-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, C6e6YK8vOKViRfzBZwiHLQ1M7ENDWrZYIAWxqXO8jqY8sJDyp5LEzEvVkY0+dSFg S1bJG27PP39dq9xphsjChQ== 0000896595-05-000369.txt : 20051117 0000896595-05-000369.hdr.sgml : 20051117 20051114173505 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000896595-05-000369 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051114 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051114 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COWLITZ BANCORPORATION CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000894267 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 911529841 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-23881 FILM NUMBER: 051203158 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 927 COMMERCE AVE CITY: LONGVIEW STATE: WA ZIP: 98632 BUSINESS PHONE: 2064239800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 927 COMMERCE AVENUE CITY: LONGVIEW STATE: WA ZIP: 98632 10-Q 1 f10q3rdqtrcbcvr.htm FORM 10-Q -- Converted by SECPublisher 3.1.0.1, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q
 
[X]    Quarterly report Pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange act of 1934 
    For the quarter ended September 30, 2005 
 
[ ]    Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange act of 1934 
                 For the transition period from  ______ to ______

Commission file number 0-23881
 


COWLITZ BANCORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington    91-1529841 
(State or other jurisdiction    (I.R.S. Employer 
of incorporation or organization    Identification No.) 

927 Commerce Ave., Longview, Washington 98632
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(360) 423-9800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)
Yes[ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes[ ] No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, no par value on October 31, 2005: 4,189,146 shares

1


COWLITZ BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
        PAGE 
Part I    FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
         
Item 1.    Financial Statements     
    Consolidated Statements of Condition -    3 
    September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004     
    Consolidated Statements of Income -    4 
    Three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004     
    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity -    5 
    Year ended December 31, 2004 and nine months ended September 30, 2005     
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -    6 
    Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004     
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7-10 
         
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition    10-19 
    And Results of Operations     
         
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    19-20 
         
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    20 
         
Part II    OTHER INFORMATION     
         
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    20 
         
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    20 
         
Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities    20 
         
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    20 
         
Item 5.    Other Information    20 
         
Item 6.    Exhibits    20 
         
    Signatures    20 
         
    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer    21-24 

Forward-Looking Statements

Management's discussion and the information in this document and the accompanying financial statements contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by words such as "expect", "believe", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate" or similar expressions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Examples of such risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company, and could render actual results different from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, include, without limitation: those set forth in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, changes in general economic conditions, competition for financial services in the market area of the Company, the level of demand for loans, quality of the loan and investment portfolio, deposit flows, legislative and regulatory initiatives, and monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government affecting interest rates. The reader is advised that this list of risks is not exhaustive and should not be construed as any prediction by the Company as to which risks would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

2


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION         
 
Item 1. Financial Statements         
 
 
COWLITZ BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(dollars in thousands)
 (unaudited) 
                                                                                                                     
    September 30,    December 31, 
ASSETS    2005    2004 


Cash and cash equivalents    $ 13,045    $ 8,332 
Investment securities:         
         Available-for-sale (at fair value, cost of $52,739 and $58,400 at         

September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively) 

  52,480    60,005 


                               Total investment securities    52,480    60,005 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost    1,051    1,047 
 
Loans, net of deferred loan fees    227,766    189,346 
Allowance for loan losses    (4,054)    (3,796) 


         Total loans, net    223,712    185,550 
 
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance    11,364    8,585 
Premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,944 and         
         $4,703 at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively    3,944    4,017 
Goodwill    852    852 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets    5,168    4,898 


TOTAL ASSETS    $ 311,616    $ 273,286 


 
LIABILITIES         
Deposits:         
         Non-interest-bearing demand    $ 64,826    $ 51,982 
         Savings and interest-bearing demand    75,501    77,709 
         Certificates of deposit    115,561    104,919 


                     Total deposits    255,888    234,610 
 
Federal funds purchased    2,525    475 
Federal Home Loan Bank notes payable    367    473 
Other borrowings    34    38 
Junior subordinated debentures    12,372    - 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities    2,896    1,992 


TOTAL LIABILITIES    274,082    237,588 
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY         
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares         
         issued and outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004    -    - 
Common stock, no par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; with 4,189,146         
         and 4,173,552 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2005 and         
         December 31, 2004, respectively    19,647    19,511 
Additional paid-in capital    2,022    2,022 
Retained earnings    16,036    13,951 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes    (171)    214 


TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    37,534    35,698 


 
         TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    $ 311,616    $ 273,286 


 
See accompanying notes         

3


COWLITZ BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
        Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended 
                   September 30,                       September 30,     
       

2005 

     

2004 

     

2005 

     

2004 





INTEREST INCOME                                 
       Interest and fees on loans               $    4,438    $    3,207    $    11,680    $    9,335 
       Interest on taxable investment securities        460        501        1,471        1,420 
       Interest on non-taxable investment securities        161        96        431        261 
       Other interest and dividend income        49        19        139        111 




               Total interest income        5,108        3,823        13,721        11,127 




 
INTEREST EXPENSE                                 
       Savings and interest-bearing demand        207        202        577        592 
       Certificates of deposit        951        490        2,493        1,469 
       Federal funds purchased        18        12        42        17 
       Federal Home Loan Bank notes payable        7        10        23        40 
       Junior subordinated debt        166        -        274        - 
       Other borrowings        1        13        2        99 




               Total interest expense        1,350        727        3,411        2,217 




 
               Net interest income before provision for loan losses        3,758        3,096        10,310        8,910 
 
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR LOAN LOSSES        310        73        370        160 




               Net interest income after provision for loan losses        3,448        3,023        9,940        8,750 




 
NON-INTEREST INCOME                                 
       Service charges on deposit accounts        139        174        420        535 
       (Losses) gains on loans sold        -        (17)        -        122 
       Mortgage brokerage fees        105        73        239        327 
       Credit card income        83        159        287        436 
       Fiduciary income        142        104        439        302 
       Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance        114        96        279        332 
       Net gains (losses) on sale of available for sale securities        (68)        8        (68)        8 
       Net gains (losses) on sale of repossessed assets        96        6        117        (9) 
       Other income        31        32        109        112 




