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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
OR
[ ] 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 0-18342
Bremer Financial Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota 41-0715583
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
445 Minnesota Street 55101
Suite 2000, St. Paul, MN (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (651) 227-7621
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class A Common Stock, no par value
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No X
---- ----
Based upon the $33.14 per share price at which shares of class A common stock of
the Company were last sold before June 30, 2002, the aggregate value of the
Company's shares of class A common stock held by non-affiliates as of such date
was approximately $26.4 million. All of the Company's class B common stock is
owned by the Otto Bremer Foundation, an affiliate of the Company.
As of March 21, 2003, there were 1,200,000 shares of class A common stock and
10,800,000 shares of class B common stock outstanding.
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002
INDEX
Page
Documents Incorporated by Reference........................................ii
Cross Reference Sheet.....................................................iii
PART I
Item 1. Business.....................................................1
Item 2. Properties...................................................9
Item 3. Legal Proceedings............................................9
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..........9
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters.........................................10
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.....................................13
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations...............14
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk...34
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................35
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure......................60
PART III
Item 10 through Item 13.
See "Documents Incorporated by Reference" (Page ii)........................60
Item 14. Controls and Procedures.....................................60
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
Reports on Form 8-K.........................................60
Signatures .........................................................62
i
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents are incorporated by reference to the parts indicated of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Parts of Annual Report on Form 10-K Documents Incorporated by Reference
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Reference is made to the portions
Equity and Related Stockholder described herein of the final
Matters Prospectus of the Company dated
April 20, 1989 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
on April 20, 1989.
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Reference is made to the Registrant's
Officers of the Registrant definitive proxy statement ("Proxy
Statement"), which will be filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("Commission") within 120
days after December 31, 2002.
Item 11. Executive Compensation Reference is made to the Registrant's
Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Reference is made to the Registrant's
Beneficial Owners and Management Proxy Statement.
and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Reference is made to the Registrant's
Transactions Proxy Statement.
ii
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Between Items in Part III
of Form 10-K and
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Paragraph G-4 of General Instructions to Form 10-K
Subject Headings
Item Number and Caption In Proxy Statement
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers Information About Nominees for
of the Registrant Election as Directors, Information
About Executive Officers of the
Company
Item 11. Executive Compensation Compensation of Executive Officers
and Directors
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Principal Stockholders
Beneficial Owners and Management
and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships Certain Transactions
and Related Transactions
iii
PART I
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the documents
incorporated by reference herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act").
For this purpose, any statements contained herein or incorporated herein that
are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"plans," "intends," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve
risk and uncertainties, there are important factors, including the factors
discussed in "Risk Factors" filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as
Exhibit 99.1, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Bremer Financial Corporation is a regional financial services company with $5.3
billion in assets as of December 31, 2002, operating 11 subsidiary banks and 107
offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. We offer a wide range of
banking and related products and services, including transaction and savings
deposits, commercial, consumer, agricultural and real estate loans, mortgage
origination services, insurance, trust, and retail brokerage services. From
December 31, 1998 to December 31, 2002, we increased our asset base from $3.4
billion to $5.3 billion, resulting from a combination of internal growth and
growth through bank and branch acquisitions within our three-state market area.
During the same period, our loans and leases increased from $2.2 billion to $3.7
billion, and our deposits increased from $2.6 billion to $3.8 billion.
Business Developments
New Branches. In January 2003, as part of our ongoing Twin Cities expansion
strategy, we opened two new offices located in Plymouth and in downtown
Minneapolis. Each of the offices provides a full range of banking services, with
the downtown Minneapolis office focusing on Private Banking.
Sale of Branches. In February 2003, we signed a definitive agreement to sell two
rural branches in Edgerton and Leota, Minnesota, to a local community bank
headquartered in that area. The transaction will include $23 million in
deposits, $18 million in loans, and the bank facilities in those communities and
is expected to close in the second quarter of 2003. We originally acquired these
branches in 1999 as part of our larger purchase of a Twin Cities-based banking
company.
History
Otto Bremer incorporated Bremer Financial Corporation in December 1943 to
consolidate his majority stock holdings in community banks located throughout
Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Mr. Bremer formed the Otto Bremer
Foundation in 1944 to own Bremer Financial Corporation's stock. Today we are
owned by the foundation and the employees and directors of the company. The
foundation is organized as a non-profit trust for charitable, educational and
religious purposes for the benefit of individuals and entities who are residents
of or are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Montana. The
foundation is a key part of our community-based philosophy. Earnings from its
investment in us and other investments are returned to the bank communities in
the form of grants and program-related investments. In 2002, the Otto Bremer
Foundation made over $22.0 million in grants to over 700 community organizations
and programs.
