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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

OR

(Mark One)

 

[    ]

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________to ___________

Commission file number:  0-19231

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California

    

    

68-0166366

(State or other jurisdiction of

    

    

(IRS Employer

incorporation or organization)

    

    

Identification No.)

111 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95404-4905
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (707) 573-4800

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 Exchange Act).  Yes [   ] No [X]

At November 8, 2004, there were 4,952,123 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.


REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
AND
SUBSIDIARIES

Index

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

 


3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

 


5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

 


6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

8

   

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 


13

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk

 

 


39

 

 

 

 

 

Item4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

44


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars in thousands except per share data)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

____________

____________

___________

___________

Interest income:

  Interest and fees on loans

$6,761

$6,815

$19,518

$19,951

  Interest on investment securities

579

712

1,969

2,703

  Interest on federal funds sold

3

11

50

34

____________

____________

___________

___________

Total interest income

7,343

7,538

21,537

22,688

Interest expense:

  Interest on deposits

1,032

1,368

3,321

4,749

  Interest on other borrowings

491

387

1,357

948

____________

____________

___________

___________

Total interest expense

1,523

1,755

4,678

5,697

____________

____________

___________

___________

Net interest income

5,820

5,783

16,859

16,991

Provision for loan losses

      ---  

      ---  

      ---  

      ---  

____________

____________

___________

___________

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

5,820

5,783

16,859

16,991

Noninterest income:

  Service charges on deposit accounts

221

260

733

782

  Merchant draft processing, net

1,263

1,187

3,732

3,404

  Loan servicing income

24

32

106

110

  Net realized gains on

    investment securities available for sale

79

      ---  

79

86

  Other income

275

187

819

562

____________

____________

___________

___________

Total noninterest  income

1,862

1,666

5,469

4,944

Noninterest expense:

  Salaries and employee benefits

2,744

2,466

8,092

7,008

  Occupancy and equipment expense

529

475

1,604

1,567

  Other

1,367

1,198

3,695

3,551

____________

____________

___________

___________

Total noninterest expense

4,640

4,139

13,391

12,126

____________

____________

___________

___________

Income before income taxes

3,042

3,310

8,937

9,809

Provision for income taxes

1,214

1,225

3,570

3,527

____________

____________

___________

___________

Net income

$1,828

$2,085

$5,367

$6,282

============

============

===========

===========

Total comprehensive income

$2,032

$1,779

$5,136

$5,724

============

============

===========

===========

(Continued)

               

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars in thousands except per share data)

(unaudited)

(Continued)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

_____________

_____________

_____________

____________

Basic earnings per common share:

   Net income

$.37

$.42

$1.08

$1.24

  Weighted average shares - basic

4,950,000

4,987,000

4,948,000

5,049,000

Diluted earnings per common share:

   Net income

$.36

$.41

$1.05

$1.21

  Weighted average shares - diluted

5,104,000

5,141,000

5,097,000

5,171,000

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(Concluded)


REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

September 30,

December 31,

2004

2003

_____________

_____________

(unaudited)

Assets:

Cash and due from banks

$17,596

$19,259

Federal funds sold

      ---

8,600

_____________

_____________

  Cash and cash equivalents

17,596

27,859

Investment securities:

  Held to maturity (fair value of $14,770 and $18,041)

14,286

17,566

  Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $31,988 and $56,921)

32,869

58,229

____________

____________

    Total investment securities

47,155

75,795

Mortgage loans held for sale

      ---

192

Loans:

    Residential real estate mortgage

109,738

108,851

    Commercial real estate mortgage

200,396

186,185

    Commercial

66,168

55,473

    Real estate construction

58,261

51,154

    Installment and other

11,184

13,025

    Less net deferred loan fees

(644)

(167)

____________

____________

        Total portfolio loans

445,103

414,521

    Less allowance for loan losses

(7,072)

(7,162)

____________

____________

        Net loans

438,031

407,359

Premises and equipment, net

2,123

2,489

Cash surrender value of life insurance

8,920

3,782

Other assets and interest receivable

9,200

11,424

____________

____________

     Total assets

$523,025

$528,900

============

============

Liabilities and Shareholders' equity:

Deposits:

  Noninterest bearing demand deposits

$115,045

$107,359

  Interest-bearing transaction accounts

144,475

154,640

  Time deposits one hundred thousand and over

71,511

73,262

  Other time deposits

83,844

119,521

____________

____________

    Total deposits

414,875

454,782

Short-term borrowings

47,282

16,265

Subordinated debentures

20,000

20,000

Other liabilities and interest payable

11,565

10,173

____________

____________

     Total liabilities

493,722

501,220

Shareholders' equity:

  Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares;

      none issued and outstanding

      ---

      ---

  Common stock, no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares;

      issued and outstanding: 4,952,123 and 4,950,984 shares

10,561

10,577

  Retained earnings

18,214

16,344

  Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

528

759

____________

____________

     Total shareholders' equity

29,303

27,680

____________

____________

     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$523,025

$528,900

============

============

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


               

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2004

2003

Cash flows from operating activities:

___________

___________

  Net income

$5,367

$6,282

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

  from operating activities:

  Depreciation and amortization, net

226

416

  Loans originated for sale

(2,116)

(3,268)

  Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale

2,256

2,806

  Net realized gains on securities available for sale

(79)

(86)

  Net realized loss on sale of loans held for sale

52

7

  Change in other assets and interest receivable

591

164

  Change in other liabilities and interest payable

772

229

__________

__________

  Total adjustments

1,702

268

__________

__________

  Net cash from operating activities

7,069

6,550

Cash flows from investing activities:

  Net change in loans

(30,267)

(46,285)

  Purchases of investment securities available for sale

      ---  

(5,004)

  Purchases of investment securities held to maturity

(1,480)

(4,215)

  Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale

1,996

9,812

  Maturities of investment securities available for sale

23,859

28,336

  Maturities or calls of investment securities held to maturity

3,819

2,968

  Purchase of company owned life insurance

(2,700)

      ---  

  Purchases of premises and equipment, net

(156)

(189)

__________

__________

    Net cash from (used in) investing activities

(4,929)

(14,577)

Cash flows from financing activities:

  Net change in noninterest bearing demand deposits

7,686

1,467

  Net change in interest bearing transaction accounts

(10,165)

24,195

  Net change in time deposits

(37,428)

(23,868)

  Net change in short-term borrowings

31,017

(8,157)

  Issuance of trust preferred securities

      ---  

10,000

  Repurchases of common stock

(474)

(5,711)

  Issuance of common stock

79

661

  Cash dividends paid

(3,118)

(2,548)

__________

__________

    Net cash (used in) from financing activities

(12,403)

(3,961)

__________

__________

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(10,263)

(11,988)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

27,859

39,337

__________

__________

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$17,596

$27,349

=========

=========

(Continued)

               

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

(Continued)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2004

2003

_______________________

Supplemental Disclosures:

Cash paid during the period for:

  Interest expense

$5,088

$6,550

  Income taxes

2,605

3,145

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(Concluded)


REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.         Basis of Presentation

            The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Redwood Empire Bancorp’s 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.  The statements include the accounts of Redwood Empire Bancorp ("Redwood," and with its subsidiaries, the "Company"), and its wholly owned subsidiaries, National Bank of the Redwoods, Redwood Statutory Trust I (“RSTI”) and Redwood Statutory Trust II (“RSTII”).  In 2002, National Bank of the Redwoods (and with its subsidiary, “NBR”) formed NBR Real Estate Investment Trust, a Maryland Real Estate Investment Trust.  The entity was formed to provide an additional vehicle to raise capital and to better organize and market the origination of real estate secured lending.  However, in July 2004, the Company terminated the REIT due to a December 2003 position announced by the California Franchise Tax Board where certain tax transactions related to REITs would be disallowed.  All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The financial information contained in this report reflects all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004.

            For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and repurchase agreements with original maturities of 90 days or less.  Federal funds sold and repurchase agreements are generally for one-day periods.

            As previously announced on August 25, 2004, the Company signed a definitive merger agreement where Westamerica Bancorporation will acquire Redwood Empire Bancorp.  The agreement, which was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors is subject to conditions usual and customary for merger transactions of this type, including approval by Redwood Empire Bancorp shareholders, approval by bank regulatory authorities and satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.  Westamerica Bancorporation will acquire all of the common shares of Redwood Empire Bancorp.  Shareholders will receive, subject to certain adjustments, consideration of approximately $28.74 per share, consisting of $11.49 in cash and shares of Westamerica Bancorporation common stock valued at approximately $17.25.  It is estimated the merger will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2004 or early in the first quarter of 2005.


2.         Earnings per Share

            Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

            On July 15, 2003, the Company announced a three-for-two stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock payable on August 13, 2003 to common shareholders of record on July 28, 2003.  Earnings per share information for all periods presented give effect to the stock split.

3.         Stock-Based Compensation

            Employee compensation expense under stock options is reported using the intrinsic value method.  No stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying common stock at date of grant.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income using earnings per share if expense was measured using the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

  Three months ended

  Nine months ended

  September 30,

  September 30,

  September 30,

  September 30,

2004

 

2003

2004

 

2003

_____________________________________________________________

(dollars in thousands,

except per share data)

  Net income as reported

$1,828

$2,085

$5,367

$6,282

  Deduct: Stock-based compensation

   expense determined under fair value

   based method

(31)

(22)

(89)

(61)

__________

__________

__________

__________

  Pro forma net income

$1,797

$2,063

$5,278

$6,221

==========

==========

==========

==========

  Basic earnings per share as reported

$.37

$.42

$1.08

$1.24

  Pro forma basic earnings per share

.36

.41

1.07

1.23

  Diluted earnings per share as reported

$.36

$.41

$1.05

$1.21

  Pro forma diluted earnings per share

.35

.40

1.04

1.20

            Pro forma effects are computed using option pricing models, using the following weighted-average assumptions as of grant date.  There were no options granted during the three -month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.