               Total non-interest income        642        635        1,822        2,165 




 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                                 
       Salaries and employee benefits        1,675        1,499        5,039        4,732 
       Net occupancy and equipment expense        336        353        1,030        1,165 
       Professional fees        212        187        596        528 
       Business taxes        57        69        163        173 
       Advertising        86        47        219        97 
       FDIC insurance assessment        8        8        24        215 
       Credit card expense        56        154        249        420 
       Data processing and communications        72        73        210        227 
       Loan expense        32        -        50        27 
       Postage and freight        68        55        195        176 
       Travel and education        59        45        162        125 
       Stationery and supplies        46        29        120        96 
       Temporary help        -        53        13        59 
       Amortization of intangible assets        -        66        -        199 
       Expenses relating to other real estate owned        10        29        44        71 
       Net loss on sale of available for sale securities        -                -        - 
       Impairment Expense-Fluke LLC        136        -        136        - 
       Other expenses        203        303        680        850 




               Total non-interest expense        3,056        2,970        8,930        9,160 




               Income before provision for income taxes        1,034        688        2,832        1,755 
INCOME TAX PROVISION        278        171        747        402 




NET INCOME               $    756    $    517    $    2,085    $    1,353 




 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK               $    0.18    $    0.13    $    0.50    $    0.34 




DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK               $    0.17    $    0.13    $    0.48    $    0.34 




WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING – BASIC        4,186,713        4,004,149        4,179,239        3,941,902 




WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING – DILUTED        4,395,171        4,097,244        4,339,751        4,037,722 




See accompanying notes                                 

4


COWLITZ BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
            (unaudited)           

Accumulated 

               
   

Common stock 

  Additional            Other          Total         
   
 

Paid-in 

 

Retained 

  Comprehensive        Shareholders’        Comprehensive 
    Shares    Amount   

Capital 

  Earnings    Income        Equity        Income (loss) 







 
BALANCE, December 31, 2003    3,898,652    $ 17,957    $    1,609    $    12,011    $    225    $    31,802         
Comprehensive income:                                                 
       Net income    -    -        -        1,940        -        1,940    $    1,940 
       Net unrealized gain on investments                                                 
               reclassified from held-to-maturity                                                 
               to available-for sale, net of                                                 
               deferred taxes of $134    -    -        -        -        261        261        261 
       Net changes in unrealized gains on                                                 
               investments available-for-sale,                                                 
               net of deferred taxes of $140    -    -        -        -        (272)        (272)        (272) 

       Comprehensive income                                            $    1,929 

Proceeds from the exercise of                                                 
       stock options    274,900    1,554        -        -        -        1,554         
Tax benefit from the exercise                                                 
       of stock options    -    -        413        -        -        413         






 
BALANCE, December 31, 2004    4,173,552    $ 19,511    $    2,022    $    13,951    $    214    $    35,698         
Comprehensive income:                                                 
       Net income    -    -        -        2,085        -        2,085    $    2,085 
       Net unrealized gains on investments                                                 
               reclassified from held-to-maturity                                                 
               to available-for-sale, net of                                                 
               deferred taxes of $134    -    -        -        -        (385)        (385)        (385) 

       Comprehensive income                                            $    1,700 

Proceeds from the exercise of                                                 
       stock options    15,594    136        -        -        -        136         
Tax benefit from the exercise                                                 
       of stock options    -    -        -        -        -        -         






 
BALANCE, September 30, 2005    4,189,146    $ 19,647    $    2,022    $    16,036    $    (171)    $    37,534         






 
 
See accompanying notes                                                 

5


COWLITZ BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
                                                (unaudited)    Nine Months Ended 
               September 30, 
         2005       

2004 



 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES             
       Net income from operations    $ 2,085    $    1,353 
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:             
               Deferred tax expense    428        - 
               Depreciation and amortization    242        503 
               Provision for loan losses    370        160 
               Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance    (279)        (332) 
               Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends    (4)        (40) 
               Net (gains) losses on maturities and sales of investment securities available-for-sale    68        (8) 
               Net amortization of investment security premiums and accretion of discounts    111        259 
               Net (gains) losses on sales of foreclosed assets    (130)        9 
               Net (gains) losses on the sale and disposal of premises and equipment    -        (4) 
               Net gains on loans sold    -        (122) 
               Origination of loans held-for-sale    -        (3,019) 
               Proceeds from loan sales    -        10,663 
               Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable and other assets    (850)        504 
               Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities    904        358 


                                 Net cash from operating activities    2,945        10,284 


 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES             
       Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity    -        95 
       Proceeds from maturities and sales of investment securities available-for-sale    10,223        20,707 
       Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities    -        (380) 
       Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities    (3,460)        (24,656) 
       Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock    -        977 
       Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock    -        (10) 
       Net increase in loans    (38,532)        (23,071) 
       Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets    852        1,059 
       Purchases of premises and equipment    (169)        (94) 
       Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment    -        4 
       Investment in Trust    (372)        - 
       Purchase of bank-owned life insurance    (2,500)        - 


                                 Net cash from investment activities    (33,958)        (25,369) 


 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES             
       Net increase (decrease) in savings, noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits    10,636        (13,761) 
       Net increase in certificates of deposit    10,642        8,497 
       Net increase in federal funds purchased    2,050        9,075 
       Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank notes payable    -        10,000 
       Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank notes payable    (106)        (15,135) 
       Proceeds from other borrowings    -        1,360 
       Repayment of other borrowings    (4)        (4,060) 
       Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debentures (Trust preferred securities)    12,372        - 
       Proceeds from the exercise of stock options    136        1,496 


                                 Net cash from financing activities    35,726        (2,528) 


 
                                 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents    4,713        (17,613) 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period    8,332        24,527 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period    $ 13,045    $    6,914 



See accompanying notes

6


  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  (unaudited)
1. Nature of Operations

Cowlitz Bancorporation (the "Company") was organized in 1991 under Washington law to become the holding company for The Cowlitz Bank (the "Bank"), a Washington state chartered bank that commenced operations in 1978. The principal executive offices of the Company are located in Longview, Washington. The Cowlitz Bank operates four branches in Cowlitz County in southwest Washington. Outside of Cowlitz County, the Bank does business under the name Bay Bank with branches in Bellevue, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, a loan production office in Vancouver, Washington, and a limited service branch in a retirement center in Wilsonville, Oregon. The Cowlitz Bank also provides mortgage-banking services through its Bay Mortgage division. During much of 2003, the Company also operated Bay Mortgage and Bay Escrow offices in Bellevue and Seattle, Washington. As part of a strategy to consolidate resources into commercial banking, and reduce reliance on mortgage lending activities, those offices were closed during the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004.

