10KSB 1 form10ksb.htm ALLIED BANCSHARES, INC. Form 10-KSB  (00141672-4).DOC



U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

  

FORM 10-KSB

  

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

  

For the Fiscal year

ended December 31, 2006

Commission File Number

333-109462

  

ALLIED BANCSHARES, INC.

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)

  

Georgia

(State of Incorporation)

92-0184877

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

  

1700 Market Place Boulevard

Cumming, Georgia

(Address of principal executive offices)


30041

(Zip Code)

  

(770) 888-0063

(Issuer’s telephone number)

  


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  NONE.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  NONE.


Check whether the issuer:  (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13  or  15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required  to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for past 90 days.  Yes  X  No


Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or a information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.  [X]


Issuer’s revenues for its most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 were $13,056,036.


The aggregate market value of the issuer’s  voting stock held by non-affiliates of the issuer as of March 13, 2006, was $27,036,000 based on recent private sales known to the issuer at an average price of $18.00 per share.  There is no established trading market for the issuer’s stock.


The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of March 13, 2007 was 1,504,000 shares of common stock.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:   None


Transitional Small Business Disclosure format (check one):  Yes     No  X





1






TABLE OF CONTENTS


  

PAGE NUMBER

   

PART I

 

3

   

ITEM 1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

3

   

ITEM 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

16

   

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

16

   

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

17

   

PART II

 

17

   

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS

17

   

ITEM 6.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

18

   

ITEM 7.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

32

   

ITEM 8.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

33

   

ITEM 8A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

33

   

ITEM 8B.

OTHER INFORMATION

33

   

PART III

 

34

   

ITEM 9.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL

PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE

ACT

34

   

ITEM 10.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

36

   

ITEM 11.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

AND MANAGEMENT

40

   

ITEM 12.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIP AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

42

   

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS

44

   

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

45

   

SIGNATURES

 

46







2






Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements


Various matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Allied Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) or First National Bank of Forsyth County (the “Bank”) to be materially different from the results described in such forward-looking statements.  


Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:


·

The inability of the Bank to achieve and maintain regulatory capital standards;


·

Changes in the legislative and regulatory environment;


·

The effects of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand, the value of

loan  collateral, and interest  rate risks; and


·

The effects of competition from commercial banks, thrifts, consumer finance companies, and other  

financial institutions operating in our market area and elsewhere.


All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or the Bank are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Both the Company and the Bank disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



PART I



ITEM 1.   DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS


Business of the Company and the Bank

The Company


Allied Bancshares, Inc. (sometimes referred to as “Allied Bancshares” or the “Company”) was incorporated on June 4, 2003 to organize and serve as the bank holding company for First National Bank of Forsyth County (sometimes referred to as “First National of Forsyth” or the “Bank”).  After receiving all regulatory approvals, Allied Bancshares capitalized the Bank in return for all its outstanding stock.  The Bank opened for business on April 5, 2004.   As of December 31, 2006, the Bank was the sole subsidiary of the Company.


The Bank


First National of Forsyth is chartered as a national bank and conducts business from two full service locations.  The bank opened for business on April 5, 2004 in a temporary office located next to the site where the permanent main office facility was constructed at 1700 Market Place Boulevard, Cumming, Forsyth County, Georgia.  The permanent facility opened for business on December 13, 2004. A full-service branch office located at 311 Green Street in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia opened for business on April 12, 2004.  The Hall County branch operates under the trade name “First National Bank of Hall County.”

First National of Forsyth provides a full range of personalized banking services to customers within its primary market area of Forsyth and Hall counties and surrounding counties. The Bank seeks to offer personal service while providing customers with the financial sophistication and products typically offered by larger banks. The Bank emphasizes lending services to small-to-medium sized businesses, and consumers and a broad array of deposit products and services to businesses and consumers.



3






Lending Activities and Business of the Bank


The primary sources of income for the Bank are interest and fees collected on loans and to a lesser extent, interest and dividends collected on other investments. The main expenses of the Bank include interest paid on deposit accounts, employee compensation, occupancy and equipment expenses, office expenses, and other overhead expenses.


The Bank’s lending business consists of loan originations primarily secured by single and multi-family real estate, residential construction, and owner-occupied commercial buildings.  We also lend to residential contractors and developers in our market areas.  We attempt to obtain a security interest in real estate whenever possible.  As of December 31, 2006 approximately 93% of our loan portfolio was secured by real estate.  In addition, we make loans to small and medium-sized commercial businesses and to consumers for a variety of purposes.  

The Bank’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2006, totaled $162.8 million and was comprised as follows:  



(Dollars in thousands)

 


Amount

 

Percentage of

Portfolio

Real estate – mortgage

 

$  86,767

 

  53.3%

Real estate – construction

 

64,117

 

  39.4

Commercial

 

4,605

 

    2.8

Consumer and other

 

7,352

 

    4.5

   Total

 

$162,841

 

100.0%


The Board of Directors establishes and periodically reviews the Bank’s lending policies and procedures.  There are regulatory restrictions on the dollar mount of loans available for each lending relationship.  National banking regulations provide that no loan relationship may exceed 15% of the sum of the Bank’s Tier 1 capital plus the Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Bank sells participation interests in loans to other banks primarily when a loan exceeds the Bank’s legal lending limit.  


The Bank has a continuous loan review procedure involving multiple officers of the Bank which is designed to promote early identification of credit quality problems. All loan officers are charged with the responsibility of rating their loans and reviewing those loans on a periodic basis, the frequency of which increases as the quality of the loan deteriorates.


The Bank offers a variety of deposit programs to individuals and to small to medium-sized businesses and other organizations at interest rates generally consistent with local market conditions. The Bank is authorized to accept and pay interest on deposits from individuals, corporations, partnerships and any other type of legal entity, including fiduciaries, such as private trusts.  Deposits are insured by the FDIC in an amount up to $100,000 in non-retirement accounts.


Under the FDIC’s new rules that became effective April 1, 2006, up to $250,000 in insurance is provided for the deposits a consumer has in a variety of retirement accounts, primarily traditional and Roth IRAs, at one insured institution.


Deposits totaled $168 million at December 31, 2006.  The following table sets forth the mix of depository accounts of the Bank as a percentage of total deposits at December 31, 2006:



(Dollars in thousands)

 


Amount

 

Percentage

of Portfolio

Non-interest bearing demand

 

$  16,029

 

    9.5%

Interest-bearing demand

 

17,625

 

  10.5%

Saving

 

5,708

 

    3.4%

Time deposits

 

129,011

 

  76.6%

   Total

 

$168,374

 

100.0%




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The Bank primarily serves the residents of Cumming and Forsyth County and Gainesville and Hall County, which is adjacent to Forsyth County.   Forsyth County has grown approximately 51.0% from 2000 through 2005 according to U. S. Census Bureau statistics.  The number of residents in Forsyth County in 2000 was approximately 98,400 persons.  The number of residents in Forsyth County had grown to nearly 148,400 by 2005.  Cumming and Forsyth County have a diverse economy, including retail, manufacturing, service and agricultural industries.  Cumming also serves as the county seat for Forsyth County, Georgia, with a significant number of residents employed in government.  Cumming, located approximately 40 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia and 23 miles southwest of Gainesville, Georgia, is situated in the center of the development corridor extending north from Atlanta between Interstate 75 and Interstate 85.


Hall County has grown approximately 21% from the year 2000 through 2005 according to U. S. Census Bureau statistics. The number of residents in Hall County in 2000 was approximately 139,300 persons. The number of residents in Hall County had grown to nearly 168,000 by 2006.  Gainesville and Hall County have a diverse economy, including retail, manufacturing, service and agricultural industries.  Gainesville also serves as the county seat for Hall County, Georgia, with a significant number of residents employed in government. Gainesville, located approximately 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia and 23 miles northeast of Cumming, Georgia, is situated on Interstate 985 which connects to Interstate 85 north of Atlanta.  Although the Bank operates primarily in Forsyth and Hall counties, the Bank is active in the adjacent counties of Gwinnett, Cherokee and Dawson.


The Bank is a member of a network of automated teller machines, which permits the Bank’s customers to perform certain transactions throughout the country.


The Bank has correspondent relationships with The Bankers Bank, Atlanta, Georgia and First American Bank, Birmingham, Alabama.  The correspondent banks provide certain services to the Bank, such as investing its excess funds, handling money fund transfers, providing safekeeping of investment securities and furnishing investment management advice on the Bank’s securities portfolio.  The data processing work of the Bank is processed by Fiserv Solutions, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia.


The Company may engage in any activity permitted by law to a corporation, subject to applicable federal and state regulatory restrictions on the activities of bank holding companies. While we have no present plans to engage in any other business activities, management may, from time to time, study the feasibility of establishing or acquiring subsidiaries to engage in other business activities to the extent permitted by law.


Deposits


 Checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit are the primary sources of funds for investing in loans and securities. Most deposits are obtained from individuals and businesses in the Bank’s market areas.  In addition, the Bank accepts brokered deposits which are funds obtained from depositors outside the Bank’s primary market area through third parties generally at a lower cost than funds of similar maturities can be obtained locally.  The Bank solicits deposits by offering depositors competitive interest rates not significantly above rates paid by other competitors.  It also offers a variety of other traditional banking services to its customers, including drive-up and night depository facilities, 24-hour automated teller machines, and telephone banking.  During 2006 internet banking was available for the Bank’s customers to use for their online balance inquiry, reviewing transaction history, transferring among accounts, and bill paying.  



Other Banking Services


Other banking services include travelers’ checks, direct deposit of payroll and Social Security checks, night depository, ATM cards and debit cards. First National Bank of Forsyth County is associated with one or more nationwide networks of automated teller machines that our customers are able to use throughout the United States. The Bank does not charge its customers for the use of these automated teller machines since the Bank has only two locations. However, other financial institutions may charge our customers for the use of their automated teller machines. The Bank also offers VISA(R) credit card services through a correspondent bank as an agent for the Bank.



5






Market Area and Competition

The Bank competes with local as well as with regional financial institutions in its markets.  In addition, the bank competes with credit unions and other finance companies. The banking business continues to be competitive in the Forsyth and Hall county markets. The banking industry continues to experience increased competition for deposits from brokerage firms and money market mutual funds.

As a whole, the banking industry in Georgia is highly competitive. The Bank competes with institutions, some of which have much greater financial resources and which may be able to offer more services to their customers. In recent years, competitive and economic pressures and increased customer awareness of products, services, and the availability of electronic services have forced banks to diversify their services and become more cost-effective. The Bank faces strong competition in attracting and retaining deposits and increasing loan volume.

Direct competition for deposits comes from other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions and money market mutual funds.  Interest rates, convenience, products and services, and marketing are all significant factors in the competition for deposits.

Competition for loans comes from other commercial banks, savings banks, insurance companies, consumer finance companies, credit unions and other institutional lenders. First National of Forsyth competes for loan business by offering competitive interest rates and loan fees, efficiency in closing and handling of loans, and by providing  a high quality of service. Competition is affected by the availability of lendable funds, general and local economic conditions, population  growth, interest rates and fees, and other factors that are not readily predictable.

Management expects that competition will intensify in the future due to statewide branching laws and the entry of additional bank and nonbank competitors in the Bank’s market area.  

Securities and Short-Term Investments

After establishing necessary cash reserves and funding loans, the Bank invests its remaining liquid assets in investment securities and short term investments.    The Bank invests in U.S. Agency obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States, primarily.  Risks associated with securities include, but are not limited to, interest rate fluctuation, maturity, and concentration.  It invests excess funds in Federal funds with correspondent banks.  The sale of Federal funds amounts to a short-term loan from the Bank to another bank.  The Bank also deposits excess funds in interest bearing accounts in other banks which provide daily liquidity.  

