10-Q 1 a2011q310q.htm METRO BANCORP, INC. FORM 10-Q 2011 Q3 10Q



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
 
September 30, 2011
[     ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
 
 
to
 
Commission File Number:
 
000-50961
 
 
 

 
METRO BANCORP, INC.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Pennsylvania
25-1834776
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
3801 Paxton Street,  Harrisburg, PA
 
17111
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
888-937-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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
X
 
No
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large accelerated filer
 
 
Accelerated filer
X
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
 
Smaller Reporting Company
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
 
 
No
X
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
14,071,419 Common shares outstanding at 10/31/2011


1




METRO BANCORP, INC.

INDEX
 
 
Page
 
 
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
 
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
 
Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity  (Unaudited)
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
 
and Results of Operations
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
 
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
 
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
 
 
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 


2




Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
50,401

 
$
32,858

Securities, available for sale at fair value
580,742

 
438,012

Securities, held to maturity at cost (fair value 2011: $243,118;  2010: $224,202)
239,332

 
227,576

Loans, held for sale
8,794

 
18,605

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses
  (allowance 2011: $23,307; 2010: $21,618)
1,421,307

 
1,357,587

Restricted investments in bank stock
17,683

 
20,614

Premises and equipment, net
83,313

 
88,162

Other assets
33,486

 
51,058

Total assets
$
2,435,058

 
$
2,234,472

 
 

 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
$
392,597

 
$
340,956

Interest-bearing
1,666,790

 
1,491,223

      Total deposits
2,059,387

 
1,832,179

Short-term borrowings
88,076

 
140,475

Long-term debt
54,400

 
29,400

Other liabilities
13,935

 
27,067

Total liabilities
2,215,798

 
2,029,121

Stockholders' Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock - Series A noncumulative; $10.00 par value;
 
 
 
      (1,000,000 shares authorized; 40,000 shares issued and outstanding)
400

 
400

Common stock - $1.00 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
 
 
 
      (issued and outstanding shares 2011: 14,049,293;  2010: 13,748,384)
14,049

 
13,748

Surplus
155,325

 
151,545

Retained earnings
43,034

 
45,288

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
6,452

 
(5,630
)
Total stockholders' equity
219,260

 
205,351

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
2,435,058

 
$
2,234,472

 
See accompanying notes.



3




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Interest Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable, including fees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
17,773

 
$
17,712

 
$
53,356

 
$
52,838

Tax-exempt
1,027

 
1,206

 
3,002

 
3,506

Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
5,613

 
5,320

 
16,607

 
16,370

Tax-exempt

 

 

 
14

Federal funds sold
2

 
10

 
4

 
11

Total interest income
24,415

 
24,248

 
72,969

 
72,739

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
2,857

 
3,271

 
8,844

 
10,296

Short-term borrowings
57

 
55

 
394

 
242

Long-term debt
726

 
935

 
2,122

 
2,797

Total interest expense
3,640

 
4,261

 
11,360

 
13,335

Net interest income
20,775

 
19,987

 
61,609

 
59,404

Provision for loan losses
13,750

 
13,400

 
17,242

 
18,400

 Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7,025

 
6,587

 
44,367

 
41,004

Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Service charges, fees and other operating income
7,109

 
6,791

 
20,858

 
19,666

Gains on sales of loans
162

 
778

 
2,497

 
1,105

Total fees and other income
7,271

 
7,569

 
23,355

 
20,771

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 
(46
)
 
(315
)
 
(4,904
)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)

 

 

 
3,942

Net impairment loss on investment securities

 
(46
)
 
(315
)
 
(962
)
Net gains on sales/calls of securities
7

 
117

 
350

 
1,036

Total noninterest income
7,278

 
7,640

 
23,390

 
20,845

Noninterest Expenses
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
10,113

 
10,466

 
30,746

 
31,097

Occupancy
2,230

 
2,040

 
6,911

 
6,476

Furniture and equipment
1,287

 
1,407

 
4,158

 
3,955

Advertising and marketing
491

 
698

 
1,240

 
2,140

Data processing
3,265

 
3,334

 
10,492

 
9,870

Regulatory assessments and related fees
915

 
1,191

 
2,856

 
3,405

Telephone
869

 
815

 
2,575

 
2,610

Loan expense
521

 
395

 
928

 
1,177

Foreclosed real estate
975

 
420

 
2,045

 
1,369

Branding
70

 

 
1,817

 

Consulting fees
343

 
965

 
1,166

 
2,667

Other
2,276

 
2,428

 
7,349

 
7,789

Total noninterest expenses
23,355

 
24,159

 
72,283

 
72,555

Loss before taxes
(9,052
)
 
(9,932
)
 
(4,526
)
 
(10,706
)
Benefit for federal income taxes
(3,334
)
 
(3,772
)
 
(2,332
)
 
(4,912
)
Net loss
$
(5,718
)
 
$
(6,160
)
 
$
(2,194
)
 
$
(5,794
)
Net Loss per Common Share
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
$
(0.41
)
 
$
(0.46
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(0.43
)
Diluted
(0.41
)
 
(0.46
)
 
(0.16
)
 
(0.43
)
Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
13,959

 
13,581

 
13,867

 
13,520

Diluted
13,959

 
13,581

 
13,867

 
13,520

See accompanying notes.


4




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Surplus
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total
January 1, 2010
$
400

$
13,448

$
147,340

$
49,705

$
(10,871
)
$
200,022

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss



(5,794
)

(5,794
)
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax impact




12,470

12,470

Total comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

6,676

Dividends declared on preferred
stock



(60
)

(60
)
Common stock of 11,378 shares
issued under stock option plans,
including tax benefit of $25

12

91



103

Common stock of 180 shares
issued under employee stock
purchase plan


2



2

Proceeds from issuance of 190,351
shares of common stock in
connection with dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase
plan

190

1,981



2,171

Common stock share-based awards


882



882

September 30, 2010
$
400

$
13,650

$
150,296

$
43,851

$
1,599

$
209,796


(in thousands, except share amounts)
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Surplus
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 Total
January 1, 2011
$
400

$
13,748

$
151,545

$
45,288

$
(5,630
)
$
205,351

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss



(2,194
)

(2,194
)
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax impact




12,082

12,082

Total comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

9,888

Dividends declared on preferred stock



(60
)

(60
)
Common stock of 80 shares issued under employee stock purchase plan


1



1

Proceeds from issuance of 300,829
shares of common stock in
connection with dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase
plan

301

2,883



3,184

Common stock share-based awards


896



896

September 30, 2011
$
400

$
14,049

$
155,325

$
43,034

$
6,452

$
219,260


See accompanying notes.


5




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
(in thousands)
 
2011
 
2010
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(2,194
)
 
$
(5,794
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Provision for loan losses
 
17,242

 
18,400

Provision for depreciation and amortization
 
4,866

 
4,710

Deferred income taxes (benefit)
 
(789
)
 
(3,948
)
Amortization of securities premiums and accretion of discounts (net)
 
1,698

 
68

Gains on sales/calls of securities (net)
 
(350
)
 
(1,036
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities
 
315

 
962

Proceeds from sales and transfers of SBA loans originated for sale
 
12,063

 
19,809

Proceeds from sales of other loans originated for sale
 
37,803

 
41,494

Loans originated for sale
 
(37,558
)
 
(65,333
)
Gains on sales of loans originated for sale
 
(2,497
)
 
(1,105
)
Loss on write-down on foreclosed real estate
 
1,846

 
814

Gains on sales of foreclosed real estate (net)
 
(83
)
 
(14
)
Loss on disposal of equipment
 
1,254

 
89

Stock-based compensation
 
896

 
882

Amortization of deferred loan origination fees and costs (net)
 
1,499

 
1,371

Decrease (increase) in other assets
 
12,955

 
(7,299
)
Decrease in other liabilities
 
(13,132
)
 
(4,008
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
35,834

 
62

Investing Activities
 
 

 
 

Securities available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 Proceeds from principal repayments, calls and maturities
 
44,760

 
131,135

 Proceeds from sales
 
125,299

 
239,989

 Purchases
 
(296,099
)
 
(372,200
)
Securities held to maturity:
 
 

 
 
 Proceeds from principal repayments, calls and maturities
 
43,299

 
35,870

 Proceeds from sales
 
852

 

 Purchases
 
(55,954
)
 
(144,919
)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate
 
1,956

 
2,509

(Increase) decrease in loans receivable (net)
 
(86,997
)
 
32,436

Redemption (purchase) of restricted investment in bank stock (net)
 
2,931

 
(65
)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
 
2

 
25

Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(1,273
)
 
(1,497
)
Net cash used by investing activities
 
(221,224
)
 
(76,717
)
Financing Activities
 
 

 
 

Increase in demand, interest checking, money market, and savings deposits (net)
 
231,750

 
126,286

Decrease in time deposits (net)
 
(4,542
)
 
(12,335
)
Decrease in short-term borrowings (net)
 
(52,399
)
 
(36,475
)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
 
25,000

 

Proceeds from common stock options exercised
 

 
78

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and common stock purchase plan
 
3,184

 
2,171

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options
 

 
25

Cash dividends on preferred stock
 
(60
)
 
(60
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
202,933

 
79,690

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
17,543

 
3,035

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
32,858

 
40,264

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
50,401

 
$
43,299

Supplementary cash flow information on noncash activities:
 
 

 
 

Transfer of loans to foreclosed assets
 
$
4,536

 
$
2,442

See accompanying notes.


6




METRO BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

Note 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements and the consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial statements and with instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X Section 210.10-01. Further information on Metro Bancorp, Inc.'s (the Company) accounting policies are available in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to reflect a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.
 
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Events occurring subsequent to the date of the balance sheet have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries including Metro Bank (Metro or the Bank). All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts from the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.  Such reclassifications had no impact on the Company's stockholders' equity or net income.

Use of Estimates

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and require disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, impaired loans, the valuation of deferred tax assets, the valuation of foreclosed assets, the valuation of securities available for sale and the determination of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on the Bank's investment securities portfolio.

Note 2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The fair value of each stock option grant was established at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model used the following weighted-average assumptions for options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.0% and 3.2%; volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of .46 and .45; weighted-average expected lives of the options of 7.5 years for both September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010; and no cash dividends. Using these assumptions, the weighted-average fair value of options granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $6.43 and $6.47 per option, respectively. In the first nine months of 2011, the Company granted 241,250 options to purchase shares of the Company's stock at exercise prices ranging from $11.11 to $12.40 per share.
 
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $896,000 and $882,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance on stock-based payments, during the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 the Company reversed $165,000 and $200,000 of expense, respectively, (that had been recorded in prior periods) as a result of the reconcilement of projected option forfeitures to actual option forfeitures for all stock options granted during the first quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 



7




Note 3. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued guidance that clarified whether a restructuring constitutes a concession and defines whether or not a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The effective date for this guidance for public companies was for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011 and applies retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after the beginning of 2011. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 
In May 2011, the FASB amended fair value measurement guidance to clarify the guidance for items such as: the application of the highest and best use concept to non-financial assets and liabilities; the application of fair value measurement to financial instruments classified in a reporting entity's stockholders' equity; and disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of level 3 assets. The update also creates an exception to fair value measurement guidance for entities which carry financial instruments within a portfolio or group, under which the entity is now permitted to base the price used for fair valuation upon a price that would be received to sell the net asset position or transfer a net liability position in an orderly transaction. In addition, the update allows for the application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement if the financial instrument is categorized in level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Lastly, the updated standard contains new disclosure requirements regarding fair value amounts categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy such as: disclosure of the valuation process used; effects of and relationships between unobservable inputs; usage of nonfinancial assets for purposes other than their highest and best use when that is the basis of the disclosed fair value; and categorization by level of items disclosed at fair value, but not measured at fair value for financial statement purposes. The effective date of this update for public entities is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB updated the guidance on Comprehensive Income. The update prohibits the presentation of the components of comprehensive income in the statements of stockholders' equity. Reporting entities are allowed to present either: a statement of comprehensive income, which reports both net income and other comprehensive income; or separate statements of net income and other comprehensive income. Under previous GAAP, all three presentations were acceptable. Regardless of the presentation selected, the Company will be required to present all reclassifications between other comprehensive and net income on the face of the new statement or statements. The provisions of this update are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2011 for public entities. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company is subject to certain routine legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management's opinion that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding commitments to extend credit, such as letters of credit and unadvanced loan commitments. At September 30, 2011, the Company had $376.9 million in unused commitments. Management does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions.

During 2011, the Company entered into a new debt agreement that consisted of one $25.0 million Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advance bearing interest at 1.01%, due March 18, 2013.

Future Facilities
 
The Company owns the land at the corner of Carlisle Road and Alta Vista Road in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to construct a full-service store on this property to be opened in the future.
 
The Company has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 2121 Lincoln Highway East, East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to construct a full-service store on this property to be opened in the future.
 
The Company owns land at 105 N. George Street, York City, York County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to open a store on this property to be opened in the future.

Note 5. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale (AFS) securities, are reported as


8




a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income are components of comprehensive income. The only other comprehensive income items that the Company presently has are net unrealized gains on securities available for sale and unrealized losses for noncredit-related impairment losses. The federal income tax effect allocated to the net unrealized gains (losses) are presented in the following table:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in thousands)
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Net unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
$
9,731

 
$
3,786

 
$
19,566

 
$
8,644

Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains and losses on securities recorded in income
 

 
4,872

 
(1,575
)
 
5,599

Reclassification for credit losses recorded in income
 

 
46

 
315

 
962

Noncredit related OTTI losses on securities not expected to be sold
 

 

 

 
3,942

Subtotal
 
9,731

 
8,704

 
18,306

 
19,147

Income tax impact
 
(3,308
)
 
(2,959
)
 
(6,224
)
 
(6,677
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax impact
 
$
6,423

 
$
5,745

 
$
12,082

 
$
12,470

 
Note 6. GUARANTEES
 
The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Generally, when issued, letters of credit have expiration dates within two years. The credit risk associated with letters of credit is essentially the same as that of traditional loan facilities. The Company generally requires collateral and/or personal guarantees to support these commitments. The Company had $35.6 million and $32.3 million of standby letters of credit at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral, the enforcement of guarantees and normal collection activities against the borrower would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payment required under the corresponding letters of credit. There was no current amount of liability at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 under standby letters of credit issued.
 
Note 7. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURE
 
The Company uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique due to assumptions that are susceptible to significant change.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective period-ends and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period-end.
 
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses the following fair value hierarchy in selecting inputs with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements): 
 
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
 



9




As required, financial and certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table sets forth the Company's financial assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
 
 
 
 
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
September 30, 2011
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,570

 
$

 
$
22,570

 
$

Residential mortgage-backed
  securities
12,334

 

 
12,334

 

Agency collateralized mortgage
  obligations
500,972

 

 
500,972

 

Private-label collateralized
  mortgage obligations
25,206

 

 
25,206

 

Corporate debt securities
19,660

 

 
19,660

 

Securities available for sale
$
580,742

 
$

 
$
580,742

 
$


 For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
December 31, 2010
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
21,409

 
$

 
$
21,409

 
$

Residential mortgage-backed
  securities
2,386

 

 
2,386

 

Agency collateralized mortgage
  obligations
383,214

 

 
383,214

 

Private-label collateralized
  mortgage obligations
31,003

 

 
31,003

 

Securities available for sale
$
438,012

 
$

 
$
438,012

 
$

 
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company did not have any liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Impaired Loans (Generally Carried at Fair Value)
 
Impaired loans are those that the Company has measured impairment of based on the fair value of the loan's collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third-party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The fair value consists of the loan balances less any valuation allowance. The valuation allowance amount is calculated as the difference between the recorded investment in a loan and the present value of expected future cash flows or it is calculated based on discounted collateral values if the loans are collateral dependent. At September 30, 2011, the fair value of five relationships with impaired loans with allowance allocations totaled $10.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $5.4 million. At December 31, 2010, the fair value of impaired loans with allowance allocations and their associated loan relationships totaled $10.4 million, net of a valuation allowance of $3.6 million. The Company's impaired loans are more fully discussed in Note 9.