The Company offers or makes available a broad range of financial services to its customers, primarily small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and retail customers. The Bank's commercial and personal banking services include commercial and real estate lending, consumer lending, and trust services. The Company's goals are to offer exceptional customer service and to invest in the markets it serves through its business practices and community service.

2. Principles of Consolidation and Operating Segments

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

In April 2005, the Company formed Cowlitz Statutory Trust I (the Trust), a wholly-owned Delaware statutory business trust, for purposes of issuing guaranteed undivided beneficial interests in junior subordinated debentures (Trust Preferred Securities). During April 2005, the Trust issued $12 million in Trust Preferred Securities. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board's Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003) "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," the Company does not consolidate the Trust.

The interim financial statements have been prepared without an audit and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, generally accepted accounting principals, and banking industry practices. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods included herein have been made. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of results to be anticipated for the year ending December 31, 2005. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2004 consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in Company's 2004 Form 10-K.

Internal financial information is primarily recorded and aggregated in three lines of business: commercial banking, mortgage banking, and trust services. While management monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, the mortgage banking and trust segments are not individually material and operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated within one reportable operating segment.

3. Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks including certificates of deposit, and federal funds sold. Federal funds sold generally mature the day following purchase.

4. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make certain 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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the allowance for loan losses and the carrying value of the Company's goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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5. Earnings Per Share

The following table reconciles the denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

    Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended 
    September 30,    September 30, 


    2005    2004    2005    2004 




Weighted-average shares – basic    4,186,713    4,004,149    4,179,239    3,941,902 
Effect of assumed conversion of stock options    208,458    93,095    160,512    95,820 




 
Weighted-average shares – diluted    4,395,171    4,097,244    4,339,751    4,037,722 




 

6. Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment." This statement replaces existing requirements under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions under APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) requires stock-based transactions to be recognized as compensation expense in the income statement based on their fair values at the date of grant. The fair value should be estimated using option-pricing models such as the Black-Scholes model. This statement is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2005. At this time, the Company does not believe the future impact on earnings to be materially different than what has historically been reported as the pro forma effect to income in Note 7. The impact to operating and financing cash flows is not considered to be material to the consolidated financial statements.

In September, 2005 the FASB Board decided not to provide additional guidance on the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment, but directed the FASB staff to issue a staff position (FSP), which will be re-titled FSP 115-1 "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments". The final FSP will supersede EITF Issue No. 03-1, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments," and EITF Topic No. D-44, "Recognition of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment upon the Planned Sale of a Security Whose Cost Exceeds Fair Value." FSP FAS 115-1 will replace guidance in EITF Issue 03-1 on loss recognition with references to existing other-than-temporary impairment guidance, such as FASB Statement No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". FSP FAS 115-1 will clarify that an investor should recognize an impairment loss no later than when the impairment is deemed other than temporary, even if a decision to sell has not been made.

FSP FAS 115-1 will be effective for other-than-temporary impairment analysis conducted in periods beginning after September 15, 2005. The Company has consistently followed the loss recognition guidance in SFAS No. 115, so the adoption of FSP FAS 115-1 will not have any significant impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.

7. Stock-Based Compensation

SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," requires disclosure about stock-based compensation arrangements regardless of the method used to account for them. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has decided to apply the accounting provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, and therefore discloses the difference between compensation cost included in net income and the related cost measured by the fair value-based method defined by SFAS No. 123, including tax effects, that would have been recognized in the statement of income if the fair value method had been used. Under APB Opinion No. 25, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Company's stock option plans. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123 and recognized over the vesting period, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts:

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    Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended    Nine Months Ended 
    September 30, 2005    September 30, 2004        September 30, 2005    September 30, 2004 




    As        Pro    As        Pro         As        Pro    As   

 Pro

    Reported    Forma    Reported    Forma   

Reported 

      Forma    Reported   

Forma 









                (dollars in thousands, except for share amounts)         
Net income    $ 756    $    737    $ 517    $    430    $    2,085    $    1,850    $ 1,353    $1,182 








Basic earnings per share    $ 0.18    $    0.18    $ 0.13    $    0.11    $    0.50    $    0.44    $ 0.34    $ 0.30 








Diluted earnings per share    $ 0.17    $    0.17    $ 0.13    $    0.10    $    0.48    $    0.43    $ 0.34    $ 0.29 









The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for the periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:

    Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended 
           September 30,        September 30, 



   

2005 

 

2004 

  2005    2004 




 
Dividend yield         -    0.00%    0.00%    0.00% 
Expected life (years)         -    4.26    4.26    4.26 
Expected volatility         -    35.81%    35.12%    35.81% - 38.40% 
Risk-free rate         -    2.78%    4.00%    2.78% - 2.98% 
 
                 

8. Comprehensive Income

For the Company, comprehensive income primarily includes net income reported on the statements of income and changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities. These amounts are included in "Other Comprehensive Income" on the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity.

   

 Three Months Ended 

      Nine Months Ended 
        September 30,        September 30, 


        2005        2004        2005        2004 




 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax    $       (464)    $    649    $       (453)    $           57 
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gains) losses                                 
       on securities available-for-sale included in net                                 
       income during the period, net of tax        68        (8)        68                 (8) 




 
Net unrealized gain (loss) included in                                 
       other comprehensive income, net of tax    $       (396)    $    641    $       (385)    $           49 




 
                                 

9. Junior Subordinated Debentures 

In April 2005, the Company formed a wholly owned Delaware statutory business trust subsidiary, Cowlitz Statutory Trust I (the Trust), which issued $12,000,000 of guaranteed undivided beneficial interests in the Company's Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (Trust Preferred Securities). These debentures qualify as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines. Federal Reserve guidelines limit inclusion of trust-preferred securities and certain other preferred capital elements to 25% of Tier 1 capital. As of September 30, 2005, trust preferred accounted for 24.67% of Tier 1 capital. The Company owns all of the common securities of the Trust. The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the Trust Preferred Securities were used by the Trust to purchase $12,372,000 of junior subordinated debentures of the Company. The debentures, which represent the sole asset of the Trust, accrue and pay distributions quarterly at a variable rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum of the stated liquidation

9


value of $1,000 per capital security. The Company has entered into contractual arrangements which, taken collectively, fully and unconditionally guarantee payment of: (1) accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the Trust Preferred Securities, (2) the redemption price with respect to any Trust Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Trust, and (3) payments due upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Trust. The Trust Preferred Securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on April 29 2035 or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by the Trust in whole or in part, on or after April 29, 2010. As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest. For the three-month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded interest expense related to the Trust Preferred Securities of $166,000 and $274,000, respectively.