From our incorporation in 1943 and through the late 1980s, we relied on our
existing community banks to generate loan and deposit growth in our market area.
From 1990 through 2002, we augmented this growth through 11 bank and branch
acquisitions totaling approximately $1 billion of assets and $1.4 billion of
deposits. We use bank and branch acquisitions to fill in gaps in our geographic
markets in order to provide better customer service and leverage existing
operations. In
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recent years, our expansion focus has been primarily in more urban, metropolitan
areas, most noticeably in Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding communities.
Our Strategy
We seek to be the preeminent community bank in the markets we serve. Our
strategy for achieving this objective includes:
o Providing distinctive, community banking to our customers by:
>> providing personalized service through a relationship
management approach
We seek to identify the total financial services needs of
our clients and provide them with individualized solutions
to those needs. We emphasize a sales approach in which a
relationship manager is responsible for selling the entire
range of our services to our customer base, as opposed to
assigning sales people from each product area to a
specific client. In this role, our relationship managers
work in tandem with representatives from our product areas
to develop an effective client solution. As a result, our
relationship managers gain a more thorough understanding
of their clients' needs, and clients gain more convenient
access to our diverse product line. To implement this
relationship management focus, we have instituted a
comprehensive training program that must be attended by
every customer contact employee. We have also modified our
information systems to better measure the breadth of each
customer relationship and the effectiveness of our
relationship managers' cross selling efforts.
>> offering a wide variety of innovative financial products
to our customers
Our clients use a wide variety of financial services
beyond the traditional banking products, and we work with
them to identify their particular needs and tailor our
services to meet those needs. As our clients' needs have
evolved, we have established new competencies in
e-commerce, cash management, international banking,
specialized financing, private banking, estate and
financial planning, and asset management.
>> granting substantial local autonomy to our subsidiary
banks
We believe customers in our markets seek banking
relationships managed by a decision-maker who can deliver
a prompt response to their requests. As smaller,
independent banks have been acquired by national,
multi-bank holding companies, we believe that the personal
relationships that these customers maintained with the
management of such banks have increasingly eroded, and the
banks' responsiveness and general service levels have
declined. Consistent with our long history of community
banking, we operate under a management philosophy of local
market decision-making by each of our subsidiary banks.
Each of our 11 subsidiary banks is separately chartered
with its own officers and board of directors who generally
are members of the local community. Management of each
Bremer subsidiary bank has a high degree of flexibility in
responding to local market demands.
>> using our unique ownership structure to reinvest in the
communities we serve
Over the last three years, the foundation has distributed
more than $61.0 million in the states we serve in the form
of grants and program-related investments. Directing most
of its grants to non-profit organizations in the
communities we serve not only contributes to the economic
well being of those communities, but also improves our
brand recognition.
o Investing in technology
We are committed to investing in technology to improve product
offerings, improve security protection, reduce product costs and
provide more convenient service to our customers. Over the last
few years, we have continued to make significant investments in
the following main areas to upgrade our technology:
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>> Infrastructure improvements. We have built a new data
center with vastly improved technology infrastructure in
server management, fiber optic cabling, and
infrastructure management tools.
>> Security. We have upgraded physical, logical, virus, and
intrusion security protection.
>> Internet presence. We continue to open new channels for
user interaction with Bremer through the internet.
>> Branch technology. We are re-engineering many of the
branch technologies to improve the customer and employee
experience in order to enhance our relationship
management strategies. We are using more imaging at the
branch for item processing. We are changing our loan and
deposit origination tools and we are providing better
customer data management tools to our sales staff.
o Increasing penetration in our existing markets
To make us more accessible and convenient to our customers, we
pursue a strategy of in-market expansion to fill in gaps in our
market coverage through opening new branches, acquiring
competing banks or branches, and investing in technology-based
delivery channels. Examples of this strategy include:
>> the January 2003 opening of new branches located in
Plymouth and downtown Minneapolis
>> our May 2001 acquisition of 11 branches from Firstar
Corporation (the "Branch Acquisition"), which
substantially improved customer access in the
Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and
>> the acquisition of Northwest Savings Bank in 2000, which
brought our services to New Richmond, Wisconsin, a
rapidly-growing community located between St. Paul and our
banking offices in western Wisconsin.
o Leveraging our holding company structure
We have centralized at the holding company level many critical
subsidiary bank administrative and support functions. Functions
that have been centralized at the holding company include:
>> policy development in areas such as loans, investments,
asset liability management, compliance, data security,
accounting, and personnel, and standardized procedures to
support the policies;
>> customer support services in areas such as loan servicing,
deposit servicing, and call center operations;
>> investment portfolio management, interest rate risk
management, purchasing, management of insurance coverage,
employee benefits, credit examination, technology support,
and accounting;
>> specialized expertise in areas such as cash management,
international banking, loan workout, taxation, and
compliance; and
>> management of key vendor relationships including those
vendors supplying data processing, item processing, ATM
services, audit services, computer software and hardware,
and equipment and supplies.