10




Foreclosed Assets (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)
 
The fair value of real estate acquired through foreclosure was based on independent third party appraisals of the properties, less estimated selling costs. The carrying value of foreclosed assets, with valuation allowances recorded subsequent to initial foreclosure, was $2.9 million at September 30, 2011 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2010, which are net of valuation allowances of $1.8 million and $410,000 that were established in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
September 30, 2011
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Impaired loans
$
10,478

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,478

Foreclosed assets
2,946

 

 

 
2,946

Total
$
13,424

 
$

 
$

 
$
13,424

 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 Description
 
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
December 31, 2010

 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
Impaired loans
$
10,444

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,444

Foreclosed assets
4,774

 

 

 
4,774

Total
$
15,218

 
$

 
$

 
$
15,218

 
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company's assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company's disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following valuation techniques were used to estimate the fair values of the Company's financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
  
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and short-term instruments approximate those assets' fair values.
 
Securities
 
The fair value of securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities' relationship to other benchmark prices.  For further discussion on the fair value of securities refer to Note 8.
 
Loans Held for Sale (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)
 
The fair value of loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary-market prices.  If no such quoted prices exist, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar loan or loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan.  The Company did not write down any loans held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 or the year ended December 31, 2010.






11




Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair value of loans, excluding impaired loans with specific loan allowances, are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans. Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
 
Restricted Investments in Bank Stock (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amount of restricted investments in bank stock approximates fair value and considers the limited marketability of such securities.  The restricted investments in bank stock consisted of FHLB and Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (ACBB) stock at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.
 
Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposits (CDs) are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
 
Short-Term Borrowings (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amounts of short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.
 
Long-Term Debt (Carried at Cost)
 
Long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices from a third party broker for new debt with similar characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. The price for the long-term debt was obtained in an inactive market where these types of instruments are not traded regularly. 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments (Disclosed at Cost)
 
Fair values for the Company's off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing.






















12




The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair 
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair 
Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
50,401

 
$
50,401

 
$
32,858

 
$
32,858

Securities
820,074

 
823,860

 
665,588

 
662,214

Loans, net (including loans held for sale)
1,430,101

 
1,436,732

 
1,376,192

 
1,358,509

Restricted investments in bank stock
17,683

 
17,683

 
20,614

 
20,614

Accrued interest receivable
7,365

 
7,365

 
7,347

 
7,347

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
$
2,059,387

 
$
2,062,225

 
$
1,832,179

 
$
1,835,782

Long-term debt
54,400

 
43,187

 
29,400

 
18,431

Short-term borrowings
88,076

 
88,076

 
140,475

 
140,475

Accrued interest payable
487

 
487

 
669

 
669

Off-balance sheet instruments:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Standby letters of credit
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Commitments to extend credit

 

 

 


Note 8. SECURITIES
 
 The amortized cost and fair value of securities are summarized in the following tables:

 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,500

 
$
70

 
$

 
$
22,570

Residential mortgage-backed securities
12,034

 
300

 

 
12,334

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
489,873

 
11,219

 
(120
)
 
500,972

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
26,610

 

 
(1,404
)
 
25,206

Corporate debt securities
19,950

 
66

 
(356
)
 
19,660

Total
$
570,967

 
$
11,655

 
$
(1,880
)
 
$
580,742

Held to Maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agency securities
$
132,750

 
$
56

 
$
(172
)
 
$
132,634

Residential mortgage-backed securities
40,296

 
2,965

 

 
43,261

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
51,286

 
1,166

 
(3
)
 
52,449

Corporate debt securities
15,000

 

 
(226
)
 
14,774

Total
$
239,332

 
$
4,187

 
$
(401
)
 
$
243,118




13




 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,500

 
$

 
$
(1,091
)
 
$
21,409

Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,383

 
3

 

 
2,386

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
388,414

 
2,025

 
(7,225
)
 
383,214

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
33,246

 

 
(2,243
)
 
31,003

Total
$
446,543

 
$
2,028

 
$
(10,559
)
 
$
438,012

Held to Maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agency securities
$
140,000

 
$

 
$
(6,408
)
 
$
133,592

Residential mortgage-backed securities
48,497

 
2,727

 
(311
)
 
50,913

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
29,079

 
878

 
(209
)
 
29,748

Corporate debt securities
10,000

 

 
(51
)
 
9,949

Total
$
227,576

 
$
3,605

 
$
(6,979
)
 
$
224,202

 
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2011 are shown in the following table. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
 
 
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

 
$
15,000

 
$
15,003

Due after one year through five years

 

 
15,000

 
14,774

Due after five years through ten years
19,950

 
19,660

 
32,750

 
32,766

Due after ten years
22,500

 
22,570

 
85,000

 
84,865

 
42,450

 
42,230

 
147,750

 
147,408

Residential mortgage-backed securities
12,034

 
12,334

 
40,296

 
43,261

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
489,873

 
500,972

 
51,286

 
52,449

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
26,610

 
25,206

 

 

Total
$
570,967

 
$
580,742

 
$
239,332

 
$
243,118

 
During the third quarter of 2011 the Company sold one security with a fair market value of $852,000 and realized a net pretax gain of $7,000. The security sold had been classified as held to maturity (HTM), however, its remaining par value was less than 15% of its originally purchased par value.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company sold 18 securities, including 12 agency mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), four private-label MBSs and two agency callable debentures with a combined fair market value of $195.7 million. All of the securities had been classified as available for sale and the Company realized a total pretax net gain of $117,000.

During the first nine months of 2011, the Company sold a total of 13 securities with a combined fair market value of $126.2 million. All of the securities were U.S. agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). All but one, as detailed in the paragraph above, had been classified as available for sale and all had a total combined amortized cost of $125.8 million. The Company realized net pretax gains of $350,000 on the combined sales.  

During the first nine months of 2010, the Company sold a total of 33 securities with a fair market value of $240.0 million. All of the securities had been classified as available for sale and the Company realized a pretax net gain of $1.0 million. The securities sold included 15 private-label CMOs with a fair market value of $38.9 million; ten agency CMOs with a fair market value of $121.9 million; six agency MBSs with a fair market value of $58.2 million; and two agency debentures with a fair market value of $21.0 million.

The Company does not maintain a trading portfolio and there were no transfers of securities between the AFS and HTM portfolios.


14




The Company uses the specific identification method to record security sales.

At September 30, 2011 securities with a carrying value of $584.7 million were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.
 
The following table summarizes the Company's gains and losses on the sales of debt securities and credit losses recognized for the OTTI of investments:

(in thousands)
Gross Realized Gains
 
Gross Realized (Losses)
 
OTTI Credit Losses
 
Net Gains (Losses)
Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
7

September 30, 2010
4,006

 
(3,889
)
 
(46
)
 
71

Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
983

 
(633
)
 
(315
)
 
35

September 30, 2010
4,925

 
(3,889
)
 
(962
)
 
74


In determining fair market values for its portfolio holdings, the Company has consistently relied upon a third-party provider. Under the current guidance, these values are considered Level 2 inputs, based upon matrix pricing and observed data from similar assets.  They are not Level 1 direct quotes, nor do they reflect Level 3 inputs that would be derived from internal analysis or judgment. As the Company does not manage a trading portfolio and typically only sells from its AFS portfolio in order to manage interest rate risk or credit exposure, direct quotes, or street bids, are warranted on an as-needed basis only.

The following table shows the fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with the Company's investment portfolio, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 (in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency CMOs
$
12,667

 
$
(120
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
12,667

 
$
(120
)
Private-label CMOs
6,701

 
(79
)
 
18,505

 
(1,325
)
 
25,206

 
(1,404
)
Corporate debt securities
9,644

 
(356
)
 

 

 
9,644

 
(356
)
Total
$
29,012

 
$
(555
)
 
$
18,505

 
$
(1,325
)
 
$
47,517

 
$
(1,880
)
Held to Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$

 
$

 
$
49,828

 
$
(172
)
 
$
49,828

 
$
(172
)
Agency CMOs
2,416

 
(3
)
 

 

 
2,416

 
(3
)
Corporate debt securities
14,774

 
(226
)
 

 

 
14,774

 
(226
)
Total
$
17,190

 
$
(229
)
 
$
49,828

 
$
(172
)
 
$
67,018

 
$
(401
)



15




 
December 31, 2010
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 (in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
(Losses)
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
21,409

 
$
(1,091
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
21,409

 
$
(1,091
)
Agency CMOs
261,330

 
(7,216
)
 
9,092

 
(9
)
 
270,422

 
(7,225
)
Private-label CMOs
2,644

 
(9
)
 
28,359

 
(2,234
)
 
31,003

 
(2,243
)
Total
$
285,383

 
$
(8,316
)
 
$
37,451

 
$
(2,243
)
 
$
322,834

 
$
(10,559
)
Held to Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
133,592

 
$
(6,408
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
133,592

 
$
(6,408
)
Residential MBSs
7,287

 
(311
)
 

 

 
7,287

 
(311
)
Agency CMOs
7,957

 
(209
)
 

 

 
7,957

 
(209
)
Corporate debt securities
9,949

 
(51
)
 

 

 
9,949

 
(51
)
Total
$
158,785

 
$
(6,979
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
158,785

 
$
(6,979
)
 
The Company's investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government agency securities, U.S. Government sponsored agency mortgage-backed obligations, private-label CMOs and investment-grade corporate bonds. The securities of the U.S. Government sponsored agencies and the U.S. Government MBSs have little credit risk because their principal and interest payments are backed by an agency of the U.S. Government.

The unrealized losses in the Company's investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 were associated with two distinct types of securities. The first type includes two government agency debentures, three government agency sponsored CMOs and four investment-grade corporate bonds. Management believes that the unrealized losses on these investments were primarily caused by fluctuations in interest rates. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company's investment. Because management believes the declines in fair value of these securities are attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold those investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider any of these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011.
 
Private-label CMOs were the second type of security in the Company's investment portfolio with unrealized losses at September 30, 2011. Private-label CMOs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government nor are their principal and interest payments guaranteed. Historically, most private-label CMOs have carried a AAA bond rating on the underlying issuer, however, the subprime mortgage problems and the decline in the residential housing market in the U.S. in recent years have led to ratings downgrades and subsequent OTTI of many CMOs. As of September 30, 2011, Metro owned eight such non-agency CMO securities in its investment portfolio with unrealized losses. The total amortized cost for all eight securities was $26.6 million. Management performs no less than quarterly assessments of these securities for OTTI to determine what, if any, portion of the impairment may be credit related. As part of this process, management asserts that (a) we do not have the intent to sell the securities and (b) it is more likely than not we will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the Company's cost basis. This assertion is based, in part, upon the most recent liquidity analysis prepared for the Company's Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) which indicates if the Company has sufficient excess funds to consider the potential purchase of investment securities and sufficient unused borrowing capacity available to meet any potential outflows. Furthermore, the Company knows of no contractual or regulatory obligations that would require these bonds to be sold.  

Next, in order to bifurcate the impairment into its components, the Company uses the Bloomberg analytical service to analyze each individual security. The Company looks at the overall bond ratings as well as specific, underlying characteristics such as pool factor, weighted-average coupon, weighted-average maturity, weighted-average life, loan to value, delinquencies, credit score, prepayment speeds, geographic concentration, etc. Using reported data for prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity rates and lag times, the Company analyzes each bond under a variety of scenarios. As the results may vary depending upon the historic time period analyzed, the Company uses this information for the purpose of managing the investment portfolio and its inherent risk. However, the Company reports its findings based upon the three month data points for Constant Prepayment Rate (CPR) speed, default rate and loss severity as it believes this time point best captures both current and historic trends. For management purposes, the Company also analyzes each bond using an assumed, projected default rate based upon each pool's most recent level of 90-day delinquencies, bankruptcies and foreclosed real estate. This projected analysis also assumes loss severity percentages subjectively assigned to each pool based upon credit ratings. When the analysis shows a bond to have no projected loss, there is considered to be no credit-related loss. When the analysis shows a bond to have a projected loss, a cash flow projection is created,


16




including the projected loss, for the duration of the bond. This projection is then used to calculate the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and compared to the amortized cost basis. The difference between these two figures is recognized as the amount of OTTI due to credit loss. The difference between the total impairment and this credit loss portion is determined to be the amount related to all other factors. The amount of impairment related to credit loss is to be recognized in current earnings while the amount of impairment related to all other factors is to be recognized in other comprehensive income. Using this method, the Company determined that during the first nine months of 2011, a total of six private-label CMOs had losses attributable to credit from prior years and two private-label CMOs have never had losses attributable to credit. Of these six bonds with credit losses, as of September 30, 2011 one is expected to paydown without a loss of principal . Losses were projected for the remaining five bonds as of September 30, 2011; however, the present value of the cash flows for all of the bonds was greater than the carrying value so that no further write-downs were required.
 
The tables below roll forward the cumulative life to date credit losses which have been recognized in earnings for the private-label CMOs previously mentioned for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010:

 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at July 1, 2011
$
2,940

 
$

 
$
2,940

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis

 

 

Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held at September 30, 2011
$
2,940

 
$

 
$
2,940

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at July 1, 2010
$
3,254

 
$
3

 
$
3,257

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
46

 

 
46

Reduction due to credit impaired security sold
(638
)
 

 
(638
)
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held at September 30, 2010
$
2,662

 
$
3

 
$
2,665

 
 
 
 
 
 

The tables below roll forward the cumulative life to date credit losses which have been recognized in earnings for the private-label CMOs previously mentioned for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010:

 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1, 2011
$
2,625

 
$

 
$
2,625

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
315

 

 
315

Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held at September 30, 2011
$
2,940

 
$

 
$
2,940

 


17




 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1, 2010
$
2,338

 
$
3

 
$
2,341

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized
675

 

 
675

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
287

 

 
287

Reduction due to credit impaired security sold
(638
)
 

 
(638
)
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held at September 30, 2010
$
2,662

 
$
3

 
$
2,665


Note 9.      LOANS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees and costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans. The Company is generally amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan or to the loan's call date. Certain qualifying assets of the Bank including loans collateralize a line of credit commitment the Bank has with the FHLB .

During the first quarter of 2011, certain types of loans were reclassified due to their purpose and overall risk characteristics. Therefore, certain loan balances as of December 31, 2010 balances were reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

A summary of loans receivable is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Commercial and industrial
$
340,252

 
$
337,398

Commercial tax-exempt
82,998

 
85,863

Owner occupied real estate
266,860

 
241,553

Commercial construction and land development
113,850

 
112,094

Commercial real estate
359,068

 
313,194

Residential
80,885

 
81,124

Consumer
200,701

 
207,979

 
1,444,614

 
1,379,205

Less: allowance for loan losses
23,307

 
21,618

Net loans receivable
$
1,421,307

 
$
1,357,587

 
Generally, the Company's policy is to move a loan to nonaccrual status as soon as it becomes 90 days past due or when the Company does not believe it will collect all of its principal and interest payments. Typically, commitments are canceled and no additional advances are made when a loan is placed on nonaccrual. In addition, when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management's judgment as to the collectibility of principal.  If a loan is substandard and accruing, interest is recognized as accrued. Once a loan is on nonaccrual status, it is not returned to accrual status unless the loan has been current for at least six consecutive months and the borrower and/or any guarantors demonstrate evidence of the ability to repay the loan. Under certain circumstances such as bankruptcy, if a loan is under collateralized, or if the borrower and/or guarantors do not show evidence of the ability to pay, the loan may be placed on nonaccrual status even though it is not past due by 90 days or more. Therefore, the nonaccrual loan balance of $37.5 million exceeds the balance of total loans that are 90 days past due of $25.1 million at September 30, 2011 as presented in the aging analysis tables below.

The Company charges down loans based on the fair value of the related collateral as determined by the current appraisal or other collateral valuations less any costs to sell before the properties are transferred to foreclosed real estate.



