Business—Citizens Bancshares Corporation and subsidiary (the "Company") is a holding company that provides a full range of commercial banking to individual and corporate customers in its primary market areas, metropolitan Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia, and Birmingham and Eutaw, Alabama through its wholly owned subsidiary, Citizens Trust Bank (the "Bank"). The Bank operates under a state charter and serves its customers through eight full-service branches in metropolitan Atlanta, one full-service branch in Columbus, Georgia, one full-service branch in Birmingham, Alabama, and one full-service branch in Eutaw, Alabama. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with general practices within the banking industry. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates common to the banking industry that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of allowances associated with the recognition of deferred tax assets and the value of foreclosed real estate and intangible assets.

Acquisition—On March 27, 2009, the Company's subsidiary, Citizens Trust Bank ("Citizens"), acquired the Lithonia branch (the "Branch") of The Peoples Bank, a Georgia state bank ("Peoples"). Citizens acquired the in-market deposits of the Branch which totaled approximately $50 million. Under the Agreement, Citizens also acquired the branch office and related real estate and certain personal property at the Branch. The Company recorded a finite lived intangible asset related to the value of deposit accounts acquired of approximately $3,303,000 and is amortizing the amount over 7 years.

Troubled Asset Relief Program—On August 13, 2010, as part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury") Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP") Community Development Capital Initiative, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement, and an Exchange Agreement—Standard Terms ("Exchange Agreement"), with the Treasury, pursuant to which the Company agreed to exchange 7,462 shares of the Company's Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A ("Series A Preferred Shares"), issued on March 6, 2009, pursuant to the Company's participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, for 7,462 shares of the Company's Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B ("Series B Preferred Shares"), both of which have a liquidation preference of $1,000 (the "Exchange Transaction"). No new monetary consideration was exchanged in connection with the Exchange Transaction. The Exchange Transaction closed on August 13, 2010 (the "Closing Date").

On September 17, 2010, the Company issued 4,379 shares of its Series C Preferred Shares to the Treasury as part of its TARP Community Development Capital Initiative for a total of 11,841 shares of Series B and C Preferred Shares issued to the Treasury. The issuance of the Series B and Series C Preferred Shares was a private placement exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Series B and Series C Preferred Shares qualify as Tier 1 capital and will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 2% per annum for the first eight years after the Closing Date and 9% per annum thereafter. The Company may, subject to consultation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, redeem the Series B and Series C Preferred Shares at any time for its aggregate liquidation amount plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold. The Federal Reserve Bank (the "FRB") requires the Company to maintain a required cash reserve balance on deposit with the FRB, based on the Company's daily average balance with the FRB. This reserve requirement represents 3% of the Company's daily average demand deposit balance between $11.5 million and $71 million and 10% of the Company's daily average demand deposit balance above $71 million.

Interest-bearing Deposits with Banks—Substantially all of the Company's interest-bearing deposits with banks represent funds maintained on deposit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (the 'FRB") and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB). These funds fluctuate daily and are used to manage the Company's liquidity and borrowing position. Funds can be withdrawn daily from this account and accordingly, the carrying amount of this account is at cost which is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Other Investments—Other investments consist of Federal Home Loan Bank stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock which are restricted and have no readily determinable market value. These investments are carried at cost.

Investment Securities—The Company classifies investments in one of three categories based on management's intent upon purchase: held to maturity securities which are reported at amortized cost, trading securities which are reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings, and available for sale securities which are recorded at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company had no investment securities classified as trading securities during 2011, 2010, or 2009.