  Nine months ended

  September 30,

  September 30,

2004

 

2003

___________________________________

  Risk-free interest rate

  4.62%

  3.53%

  Expected option life in years

    7

    10

  Expected stock price volatility

31.40%

31.71%

  Dividend yield

  3.5%

  3.5%

 

            The following table reflects the Company’s earnings per share data.

  Three Months Ended

September 30,

2004

2003

___________________________

___________________________

  Basic

  Diluted

  Basic

  Diluted

__________________________________________________________

(in thousands, except per share data)

  Earnings per common share:

  Net income

$1,828

$1,828

$2,085

$2,085

  Earnings per share

.37

.36

.42

.41

  Weighted average common shares outstanding

4,950,000

5,104,000

(1)

4,987,000

5,141,000

(1)

(1)   The weighted average common shares outstanding include the dilutive effects of common stock options of 154,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, as adjusted for the three-for-two stock split announced July 15, 2003.

  Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2004

2003

___________________________

___________________________

  Basic

  Diluted

  Basic

  Diluted

__________________________________________________________

(in thousands, except per share data)

  Earnings per common share:

  Net income

$5,367

$5,367

$6,282

$6,282

  Earnings per share

1.08

1.05

1.24

1.21

  Weighted average common shares outstanding

4,948,000

5,097,000

(1)

5,049,000

5,171,000

(1)

(1)   The weighted average common shares outstanding include the dilutive effects of common stock options of 149,000 and 122,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, as adjusted for the three-for-two stock split announced July 15, 2003.


4.         Comprehensive Income

            The Company’s total comprehensive income presentation is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2004

2003

2004

2003

_____________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Net income as reported

$1,828

$2,085

$5,367

$6,282

Other comprehensive income/(loss) (net of tax):

  Change in unrealized holding gain

     on available for sale securities

251

(306)

(184)

(508)  

  Reclassification adjustment

(47)

     --- 

(47)

(50)  

_______________________

_______________________

Total comprehensive income

$2,032

$1,779

$5,136

$5,724

======================

======================

5.         Subsequent Events - Common Stock Cash Dividend

            On October 6, 2004, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share on the Company’s Common Stock.  The dividend was paid on November 1, 2004 to shareholders of record on October 18, 2004.

6.            Business Segments

            The Company operates in two principal business segments: core community banking and merchant card services.  The Company's core community banking segment includes commercial, commercial real estate, construction and permanent residential lending along with all treasury and depository activities.  The Company’s merchant card services industry group provides credit card settlement services for approximately 31,000 merchants throughout the United States.

            The condensed income statements and average assets of the individual segments are set forth in the table below.  The information in this table is derived from the internal management reporting system used by management to measure the performance of the segments and the Company.  The management reporting system assigns balance sheet and income statement items to each segment based on internal management accounting policies.  Net interest income is determined by the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing system, which assigns a cost of funds or credit for funds to assets or liabilities based on their type, maturity or repricing characteristics.  Noninterest income and expense directly attributable to a segment are assigned to that business.  Total other operating expense, including indirect costs, such as overhead, operations and technology expense, are allocated to the segments based on an evaluation of costs for product or data processing.  All amounts other than allocations of interest and indirect costs are derived from third parties.  The provision for credit losses is allocated based on the required reserves and the net charge-offs for each respective segment.  The Company allocates depreciation expense without allocating the related depreciable asset to that segment.    


            Summary financial data by business segment for the indicated periods is as follows:

For the quarter ended September 30, 2004

_________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

_________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$7,343

$    ---

$7,343

Total interest expense

1,522

1

1,523

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(123)

123

---

__________________

_____________

_____________

Net interest income

5,698

122

5,820

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

599

1,263

1,862

Total other operating expense

3,887

753

4,640

__________________

_____________

_____________

Income before income taxes

2,410

632

3,042

Provision for income taxes

962

252

1,214

__________________

_____________

_____________

Net income

$1,448

$380

$1,828

=================

=============

=============

TotalAverage Assets

$493,246

$23,175

$516,421

=================

=============

=============

                     

For the quarter ended September 30, 2003

__________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

__________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$7,538

$    ---

$7,538

Total interest expense

1,747

8

1,755

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(183)

183

---

__________________

_____________

_____________

Net interest income

5,608

175

5,783

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

479

1,187

1,666

Total other operating expense

3,409

730

4,139

__________________

_____________

_____________

Income before income taxes

2,678

632

3,310

Provision for income taxes

990

235

1,225

__________________

_____________

_____________

Net income

$1,688

$397

$2,085

==================

=============

=============

Total Average Assets

$489,604

$28,485

$518,089

==================

=============

=============

                       

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004

___________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

___________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$21,537

$    ---

$21,537

Total interest expense

4,675

3

4,678

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(358)

358

---

___________________

______________

_____________

Net interest income

16,504

355

16,859

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

1,737

3,732

5,469

Total other operating expense

11,224

2,167

13,391

___________________

______________

_____________

Income before income taxes

7,017

1,920

8,937

Provision for income taxes

2,803

767

3,570

___________________

______________

_____________

Net income

$4,214

$1,153

$5,367

==================

==============

=============

Total Average Assets

$495,819

$21,961

$517,780

==================

==============

=============


                       

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003

____________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

____________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$22,688

$    ---

$22,688

Total interest expense

5,667

30

5,697

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(598)

598

---

___________________

______________

_____________

Net interest income

16,423

568

16,991

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

1,540

3,404

4,944

Total other operating expense

9,994

2,132

12,126

___________________

______________

_____________

Income before income taxes

7,969

1,840

9,809

Provision for income taxes

2,866

661

3,527

___________________

______________

_____________

Net income

$5,103

$1,179

$6,282

==================

==============

=============

Total Average Assets

$486,899

$30,097

$516,996

==================

==============

=============

7.         Common Stock Repurchases

            In August 2001, the Company announced authorizations to repurchase up to 533,250 common shares, as adjusted for the three-for-two stock splits declared September 20, 2001 and July 15, 2003.  In August 2003, the Company announced an authorization to repurchase an additional 496,500 shares, for a total authorization of 1,029,750 shares.  As of September 30, 2004, 557,987 shares of the Company’s common stock had been repurchased.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company repurchased 16,939 shares of the Company’s common stock under the program at an average price per share of $28.00.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2004, there were no shares of the Company’s common stock repurchased under the program.  Under the terms of the Company’s merger agreement with Westamerica Bancorporation, the Company may not purchase shares of Company common stock and the repurchase program has been suspended indefinitely.

Item 2.                        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Information

            This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking information which is subject to the "safe harbor" created by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These forward-looking statements (which involve, among other things, the Company's plans, beliefs and goals, refer to estimates, projections or expectations or use similar terms) involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control):

            ▪Competitive pressure in the banking industry and changes in banking or other laws and regulations or governmental fiscal or monetary policies.

            ▪Changes in the interest rate environment (including possible declines in interest rates) and volatility of rate sensitive loans and deposits.

            ▪A decline in the health of the economy nationally or regionally which could reduce the demand for loans or reduce the value of real estate collateral securing most of the Company's loans or reduce the volume of the Company’s merchant credit card processing business.

            ▪Uncertainty regarding the economic outlook resulting from the continuing war on terrorism and foreign hostilities, as well as actions taken or to be taken by the U.S. or other governments as a result of further acts or threats of terrorism.

            ▪Credit quality deterioration, which could cause an increase in the provision for loan losses.

            ▪Uncertainties as to the consummation and timing of the pending merger with Westamerica Bancorporation, including regulatory and shareholder approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions.

            ▪Dividend restrictions.

            ▪Regulatory discretion.

            ▪Material losses in the Company's merchant credit card processing business from merchant or card holder fraud or merchant business failure and the ability of the Company to comply with the rules and regulations of the major credit card associations, such as Visa and Mastercard, as described under “Certain Important Considerations for Investors” in this report.

            ▪Asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks.

            ▪Changes in the securities markets.

            ▪A decline in the health of the Northern California economy, including the decline in the technology sector and any negative effect of the California state government’s budgetary and fiscal difficulties.

            ▪Certain operational risks involving data processing systems or fraud.

            ▪The proposal or adoption of changes in accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or other standard setting bodies.

            Any forward-looking statements made by the Company are intended to provide investors with additional information with which they may assess the Company’s future potential.  All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about an uncertain future and are based on information available at the date such statements are issued. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made or to publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements.  For additional information concerning risks and uncertainties related to the Company and its operations, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and “Certain Important Considerations for Investors” herein.

Executive Summary

            The Company derives its income from two principal sources: (1) net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income it receives on interest-earning assets and the interest expense it pays on interest-bearing liabilities; and (2) noninterest income or fee income, which includes fees earned on deposit services, fees earned from servicing loans for investors, fees from processing services, electronic-based cash management services and merchant credit card processing.

            The following analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Redwood Empire Bancorp and related notes thereto included in this Report.  The following sections discuss significant changes and trends in financial condition, capital resources and liquidity of the Company from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004.  Significant changes and trends in the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to the same period in 2003, are also discussed.