18




The following table summarizes nonaccrual loans by loan type at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
12,175

 
$
23,103

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

   Owner occupied real estate
3,482

 
4,318

   Commercial construction and land development
6,309

 
14,155

   Commercial real estate
10,400

 
5,424

   Residential
3,125

 
3,609

   Consumer
2,009

 
1,579

Total nonaccrual loans
$
37,500

 
$
52,188


The following tables are an age analysis of past due loan receivables as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
 
Past Due Loans
 
 
Recorded Investment in Loans 90 Days and Greater and Still Accruing
(in thousands)
Current
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days Past Due and Greater
Total Past Due
Total Loan Receivables
September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
332,261

$
208

$
627

$
7,156

$
7,991

$
340,252

$
212

Commercial tax-exempt
82,998





82,998


Owner occupied real estate
262,796

1,201

736

2,127

4,064

266,860


Commercial construction and
land development
108,267

466

446

4,671

5,583

113,850


Commercial real estate
348,562

734

2,765

7,007

10,506

359,068


Residential
77,952

196

94

2,643

2,933

80,885

355

Consumer
197,952

1,022

249

1,478

2,749

200,701


Total
$
1,410,788

$
3,827

$
4,917

$
25,082

$
33,826

$
1,444,614

$
567


 
 
Past Due Loans
 
 
Recorded Investment in Loans 90 Days and Greater and Still Accruing
(in thousands)
Current
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days Past Due and Greater
Total Past Due
Total Loan Receivables
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
316,750

$
1,213

$
521

$
18,914

$
20,648

$
337,398

$
23

Commercial tax-exempt
85,863





85,863


Owner occupied real estate
235,738

1,314

258

4,243

5,815

241,553


Commercial construction and
land development
97,939



14,155

14,155

112,094


Commercial real estate
306,032

1,214

77

5,871

7,162

313,194

624

Residential
73,670

3,724

1,606

2,124

7,454

81,124


Consumer
203,235

2,547

903

1,294

4,744

207,979

3

Total
$
1,319,227

$
10,012

$
3,365

$
46,601

$
59,978

$
1,379,205

$
650






19




A summary of the allowance for loan losses and balance of loans receivable by loan class and by impairment method as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is detailed in the tables that follow. As mentioned previously, during the first quarter of 2011, certain types of loans were reclassified due to their purpose and overall risk characteristics. This impacted the allocation of the allowance for loan losses as reported at December 31, 2010; therefore, the allocation as of that date has been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construc-tion and land devel-opment
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Con-sumer
Unallo-cated
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated
for impairment
$
3,208

$

$

$
1,410

$
760

$

$

$

$
5,378

Collectively evaluated
for impairment
6,696

78

685

5,230

3,959

408

823

50

17,929

Total allowance for loan
  losses
$
9,904

$
78

$
685

$
6,640

$
4,719

$
408

$
823

$
50

$
23,307

Loans receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans evaluated
  individually
$
13,175

$

$
4,536

$
17,312

$
13,724

$
3,203

$
2,009

$

$
53,959

Loans evaluated
  collectively
327,077

82,998

262,324

96,538

345,344

77,682

198,692


1,390,655

Total loans receivable
$
340,252

$
82,998

$
266,860

$
113,850

$
359,068

$
80,885

$
200,701

$

$
1,444,614

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated
for impairment
$
2,055

$

$
260

$
1,310

$

$

$

$

$
3,625

Collectively evaluated
for impairment
7,624

86

650

4,110

4,002

442

702

377

17,993

Total allowance for loan
  losses
$
9,679

$
86

$
910

$
5,420

$
4,002

$
442

$
702

$
377

$
21,618

Loans receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans evaluated
  individually
$
30,597

$

$
9,237

$
20,749

$
6,045

$
3,609

$
1,579

$

$
71,816

Loans evaluated
  collectively
306,801

85,863

232,316

91,345

307,149

77,515

206,400


1,307,389

Total loans receivable
$
337,398

$
85,863

$
241,553

$
112,094

$
313,194

$
81,124

$
207,979

$

$
1,379,205


The Bank may create a specific allowance for all of or a part of a particular loan in lieu of a charge-off or charge-down as a result of management's evaluation of impaired loans. These circumstances are often credits in transition or in which a legal matter is pending. In these instances, the Bank has determined that a loss is not imminent based upon available information surrounding the credit at the time of the analysis; however, management believes an allowance is appropriate to acknowledge the risk of loss.

Generally, construction and land development and commercial real estate loans present a greater risk of non-payment by a borrower than other types of loans. The market value of real estate, particularly real estate held for investment, can fluctuate significantly in a relatively short period of time. Commercial and industrial, tax exempt and owner occupied real estate loans carry a lower risk factor because the repayment of these loans relies primarily on the cash flow from a business, a municipality, or a school district.

Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower's continued financial stability and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Consumer and residential loans also are impacted by the market value of real estate.


20




Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on these loans. The risk of non-payment is affected by changes in economic conditions, the credit risks of a particular borrower, the duration of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral and other factors.

The Company has experienced an elevated level of loan charge-offs over the most recent two year period compared to previous years. As a result, in the third quarter of 2010, management began basing its quantitative analysis of probable future loan losses (when determining the allowance for loan losses) on those loans collectively reviewed for impairment on a two year period of actual historical losses. Previously, management had performed this analysis using a five year period of historical losses.
Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers and on loan collateral values, management feels this is an appropriate historical time frame, valid until such time that the economy, borrower repayment ability and loan collateral values show sustained signs of improvement.  Management may increase or decrease the historical loss period at some point in the future based on the state of the economy and other circumstances.

The qualitative factors such as changes in levels and trends of charge-offs, delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, material changes in the mix, volume, or duration of the loan portfolio, changes in lending policies and procedures including underwriting standards, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations and changes in national and local economic trends and conditions among other things, are factors which have not been identified by the quantitative processes. The determination inherently involves a higher degree of subjectivity and considers risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in historical loss experience.

The following tables summarize the transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011:
 
(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construction and land development
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Consumer
Unallo-cated
Total
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at July 1
$
8,951

$
81

$
994

$
5,391

$
5,035

$
438

$
773

$
60

$
21,723

Provision charged to operating expenses
4,841

(3
)
(58
)
8,781

(119
)
16

302

(10
)
13,750

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
21


1


2


19


43

Loans charged-off
(3,909
)

(252
)
(7,532
)
(199
)
(46
)
(271
)

(12,209
)
Balance at September 30
$
9,904

$
78

$
685

$
6,640

$
4,719

$
408

$
823

$
50

$
23,307


(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construction and land development
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Consumer
Unallo-cated
Total
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1
$
9,679

$
86

$
910

$
5,420

$
4,002

$
442

$
702

$
377

$
21,618

Provision charged to operating expenses
4,973

(8
)
28

10,134

1,384

84

974

(327
)
17,242

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
74


1


10

29

53


167

Loans charged-off
(4,822
)

(254
)
(8,914
)
(677
)
(147
)
(906
)

(15,720
)
Balance at September 30
$
9,904

$
78

$
685

$
6,640

$
4,719

$
408

$
823

$
50

$
23,307







21




The following table summarizes the transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The table is presented in summary due to the FASB guidance issued in July 2010 related to an entity's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables requiring the activity by portfolio segment be disclosed only for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010.

(in thousands)
 
2010
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Balance at beginning of period
$
16,178

$
14,391

Provision charged to operating expenses
13,400

18,400

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
162

438

Loans charged-off
(8,571
)
(12,060
)
Balance at September 30
$
21,169

$
21,169


The following table presents additional information regarding the Company's impaired loans as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 
 
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
(in thousands)
Recorded Invest-ment
Unpaid Principal Balance
Related Allow-ance
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Loans with no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
4,626

$
4,946

$

$
8,898

$
14,112

$
7

$
98

   Commercial tax-exempt







   Owner occupied real estate
4,536

6,130


3,684

5,067

33

133

   Commercial construction and land
     development
13,078

13,156


10,616

11,602

38

153

   Commercial real estate
10,651

10,707


9,510

8,176

19

29

   Residential
3,203

3,394


3,209

3,592



   Consumer
2,009

2,105


1,571

1,956



Total impaired loans with no related
  allowance
38,103

40,438


37,488

44,505

97

413

Loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
8,549

8,872

3,208

8,483

8,655



   Owner occupied real estate




495



   Commercial construction and land
     development
4,234

4,234

1,410

4,019

3,911



   Commercial real estate
3,073

3,073

760

1,024

341



Total impaired loans with an
  allowance recorded
15,856

16,179

5,378

13,526

13,402



Total impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
13,175

13,818

3,208

17,381

22,767

7

98

   Commercial tax-exempt







   Owner occupied real estate
4,536

6,130


3,684

5,562

33

133

   Commercial construction and land
     development
17,312

17,390

1,410

14,635

15,513

38

153

   Commercial real estate
13,724

13,780

760

10,534

8,517

19

29

   Residential
3,203

3,394


3,209

3,592



   Consumer
2,009

2,105


1,571

1,956



Total impaired loans as of
  September 30, 2011
$
53,959

$
56,617

$
5,378

$
51,014

$
57,907

$
97

$
413



22





The following table presents additional information regarding the Company's impaired loans as of December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
Loans with no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
21,630

 
$
24,817

 
$

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

 

   Owner occupied real estate
8,483

 
8,758

 

   Commercial construction and land development
16,401

 
17,173

 

   Commercial real estate
6,045

 
6,853

 

   Residential
3,609

 
3,609

 

   Consumer
1,579

 
1,579

 

Total impaired loans with no related allowance
57,747

 
62,789

 

Loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
8,967

 
9,022

 
2,055

   Owner occupied real estate
754

 
768

 
260

   Commercial construction and land development
4,348

 
8,108

 
1,310

Total impaired loans with an allowance recorded
14,069

 
17,898

 
3,625

Total impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
30,597

 
33,839

 
2,055

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

 

   Owner occupied real estate
9,237

 
9,526

 
260

   Commercial construction and land development
20,749

 
25,281

 
1,310

   Commercial real estate
6,045

 
6,853

 

   Residential
3,609

 
3,609

 

   Consumer
1,579

 
1,579

 

Total impaired loans as of December 31, 2010
$
71,816

 
$
80,687

 
$
3,625


Impaired loans averaged approximately $57.9 million and $74.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, respectively. Interest income on impaired loans that were still accruing totaled $413,000 and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively. Certain substandard accruing loans considered impaired as of December 31, 2010 were no longer considered to be impaired at September 30, 2011.
 
The Bank uses the following descriptions as credit quality indicators of its loan portfolio: pass-rated, special mention, substandard accrual and substandard nonaccrual loans. Monthly, we track commercial loans that are no longer pass rated.  We review the cash flow, operating results and financial condition of the borrower and any guarantors, as well as the collateral position against established policy guidelines as a means of providing a targeted list of loans and loan relationships that require additional attention within the loan portfolio. We categorize loans possessing increased risk as either special mention, substandard accrual or substandard nonaccrual. Special mention loans are those loans that are currently adequately collateralized, but potentially weak.  The potential weaknesses may, if not corrected, weaken the loan's credit quality or inadvertently jeopardize our credit position in the future.  Substandard accrual and substandard nonaccrual assets are characterized by well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and by the possibility that Metro will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected.  Substandard accrual loans would move from accrual to nonaccrual when the Bank does not believe it will collect all of its principal and interest payments.  Some identifiers to determine the collectability are as follows: when the loan is 90 days past due in principal or interest, there are triggering events in the borrower's or any guarantor's financial statements that show continuing deterioration, the borrower's or any guarantor's source of repayment is depleting, or if bankruptcy or other legal matters are present, regardless if the loan is 90 days past due or not. Pass rated loans are reviewed throughout the year through the recurring review process of an independent loan review function and through the application of other credit metrics.




23




Credit quality indicators for commercial loans broken out by loan type are presented in the following tables for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. As previously mentioned, certain December 31, 2010 balances have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.
 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Pass Rated Loans
Special Mention
Substandard Accrual
Substandard Nonaccrual
Total
Commercial credit exposure:






   Commercial and industrial
$
299,291

$
8,670

$
20,116

$
12,175

$
340,252

   Commercial tax-exempt
82,998




82,998

   Owner occupied real estate
249,351

3,429

10,598

3,482

266,860

   Commercial construction and land development
95,545

1,702

10,294

6,309

113,850

   Commercial real estate
342,714

2,042

3,912

10,400

359,068

     Total
$
1,069,899

$
15,843

$
44,920

$
32,366

$
1,163,028


 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Pass Rated Loans
Special Mention
Substandard Accrual
Substandard Nonaccrual
Total
Commercial credit exposure:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
301,075

$
5,726

$
7,494

$
23,103

$
337,398

   Commercial tax-exempt
85,863




85,863

   Owner occupied real estate
228,224

4,093

4,918

4,318

241,553

   Commercial construction and land development
84,155

7,190

6,594

14,155

112,094

   Commercial real estate
296,537

10,611

622

5,424

313,194

     Total
$
995,854

$
27,620

$
19,628

$
47,000

$
1,090,102

 
Consumer loan credit exposures are rated either performing or nonperforming as detailed below at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Performing
Nonperforming
Total
Consumer credit exposure:
 
 
 
   Residential
$
77,760

$
3,125

$
80,885

   Consumer
198,692

2,009

200,701

     Total
$
276,452

$
5,134

$
281,586


 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Performing
Nonperforming
Total
Consumer credit exposure:
 
 
 
   Residential
$
77,515

$
3,609

$
81,124

   Consumer
206,400

1,579

207,979

     Total
$
283,915

$
5,188

$
289,103










24




During the third quarter of 2011, the Bank adopted the FASB guidance on the determination of whether a loan restructuring is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).  A TDR is a loan whose contractual terms have been modified resulting in the Bank granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties in order for the Bank to have a greater chance of collecting the indebtedness from the borrower.  Concessions could include, but are not limited to: interest rate reductions, maturity extensions or principal forgiveness.  An additional benefit to the Bank in granting a concession is to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral at a time when real estate values are at historical lows. As a result of adopting this amendment to the credit quality guidance, the Bank reassessed the terms and conditions to customers on restructured loans that had been completed retrospective to January 1, 2011.

The following table presents new TDRs, with the recorded investment being both the pre-modification and post-modification balances, as well as the number of loans modified during the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011:

September 30, 2011
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment
   Commercial and industrial
1

$
614

5

$
10,376

   Commercial tax-exempt




   Owner occupied real estate
1

87

1

87

   Commercial construction and land
      development
17

11,003

17

11,003

   Commercial real estate
5

3,377

5

3,377

   Residential
1

78

2

265

   Consumer




Total
25

$
15,159

30

$
25,108


The loans included above are considered TDRs as a result of the Bank implementing one or more of the following concessions: granting a material extension of time, issuing a forbearance agreement, adjusting the interest rate, accepting interest only for a period of time or a change in amortization period.

As of September 30, 2011, TDRs totaled $25.1 million, of which $10.1 million were classified as nonaccruing loans. The remaining $15.0 million of TDRs were accruing. Also, as of September 30, 2011, all TDRs were considered impaired and therefore were individually evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses. Prior to their classification as TDRs, certain of these loans had been collectively evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses. 

Three commercial construction and land development relationships identified as TDRs had additional unused commitments totaling $770,000 and one commercial relationship had an additional unused commitment available of $127,000.






















25




The following table represents loans receivable modified as a TDR, that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of the restructure date and where the payment defaults occurred during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011:
September 30, 2011
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment
 
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment
   Commercial and industrial

$

 
2

$
8,135

   Commercial tax-exempt


 


   Owner occupied real estate


 


   Commercial construction and land
development


 
1

219

   Commercial real estate


 

0

   Residential


 
1

187

   Consumer


 


Total

$

 
4

$
8,541


Of the four contracts that subsequently defaulted during the period, two contracts totaling $5.8 million were still in default at September 30, 2011.

