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Note 4 - Goodwill
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
4.     GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill for the periods indicated are as follows (in thousands):

Balance as of January 1, 2011
     
Goodwill
 
$
21,827
 
Accumulated impairment losses
   
4,500
 
Net goodwill
   
17,327
 
         
Impairment losses
   
3,000
 
         
Balance as of December 31, 2011
       
Goodwill
   
21,827
 
Accumulated impairment losses
   
7,500
 
Net goodwill
   
14,327
 
         
Impairment losses
   
 
         
Balance as of September 30, 2012
       
Goodwill
   
21,827
 
Accumulated impairment losses
   
7,500
 
Net goodwill
 
$
14,327
 

Goodwill is recorded on the acquisition date of each entity, and evaluated annually for possible impairment. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment on an annual basis or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company’s only reporting unit with assigned goodwill is Metro United.

Annual Evaluation

The Company completed its 2012 annual impairment test based on information as of August 31, 2012. The review utilized guideline company and guideline transaction information where available, discounted cash flow analysis and the market capitalization of the Company to estimate the fair value of Metro United.

Due to the limited number of bank transaction multiples, management allocated more weight on the income approach for the step-one analysis. The Company also performed a reconciliation of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the stock price of the Company.   This reconciliation is performed by first determining the fair value of the reporting unit from various valuation techniques (i.e., guideline transactions, discounted cash flows, and quoted market prices).  The fair value is compared to the allocated value of the reporting unit based on the Company’s market value using the stock price as of the valuation date.  The Company allocates the total market value to both of its segments, MetroBank and Metro United. For each Bank, the allocation is based upon the following internal ratios:

Balance Sheet Ratios

• Total assets as a percentage of total assets;

• Total loans as a percentage of total loans;

• Total deposits as a percentage of total deposits; and

• Total shareholder's equity as a percentage of total shareholders' equity.

Performance Ratios

• Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets;

• Last twelve months return on assets; and

• Last twelve months return on equity.

In allocating the market value between the two Banks, more weight was assigned to the Performance Ratios than the Balance Sheet Ratios in order to account for the differences in market valuation as a result of different financial performance.  The allocated market value of Metro United Bank is then reconciled to the weighted average fair value derived from each valuation technique (i.e. guideline transactions, discounted cash flows, and quoted market prices) by assigning an estimated control premium of 20% to the allocated market value.

Under the discounted cash flow method, the Company used an average asset growth rate of 9.8% for the next five-year period and discounted Metro United’s cash flow and terminal value using a 13.2% discount rate. The derived fair value of Metro United was lower than the carrying value of its equity; therefore Metro United failed the step-one impairment test.

The Company then performed the step-two analysis to derive the implied fair value of goodwill. The size of the implied goodwill under the step-two analysis was significantly affected by the estimated fair value of the loans pertaining to Metro United. The significant market risk adjustment, which is a consequence of the current market conditions such as the interest rate environment, risk premium requirement on performing and nonperforming loans, supply and demand of loans for sale, macroeconomic conditions and political and regulatory environment, were all  substantial contributors to the valuation discounts associated with Metro United’s loan portfolio. The implied fair value of  goodwill at the evaluation date exceeded the carrying value; therefore the Company determined there was no impairment of goodwill as of that date.

To the extent that market liquidity returns and the fair value of the individual assets or loans of Metro United increases at a faster rate than the fair value of Metro United as a whole, that may cause the implied goodwill to be lower than the carrying value of goodwill. Future potential changes in valuation assumptions may also impact the estimated fair value of Metro United, resulting in impairment of goodwill under the step-two analysis. The stock price performance of the Company and the fair value of Metro United's loans are factors that may impact the potential future goodwill impairment.

Goodwill impairment, if any, is a noncash adjustment to the Company’s financial statements. As goodwill and other intangible assets are not included in the calculation of regulatory capital, the Company’s well capitalized regulatory ratios are not affected. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment is prohibited.