Asset and Liability Management

The Bank’s objective is to manage its assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory and consistent level of profitability within the framework of established cash, loan, securities, borrowing and capital policies. Certain officers are charged with the responsibility for developing and monitoring policies and procedures that are designed to ensure acceptable composition of the asset/liability mix. It is the overall philosophy of management to support asset growth primarily through the growth of deposits obtained directly from individuals and businesses or through third parties.  Management invests the largest portion of the Bank’s assets in variable rate loans so that the repricing of earning assets is matched against the repricing of deposits to minimize the impact of substantial movements in interest rates on the Company’s earnings.

Employees

As of December 31, 2006, First National Bank of Forsyth County had 26 full-time employees.  The Bank is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and, in the opinion of management, the Bank enjoys a satisfactory relationship with employees.   Allied Bancshares does not have any employees who are not also employees of  First National Bank of Forsyth County.



6






Supervision and Regulation


Bank holding companies and banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law.  The following is a brief summary of certain statutes, rules and regulations affecting Allied Bancshares and First National of Forsyth.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provision referred to below and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes or regulations applicable to the business of the Company and the Bank.  Supervision regulation and examination of the Company and the Bank by the bank regulatory agencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors rather than shareholders of the Company.


Bank Holding Company Regulation


Allied Bancshares is a registered holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”) and the Georgia Bank Holding Company Act (the “Georgia BHC Act”) and is regulated under such acts by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “DBF”) respectively.


As a bank holding company, the Company is required to file annual reports with the Federal Reserve and the DBF and such additional information as the applicable regulator may require pursuant to the BHC Act and the Georgia BHC Act.  The Federal Reserve and the DBF may also conduct examinations of the Company to determine whether it is in compliance with both BHC Acts and the regulations promulgated hereunder.


The BHC Act also requires every bank holding company to obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve before acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank which is not already majority owned or controlled by that bank holding company.  


The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Interstate Act”) amended federal law to permit bank holding companies to acquire existing banks in any state, and any interstate bank holding company may merge its various bank subsidiaries into a single bank with interstate branches.  States had the authority to authorize interstate branching prior to June 1, 1997 or alternatively, to opt out of interstate branching prior to that date.


In response to the Interstate Act, Georgia legislation permits interstate branching where the branch banks are acquired by merger or acquisition between an out-of-state bank and a Georgia bank.  Furthermore, recent Georgia legislation greatly diminishes the historical legal restrictions on establishing branch banks across county lines in Georgia.  Since July 1, 1998, banks have been permitted to establish branch banks statewide in Georgia without limitation.


In addition to having the right to acquire ownership or control of other banks, a bank holding company is authorized to acquire ownership or control of nonbanking companies, provided the activities of such companies are so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks that the Federal Reserve considers such activities to be proper to the operation and control of banks.  Regulation Y, promulgated by the Federal Reserve, sets forth those activities which are regarded as closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks and, thus, are permissible activities for bank holding companies, subject to approval by the Federal Reserve in individual cases.


Federal Reserve policy requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial strength and to take measures to preserve and protect bank subsidiaries in situations where additional investments in a troubled bank may not be warranted.  Under these provisions, a bank holding company may be required to loan money to its subsidiaries in the form of capital notes or other instruments which qualify for capital under regulatory rules.  Any loans by the holding company to such subsidiary banks are likely to be unsecured and subordinated to such bank’s depositors and perhaps to its other creditors.


Bank Regulation


Allied Bancshares has one subsidiary bank, First National Bank of Forsyth County.  First National of Forsyth is a national bank chartered under the laws of the United States and is subject to examination by the Office



7






of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”).  The OCC regulates or monitors all areas of a bank’s operations and activities, including reserves, loans, mergers, issuance of securities, payment of dividends, interest rates and establishment of branches.


The Bank is insured and regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).  The major functions of the FDIC with respect to insured banks include paying depositors to the extent provided by law in the event an insured bank is closed without adequately providing for payment of the claims of depositors, and preventing the continuance or development of unsound and unsafe banking practices.  The FDIC also approves conversions, mergers consolidations and assumption of deposit liability transactions between insured banks and noninsured banks or institutions to prevent capital or surplus diminution in such transactions where the resulting, continued or assuming bank is an insured non-member state bank.


Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to certain restrictions imposed by the BHC Act on any extension of credit to the bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries, on investment in the stock or other securities of the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, and on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower.  In addition, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain types of arrangements in connection with any extension of credit or provision of any property or services.


As a national bank, the Bank may not pay dividends from its paid-in-capital.  All dividends must be paid out of undivided profits then on hand, after deducting expenses, including reserves for losses and bad debts.  In addition, a national bank is prohibited from declaring a dividend on its shares of common stock until its surplus equals its stated capital, unless there has been transferred to surplus no less than one-tenth of such bank’s net profits of the preceding two consecutive half-year periods (in the case of an annual dividend).  The approval of the OCC is required if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus.  Under the 1991 Act (defined below), the Bank may not pay a dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized.   See “Capital Requirements” below.


Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly or, substantially lessen competition or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below.


Under the Bank Holding Company Act, if adequately capitalized and adequately managed, the Company or any other bank holding company located in Georgia may purchase a bank located outside of Georgia. Conversely, an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company located outside of Georgia may purchase a bank located inside Georgia. In each case, however, restrictions may be placed on the acquisition of a bank that has only been in existence for a limited amount of time or will result in specified concentrations of deposits. For example, Georgia law prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of a financial institution until the target financial institution has been incorporated for three years. As a result, no bank holding company may acquire control of the Company until after the third anniversary date of the Bank’s incorporation.


Change In Bank Control. Subject to various exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is refutably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities and either:


·

the bank holding company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1934; or


·

no other person owns a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction.



8







 The Company’s common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The regulations provide a procedure for challenging any rebuttable presumption of control.


Permitted Activities.   A bank holding company is generally permitted under the Bank Holding Company Act, to engage in or acquire direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in the following activities:


·

Banking or managing or controlling banks; and


·

Any activity that the Federal Reserve determines to be so closely  related to banking as to be a proper

incident to the business of banking.


·

Activities  that  the Federal Reserve has found to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident

to the business of banking include:


·

Factoring accounts receivable;


·

Making, acquiring, brokering or servicing loans and usual related activities;


·

Leasing personal or real property;


·

Operating a non-bank depository institution, such as a savings association;


·

Trust company functions;


·

Financial and investment advisory activities;


·

Conducting discount securities brokerage activities;


·

Underwriting and dealing in government obligations and money market instruments;


·

Providing specified management consulting and counseling activities;


·

Performing selected data processing services and support services;


·

Acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with

credit transactions; and


Despite prior approval, the Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any of these activities or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to believe that the bank holding company’s continued ownership, activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of it or any of its bank subsidiaries.


In addition to the permissible bank holding company activities listed above, a bank holding company may qualify and elect to become a financial holding company, permitting the bank holding company to engage in additional activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activity.


The Bank Holding Company Act expressly lists the following activities as financial in nature:


·

Lending, trust and other banking activities;


·

Insuring, guaranteeing, or indemnifying against loss or harm, or providing and issuing annuities, and acting

as principal, agent, or broker for these purposes, in any state;




9






·

Providing financial, investment, or advisory services;


·

Issuing or selling instruments representing interests in pools of assets permissible for a bank to hold

directly;


·

Underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities;


·

Other activities that the Federal Reserve may determine to be so closely related to banking or managing or

controlling banks as to be a proper incident to managing or controlling banks;


·

Foreign activities permitted outside of the United States if the Federal Reserve has determined them to be

usual in connection with banking operations abroad;


·

Merchant banking through securities or insurance affiliates; and


·

Insurance company portfolio investments.


To qualify to become a financial holding company, the Bank and any other depository institution subsidiary of the Company must be well capitalized and well managed and must have a Community Reinvestment Act rating of at least “satisfactory.” Additionally, the Company must file an election with the Federal Reserve to become a financial holding company and must provide the Federal Reserve with 30 days written notice prior to engaging in a permitted financial activity. While the Company meets the qualification standards applicable to financial holding companies, the Company has elected to not become a financial holding company.


Support of Subsidiary Institutions. Under Federal Reserve policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength for the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when, without this Federal Reserve policy, the Company might not be inclined to provide it. In addition, any capital loans made by the Company to the Bank will be repaid only after its deposits and various other obligations are repaid in full. In the unlikely event of the Company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by it to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of the Bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.


Regulation of Bank Activities


First National Bank of Forsyth County is a commercial bank chartered under the laws of the National Bank Act and is subject to examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The OCC is the primary regulator of the Bank.


The FDIC insures First National Bank of Forsyth County’s deposits and also regulates the Bank. The major functions of the FDIC with respect to insured banks include paying depositors to the extent provided by law in the event an insured bank is closed without adequately providing for payment of the claims of depositors, acting as a receiver of state banks placed in receivership when so appointed by state authorities, and preventing the continuance or development of unsound and unsafe banking practices. The FDIC also approves conversions, mergers, consolidations and assumption of deposit liability transactions between insured banks and noninsured banks or institutions to prevent capital or surplus diminution in transactions where the resulting, continued or assuming bank is an insured state bank which is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.


Branching. Under current Georgia law, First National Bank of Forsyth County may open branch offices throughout Georgia with the prior approval of the OCC. In addition, with prior regulatory approval, First National Bank of Forsyth County is able to acquire branches of existing banks located in Georgia. The Bank and any other national or state-chartered bank generally may branch across state lines by merging with banks in other states if allowed by the applicable states’ laws. Georgia law, with limited exceptions, currently permits branching across state lines only through interstate mergers.




10






Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, states may “opt-in” and allow out-of-state banks to branch into their state by establishing a new start-up branch in the state. Currently, Georgia has not opted-in to this provision. Therefore, interstate merger is the only method through which a bank located outside of Georgia may branch into Georgia. This provides a limited barrier of entry into the Georgia banking market, which protects us from an important segment of potential competition. However, because Georgia has elected not to opt-in, our ability to establish a new start-up branch in another state may be limited. Many states that have elected to opt-in have done so on a reciprocal basis, meaning that an out-of-state bank may establish a new start-up branch only if its home state has also elected to opt-in. Consequently, unless Georgia changes its election, the only way we will be able to branch into states that have elected to opt-in on a reciprocal basis will be through interstate merger.


Prompt Corrective Action. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized) in which all institutions are placed. Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized. The federal banking agencies have specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category.


An institution that is categorized as undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, or critically undercapitalized is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking agency. A bank holding company must guarantee that a subsidiary depository institution meets its capital restoration plan, subject to various limitations. The controlling holding company’s obligation to fund a capital restoration plan is limited to the lesser of 5% of an undercapitalized subsidiary’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount required to meet regulatory capital requirements. An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions, establishing any branches or engaging in any new line of business, except under an accepted capital restoration plan or with FDIC approval. The regulations also establish procedures for downgrading an institution to a lower capital category based on supervisory factors other than capital.


FDIC Insurance Assessments. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system for insured depository institutions that takes into account the risks attributable to different categories and concentrations of assets and liabilities. The system assigns an institution to one of three capital categories: (1) well capitalized; (2) adequately capitalized; and (3) undercapitalized. These three categories are substantially similar to the prompt corrective action categories described above, with the “undercapitalized” category including institutions that are undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized for prompt corrective action purposes. The FDIC also assigns an institution to one of three supervisory subgroups based on a supervisory evaluation that the institution’s primary federal regulator provides to the FDIC and information that the FDIC determines to be relevant to the institution’s financial condition and the risk posed to the deposit insurance funds. Assessments range from 0 to 27 cents per $100 of deposits, depending on the institution’s capital group and supervisory subgroup. In addition, the FDIC imposes assessments to help pay off the $780 million in annual interest payments on the $8 billion Financing Corporation bonds issued in the late 1980s as part of the government rescue of the thrift industry.