Note 10.     INCOME TAXES

The tax benefit for federal income taxes was $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2011, compared to a tax benefit for federal income taxes of $3.8 million for the same period in 2010. The effective tax benefit rates were 37% and a 38% for the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The variance in the effective tax rates was the result of a lower pretax loss. In addition, in 2010, the proportion of tax free income to the Company's earnings (loss) before taxes was higher. Tax-exempt income was $179,000 higher in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2011. The Company's statutory tax rate was 34% in both the third quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2010.

The tax benefit for federal income taxes was $2.3 million for the first nine months of 2011, compared to a tax benefit for federal income taxes of $4.9 million for the same period in 2010. The effective tax rates were 52% and 46% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The variance in the effective tax rates was primarily the result of a $358,000 tax benefit recorded during the 2010 for merger-related expenses that were not deductible in previous periods.  In addition, during the first nine months of 2010 the proportion of tax free income to the Company's earnings (loss) before taxes was $518,000 higher than in the first nine months of 2011. The Company's statutory tax rate was 34% in both the first nine months of 2011 and the first nine months of 2010.

At September 30, 2011, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $2.8 million which included a $1.4 million deferred tax asset related to a net operating loss carryforward. At the end of the third quarter, the Company conducted an analysis to determine if a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets was required. The Company used current forecasts of future expected income, possible tax planning strategies, current and future economic and business conditions (such as the possibility of a decrease in real estate value for properties the Bank holds as collateral on loans), the probability that taxable income will continue to be generated in future periods, and the cumulative losses in previous years to make the assessment. The Company concluded that a valuation allowance was not necessary, largely based on the Company's projections of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies.  Additional evidence considered in the analysis included recent expenses such as rebranding and consulting costs that are not expected to have a repeat impact on the Company's profitability and the Company's availability of available for sale securities (currently at an unrealized gain position) that could be sold to generate income.






26




Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The following is Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which analyzes the major elements of Metro Bancorp Inc.'s (the Company) balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010 and statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010. This section should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial statements and accompanying notes.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, with respect to the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance and business of Metro Bancorp, Inc. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond our control).   The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 
 
While we believe our plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that any of them will be achieved.  You should understand that various factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, in the Company's Form 10-K and incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, could affect our future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, including: 
 
the effects of and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
general economic or business conditions, either nationally, regionally or in the communities in which we do business, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and loan performance or a reduced demand for credit;
the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) and other changes in financial services’ laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance);
changes in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) deposit fund and the associated premiums that bank's pay to replenish the fund;
interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;
unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs;
compliance with laws and regulatory requirements of federal, state and local agencies;
our ability to continue to grow our business internally and through acquisition and successful integration of new or acquired entities while controlling costs;
continued levels of loan quality and volume origination;
the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;
deposit flows;
the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for our products and services and vice versa, based on price, quality, relationship or otherwise;
changes in consumer spending and saving habits relative to the financial services we provide;
the ability to hedge certain risks economically;
the loss of certain key officers;
changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines;
the timely development of competitive new products and services by us and the acceptance of such products and services by customers;


27




rapidly changing technology;
continued relationships with major customers;
effect of terrorist attacks and threats of actual war;
compliance with the April 29, 2010 consent order may result in increased noninterest expenses;
expenses associated with modifications we are making to our logos in response to the Members 1st litigation and dismissal order;
other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products and services; and
our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

Because such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.  The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these factors or any of our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the dates of those documents. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us except as required by applicable law.

Regulatory Reform and Legislation

Last year, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted. This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations and consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years. The discussion below generally discusses the material provision of the Dodd-Frank Act applicable to the Company and Metro Bank (Metro or the Bank) and is not complete or meant to be an exhaustive discussion.
 
Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the FDIC to redefine the base for deposit insurance assessments paid by banks (assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity of a financial institution), permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, extends the FDIC's program of insuring noninterest-bearing transaction accounts on an unlimited basis through December 31, 2012, increases the minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) from 1.15% to 1.35% of estimated insured deposits and requires the FDIC to take the necessary steps for the reserve ratio to reach the new minimum reserve ratio by September 30, 2020, imposes new capital requirements on bank and thrift holding companies, permits interest on demand deposits, imposes new restrictions on transactions between banks and thrifts and their affiliates and insiders, relaxes de novo branching and imposes additional requirements for interstate bank acquisitions and mergers.

Effective, July 21, 2011, the Dodd-Frank Act repealed the prohibition on paying interest on demand deposits, thus potentially increasing the cost of funds for banks. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, on June 29, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board issued a final rule establishing standards for debit card interchange fees. This rule became effective October 1, 2011 and set a maximum permissible interchange fee that a debit card issuer may receive for an electronic debit transaction. Issuers, such as Metro, with assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from the debit card interchange fee standards. However, the amount of future interchange fees that issuers with assets less than $10 billion, including Metro, may collect could be limited by the competitive marketplace as such issuers compete with those with assets greater than $10 billion for debit card interchange business.

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, such as Metro, will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators.  The Dodd-Frank Act also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives.
 
The Company expects that many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented over time and most


28




will be subject to implementing regulations over the course of several years.  Due to the complexity of the regulatory matters and limited resources of the implementing agencies, completion of many of the rules required by the Dodd-Frank Act has been delayed beyond the expected completion date. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on financial institutions' operations is unclear.  The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of the Company's business activities, require changes to certain of its business practices, impose upon it more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage ration requirements or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business. These changes also may require the Company to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to its operations in order to comply and could materially adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 
The Company recorded a net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.41 per fully-diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011 compared to a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.46 per share, for the same period one year ago. Net loss for the first nine months of 2011 totaled $2.2 million, or $0.16 per fully-diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.43 per fully-diluted share for the nine months of 2010. During the third quarter of 2011, Metro's results of operations were negatively impacted by an increase in the allowance for loan losses and by loan charge-offs necessary as a result of decreases in the value of collateral and new financial information received during the period.

Third quarter and nine month 2011 highlights were as follows:

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $28.1 million, up $426,000, or 2%, over the same period in 2010. Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $85.0 million, up $4.8 million, or 6%, over the same period in 2010.

Noninterest income totaled $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2011, down $362,000, or 5%, from the third quarter of 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, noninterest income totaled $23.4 million, a $2.5 million, or 12%, increase over the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Noninterest expenses totaled $23.4 million for the third quarter of 2011 and were down $804,000, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2010 as the Company was able to reduce expenses in several categories from the previous year's levels. Noninterest expenses for the first nine months of 2011 were lower by less than 1% from the first nine months of 2010.

Net loans totaled $1.42 billion, up $63.7 million, or 5% (non-annualized), for the first nine months of 2011.

Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2011 totaled $45.5 million, or 1.87%, of total assets, as compared to $59.6 million, or 2.67%, of total assets, at December 31, 2010. The Company's level of nonperforming assets has decreased five consecutive quarters and, as of September 30, 2011, were down $17.5 million, or 28%, from one year ago.

The allowance for loan losses totaled $23.3 million, or 1.61%, of total loans at September 30, 2011; up 10% over the allowance amount of $21.2 million, or 1.52%, of total loans at September 30, 2010. Likewise, during the past twelve months the nonperforming loan coverage ratio has increased from 38% to 61%.

Total deposits increased to $2.06 billion, a $227.2 million, or 12% (non-annualized), increase during the first nine months of 2011.

The Company's deposit cost of funds for the third quarter of 2011 was 0.58% compared to 0.70% for the third quarter of 2010.

The net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was 3.77%, down 10 basis points (bps) from the previous quarter and compared to 4.00% for the same period in 2010.
 
The Company continues to maintain strong capital ratios. The Company's consolidated leverage ratio as of September 30, 2011 was 10.15% and its total risk-based capital ratio was 15.35%.

Stockholders' equity increased by $13.9 million, or 7% (non-annualized), from December 31, 2010.
 




29




A summary of financial highlights for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010 is summarized below:
 
 
 
At or for the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
(in millions, except per share data)
 
9/30/2011
9/30/2010
 
% Change
9/30/2011
 
9/30/2010
 
% Change
Total assets
 
$
2,435.1

$
2,232.0

 
9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans (net)
 
1,421.3

1,374.7

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits
 
2,059.4

1,928.7

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
219.3

209.8

 
5

 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
28.1

$
27.6

 
2
 %
$
85.0

 
$
80.2

 
6
 %
Total noninterest expenses
 
23.4

24.2

 
(3
)
72.3

 
72.6

 

Net loss
 
(5.7
)
(6.2
)
 
(7
)
(2.2
)
 
(5.8
)
 
(62
)
Diluted net loss per share
 
(0.41
)
(0.46
)
 
(11
)
(0.16
)
 
(0.43
)
 
(63
)
 
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These principles require our management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Since future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from those estimates. Management makes adjustments to its assumptions and estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and predicate those estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management believes the following critical accounting policies encompass the more significant assumptions and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses represents the amount available for estimated potential losses embedded in our loan portfolio. While the allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be adequate by management for estimated potential losses in the loan portfolio, the determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it involves significant estimates by management, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
 
While management uses available information to make such evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance and the provision for loan losses may be necessary if economic conditions or loan credit quality differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in making the evaluations. The use of different assumptions could materially impact the level of the allowance for loan losses and, therefore, the provision for loan losses to be charged against earnings. Such changes could impact future financial results.
 
Monthly, systematic reviews of our loan portfolios are performed to identify potential losses and assess the overall probability of collection. These reviews include an analysis of historical loss experience, which results in the identification and quantification of loss factors. These loss factors are used in determining the appropriate level of allowance to cover the estimated potential losses in specific loan types. Management's judgment involving the estimates of loss factors can be impacted by many variables, such as the number of years of actual loss history included in the evaluation.

The Company has experienced a much higher level of loan charge-offs over the most recent two-three year period as compared to prior years. As part of the quantitative analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, beginning in the third quarter of 2010, management began basing its calculation of probable future loan losses when determining the allowance for loan losses on those loans collectively reviewed for impairment on a two-year period of actual historical losses. Previously, management had performed this analysis using a five-year period of historical losses inherent in the Bank's loan portfolio. Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers and on loan collateral values, management feels this is an appropriate period of time to use. When the economy, borrower repayment ability, loan collateral values and other factors used in our analysis show sustained signs of improvement, the Bank may adjust the number of months used in the historical loss calculation.
 
The methodology used to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses and related provisions differs for commercial, residential and consumer loans and involves other overall evaluations. In addition, significant estimates are involved


30




in the determination of any loss related to impaired loans. The evaluation of an impaired loan is based on either (1) discounted cash flows using the loan's effective interest rate, (2) the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans, or (3) the observable market price of the impaired loan. Each of these variables involves management's judgment and the use of estimates.

In addition to calculating the loss factors, we may periodically adjust the factors for changes in levels and trends of charge-offs, delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, material changes in the mix, volume, or duration of the loan portfolio, changes in lending policies and procedures including underwriting standards, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations and changes in national and local economic trends and conditions, among other things. Management judgment is involved at many levels of these evaluations.
 
An integral aspect of our risk management process is allocating the allowance for loan losses to various components of the loan portfolio based upon an analysis of risk characteristics, demonstrated losses, industry and other segmentations and other more judgmental factors.
 
Other-than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) of Investment Securities. We perform no less than quarterly reviews of the fair value of the securities in the Company's investment portfolio and evaluate individual securities for declines in fair value that may be other-than-temporary. If declines are deemed other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized against earnings for the portion of the impairment deemed to be related to credit. The remaining portion of the impairment that is not related to credit is written down to its current fair value through other comprehensive income.
 
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognizes compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions in the income statement based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. The grant-date fair value and ultimately, the amount of compensation expense recognized are dependent upon certain assumptions we make such as the expected term the options will remain outstanding, the dividend yield and the volatility of our Company stock price and a risk free interest rate. This critical accounting policy is more fully described in Note 1 and Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Fair Value Measurements. The Company is required to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments that are measured at fair value within a fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, giving the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These disclosures appear in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements described in this interim report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2011. Judgment is involved not only with deriving the estimated fair values but also with classifying the particular assets recorded at fair value in the fair value hierarchy.  Estimating the fair value of impaired loans or the value of collateral securing foreclosed assets requires the use of significant unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). At September 30, 2011, the fair value of assets based on level 3 measurements constituted 2% of the total assets measured at fair value. The fair value of collateral securing impaired loans or constituting foreclosed assets is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, recent offers, or prices on comparable properties in the proximate vicinity.  Such estimates can differ significantly from the amounts the Company would ultimately realize from the loan or disposition of underlying collateral.

The Company's available for sale (AFS) investment security portfolio constitutes 98% of the total assets measured at fair value and all securities are classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement (quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability). Management utilizes third party service providers to aid in the determination of the fair value of the portfolio. Most securities are not quoted on an exchange, but are traded in active markets and fair values were obtained from matrix pricing on similar securities.
 
Deferred Taxes.   Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be used.  

The Company assesses whether or not the deferred taxes will be realized in the future if it does not have future taxable income to use as an offset. If future taxable income is not expected to be available to use, a valuation allowance is required to be recognized. A valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period. The Company assesses if it is more-likely-than-not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The determination of a valuation allowance is subjective and dependent upon judgment concerning both positive and negative evidence to support the net deferred tax assets will be utilized. In order to evaluate whether or not a valuation allowance is necessary, the Company uses current forecasts of future income, reviews possible


31




tax planning strategies and assesses current and future economic and business conditions. Negative evidence utilized would include any cumulative losses in previous years and general business and economic trends.  At September 30, 2011, the Company conducted such an analysis to determine if a valuation allowance was required and concluded that a valuation allowance was not necessary. A valuation allowance, if required, could have a significant impact on the Company's future earnings.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Average Balances and Average Interest Rates

Third Quarter 2011 compared to Third Quarter 2010
 
Interest-earning assets averaged $2.23 billion for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $2.03 billion for the third quarter in 2010. For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, total loans receivable including loans held for sale, averaged $1.45 billion compared to $1.44 billion for the same quarter in 2010. For the same two quarters, total securities, including restricted investments in bank stock, averaged $757.1 million and $561.6 million, respectively. The year-over-year increase of securities is a result of new security purchases partially offset by principal repayments, sales and calls.
 
The average balance of total deposits increased $103.9 million, or 6%, for the third quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2010. These funds, along with the increase in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, were primarily used to purchase investment securities and, to a lesser extent, for loan originations. Total interest-bearing deposits averaged $1.60 billion for the third quarter of 2011, compared to $1.53 billion for the third quarter one year ago and average noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $41.3 million, or 12%, to $373.2 million. Short-term borrowings, which consist of overnight advances from the FHLB averaged $110.9 million for the third quarter of 2011 versus $34.3 million for the same quarter of 2010.
 
The fully tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2011 was 4.41%, a decrease of 42 bps from the comparable period in 2010. This decrease resulted from a combination of lower yields on the Company's securities and loan receivable portfolios during the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 as well as a shift in the mix of assets. Average loans outstanding including loans held for sale as a percentage of average earning assets were 65% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 71% for the same period one year ago. Floating rate loans represented approximately 50% of our total loans receivable portfolio at September 30, 2011 as compared to 46% of total loans receivable at September 30, 2010.

As a result of the extremely low level of current general market interest rates, including the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the New York prime lending rate, we expect the yields we receive on our interest-earning assets will continue at their current low levels throughout the remainder of 2011 and quite possibly for a portion of 2012.