10. Subsequent Event

As of November 1, 2005, the Company and the Bank completed the merger transaction with AEA Bancshares, Inc. ("AEA") and its wholly owned subsidiary bank, Asia-Europe-Americas Bank. The former Asia-Europe-Americas bank office in Seattle will operate as a Bay Bank branch. Each share of AEA common stock converted into 1.9242 shares of the Company's common stock, with fractional shares paid in cash, based on a value for the Company's common stock of $11.34 per share, which was the value established in the merger agreement dated May 3, 2005. A total of approximately 570,000 shares of the Company's common stock have been delivered to Mellon Investor Services, Inc., as the exchange agent, for distribution to former AEA shareholders.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

The Company's net income for the third quarter of 2005 was $756,000 or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $517,000, or $0.13 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2004. Net income was $239,000 or 46% higher during the three months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004. The Company's net income for nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $2,085,000 or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1,353,000 or $0.34 per diluted share for the same period of 2004. Net income for nine months ended September 30, 2005 was 54.1% higher compared to the same period of 2004. The Company's increase in net income was primarily a result of an increase in commercial lending activities.

Net interest income increased $662,000 during the third quarter of 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. Average earning assets increased $53 million from $243.7 million in the third quarter of 2004 to $296.7 million for the period ending September 30, 2005. Average interest bearing liabilities increased $35.1 million from $174.4 million to $209.5 million during the same period. Net interest income increased $1.4 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, as compared to the same period of 2004. Average earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased $41.2 million from $239.4 million to $280.6 million.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $370,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This provision, coupled with $243,000 in charge-offs and $131,000 in recoveries, led to an increase in the allowance of $258,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Financial Condition as of September 30, 2005 and 2004

At September 30, 2005, total assets were $311.6 million, an increase of $38.3 million or 14.03% from December 31, 2004 and an increase of $43.2 million or 16.1% from September 30, 2004. Liabilities increased to $274.1 million as of September 30, 2005 from $237.6 million as of December 31, 2004 and $233.3 million as of September 30, 2004.

The increase primarily resulted from an increase in loans of $38.4 million from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Cash and cash equivalents increased $4.7 million from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Bank-owned life insurance increased $2.8 million from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Total deposits increased $21.3 million of which $12.8 million was in non-interest bearing demand and $8.4 million was in the savings and interest-bearing demand deposit.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's most critical accounting policy is related to the allowance for loan losses. The Company utilizes both quantitative and qualitative considerations in establishing an allowance for loan losses believed to be appropriate as of each reporting date.

Quantitative factors include:
  • the volume and severity of non-performing loans and adversely classified credits,
  • the level of net charge-offs experienced on previously classified loans,
  • the nature and value of collateral securing the loans,
  • the trend in loan growth and the percentage of change,
  • the level of geographic and/or industry concentration,
  • the relationship and trend over the past several years of recoveries in relation to charge-offs, and
  • other known factors regarding specific loans.

10


Qualitative factors include:
  • the effectiveness of credit administration,
  • the adequacy of loan review,
  • the adequacy of loan operations personnel and processes,
  • the effect of competitive issues that impact loan underwriting and structure,
  • the impact of economic conditions, and
  • the introduction of new loan products or specific marketing efforts.

Changes in the above factors could significantly affect the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management performs a full analysis, no less often than quarterly, to ensure that changes in estimated loan loss levels are adjusted on a timely basis. For further discussion of this significant management estimate, see "Allowance for Loan Losses." Another critical accounting policy for the Company is related to the carrying value of goodwill. Goodwill was recognized as the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired from the purchase of Bay Mortgage, and the Portland, Oregon branch of Bay Bank, formerly Northern Bank of Commerce. Goodwill was amortized using the straight-line method over a 15-year period until December 31, 2001. Effective January 1, 2002, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," the Bank ceased amortization of goodwill and completed its first of ongoing assessments of goodwill impairment in March 2002. The $852,000 current balance of goodwill is related entirely to the Northern Bank of Commerce purchase. Goodwill impairment will be deemed to exist in the future if the net book value of a reporting unit, considered by the Bank to represent its operating segments, exceeds its estimated fair value.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

The primary component of the Company's earnings is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, principally from loans and the investment securities portfolio, and interest expense, principally on customer deposits and borrowings. Changes in net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin result from changes in asset and liability volume, mix, and changes to rates earned or paid. Net interest spread refers to the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to total interest-earning assets and is influenced by the volume and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Volume refers to the dollar level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

Interest income from certain of the Company's earning assets is non-taxable. The following tables present interest income and expense, including adjustments for non-taxable interest income, and the resulting tax adjusted yields earned, rates paid, interest rate spread, and net interest margin for the periods indicated.