The FDIC may terminate its insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC.


Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act requires the appropriate federal regulator, in connection with its examinations of financial institutions within its jurisdiction, to evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low-and moderate-income neighborhoods. The appropriate federal regulator considers these factors in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose additional requirements and limitations on First National Bank of Forsyth County. Banks with aggregate assets of $250 million or less are subject to a Community Reinvestment Act examination only once every 60 months if the bank receives



11






an outstanding rating, once every 48 months if it receives a satisfactory rating and as needed if the rating is less than satisfactory. Additionally, banks are required to publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements.


Other Regulations.  Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. For example, under the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, a lender is generally prohibited from charging an annual interest rate in excess of 6% on any obligation for which the borrower is a person on active duty with the United States military.  The Bank’s loan operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the


·

Federal Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;


·

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable

the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help

meet the housing needs of the community it serves;


·

Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited

factors in extending credit;


·

Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting

agencies;


·

Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection

agencies;


·

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, governing the repayment terms of, and property rights

underlying, secured obligations of persons in military service; and


·

the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing

these federal laws.


In addition to the federal and state laws noted above, the Georgia Fair Lending Act (“GFLA”) imposes restrictions and procedural requirements on most mortgage loans made in Georgia, including home equity loans and lines of credit. GFLA became effective on August 4, 2003 and was amended on December 19, 2003. While selected provisions of GFLA apply regardless of the interest rate or charges on the loan, the majority of the requirements apply only to “high cost home loans,” as defined by GFLA. We have implemented procedures to comply with all GFLA requirements.


The deposit operations of the Bank are subject to:


·

The Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial

records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and


·

The Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve to implement that act,

which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and
liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.


Capital Adequacy


Regulatory agencies measure capital adequacy with a framework that makes capital requirements sensitive to the risk profile of the individual banking institution.  The guidelines define capital as either Tier 1 capital (primary shareholders equity) or Tier 2 capital (certain debt instruments and a portion of the reserve for loan losses).  There are two measures of capital adequacy for bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks:  the Tier 1 leverage ratio and the risk-based capital requirements.  Bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks must maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%.  In addition, Tier 1 capital must equal 4% of risk-weighted assets,



12






and total capital (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) must equal 8% of risk-weighted assets.  These are minimum requirements, however, and institutions experiencing internal growth (which will initially be the case for the bank) or making acquisitions, as well as institutions with supervisory or operational weaknesses, will be expected to maintain capital positions well above these minimum levels.


The federal banking agencies have amended the capital adequacy standards to provide for the consideration of interest rate risk in the overall determination of a bank’s capital ratio and to require banks with greater interest rate risk to maintain adequate capital for the risk.


The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvements Act of 1991 (the “1991 Act”) imposes a regulatory matrix that requires the federal banking agencies to take prompt corrective action to deal with depository institutions that fail to meet their minimum capital requirements or are otherwise in a troubled condition.  The prompt corrective action provisions require undercapitalized institutions to become subject to an increasingly stringent array of restrictions, requirements and prohibitions, as their capital levels deteriorate and supervisory problems mount.  Should these corrective measures provide unsuccessful in recapitalizing the institution and correcting its problems, the 1991 Act mandates that the institution be placed in receivership.


Pursuant to regulations promulgated under the 1991 Act, the corrective actions that the banking agencies either must or may take are tied primarily to an institution’s capital levels.  In accordance with the framework adopted by the 1991 Act, the banking agencies have developed a classification system, pursuant to which all banks and thrifts are placed into one of five categories:  well-capitalized institutions, adequately capitalized institutions, undercapitalized institutions, significantly undercapitalized institutions and critically undercapitalized institutions.  


The capital thresholds established for each of the categories are as follows:




Capital Category

 


Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets

 

Tier 1 Capital to  Risk Weighted  Assets

 

Total Capital to         Risk Weighted

Assets

Well Capitalized

 

5% or more

 

6% or more

 

10% or more

       

Adequately Capitalized

 

4% or more

 

4% or more

 

8% or more

       

Undercapitalized

 

Less than 4%

 

Less than 4%

 

Less than 8%

       

Significantly Undercapitalized

 

Less than 3%

 

Less than 3%

 

Less than 6%

       

Critically  Undercapitalized

 

2% or less

tangible equity

 


---

 


---


The capital guidelines can affect Allied Bancshares in several ways.  The Company’s capital levels are more than adequate.  However, rapid growth, poor loan portfolio performance, poor earnings performance, or a combination of these factors, could change the Company’s capital position in a relatively short period of time, making an additional capital infusion necessary.  


The OCC requires First National of Forsyth to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets of at least 8% during the first three years of operation, which it has.  As of December 31, 2006 the capital ratios for the Company and the Bank are as follows:


  

Company

  

Bank

 

Tier 1 Capital to Total Average Assets

 

8.86%

  

8.30%

 

Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets

 

9.90%

  

9.27%

 

Risk Based  Capital to Risk Weighted Assets

 

11.14%

  

10.51%

 




13







Payment of Dividends


Allied Bancshares is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The principal sources of Allied Bancshares’ cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to its shareholders, are dividends that First National Bank of Forsyth County pays to its sole shareholder, Allied Bancshares. Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to First National Bank of Forsyth County’s payment of dividends to Allied Bancshares as well as to Allied Bancshares’ payment of dividends to its shareholders.


The OCC regulates the Bank’s dividend payments as set forth above under the subheading “Bank Regulation.”


The payment of dividends by Allied Bancshares and First National Bank of Forsyth County may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. If, in the opinion of its federal banking regulator, First National Bank of Forsyth County were engaged in or about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the federal banking regulator could require, after notice and a hearing, that it cease and desist from its practice. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, a depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized. Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings. See “Prompt Corrective Action” above.


Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates


The Company and the Bank are subject to the provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. Section 23A places limits on the amount of:


·

a bank’s loans or extensions of credit to affiliates;


·

a bank’s investment in affiliates;


·

assets a bank may purchase from affiliates, except for real and personal property exempted by the Federal

Reserve;


·

loans or extensions of credit to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates; and

bank’s guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate.


The total amount of the above transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of a bank’s capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of a bank’s capital and surplus. In addition to the limitation on the amount of these transactions, each of the above transactions must also meet specified collateral requirements. The Bank must also comply with other provisions designed to prevent the Bank’s acquiring low-quality assets.


The Company and the Bank are also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act which, among other things, prohibit an institution from engaging in the above transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.


The Bank is also subject to restrictions on extensions of credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests. These extensions of credit (1) must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties, and (2) must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.






14






Privacy


Financial institutions are required to disclose their policies for collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing nonpublic personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except under narrow circumstances, such as the processing of transactions requested by the consumer or when the financial institution is jointly sponsoring a product or service with a nonaffiliated third party. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing to consumers.


Anti-Terrorism Legislation


In the wake of the tragic events of September 11th, on October 26, 2001, the President signed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”). Under the USA Patriot Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers. For example, the enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls generally require financial institutions to take reasonable steps:


·

to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and report any

suspicious transaction;


·

to ascertain the identity of the nominal and beneficial owners of, and the source of funds deposited into,

each account as needed to guard against money laundering and report any suspicious transactions;


·

to ascertain for any foreign bank, the shares of which are not publicly traded, the identity of the owners of

the foreign bank and the nature and extent of the ownership interest of each such owner; and


·

to ascertain whether any foreign bank provides correspondent accounts to other foreign banks and, if so, the

identity of those foreign banks and related due diligence information.


Under the USA Patriot Act, financial institutions must establish anti-money laundering programs. The USA Patriot Act sets forth minimum standards for these programs, including:


·

the development of internal policies, procedures and controls;


·

the designation of a compliance officer;


·

an ongoing employee training program; and


·

an independent audit function to test the programs.


Pursuant to the mandate of the USA Patriot Act, the Secretary of the Treasury issued regulations effective April 24, 2002 applicable to financial institutions. Because all federally insured depository institutions are required to have anti-money laundering programs, the regulations provide that a financial institution which is subject to regulation by a “federal functional” is in compliance with the regulations if it complies with the rules of its primary federal regulator governing the establishment and maintenance of anti-money laundering programs.


Under the authority of the USA Patriot Act, the Secretary of the Treasury adopted rules on September 26, 2002 increasing the cooperation and information sharing between financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement authorities regarding individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected based on credible evidence of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities. Under the new rules, a financial institution is required to:




15






·

expeditiously search its records to determine whether it maintains or has maintained accounts, or

engaged in transactions


·

with individuals or entities, listed in a request submitted by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

(“FinCEN”);


·

notify FinCEN if an account or transaction is identified;


·

designate a contact person to receive information requests;


·

limit use of information provided by FinCEN to: (1) reporting to FinCEN, (2) determining whether to

 

establish or maintain an account or engage in a transaction and (3) assisting the financial institution in

complying with the Bank Secrecy Act; and


·

maintain adequate procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of FinCEN requests.


The Secretary of the Treasury also adopted a new rule on September 26, 2002 intended to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing through correspondent accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions on behalf of foreign banks. It is the Bank’s policy  not to open accounts with foreign banks.


Proposed Legislation and Regulatory Action


New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of financial institutions operating and doing business in the United States. We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new regulation or statute.


Effect of Governmental Monetary Polices


The Bank’s earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies. The Federal Reserve Board’s monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve affect the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its control over the issuance of United States government securities, its regulation of the discount rate applicable to member banks and its influence over reserve requirements to which member banks are subject. The Company cannot predict the nature or impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.


ITEM 2.   DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY


The Bank’s main office facility is a two-story building consisting of 10,000 square feet located on a 1.34 acre tract of land at 1700 Market Place Boulevard, Cumming, Forsyth County, Georgia, near the intersection of Georgia Highway 400 and Georgia Route 20.  The Bank owns the land and building and is the only occupant.  The property has three drive-up windows and an automated teller machine.  Under a lease the Bank occupies a second full service branch facility located at 311 Green Street in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia, near the downtown business district.  The facility is leased for a 3-year term ending on February 29, 2010.  It consists of 5,778 usable square feet on the first floor of a five story building.  The branch has two drive-up windows and an automated teller machine.   In the opinion of management, all properties including improvements and furnishings are adequately insured.


ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or the Bank is a party or of which any of their properties are subject, nor are there material proceedings known to the Company or the Bank to be contemplated by any governmental authority. Additionally, the Company and the Bank are unaware of any material



16






proceedings, pending or contemplated, in which any existing or proposed director, officer or affiliate, or any principal security holder of the Company or the Bank or any associate of any of the foregoing, is a party or has an interest adverse to the Company or the Bank.


ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.


PART II


ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS


The Company completed its initial public offering of its common stock in March 2004.  No market for the common stock currently exists, nor is one expected to develop.  As a result, investors who wish to dispose of any or all of their common stock may be unable to do so, except in private, directly negotiated sales.


On March 13, 2007, the Company had approximately 612 shareholders of record who owned an aggregate of 1,504,000 shares.


The Company has paid no dividends on its common stock since its organization.  The principal source of the Company’s cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to its shareholders, stems from dividends that the Bank pays to the Company as its sole shareholder.  Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Bank’s payment of dividends to the Company, as well as to the Company’s payment of dividends to its shareholders.  For a complete discussion of restrictions on dividends, see “Part I-Item 1.  Description of Business-Supervision and Regulation-Payment of Dividends.


The following information is required by Item 701 of Regulation S-B.