            The Company reported net income of $1,828,000 or $.36 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. This compares to net income of $2,085,000 or $.41 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2003.   For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net income was $5,367,000 or $1.05 per diluted share as compared to $6,282,000 or $1.21 per diluted share one year ago.  The Company experienced a decline in net income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same periods in 2003, primarily due to a decline in the amount of interest income recognized on the available for sale investment portfolio, an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase in interest expense associated with the Company’s second $10,000,000 trust preferred securities financing completed on July 24, 2003, an increase in the Company’s effective tax rate and higher operating expenses related to the pending merger with Westamerica Bancorporation.

            On July 15, 2003, the Company announced a three-for-two stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock payable on August 13, 2003 to common shareholders of record on July 28, 2003.  Earnings per share information for all periods presented give effect to the stock split.

Pending Merger

            On August 25, 2004, the Company and Westamerica Bancorporation executed a merger agreement providing for the merger of the Company with and into Westamerica.  Consummation of the merger is subject to certain conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of the Company.  If the merger is completed, each share of Company common stock will be exchanged for $28.74, consisting of $11.49 in cash and $17.25 in shares of Westamerica common stock; however, the exact value of the merger consideration will not be known until the close of the merger.  The value of the stock portion will increase if the average closing price of Westamerica common stock over the measurement period ending three business days before completion of the merger is greater than $55.6050 and will decrease if the average closing price during that period is less than $45.4950.  The merger consideration may also be reduced by up to $0.30 per share if regulatory agencies require Westamerica to divest deposits in Lake County as a condition of approving the merger.  This reduction would be allocated proportionately between the cash and stock portions of the merger consideration.  It is estimated that the merger will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2004 or early in the first quarter of 2005.

Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

            Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Redwood Empire Bancorp’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.  Certain of these policies as well as estimates made by management are considered to be important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, since they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments and estimates, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain.  For additional information, please refer to “Certain Important Considerations for Investors” herein.

Results of Operations

            Net Interest Income

            Interest income decreased from $6,815,000 in the third quarter of 2003 to $6,761,000 in the third quarter of 2004, which represents a decrease of $54,000 or ..8%. Interest income on loans decreased $433,000, or 2% to $19,518,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $19,951,000 one year ago.  While the Company experienced growth in average portfolio loans during 2004 as compared to 2003, the continued low interest rate environment and substantial paydown activity within the mortgage-backed securities portfolio both had a negative impact on interest income.  Average portfolio loans totaled $433,220,000 for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $412,354,000 for the same period one year ago, an increase of $20,866,000 or 5%.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, average portfolio loans grew $18,341,000, or 5% to $418,832,000 from $400,491,000.  Average investment securities totaled $50,507,000 and $58,635,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $70,737,000 and $84,107,000 for the same periods one year ago.

            The Company continues to focus on improving asset mix and growth in the overall loan portfolio, and in particular the commercial real estate portfolio.  Average commercial real estate loans increased $21,749,000 or 12% and $24,149,000 or 14% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same periods one year ago.  This loan growth was partially offset by decreases in average residential real estate loans of $10,436,000 or 9% and $4,179,000 or 4%, and decreases in average installment and other loans of $4,276,000 or 24% and $290,000 or 2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.  Average commercial loans increased by $8,146,000 during the three-month period ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003; however, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, average commercial loans decreased by $81,000 or .1%.  Average construction loans increased by $6,008,000 or 13% and $1,469,000 or 3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

            Average investment securities totaled $50,507,000 and $58,635,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $70,737,000 and $84,107,000 for the same periods one year ago.  The decline was due to substantial paydown activity within the mortgage-backed securities portfolio throughout the second half of 2003 and into 2004.  Proceeds from such paydown activity facilitated the funding of loan growth.

            For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, interest expense was $1,523,000 and $4,678,000, down $232,000, or 13% and $1,019,000, or 18% when compared to the same periods in 2003. With the continued low interest rate environment, the Company has been successful in reducing costs associated with interest bearing deposits.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the cost of average interest bearing deposits was 1.29% and 1.33%, down from 1.53% and 1.78% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The Company has also improved the current mix of deposits by increasing noninterest bearing demand deposits, while decreasing the balance of higher cost time deposits. 

            Net interest income was $5,820,000 for the third quarter of 2004, an increase of $37,000, or .6% when compared to $5,783,000 for the third quarter of 2003.  The net interest margin was 4.77% for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to 4.69% one year ago.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net interest income was $16,859,000, a decrease of $132,000 or .8% from $16,991,000 for the nine months ending September 30, 2003.  Net interest margin remained unchanged at 4.64% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to one year ago.  The Company’s net interest margin was negatively impacted during 2004 due to the additional interest expense incurred with the completion of the Company’s second $10,000,000 trust preferred securities financing in July 2003. Such financing, the proceeds of which have been used for stock repurchases and other corporate matters, bears an annual interest rate of 6.35%.  Total interest expense for both trust preferred securities financing was $414,000 and $1,241,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $378,000 and $870,000 during the same periods in 2003.

            Yield on earning assets decreased to 6.02% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 from 6.12% for the same period one year ago.  Yield on earning assets decreased to 5.93% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to 6.20% for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the yield on earning assets for the three- and nine-month periods during 2004 was due to the continued low interest rate environment.  Yield paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased to 1.69% and 1.71% for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 from 1.85% and 2.02% for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities occurred as the Company improved the mix of deposits by increasing noninterest bearing deposits, while decreasing the balance of higher cost time deposits, as well as lowering its deposit product pricing in response to lower short-term rates quoted in the national markets.  The largest decrease in interest expense was experienced in time deposits.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, such expense decreased $293,000 or 29% and $1,442,000 or 39% as compared to the same periods one year ago.

            The following is an analysis of the Company’s net interest margin for the indicated periods:

Three months ended

Three months ended

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

____________________________________

__________________________________

Annualized

Annualized

Average

%

Average

%

(dollars in thousands)

Balance

Interest

Yield/Rate

Balance

Interest

Yield/Rate

___________

________

_____________

__________

________

_____________

Residential real estate mortgage loans

$106,594

$1,480

5.52%

$117,030

$1,741

5.90%

Commercial real estate loans

197,842

3,254

6.54

176,093

3,127

7.05

Commercial loans

63,271

918

5.77

55,125

907

6.53

Real estate construction loans

52,472

961

7.29

46,464

866

7.39

Installment and other

13,635

146

4.26

17,911

165

3.65

Deferred loan fees

(594)

---

---

(268)

---

---

___________

________

__________

________

  Portfolio loans

433,220

6,759

6.21

412,355

6,806

6.55

Mortgage loans held for sale

102

2

7.78

549

8

5.78

Investments

50,507

579

4.56

70,737

712

3.99

Federal funds sold

1,184

3

1.01

5,087

12

0.94

___________

________

__________

________

  Total earning assets (1)

$485,013

7,343

6.02

$488,728

7,538

6.12

==========

==========

Interest bearing transaction accounts

$154,971

312

0.80

$152,262

354

0.92

Time deposits

163,923

720

1.75

201,742

1,013

1.99

Other borrowings

40,353

491

4.84

22,689

388

6.78

___________

________

__________

________

   Total interest-bearing liabilities

$359,247

1,523

1.69%

$376,693

1,755

1.85%

==========

_________

==========

_________

Net interest income

$5,820

$5,783

Net interest income to

========

========

  earning assets

4.77%

4.69%

(1)   Nonaccrual loans are included in the calculation of the average balance of earning assets (interest not accrued is excluded).


Nine months ended

Nine months ended

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2003

__________________________________

__________________________________

Annualized

Annualized

Average

%

Average

%

(dollars in thousands)

Balance

Interest

Yield/Rate

Balance

Interest

Yield/Rate

___________

_________

__________

___________

_________

__________

Residential real estate mortgage loans

$106,334

$4,490

5.64%

$110,513

$5,125

6.20%

Commercial real estate loans

191,401

9,459

6.60

167,252

8,917

7.13

Commercial loans

59,028

2,512

5.68

59,109

2,783

6.29

Real estate construction loans

48,852

2,602

7.11

47,383

2,621

7.40

Installment and other

13,540

444

4.38

16,600

490

3.95

Deferred loan fees

(323)

---

---

(366)

---

---

___________

_________

___________

_________

  Portfolio loans

418,832

19,507

6.22

400,491

19,936

6.66

Mortgage loans held for sale

251

11

5.85

356

15

5.63

Investments

58,635

1,969

4.49

84,107

2,703

4.30

Federal funds sold

7,225

50

0.92

4,131

34

1.10

___________

_________

___________

_________

  Total earning assets (1)

$484,943

21,537

5.93

$489,085

22,688

6.20

===========

===========

Interest bearing transaction accounts

$156,143

1,030

0.88

$147,643

1,016

0.92

Time deposits

178,342

2,291

1.72

210,061

3,733

2.38

Other borrowings

31,536

1,357

5.75

19,625

948

6.46

___________

_________

___________

_________

   Total interest-bearing liabilities

$366,021

4,678

1.71%

$377,329

5,697

2.02%

===========

__________

===========

__________

Net interest income

$16,859

$16,991

Net interest income to

=========

=========

  earning assets

4.64%

4.64%

(1)   Nonaccrual loans are included in the calculation of the average balance of earning assets (interest not accrued is excluded).