Premiums and discounts on available for sale and held to maturity securities are amortized or accreted using a method which approximates a level yield. Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts are presented within investment securities interest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Gains and losses on sales of investment securities are recognized upon disposition, based on the adjusted cost of the specific security. A decline in market value of any security below cost that is deemed other than temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. The determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred involves significant assumptions, estimates, changes in economic conditions and judgment by management. There was no other-than-temporary impairment for securities recorded during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses—Loans are reported at principal amounts outstanding plus direct origination costs, net of loan fees. Interest income is recognized over the term of the loan based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the loans using the level yield method. Premiums and discounts on loans purchased are amortized and accreted using the level yield method over the estimated remaining life of the loan purchased. The accretion and amortization of loan fees, origination costs, and premiums and discounts are presented as a component of loan interest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Management considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, there is a potential that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan may not be collected. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or at the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the full and timely collection of principal or interest becomes uncertain or the loan becomes contractually in default for 90 days or more as to either principal or interest, unless the loan is well collateralized and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, current period accrued and uncollected interest is charged-off against interest income on loans unless management believes the accrued interest is recoverable through the liquidation of collateral. Loans are returned to accrual status when payment has been made according to the terms and conditions of the loan for a continuous six month period.

The Company provides for estimated losses on loans receivable when any significant and permanent decline in value occurs. These estimates for losses are based on individual assets and their related cash flow forecasts, sales values, independent appraisals, the volatility of certain real estate markets, and concern for disposing of real estate in distressed markets. For loans that are pooled for purposes of determining necessary provisions, estimates are based on loan types, history of charge-offs, and other delinquency analyses. Therefore, the value used to determine the provision for losses is subject to the reasonableness of these estimates. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is reviewed on a monthly basis by management and the Board of Directors. This assessment is made in the context of historical losses as well as existing economic conditions, performance trends within specific portfolio segments, and individual concentrations of credit.

Loans are charged-off against the allowance when, in the opinion of management, such loans are deemed to be uncollectible and subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance.

Troubled Debt Restructurings—Loans to be restructured are identified based on an assessment of the borrower's credit status, which involves, but is not limited to, a review of financial statements, payment delinquency, non-accrual status, and risk rating. Determining the borrower's credit status is a continual process that is performed by the Company's staff with periodic participation from an independent external loan review group.

Troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") generally occur when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties in the near-term and it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company seeks to assist these borrowers by working with them to prevent further difficulties, and ultimately to improve the likelihood of recovery on the loan while ensuring compliance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) guidelines. To facilitate this process, a formal concessionary modification that would not otherwise be considered may be granted resulting in classification of the loan as a TDR.

The modification may include a change in the interest rate or the payment amount or a combination of both. Substantially all modifications completed under a formal restructuring agreement are considered TDRs. Modifications can involve loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual, or continuing on accruing status, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. These restructurings rarely result in the forgiveness of principal or interest. Nonperforming commercial TDRs may be returned to accrual status based on a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower's financial condition and prospects for repayment under the modified terms. This evaluation must include consideration of the borrower's sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable period (generally a minimum of six months) prior to the date on which the loan is returned to accrual status.

With respect to commercial TDRs, an analysis of the credit evaluation, in conjunction with an evaluation of the borrower's performance prior to the restructuring, are considered when evaluating the borrower's ability to meet the restructured terms of the loan agreement. Nonperforming commercial TDRs may be returned to accrual status based on a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower's financial condition and prospects for repayment under the modified terms. This evaluation must include consideration of the borrower's sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable period (generally a minimum of six months) prior to the date on which the loan is returned to accrual status.

In connection with consumer loan TDRs, a nonperforming loan will be returned to accruing status when current as to principal and interest and upon a sustained historical repayment performance (generally a minimum of six months).

Premises and Equipment—Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation which is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings for the period. The costs of maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the useful life of the respective assets, are charged to earnings as incurred, whereas significant renewals and improvements are capitalized. The range of estimated useful lives for premises and equipment is as follows:

Other Real Estate Owned—Other real estate owned is reported at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated disposal costs, determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources. Any excess of the loan balance at the time of foreclosure over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is treated as a charge-off against the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent declines in value are charged to earnings. Transactions in other real estate owned for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized below:

	Years Ended December 31,

	2011			2010
Balance—beginning of year	$	9,109,603		$	10,836,771
Additions		5,747,670			3,340,027
Sales		(3,522,834	)		(3,089,164	)
Write downs		(1,258,602	)		(1,978,031	)