(1)

Grants of Unregistered Stock Options


(i)

In October of 2006, the Company issued to two officers of the Company stock options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock.


(ii)

Not applicable [Item 701(c) information].


(iii)

The SEC’s registration statement and prospectus requirements do not apply to the Company’s grant of stock options to the Company’s officers because the transactions are exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.


(iv)

The Company issued the stock options under the terms of its 2004 Stock Option Plan.  Each option is exercisable in annual 20% increments beginning October 18, 2007, and has an exercise price of $20.00 per share.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

See “Item 11—Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management—Equity Compensation Plan Information” for disclosure regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans.



17






ITEM 6.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Selected Financial Information and Statistical Data

 

The following discussion reviews the Company’s results of operations and assesses its financial condition. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from the consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this report. Reference should be made to those statements and the selected financial data presented elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this report for an understanding of the following discussion and analysis. Historical results of operations and any trends which may appear are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future years.


SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


(Dollars in thousands except per share data)


FOR THE YEAR

 

2006

 

2005

    Net interest income including loan fees

 

$    7,102

 

3,936

    Provision for loan losses

 

661

 

720

    Non-interest income

 

320

 

285

    Non-interest expense

 

3,647

 

3,192

    Net earnings

 

1,911

 

798

     

PER COMMON SHARE

    

    Basic earnings

 

$      1.27

 

.53

    Diluted earnings

 

1.13

 

.51

    Cash dividends declared

 

-0-

 

-0-

    Book value

 

10.80

 

9.51

     

AT YEAR END

    

    Loans, gross

 

$162,841

 

106,793

    Earnings assets

 

183,403

 

121,658

    Total assets

 

190,831

 

127,864

    Total deposits

 

168,374

 

113,021

    Shareholders' equity

 

16,249

 

14,212

    Common shares outstanding

 

1,504

 

1,502

     

AVERAGE BALANCES

    

    Loans, gross

 

$131,183

 

77,896

    Earnings assets

 

154,191

 

92,899

    Assets

 

159,750

 

97,838

    Deposits

 

143561

 

84,489

    Stockholders' equity

 

15,239

 

13,516

    Weighted average shares outstanding

 

1,503

 

1,501

     

KEY PERFORMANCE RATIOS

    

    Return on average assets

 

1.20%

 

.82%

    Return on average stockholders' equity

 

12.54%

 

5.90%

    Net interest margin

 

4.60%

 

4.24%

    Average equity to average assets

 

9.53%

 

13.81%






18






Forward Looking Statement

 

This discussion contains forward-looking statements under the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risk and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in the discussion are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from results discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: economic conditions (both generally and in the markets where the Company operates); competition from other providers of financial services offered by the Company; government regulations and legislation; changes in interest rates; and material unforeseen changes in the financial stability and liquidity of the Company’s credit customers. All these factors are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or changes after the date of this discussion or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Executive Overview


Allied Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Cumming, Georgia, consists of a single subsidiary bank, First National Bank of Forsyth County, with approximately $191 million in total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2006.  The Bank focuses on strong asset quality and a growth strategy which resulted in cumulative profitability in less than twenty-eight months after commencing business operations on April 5, 2004.  As a bank holding company, the results of operations are almost entirely dependent on the results of operations of our subsidiary bank.


Like most community banks, the majority of our income is derived from interest received on our loans and investments. The primary source of funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which interest is paid.  Approximately 89% of total deposits and borrowings are interest-bearing.  Consequently, one of the key measures of success is the amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Another key measure is the spread between the yield earned on these interest-earning assets and the rate paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, which is called our net interest spread.

 

There are risks inherent in all loans, so an allowance for loan losses is maintained to absorb potential losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. The allowance is maintained by charging a provision for loan losses against our operating earnings for each period. A detailed discussion of this process and several tables describing our allowance for loan losses are included below.

 

In addition to earning interest on loans and investments, income is earned through fees and other charges to our customers. A discussion of the various components of this noninterest income, as well as noninterest expense, is included herein.


The following discussion and analysis also identifies significant factors that have affected the Company’s financial position and operating results during the periods included in the financial statements accompanying this report. We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with our financial statements and the other statistical information included and incorporated by reference in this report.

 

We measure and monitor the following factors as key indicators of our financial performance:

 

·

 Net income and earnings per share

·

 Loan and deposit growth

·

 Credit quality

 Financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2006 versus the year ended December 31, 2005:

·

 Net income of $1.9 million versus earnings of  $798,000

·

 Diluted earnings per share of $1.13 compared to $.51

·

 Net interest margin of 4.61% compared to 4.24%

·

 Loan growth of $56 million or 52%



19






·

 Deposit growth of $55 million or 49%

·

 Return on average assets of  1.20% compared to .82%

·

 Return on average equity of  12.5% compared to 5.90%

·

 Nonperforming assets ratio of  0% in each period

·

 Net charge-off ratio of 0% each period


Effect of Economic Trends

 

Since the Bank opened for business in April 2004, the Bank’s rates on both short-term or variable rate interest-earning assets and short-term or variable rate interest-bearing liabilities have increased primarily as a result of the actions taken by the Federal Reserve.  During 2006, the economy continued to strengthen.  Interest rates increased 100 basis points in the first half of the year and were stable for the remainder of 2006.  Against this backdrop of economic and interest rate trends, business activity in our market areas was excellent.

 

The specific economic and credit risks associated with the Bank’s loan portfolio, especially the real estate portfolio, include, but are not limited to, a general downturn in the economy which could affect unemployment rates in our market areas, general real estate market deterioration, interest rate fluctuations, deteriorated collateral, title defects, inaccurate appraisals, and financial deterioration of borrowers. Construction and development lending can also present other specific risks to the lender such as whether developers can find builders to buy lots for home construction, whether the builders can obtain financing for the construction, whether the builders can sell the home to a buyer, and whether the buyer can obtain permanent financing. Currently, real estate values and employment trends in our market areas are excellent.  The Bank’s growth has been robust and not significantly impacted by any adverse economic conditions.


Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have adopted various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and general practices within the banking industry in the preparation of our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 included in this report. Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.  The determination of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses and provision for income taxes have been identified as critical accounting policies.

 

The allowance for loan losses is our most significant judgment and estimate used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb potential losses in the loan portfolio. The calculation is an estimate of the amount of loss in the loan portfolio of the subsidiary bank. Loans are charged off to the extent they are deemed to be uncollectible. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Such estimates may be subject to frequent adjustments by management and reflected in the provision for loan losses in the periods in which they become known.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses, and may require additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

 

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets or 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 enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary



20






differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The determination of current and deferred taxes is based on complex analyses of many factors including interpretation of Federal and state income tax laws, the difference between tax and financial reporting basis assets and liabilities (temporary differences), estimates of amounts due or owed such as the reversals of temporary differences, and current financial accounting standards. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining current and deferred taxes.


Financial Condition

 

The following discussion focuses on significant changes in the financial condition during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005.  Since the Bank did not open for business until April 5, 2004, comparison of 2005 and 2006 amounts to 2004 results would not be meaningful.


Key changes in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are presented below.


Total Assets.   Total assets at December 31, 2006 were $190.8 million, an increase of $62.9 million or 49% from the December 31, 2005 balance of $127.9 million.  The increase is principally attributable to an increase of $56.0 million in gross loans and an increase in investment securities of $7.5 million.   The overall growth in 2006 exceeded management’s growth objectives.   

 

Total Loans.  Our primary focus is to maximize earnings through lending activities. Any excess funds are invested according to our investment policy. Total loans at December 31, 2006 were $162.8 million, an increase of $56.0 million or 52% for the year.  Real estate loans are the primary loan category and represented 93 % of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2006.

 

Total Deposits and Borrowed Funds.  Total deposits at December 31, 2006 were $168.3 million, an increase of $55.4 million or 49% from the December 31, 2005 balance of $113.0 million.  Other borrowed funds in the form of Federal Home Bank of Atlanta advances totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2006 compared to no borrowings in 2005. These funds have been used to fund loan growth. The utilization of deposits to fund loan growth enables us to maintain a higher loan to deposit ratio and maintain an adequate liquidity ratio. Our loan-to-deposits ratio (including FHLB advances) was 93.9 % and 94.5% at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The change in deposits from the prior year-end is attributable to a $7.7 million increase in noninterest bearing demand, a $2.4 million decrease in NOW and money market account balances, a $1.3 million increase in savings account balances, and a $48.7 million increase in time deposits.

 

Total  Capital.  For the twelve months ending December 31, 2006, the Company’s equity capital increased $1,964,000 from the prior period. The change in equity capital over the twelve month period resulted from an increase of $1,911,000 in net income, an increase of $20,000 relating to the exercise of stock options, an increase in Additional Paid in Capital of $56,000 from expensing stock based compensation, offset by a $23,000 increase in unrealized gains on securities available for sale.


Results of Operations, For the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005


Net Interest Income and Earning Assets.   Allied Bancshares recorded net income of $1,911,000 or $1.27 per common share for the year ended December 31, 2006. During 2005, the Company’s earnings were $798,000 or $.53 per common share.

 

The Company’s profitability is determined by its ability to manage effectively interest income and expense, minimize loan and security losses, generate noninterest income, and control operating expenses. Because interest rates are determined by market forces and economic conditions beyond our control, the Bank’s ability to generate net interest income depends upon its ability to obtain an adequate net interest spread between the rate earned on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 4.61% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from 4.24% for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increases in interest rates by the Federal Reserve in 2006 and additional loan volume were matched by increases in funding costs during the year.  In 2006, the average yield on interest-earning assets increased to 8.26% from



21






6.88% in 2005 and the average yield on interest-bearing liabilities increased to 4.41% in 2006 from 3.18% in 2005. The overall change in the interest rate spread from 2005 to 2006 was an increase of 15 basis points. The increase in the net interest spread was due to balance sheet growth being dominated by loan growth, primarily variable rate loans which benefited from Federal Reserve rate increases immediately, while deposits cost increases lagged.  Total average interest-earning assets in 2006 were $154.2 million, an increase of $61.3 million from $92.9 million at December 31, 2005.   The growth in loan portfolios was accompanied by competitive pricing limiting fee income generation on loans.

 

Net interest income increased by $3,166,000 to $7,102,000 in 2006.  The increase reflects the strong growth in loans during 2006. The change in net interest income is primarily the result of the increases in net volume rather than changes in net interest rates.

 

Other Income. Other income totaled $320,000 in 2006.  Of this amount, service charges on deposit accounts represented $86,000, mortgage origination fees represented $137,000 and other service charges and fees of $97,000.

 

Other Expense. Other expense totaled $3,647,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006.   Increases in salaries and employee benefits represent the most significant portions of these increases, which increased by $212,000  to $2,305,000 for the 2006.  The number of full-time equivalent employees increased by 1 person to totaled 26 people in 2006.   Most of the increase was attributable to incentive compensation.  Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $59,000 to $466,000 in 2006.  Other operating expenses increased by $183,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005. Significant increases in other operating expenses include $40,000 in data processing expenses, $35,000 in property taxes and $25,000 in directors’ fees.   Included in total other expense in 2005 was $191,000 which represented the cost associated with the acceleration of vesting of director warrants.

 

Income Tax Expense. The income tax expense was $1,204,000 on a consolidated basis compared to a tax  benefit of $490,000 in 2005.   The Company was deemed sustainably profitable in 2005 and was able to recognize the tax benefit from deferred taxes from the inception of the Company’s operation in 2004.  

 

Net Income. Net income was $1,911,000 for 2006 compared to $798,000 in 2005.   The improvement in net income was due to the volume of earning assets adding during the year and rising interest rates that allowed earning assets to reprice upward faster that the repricing of deposits.

