General Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

General Information

Note 1: General Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of BancTrust Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiary bank (referred to collectively in this discussion as "BancTrust," "the Company," "our," "us" or "we") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for audited financial statements.  The information furnished reflects all adjustments and consolidating entries, consisting of normal and recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management of the Company ("Management") are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.  Results for interim periods may not necessarily be indicative of results to be expected for the year or any other period. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the statement of condition and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans.

A substantial portion of the Company's loans are secured by real estate in the southern two-thirds of Alabama and northwest Florida. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Company's loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in market conditions in these areas. Management believes that the allowance for losses on loans and leases is adequate. Management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and leases, and future additions to the allowance 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 Company's allowance for loan and lease losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make changes to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of 2011 balances have been made to conform to classifications used in 2012. These reclassifications did not change shareholders' equity or net income (loss).