The average rate paid on our total interest-bearing liabilities for the third quarter of 2011 was 0.82%, compared to 1.04% for the third quarter of 2010. Our deposit cost of funds decreased 12 bps from 0.70% in the third quarter of 2010 to 0.58% for the third quarter of 2011. The average rate paid on deposits decreased across all categories during the third quarter of 2011 compared to third quarter of 2010. The decrease in the Company's deposit cost of funds is primarily related to the combination of time deposits that matured and renewed at lower rates as well as lower rates paid on certain interest checking and money market deposit accounts. Both of these decreases were in response to the continued low level of general market interest rates. At September 30, 2011, $567.9 million, or 28%, of our total deposits were those of local municipalities, school districts, not-for-profit organizations or corporate cash management customers, where the interest rates paid are indexed to either the 91-day Treasury bill, the overnight federal funds rate, the 30-day LIBOR interest rate or an internally managed index rate. The deposit category with the largest impact on our cost of funds has been time deposits.  As time certificates of deposits (CDs) that were originated in past years at much higher interest rates have matured over the past twelve months, these funds have been either renewed into new CDs with much lower interest rates or shifted by our customers to their checking and/or savings accounts. As a result, our weighted-average rate paid on time deposits, including both retail and public, decreased by 38 bps from 2.06% for the third quarter of 2010 to 1.68% for the third quarter of 2011.

The average cost of short-term borrowings was 0.20% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 0.63% for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in the borrowing rate is the result of active management of the Company's borrowings whereby we have taken advantage of attractive short-term interest rates to structure a portfolio with laddered maturities and reduce our reliance on more expensive overnight funding. The average cost of long-term debt decreased from 6.83% for the third quarter of 2010 to 5.33% during the third quarter of 2011.  This change was the result of the prepayment of a $25.0 million FHLB convertible select borrowing during the fourth quarter 2010 which had a rate of 4.29%. At the end of the first quarter 2011 the Company borrowed another $25.0 million fixed rate FHLB borrowing with a rate of 1.01% with a two year final maturity. The aggregate average cost of all funding sources for the Company was 0.68% for the third quarter of 2011, compared to 0.86% for the same quarter of the prior year.


32





Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

Interest-earning assets averaged $2.18 billion for the first nine months of 2011, compared to $2.02 billion for the same period in 2010. For the same two periods, total loans receivable including loans held for sale, averaged $1.45 billion in 2011 and $1.44 billion in 2010. Total securities, including restricted investments in bank stock, averaged $724.5 million and $568.9 million for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The overall net growth in interest-earning assets was funded by an increase in the average balance of total noninterest-bearing deposits and an increase in average short-term borrowings. Total average deposits, including noninterest-bearing funds, increased by $59.6 million, or 3%, for the first nine months of 2011 over the same period of 2010 from $1.84 billion to $1.90 billion. Short-term borrowings averaged $146.1 million and $53.9 million in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The fully tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets for the first nine months of 2011 was 4.52%, a decrease of 37 bps versus the comparable period in 2010. This decrease primarily resulted from lower yields on the majority of our securities portfolio during the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010, again, as a result of the lower level of general market interest rates present during 2011 versus the same period in 2010 combined with a shift in the mix of interest-earning assets as previously discussed.
The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the first nine months of 2011 was 0.88%, compared to 1.10% for the first nine months of 2010. Our deposit cost of funds decreased from 0.75% in the first nine months of 2010 to 0.62% for the same period in 2011. The aggregate cost of all funding sources was 0.72% for the first nine months of 2011, compared to 0.91% for the same period in 2010.







































33




In the following table, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loans receivable balances. Securities include securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and restricted investments in bank stock. Securities available for sale are carried at amortized cost for purposes of calculating the average rate received on taxable securities. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are computed on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a 34% tax rate for both 2011 and 2010.

 
Three months ended,
 
Nine months ended,
 
September 30, 2011
September 30, 2010
 
September 30, 2011
September 30, 2010
 
Average
 
Avg.
Average
 
Avg.
 
Average
 
Avg.
Average
 
Avg.
(dollars in thousands)
Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
 
Balance
Interest
Rate
Balance
Interest
Rate
Earning Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
757,090

$
5,613

2.97
%
$
561,628

$
5,320

3.79
%
 
$
724,493

$
16,607

3.06
%
$
568,457

$
16,370

3.84
%
Tax-exempt






 



446

20

6.07

Total securities
757,090

5,613

2.97

561,628

5,320

3.79

 
724,493

16,607

3.06

568,903

16,390

3.84

Federal funds sold
20,468

2

0.05

32,518

10

0.13

 
9,725

4

0.06

12,804

11

0.12

Total loans receivable
1,451,863

19,327

5.23

1,438,295

19,539

5.34

 
1,448,720

57,902

5.29

1,437,437

58,150

5.35

Total earning assets
$
2,229,421

$
24,942

4.41
%
$
2,032,441

$
24,869

4.83
%
 
$
2,182,938

$
74,513

4.52
%
$
2,019,144

$
74,551

4.89
%
Sources of Funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Regular savings
$
332,147

$
355

0.42
%
$
316,626

$
367

0.46
%
 
$
328,885

$
1,083

0.44
%
$
326,618

$
1,158

0.47
%
  Interest checking and
    money market
993,068

1,355

0.54

960,166

1,570

0.65

 
938,037

4,230

0.60

932,112

4,985

0.71

  Time deposits
205,478

1,056

2.04

212,490

1,259

2.35

 
209,463

3,312

2.11

218,151

3,971

2.43

  Public funds time
65,946

91

0.55

44,743

75

0.67

 
54,409

219

0.54

34,715

182

0.70

Total interest-bearing
  deposits
1,596,639

2,857

0.71

1,534,025

3,271

0.85

 
1,530,794

8,844

0.77

1,511,596

10,296

0.91

Short-term borrowings
110,935

57

0.20

34,262

55

0.63

 
146,070

394

0.36

53,900

242

0.59

Long-term debt
54,400

726

5.33

54,400

935

6.83

 
47,532

2,122

5.95

54,400

2,797

6.83

Total interest-bearing
  liabilities
1,761,974

3,640

0.82

1,622,687

4,261

1.04

 
1,724,396

11,360

0.88

1,619,896

13,335

1.10

Demand deposits
  (noninterest-bearing)
373,232

 
 
331,925

 
 
 
371,995

 

 

331,627

 

 

Sources to fund earning
  assets
2,135,206

3,640

0.68

1,954,612

4,261

0.86

 
2,096,391

11,360

0.72

1,951,523

13,335

0.91

Noninterest-bearing funds
  (net)
94,215

 
 
77,829

 
 
 
86,547

 

 

67,621

 

 

Total sources to fund
  earning assets
$
2,229,421

$
3,640

0.65
%
$
2,032,441

$
4,261

0.83
%
 
$
2,182,938

$
11,360

0.69
%
$
2,019,144

$
13,335

0.88
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income and
  margin on a tax-equivalent
  basis
 
$
21,302

3.77
%
 
$
20,608

4.00
%
 
 
$
63,153

3.83
%
 
$
61,216

4.01
%
Tax-exempt adjustment
 
527

 
 
621

 
 
 
1,544

 
 
1,812

 
Net interest income and
  margin
 
$
20,775

3.67
%
 
$
19,987

3.87
%
 
 
$
61,609

3.73
%
 
$
59,404

3.89
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
44,322

 
 
$
44,695

 
 
 
$
43,849

 
 
$
44,088

 
 
Other assets
103,794

 
 
116,363

 
 
 
103,503

 
 
112,415

 
 
Total assets
2,377,537

 
 
2,193,499

 
 
 
2,330,290

 
 
2,175,647

 
 
Other liabilities
20,855

 
 
27,062

 
 
 
19,745

 
 
17,721

 
 
Stockholders' equity
221,476

 
 
211,825

 
 
 
214,154

 
 
206,403

 
 
 









34




Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
 
Net interest income is the difference between interest income on loans, investment securities and other interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Changes in net interest income and net interest margin result from the interaction between the volume and composition of interest-earning assets, related yields and associated funding costs. Net interest income is our primary source of earnings. There are several factors that affect net interest income, including:
 
the volume, pricing mix and maturity of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities;
market interest rate fluctuations; and
the level of nonperforming loans.

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis (which adjusts for the tax-exempt status of income earned on certain loans in order to show income as if it were taxable), for the third quarter of 2011 increased by $694,000, or 3%, over the same period in 2010. This increase resulted primarily from a reduction in interest rates paid on deposits and the prepayment of convertible select debt as discussed in the previous section of this Form 10-Q. Interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, on interest-earning assets totaled $24.9 million for both the third quarter of 2011 and for the third quarter of 2010. Interest income on loans receivable including loans held for sale, decreased by $212,000, or 1%, from the third quarter of 2010 from $19.5 million to $19.3 million. This was the result of a 1% increase in the volume of average loans outstanding offset by a decrease of 11 bps in the yield on the total loan portfolio compared to the third quarter one year ago. Interest income on the investment securities portfolio increased by $293,000, or 6%, for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period last year. The average balance of the investment portfolio increased $195.5 million for the third quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2010, which helped to offset the impact of an 82 bps decrease in average yield earned on the securities portfolio in the quarter versus the same period last year. The decrease in average yield resulted from the combination of the overall low level of interest rates on new securities purchased as well as the move away from higher credit risk, private-label collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and into lower-yielding agency CMOs with less extension risk and significantly lower credit risk.
 
Interest expense for the third quarter decreased $621,000, or 15%, from $4.3 million in 2010 to $3.6 million in 2011. Interest expense on deposits decreased by $414,000, or 13%, from the third quarter of 2010. Interest expense on long-term debt decreased by $209,000, or 22%, as a result of the pay off of a $25 million five-year borrowing with a rate of 4.29% from the FHLB in the fourth quarter of 2010 partially offset by the subsequent addition of a $25.0 million two-year borrowing with a rate of 1.01% from the FHLB at the end of the first quarter 2011.

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the first nine months of 2011 increased by $1.9 million, or 3%, over the same period in 2010. Interest income on interest-earning assets totaled $74.5 million for the first nine months of 2011, a decrease of $38,000 compared to the same period in 2010. Interest income on loans receivable, including loans held for sale on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased by $248,000 from the first nine months of 2010 and interest income on investment securities and federal funds sold increased by $210,000 compared to the same period last year. The decrease in interest income earned was the result of a shift in the mix of interest-earning assets as well as a decrease in the yield on those earning assets due to the continued low interest rate environment that has existed over the past several years. Total interest expense for the first nine months decreased $2.0 million, or 15%, from $13.3 million in 2010 to $11.4 million in 2011. Interest expense on deposits decreased by $1.5 million, or 14%, for the first nine months of 2011 versus the same period of 2010. Interest expense on short-term borrowings increased by $152,000 for the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Interest expense on long-term debt totaled $2.1 million for the first nine months of 2011, as compared to $2.8 million for the first nine months of 2010. The decrease in interest expense on long-term debt was a result of the pay off of the previously mentioned convertible select borrowing from the FHLB in the fourth quarter of 2010, offset partially by the addition of a $25.0 million two-year borrowing with a rate of 1.01% from the FHLB at the end of the first quarter 2011. Overall, the decreases in interest income and interest expense directly relate to the lower level of general market interest rates present in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010.

Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest rate spread on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.59% during the third quarter of 2011 compared to 3.79% during the same period in the previous year and was 3.64% during the first nine months of 2011 versus 3.79% during the first nine months of 2010. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The fully tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased 23 bps, from 4.00% for the third quarter of 2010 to 3.77% for the third quarter of 2011, as a result of the decreased yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by the decrease in the cost of funding sources as previously discussed. For the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, the fully tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.83% and 4.01%, respectively.



35




The following table demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by us on such assets and liabilities. For purposes of this table, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balances and tax-exempt loans and securities are reported on a fully-taxable equivalent basis.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Increase (Decrease)
2011 versus 2010
Due to Changes in (1)
 
Due to Changes in (1)
(in thousands)
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
Interest on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
1,542

 
$
(1,249
)
 
$
293

 
$
4,020

 
$
(3,783
)
 
$
237

Tax-exempt

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
(20
)
Federal funds sold
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(8
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
Interest on loans receivable
244

 
(456
)
 
(212
)
 
564

 
(812
)
 
(248
)
Total interest income
1,784

 
(1,711
)
 
73

 
4,572

 
(4,610
)
 
(38
)
Interest on deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Regular savings
32

 
(44
)
 
(12
)
 
29

 
(104
)
 
(75
)
Interest checking and money market
22

 
(237
)
 
(215
)
 
(91
)
 
(664
)
 
(755
)
Time deposits
(21
)
 
(182
)
 
(203
)
 
(15
)
 
(644
)
 
(659
)
Public funds time
30

 
(14
)
 
16

 
79

 
(42
)
 
37

Short-term borrowings
40

 
(38
)
 
2

 
249

 
(97
)
 
152

Long-term debt

 
(209
)
 
(209
)
 
(70
)
 
(605
)
 
(675
)
Total interest expense
103

 
(724
)
 
(621
)
 
181

 
(2,156
)
 
(1,975
)
Net increase (decrease)
$
1,681

 
$
(987
)
 
$
694

 
$
4,391

 
$
(2,454
)
 
$
1,937

(1)
Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated on a pro rata basis to either rate or volume.

Provision for Loan Losses
 
Management undertakes a rigorous and consistently applied process in order to evaluate the allowance for loan losses and to determine the level of provision for loan losses, as previously stated in the Application of Critical Accounting Policies. We recorded a provision of $13.8 million to the allowance for loan losses for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to $13.4 million for the third quarter of 2010. The loan loss provision for the first nine months was $17.2 million and $18.4 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. The provision amount recorded in the third quarter was based upon management's allowance methodology which took into account the level of net charge-offs incurred during the quarter. Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2011 totaled $45.5 million, or 1.87%, of total assets, down $14.1 million, or 24%, from $59.6 million, or 2.67%, of total assets at December 31, 2010 and down $17.5 million, or 28%, from $63.0 million, or 2.82%, of total assets at September 30, 2010. See the Loan and Asset Quality and the Allowance for Loan Losses sections in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion regarding nonperforming loans and our methodology for determining the provision for loan losses.
 
Total net loan charge-offs for the third quarter of 2011 were $12.2 million, or 3.34% (annualized), of average loans outstanding, compared to total net charge-offs of $8.4 million, or 2.35% (annualized), of average loans outstanding, for the same period in 2010. Of the $12.2 million net loan charge-offs, $7.5 million, or 62%, was associated with commercial construction and land development loans; and $3.9 million, or 32%, was associated with commercial and industrial loans.

Net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2011 were $15.6 million, or 1.45% (annualized), of average loans outstanding, compared to net charge-offs of $11.6 million, or 1.09% (annualized), of average loans outstanding for the same period in 2010. Of the $15.6 million net loan charge-offs, approximately $8.9 million, or 57%, was associated with commercial construction and land development loans and $4.7 million, or 31%, was associated with commercial and industrial loans.

During the third quarter of 2011, three commercial construction and land development loans comprised $7.5 million, or 62% of total net charge-offs and $3.9 million, or 32% was associated with commercial and industrial loans, the majority of which was one relationship totaling $3.3 million.



36




Approximately $9.5 million, or 61%, of total net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2011 were associated with a total of 14 different relationships for which the Bank, upon determining the current value of the underlying collateral based on obtaining updated appraisals or changes in facts that occurred, charged down the loans to their current fair value less estimated costs to sell.

See the latter part of the Loan and Asset Quality section of this Form 10-Q for further detail of the Bank's procedures for appraisals and analysis.
 
The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end gross loans outstanding was 1.61% at September 30, 2011 as compared to 1.57% at December 31, 2010 and to 1.52% at September 30, 2010. The nonperforming loan coverage, defined as the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total nonperforming loans, was 61% as of September 30, 2011 compared to 41% at December 31, 2010 and to 38% at September 30, 2010.
 
Noninterest Income
 
Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $362,000, or 5%, from the same period in 2010. Service charges, fees and other operating income, comprised primarily of deposit and loan service charges and fees, totaled $7.1 million, for the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $318,000, or 5%, over the third quarter of 2010. The increase in service charges and other fees was offset by a decrease in gains on sales of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Gains on the sales of these loans along with residential loans sold on the secondary market, totaled $162,000 for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to gains of $778,000 for the same period one year ago. Gains on the sale of loans for the third quarter 2011, only included the sale of residential loans where as the third quarter 2010 included the sale of residential and SBA loans. During the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded gains of $7,000 on sales of investment securities compared to gains of $117,000 during the third quarter of 2010. The Company did not have any credit related OTTI losses during the third quarter 2011 compared to $46,000 of credit losses on two private-label CMOs recorded during the third quarter 2010. Further detailed discussion of impairment on securities can be found in Note 8 of this Form 10-Q.

Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2011 increased by $2.5 million, or 12%, over the same period in 2010. Service charges, fees and other operating income increased 6%, from $19.7 million for the first nine months of 2010 to $20.9 million in the first nine months of 2011. Gains on the sale of loans were $2.5 million during the first nine months of 2011 compared to $1.1 million in the same period of 2010. The increase was the result of a higher level of SBA loan sales in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010 combined with a modification made by the SBA on January 28, 2011 to the Secondary Participation Guarantee Agreement to remove the warranty provisions from the agreement among other changes. Included in noninterest income for the first nine months of 2011 was a $315,000 charge for OTTI on private-label CMOs in the Bank's investment portfolio compared to a $962,000 charge for the first nine months of 2010.  The Company recognized $350,000 of gains on sales of securities during the first nine months of 2011 compared to a $1.0 million gain in the first nine months of 2010.
 
Noninterest Expenses

Third Quarter 2011 compared to Third Quarter 2010

For the third quarter of 2011, noninterest expenses decreased by $804,000 compared to the same period in 2010. The Company experienced a lower level of noninterest expenses in many major categories during the third quarter 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.  Most notably, consulting fees were down $622,000 for the quarter compared to the same period last year along with a continued decrease in salary and advertising/marketing expenses. A detailed comparison of noninterest expenses for certain categories for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 is presented in the following paragraphs.
 
Salary and employee benefits expenses, which represent the largest component of noninterest expenses, decreased by $353,000, or 3%, for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. The Company experienced a reduction in total salary expense during the second half of 2010 which continued throughout the first nine months of 2011 as a result of a decrease in the number of full time equivalent employees from 923 during the third quarter of 2010 to 907 during the third quarter of 2011.  The reduction of salary expense was partially offset by an increase in health care plan costs and other benefits for employees in the third quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2010.
 
Occupancy expenses totaled $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $190,000, or 9%, over the third quarter of 2010. This was primarily due to increased costs of routine upkeep and facilities needs of our 33 stores and headquarters locations.

Furniture and equipment expenses decreased 9%, or $120,000, from the third quarter of 2010, primarily related to a loss on disposal of certain fixed assets which occurred in third quarter 2010 with no corresponding disposals during third quarter 2011.


37





Advertising and marketing expenses totaled $491,000 for the three months ending September 30, 2011, a decrease of $207,000, or 30%, compared to the same period in 2010. Advertising and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2011 were lower due to a reduction in the level of general advertising while the Company implemented its modified logo enhancements.
 
Data processing expenses remained stable with a small decrease of $69,000, or 2%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Regulatory assessments and related fees of $915,000 during the third quarter of 2011 were $276,000, or 23%, lower compared to the same period in 2010.  Lower FDIC insurance assessment fees, effective April 1, 2011 for most FDIC-insured banks provided the Company's decrease in regulatory expenses.

Loan expense totaled $521,000 for the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $126,000, or 32%.  The increase is a result of a combination of increased costs to originate loans, costs associated with registering our loan originators with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry and increased expenses relating to problem loans in the process of collection.
 
Foreclosed real estate expenses totaled $975,000 during the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $555,000, or 132%, over the same quarter in 2010. During the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a $700,000 pretax write-down of its largest foreclosed real estate property. During the third quarter 2010, $282,000 of foreclosed assets were written down.
 
Consulting fees decreased by $622,000, or 64%, during the third quarter of 2011 to $343,000 as compared to the same quarter in 2010. In 2010, consultants were hired to assist the Bank in developing and implementing a system of procedures and controls designed to ensure full compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The primary engagements that the consultants were hired for have been completed. It is anticipated that the level of consulting services needed in the fourth quarter of 2011 will be lower than the level incurred during the fourth quarter of 2010.
 
Total other noninterest expenses of $2.3 million decreased by $152,000, or 6%, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. The reduction primarily related to a decrease in travel and entertainment costs along with a decrease in non credit related losses.

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

For the first nine months of 2011, noninterest expenses decreased by $272,000 compared to the same period in 2010. A detail of noninterest expenses for certain categories is presented in the following paragraphs.

Salary expenses and employee benefits decreased by $351,000, or 1%, for the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010. The year over year reduction in the level of employees, as previously discussed, accounted for the reduction in total salary costs. The reduction of salary expense was partially offset by an increase in health care costs and other benefits for employees in the first nine months of 2011 over the first nine months of 2010.

Occupancy expenses totaled $6.9 million for the first nine months of 2011, an increase of $435,000, or 7%, over the first nine months of 2010. The Company experienced a general increase in routine upkeep and facilities needs of its 33 stores and headquarters locations.

Furniture and equipment expenses increased 5%, or $203,000, over the first nine months of 2010 due to a loss on the disposal of fixed assets which occurred during the second quarter of 2011 combined with increased levels of depreciation expense on assets related to disaster recovery and security initiatives, that were put into service over the past twelve months.

Advertising and marketing expenses totaled $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of $900,000, or 42%, from the same period in 2010. Advertising efforts were minimized during the first nine months of 2011 as the Company focused its efforts on brand enhancement and logo modification as previously discussed. The Company expects an increase in general advertising expenses in future periods.

Data processing expenses totaled $10.5 million, an increase of $622,000, or 6%, for the first nine months of 2011 over the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The majority of the increase related to an increase during the second quarter of 2011 in license fees and costs associated with the additional volume of transactions in both statement rendering services and automated teller machine (ATM)/Checkcard processing.

Regulatory assessments and related fees of $2.9 million during the first nine months of 2011 were $549,000, or 16%, lower


38




compared to the same period in 2010.  Lower FDIC insurance assessment fees, effective April 1, 2011 for most FDIC-insured banks provided the majority of the Company's decrease in regulatory expenses.

Loan expense totaled $928,000 for the first nine months of 2011, a decrease of $249,000, or 21%, compared to the same period in 2010.  The decrease is primarily a result of a reduction of expenses relating to loans in process of collection.

Foreclosed real estate expenses of $2.0 million increased by $676,000, or 49%, during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This expense was primarily the result of the write-down of one particular foreclosed asset by a total of $1.6 million due to recent offer prices on the subject property as well as write-downs on additional properties totaling $200,000 during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the write-down of foreclosed assets by $814,000 in the first nine months of 2010. The increase in the total amount of write-downs in 2011 over 2010 were partially offset by a reduction of foreclosed real estate operating expenses during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010.

Consulting fees decreased by $1.5 million, or 56%, during the first nine months of 2011 to $1.2 million compared to the same period one year ago. The decrease is related to the much lower need for consulting services in 2011 compared to the level utilized in 2010 in assisting the Bank with its procedures and controls to ensure compliance with BSA and OFAC.

The Company expensed $1.8 million of costs during the first nine months of 2011 associated with modifications to its logos and with overall brand enhancement.  The logo modifications were related to the settlement reached with another financial institution which dismissed a trademark infringement action brought against Metro Bank in June 2009. The majority of those expenses occurred during the second quarter of 2011.  Any remaining future costs related to this issue are not expected to be material.

Other noninterest expenses decreased by $440,000, or 6%, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. This is due to the Company recording an expense in 2010 relating to a canceled potential branch site of which it did not have any corresponding costs in 2011 in addition to a decrease in travel and entertainment costs.

One key measure that management utilizes to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of annualized net noninterest expenses (less nonrecurring) to average assets. For purposes of this calculation, net noninterest expenses equal noninterest expenses less noninterest income and nonrecurring expense. For the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 this ratio equaled 2.67% and 2.99%, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the ratio equaled 2.70% compared to 3.18% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

Another productivity measure utilized by management is the operating efficiency ratio. This ratio expresses the relationship of noninterest expenses (less nonrecurring as detailed above) to net interest income plus noninterest income (less nonrecurring). For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the operating efficiency ratio was 83.0%, compared to 87.4% for the similar period in 2010. The decrease in the operating efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2011 versus the third quarter of 2010 relates to the 2% increase in total revenues in 2011 combined with a 3% decrease in noninterest expenses. This ratio equaled 82.9% for the first nine months of 2011, compared to 90.4% for the first nine months of 2010. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 versus September 30, 2010 was due to a 6% increase in total revenues combined with a flat level of noninterest expenses.

Benefit for Federal Income Taxes
 
The benefit for federal income taxes was $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2011, compared to a tax benefit of $3.8 million for the same period in 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, the tax benefit was $2.3 million for 2011 compared to a tax benefit of $4.9 million in 2010. The 2010 income tax provision was net of a $358,000 tax benefit the Company recorded during 2010 for merger-related expenses that were not deductible in previous periods. In addition, tax-exempt income was $518,000 lower in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010. The Company's statutory tax rate was 34% in both 2011 and 2010.
 
With the Company experiencing a net operating loss during the third quarter of 2011, management conducted an assessment as to whether or not the net deferred tax assets of $2.8 million are expected to be realized by the Company in future periods. At September 30, 2011, the Company concluded that a valuation allowance against its recorded deferred tax assets was not necessary, largely based on the Company's projections of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance, if required in the future, could have a significant impact on the Company's future earnings.






39




Net Loss and Net Loss per Share
 
Net loss for the third quarter of 2011 was $5.7 million, compared to a net loss of $6.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2010. The decrease was due to an $788,000 increase in net interest income and an $804,000 decrease in noninterest expenses partially offset by a $350,000 increase in the provision for loan losses, a $362,000 decrease in noninterest income and a $438,000 reduction in the benefit for income taxes.

Net loss for the first nine months of 2011 was $2.2 million, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 62%, compared to the $5.8 million of net loss recorded in the first nine months of 2010. The lower net loss was due to a $2.2 million increase in net interest income, a $1.2 million decrease in the provision for loan losses, a $2.5 million increase in noninterest income and a $272,000 decrease in noninterest expenses partially offset by a $2.6 million decrease in the benefit for income taxes.
 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share was $0.41 for the third quarter of 2011, compared to basic and diluted net loss per common share of $0.46 for the third quarter of 2010. For the first nine months of 2011, both basic and fully-diluted net loss per common share was $0.16 compared to basic and fully-diluted net loss per common share of $0.43 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Return on Average Assets and Average Equity
 
Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income in relation to our total average assets. Our annualized ROA for the third quarter of 2011 was (0.95)%, compared to (1.11)% for the third quarter of 2010. The ROA for the first nine months in 2011 and 2010 was (0.13)% and (0.36)%, respectively. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income on the capital invested by our stockholders. ROE is calculated by dividing annualized net income or loss by average stockholders' equity. The ROE was (10.24)% for the third quarter of 2011, compared to (11.54)% for the third quarter of 2010. The ROE for the first nine months of 2011 was (1.37)%, compared to (3.75)% for the first nine months of 2010.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Securities
 
During the first nine months of 2011, the total investment securities portfolio increased by $154.5 million from $665.6 million to $820.1 million. The unrealized gain/loss position on AFS securities improved by $18.3 million from an unrealized loss of $8.5 million at December 31, 2010 to an unrealized gain of $9.8 million at September 30, 2011, as increased market prices resulted in an increase to the fair market value of securities within the Bank's portfolio.

Sales of securities with a market value of $126.2 million occurred during the first nine months of 2011 with the Bank realizing net pretax gains of $350,000. One security with a market value of $25.0 million was called during the first nine months of 2011 with no gain or loss realized on the call. The securities sold included one Agency CMO with a fair market value of $852,000 and a carrying value of $845,000 that had been classified as held to maturity and was sold as the current face had fallen below 15% of the original purchase amount.
 
During the first nine months of 2011, the fair value of the Bank's AFS securities portfolio increased by $142.7 million, from $438.0 million at December 31, 2010 to $580.7 million at September 30, 2011. The change was a result of purchases of new securities totaling $296.1 million, partially offset by $125.3 million of securities sold, principal pay downs of $44.8 million and the previously mentioned improvement of $18.3 million in the unrealized gain/loss position on the portfolio. The AFS portfolio is comprised of U.S. Government agency securities, agency residential mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), agency CMOs, private-label CMOs and corporate debt securities. At September 30, 2011, the after-tax unrealized gain on AFS securities included in stockholders' equity totaled $6.5 million, compared to an unrealized loss of $5.6 million at December 31, 2010. The weighted-average life of the AFS portfolio was approximately 2.8 years at September 30, 2011 compared to 4.5 years at December 31, 2010. The duration was 2.5 years at September 30, 2011 compared to 3.5 years at December 31, 2010. The current weighted-average yield was 2.70% at September 30, 2011 compared to 3.25% at December 31, 2010.
 
During the first nine months of 2011, the carrying value of securities in the held to maturity (HTM) portfolio increased by $11.8 million from $227.6 million to $239.3 million. The increase was the result of new purchases totaling $56.0 million that were partially offset by principal pay downs of $18.3 million, a bond call of $25.0 million and the above-mentioned bond sale of $852,000. The securities held in this portfolio include U.S. government agency debentures, agency MBSs, agency CMOs and corporate debt securities. The weighted-average life of the HTM portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 4.1 years compared to 9.1 years at December 31, 2010. The duration was 3.2 years at September 30, 2011 compared to 7.0 years at December 31, 2010. The current weighted-average yield was 3.55% at September 30, 2011 compared to 3.86% at December 31, 2010.


40





The average fully tax-equivalent yield on the combined investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2011 was 3.06% as compared to 3.84% as of September 30, 2010.
 
As mentioned above, the Bank's investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government agency securities, U.S. Government sponsored agency mortgage-backed obligations, private-label CMOs and corporate debt securities. The securities of the U.S. Government sponsored agencies and the U.S. Government MBSs have little credit risk because their principal and interest payments are backed by an agency of the U.S. Government. Private-label CMOs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government nor are their principal and interest payments guaranteed. Historically (prior to 2009), most private-label CMOs carried a AAA bond rating on the underlying issuer, however, the subprime mortgage problems, rising foreclosures and the general decline in the residential housing market in the U.S. in recent years have led to several ratings downgrades and subsequent OTTI of many types of CMOs. The unrealized losses in the Company's investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 are associated with two different types of securities. The first type includes two agency debentures, three government agency sponsored CMOs and four corporate debt securities. Management believes that the unrealized losses on these investments were caused by the overall very low level of market interest rates and notes the contractual cash flows of the CMOs are guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government. Additionally, the corporate bonds are shorter-term holdings in investment grade companies.  Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company's investment.

Private-label CMOs were the second type of security in the Company's investment portfolio with unrealized losses at September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the Company owned eight private-label CMO securities with unrealized loss positions in its investment portfolio with a total amortized cost of $26.6 million compared to $33.2 million at December 31, 2010 and $61.7 million at September 30, 2010. Management performs periodic assessments of these securities for OTTI. As part of this assessment, the Bank uses a third-party source for the monthly pricing of its portfolio. Under fair value measurement guidance, the Bank considers these indications to be based upon Level 2 inputs through matrix pricing, observed quotes for similar assets and/or market-corroborated inputs.
 
See the detailed discussion in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this interim report on Form 10-Q for details regarding our assessment and the determination of OTTI.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
Loans held for sale are comprised of student loans and selected residential mortgage loans the Company originates with the intention of selling in the future. Prior to September 30, 2011, loans held for sale also included SBA loans the Company originated with the intention of selling. Occasionally, loans held for sale also include business and industry loans that the Company decides to sell. Held for sale loans are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, calculated in the aggregate. At the present time, the majority of the Company's residential loans are originated with the intent to sell to the secondary market unless a loan is nonconforming to the secondary market standards or if we agree not to sell the loan due to a customer's request. The residential mortgage loans that are designated as held for sale are sold to other financial institutions in correspondent relationships. The sale of these loans takes place typically within 30 days of funding. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no past due or impaired residential mortgage loans held for sale. In previous years, as well as for the first half of 2011, the Company was originating SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion of the loans. The Company received proceeds of $12.1 million in SBA loans and recognized a gain of $950,000 during the first nine months of 2011. During the second quarter of 2011, as a result of a much lower level of SBA loan originations in 2011 compared to 2010, the Company's management made the decision to hold SBA loans in the Company's loan receivable portfolio unless or until the Company's management determines a sale of certain loans is appropriate. At the time such a decision would be made, the SBA loans will be moved from the loans receivable portfolio to the loans held for sale portfolio.
 