 

Asset Quality. The provision for loan losses was $661,000 during 2006 compared to $720,000 in 2005.  The bank’s policy is to provide an allowance for loan loss equal to 1.25% of loans outstanding.  The increase in the provision was due to loan growth exclusively. The provision for loan losses is the charge to operations which management believes is necessary to fund the allowance for loan losses. This provision is based on management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. Management’s evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses, and may require us to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. See also our discussion of the loan loss allowance in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section included in this report.

 

The following table presents details of the provision for loan losses.  We have no loans on non-accrual and no loans are past due with regard to payment of interest and principal.    Real estate loans are normally secured by one to four family residences or other real estate with values exceeding the original loan balance, therefore minimizing the risk of loss.   Consumer loans, however, may be secured by consumer goods and automobiles or may be unsecured and therefore subject to greater loss in the event of charge-off. During a recession, losses are more likely and the risk of loss is greater in the consumer portfolio. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans or charge-offs typically presented by banks  is not meaningful for First National Bank of Forsyth County because the bank had no nonperforming loans or charge-offs during 2006 and 2005.  

 





22






Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses


 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 (Dollars in thousands)

 

    2006

 

    2005

 

Total charge-offs

 

$           0

 

0

 

Total recoveries

 

0

 

0

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

 

0

 

0

 

Total non-accrual loans

 

0

 

0

 

Loans past due 90 days

 

0

 

0

 

Other real estate

 

0

 

0

 

Provision for loan losses

 

660,603

 

719,616

 

Allowance/Total loans

 

1.25%

 

1.29%

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries)/Average loans

 

NA

 

NA

 

Allowance/Nonperforming loans

 

NA

 

NA

 

 

Effects of Inflation

 

The impact of inflation on banks differs from its impact on non-financial institutions. Banks, as financial intermediaries, have assets which are primarily monetary in nature and which tend to fluctuate in concert with inflation. A bank can reduce the impact of inflation if it can manage its interest rate sensitivity gap. This gap represents the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities. Through asset and liability management, we attempt to structure these assets and liabilities and manage the rate sensitivity gap of the bank, thereby seeking to minimize the potential effects of inflation. For information on the management of our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities, see “Asset/Liability Management” below.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Our financial statements do not reflect various commitments and contingent liabilities that arise in the normal course of business. These off-balance sheet financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are included in the financial statements when funds are distributed or the instruments become payable. Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. We use the same credit policies in making such commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Although these amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements, a summary of our commitments as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit


 

December 31,

(Amounts in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

Commitments to extend credit

 

$28,363

 

19,308

Financial standby letters of credit

 

1,390

 

910

Total

 

$29,753

 

20,218


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity represents the ability of a company to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and the ability to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management involves monitoring our sources and uses of funds in order to meet our day-to-day cash flow requirements while maximizing profits. We seek to meet liquidity requirements primarily through management of short-term investments, monthly amortizing loans, maturing single payment loans, maturities of securities and prepayments of earning assets. Also, we maintain relationships with correspondent banks which could provide funds on short notice.

  




23






Our liquidity and capital resources are monitored on a periodic basis by management and regulatory authorities. At December 31, 2006, our liquidity ratio was 12%. Liquidity is measured by the ratio of net cash, federal funds sold and securities to net deposits and short-term liabilities. In the event the Bank needs to generate additional liquidity, funding plans would be implemented as outlined in the liquidity policy of the Bank.   Management reviews liquidity on a periodic basis to monitor and adjust liquidity as necessary. Management has the ability to adjust liquidity by selling securities available for sale, selling participations in loans and accessing available funds through various borrowing arrangements. At December 31, 2006, the Bank had a borrowing capacity totaling approximately $7.5 million through available lines of credit. We believe our short-term investments, available borrowing arrangements and access to brokered deposits are adequate to cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds.


As of December 31, 2006, Allied Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary bank were considered to be well-capitalized as defined in the FDICIA and based on regulatory minimum capital requirements. Allied Bancshares, Inc. and First National Bank of Forsyth County capital ratios as of December 31, 2006 are presented in the following table:


Capital Ratios

 

 

 

Capital 
Ratios

 

For 
Capital 
Adequacy 
Purposes

 

To Be Well 
Capitalized

 

Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:

 

     

 

Consolidated company

 

  11.14%

 

   8.00%

 

N/A

 

Bank

 

10.51

 

8.00

 

10.00

 

 

 

     

 

Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:

 

     

 

Consolidated company

 

9.90

 

4.00

 

N/A

 

Bank

 

9.27

 

4.00

 

6.00

 

 

 

     

 

Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets:

 

     

 

Consolidated company

 

8.86

 

4.00

 

N/A

 

Bank

 

8.30

 

4.00

 

5.00

 

 

 

Management is not aware of any known trends, events or uncertainties, other than those discussed above, that will have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our liquidity, capital resources, or operations. Management is also not aware of any current recommendations by the regulatory authorities which, if they were implemented, would have such an effect.

  

Selected Financial Information and Statistical Data


The tables and schedules on the following pages set forth certain financial information and statistical data with respect to: the distribution of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity; interest rates and interest differentials; interest rate sensitivity gap ratios; the securities portfolio; the loan portfolio, including types of loans, maturities and sensitivities to changes in interest rates and information on nonperforming loans; summary of the loan loss experience and allowance for loan losses; types of deposits; and the return on equity and assets.












24






Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Interest Rates and Interest Differentials

 

The following table sets forth the amount of our interest income or interest expense for each category of

interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest yield/rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net yield on average interest-earning assets.


Average Balance Sheets, Interest and Rates




 

For the Years  Ended December 31,

 

2006

 

2005

(Dollars in thousands)


Average

Balance

 

Interest

Income/

Expense

 

Weighted

Average

Rate

 


Average

Balance

 

Interest

Income/

Expense

 

Weighted

Average

Rate

ASSETS

           

Interest earning assets:

           

Federal funds sold and

    interest bearing

    deposits



$  13,475

 



669

 



4.96%

 



11,473

 



368

 



3.21%

Taxable securities

8,441

 

399

 

4.73%

 

3,530

 

126

 

3.56

Non-taxable securities

1,092

 

46

 

4.21%

 

               -      

 

                 -

 

             -

Loans

131,183

 

11,622

 

8.86%

 

77,896

 

5,895

 

7.57

     Total interest

      earning assets


154,191

 


12,736

 


8.26%

 


92,899

 


6,389

 


6.88

Other assets

     5,559

     

      4,939

    

     Total assets

159,750

     

97,838

    
            

LIABILITIES AND

           

    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Interest-bearing liabilities:

           

Deposits:

           

Interest-bearing demand

24,260

 

580

 

2.39%

 

24,285

 

575

 

2.37

Time

103,215

 

5,045

 

4.89%

 

52,948

 

1,877

 

3.55

Other borrowed funds

        156

 

9

 

5.87%

 

        16

 

1

 

3.96

     Total interest-

      bearing liabilities


127,632

 


5,634

 


4.41%

 


77,249

 


2,453

 


3.18

Other non-interest bearing liabilities

16,878

     

9,116

    

Shareholders' equity

    15,239

     

  11,473

    

     Total liabilities

      and stockholder’s

      equity



159,750

     



97,838

    
            

Net interest income

  

7,102

     

3,936

  

Net interest spread

    

3.85%

     

3.70%

Net interest margin

    

4.61%

     

4.24%

__________________________________


(1)          Average balances were determined using daily average balances.

(2)          Average balances of loans are net of fees and nonaccrual loans.

(3)          Average unrealized gains (losses) on securities (all are taxable) available for sale, net of tax, have been included in  stockholders’ equity at ($92,088) and ($17,809) for 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(4)          Interest and fees on loans include $911,899 and $618,369 of loan fee income for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

   




25









Rate and Volume Analysis

 

The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our interest income and expense during the years indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to: (1) change in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate); (2) change in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume); and (3) a combination of change in rate and change in volume.

 

Volume, Rate and Mix Analysis



 

2006 over 2005

 

Increase (decrease) due to change in:

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Mix

 

Change

Interest earned on:

       

Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits

$      64,158

 

201,925

 

35,228

 

301,311

Investment securities

213,982

 

38,798

 

65,982

 

318,761

Loans

4,032,675

 

1,006,375

 

688,440

 

5,727,490

   Total interest income

4,310,815

 

1,247,098

 

789,649

 

6,347,562

        

Interest paid on:

       

Demand

(587)

 

5,269

 

(5)

 

4,677

Time

1,782,261

 

710,798

 

674,801

 

3,167,860

Other borrowed funds

5,791

 

271

 

2,479

 

8,541

   Total interest expense

1,787,465

 

716,338

 

677,275

 

3,181,078

Net interest income

$2,523,350

 

530,760

 

112,374

 

3,166,484




 

2005 over 2004

 

Increase (decrease) due to change in:

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Mix

 

Change

Interest earned on:

       

Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits

$   279,206

 

(15,572)

 

(31,952)

 

231,682

Investment securities

43,612

 

18,546

 

17,533

 

79,692

Loans

3,797,063

 

176,771

 

459,056

 

4,432,889

   Total interest income

4,119,881

 

179,745

 

444,637

 

4,744,263

        

Interest paid on:

       

Demand

365,767

 

10,851

 

22,577

 

399,196

Time

1,067,792

 

112,332

 

388,345

 

1,568,469

Other borrowed funds

(5,658)

 

1,775

 

(1,184)

 

(5,067)

   Total interest expense

1,427,901      

 

124,958

 

409,738

 

1,962,598

Net interest income

$2,691,979

 

54,787

 

34,899

 

2,781,665







26









Market Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

Our asset/liability mix is monitored on a regular basis and a report evaluating the interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities is prepared and presented to Bank’s board of directors monthly and  the Asset and Liability Management Committee of the Bank’s board of directors on a quarterly basis for a more in-depth discussion. The objective of this policy is to monitor interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities so as to minimize the impact of substantial movements in interest rates on earnings. An asset or liability is considered to be interest rate sensitive if it will reprice or mature within the time period analyzed, usually one year or less. The interest rate sensitivity gap is the difference between the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities scheduled to mature or reprice within such time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities. A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the interest rate sensitive assets. During a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income. Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income. If our yields on earning assets and rates paid on liabilities changed concurrently and with the same magnitude, the impact of any increase or decrease in interest rates on net interest income would be minimal.

 

A simple interest rate “gap” analysis by itself may not be an accurate indicator of how net interest income will be affected by changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we also evaluate how the repayment of particular assets and liabilities is impacted by changes in interest rates. Income associated with interest-earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by changes in interest rates. In addition, the magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates may have a significant impact on net interest income. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities fluctuate in advance of changes in general market rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in general market rates. In addition, certain assets, such as adjustable rate loans, have features (generally referred to as “interest rate caps and floors”) which limit the amount of changes in interest rates. Prepayment and early withdrawal levels also could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the interest rate gap. The ability of many borrowers to service their debts also may decrease during periods of rising interest rates.

 

Changes in interest rates also affect our liquidity position. The Bank currently prices deposits in response to market rates and it is management’s intention to continue this policy. If deposits are not priced in response to market rates, a loss of deposits could occur which would negatively affect our liquidity position.

 

At December 31, 2006 our cumulative one year interest rate sensitivity gap ratio was 1.02. This indicates that our interest-earning assets will reprice during this period at a rate faster than our interest-bearing liabilities.

 

The following table sets forth the distribution of the repricing of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities as of December 31, 2006, the interest rate sensitivity gap (i.e., interest rate sensitive assets less interest rate sensitive liabilities), the cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap, the interest rate sensitivity gap ratio (i.e., interest rate sensitive assets divided by interest rate sensitive liabilities) and the cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap ratio.