            The following table sets forth changes in interest income and interest expense for each major category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, and the amount of change attributable to volume and rate changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.  Changes not solely attributable to rate or volume have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

Three months ended

September 30, 2004 compared to the

three months ended September 30, 2003

__________________________________________

Volume

Rate

Total

__________________________________________

  (in thousands)

Increase/(decrease) in interest income:

  Residential real estate mortgage loans

($149)

($112)

($261)

  Commercial real estate loans

368

(241)

127

  Commercial loans

125

(114)

11

  Real estate construction loans

110

(15)

95

  Installment and other

(43)

24

(19)

  Mortgage loans held for sale

(8)

2

(6)

  Investments

(223)

90

(133)

  Federal funds sold

(10)

1

(9)

_____________

____________

____________

Total decrease

170

(365)

(195)

_____________

____________

____________

Increase/(decrease) in interest expense:

  Interest-bearing transaction accounts

6

(48)

(42)

  Time deposits

(176)

(117)

(293)

  Other borrowings

238

(135)

103

_____________

____________

____________

Total decrease

68

(300)

(232)

_____________

____________

____________

Increase in net interest income

$102

($65)

$37

=============

============

===========

               

Nine months ended

September 30, 2004 compared to the

nine months ended September 30, 2003

___________________________________________

Volume

Rate

Total

___________________________________________

  (in thousands)

Increase/(decrease) in interest income:

  Residential real estate mortgage loans

($189)

($446)

($635)

  Commercial real estate loans

1,225

(683)

542

  Commercial loans

(4)

(267)

(271)

  Real estate construction loans

80

(99)

(19)

  Installment and other

(97)

51

(46)

  Mortgage loans held for sale

(5)

1

(4)

  Investments

(851)

117

(734)

  Federal funds sold

22

(6)

16

______________

____________

____________

Total increase/(decrease)

181

(1,332)

(1,151)

______________

____________

____________

Increase/ (decrease) in interest expense:

  Interest-bearing transaction accounts

57

(43)

14

  Time deposits

(509)

(933)

(1,442)

  Other borrowings

522

(113)

409

______________

____________

____________

Total increase/ (decrease)

70

(1,089)

(1,019)

______________

____________

____________

Increase/(decrease) in net interest income

$111

($243)

($132)

==============

============

============

Provision for Loan Losses

            Due to the absence of significant net loan charge-offs, little change in loan portfolio asset quality and the balance in the allowance for loan losses, there was no provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.   For further information, see “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Nonperforming Assets” in this section.

Noninterest Income and Expense

                        Noninterest Income

            The following tables set forth the components of the Company’s noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the same periods in 2003.

Three Months Ended

September 30,

$

%

_________________________

2004

 

2003

Change

Change

________________________________________________

(dollars in thousands)

Service charges on deposit accounts

$221

$260

($39)

(15)

%

Merchant draft processing, net

1,263

1,187

76

6

Loan servicing income

24

32

(8)

(25)

Net realized gains on investment securities available for sale

79

---

79

---

Other income

275

187

88

47

____________________________________

Total noninterest income

$1,862

$1,666

$196

12

%

==================================

            Noninterest income increased $196,000, or 12%, to $1,862,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to $1,666,000 for the same period in 2003.  During this period, such increase was due primarily to an increase of $76,000 in merchant card net revenue, an increase of $79,000 in net realized gains on investment securities available for sale and an increase in other income of $88,000.  The increase in merchant card net revenue during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003 is due to an increase in processing volume.  The increase in net realized gains on investment securities available for sale was due to investment sales in the quarter.  The increase in other income for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003 was due to an increase in income associated with the Company’s recent successful implementation of a program to sell investment products and income derived from the purchase of life insurance policies on certain key executives.

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

$

%

_________________________

2004

 

2003

Change

Change

________________________________________________

(dollars in thousands)

Service charges on deposit accounts

$733

$782

($49)

(6)

%

Merchant draft processing, net

3,732

3,404

328

10

Loan servicing income

106

110

(4)

(4)

Net realized gains on investment securities available for sale

79

86

(7)

(8)

Other income

819

562

257

46

____________________________________

Total noninterest income

$5,469

$4,944

$525

11

%

==================================


            Noninterest income increased $525,000, or 11%, to $5,469,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to $4,944,000 for the same period in 2003.  During this period, such increase was primarily due to an increase of $328,000 in merchant card net revenue and an increase in other income of $257,000 for the reasons discussed above.

                        Noninterest Expense

            The following tables set forth the components of the Company’s noninterest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the same period in 2003.

Three Months Ended

September 30,

$

%

_____________________________

2004

 

2003

Change

Change

___________________________________________________________

(dollars in thousands)

Salaries and employee benefits

$2,744

$2,466

$278

11

%

Occupancy and equipment expense

529

475

54

11

Other

1,367

1,198

169

14

_________________________________________

Total noninterest expense

$4,640

$4,139

$501

12

%

=======================================

            Noninterest expense increased by $501,000, or 12%, to $4,640,000 during the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $4,139,000 for the third quarter of 2003. The increase in noninterest expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the same period in 2003, is attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $278,000, an increase in occupancy and equipment expense of $54,000 and an increase of $169,000 in other expenses.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits during 2004 was partially due to an increase in the number of full time equivalent employees employed by the Company, the continued impact of increased costs associated with health care and workers compensation insurance and normal annual salary increases.  Additionally, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2003, salaries and employee benefits expense was negatively impacted during the third quarter of 2004 by an $34,000 decline in contra-salary expense related to deferred loan costs in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards No. 91, resulting from lower levels of loan originations.  The increase in occupancy and equipment expense during the third quarter of 2004 was due to an increase in building rental costs that occurred as the result of the Company’s sale of a building in which the Company subsequently became a tenant.  The increase in other expense is primarily due to $262,000 in expenses recognized in the third quarter of 2004 associated with the pending merger of the Company into Westamerica Bancorporation.

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

$

%

_______________________________

2004

 

2003

Change

Change

__________________________________________________________

(dollars in thousands)

Salaries and employee benefits

$8,092

$7,008

$1,084

15

%

Occupancy and equipment expense

1,604

1,567

37

2

Other

3,695

3,551

144

4

________________________________________

Total noninterest expense

$13,391

$12,126

$1,265

10

%

======================================

            Noninterest expense increased $1,265,000, or 10% to $13,391,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to $12,126,000 for the same period in 2003.  During this period, such increase was primarily due to an increase of $1,084,000 in salaries and employee benefits and an increase in other expenses of $144,000 for the reasons discussed above.

Income Taxes

            The Company’s effective tax rate varies with changes in the relative amounts of its non-taxable income and nondeductible expenses.  The effective tax rate was 40% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 37% and 36% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003. 

            As previously disclosed, the Company formed its Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) subsidiary on January 15, 2002.  With the formation of the REIT, the Company began to recognize state tax benefits in the first quarter of 2002.  During December 2003, the California Franchise Tax Board took the position that certain tax transactions related to REITs and regulated investment companies (RICs) would be disallowed.  Therefore, in July 2004 the Company terminated the REIT.  As previously disclosed, during December 2003 the Company reversed previously recognized net state tax benefits related to the REIT and will not record any related state tax benefits in the future.  Due to the absence of such state tax benefits, the Company’s effective tax rate increased by 3% from 37% to 40% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003.  On a year to date basis, the effective tax rate increased by 4% from 36% at December 31, 2003 to 40% at September 30, 2004.  This change in the effective tax rate had a negative impact on net income of $88,000, or $.02 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2004 and $353,000, or $.07 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004.

Business Segments

            The Company operates in two principal product and service lines: core community banking and merchant credit card services.  The Company's core community banking segment includes commercial, commercial real estate, construction and permanent residential lending along with treasury and depository activities.  The Company’s merchant card services industry group provides credit card settlement services for approximately 31,000 merchants throughout the United States.


            Summary financial data by business segment for the indicated periods is as follows:

For the quarter ended September 30, 2004

_______________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

_______________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$7,343

$    ---

$7,343

Total interest expense

1,522

1

1,523

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(123)

123

---

________________

_____________

_____________

Net interest income

5,698

122

5,820

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

599

1,263

1,862

Total other operating expense

3,887

753

4,640

________________

_____________

_____________

Income before income taxes

2,410

632

3,042

Provision for income taxes

962

252

1,214

________________

_____________

_____________

Net income

$1,448

$380

$1,828

===============

============

============

TotalAverage Assets

$493,246

$23,175

$516,421

===============

============

============

               

For the quarter ended September 30, 2003

________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

_________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$7,538

$    ---

$7,538

Total interest expense

1,747

8

1,755

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(183)

183

---

________________

______________

____________

Net interest income

5,608

175

5,783

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

479

1,187

1,666

Total other operating expense

3,409

730

4,139

________________

______________

____________

Income before income taxes

2,678

632

3,310

Provision for income taxes

990

235

1,225

________________

______________

____________

Net income

$1,688

$397

$2,085

===============

==============

============

Total Average Assets

$489,604

$28,485

$518,089

===============

==============

============

               

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004

__________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

__________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$21,537

$    ---

$21,537

Total interest expense

4,675

3

4,678

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(358)

358

---

________________

_______________

_____________

Net interest income

16,504

355

16,859

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

1,737

3,732

5,469

Total other operating expense

11,224

2,167

13,391

________________

_______________

_____________

Income before income taxes

7,017

1,920

8,937

Provision for income taxes

2,803

767

3,570

________________

_______________

_____________

Net income

$4,214

$1,153

$5,367

===============

===============

=============

Total Average Assets

$495,819

$21,961

$517,780

===============

===============

=============


               

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003

__________________________________________________

Merchant

Community

Card

Total

Banking

Services

Company

__________________________________________________

(in thousands)

Total interest income

$22,688

$    ---

$22,688

Total interest expense

5,667

30

5,697

Interest income/(expense) allocation

(598)

598

---

________________

_______________

_____________

Net interest income

16,423

568

16,991

Provision for loan losses

---

---

---

Total other operating income

1,540

3,404

4,944

Total other operating expense

9,994

2,132

12,126

________________

_______________

_____________

Income before income taxes

7,969

1,840

9,809

Provision for income taxes

2,866

661

3,527

________________

_______________

_____________

Net income

$5,103

$1,179

$6,282

===============

===============

=============

Total Average Assets

$486,899

$30,097

$516,996

===============

===============

=============

            Community Banking

            The Community Banking segment’s income before income tax decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same periods in 2003.  The decrease was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense and a higher effective tax rate in 2004, which was partially offset by an increase in noninterest income.  The increase in other expense was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits, as discussed above.  Net interest income increased $90,000 and $81,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, when compared to the same periods in 2003, principally due to an increase in the Company’s net interest margin during the third quarter of 2004.  Average earning assets decreased by $3,715,000, or .8% and $4,142,000 or .8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same periods one year ago.  Additionally, with the continued low interest rate environment, the Company was able to reduce the cost on interest bearing deposits.