Total loans held for sale were $8.8 million at September 30, 2011 and $18.6 million at December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of $5.4 million of student loans and $3.4 million of residential mortgages as compared to $6.0 million of student loans, $5.2 million of SBA loans and $7.4 million of residential mortgages at December 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily the result of Metro's strategic decision to now record and hold SBA loans in the Company's loan portfolio as mentioned above. In addition, principal sales of $47.4 million were partially offset by $37.6 million in mortgage loan originations during the first nine months of 2011.
 
Loans Receivable
 
Commercial loans outstanding are comprised of commercial and industrial, tax-exempt, owner occupied real estate, commercial construction and land development and commercial real estate loans.  Consumer loans consist of residential real estate mortgages, home equity loans, consumer lines of credit and other loans. We manage risk associated with our loan portfolio in part through


41




diversification, with what we believe are sound policies and underwriting procedures that are reviewed, updated and approved at least annually, as well as through our ongoing loan monitoring efforts. Additionally, we monitor concentrations of loans or loan relationships by purpose, collateral or industry.

During the first nine months of 2011, total gross loans receivable increased by $65.4 million, or 5% (non-annualized), from $1.38 billion at December 31, 2010 to $1.44 billion at September 30, 2011. Gross loans receivable represented 70% of total deposits and 59% of total assets at September 30, 2011, as compared to 75% and 62%, respectively, at December 31, 2010.
 
The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
% of Total
 
September 30, 2010
 
% of Total
 
$
Change
 
%
Change
Commercial and industrial
 
$
340,252

 
23
%
 
$
322,073

 
23
%
 
$
18,179

 
6
 %
Commercial tax-exempt
 
82,998

 
6

 
107,477

 
8

 
(24,479
)
 
(23
)
Owner occupied real estate
 
266,860

 
18

 
252,775

 
18

 
14,085

 
6

Commercial construction and land
development
 
113,850

 
8

 
113,760

 
8

 
90

 

Commercial real estate
 
359,068

 
25

 
312,872

 
22

 
46,196

 
15

Residential
 
80,885

 
6

 
80,479

 
6

 
406

 
1

Consumer
 
200,701

 
14

 
206,476

 
15

 
(5,775
)
 
(3
)
Gross loans
 
1,444,614

 
100
%
 
1,395,912

 
100
%
 
$
48,702

 
3
 %
Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
23,307

 
 

 
21,169

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loans receivable
 
$
1,421,307

 
 

 
$
1,374,743

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

































42




Loan and Asset Quality
 
Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans and foreclosed real estate. The table below presents information regarding nonperforming assets at September 30, 2011 and at the end of the previous four quarters:
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2011
June 30, 2011
March 31, 2011
December 31, 2010
September 30, 2010
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
12,175

$
19,312

$
22,454

$
23,103

$
21,536

   Commercial tax-exempt





   Owner occupied real estate
3,482

2,450

4,552

4,318

7,311

   Commercial construction and land
development
6,309

12,629

13,674

14,155

15,120

   Commercial real estate
10,400

5,125

5,043

5,424

6,016

   Residential
3,125

3,663

3,833

3,609

3,694

   Consumer
2,009

2,310

2,357

1,579

1,871

Total nonaccrual loans
37,500

45,489

51,913

52,188

55,548

Loans past due 90 days or more and still
  accruing
567


90

650

628

Total nonperforming loans
38,067

45,489

52,003

52,838

56,176

Foreclosed real estate
7,431

8,048

6,138

6,768

6,815

Total nonperforming assets
$
45,498

$
53,537

$
58,141

$
59,606

$
62,991

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs)
 
 
 
 
 
Nonaccruing TDRs
$
10,129

$
10,054

$
8,373

$

$

Accruing TDRs
14,979



177

178

Total TDRs
$
25,108

$
10,054

$
8,373

$
177

$
178

Nonperforming loans to total loans
2.64
%
3.12
%
3.59
%
3.83
%
4.02
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
1.87
%
2.24
%
2.51
%
2.67
%
2.82
%
Nonperforming loan coverage
61
%
48
%
42
%
41
%
38
%
Nonperforming assets / capital plus
  allowance for loan losses
19
%
22
%
25
%
26
%
27
%

Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2011, were $45.5 million, or 1.87%, of total assets, as compared to $59.6 million, or 2.67% of total assets, at December 31, 2010 and compared to $63.0 million, or 2.82%, of total assets, at September 30, 2010.
 
Total nonperforming loans (nonaccrual loans plus loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest) were $38.1 million at September 30, 2011 down from $52.8 million at December 31, 2010 and down from $56.2 million at September 30, 2010. The decrease was the result of a combination of charge-offs, pay downs and transfers to foreclosed assets, partially offset by additions to nonaccrual loans. Metro experienced a net decline in the level of nonaccrual loans over each of the past five consecutive quarters.
  
A troubled debt restructuring (TDR) is a loan in which the contractual terms have been modified resulting in the Bank granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties in order for the Bank to have a greater opportunity of collecting the indebtedness from the borrower.  Concessions could include, but are not limited to, interest rate reductions below current market interest rates, material maturity extensions and principal forgiveness.  An additional benefit to the Company in granting a concession is to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral at a time when real estate values are at historical lows.
The Bank adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance on determination of whether a restructuring is a troubled debt restructuring retrospectively to January 1, 2011. As of September 30, 2011 troubled debt restructurings totaled $25.1 million, of which $10.1 million were included in nonaccruing loans. The remaining $15.0 million of troubled debt restructurings were accruing at September 30, 2011. Troubled debt restructured loans were $177,000 at December 31, 2010 and $178,000 at September 30, 2010.
During the third quarter of 2011, TDRs increased $15.1 million from $10.1 million to $25.1 million. There were eight relationships which consisted of 25 loans which were restructured during the quarter. The majority of these loans, approximately $11.0 million, were commercial construction and land development and $3.4 million were other commercial real estate loans. The commercial construction and land development loans were considered to be TDRs by management in accordance with the FASB guidance as


43




a result of maturity date extensions of residential tract development loans that were granted. Additionally, $3.3 million of the commercial real estate loans were also modified due to a maturity date extensions.

Nonaccruing TDRs, which are included in nonaccrual loans and accruing TDRs are presented in the table above. Nonaccrual TDRs may be reclassified to accruing TDRs when the borrower has consistently made payments for at least six months and the Bank expects repayment of the modified loan's principal and interest. The loan will no longer be considered a TDR when the interest rate is equal to or greater than the rate that the Bank was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and the loan is no longer impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.

The following table reflects the change in the total of nonaccrual loan balances for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
Balance at beginning of period
$
45,489

$
52,188

Additions
10,447

17,388

Net charge-offs
(12,166
)
(15,553
)
Pay downs
(1,074
)
(7,230
)
Upgrades to accruing status
(4,565
)
(4,688
)
Transfers to foreclosed real estate
(631
)
(4,605
)
Balance at end of period
$
37,500

$
37,500


During the third quarter, the additions to nonaccrual consisted of 11 commercial relationships and 14 consumer loans. The largest relationship totaled $5.3 million and primarily consisted of commercial real estate loans. This resulted from a borrower filing for reorganization bankruptcy during the quarter. At the present time, management believes, based upon appraisals and evaluation of the collateral that the Bank holds sufficient collateral on this relationship. The average total balance of commercial relationships added during the quarter was $959,000.

Three commercial construction and land development loans comprised $7.5 million, or 62% of total net charge-offs during the third quarter and $3.9 million, or 32%, were commercial and industrial loans, the majority of which was one relationship totaling $3.3 million.

One commercial relationship of $3.3 million and one consumer loan for $863,000 were both upgraded to accruing status during the third quarter in addition to other smaller consumer and residential loans that were also upgraded.

Nonaccrual loans decreased from $55.5 million at September 30, 2010 to $37.5 million at September 30, 2011, a 32% decrease.  Nonaccrual commercial loans consisted of 49 relationships at September 30, 2011 and 44 relationships at September 30, 2010. Commercial loans were 92% of the additions to nonaccrual loan balances over the past twelve months, the remaining 8% represents consumer loans.



















44




The table and discussion that follows provides additional details of the components of our nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans, commercial construction and land development loans and commercial real estate loans, our three largest nonaccrual categories.
 
 
Nonaccrual Loans
 
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2011
June 30, 2011
March 31, 2011
December 31, 2010
September 30, 2010
Commercial and Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
Number of loans
46

59

57

53

55

Number of loans greater than $1 million
3

4

5

6

4

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 

 
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
3,224

$
3,298

$
3,258

$
2,954

$
3,803

Less than $1 million
$
58

$
111

$
119

$
118

$
129

Commercial Construction and Land
    Development:
 

 
 
 

 
Number of loans
11

8

8

8

9

Number of loans greater than $1 million
3

5

5

5

5

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 

 
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
1,391

$
2,331

$
2,540

$
2,560

$
2,614

Less than $1 million
$
267

$
325

$
325

$
452

$
474

Commercial Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Number of loans
41

14

24

14

26

Number of loans greater than $1 million
3

1

2

1

4

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
2,238

$
3,719

$
2,872

$
3,719

$
2,116

Less than $1 million
$
189

$
108

$
175

$
131

$
217

 
At September 30, 2011, 46 loans were in the nonaccrual commercial and industrial category with outstanding balances ranging from $1,100 to $5.4 million. Of the 46 loans, three loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and aggregated $9.7 million, or 79%, of total nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans. The average outstanding balance was $3.2 million per loan. The remaining 43 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $58,000 per loan.

There were eleven loans in the nonaccrual commercial construction and land development category with outstanding balances ranging from $150,000 to $1.5 million. Of the eleven loans, three loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and aggregated to $4.2 million, or 66%, of total nonaccrual commercial construction and land development loans, with an average outstanding balance of $1.4 million per loan. The remaining eight loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $267,000 per loan.

There were 41 loans in the nonaccrual commercial real estate category with outstanding balances ranging from $23,000 to $3.7 million. Of the 41 loans, three loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and aggregated to $6.7 million, or 48%, of total nonaccrual commercial real estate loans, with an average outstanding balance of $2.2 million per loan. The remaining 38 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $189,000 per loan. One relationship that was placed on nonaccrual totaled $5.3 million and accounted for 18 of the 41 loans.

At December 31, 2010, 53 loans were in the nonaccrual commercial and industrial category with outstanding balances ranging from $2,000 to $5.6 million, eight loans were in the nonaccrual commercial construction and land development category with outstanding balances ranging from $150,000 to $4.8 million and 14 loans were in the nonaccrual commercial real estate category with outstanding balances ranging from $6,000 to $3.7 million. Of the 53 commercial and industrial loans, six of the loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and totaled $17.7 million, or 77%, of the nonaccrual balances for this category with an average outstanding balance of $3.0 million per loan. The remaining 47 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $118,000 per loan. Of the eight nonaccrual commercial construction and land development loans, five loans, were in excess of $1.0 million each and totaled $12.8 million, or 90%, of nonaccrual balances for this loan category, with an average outstanding balance of $2.6 million per loan. The remaining three loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $452,000 per loan. Of the 14 nonaccrual commercial real estate loans, one loan, was in excess of $1.0 million and totaled $3.7 million, or 69%, of nonaccrual balances for this loan category, with an average outstanding balance of $3.7 million per loan. The remaining


45




13 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $131,000 per loan.

While it is difficult to forecast nonperforming loans due to numerous variables, the Bank, through its credit risk management tools and other credit metrics, believes it has currently identified the material problem loans in the portfolio.

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at September 30, 2011 totaled $567,000 compared to $650,000 at December 31, 2010 and $628,000 at September 30, 2010.  
 
Foreclosed real estate totaled $7.4 million at September 30, 2011 and $6.8 million at December 31, 2010 and at September 30, 2010. The increase in foreclosed real estate during the first nine months of 2011 is the result of the transfer of 18 properties into this category totaling approximately $4.5 million, partially offset by the sale of 15 properties for total net proceeds of $2.0 million, write-downs of $1.8 million on nine properties and four pay downs totaling $281,000.
 
Impaired loans and other loans related to the same borrowers totaled $54.0 million at September 30, 2011 with an aggregate specific allocation of $5.4 million compared to impaired loans of $71.8 million at December 31, 2010 with $3.6 million aggregate specific allocation. Several substandard accruing loans considered impaired at December 31, 2010 were no longer considered to be impaired as of March 31, 2011. After further analysis of these loans during the first quarter of 2011, management determined they no longer met the definition of impaired. During the third quarter of 2011, impaired loans and other loans related to the same borrowers increased as a result of identifying and including accruing TDRs as impaired loans.

Relationships classified as other problem loans were comprised of $14.4 million of special mention rated loans and $30.0 million of substandard accruing loans which were included in the general pool of loans to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2011. At December 31, 2010, none of the Company's $19.5 million of substandard accruing loans were included in the general pool and were individually analyzed to determine whether a specific allocation was required.
 
The Bank obtains third-party appraisals by a Bank approved certified general appraiser on nonperforming loans secured by real estate at the time the loan is determined to be nonperforming. Appraisals are ordered by the Bank's Real Estate Loan Administration Department which is independent of the loan production function. The Bank properly charges down loans based on the fair value of the collateral as determined by the current appraisal or other collateral valuations less any costs to sell.
 
The charge down of any nonperforming loan is done upon receipt and satisfactory review of the appraisal or other collateral valuation and, in no event, later than the end of the quarter in which the appraisal on valuation was accepted by the Bank. No significant time lapses during this process have occurred for any period presented.

The Bank also considers the volatility of the fair value of the collateral, timing and reliability of the appraisal, timing of the third party's inspection of the collateral, confidence in the Bank's lien on the collateral, historical losses on similar loans and other factors based on the type of real estate securing the loan. As deemed necessary, the Bank will perform inspections of the collateral to determine if an adjustment of the value of the collateral is necessary.
 
Partially charged off loans with an updated appraisal remain on nonperforming status and are subject to the Bank's standard recovery policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, foreclosure proceedings, a forbearance agreement, or classification as a TDR, unless collectibility of the entire balance of principal and interest is no longer in doubt and the loan is current or will be brought current within a short period of time.

The Bank may create a specific allowance for all of or a part of a particular loan in lieu of a charge-off or charge-down as a result of management's evaluation of impaired loans. These circumstances are often credits in transition or in which a legal matter is pending. In these instances, the Bank has determined that a loss is probable but not imminent based upon available information surrounding the credit at the time of the analysis, however management believes an allowance is appropriate to acknowledge the risk of loss.

Management's Allowance for Loan Loss Committee has performed a detailed review of the nonperforming loans and of the collateral related to these credits and believes to the best of its knowledge, that the allowance for loan losses remains adequate for the level of risk inherent in these loans at September 30, 2011.
 
As a result of continued economic conditions affecting unemployment, consumer spending, home sales and collateral values, it is possible that the Company may experience increased levels of nonperforming assets and additional losses in the foreseeable future.




46




Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The Company recorded provisions of $13.8 million to the allowance for loan losses during the third quarter of 2011, compared to $13.4 million for the third quarter of 2010. Net charge-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $12.2 million, or 3.34% (annualized), of average loans outstanding compared to $8.4 million, or 2.35% (annualized), of average loans outstanding in the same period of 2010. The elevated provision for loan losses recorded during the third quarter of 2011 was the result of write-downs and specific allocations made on nonperforming assets as a result of a decrease in the value of related collateral as well as financial data received and analyzed during the third quarter of 2011.