11


        Three Months Ended                 
       

September 30, 

      Increase         
(dollars in thousands)       

2005 

     

2004 

      (Decrease)        Change 




Interest income    $    5,108    $    3,823    $    1,285        33.6% 
Tax effect of non-taxable interest income        64        44        20        45.5% 



 
Tax equivalent interest income        5,172        3,867        1,305        33.7% 
Interest expense        1,350        727        623        85.7% 



 
Net interest income    $    3,822    $    3,140    $    682        21.7% 



 
 
Average interest-earning assets    $    296,673    $    243,739    $    52,934        21.7% 
Average interest-bearing liabilities    $    209,540    $    174,425    $    35,115        20.1% 
 
Average yields earned (1)        6.97%        6.35%        62    b.p.    (3) 
Average rates paid (1)        2.58%        1.67%        91    b.p.    (3) 
Net interest spread (1)        4.39%        4.68%        (29)    b.p.    (3) 
Net interest margin (1) (2)        5.15%        5.15%        -    b.p.    (3) 
 
        Nine Months Ended                 
       

September 30, 

      Increase         
(dollars in thousands)       

2005 

     

2004 

      (Decrease)        Change 




Interest income    $    13,721    $    11,127    $    2,594        23.3% 
Tax effect of non-taxable interest income        174        121        53        43.8% 



 
Tax equivalent interest income        13,895        11,248        2,647        23.5% 
Interest expense        3,411        2,217        1,194        53.9% 



 
Net interest income    $    10,484    $    9,031    $    1,453        16.1% 



 
Average interest-earning assets    $    280,608    $    239,432    $    41,176        17.2% 
Average interest-bearing liabilities    $    197,967    $    172,653    $    25,314        14.7% 
Average yields earned (1)        6.60%        6.26%        34    b.p.    (3) 
Average rates paid (1)        2.30%        1.71%        59    b.p.    (3) 
Net interest spread (1)        4.30%        4.55%        (25)    b.p.    (3) 
Net interest margin (1) (2)        4.98%        5.03%        (5)    b.p.    (3) 

(1)      Ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 have been annualized
 
(2)      Computed by dividing net-interest income by average interest-earning assets
 
(3)      b.p. stands for "basis points" (100 b.p. is equal to 1.0%)
 

Comparing the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to the quarter ended September 30, 2004, tax equivalent net-interest income was $682,000, due to an increase of $52.9 million in average interest-earning assets. Interest expense increased $623,000 as average interest-bearing liabilities increased $35.1 million. The interest margin for the three-months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 remained at 5.15% . Prime rate has increased 150 basis points from 5.25% at December 31, 2004 to 6.75% as of September 30, 2005. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, net interest margin decreased to 4.98% compared to 5.03% for the same period of 2004.

Provision for Loan Losses

The amount of the allowance for loan losses is analyzed by management on a regular basis to ensure that it is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. The analysis considers past charge-off experience, a careful analysis of the current loan portfolio, the level of non-performing and impaired loans, evaluation of future economic trends in the Bank's market area, and other factors relevant to the loan portfolio. Based on this analysis, on a quarterly basis the Bank determines whether to record a provision for loan losses which increases the allowance to the level estimated by management to reflect probable losses in the loan portfolio. [See the "Allowance for Loan Losses" discussion for additional detail.]

Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

The Bank recorded a $370,000 provision for loan losses during the first nine months of 2005. This provision was taken to support the continued growth of the portfolio. Of this provision $310,000 was taken during the third quarter to support the strong loan growth that occurred during the quarter. During the first nine months of 2005 the Bank recorded $131,000 in recoveries versus $243,000 in charge-offs, for net charge-offs of $112,000.

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During the first nine months of 2004 the Bank recorded a provision for loan losses of $160,000 and net charge-offs of $186,000.

Non-Interest Income                     
Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004                     
Non-interest income consists of the following components:                     
   

Three Months Ended 

  Nine Months Ended 
             September 30,             September 30, 


(dollars in thousands)    2005   

2004 

  2005    2004 




Service charge on deposit accounts    $        139    $    174    $          420    $        535 
(Losses) gains on loans sold    -        (17)    -    122 
Mortgage brokerage fees    105        73    239    327 
Credit card income    83        159    287    436 
Fiduciary income    142        104    439    302 
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance    114        96    279    332 
ATM income    16        15    42    42 
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities   

(68) 

      8    (68)    8 
Gain (loss) on sale of repossessed assets    96        6    117    (9) 
Other miscellaneous fees and income    15        17    67    70 




 
Total non-interest income    $        642    $    635    $       1,822    $     2,165 





Total non-interest income increased $7,000 when comparing the quarters ending September 30, 2005, and 2004. An increase in mortgage activity led to an increase of $32,000 in brokerage fees for three months ended September 30, 2005, $105,000 compared to $73,000 for the same period in 2004. In 2005 the Bank converted to a new card processor, which reduced income and expense. Credit Card income for the third quarter of 2005 was $83,000 compared to $159,000 during the same period in 2004. Expense decreased to $56,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 from $154,000 for the same period in 2004. Fiduciary income increased $38,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005, compared the same period of 2004. This was the result of increases in trust accounts and assets under management.

Total non-interest income declined $343,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same period of 2004. A decline of mortgage brokerage fees of $88,000, due to a slowdown in this business segment, accounts for 26% of the overall decline. A decline of $115,000 in service charges on deposit accounts was the result of higher average balances maintained in customer accounts. The decline of $122,000 in gains on loans sold was the result of closing the mortgage company offices in Bellevue and Seattle. Increased business development activities, which resulted in increases in trust accounts and assets under management, resulted in a $137,000 increase in Fiduciary income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same period of 2004.

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Non-Interest Expense                               
Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004                               
Non-interest expense consists of the following components:                               
        Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
               September 30,                       September 30,       
 

(dollars in thousands)        2005         2004    2005    2004   




Salaries and employee benefits    $    1,675    $    1,499    $ 5,039    $    4,732   
Net occupancy and equipment expense        336        353    1,030        1,165   
Professional fees        212        187    596        528   
Business taxes        57        69    163        173   
Advertising        86        45    219        97   
FDIC insurance        8        8    24        215   
Credit card expense        56        154    249        420   
Data processing and communications        72        73    210        227   
Loan expense        32        -    50        27   
Postage and freight        68        55    195        176   
Travel and education        59        45    162        125   
Stationery and supplies        46        29    120        96   
Temporary help        -        53    13        59   
Amortization of intangible assets        -        66    -        199   
Insurance premiums        38        60    124        149   
Placement fees and other employee hiring expenses        3        86    8        174   
Expenses relating to other real estate owned        10        29    44        71   
Impairment Expense-Fluke LLC        136            136        -   
Other miscellaneous expenses        162        159    548        527   




 
Total non-interest expense    $    3,056    $    2,970    $ 8,930    $    9,160   




 


Increases in salary and employee benefit expenses resulted from an increase in full-time equivalent employees from 105 at September 30, 2004 to 107 at September 30, 2005 as well as annual wage increases for existing employees.