            Merchant Card Services

            The Company's merchant credit card segment earned $380,000 and $1,153,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $397,000 and $1,179,000 for the same periods in 2003.  The segment's decrease in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to 2003, is primarily attributable to an increase in noninterest expense, a decrease in net interest income and a higher effective tax rate in 2004, which was partially offset by an increase in noninterest income.  The decrease in the segment’s net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was primarily due to a decrease in net interest income, an increase in noninterest expense and an increase in the effective tax rate in 2004.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in merchant draft processing revenues.  The bankcard segment’s net interest income is partially determined by the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing systems, which assigns a cost of funds or credit for funds to assets or liabilities based on their type, maturity or repricing characteristics.  The decrease in net interest income for the bankcard segment is due to the continued low interest rate environment and a decrease in the segment’s customer deposit base, which resulted in a decrease in the credit for funds given to the segment.  The merchant bankcard segment’s net income comprised 21% of the Company's consolidated net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to 19% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.

            The Company bears certain risks associated with its merchant credit card processing business.  Due to a contractual obligation between NBR and Visa and MasterCard, NBR stands in the place of the merchant in the event that a merchant refuses or is unable to pay on charge-backs from cardholders.  Charge-back exposure can also result from fraudulent credit card transactions initiated by merchant customers.  As a result, NBR may incur losses associated with its merchant credit card processing business.  Accordingly, NBR has established a reserve to provide for losses associated with charge-backs.  Such reserve, which totaled $1,382,000 and $1,296,000 as of September 30, 2004 and 2003, was estimated based upon industry loss data as a percentage of transaction volume throughout each year, historical losses incurred by the Company and management’s evaluation regarding merchant and ISO (Independent Sales Organization) risk.  The Company utilizes the services of ISOs to acquire merchants as customers.  The provision for charge-back losses, which is included in the financial statements as a reduction in merchant draft processing income, was $64,000 and $120,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $47,000 and $195,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003.  For further discussion, see “Certain Important Considerations for Investors” in this section.

            The following table summarizes the Company’s merchant card allowance for charge-back losses for the periods indicated:

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

____________________________________________________________

2004

2003

2004

2003

(in thousands)

Beginning allowance

$1,379

$1,314

$1,310

$1,261

Provision for losses

64

47

120

195

Recoveries

3

---

18

3

Charge-offs

(64)

(65)

(66)

(163)  

________________

_____________

____________

____________

Ending allowance

$1,382

$1,296

$1,382

$1,296

===============

============

===========

===========

Investment Securities

            Total investment securities decreased to $47,155,000, as of September 30, 2004, compared to $75,795,000 as of December 31, 2003.  The decrease in the investment securities portfolio from December 31, 2003 was primarily due to the maturity of a $13,516,000 FNMA security, the sale of three mortgage-backed securities totaling $1,917,000 and normal prepayments of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio.  Such mortgage-backed securities portfolio amounted to $43,101,000 as of December 31, 2003 as compared to $28,611,000 as of September 30, 2004.

Loans

            Total loans increased to $445,103,000 at September 30, 2004 compared to $414,521,000 at December 31, 2003.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, total loans increased $30,582,000, primarily due to an increase of $14,211,000 in commercial real estate loans, an increase of $10,695,000 in commercial loans, an increase of $7,107,000 in construction loans, and an increase of $887,000 in residential real estate loans, partially offset by a decline of $1,841,000 in installment and other loans.

            The following table summarizes the composition of the loan portfolio at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003:

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

____________________________

____________________________

  Amount

  %

  Amount

  %

____________________________

____________________________

(dollars in thousands)

  Residential real estate mortgage

$109,738

25%

$108,851

27%

  Commercial real estate mortgage

200,396

44

186,185

45

  Commercial

66,168

15

55,473

13

  Real estate construction

58,261

13

51,154

12

  Installment and other

11,184

3

13,025

3

  Less net deferred loan fees

(644)

---

(167)

---

________________

___________

________________

___________

     Total portfolio loans

445,103

100%

414,521

100%

  Less allowance for loan losses

(7,072)

=========

(7,162)

=========

________________

________________

     Net loans

$438,031

$407,359

==============

==============

Allowance for Loan Losses

            The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of the provision for loan losses.  Loan losses are charged to, and recoveries are credited to, the allowance for loan losses.  The provision for loan losses is determined after considering various factors such as loan loss experience, current economic conditions, maturity of the portfolio, size of the portfolio, industry concentrations, borrower credit history, the existing allowance for loan losses, independent loan reviews, current charges and recoveries to the allowance for loan losses and the overall quality of the portfolio, as determined by management, regulatory agencies and independent credit review consultants retained by the Company.

            The Company’s allowance for loan losses is based on specific and formula allocations to the Company’s loan portfolio.   Specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses are made to identified problem loans where management has identified significant conditions or circumstances related to a given loan, which management believes indicate the probability that a loss will occur.  The specific allocations are increased or decreased through management’s reevaluation on a quarterly basis of the status of the particular problem loans.  Loans which do not receive a specific allocation receive an allowance allocation based on a formula, represented by a percentage factor based on underlying collateral, type of loan, historical charge-offs, general economic conditions and other qualitative factors.


            The following table summarizes changes in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the indicated periods:

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

________________________________

_______________________________

2004

 

2003

2004

 

2003

_______________

______________

______________

______________

(dollars in thousands)

Beginning allowance for loan losses

$7,039

$7,492

$7,162

$7,400

Provision for loan losses

   ---  

   --- 

   --- 

   --- 

Charge-offs

   --- 

   --- 

(170)

(79)  

Recoveries

33

53

80

224

_____________

____________

_____________

____________

Ending allowance for loan losses

$7,072

$7,545

$7,072

$7,545

=============

============

============

============

Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average

   loans (annualized)

0.03%

0.05%

(0.03%)

0.05%

            The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans decreased from 1.73%, at December 31, 2003, to 1.59% at September 30, 2004.  The decrease was due to the increase in the Company’s loan portfolio from $414,521,000 at December 31, 2003 to $445,103,000 at September 30, 2004.  This increase was primarily due to increases in real estate construction loans, commercial and commercial real estate loans.

Nonperforming Assets

            The following table summarizes the Company’s nonperforming assets at the dates indicated:

September 30,

December 31,

2004

2003

________________________________

(dollars in thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

$1,497

$1,266

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

---

---

Restructured loans

---

---

_____________

____________

Total nonperforming loans

1,497

1,266

Other real estate owned

---

---

Total nonperforming assets

$1,497

$1,266

============

============

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.29%

0.24%

            Nonperforming assets have increased from $1,266,000 or .24% of total assets, as of December 31, 2003, to $1,497,000 or .29% of total assets as of September 30, 2004.  This increase was attributable to an increase of $231,000 in nonaccrual loans.

            At September 30, 2004, nonperforming loans consisted of loans to 6 borrowers, 4 of which had balances in excess of $100,000. The two largest had recorded balances of $544,000 and $507,000 at September 30, 2004.  One loan is secured by industrial equipment or various other business assets and the other is secured by real estate.  Based on information currently available, management believes that adequate allocations are included in the allowance for loan losses to cover the estimated loss exposure that may result from these loans.

            At September 30, 2004, the Company did not have any properties classified as other real estate owned.

            Although the volume of nonperforming assets will depend in part on the future economic environment, there are three loan relationships which totaled approximately $2,286,000 as of September 30, 2004, compared to three loan relationships which totaled approximately $2,984,000 at December 31, 2003, about which management has serious doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with the present repayment terms.  These loans are real estate secured and may become nonperforming assets based on the information presently known about possible credit problems of the borrowers.

            At September 30, 2004, the Company’s total recorded investment in impaired loans (as defined by SFAS No. 114 and No. 118) was $1,497,000, for which there was a related allowance for loan losses allocation of $128,000.

            The Company’s average recorded investment in impaired loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 was $1,484,000 and $2,875,000.  The decrease of $1,391,000 in the average recorded investment in impaired loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the same period one year ago was primarily due to a decrease in nonperforming loans.  There was no interest income recognized during the periods that such loans were impaired for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $13,000 and $35,000 in interest income recognized during the same periods one year ago.

            As of September 30, 2004, there was $1,497,000 of loans on which the accrual of interest had been discontinued as compared to $1,266,000 at December 31, 2003.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, interest due but excluded from interest income on loans placed on nonaccrual status was $26,000 and $102,000 as compared to $60,000 and $173,000 for the same period one year ago.

