processing expense increased $64 thousand, $17 thousand and $25 thousand, respectively, mostly attributed to the Valdosta expansion. Other operating expenses also increased by $23 thousand, a reflection of higher foreclosed asset expenses offset by decreased insurance assessments to the FDIC.

 

Comparison of Financial Condition Statements

 

At September 30, 2011, total assets were $293.8 million, down from $296.4 million at December 31, 2010, and down from $310.9 million from September 30, 2010. Comparing third quarter 2011 with third quarter 2010, the decrease was mainly due to decreased interest-bearing deposits with other banks, which were down $32.0 million, as well as investment securities which decreased $7.5 million. These decreases were partially offset by considerable loan growth driven by the Valdosta market, where loans are now over $45 million. Total loans increased $21.1 million, or 13.1%, to $182.5 million when compared with the same quarter last year. The Corporation continues to be conservative in its lending practices in order to maintain a quality loan portfolio. Loans, a major use of funds, represented 62.1% of total assets.

 

Investment securities and short-term investments which include Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in other banks represented 29.3% of total assets. Investment securities decreased $23.7 million and short-term investments decreased $4.1 million since December 31, 2010. This resulted in an overall decrease in investments of $27.8 million.

 

Total deposits were $236.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2011, down $2.6 million from the end of the year and down $16.8 million from the third quarter of 2010. Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts experienced a $13.3 million decrease in public accounts compared with the same period last year. This was partially offset by a $9.8 million growth in noninterest-bearing individual and business accounts. Interest-bearing deposits decreased $13.1 million to $189.5 million compared with the third quarter of 2010, mainly due to a decrease in trust funds held for benefit of customers of Empire Financial Services, the Corporation’s mortgage banking subsidiary. Year-over-year average total deposits increased $8.6 million, or 3.5%, to $250.7 million. At September 30, 2011, total deposits represented 80.6% of total assets. 

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The following table shows the major contractual obligations for the Corporation.

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

   September 30,  December 31,  September 30,
   2011  2010  2010
          
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 1.57% fixed rate of interest maturing July 25, 2011  $0   $0   $2,000,000 
                
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 2.23% fixed rate of interest maturing July 30, 2012.  (transferred to short-term borrowings)   0    2,000,000    2,000,000 
                
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 2.79% fixed rate of interest maturing July 29, 2013   2,000,000    2,000,000    2,000,000 
                
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 3.85% fixed rate of interest maturing April 30, 2014   10,000,000    10,000,000    10,000,000 
                
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 3.39% fixed rate of  interest maturing August 20, 2018.  (convertible to a variable rate at option of Federal Home Loan Bank on August 22, 2011)   5,000,000    5,000,000    5,000,000 
                
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a 2.78% fixed rate of interest maturing September 10, 2018.  (convertible to a variable rate at quarterly options of Federal Home Loan  Bank - transferred from short-term borrowings after the first convertible date)   5,000,000    5,000,000    0 
                
Total long-term debt  $22,000,000   $24,000,000   $21,000,000 

 

The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for potential losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated monthly based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on nonaccruing, past due, and other loans that management believes require attention.

 

Other factors used in determining the adequacy of the reserve are management’s judgment about factors affecting loan quality and their assumptions about the local and national economy. The allowance for loan losses was 1.59% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2011, compared with 1.75% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2010, and 1.86% at September 30, 2010. Net charge-offs in the 2011 third quarter were $488 thousand compared with net charge-offs of $398 thousand in the fourth quarter last year and $57 thousand net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2010. Management considers the allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2011, adequate to cover potential losses in the loan portfolio. For more information about loans, see Part I, Item 1, “Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses.”

 

Nonperforming assets were $6.8 million, or 2.32% of total assets, in the third quarter of 2011, up from $3.5 million, or 1.19% of total assets, at the end of 2010, and up from $3.7 million, or 1.18% of total assets in the same period last year. In the third quarter of 2011, nonperforming assets were affected by a $4.1 million commercial real estate loan that was charged down by $412 thousand and placed in nonaccrual with a $300 thousand specific reserve for loan losses. On October 31, 2011, this large nonaccrual loan was paid off and a recovery was recorded. There were $2.4 million of foreclosed properties in nonperforming assets at the end of the third quarter of 2011 compared with $3.1 million at the end of last year’s third quarter.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the normal course of business, we are a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers and reduce risk exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through letters of credit. 

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The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the financial statements. Since many of the commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contractual or notional amounts do not represent future cash requirements.