Net occupancy and equipment expenses consist of depreciation on premises and equipment, lease costs, parking, maintenance and repair expenses, utilities and related expenses. In comparing the quarters ending September 30, 2004 and 2005, there was a decrease of $17,000 due to less repair expenses.

The FDIC has regulations establishing a system for setting deposit insurance premiums based upon the risks a particular bank or savings association poses to the deposit insurance funds. This system bases an institution's risk category partly upon whether the institution is well capitalized, adequately capitalized or less than adequately capitalized. Each insured depository institution is also assigned to one of three "supervisory" categories based on reviews by regulators, statistical analysis of financial statements and other relevant information. An institution's assessment rate depends upon the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned. Annual assessment rates currently range from zero per $100 of domestic deposits for the highest rated institution to $0.27 per $100 of domestic deposits for an institution in the lowest category. During the first six months of 2004, the Bank paid an assessment rate of $0.17 per $100 of domestic deposits. The Bank was not required to pay an assessment rate during the last six months of 2004 and the first nine months of 2005, resulting in the lower expense during that period. In addition, under legislation enacted in 1996 to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund, the FDIC is authorized to collect assessments against insured deposits to be paid to the Financing Corporation ("FICO") to service FICO debt incurred in the 1980's. The current FICO assessment rate for insured deposits is $0.0134 per $100 of deposits per year. Any increase in deposit insurance premiums or FICO assessments could have an adverse effect on Cowlitz Bank's earnings.

The Bank increased advertising to attract new business in its market areas, resulting in increased advertising expense of $122,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same period of 2004.

The full amortization in 2004 of the deposits purchased from Wells Fargo in 1997 resulted in the decrease in amortization of intangible assets expense of $199,000 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to the same period of 2004.

Costs related to the operation and disposition of other real estate owned has declined as the number and value of properties has decreased.

14


From time to time the Company may invest in programs to support small business development through limited partnerships. These investments may provide tax credits, credit for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activity or other benefits. In 2004 the Company made a commitment to provide $1,000,000 to Fluke LLC, a Small Business Investment Company. Through the period ending September 30, 2005, the Company has invested $270,000 in Fluke LLC. After reviewing June 30, 2005 financials for Fluke LLC, management decreased the value of the investment by $136,000 so that it is currently carried at $134,000. This write down is a result the Company's share of the startup costs incurred by Fluke LLC from inception through September 30, 2005.

Income Taxes
Three and Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

During the third quarter of 2005 the provision for income taxes was $278,000 compared to $171,000 for the third quarter of 2004. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was 26.89% compared to 24.85% during the same period in 2004.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 the provision for income taxes was $747,000 compared to $402,000 for the same period of 2004. The average effective tax rate for the nine months of 2005 was 26.38% compared to 22.91% for the same period in 2004. The increase in the effective rate is a result of overall stronger performance by the Company.

Loans

Total loans outstanding were $227.8 million and $189.3 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Unfunded loan commitments, such as home equity and other lines of credit, unused available credit on credit cards, and letters of credit, were $72.7 million at September 30, 2005 and $53.6 million at December 31, 2004.

The following table presents the composition of the Bank's loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

       

September 30, 2005 

     

December 31, 2004 



(dollars in thousands)       

Amount 

 

Percent 

     

Amount 

 

Percent 





Commercial    $    64,471    28.22%    $    55,381    29.18% 
Real estate construction        30,622    13.40%        25,258    13.31% 
Real estate commercial        102,127    44.69%        79,128    41.68% 
Real estate mortgage        28,597    12.52%        27,248    14.36% 
Consumer and other        2,669    1.17%        2,784    1.47% 




        228,486    100.00%        189,799    100.00% 


Deferred loan fees        (720)            (453)     


               Total loans        227,766            189,346     
Allowance for loan losses        (4,054)            (3,796)     


               Total loan, net    $    223,712        $    185,550     



Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of potential loan losses as of the date of the financial statements. The loan portfolio is regularly reviewed to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In determining the level of the allowance, the Bank evaluates the amount necessary for specific non-performing loans and estimates losses inherent in other loans. An important element in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is an analysis of loans by loan risk-rating categories. At a loan's inception, management evaluates the credit risk by using a risk-rating system. This grading system currently includes eleven levels of risk. Risk ratings range from "1" for the strongest credits to "10" for the weakest. A "10" rated loan would normally represent a loss. All loans rated 7-10 are collectively the Bank's "Watch List". The specific grades from 7-10 are "watch list" (risk-rating 7), "special mention" (risk-rating 7.5), "substandard" (risk-rating 8), "doubtful" (risk-rating 9), and "loss" (risk-rating 10). When indicators such as operating losses, collateral impairment or delinquency problems show that a credit may have weakened, the credit will be downgraded as appropriate. Similarly, as borrowers bring loans current, show improved cash flows, or improves the collateral position of a loan, the credits may be upgraded. Management reviews all credits periodically for changes in such factors. The result is an allowance with four components: specific allowance, general allowance, special allowance, and an unallocated allowance.

Specific Allowance. Loans on the Bank's Watch List, as described above, are specifically reviewed and analyzed. Management considers in its analysis expected future cash flows, the value of collateral and other factors that may impact the borrower's ability to pay. When significant conditions or circumstances exist on an individual loan indicating greater risk, specific reserves may be allocated in addition to the general reserve percentage for that particular risk-rating.

15


General Allowance. All loans that do not require a specific allocation are subject to a general allocation based upon historic loss factors. Management determines these factors by analyzing the volume and mix of the existing loan portfolio, in addition to other factors. Management also analyzes the following:

  • the volume and severity of non-performing loans and adversely classified credits;
  • the level of net charge-offs experienced on previously classified loans;
  • the nature and value of collateral securing the loans; and
  • the relationship and trend over the past several years of recoveries in relation to charge-offs.

Special Allowance. From time to time, special reserves will be established to facilitate a change in the Bank's strategy and other factors. Special allocations are to take into consideration various factors that include, but are not limited to:

  • Effectiveness of credit administration;
  • Adequacy of loan review;
  • Loan operations;
  • The trend in loan growth and the percentage of change;
  • Concentrations both geographic and industry-specific;
  • Competitive issues that impact loan underwriting/structure;
  • Economic conditions; and
  • Any special marketing or introduction of various loan products.