 

The table also sets forth the time periods in which interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities will mature or may reprice in accordance with their contractual terms. However, the table does not necessarily indicate the impact of general interest rate movements on the net interest margin since the repricing of various categories of assets and liabilities is subject to competitive pressures and the needs of our customers. In addition, various assets and liabilities indicated as repricing within the same period may in fact reprice at different times within such period and at different rates.






27






Maturity/Repricing of Assets and Liabilities





(Amounts in thousands)


1 Year

or Less

 

Over 1 year  

Through

2 years

 

Over 2 yrs

Through

5 years

 


Over 5 Years

 



Total

Interest earning assets

         

Fed funds sold and deposits in banks

$        8,728

 

              -

 

             -

 

             -

 

8,728

Investment securities

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

10,951

 

10,951

Other investments

883

 

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

883

Adjustable rate loans

106,009

 

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

106,009

Fixed rate loans

25,204

 

9,717

 

19,660

 

2,251

 

56,532

     Total interest earning assets

140,825

 

9,717

 

19,660

 

13,202

 

183,403

          

Interest bearing liabilities

         

Interest bearing demand (NOW & MMDA)

$      17,625

 

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

17,625

Savings

5,708

 

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

5,708

Time deposits

112,279

 

8,150

 

8,582

 

             -

 

129,011

Other borrowed funds

5,000

 

             -

 

             -

 

             -

 

5,000

     Total interest bearing liabilities

140,612

 

8,150

 

8,582

 

             -

 

157,345

          

Interest rate sensitivity gap

$           213

 

1,567

 

11,078

 

13,202

  
          

Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap

$           213

 

1,780

 

12,858

 

26,060

  
          

Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap to total assets

.11%

 

.93%

 

6.74%

 

13.66%

  



(1)    Does not include Alliance Bancshares, Inc. common stock, which is not interest rate sensitive.

 

Management believes the measurement of interest rate risk using gap analysis is enhanced when used in conjunction with an earnings simulation model.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company maintained an asset sensitive interest rate risk position based on its simulation model results.  This positioning would be expected to result in an increase in net interest income in a rising rate environment and a decrease in net interest income in a declining rate environment.  This is generally due to a greater proportion of interest earning assets repricing on a variable rate basis as compared to variable rate funding sources. This asset sensitivity is indicated by selected results of net interest income simulations.  The actual realized change in net interest income would depend on several factors.  These factors include, but are not limited to, actual realized growth in asset and liability volumes, as well as the mix experienced over these time horizons.  Market conditions and their resulting impact on loan, deposit, and funding pricing would also be a primary determinant in the realized level of net interest income.  The table below shows the impact on net interest margins over a twelve-month period when subjected to an immediate 200 basis point increase and decrease in interest rates.

 

Twelve Month Net Interest Income Sensitivity

 

Change in Short-Term Interest Rates (in basis points)

 

Estimated Change in Net
Interest Income

 

+200

 

12.8%

 

Flat

 

 

-200

 

(13.6)%

 

 

We actively manage the mix of asset and liability maturities to control the effects of changes in the general level of interest rates on net interest income. Except for its effect on the general level of interest rates, inflation does not have a material impact on us due to the rate variability and short-term maturities of our earning assets. In



28






particular, as of December 31, 2006 approximately 71% of the loan portfolio is comprised of loans which have variable rate terms or mature within one year.


Securities Portfolio

 

Types of Securities

 

The following table sets forth the carrying value of securities held by the Bank as of the dates indicated:


 

December 31,


 

    2006

 

      2005

U.S. government agencies

$2,000,625              

 

2,055,803

Mortgage-backed securities

4,914,864

 

933,104

CMO’s

769,568

 

922,300

Municipal bonds

3,265,806

 

              -

Equity securities

1,382,692

 

896,292

Total

$12,333,555

 

4,807,499


(1)  Equity securities consist of Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stock, Federal Reserve Bank stock and Alliance Bancshares, Inc. common stock.  For presentation purposes, the equity securities are not included in the maturity table below because they have no contractual maturity date.

 Maturities

 

The amounts of debt securities as of December 31, 2006 are shown in the following table according to contractual maturities.




(Dollars in thousands)

 


< One year

 


1 – 5 Years

 


5-10 Years

 


> 10 Years

 



Total

 

Weighted Average

Yield

U.S. Treasuries & Agencies

 

$           -   

 

-

 

2,001

 

-

 

2,001

 

3.45%

Mortgage backed securities

 

             -

 

-

 

734

 

4,180

 

4,914

 

4.97%

CMO.s

 

             -

 

-

 

-

 

770

 

770

 

4.55%

Municipal bonds

 

             -

 

-

 

-

 

3,266

 

3,266

 

4.15%

Total

 

             -

 

-

 

2,735

 

8,216

 

10,951

 

4.42%

 


              Yields were computed using coupon interest rates, including discount accretion and premium amortization.  The weighted average yield for each maturity range was computed using the carrying value of each security in that range.

          



29






Loan Portfolio

 

Types of Loans


The following table sets forth loans by purpose as of the dates indicated therein:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Years Ended December 31,


  

2006

 

2005


Classification

 

      $

 

     %

 

      $

 

      %

Commercial

 

4,605

 

2.8%

 

4,302

 

4.0%

Real estate – construction

 

64,117

 

39.4%

 

37,073

 

34.7%

Real estate – mortgage

 

86,767

 

53.3%

 

60,976

 

57.1%

Consumer and other

 

7,352

 

4.5%

 

4,442

 

4.2%

Total

 

162,841

 

100.0%

 

106,793

 

100.0%

Allowance for loan loss

 

(2,035)

   

(1,375)

  

Net loans

 

160,806

   

105,418

  


Maturities and Sensitivities to Changes in Interest Rates

 

Selected loans as of December 31, 2006 are shown in the following table according to contractual maturity, amounts in thousands.



(Dollars in thousands)

 

One year

or Less

 

Over one to

Five years


Commercial, financial and agricultural

 

$     3,226

 

1,379

Real estate – construction

 

51,583

 

12,534

Total

 

$   54,809

 

13,913



The following table summarizes loans at December 31, 2006 with the due date after one year for predetermined and floating or adjustable interest rates.



(Dollars in thousands)

 

Rate Structure for Loans

Maturing over One Year


  

Adjustable

Rate

 

Fixed

Rate

 


Total

Commercial

 

$       128

 

1,251

 

1,379

Real estate – construction

 

12,494

 

40

 

12,534

Total

 

$  12,622

 

1,291

 

13,913


 Risk Elements

 

The company has no non-performing loans outstanding at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005.  The Company has no reduction in interest income from nonaccrual loans under their original terms and no interest income that was recorded on nonaccrual loans.  

 

Management includes nonaccrual loans in its definition of impaired loans as determined by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement Numbers 114 and 118.

 

Our policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest income when, in the opinion of management, collection of such interest becomes doubtful. This status is determined when: (1) there is a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not expected; and (2) the principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. 



30






Accrual of interest on such loans is resumed when, in management’s judgment, the collection of interest and principal becomes probable. Loans classified for regulatory purposes as loss, doubtful, substandard, or special mention that have not been included in the table above do not represent or result from trends or uncertainties which management reasonably expects will materially impact future operating results, liquidity, or capital resources. These classified loans do not represent material credits about which management is aware and which cause management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the loan repayment terms. In the event of non-performance by the borrower, these loans have collateral pledged which would prevent the recognition of substantial losses. 


Summary of Loan Loss Experience

 

The following table summarizes average loan balances for the periods set forth therein determined using the daily average balances during the year; changes in the allowance for loan losses arising from loans charged off and recoveries on loans previously charged off; additions to the allowance which have been charged to expense; and the ratio of net charge-offs during the year to average loans.

 

Summary of Loan Loss Experience


        (Dollars in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Allowance at beginning of year

 

$1,375

 

   655     

 

Charge-offs

 

       -

 

       -        

 

Recoveries

 

       -

 

       -

 

Net charge offs

 

       -

 

       -

 

Provisions charged to earnings

 

661

 

720

 

Allowance at end of year

 

2,036

 

1,375

 

Ratio of net charge offs to average loans

 

NA

 

NA

 

Ratio of allowance to total loans

 

1.25%

 

1.29$

 

 

The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses to total allowance for loan losses and the percent of loans to total loans in each of the categories listed at the dates indicated:

 


  

2006

 

2005

Balance at end of period applicable to:

 

Amount

 

%

 

Amount

 

%

Commercial, financial and agricultural

 

$      73,953

 

3.63%

 

86,158

 

6.27%

Real estate – mortgage

 

786,679

 

38.65%

 

760,284

 

55.29%

Real estate – construction

 

1,082,117

 

53.16%

 

504,061

 

36.66%

Consumer and other loans

 

92,768

 

4.56%

 

24,411

 

1.78%

Unallocated

 

0

 

0%

 

0

 

0%

     Total

 

$2,035,517

 

100.0%

 

1,374,914

 

100.0%



The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for loan losses charged to operations. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collection of principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance. Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on a formal analysis which assesses the risk within the loan portfolio. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions.  In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require our subsidiary bank to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. See also our allowance for loan loss discussion in “Critical Accounting Policies.”

 

Our allowance for loan losses was $2,036,000 at December 31, 2006, representing 1.25% of total loans, compared with $1,375,000 at December 31, 2005, which represented 1.29% of total loans.

 



31






Deposits

 

Average amounts of deposits and average rates paid thereon, classified as to noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand and savings deposits and time deposits, are presented below. Average balances were determined using daily average balances.

 



  

For the Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

  

$

 

Rate %

 

$

 

Rate %

Non-interest bearing demand

 

16,086

 

--

 

7,256

 

--

Interest bearing demand

 

24,260

 

2.39%

 

24,285

 

2.37%

Time Deposits

 

103,215

 

4.89%

 

52,948

 

3.55%

Total

 

143,561

   

84,489

  


The amounts of time certificates of deposit issued in amounts of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2006 are shown below by category.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total


Three months or less

$

28,679

Over three months through six months

 

33,862

Over six months through twelve months

 

9,497

Over twelve months

 

14,160

   Total

$

86,198


Return on Equity and Assets

 

The following table sets forth rate of return information for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Return on assets (1)

 

1.20%

 

82%

 

Return on equity (2)

 

12.54

 

5.90

 

Dividend payout ratio (3)

 

0

 

-0-

 

Equity to assets ratio (4)

 

9.53

 

13.813

 

 


(1)

Net income divided by average total assets.

(2)

Net income divided by average equity.

(3)

Dividends declared per share divided by diluted earnings per share.

(4)

Average equity divided by average total assets.

 

Borrowings

 

We had $5,000,000 in borrowings (Advances) from the Federal Home Bank of Atlanta outstanding at December 31, 2006 and none at December 31, 2005.  The Federal Home Loan Bank Advance accrues interest at a variable rate which resets each month until maturity on June 20, 2007.  The initial interest rate in effect for December 2006 was 5.34% and is based on the Reference Rate as established by the Federal Home Loan Bank and is approximately equal to the one – month LIBOR rate (interest rates at which deposits in U.S. Dollars are offered by major banks in the London interbank market to prime banks in the London interbank market).

 

ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon, dated March 20, 2006, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-KSB Annual Report:



32







Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2006 and  2005

Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the years ended December 31, 2006

and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements



ITEM 8.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


There are no disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.


ITEM 8A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Management has developed and implemented a policy and procedures for reviewing disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting on a quarterly basis. Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006 and, based on their evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are operating effectively.  Disclosure controls and procedures are the Company’s controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management noted no significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the Company’s auditors were so advised.


