Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Risks and Uncertainties

The earnings of the Company depend primarily on the earnings of Republic. The earnings of Republic are dependent primarily upon the level of net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly, the Company's results of operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding Republic's exposure to changes in the interest rate environment.

Prepayments on residential real estate mortgage and other fixed rate loans and mortgage-backed securities vary significantly, and may cause significant fluctuations in interest margins.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates are made by management in determining the allowance for loan losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, assessment of other than temporary impairment ("OTTI") of investment securities, impairment of restricted stock and the realization of deferred income tax assets. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates.

In estimating the allowance for loan losses, management considers current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, borrowers' perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant factors. Because the allowance for loan losses and carrying value of other real estate owned are dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond the Company's and Republic's control, the estimates of the allowance for loan losses and the carrying values of other real estate owned could differ materially in the near term.

In estimating OTTI of investment securities, securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other than temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other than temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term "other than temporary" is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.

In estimating impairment of restricted stock, management's determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on the assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of the cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh ("FHLB") and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB.

In evaluating the Company's ability to recover deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the Company's past operating results and the Company's forecast of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, management makes assumptions for the amount of taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require management to make judgments about the Company's future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates management uses to manage the Company's business. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require the Company to record a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on the Company's future earnings.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains the Amendment and Restatement No. 3 of the Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock Plan of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. ("Plan"), under which the Company may grant options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights to the Company's employees, directors, and certain consultants. Under the terms of the Plan, 1.5 million shares of common stock, plus an annual increase equal to the number of shares needed to restore the maximum number of shares that may be available for grant under the Plan to 1.5 million shares, are available for such grants. As of June 30, 2011, the only grants under the Plan have been option grants. The Plan provides that the exercise price of each option granted equals the market price of the Company's stock on the date of the grant. Any option granted vests within one to five years and has a maximum term of ten years.

The Company utilizes a Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair market value of stock options. In 2011, the following assumptions were utilized: a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 49.11%; a risk-free interest rate of 2.84%; and an expected life of 7.0 years. In 2010, the following assumptions were utilized: a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 33.67% to 37.37%; a risk-free interest rate of 2.06% to 3.46%; and an expected life of 7.0 years. A dividend yield of 0% is utilized, because cash dividends have never been paid. The expected life reflects a combination of a 3 to 4 year "all or nothing" vesting period, the maximum ten-year term and review of historical behavior. The volatility was based on Bloomberg's seven-year volatility calculation for "FRBK" stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the seven year Treasury bond. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, 53,500 options vested. No options vested during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expense is recognized ratably over the period required to vest. There were 445,350 unvested options at January 1, 2011 with a fair value of $1,158,861 with $531,757 of that amount remaining to be recognized as expense. At June 30, 2011, there were 562,700 unvested options with a fair value of $1,235,096 with $640,857 of that amount remaining to be recognized as expense. At that date, the intrinsic value of the 823,354 options outstanding was $2,490, while the intrinsic value of the 260,654 exercisable (vested) options was $0.

Compensation expense of $83,000 and $168,000 was recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Compensation expense of $78,000 and $120,000 was recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. For each of these periods, a 35% assumed tax benefit for the Plan was utilized in making the calculations.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share ("EPS") consists of two separate components: basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents ("CSEs"). CSEs consist of dilutive stock options granted through the Company's Plan and convertible securities related trust preferred securities issued in 2008. In the diluted EPS computation, the after tax interest expense on the trust preferred securities issuance is added back to the net income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the effect of CSEs and the related add back of after tax interest expense was considered anti-dilutive and therefore was not included in the EPS calculation. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not include stock options in calculating diluted EPS due to a net loss from operations.

The calculation of EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net loss	$	(480	)	$	(7,055	)	$	(2,988	)	$	(10,917	)

Weighted average shares outstanding		25,973			11,707			25,973			11,142

Net loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.60	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.98	)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2011-05

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The FASB has issued this ASU to facilitate the continued alignment of U.S. GAAP with International Accounting Standards.

The Update prohibits the presentation of the components of comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders' equity. Reporting entities are allowed to present either: a statement of comprehensive income, which reports both net income and other comprehensive income; or separate statements of net income and other comprehensive income. Under previous GAAP, all three presentations were acceptable. Regardless of the presentation selected, the Company is required to present all reclassifications between other comprehensive and net income on the face of the new statement or statements.

The effective date of ASU 2011-05 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the Update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2011. For nonpublic entities, the provisions are effective for fiscal years ending after December 31, 2012, and for interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2011-04

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The FASB has issued this ASU to amend ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, in order to bring U.S. GAAP for fair value measurements in line with International Accounting Standards.

The Update clarifies existing guidance for items such as: the application of the highest and best use concept to non-financial assets and liabilities; the application of fair value measurement to financial instruments classified in a reporting entity's stockholders' equity; and disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of level 3 assets.

The Update also creates an exception to Topic 820 for entities, which carry financial instruments within a portfolio or group, under which the entity is now permitted to base the price used for fair valuation upon a price that would be received to sell the net asset position or transfer a net liability position in an orderly transaction. The Update also allows for the application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement if the financial instrument is categorized in level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Lastly, the ASU contains new disclosure requirements regarding fair value amounts categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy such as: disclosure of the valuation process used; effects of and relationships between unobservable inputs; usage of nonfinancial assets for purposes other than their highest and best use when that is the basis of the disclosed fair value; and categorization by level of items disclosed at fair value, but not measured at fair value for financial statement purposes.

The effective date of ASU 2011-04 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the Update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. For nonpublic entities, the Update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2011-02

In April 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-02, Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor's Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring. The FASB has issued this ASU to clarify the accounting principles applied to loan modifications, as defined by FASB ASC Subtopic 310-40, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors.

The ASU clarifies guidance on a creditor's evaluation of whether or not a concession has been granted, with an emphasis on evaluating all aspects of the modification rather than focus on specific criteria, such as the effective interest rate test, to determine a concession. The ASU goes on to provide guidance on specific types of modifications such as changes in the interest rate of the borrowing, and insignificant delays in payments, as well as guidance on the creditor's evaluation of whether or not a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.

The effective date of ASU 2011-02 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the amendments in the ASU are effective for the first interim or annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption.

The entity should also disclose information required by ASU 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, which had previously been deferred by ASU 2011-01, Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20, for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2010-20

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosure about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. The FASB believes that this guidance will help investors assess the credit risk of a company's receivables portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for credit losses held against the portfolios by expanding credit risk disclosures.

This ASU requires more information about the credit quality of financing receivables in the disclosures to financial statements, such as aging information and credit quality indicators. Both new and existing disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class. This disaggregation of information is based on how a company develops its allowance for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure.

The amendments in this ASU apply to all public and nonpublic entities with financing receivables. Financing receivables include loans and trade accounts receivable. However, short-term trade accounts receivable, receivables measured at fair value or lower of cost or fair value, and debt securities are exempt from these disclosure amendments.

The effective date of ASU 2010-20 differs for public and nonpublic companies. For public companies, the amendments that require disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments that require disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.