Unallocated Allowance. Management also attempts to ensure that the overall allowance appropriately reflects a margin for the imprecision necessarily inherent in estimates of expected loan losses.

The quarterly analysis of specific, general, and special allocations of the allowance is the principal method relied upon by management to ensure that changes in estimated loan loss levels are adjusted on a timely basis. The inclusion of historical loss factors in the process of determining the general component of the allowance also acts as a self-correcting mechanism of management's estimation process, as loss experience more remote in time is replaced by more recent experience. In its analysis of the specific, the general, and special allocations of the allowance, management also considers regulatory guidance in addition to the Company's own experience.

Loans and other extensions of credit deemed uncollectable are charged to the allowance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Actual losses may vary from current estimates and the amount of the provision may be either greater than or less than actual net charge-offs when and if they occur. The related provision for loan losses that is charged to income is the amount necessary to adjust the allowance to the level determined through the above process.

Management's evaluation of the loan portfolio resulted in total allowance for loan losses of $4.1 million at September 30, 2005 and $3.8 million December 31, 2004. The allowance, as a percentage of total loans, declined from 2.00% on December 31, 2004 to 1.78% on September 30, 2005. Management believes the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2005 is adequate to absorb current potential or anticipated losses.

The following table shows the components of the allowance for loan loss for the periods indicated:

       

September 30, 2005 

 

December 31, 2004 



(dollars in thousands)       

Amount 

 

Percent 

  Amount   

Percent 





General    $    2,181    53.80%    $ 1,778    46.84% 
Specific        132    3.26%    -    0.00% 
Special        1,674    41.29%    1,382    36.41% 
Unallocated        67    1.65%    636    16.75% 




    $    4,054    100.00%    $ 3,796    100.00% 





Based on Management's assessment of the loan portfolio, the unallocated amount of reserves has been decreased by $569,000 from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005 and reallocated to specific and special reserves. The reserve for specific loans was increased from 0.00% to 3.26% of total reserves. Management believes the local economic conditions, excluding new housing construction segments, is lagging the national trend. Coupled with the anticipation of an increasing interest rate environment, additional special reserves have been allocated against potential cash flow strains of the Bank's borrowers.

16


The allowance for loan losses is based upon estimates of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount actually observed for these losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts. The following table shows the Company's loan loss performance for the periods indicated.

   

Nine Months Ended 

 

 

   

September 30, 

 

Year Ended 


December 31, 

(dollars in thousands)    2005        2004    2004 



Loans outstanding at end of period, net of deferred fees (1)    $ 227,766    $    186,692    $ 189,346 
Average loans outstanding during the period (1)    $ 206,086    $    172,314    $ 176,449 
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period    $ 3,796    $    3,968    $    3,968 
Loans charged off:                     
         Commercial    181        126        138 
         Real Estate    -        180        391 
         Consumer    32        36        58 
         Credit Cards    30        82        88 



                   Total loans charged-off    243        424        675 



 
Recoveries:                     
         Commercial    70        198        212 
         Real Estate    38        28        44 
         Consumer    14        6        28 
         Credit Cards    9        6        9 



                   Total recoveries    131        238        293 
Provision for loan losses    370        160        210 



Allowance for loan losses, end of period    $ 4,054    $    3,942    $    3,796 



 
Net loans charged-off during the period    112        186        382 
Ratio of net loans charged-off to average loans outstanding    0.05%        0.11%        0.22% 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans at end of period    1.78%        2.11%        2.00% 
 
(1) Excludes loans held-for-sale                     

Impaired Loans

The Bank, during its normal loan review procedures, considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. A loan is not considered to be impaired during a period of minimal delay (less than 90 days) unless available information strongly suggests impairment. The Bank measures impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair market value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes that, after considering economic and business conditions, collection efforts, and collateral position, the borrower's financial condition indicates that collection of principal is not probable.

Generally, no interest is accrued on loans when factors indicate collection of interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments become 90 days past due, unless collection of principal and interest are anticipated within a reasonable period of time and the loans are well secured. For such loans, previously accrued but uncollected interest is charged against current earnings, and income is only recognized to the extent payments are subsequently received and collection of the remaining recorded principal balance is considered probable.

17


Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing loans will generally include all loans greater than 90 days past due with respect to either principal or interest, and all loans to which the accrual of interest has been suspended. These loans, combined with repossessed real estate and other repossessed assets, are collectively considered to be non-performing assets. The following table presents information on all non-performing assets:

        September 30,        December 31, 
(dollars in thousands)        2005        2004 


Loans on non-accrual status    $    993    $    84 
Loans past due greater than 90 days but not on non-accrual status        -        1 
Other real estate owned        11        733 
Other repossessed assets        -        - 


         Total non-performing assets    $    1,004    $    818 


 
Total assets    $    311,616    $    273,286 


 
Percentage of non-performing assets to total assets        0.32%        0.30% 



Total non-performing assets at September 30, 2005 increased to $1.0 million from $818,000 as of December 31, 2004. Other real estate owned was reduced through property sales. Non-accruing loans increased largely as a result of one loan moving to non-accrual status, which should be resolved in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Liquidity

Liquidity represents the ability to meet deposit withdrawals and fund loan demand, while retaining the flexibility to take advantage of business opportunities. The Bank's primary sources of funds have been customer and brokered deposits, loan payments, sales or maturities of investments, sales of loans or other assets, borrowings, and the use of the federal funds market.

Brokered certificates of deposit are a funding source the Bank utilizes to provide additional liquidity as necessary. At September 30, 2005, the Bank's brokered certificate of deposit balance was $42.3 million compared to $41.3 million at December 31, 2004. Overnight federal funds borrowing lines with correspondent banks provide access to an additional $32.5 million for short-term liquidity needs. A fed fund line has also been established at FTN Financial Group for $10 million. In addition, the Bank has an established borrowing line with the Federal Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB") that permits it to borrow up to 20% of the Bank's assets, or $62.3 million as of September 30, 2005, subject to collateral limitations. With the collateral available on September 30, 2005, the Bank could borrow up to $32.4 million, subject to purchase of additional FHLB stock. The line is available for overnight federal funds, or notes with other terms and maturities. At September 30, 2005, notes payable to the FHLB were $367,221 compared to $472,900 at December 31, 2004. The notes payable at September 30, 2005 have original maturity period of 15 years, bear interest at rates ranging from 6.11% to 8.62%, and mature from 2006 to 2009.