ITEM 8B.   OTHER INFORMATION


On March 1, 2007, the Company entered into a definitive agreement and Plan of Reorganization with Buckhead Community Bancorp, Inc. (“Buckhead”).  Under the terms of the agreement, Company shareholders will receive 1.2 shares of stock or $30 in cash in exchange for each outstanding share of Company stock, with the maximum cash consideration being limited to $13,375,000.  The Agreement is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to close during the third quarter of 2007.  Outstanding options to purchase Company common stock will be converted into options to purchase Buckhead stock at the conversion ratio noted above and with the option price adjusted for the conversion ratio.  Outstanding warrants to purchase Company common stock will be terminated in exchange for Buckhead stock and cash.




33






PART III


ITEM 9.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT


Currently, the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank consists of ten (10) persons.  The Board is divided into three classes.  Each of those persons has been a director of the Company since its organization in 2003, except Mr. Story and Mr. Bell, who were appointed directors in October, 2006 by the Board of Directors.  In addition, each of those persons has been a director of the Bank since its organization in 2004, except Mr. Story and Mr. Bell, who were appointed directors in October, 2006 by the Board of Directors.  The directors of the Company and the Bank are as follows:


NAME

AGE

CLASS

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

    

Andrew K. Walker

55

3

Director; Mr. Walker is President and CEO of the Company and is CEO of the Bank.  He has served in these positions since May, 2003.  He has more than 30 years experience in the banking industry.

    

Carl E. Hansson

56

3

Director; Mr. Hansson is Chairman and Chief Executive officer of The Sports Section, Inc., a youth sports photography company.

    

Peter L. Gatti

47

2

Director; Mr. Gatti is Vice President and co-owner of Fax Tax, Inc. and E-Tax, Inc., accounting and tax firms that process tax returns on an electronic basis.

    

Jim P. Meadows

61

2

Director; Mr. Meadows has recently retired as Chairman of Casa Mortgage, Inc., a wholesale mortgage banking company in Houston, Texas.

    

Jackson P. Turner

82

3

Director; Mr. Turner is the Chairman and President of C. C. Financial, Inc.  He also serves as Chairman of Alliance Bancshares, Inc. and Alliance National Bank, Dalton, Georgia.

    

Brent H. Baker

59

1

Director; Mr. Baker is President of Brent Baker, Inc., an investment banking and bank consulting firm.

    

John S. (Trip) Martin, III

55

2

Director; Mr. Martin is President of GeorgiaLink Public Affairs Group, a consulting company which assists companies with governmental affairs.

    

Charles Y. Allgood

69

1

Director; Mr. Allgood is Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bancshares, Inc. (2003-present) and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alliance National Bank (2002-present).

    

Sam R. Story, III

38

2

Director; Mr. Story is Executive Vice-President and Chief Lending Officer of the Company and President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank.  He has served in these positions since July, 2003.  Mr. Story has over 14 years of banking and financial analysis experience.  Previously, he served as Vice President of Commercial Lending at First National Bank of Johns Creek for several years.


   



34






    

Richard E. Bell

60

1

Director; Mr. Bell is Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank.  He has served in these positions since July, 2003.  Mr. Bell has more than 20 years of management experience in community banks and has served as chief financial officer for several community banks.


Andrew K. Walker serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and CEO of the Bank.  Sam R. Story, III serves as Executive Vice-President and Chief Lending Officer of the Company and President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank.  Richard E. Bell serves as Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank.  They are the only executive officers of the Company.  Each officer serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company.

There are not, and have not been during the last five years, any involvements by the above-listed persons in legal proceedings relating to the Federal bankruptcy act, Federal commodities law violations, or securities law violations. In addition, none of the above-listed persons are currently charged with or within the last five years have been convicted of any criminal violations of law (other than minor traffic violations). In addition, there are not, and have not been within the last five years, any orders, judgments or decrees enjoining or limiting any director from engaging in any type of business practice or activity.

There are no family relationships among the director nominees, the directors, or any of them and any members of management of the Company or the Bank except that Jackson P. Turner is Andrew K. Walker’s father-in-law.

There are no arrangements or understandings between the Company and any person pursuant to which any of the above persons have been or will be elected a director.  No director is a director of another public company.

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors from the procedures set forth in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

The Company has a standing audit committee, which reviews independent audit reports to report the findings to the Board of Directors and recommends the independent auditors.  The committee also reviews the audited financial statements and related notes with management and the independent accountants.  The audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.  Its members are Jackson P. Turner, Chairman, Peter L. Gatti and Charles Y. Allgood.  Andrew K. Walker and Richard E. Bell are non-voting, ex-officio  members.  All of the voting members of the Audit Committee are independent (as independence is defined in the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers’ listing standards), except Mr. Turner, since he is the father-in-law of Mr. Walker.

The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Peter L. Gatti, one of the directors serving on the Company’s audit committee, is an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined under SEC Rules, and that Mr. Gatti is independent, as the term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act. Mr. Gatti served on the audit committee of First National Bank of Johns Creek from 1999 until December, 2002, when the bank merged with Main Street Bank.  Since 1989 Mr. Gatti has also been vice president and co-owner of Fax Tax, Inc. and E-Tax, Inc., accounting and tax firms that have over 600 satellite offices and that process tax returns on an electronic basis.


The Company has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its principal executive officer and principal financial/accounting officer.






35






Filings Under Section 16(A)


Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the common stock of the Company, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.  The Company is not aware of any beneficial owner of more than 10% of its common stock.

Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to the Company, the Company believes that during the 2006 fiscal year all filings applicable to its officers and directors were complied with.



ITEM 10.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive Compensation

The Company does not separately compensate any of its directors or executive officers.  Any compensation paid them is paid by the Bank.  The following sets forth certain information concerning the compensation of the Company’s executive officers during fiscal years 2006 and 2005:

Executive Compensation

Name and Principal Position

Fiscal Year


Salary ($)


Bonus ($)

Option Awards ($) (1)

All Other Compensation (2)


Total ($)

Andrew K. Walker

President and Chief Executive Officer

2006

2005

177,083

164,792

40,250

32,813

10,281   

164,566(3)

-

-

227,614

362,171

Sam R. Story, III

Executive Vice President

2006

2005

144,000

127,500

27,000

19,500

8,225   

8,225   

-

-

179,225

155,225

Richard E. Bell

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

2006

2005

135,208

123,500

25,200

18,750

8,225   

8,225   

-

-

168,633

150,475


(1)

Includes a portion of the value of stock options granted in 2004, i.e. the value of the portion of the options vesting in 2006 or 2005, as applicable.  Please refer to footnotes 1 and 9 to the Company’s financial statements for a discussion of the assumptions related to the calculation of such value.

(2)

In accordance with SEC rules, the table omits perquisites and other personal benefits which may be derived from business-related expenditures that in the aggregate do not exceed $10,000 annually.


(3)

Includes the value of warrants to purchase common stock issued to Mr. Walker as an organizing director.  In July, 2005, the Company approved the acceleration of vesting of all outstanding warrants which resulted in 42,857 warrants of Mr. Walker vesting in 2005.  The value of Mr. Walker’s warrants vesting in 2005 was determined in accordance with FAS 123R.


Employment Agreements


Andrew K. Walker has an employment agreement with Allied Bancshares and First National of Forsyth under which he will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Bank.  The



36






employment agreement provides for an initial term of 5 years.  He was paid an annual salary of $164,792 in 2005, and is also entitled to certain performance bonuses.  The criteria for earning performance bonuses has been established by the Board of Directors.


Under Mr. Walker’s employment agreement and the stock option plan adopted by the Board of Directors, the Company granted to him options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The purchase price for the shares is $10.00 per share, and the options have a term of ten years.  The option agreement provides that the option to purchase one-fifth of the shares subject to the options will vest on the last day of each of the first five fiscal years of the Company after the opening date of the Bank, but only if Mr. Walker remains employed by the Company and the Bank on such date.  If the Bank's primary regulator issues a capital directive or other order requiring the Bank to obtain additional capital, the options will be forfeited if not then exercised.


If the Company and the Bank terminate Mr. Walker’s employment without cause during the term of the agreement, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him severance pay for the remaining term of the agreement.  If Mr. Walker’s employment is terminated due to a sale, merger or other change of control of the Company, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him severance pay equal to 100% of his then current monthly base salary each month for 12 months from the termination date.  Furthermore, the Company must remove any restrictions on outstanding stock options so that all such options vest immediately.


In addition, Mr. Walker’s employment agreement provides that for a period of twelve months following voluntary termination by Mr. Walker, but not beyond the original termination date of his employment term under the agreement, Mr. Walker may not so long as he is receiving compensation from the Bank:  (i) be employed in the Banking business or any related field thereto within Forsyth County, (ii) solicit customers of the Bank for the purpose of providing financial services; (iii) solicit employees of the Bank for employment; (iv) furnish anyone or use any list of customers of the Bank for Banking purposes; or (v) furnish, use or divulge to anyone any information acquired by him from the Bank relating to the Bank's methods of doing business.


In July, 2003, the Company and Sam R. Story, III, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer, entered into an employment agreement with an initial term of 5 years.  The employment agreement with Mr. Story was amended in November, 2006 and has substantially the same terms and conditions as the Company’s employment agreement with Mr. Walker, except that under Mr. Story’s agreement the Company granted Mr. Story the option to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and if the Company terminates Mr. Story’s employment without cause during the term of the agreement, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him 6-month’s severance pay.  If Mr. Story’s employment is terminated due to a sale, merger or other change of control of the Company, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him severance pay equal to 100% of his then current monthly base salary each month for 12 months from the termination date.  Furthermore, the Company must remove any restrictions on outstanding stock options so that all such options vest immediately.

In July, 2003, the Company and Richard E. Bell, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, entered into an employment agreement with an initial term of 5 years.  The employment agreement with Mr. Bell was amended in October, 2006, and has substantially the same terms and conditions as the Company’s employment agreement with Mr. Walker, except that under Mr. Bell’s agreement the Company granted Mr. Bell the option to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and if the Company terminates Mr. Bell’s employment without cause during the term of the agreement, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him 6-month’s severance pay.  If Mr. Bell’s employment is terminated due to a sale, merger or other change of control of the Company, the Bank and the Company will be obligated to pay him severance pay equal to 100% of his then current monthly base salary each month for 12 months from the termination date.  Furthermore, the Company must remove any restrictions on outstanding stock options so that all such options vest immediately.



37






Equity Awards


The following table provides a complete summary of all equity awards to the named executive officers on a grant-by-grant basis.    


Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2006


 

Option Awards






          Name

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable




Option Exercise Price ($)




Option Expiration        Date

Andrew K. Walker

   15,000 (1)

   42,857 (3)

10,000 (1)

       -0- (3)

10.00

10.00

8/17/2014

4/05/2014

Sam R. Story, III

   12,000 (1)

          -0-(2)

   8,000(1)

   5,000(2)

10.00

20.00

8/17/2014

10/17/2016

Richard E. Bell

    12,000 (1)

           -0-(2)

 

   8,000(1)

   5,000(2)

10.00

20.00

8/17/2014

10/17/2016



(1)  The options were granted August 18, 2004 and  become vested and exercisable in annual increments of 20% of the total shares beginning December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2008, and expire after ten years.


(2)  The options were granted October 18, 2006 and become vested and exercisable in annual increments of 20% of the total shares at the anniversary date of the grant date and expire after ten years.


(3)  Stock warrants issued April 5, 2004 pursuant to the Stock Warrant Plan dated October 15, 2003.  All warrants have vested.


All options are not subject to performance conditions, but are subject to service-based vesting conditions.    The exercise price for the options granted is no less than the market price on the day the option is granted, as determined by the Board of Directors.