Mortgage Repurchase Commitments

            From time to time, the Company may be required to repurchase mortgage loans from mortgage loan investors as a result of breaches of representations and warranties in the purchase agreement between the investor and the Company.  The Company may also be required to reimburse a mortgage loan investor for losses incurred as a result of liquidating collateral, which had secured a mortgage loan sold by the Company.  Such representations and warranties include the existence of a valid appraisal, legal status of borrower, nature of the collateral and other matters.  The Company expects that it may be required to repurchase loans in the future.  In the first nine months of 2004 and 2003, the Company was not required to repurchase any such loans.

Investment in REMIC

            In 1995, Allied Savings Bank (“Allied”), formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which merged into NBR in 1997, sold a COFI indexed ARM mortgage pool whose carrying value was approximately $73,900,000 as part of a transaction that resulted in creating a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”).  The REMIC issued three classes of mortgage pass-through certificates: A, B and C.  The sale transaction took place as a result of Allied selling its 100% interest in the COFI indexed ARM mortgage pool in exchange for cash of $71,500,000 and a Class B certificate which represented the first loss position with respect to any ultimate losses realized upon the liquidation of defaulted mortgage loans in the pool.  As part of the sale transaction, Allied retained the servicing of the pool.  The Class A and Class B certificates have sequential rights to principal payments, such that Class B certificates shall only receive principal payments after all Class A certificates are retired.  In April 2004, the Class A certificates were retired and the Company began receiving principal payments on the Class B certificates.  In July 2004, notification was received indicating that the Company would be receiving final payment of the outstanding principal of and accrued interest on the Class B certificates.  In August 2004, full and final payment was received, and as a result, the Class B certificate was retired.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

            The following table presents the Company’s longer term, non-deposit related, contractual obligations and commitments to extend credit to our borrowers, in aggregate and by payment due dates.

September 30, 2004

__________________________________________________________

  Less Than

  One Through

  Four Through

  After Five

  One Year

  Three Years

  Five Years

  Years

  Total

__________________________________________________________

(in thousands)

  Trust preferred securities

$   --- 

$   --- 

$   --- 

$20,000

$20,000

  Operating leases (premises)

1,609

3,543

3,010

4,514

12,676

     Total long-term debt

________

__________

__________

_______

________

         and operating leases

$1,609

$3,543

$3,010

$24,514

$32,676

========

==========

===========

========

========

  Commitments to extend credit

        84,796

  Standby letters of credit

          6,398

      Total contractual obligations

________

         and commitments

$123,870

========


Liquidity

            Redwood’s primary source of liquidity is dividends from NBR.  Redwood’s primary uses of liquidity have historically been common stock repurchases, dividend payments made to common shareholders, interest payments relating to Redwood’s trust preferred securities and operating expenses.  It is Redwood’s general policy to maintain liquidity at the parent level which management believes to be consistent with the safety and soundness of the Company as a whole.  As of September 30, 2004, Redwood held $2,014,000 in deposits at NBR.  In addition, the Company has a $2,500,000 unsecured line of credit with a major financial institution, which bears an interest rate equal to the federal funds rate plus 1.50%.  As of September 30, 2004, there was no outstanding balance under this line of credit.

            Redwood’s current cash dividend to its common shareholders is $.21 per common share per quarter, as adjusted for the three-for-two stock split announced July 15, 2003.  Further, Redwood is required to make semi-annual payments of interest at the rate of 10.2% per annum on $10,000,000 of trust preferred securities issued in 2001 and quarterly payments of interest at the rate of 6.35% per annum for the first five years and then at the three month LIBOR plus 3.1% per annum on $10,000,000 of trust preferred securities issued in July 2003.  Payment of these obligations is ultimately dependent on dividends from NBR to Redwood.  Federal regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the payment of dividends by NBR to Redwood if a finding is made that such payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or if NBR would become undercapitalized as a result. If NBR is restricted from paying dividends, Redwood might be unable to pay dividends to its common shareholders.  No assurance can be given as to the ability of NBR to pay dividends to Redwood in the future.  The approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) is required for the payment of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred stock.  Due to this requirement, NBR obtained such approval for its 2004 dividend plan from the OCC in February 2004.

            During the first nine months of 2004, NBR declared a dividend payable to Redwood of $3,200,000.  Management believes that as of September 30, 2004, the Company’s liquidity position was adequate for the operations of Redwood and NBR.

            Although each entity within the consolidated Company manages its own liquidity, the Company’s consolidated cash flow can be divided into three distinct areas: operating, investing and financing.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company received cash of $7,069,000 from operating activities while using $4,929,000 in investing activities and $12,403,000 in financing activities.


Capital Resources

            A strong capital base is essential to the Company’s continued ability to service the needs of its customers.  Capital protects depositors and the FDIC deposit insurance fund from potential losses and is a source of funds for the substantial investments necessary for the Company to remain competitive.  In addition, adequate capital and earnings enable the Company to gain access to the capital markets to supplement its internal growth of capital.  Capital is generated internally primarily through earnings retention.

            The Company and NBR are required to maintain minimum capital ratios defined by various federal government regulatory agencies. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) and the OCC have each established capital guidelines, which include minimum capital requirements. These regulations impose three sets of standards:  “risk-based”, “leverage” and “tangible” capital.

            Under the risk-based capital standard, assets reported on an institution’s balance sheet and certain off-balance sheet items are assigned to risk categories, each of which is assigned a risk weight.  This standard characterizes an institution’s capital as being “Tier 1” capital (defined as principally comprising shareholders’ equity, trust preferred securities, for up to 25% of total Tier 1 capital, and noncumulative preferred stock) and “Tier 2” capital (defined as principally comprising the allowance for loan losses and subordinated debt).

            Under the leverage capital standard, an institution must maintain a specified minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets, with the minimum ratio ranging from 4% to 6%.  The leverage ratio for the Company and NBR is based on average assets for the quarter.

            The following table summarizes the consolidated capital ratios of the Company and the capital ratios of NBR at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

September 30, 2004

December 31, 2003

  Well-

  Minimum

  Well-

  Minimum

  Actual

  Capitalized

  Requirement

  Actual

  Capitalized

  Requirement

  Company

___________

___________

_____________

___________

___________

_____________

   Leverage

7.03%

5.00%

4.00%

6.47%

5.00%

4.00%

   Tier 1 risk-based

7.99

6.00

4.00

7.93

6.00

4.00

   Total risk-based

11.65

10.00

8.00

11.94

10.00

8.00

  NBR

   Leverage

8.33%

5.00%

4.00%

7.59%

5.00%

4.00%

   Tier 1 risk-based

9.47

6.00

4.00

9.29

6.00

4.00

   Total risk-based

10.72

10.00

8.00

10.55

10.00

8.00

            The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the third quarter of 2004.  In August 2001, the Company announced authorizations to repurchase up to 533,250 common shares, as adjusted for the three-for-two stock splits declared September 20, 2001 and July 15, 2003.  In August 2003, the Company announced an authorization to repurchase an additional 496,500 shares, for a total authorization of 1,029,750.  As of September 30, 2004, 557,987 shares of the Company’s common stock had been repurchased.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company repurchased 16,939 shares of the Company’s common stock under the program at an average price per share of $28.00.  Under the terms of Company’s merger agreement with Westamerica Bancorporation, the Company may not purchase shares of Company common stock and the repurchase program has been suspended indefinitely.

Subordinated Debentures/Trust Preferred Securities

            On February 22, 2001, Redwood Statutory Trust I (“RSTI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, closed a pooled offering of 10,000 Capital Securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security.  The proceeds of the offering were loaned to the Company in exchange for junior subordinated debentures with terms similar to the RSTI Capital Securities.  The sole assets of RSTI are the junior subordinated debentures of the Company and payments thereunder.  The junior subordinated debentures and the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of RSTI under the RSTI Capital Securities.  Distributions on the RSTI Capital Securities are payable semi-annually at the annual rate of 10.2% and are included in interest expense in the consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2004, due to certain limitations applicable under current regulatory guidelines, the Company had included $9,079,000 of the subordinated debentures as Tier 1 capital.  As of September 30, 2004, the outstanding principal balance of the RSTI Capital Securities was $10,000,000. 

            The junior subordinated debentures are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the RSTI Capital Securities at maturity or their earlier redemption at the liquidation amount.  Subject to the Company having received prior approval of the FRB, if then required, the RSTI Capital Securities are redeemable prior to the maturity date of February 22, 2031, at the option of the Company; on or after February 22, 2021 at par; on or after February 22, 2011 at a premium; or upon occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture.  The Company has the option to defer distributions on the RSTI Capital Securities from time to time for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods.

            On July 22, 2003, Redwood Statutory Trust II (“RSTII”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, closed a financing of 10,000 Capital Securities with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per security.  The proceeds of the financing were loaned to the Company in exchange for junior subordinated debentures with terms similar to the RSTII Capital Securities.  The sole assets of RSTII are the junior subordinated debentures of the Company and payments thereunder.  The junior subordinated debentures and the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of RSTII under the RSTII Capital Securities.  Distributions on the RSTII Capital Securities, which are payable quarterly at the annual rate of 6.35% for the first five years and then reset to the three month LIBOR plus 3.1% per annum, are included in interest expense in the consolidated financial statements.  While these securities can be considered Tier 1 capital under current regulatory guidelines, as a result of certain limitations applicable, they currently qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital.  As of September 30, 2004, the outstanding principal balance of the RSTII Capital Securities was $10,000,000. 

