Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) for complete financial statements.  The consolidated financial statements of S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp”) and its subsidiary reflect all adjustments (consisting only of adjustments of a normal recurring nature) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition and results of operations for the interim periods.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company (“Bank”).  S.Y. Bancorp Capital Trust II is a Delaware statutory trust that is a wholly-owned unconsolidated finance subsidiary of S.Y. Bancorp, Inc. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

A description of other significant accounting policies is presented in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in S.Y. Bancorp, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year financial statements to conform to current year classifications.

Interim results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management has identified the accounting policy related to the allowance for loan losses as critical to the understanding of Bancorp’s results of operations and discussed this conclusion with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Since the application of this policy requires significant management assumptions and estimates, it could result in materially different amounts to be reported if conditions or underlying circumstances were to change. Assumptions include many factors such as changes in borrowers’ financial condition which can change quickly or historical loss ratios related to certain loan portfolios which may or may not be indicative of future losses. To the extent that management’s assumptions prove incorrect, the results from operations could be materially affected by a higher or lower provision for loan losses. The accounting policy related to the allowance for loan losses is applicable to the commercial banking segment of Bancorp.

Additionally, management has identified the accounting policy related to accounting for income taxes as critical to the understanding of Bancorp’s results of operations and discussed this conclusion with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in Bancorp’s financial statements or tax returns. Fluctuations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences, including the effects of periodic IRS and state agency examinations, could materially impact Bancorp’s financial position and its results from operations.