Balance—end of year	$	10,075,837		$	9,109,603

Intangible Assets—Finite lived intangible assets of the Company represent deposit assumption premiums recorded upon the purchase of certain assets and liabilities from other financial institutions. Deposit assumption premiums are amortized over seven years, the estimated average lives of the deposits acquired, using the straight-line method and are included within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill on an annual basis and on an interim basis if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Unamortized intangible asset:
Goodwill	$	362,139	$	—	$	362,139	$	—

Amortized intangible asset:
Core deposit intangibles	$	3,676,106	$	1,670,454	$	3,676,106	$	1,198,536

The following table presents information about aggregate amortization expense for each of the three succeeding fiscal years as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,

	2011		2010		2009
Aggregate amortization expense of core deposit intangibles	$	471,918	$	489,665	$	407,178

Estimated aggregate amortization expense of core deposit intangibles for the year ending December 31:
2012	$	471,918
2013	$	471,918
2014	$	471,918
2015	$	471,918
2016 and thereafter	$	117,980

Income Taxes—Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities result in deferred tax assets, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of a deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

The Company believes that its income tax filing positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns will more likely than not be sustained upon audit by the taxing authorities and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders—Basic net income per common share ("EPS") is computed based on net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed based on net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares. The only potential common share equivalents are those related to stock options and nonvested restricted stock grants. Common share equivalents which are anti-dilutive are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

Stock Based Compensation—The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock, using daily price observations over the expected term of the stock options. The expected term represents the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding and is derived from historical data which is used to evaluate patterns such as stock option exercise and employee termination. The expected dividend yield is based on recent dividend history. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant based on the expected life of the option.

On May 28, 2009, the stockholders of the Company approved the Long Term Incentive Plan which provides for the issuance of restricted common stock for performance compensation. In 2009, 13,590 nonvested restricted shares of common stock were issued to certain officers at a grant price of $4.55. The 2009 restricted common stock vests at a rate of 33.3% per year, commencing on January 1, 2010. At December 31, 2011, 66.67% of restricted shares of common stock were vested. The remaining restricted shares will vest on January 1, 2012.

In 2010, 15,000 nonvested restricted shares of common stock were issued to certain officers at a grant price of $4.50. The 2010 restricted common stock will vest 100% (Cliff vesting) on January 1, 2013.

In 2011, 11,000 nonvested restricted shares of common stock were issued to certain officers at a grant price of $4.20. The 2011 restricted common stock will vest 100% (Cliff vesting) on January 1, 2013.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In July 2010, the Receivables topic of the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") was amended by Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-20 to require expanded disclosures related to a company's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. The amendments require the allowance disclosures to be provided on a disaggregated basis. The Company is required to include these disclosures in their interim and annual financial statements. See Note 3.

Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") required by ASU 2010-20 were deferred by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in ASU 2011-01 issued in January 2011. In April 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-02 to assist creditors with their determination of when a restructuring is a TDR. The determination is based on whether the restructuring constitutes a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties as both events must be present.

See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for the Disclosures related to TDRs under ASU 2010-20.

In December 2010, the Intangibles topic of the ASC was amended to modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. Any resulting goodwill impairment should be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings upon adoption. Impairments occurring subsequent to adoption should be included in earnings. The amendment was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2011, and is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements.

In September 2011, the Intangibles topic was again amended to permit an entity to consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. These amendments will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012.

ASU 2011-04 was issued in May 2011 to amend the Fair Value Measurement topic of the ASC by clarifying the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and by changing particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2012 but are not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements.

The Comprehensive Income topic of the ASC was amended in June 2011. The amendment eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income as a part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The amendment requires consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income and requires an entity to present reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements. The amendments will be applicable to the Company on January 1, 2012 and will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-12 was issued in December 2011 to defer the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or retained earnings as previously reported.