            The junior subordinated debentures are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the RSTII Capital Securities at maturity or their earlier redemption at the liquidation amount.  Subject to the Company having received prior approval of the FRB, if then required, the RSTII Capital Securities are redeemable prior to the maturity date of July 22, 2033, at the option of the Company; on or after July 22, 2008 at par; or upon occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture.  The Company has the option to defer distributions on the RSTII Capital Securities from time to time for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods.

            Prior to December 31, 2003, RSTI and RSTII were consolidated in the Company’s financial statements with the trust preferred securities issued by the trust reported in liabilities as “trust preferred securities” and the subordinated debentures eliminated in consolidation.  Under new accounting guidance, FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised in December 2003, RSTI and RSTII are not consolidated with the Company.  Accordingly, the amounts previously reported as “trust preferred securities” in liabilities have been recaptioned “subordinated debentures” and continue to be presented in liabilities on the balance sheet.  At September 30, 2004 and 2003, the amount of the subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities were the same.  The effect of no longer consolidating the trusts does not change the amounts reported as the Company’s assets, liabilities, equity, or interest expense.

            Further, as a result of FASB Interpretation No. 46, questions were raised about whether trust preferred securities would still qualify for treatment as Tier 1 capital.  In July 2003, the FRB instructed bank holding companies to continue to include trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes, until notice is given to the contrary.  On May 6, 2004, the FRB proposed rules that would allow the continued inclusion of trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital, subject to tighter quantitative limits and qualitative standards.  At September 30, 2004, due to certain limitations applicable under current regulatory guidelines, the Company had included $9,079,000 of the subordinated debentures as Tier 1 capital.  The subordinated debentures comprised 25% of the Company’s Tier 1 capital as of September 30, 2004.  Under the FRB’s proposed rules, after a three-year transition period, trust preferred securities would be limited to 25% of the Company’s core capital elements, net of goodwill.  Under current rules, the Company is not required to deduct goodwill from core capital elements for the purposes of calculating the 25% limit.  If adopted as proposed, the FRB’s rules would have the effect of reducing the amount of trust preferred securities eligible for Tier 1 capital treatment.

Certain Important Considerations for Investors

            Merchant Credit Card Processing.  The Company’s profitability can be negatively impacted should one of the Company’s merchant credit card customers be unable to pay on charge-backs from cardholders.  Due to contractual obligations between the Company and Visa and Mastercard, NBR stands in the place of the merchant in the event that a merchant refuses, or is unable due to bankruptcy or other reasons, to pay on charge-backs from cardholders.  Management has taken certain actions to decrease the risk of merchant bankruptcy associated with its merchant credit card business.  These steps include the discontinuance of high-risk accounts. Charge-back exposure can also result from fraudulent credit card transactions initiated by merchant customers.  To mitigate merchant fraud risk, the Company employs certain underwriting standards when accepting a new merchant.  Further, the Company monitors merchant activity for unusual transactions.  In addition, the Company bears the risk of merchant nonpayment of applicable interchange, assessment and other fees.  Failure by the merchants to pay such fees may adversely affect the Company’s revenues.  The Company utilizes ISOs to acquire merchant credit card customers.  The Company’s ability to maintain and grow net revenue from its merchant credit card processing operation is dependent upon maintaining and growing proprietary accounts.

            Merchant credit card processing services are highly regulated by credit card associations such as Visa.  In order to participate in the credit card programs, the Company must comply with the credit card association’s rules and regulations that may change from time to time.  If the Company fails to comply with these credit card association standards, the Company’s status as a member service provider and as a certified processor could be suspended or terminated.  During November 1999, Visa adopted several rule changes to reduce risks in high-risk merchant credit card programs and these rule changes affected the Company’s merchant credit card business.  The rule changes went into effect on March 31, 2001.  These changes included a requirement that a processor’s reported fraud ratios be no greater than three times the national average of .1%.  At September 30, 2004 (the most recent period available from Visa), the Company’s overall fraud ratio was less than the Visa maximum.  Other Visa changes included the requirement that total processing volume in certain high-risk categories (as defined by Visa) be less than 20% of total processing volume.  At September 30, 2004, the Company’s total Visa transactions within these certain high-risk categories totaled 4% of its total Visa processing volume.  Other changes Visa announced included a requirement that weekly Visa volumes be less than 60% of an institution’s tangible equity capital, as well as a requirement that aggregate charge-backs for the previous six months be less than 5% of the institution’s tangible equity capital or that aggregate charge-backs for the quarter be less than .59% of the interchange count and .95% of the interchange amount.  At September 30, 2004, the Company’s weekly Visa volume was 50% of the Company’s tangible equity capital, and aggregate charge-backs for the previous six months were 6% of tangible equity capital and the aggregate charge-backs for the quarter were .08% of the interchange count and .20% of the interchange amount.  Merchant bankcard participants, such as the Company, must comply with these Visa rules by filing a compliance plan with Visa.  At September 30, 2004, the Company is in compliance with all rule changes that went into effect on March 31, 2001, based on Visa’s acceptance of the Company’s compliance plan.  Should the Company be unable to comply with these rules, Visa will require collateral of one to four times the shortfall.

            In 1996, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and several other retailers sued Visa and Mastercard asserting that Visa and Mastercard’s rules regarding uniform acceptance of all Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards were an illegal tying arrangement.  Prior to trial, Visa and Mastercard agreed to settle these cases.  On January 23, 2004, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved this settlement, which became effective January 1, 2004.  Neither the Company nor NBR are a party to these suits, and neither will be directly liable for these settlements.  However, Visa or Mastercard may seek to assess, or assert claims against, their members to fund the settlements.  The merchant credit card segments’ net income comprised approximately 21% of the Company’s consolidated net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.  We cannot predict the effect that the settlements or any direct claim asserted against members will have on the competitive environment or our future earnings from merchant bankcard operations.

            Concentration of Lending Activities.  Concentration of the Company’s lending activities in the real estate sector, including construction loans, could have the effect of intensifying the impact on the Company of adverse changes in the real estate market in the Company’s lending areas.  At September 30, 2004, approximately 83% of the dollar value of the Company’s loans were secured by real estate, of which 53% were secured by commercial real estate, including small office buildings, owner-user office/warehouses, mixed use residential and commercial properties and retail properties.  Substantially all of the properties that secure the Company’s present loans are located in Northern and Central California.  The ability of the Company to continue to originate mortgage, construction and other loans may be impaired by adverse changes in local or regional economic conditions, adverse changes in the real estate market, increasing interest rates, or acts of nature (including earthquakes, floods or wildfires, which may cause uninsured damage and other loss of value to real estate that secures the Company’s loans).  In addition, the long-term impact of the California energy crisis, the decline in the technology sector in Northern California and the California state government’s budgetary and fiscal difficulties may cause adverse changes in the Company's local economy and principal markets.  Due to the concentration of the Company’s real estate collateral in California, such events could have a significant adverse impact on the value of such collateral or the Company’s earnings. 

            Fluctuations in Interest Rates.   Significant increases in market interest rates, or the perception that an increase may occur, could adversely affect both our ability to originate new loans and our ability to grow.  Conversely, further decreases in interest rates could result in an acceleration in the prepayment of loans.  An increase in market interest rates could also adversely affect the ability of our floating-rate borrowers to meet their higher payment obligations.  If this occurred, it could cause an increase in nonperforming assets and charge-offs, which could adversely affect our business.

            California Economic Conditions and Governmental Fiscal Difficulties.  A substantial majority of our assets, deposits and fee income are generated in California. As a result, poor economic conditions in California may cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio.  Economic conditions in California are subject to various uncertainties at this time, including the decline in the technology sector, and the California state government’s budgetary and fiscal difficulties.  If economic conditions in California decline, we expect that our level of problem assets could increase.  The State of California is also a customer of the Company and NBR.  California’s state government has undergone serious fiscal and budget difficulties in the recent past.    While the California electorate on March 2, 2004, approved various ballot measures aimed at addressing this situation, including a one-time economic recovery bond issue of up to $15 billion to pay off the State’s accumulated general fund deficit, the long-term impact of this situation on the California economy and the Company’s markets cannot be predicted with any certainty.  These events could have an adverse effect on the demand for new loans, the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, the value of real estate and other collateral securing loans and, as a result, on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

            War on Terrorism; Foreign Hostilities.  Acts or threats of terrorism and actions taken by the U.S. or other governments as a result of such acts or threats may result in a downturn in U.S. economic conditions and could adversely affect business and economic conditions in the U.S. generally and in our principal markets.  Deterioration in either the U.S. or the California economy could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

            Government Regulation.  Redwood and its subsidiaries are subject to extensive federal and state governmental supervision, regulation and control, and future legislation and government policy could adversely affect the financial industry.  Although the full impact of such legislation and regulation cannot be predicted, future changes may alter the structure of and competitive relationship among financial institutions.  The Company’s business may be adversely affected by any future changes in laws, regulations, policies or interpretations, including legislative and regulatory reactions to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and future acts of terrorism, and the Enron Corporation, WorldCom, Inc. and other major U.S. corporate bankruptcies and reports of accounting irregularities at public companies, including various large and publicly traded companies.  Additionally, the Company’s business is affected significantly by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies, particularly the FRB, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S.  Among the instruments of monetary policy available to the FRB are (a) conducting open market operations in U.S. government securities, (b) changing the discount rates of borrowings by depository institutions, and (c) imposing or changing reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates.  These methods are used in varying degrees and combinations to directly affect the availability of bank loans and deposits, as well as the interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits.  The policies of the FRB may have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

            Competition from Other Financial Institutions.  NBR competes for deposits and loans principally with major commercial banks, other independent banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, thrift and loan associations, credit unions, mortgage companies, insurance companies, mutual funds and other lending institutions.  With respect to deposits, additional significant competition arises from corporate and governmental debt securities, as well as money market mutual funds.  Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can also now combine as a “financial holding company”.  Financial holding companies can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting), and merchant banking.  Several of the nation's largest savings and loan associations and commercial banks have a significant number of branch offices in the areas in which NBR conducts operations.  Among the advantages possessed by the larger of these institutions are their ability to make larger loans, finance extensive advertising campaigns, access international money markets and generally allocate their investment assets to regions of highest yield and demand.  In addition, such large financial institutions may have greater access to capital at a lower cost than NBR, which may adversely affect NBR’s ability to compete effectively.