During the first nine months of 2011 the Company recorded provisions of $17.2 million to the allowance for loan losses compared to $18.4 million for the first nine months of 2010. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $15.6 million, or 1.45% (annualized), of average loans outstanding compared to $11.6 million, or 1.09% (annualized), of average loans outstanding for the same period of 2010.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans receivable was 1.61% at September 30, 2011, compared to 1.57% at December 31, 2010. The increase in the allowance was partially the result of the increase in loans outstanding and partially due to an increase in specific allocations. 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's provision and allowance for loan losses for the third quarter of 2011:
 
(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construction and land development
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Consumer
Unallo-cated
Total
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at July 1
$
8,951

$
81

$
994

$
5,391

$
5,035

$
438

$
773

$
60

$
21,723

Provision charged to operating expenses
4,841

(3
)
(58
)
8,781

(119
)
16

302

(10
)
13,750

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
21


1


2


19


43

Loans charged-off
(3,909
)

(252
)
(7,532
)
(199
)
(46
)
(271
)

(12,209
)
Balance at September 30
$
9,904

$
78

$
685

$
6,640

$
4,719

$
408

$
823

$
50

$
23,307

Net charge-offs (annualized) as a percentage of average loans outstanding
 
 
3.34
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans
 
 
1.61
%

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's provision and allowance for loan losses for the first nine months of 2011:
 
(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construction and land development
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Consumer
Unallo-cated
Total
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1
$
9,679

$
86

$
910

$
5,420

$
4,002

$
442

$
702

$
377

$
21,618

Provision charged to operating expenses
4,973

(8
)
28

10,134

1,384

84

974

(327
)
17,242

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
74


1


10

29

53


167

Loans charged-off
(4,822
)

(254
)
(8,914
)
(677
)
(147
)
(906
)

(15,720
)
Balance at September 30
$
9,904

$
78

$
685

$
6,640

$
4,719

$
408

$
823

$
50

$
23,307

Net charge-offs (annualized) as a percentage of average loans outstanding
 
 
1.45
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans
 
 
1.61
%



47




The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's provision and allowance for loan losses for certain periods of 2010:
 
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Balance at beginning of period
$
16,178

$
14,391

Provision charged to operating expenses
13,400

18,400

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
162

438

Loans charged-off
(8,571
)
(12,060
)
Balance at end of period
$
21,169

$
21,169

Net charge-offs (annualized) as a percentage of average loans outstanding
2.35
%
1.09
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of period-end loans
1.52
%
1.52
%

Premises and Equipment
 
During the first nine months of 2011, premises and equipment decreased by $4.8 million, or 6%, from $88.2 million at December 31, 2010 to $83.3 million at September 30, 2011. This decrease was primarily due to depreciation and amortization of $4.9 million on existing assets.
 
Deposits
 
Total deposits at September 30, 2011 were $2.06 billion, up $227.2 million, or 12% (not annualized), over total deposits of $1.83 billion at December 31, 2010 and up $130.7 million, or 7%, over September 30, 2010. Core deposits totaled $1.99 billion at September 30, 2011, compared to $1.77 billion at December 31, 2010 and were up $109.3 million, or 6%, over the previous twelve months. Total noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $51.6 million, or 15%, from $341.0 million at December 31, 2010 to $392.6 million at September 30, 2011 and total interest-bearing deposits increased by $175.6 million over the same period. Specifically, savings deposits increased by $35.5 million in the first nine months of 2011 and demand interest-bearing deposits increased $144.6 million while total time deposits decreased by $4.5 million for the first nine months of 2011. The cost of total core deposits for the third quarter of 2011 was 0.58%, down 12 bps, or 17%, from the same period in 2010.
 
The average balances and weighted-average rates paid on deposits for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 are presented in the table below:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
( in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
Demand deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing
 
$
371,995

 
 
 
$
331,627

 
 
Interest-bearing (money market and checking)
 
938,037

 
0.60
%
 
932,112

 
0.71
%
Savings
 
328,885

 
0.44

 
326,618

 
0.47

Time deposits
 
263,872

 
1.79

 
252,866

 
2.20

Total deposits
 
$
1,902,789

 
 

 
$
1,843,223

 
 


Short-Term Borrowings
 
Short-term borrowings consist of short-term and overnight advances from the FHLB. At September 30, 2011, short-term borrowings totaled $88.1 million as compared to $140.5 million at December 31, 2010. Average short-term borrowings for the first nine months of 2011 were $146.1 million as compared to $53.9 million for the first nine months of 2010. The increase in average short-term borrowings was used to fund purchases of investment securities during the first six months of 2011. The average rate paid on the short-term borrowings was 0.36% for the first nine months of 2011 compared to 0.59% for the first nine months of 2010.





48




Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt totaled $54.4 million at September 30, 2011 and $29.4 million at December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2011, our long-term debt consisted of $29.4 million of Trust Capital Securities through Commerce Harrisburg Capital Trust I, Commerce Harrisburg Capital Trust II and Commerce Harrisburg Capital Trust III, our Delaware business trust subsidiaries and a $25.0 million fixed borrowing at 1.01% from the FHLB. At September 30, 2011, all of the Capital Trust Securities qualified as Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes for both the Bank and the Company. Proceeds of the trust capital securities were used for general corporate purposes, including additional capitalization of our wholly-owned banking subsidiary.

Stockholders' Equity and Capital Adequacy
 
At September 30, 2011, stockholders' equity totaled $219.3 million, up $13.9 million, or 7%, over $205.4 million at December 31, 2010. Stockholders' equity at September 30, 2011 included $6.5 million of unrealized gains and at December 31, 2010 included $5.6 million of unrealized losses, net of income tax impacts, on securities available for sale. Banks are evaluated for capital adequacy based on the ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets and total assets. The risk-based capital standards require all banks to have Tier 1 capital of at least 4% and total capital (including Tier 1 capital) of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital includes common stockholders' equity and qualifying perpetual preferred stock together with related surpluses and retained earnings. Total capital includes total Tier 1 capital, limited life preferred stock, qualifying debt instruments and the allowance for loan losses. The capital standard based on average assets, also known as the "leverage ratio", requires all, but the most highly-rated, banks to have Tier 1 capital of at least 4% of total average assets. At September 30, 2011, the Bank met the definition of a "well-capitalized" institution.

The following tables provide a comparison of the Company's and the Bank's risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios to the minimum regulatory requirements for the periods indicated:

 
Company
 
Bank
Minimum Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory Guidelines for “Well Capitalized”
 
September 30, 2011
December 31, 2010
 
September 30, 2011
December 31, 2010
Total Capital
15.35
%
15.83
%
 
13.81
%
14.06
%
8.00
%
10.00
%
Tier 1 Capital
14.10

14.58

 
12.56

12.81

4.00

6.00

Leverage ratio (to total
 average assets)
10.15

10.68

 
9.03

9.38

4.00

5.00

  
Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Our risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, or market risk, is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The primary objective of our asset/liability management activities is to maximize net interest income while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate risk. Our Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for establishing policies to limit exposure to interest rate risk and to ensure procedures are established to monitor compliance with those policies. Our Board of Directors reviews the guidelines established by ALCO.
 
Our management believes the simulation of net interest income in different interest rate environments provides a meaningful measure of interest rate risk. Income simulation analysis captures not only the potential of all assets and liabilities to mature or reprice, but also the probability that they will do so. Income simulation also attends to the relative interest rate sensitivities of these items and projects their behavior over an extended period of time. Finally, income simulation permits management to assess the probable effects on the balance sheet not only of changes in interest rates, but also of proposed strategies for responding to them.
 
Our income simulation model analyzes interest rate sensitivity by projecting net interest income over the next twenty-four months in a flat rate scenario versus net interest income in alternative interest rate scenarios. Our management continually reviews and refines its interest rate risk management process in response to the changing economic climate. Currently, our model projects up to a 500 bp increase and a 100 bp decrease during the next year, with rates remaining constant in the second year. This represents a change from last year where the Bank modeled a plus 300 bp scenario as an increasing rate environment projection.
 
Our ALCO policy has established that income sensitivity will be considered acceptable if overall net interest income volatility in a plus 500 is within 6% of net interest income in a flat rate scenario in the first year and 7% using a two-year planning window. In a minus 100 bp scenario, net interest income volatility is considered acceptable if it is within 4% of net interest income in a flat


49




rate scenario in the first year and 5% using a two-year planning window.

The following table compares the impact on forecasted net interest income at September 30, 2011 of a plus 500 and minus 100 bp change in interest rates to the impact at September 30, 2010 in a plus 300 and a minus 100 bp scenario:
 
 
 
September 30,
2011
 
September 30,
2010
 
 
12 Months
 
24 Months
 
12 Months
 
24 Months
Plus 500
 
2.6
 %
 
9.3
 %
 
 
Plus 300
 

 

 
2.2
 %
 
6.2
 %
Minus 100
 
(2.7
)
 
(4.6
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(4.9
)
 
Management continues to evaluate strategies in conjunction with the Company's ALCO to effectively manage the interest rate risk position. Such strategies could include the sale of a portion of our AFS investment portfolio, purchasing floating rate securities, altering the mix of our deposits by type and therefore rate paid, the use of risk management tools such as interest rate swaps and caps, adjusting the investment leverage position funded by short-term borrowings extending the maturity structure of the Bank's short-term borrowing position or fixing the cost of our short-term borrowings.
 
Management uses many assumptions to calculate the impact of changes in interest rates. Actual results may not be similar to our projections due to several factors including the timing and frequency of rate changes, market conditions and the shape of the yield curve. In general, a flattening of the yield curve would result in reduced net interest income compared to a normal-shaped interest rate curve scenario and proportionate rate shift assumptions. Actual results may also differ due to Management's actions, if any, in response to the changing rates.
 
Management also monitors interest rate risk by utilizing a market value of equity model. The model assesses the impact of a change in interest rates on the market value of all our assets and liabilities, as well as any off balance sheet items. Market value of equity is defined as the market value of assets less the market value of liabilities plus the market value of off balance sheet items. The model calculates the market value of our assets and liabilities in the current rate scenario and then compares the market value given an immediate 500 bp increase and a 100 bp decrease in rates. Our ALCO policy indicates that the level of interest rate risk is unacceptable if an immediate 500 bp increase in rates would result in a loss of more than 40% of the market value calculated in the current rate scenario, or if an immediate 100 bp decrease in rates would result in a loss of more than 30% of market value calculated in the current rate scenario.  At September 30, 2011 the market value of equity calculation indicated acceptable levels of interest rate risk in all scenarios per the policies established by our ALCO.
 
The market value of equity model reflects certain estimates and assumptions regarding the impact on the market value of our assets and liabilities given an immediate plus 500 or minus 100 bp change in rates. One of the key assumptions is the market value assigned to our core deposits, or the core deposit premiums. Using an independent consultant, we have completed and updated comprehensive core deposit studies in order to assign our own core deposit premiums as permitted by regulation. The studies have consistently confirmed management's assertion that our core deposits have stable balances over long periods of time, are generally insensitive to changes in interest rates and have significantly longer average lives and durations than our loans and investment securities. Thus, these core deposit balances provide an internal hedge to market fluctuations in our fixed rate assets. Management believes the core deposit premiums produced by its market value of equity model at September 30, 2011 provide an accurate assessment of our interest rate risk.  At September 30, 2011, the average life of our core deposition transaction accounts was 8.4 years.

Liquidity
 
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure our ability to meet our financial obligations. These obligations include the payment of deposits on demand at their contractual maturity, the repayment of borrowings as they mature, the payment of lease obligations as they become due, the ability to fund new and existing loans and other funding commitments and the ability to take advantage of new business opportunities. Our ALCO is responsible for implementing the policies and guidelines of our board governing liquidity.
 
Liquidity sources are found on both sides of the balance sheet. Liquidity is provided on a continuous basis through scheduled and unscheduled principal reductions and interest payments on outstanding loans and investments. Liquidity is also provided through the following sources: the availability and maintenance of a strong base of core customer deposits, maturing short-term assets,


50




the ability to sell investment securities, short-term borrowings and access to capital markets.
 
Liquidity is measured and monitored daily, allowing management to better understand and react to balance sheet trends. On a quarterly basis, our board of directors reviews a comprehensive liquidity analysis. The analysis provides a summary of the current liquidity measurements, projections and future liquidity positions given various levels of liquidity stress. Management also maintains a detailed liquidity contingency plan designed to respond to an overall decline in the condition of the banking industry or a problem specific to the Company.
 
The Company's investment portfolio maintains a significant portion of its holdings in MBSs and CMOs. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. As rates increase, cash flows generally decrease as prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans slow. As rates decrease, cash flows generally increase as prepayments increase. The Company relies upon a well-structured, well-diversified portfolio of securities to provide sufficient liquidity regardless of the direction of interest rates. Additionally, the fair market value of the Company's AFS portfolio increased from $438.0 million as of December 31, 2010 to $580.7 million as of September 30, 2011, although it does not intend to sell investments to meet liquidity needs.
 
The Company and the Bank's liquidity are managed separately. On an unconsolidated basis, the principal source of liquidity to the Company is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. The Bank is subject to regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Company. The Company's net cash outflows consist principally of interest on the trust-preferred securities, dividends on the preferred stock and unallocated corporate expenses.
 
We also maintain secondary sources of liquidity which can be drawn upon if needed. These secondary sources of liquidity include a $15 million line of credit through the Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (ACBB) and $510.4 million of borrowing capacity at the FHLB. In addition we have the ability to borrow at the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window. At September 30, 2011, our total potential liquidity through FHLB and ACBB secondary sources was $525.4 million, of which $412.3 million was available, as compared to $388.4 million available out of our total potential liquidity of $528.9 million at December 31, 2010. The $3.5 million decrease in potential liquidity was mainly due to a decrease in the borrowing capacity at the FHLB as a result of the bank's lower level of qualifying loan collateral. FHLB borrowing capacity is determined based on asset levels on a quarterly lag. Utilization of this capacity was decreased from the previous quarter as average borrowings through the FHLB totaled $110.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $183.1 million in the second quarter of 2011.
 
As a result of Metro Bank entering into a Consent Order with both the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking on April 29, 2010, the FHLB, in the second quarter of 2010, had temporarily placed a soft cap limit on the Bank's available borrowing level to 50% of the Bank's normal maximum borrowing capacity. This limitation was removed by the FHLB during the third quarter of 2011.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk principally includes interest rate risk, which was previously discussed. The information presented in the Interest Rate Sensitivity subsection of Part I, Item 2 of this Report, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Quarterly evaluation of the Company's Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls. As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its "disclosure controls and procedures" (Disclosure Controls). This evaluation ("Controls Evaluation") was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. The Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that their Disclosure Controls or their "internal controls and procedures for financial reporting" (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. The Company's Disclosure Controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information provided in the reports we file under the Exchange Act, including this quarterly Form 10-Q report, is appropriately recorded, processed and summarized. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and


51




that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company conducts periodic evaluations to enhance, where necessary, its procedures and controls.
 
Based upon the Controls Evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that, subject to the limitations noted above, there have not been any changes in the Company's controls and procedures for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Disclosure Controls are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that management is timely alerted to material information relating to the Company during the period when its periodic reports are being prepared.


52




Part II  OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
 
The Company is subject to certain legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management's opinion that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
There have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, previously filed with the SEC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
 
No items to report for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
 
No items to report for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
 
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)
 
Item 5. Other Information.
 
No items to report for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Item 6. Exhibits.
 
See Exhibit Index for a list of the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and filed as part of this report.




53




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.

METRO BANCORP, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
11/9/2011
 
/s/ Gary L. Nalbandian
(Date)
 
Gary L. Nalbandian
 
 
President/CEO
 
 
 
 
 
 
11/9/2011
 
/s/ Mark A. Zody
(Date)
 
Mark A. Zody
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 


54




EXHIBIT INDEX
 
11
 
Computation of Net Income Per Share
 
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under Exchange Act
 
32
Certification of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
101
Interactive data file containing the following financial statements formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; and, (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text. As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this interactive data file shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed "filed" or part of any registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 under the Securities Act of 1933, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.