We believe that by standardizing certain policies, procedures
and products, and by centralizing administrative functions,
subsidiary bank management and personnel can concentrate on
individual customer service and community relations. Further, we
reduce bank expenses, and can consistently and efficiently
implement system-wide banking policies and practices.
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Our Banks
Our 11 subsidiary banks are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. At
December 31, 2002, they ranged in size from $71.8 million to $1.7 billion in
total assets and from $62.3 million to $1.3 billion in total deposits. Each of
our banks is a community bank that provides a full range of commercial and
consumer banking services, primarily to customers within its market area. All of
our banks are nationally chartered, operate under the name of Bremer Bank,
National Association, and are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency. The locations, total assets and total deposits of our banks are as
follows:
Location of Subsidiary Bank Charter Branch Locations Assets Deposits
- ----------------------------------- ---------------- ------ --------
(in thousands as of December 31, 2002)
Alexandria, MN Alexandria, MN (2) $ 423,076 $ 292,607
Brandon, MN
Breckenridge, MN
Fergus Falls, MN
Morris, MN
Starbuck, MN
Wahpeton, ND
Brainerd, MN Brainerd, MN (2) $ 256,882 $ 189,883
Aitkin, MN
Baxter, MN (2)
Grand Forks, ND Grand Forks, ND (2) $ 534,611 $ 380,444
Crookston, MN
Fisher, MN
Fordville, ND
Forest River, ND
Gilby, ND
Grafton, ND
Hoople, ND
Larimore, ND
St. Thomas,ND
Shelly, MN
Warren, MN
International Falls, MN International Falls, MN $ 71,771 $ 62,342
Marshall, MN Marshall, MN $ 210,065 $ 171,368
Redwood Falls, MN
Edgerton, MN
Leota, MN
Menomonie, WI Menomonie, WI (3) $ 498,643 $ 380,585
Amery, WI
Bayfield, WI
Colfax, WI
Danbury, WI
Deer Park, WI
Eau Galle, WI
Elk Mound, WI
Frederic, WI
Knapp, WI
La Pointe, WI
New Richmond, WI
Rock Falls, WI
Siren, WI
Washburn, WI
4
Location of Subsidiary Bank Charter Branch Locations Assets Deposits
- ----------------------------------- ---------------- ------ --------
(in thousands as of December 31, 2002)
Minot, ND Minot, ND (3) $ 393,844 $ 304,190
Berthold, ND
Carrington, ND
Devils Lake, ND (2)
Max, ND Minnewaukan, ND
Richardton, ND Rugby, ND
Moorhead, MN Moorhead, MN $ 472,238 $ 259,614
Fargo, ND (2)
Casselton, ND
Detroit Lakes, MN
Leonard, ND
Lisbon, ND
Perham, MN
St. Cloud, MN St. Cloud, MN (2) $ 488,766 $ 337,654
Rice, MN
Sartell, MN
Sauk Rapids, MN
South St. Paul, MN South St. Paul, MN $1,710,687 $1,268,013
St. Paul, MN (4)
Minneapolis, MN (3)
Arden Hills, MN
Brooklyn Center, MN
Brooklyn Park, MN
Eagan, MN
Eden Prairie, MN
Edina, MN
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Maplewood, MN
Milaca, MN
Minnetonka, MN
Ogilvie, MN
Plymouth, MN
Princeton, MN
Richfield, MN
Roseville, MN St.
Anthony, MN
St. Louis Park, MN
Watertown, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
Zimmerman, MN
Willmar, MN Willmar, MN (2) $ 209,641 $ 136,623
Hutchinson, MN
Communities Served By Our Banks
We operate in 86 communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Over
the past few years, we have begun to expand significantly in more urban
metropolitan areas, including Minneapolis/St. Paul, Fargo/Moorhead, and St.