 

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk (dollars in thousands):  September 30,
2011
  September 30,
2010
Commitments to extend credit  $8,326   $9,000 
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees  $35   $10 

 

The Corporation does not have any special purpose entities or off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

Capital Resources and Dividends

 

At September 30, 2011, the Corporation’s and the Bank’s risk-based capital ratios were considered adequate based on guidelines established by regulatory authorities. Our total risk based capital ratio now stands at 16.36%, which is over 63 percent in excess of the regulatory standard for a “well-capitalized” bank. Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation’s and Southwest Georgia Bank’s risk based capital ratios are shown in the following table.

 

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Risk Based Capital Ratios
       
       
  Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation Regulatory Guidelines
Risk Based Capital Ratios September 30, 2011 For Well Capitalized Minimum Guidelines
Tier 1 capital 15.11% 6.00% 4.00%
Total risk based capital 16.36% 10.00% 8.00%
Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.28% 5.00% 3.00%
       
  Southwest Georgia Bank Regulatory Guidelines
Risk Based Capital Ratios September 30, 2011 For Well Capitalized Minimum Guidelines
Tier 1 capital 14.49% 6.00% 4.00%
Total risk based capital 15.75% 10.00% 8.00%
Tier 1 leverage ratio   8.90% 5.00% 3.00%

 

In February 2011, the Corporation paid a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, the same amount that was paid in February 2010. Previously, the Corporation had suspended its regular quarterly cash dividend to retain sufficient equity required to support efforts to capture greater market share and expand outside of its historic footprint. The Board of Directors will continue to assess conditions for future dividend payments.

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Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

The Corporation’s most important element of asset/liability management is the monitoring of its sensitivity and exposure to interest rate movements which is the Corporation’s primary market risk. We have no foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk, or any other material market risk. The Corporation has no trading investment portfolio, nor do we have any interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments.

 

Our primary source of earnings, net interest income, can fluctuate with significant interest rate movements. To lessen the impact of these movements, we seek to maximize net interest income while remaining within prudent ranges of risk by practicing sound interest rate sensitivity management. We attempt to accomplish this objective by structuring the balance sheet so that the differences in repricing opportunities between assets and liabilities are minimized. Interest rate sensitivity refers to the responsiveness of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities to changes in market interest rates. The Corporation’s interest rate risk management is carried out by the Asset/Liability Management Committee which operates under policies and guidelines established by the Bank. The principal objective of asset/liability management is to manage the levels of interest-sensitive assets and liabilities to minimize net interest income fluctuations in times of fluctuating market interest rates. To effectively measure and manage interest rate risk, the Corporation uses computer simulations that determine the impact on net interest income of numerous interest rate scenarios, balance sheet trends and strategies. These simulations cover the following financial instruments: short-term financial instruments, investment securities, loans, deposits, and borrowings. These simulations incorporate assumptions about balance sheet dynamics, such as loan and deposit growth and pricing, changes in funding mix, and asset and liability repricing and maturity characteristics. Simulations are run under various interest rate scenarios to determine the impact on net income and capital. From these computer simulations, interest rate risk is quantified and appropriate strategies are developed and implemented. The Corporation also maintains an investment portfolio which receives monthly cash flows from mortgage-backed securities principal payments, and staggered maturities and provides flexibility over time in managing exposure to changes in interest rates. Any imbalances in the repricing opportunities at any point in time constitute a financial institution’s interest rate sensitivity.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Corporation’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, supervised and participated in an evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in federal securities rules) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on, and as of the date of, that evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in accumulating and communicating information to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures of that information under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports that are filed or submitted by the Corporation under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, was included in Item 8 of the form 10K , dated December 31, 2010, under the heading “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.

 

The annual report form 10K, dated December 31, 2010, does not include an attestation report of the Corporation’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Corporation’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the Corporation to provide only management’s report in the annual report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

No changes were made to the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during this quarter that materially affected or could reasonably likely to materially affect the Corporation’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  Exhibit 31.1 Section 302 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by
    Chief Executive Officer.
     
  Exhibit 31.2 Section 302 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by
    Chief Financial Officer.
     
  Exhibit 32.1 Section 906 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by
    Chief Executive Officer.
     
  Exhibit 32.2 Section 906 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by
    Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

    SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
     
     
     
  BY: /s/George R. Kirkland
     
    GEORGE R. KIRKLAND
    SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
    (FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)

 

 

Date: November 14, 2011

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