            In addition, the market in which the Company competes for merchant credit card processing is intensely competitive and, in recent years, has been characterized by increased consolidation.  This consolidation has enabled certain of the Company’s competitors to have access to significant capital, management, marketing and technological resources that are equal to or greater than those of the Company, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to compete successfully with such other processors.

            Critical Accounting Policies.  The Company’s financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP).  The financial information contained within our financial statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred.  A variety of factors could affect the ultimate value that is obtained either when earning income, recognizing an expense, recovering an asset or relieving a liability. 

            The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.  The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Redwood’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company has identified its policy on the allowance for loan losses to be critical because management has to make subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and could be subject to revision as new information becomes available.  Along with other factors, we use historical loss factors to determine the inherent loss that may be present in our loan and lease portfolio.  Actual losses could differ significantly from the historical loss factors that we use.  The loan portfolio represents the largest asset type on the Consolidated Statement of Condition.  Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Redwood’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses, and a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included in “Allowance for Loan Losses” above and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 in Redwood’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

            Other estimates that we use are fair value of our securities and expected useful lives of our depreciable assets.  We have not entered into derivative contracts for our customers or for ourselves, which relate to interest rate, credit, equity, commodity, energy, or weather-related indices.  US GAAP itself may change from one previously acceptable method to another method.  Although the economics of our transactions would be the same, the timing of events that would impact our transactions could change.  Accounting standards and interpretations currently affecting the Company and its subsidiaries may change at any time, and the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by any such change.

            Our most significant estimates are approved by our management team, which is comprised of our most senior officers.  At each financial reporting period, a review of these estimates is then presented to our Board of Directors.

 

            As of September 30, 2004, other than the REIT and the REMIC (discussed elsewhere in this Report), we have not created any special purpose entities to securitize assets or to obtain off-balance sheet funding.  Although we have sold a number of loans in the past two years, those loans have been sold to third parties without recourse, subject to customary representations and warranties.  For more information regarding contractual obligations and commitments, please see “Mortgage Repurchase Commitments”, “Investment in REMIC” and “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” above.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

            As a financial institution, the Company’s primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility.  Fluctuation in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of NBR’s assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, other than those which possess a short term to maturity.  Since virtually all of the Company’s interest bearing liabilities and all of the Company’s interest earning assets are located at NBR, all of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure lies at the NBR level.  As a result, all significant interest rate risk management procedures are performed at the NBR level.  Based upon the nature of its operations, NBR is not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk.  NBR’s real estate loan portfolio, concentrated primarily within Northern and Central California, is subject to risks associated with the local economy.  The Company does not own any trading assets.

            The fundamental objective of the Company's management of its assets and liabilities is to maximize the economic value of the Company while maintaining adequate liquidity and an exposure to interest rate risk deemed by management to be acceptable.  Management believes an acceptable degree of exposure to interest rate risk results from the management of assets and liabilities through maturities, pricing and mix to attempt to neutralize the potential impact of changes in market interest rates.  NBR’s profitability is dependent to a large extent upon its net interest income, which is the difference between its interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and its interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  NBR, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-earning assets reprice differently than its interest-bearing liabilities.  NBR manages its mix of assets and liabilities with the goals of limiting its exposure to interest rate risk, ensuring adequate liquidity, and coordinating its sources and uses of funds.

            NBR seeks to control its interest rate risk exposure in a manner that will allow for adequate levels of earnings and capital over a range of possible interest rate environments.  NBR has adopted formal policies and practices to monitor and manage interest rate risk exposure.  As part of this effort, NBR measures risk in three ways:  repricing of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities; changes in net interest income for interest rate shocks up and down 200 basis points; and changes in the market value of equity for interest rate shocks up and down 200 basis points.


            The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2004, the distribution of repricing opportunities for NBR’s earning assets and interest‑bearing liabilities, the interest rate sensitivity gap, the cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap, the interest rate sensitivity gap ratio (i.e., earning assets divided by interest-bearing liabilities) and the cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap ratio.

After Three

After Six

After One

Within

Months but

Months but

Year But

Three

Within Six

Within One

Within

After Five

Months

Months

Year

Five Years

Years

Total

________________________________________________________________________

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest earning assets:

Federal funds sold

$    ---

$    ---

$    ---

$    ---

$    ---

$    ---

Investment securities and other

1,734

1,698

6,981

18,472

18,270

47,155

Mortgage loans held for sale

      ---

       ---

      ---

      ---

      ---

      ---

Loans

163,353

31,936

25,241

160,427

64,146

445,103

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

   Total interest-earning assets

165,087

33,634

32,222

178,899

82,416

492,258

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

144,475

      ---

      ---

      ---

      ---

144,475

Time deposits

42,968

44,062

41,836

26,489

      ---

155,355

Trust preferred securities

      ---

      ---

      ---

      ---

20,000

20,000

Short-term borrowings

47,282

      --

      ---

      ---

      ---

47,282

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

  Total interest-bearing liabilities

234,725

44,062

41,836

26,489

20,000

367,112

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

___________

Interest rate sensitivity gap

($69,638)

($10,428)

($9,614)

$152,410

$62,416

==========

==========

==========

==========

==========

Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap

(69,638)

(80,066)

(89,680)

62,730

125,146

Interest rate sensitivity gap ratio

0.70

0.76

0.77

6.75

4.12

Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap ratio

0.70

0.71

0.72

1.18

1.34

            Interest‑bearing transaction accounts, which consist of money market and savings deposit accounts, are classified as repricing within three months.  Some of these deposits may be repriced at management's option, and therefore a decision not to reprice such deposits could significantly alter NBR’s net interest margin.

            In a declining interest rate environment, generally it is expected that net interest margin would decline, and, in an increasing interest rate environment, net interest margin would increase.  During 2003 NBR experienced greater fixed rate, long-term mortgage lending activity through mortgage refinancings and the financing of new home purchases as rates declined. The impact of such lending activity may cause a decrease in the net interest margin in an increasing rate environment if more traditional commercial bank lending does not become a higher percentage of the overall earning assets mix.  There can be no assurance, however, that under such circumstances NBR will experience the described relationships to declining or increasing interest rates.

            On a quarterly basis, NBR management prepares an analysis of interest rate risk exposure.  Such analysis calculates the change in net interest income and the theoretical market value of NBR’s equity given a change in general interest rates of 200 basis points up and 200 basis points down.  All changes are measured in dollars and are compared to projected net interest income and the current theoretical market value of NBR’s equity.  This theoretical market value of NBR’s equity is calculated by discounting cash flows associated with NBR’s assets and liabilities.  The following is a summary of interest rate risk exposure as of September 30, 2004 as measured on a net interest income basis and a market value of equity basis, given a change in general interest rates of up to 200 basis points up and 200 basis points down.

September 30, 2004

   

   

   

Change in Annual

   

Change in

Change in Interest Rate

   

Net Interest Income

   

Market Value of Equity

+200

   

($178,000)

   

($5,601,000)

+100

   

($115,000)

   

($2,830,000)

-100

   

($134,000)

   

    $507,000

-200

   

($486,000)

   

  $1,814,000

            The model utilized by management to create the report presented above makes various estimates at each level of interest rate change regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities and/or call activity on investment securities.  In addition, repricing these earning assets and matured liabilities can occur in one of three ways:  (1) the rate of interest to be paid on an asset or liability may adjust periodically based on an index; (2) an asset, such as a mortgage loan, may amortize, permitting reinvestment of cash flows at the then-prevailing interest rates; or (3) an asset or liability may mature, at which time the proceeds can be reinvested at current market rate.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates, which would result in significant differences in the calculated projected change.

Item 4.              Controls and Procedures

            Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2004.  This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management.  Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and procedures which ensure that information required to be disclosed in this filing is accumulated and communicated to management and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner and in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.

            As of September 30, 2004, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II          OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.                       Exhibits.

      2.1       Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of August 25, 2004, among Redwood Empire Bancorp, National Bank of the Redwoods, Westamerica Bancorporation and Westamerica Bank (incorporated by reference to the Redwood Empire Bancorp current report on Form 8-K dated August 25, 2004).

      10.1     Director Compensation Agreement between Redwood Empire Bancorp and Dana R. Johnson, as amended August 17, 2004.

      31.1     Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      31.2     Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      32.1     Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      32.2     Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


                                                                  SIGNATURES

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

REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
(Registrant)

Date:

   

11/10/04

   

By:  /s/ Kim C. McClaran

   

   

       Kim C. McClaran

   

   

       Vice President and

   

   

       Chief Financial Officer

   

   

       (Principal Financial Officer)


Index of Exhibits

Exhibit Number

10.1

 

 

Director Compensation Agreement between Redwood Empire Bancorp and Dana R. Johnson, as amended August 17, 2004.

31.1

 

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a–14(a)/15d-14a under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

 

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule  13a–14(a)/15d-14a under the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

 

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

 

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.