38






Director Compensation

The Bank presently pays a director’s fee to non-employee directors for attendance at Board of Directors meetings.  The directors of the Company and the Bank presently do not receive a fee for attending committee meetings.  Each non-employee director was paid a fee of $500 for each Board meeting attended beginning with the April, 2006 meeting.  The following table provides the compensation paid each non-employee director for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.


Director Compensation Table

(Year Ended December 31, 2006)


       

        Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)

 

All other Compensation ($)

 


Total $

Carl E. Hansson

 

$ 4,000

 

--

 

4,000

Peter L. Gatti

 

   3,000

 

--

 

3,000

Jim P. Meadows

 

   4,000

 

--

 

4,000

Jackson P. Turner

 

   4,000

 

--

 

4,000

Brent H. Baker, Sr.

 

   3,500

 

--

 

3,500

John S.  Martin, III

 

   3,000

 

--

 

3,000

Charles Y. Allgood

 

   4,000

 

--

 

4,000

    Total

     

$ 25,000





39






ITEM 11.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT


The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s only outstanding class of securities, common stock, $.10 par value, held by the current directors, nominees for director, named executive officers, and directors and executive officers as a group, as of March 15, 2007.


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership

Percentage Ownership(1)

   

Andrew K. Walker

Director; President and C.E.O

Suwanee, GA  30024

107,857

(2)

6.91%

   

Carl E. Hansson

Chairman; Director

Flowery Branch, GA  30542

81,714

(3)

5.28%

   

Peter L. Gatti

Director

Cumming, GA  30040

85,714

(4)

5.54%

   

Jim P. Meadows

Director

Highlands, NC  28741

93,107

(5)

6.02%

   

Jackson P. Turner

Director

Dalton, GA  30720

85,614

(6)

5.53%

   

Brent H. Baker, Sr.

Director

Cumming, GA  30040

60,000

(7)

3.91%

   

John S. (Trip) Martin, III

Director

Atlanta, Georgia  30334

85,714

(8)

5.54%

   

Charles Y. Allgood

Director

Dalton, Georgia  30720

100


.01%

   

Sam R. Story, III

Director; Executive Vice President

Cumming, GA 30040

14,500

(9)

.95%

   

Richard E. Bell,

Director; Vice President; Corporate Secretary

Gainesville, GA  30504

42,000

(10)

2.77%

   

All Directors and Officers as a Group(11)

656,320

35.86%

__________________________

(1)

The calculation of the percentage ownership of each individual is based in each case on 1,504,000 actual outstanding shares of common stock, plus the number of shares subject to exercisable options and/or warrants held by the particular individual as if such shares are outstanding.



40






The calculation of the percentage ownership of the group is based upon 1,830,142 shares deemed to be outstanding.  These deemed outstanding shares include 1,504,000 shares of common stock actually outstanding, 287,142 exercisable warrants and 39,000 exercisable stock options at March 15, 2007.

(2)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants and 15,000 exercisable stock options.

(3)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(4)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(5)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(6)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(7)

Includes 30,000 exercisable warrants.

(8)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(9)

Includes 12,000 exercisable options and 500 shares owned jointly with his mother and sister.

(10)

Includes 12,000 exercisable options.

(11)

These figures are different from the sum of the individual percentages because of rounding.


The following table sets forth the beneficial owners of the Company’s only outstanding class of securities, common stock, $.10 par value, who to the Company’s knowledge owned beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of March 15, 2007.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership

Percentage Ownership(1)

   

Daniel B. Cowart

Norcross, GA  30092

85,000

5.65%

   

Andrew K. Walker

Suwanee, GA  30024

107,857

(2)

6.91%

   

Carl E. Hansson

Flowery Branch, GA  30542

81,714

(3)

5.28%

   

Peter L. Gatti

Cumming, GA  30040

85,714

(4)

5.54%

   

Jim P. Meadows

Highlands, NC  28741

93,107

(5)

6.02%

   

Jackson P. Turner

Dalton, GA  30720

85,614

(6)

5.53%

   

John S. (Trip) Martin, III

Atlanta, GA  30334

85,714

(7)

5.54%


(1)

The calculation of the percentage ownership of each individual is based in each case on 1,504,000 actual outstanding shares of common stock, plus the number of shares subject to exercisable options and/or warrants held by the particular individual as if such shares are outstanding.

(2)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants and 15,000 exercisable stock options.

(3)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(4)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(5)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(6)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.

(7)

Includes 42,857 exercisable warrants.








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Equity Compensation Plans


The following table summarizes information as of March 1, 2007 relating to equity compensation plans of the Company pursuant to which grants of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION



 

(a)

(b)

(c)

Plan Category

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)

    

Equity compensation plans approved by  security holders (1)

429,643

$10.38

53,000

    

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

--

--

--

 

______

_____

_____

Total

429,643

$10.38

53,000

__________________________

(1)

The only plans are the Company’s 2004 Stock Option Plan and the Company’s Stock Warrant Plan, both of which were approved by the shareholders of the Company at the annual meeting held on April 20, 2006.


ITEM 12.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


In the ordinary course of its banking business, the Bank has had and anticipates that it will continue to have transactions with various directors, officers, principal shareholders, and their associates.  In the opinion of management all loans and commitments to extend loans included in such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business substantially on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing from time to time on comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons; are not such as are required to be classified as non- accrual, past due, restructured or creating potential problems; and do not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility or present any other unfavorable features. In management’s opinion, the amount of extensions of credit outstanding at any time from the beginning of the last fiscal year to date to a director, executive officer or principal security holder and their associates, individually or in the aggregate, did not exceed the maximum permitted under applicable banking regulations.

The Board of Directors has reviewed the relationship between directors and the Company in light of the independence standards contained in the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers’ listing standards (“NASDAQ”).  The purpose of the review was to determine whether any director, either directly or indirectly, has a material relationship with the Company that would preclude the director from being independent.  As a result of the review, the Board has affirmatively determined that each director is an independent director, other than Andrew K. Walker, Sam R. Story, III, and Richard E. Bell, who are executive officers of the Bank, and Jackson P. Turner, who is the father-in-law of Andrew K. Walker.

The directors named as follows have been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent:

Carl Hansson

Brent H. Baker, Sr.

Peter L. Gatti

John S. (Trip) Martin, III

Jim P. Meadows

Charles Y. Allgood




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In the process of evaluating the independence of these directors, the Board considered all relevant factors, facts and circumstances.  Specifically, the Board considered the following.

)

All of the directors, either individually or through an affiliated entity, have a customer relationship with the Company in the ordinary course of business, on terms and conditions not more favorable than those afforded by the Company to other similarly situated customers.


)

Directors Baker and Gatti, either individually or through an affiliated entity, have a borrower relationship with the Company on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans by the Company to unrelated persons, and involving no more than the normal risk of collectibility and no other unfavorable features.


)

Mr. Meadow’s son is a non-executive employee of the Bank.


)

Mr. Baker’s son is a non-executive employee of the Bank.


In each case the Board concluded, in light of the independence standards of NASDAQ, that the transaction or relationship does not rise to the level such that it could reasonably be deemed to impair the director’s exercise of independent judgment and autonomy in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a director.





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ITEM 13.  EXHIBITS


Exhibit

Number


Exhibit

    Sequential

        Page    

3.1

Articles of Incorporation as Amended and Restated(1)

--

3.2

Bylaws(1)

--

4.1

See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Articles of Incorporation

And Bylaws defining rights of holders of the Common Stock

 

--

10.1

Real Estate Agreement (main office property) dated September 18, 2003(1)

--

10.2

Lease of branch bank office, dated February 12, 2007

48

10.3*

Employment Agreement of Andrew K. Walker(1)

--

10.4*

Form of Warrant Agreement(1)

--

10.5*

Employment Agreement of Sam R. Story, III(2)

--

10.6*

Employment Agreement of Richard E. Bell(1)

--

10.7*

Stock Warrant Plan(2)

--

10.8*

2005 Stock Option Plan(4)

--

10.9*

Form of Stock Option Agreement (4)

--

10.10*

Amendment to Employment Agreement of Sam R. Story, III(5)

--

10.11*

Amendment to Employment Agreement of Richard E. Bell(6)

--

10.13*

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Buckhead Community Bancorp, Inc. and Allied Bancshares, Inc.(7)

--

14.1

Code of Ethical Conduct(3)

--

21.1

Subsidiaries of Allied Bancshares, Inc. The sole subsidiary of the Company is First National Bank of Forsyth County, Cumming, Georgia, which is wholly-owned by the Company.

--

24.1

Power of Attorney (appears on the signature pages to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB

--

31

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications


32

Section 1350 Certifications


99.1

Allied Bancshares, Inc. Financial Statements as of December 31, 2006


_______________________________


* Indicates a compensatory plan or contract.


(1)  Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 333-109462), as filed with the SEC on October 3, 2003.


(2)  Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to Registration  Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 333-109462), as filed with the SEC on December 4, 2003.


(3)  Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003 (SEC File No. 33-109462).


(4)  Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 (SEC File No. 000-51269).


(5)  Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2006 (SEC File No. 000-51269).



44







(6)  Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s amended current report on Form 8-K dated November 13, 2006 (SEC File No. 000-51269).


(7)  Previously field as an exhibit to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2007 (SEC File No. 000-51269).


ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


Audit Fees

Aggregate fees billed to the Company for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 for professional services rendered by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP for its audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and for its reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-QSB reports were $53,015 and $37,236, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees

There were no fees billed to the Company in fiscal year 2006 and 2005 for professional services of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and not reported in the previous paragraph.

Tax Fees

Aggregate fees billed to the Company for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 for professional services of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP for tax compliance and related tax services were $6,650 and $7,300, respectively.  The services performed were preparation of the annual federal and state tax returns of the Company.

All Other Fees

Fees billed to the Company in fiscal years 2006 and 2006 for services rendered by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP other than for the services for 2006 and 2005 described in the previous three paragraphs totaled $2,200 in 2006 and $-0- in 2005.

The engagement of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP to render audit or non-audit services requires the approval of the Company’s audit committee.



45






SIGNATURES


In accordance with Section  13 or 15(d) of the Exchange  Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized.



ALLIED BANCSHARES, INC.


By:  s/Andrew K. Walker                               

Andrew K. Walker

President and Chief Executive Officer


Date:  March 29, 2007



POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears on the signature page to this Report constitutes and appoints Andrew K. Walker and Richard E. Bell, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits hereto, and other documents in connection herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


In accordance with  the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



            SIGNATURE

                  TITLE

         DATE

   

s/Andrew K. Walker                      

Andrew K. Walker

Director, President, Chief Executive Officer*

March 29, 2007

   

s/Richard E. Bell                           

Richard E. Bell

Director, Chief Financial Officer**

March 29, 2007

   

s/Sam R. Story, III                        

Executive Vice President

March 29, 2007

Sam R. Story, III

  
   

s/Carl E. Hansson                           

Carl E. Hansson

Director

March 29, 2007

   


s/Peter L. Gatti                             

Peter L. Gatti

Director

March 29, 2007

   

s/Jim P. Meadows____________

Jim P. Meadows

Director

March 29, 2007

   

s/Jackson P. Turner                       

Jackson P. Turner

Director

March 29, 2007

   
   



46






s/Brent H. Baker, Sr.                       

Brent H. Baker, Sr.

Director

March 29, 2007

   

s/John S. Martin, III                  ___

John S. Martin, III

Director

March 29, 2007

   

s/Charles Y. Allgood                      

Charles Y. Allgood

Director

March 29, 2007

   

s/Sam R. Story, III ____________

Sam R. Story, III

Director

March 29, 2007


_______________________________________

*Principal executive officer.

**Principal financial and accounting officer.


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(D) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT BY NON-REPORTING ISSUERS:


Not Applicable.



































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