Investment in securities available-for-sale was $52.5 million at September 30, 2005 compared to $60.0 million at December 31, 2004.

Regulatory Capital

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory or discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

18


The following table presents selected capital information for the Company and the Bank as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004:

                    To Be Well-Capitalized 
                                 Under Prompt 
               For Capital Adequacy    Corrective Action 
   

Actual 

  Purposes    Provision 



    Amount   

Ratio 

  Amount   

Ratio 

  Amount   

Ratio 







 

September 30, 2005 

                       
       Total risk-based capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 51,905     19.91%    $ 20,851    >8.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 47,326     18.21%    $ 20,783    >8.00%    $ 25,979    >10.00% 
       Tier 1 risk-based capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 48,637     18.66%    $ 10,426    >4.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 44,068     16.96%    $ 10,392    >4.00%    $ 15,587    >6.00% 
       Tier 1 (leverage) capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 48,637     15.63%    $ 12,450    >4.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 44,068     14.19%    $ 12,421    >4.00%    $ 15,526    >5.00% 
 

December 31, 2004 

                       
       Total risk-based capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 37,068     17.26%    $ 17,182    >8.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 36,297     16.95%    $ 17,136    >8.00%    $ 21,419    >10.00% 
       Tier 1 risk-based capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 34,370     16.00%    $ 8,591    >4.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 33,606     15.69%    $ 8,568    >4.00%    $ 12,852    >6.00% 
       Tier 1 (leverage) capital:                         
               Consolidated    $ 34,370     12.64%    $ 10,879    >4.00%    N/A    N/A 
               Bank    $ 33,606     12.38%    $ 10,858    >4.00%    $ 13,572    >5.00% 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the tables above) of Tier 1 capital to average assets, and Tier 1 and total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets (all as defined in the regulations). As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company and the Bank substantially exceeded all relevant capital adequacy requirements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Credit Risk

The Bank, like other lenders, is subject to credit risk, which is the risk of losing principal and interest due to customers' failure to repay loans in accordance with their terms. Although the Bank has established lending criteria and an adequate allowance for loan losses to help mitigate credit risk, a downturn in economic conditions or in the real estate market, or a rapid increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on collateral values, cash flows, and borrowers' ability to repay. The Bank's targeted customers are small to medium-size businesses, professionals and retail customers that may have limited capital resources to repay loans during a prolonged economic downturn.

Interest Rate Risk

The Bank's earnings are largely derived from net interest income, which is interest income and fees earned on loans and investment income, less interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the control of the Bank's management, including general economic conditions, and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities. As interest rates change, net interest income is affected. With fixed rate assets (such as fixed rate loans) and liabilities (such as certificates of deposit), the effect on net interest income depends on the maturities of the assets and liabilities. The Bank's primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on the Bank's net interest income and capital, while structuring the Bank's asset/liability position to obtain the maximum yield-cost spread on that structure. Interest rate risk is managed through the monitoring of the Bank's gap position and sensitivity to interest rate risk by subjecting the Bank's balance sheet to hypothetical interest rate shocks using a computer based model. In a falling rate environment, the spread between interest yields earned and interest rates paid, may narrow, depending on the relative level of fixed and variable

19


rate assets and liabilities. In a stable or increasing rate environment the Bank's variable rate loans will remain steady or increase immediately with changes in interest rates, while fixed rate liabilities, particularly certificates of deposit will only re-price as the liability matures. For the period ended September 30, 2005 the Bank is slightly asset sensitive.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2005, the Company evaluated, under the supervision and the participation of Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation.

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company from time to time enters into routine litigation resulting from the collection of secured and unsecured indebtedness as part of its business of providing financial services. In some cases, such litigation will involve counterclaims or other claims against the Company. Such proceedings against financial institutions sometimes also involve claims for punitive damages in addition to other specific relief. The Company is not a party to any litigation other than in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of all pending legal proceedings will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or the results of operations of the Company.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  Not applicable
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
  Not applicable
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
  None
Item 5. Other Information
  None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits. The following constitutes the exhibit index.

 

2      Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among the Company, Cowlitz Bank, AEA Bancshares, Inc. and Asia-Europe-Americas Bank dated May 3, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed May 4, 2005)
 
 
3.1      Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed June 9, 2005)
 
3.2      Bylaws (incorporated by reference from the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Reg. No. 333-44355)
 
31.1      Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
31.2      Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
32      Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 

20


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
  
  Cowlitz Bancorporation
(Registrant)

By:

 
  /s/ Richard J. Fitzpatrick                 Date: November 10, 2005        
  Richard J. Fitzpatrick, President and Chief Executive Officer
  

By:

 
  /s/ Donna P Gardner                   Date: November 14, 2005             
  Donna P Gardner, Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer
  
  

21

 



EX-31.1 2 f10q3rdqtrcbex311.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 -- Converted by SECPublisher 3.1.0.1, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Richard J. Fitzpatrick, certify that:
1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cowlitz Bancorporation;
 
2.      Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.      The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

 
5.     The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 10, 2005
  /s/ Richard J. Fitzpatrick                            
Richard J. Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer
Cowlitz Bancorporation

22



EX-31.2 3 f10q3rdqtrcbex312.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 -- Converted by SECPublisher 3.1.0.1, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Donna P Gardner, certify that:
1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cowlitz Bancorporation;
 
2.      Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this quarterly report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

5.      The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 14, 2005
  /s/Donna P Gardner                            
Donna P Gardner, Chief Financial Officer
Cowlitz Bancorporation

23



EX-32 4 f10q3rdqtrcbex32.htm EXHIBIT 32 -- Converted by SECPublisher 3.1.0.1, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION OF

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

This certification is given by the undersigned Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Cowlitz Bancorporation (the "Registrant") pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, with respect to the Registrant's quarterly report of Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), that:

    (1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; 
and         
 
    (2) 
 
  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of
 operations of the Company.


/s/ Richard J. Fitzpatrick                                    
Richard J. Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer
Cowlitz Bancorporation
/s/ Donna P Gardner                                      
Donna P Gardner
Chief Financial Officer
Cowlitz Bancorporation
November 14, 2005

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