Cloud. Prior to that time, we had our strongest market presence in communities
outside the major metropolitan areas. In Minnesota, these non-metropolitan
communities are a blend of agricultural-based areas in the southwestern portion
of the state to more recreational and resort-based communities in west central
Minnesota. Our North Dakota communities are in primarily agricultural-based
areas along the Red River Valley as well as in western North Dakota surrounding
the Minot trade area. In Wisconsin, our locations are
5
concentrated on the western side of the state. In our markets located outside
the major metropolitan areas, we generally are first or second in deposit market
share. Over the past few years, most of our expansion has been in higher-growth
metropolitan areas. The primary areas targeted for future expansion are expected
to continue to be in the Minneapolis/St. Paul to St. Cloud corridor and the
Fargo/Moorhead area. While we have maintained charter banks in St. Cloud and
South St. Paul for many years, our metropolitan area market share has not been
substantial. The acquisition of Dean Financial Services, Inc. in 1999 added
eight additional branch offices in the metropolitan Minneapolis/St. Paul area
and the 2001 Branch Acquisition added another 11 offices in this area. In
January 2003, we opened two additional offices in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area
and we have also opened a number of offices in the rapidly growing
Fargo/Moorhead area during the last few years.
Lending Activities
We maintain a diversified loan portfolio consisting of commercial, commercial
and residential real estate, agricultural, consumer and tax-exempt loans.
Commercial Loans. Loans in this category include term loans and operating lines
of credit primarily for manufacturing, wholesale, or retail businesses. While we
look to the borrower's business operations as the principal source of repayment,
we also generally obtain personal guarantees and security interests in
inventory, receivables, and equipment as collateral support for the loans. We
utilize standard advance rates in determining amounts that can be advanced for
each collateral type. Advances secured by inventory and receivables are normally
short-term floating rate advances and constitute about 60% of this portfolio.
Equipment loans typically amortize over five years and constitute the remainder
of this portfolio.
Commercial Real Estate Loans. Our commercial real estate portfolio, which
includes interim commercial real estate construction, consists primarily of
loans to business customers who occupy the property or use the property for
income production. Commercial real estate loans generally are made for up to 80%
of appraised value or cost and typically have a term of five years with 15 to 20
year amortization. Approximately 60% of our commercial real estate loans are
fixed rate loans and 40% are adjustable rate loans.
Agricultural Loans. Our agricultural loans include term loans secured by farm
property or equipment and operating loans used for commodity production. Our
agricultural customers and agricultural-based communities are diversified across
the three states we serve, and we extend credit to 12 different areas of
commodity production including crops, dairy, and livestock. Approximately 70% of
our agricultural loans are short-term floating rate loans. The remainder of the
agricultural loans are fixed rate loans with terms generally under five years.
Residential Real Estate Loans. The residential real estate portfolio includes
home equity loans, first mortgage residential real estate loans, and some
construction loans. The construction loans are typically made to builders on
homes under construction that have been pre-sold. Loan to value ratios for home
equity loans typically range from 80% to 100%. Approximately 40% of our home
equity loans are fixed rate loans with terms of five to twelve years. The
remaining 60% of our home equity loans are floating rate lines of credit. First
mortgage residential real estate lending is generally conducted in compliance
with secondary market underwriting guidelines, and most newly originated fixed
rate first mortgage loans are sold into the secondary market. The first mortgage
residential real estate loans that we keep in our portfolio are generally
adjustable rate loans and often involve vacation homes in our recreational and
resort-based communities.
Consumer Loans. Loans in this category include automobile loans, home
improvement loans and personal lines of credit. In addition to our direct
lending operations, our subsidiary banks also purchase indirect retail
installment sales contracts primarily from automobile dealers, certain
recreational vehicle dealers, and certain sport recreation dealers where the
selling dealer is well known to us and located in our primary trade area.
Approximately 85% of our consumer loans are fixed rate loans with terms of three
to five years.
Tax-Exempt Loans. Tax-exempt loans and leases are made to municipalities and
qualifying non-profit organizations located within our primary trade area.
6
Deposits
We emphasize developing relationships with individuals and business customers in
order to increase our deposit base. We offer a broad range of competitively
priced deposit products, including checking accounts, money market accounts,
savings accounts and certificates of deposit, designed to meet the individual
needs of our customers. Deposits in our banks are insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") up to statutory limits (currently $100,000).
Deposit product development is the primary responsibility of our holding company
marketing and retail delivery departments, with input and feedback from the
subsidiary banks' market managers. Pricing of products is generally consistent
across all of our banks, with bank market managers having some local authority
to modify pricing on certain products to meet the market and/or the local
competition.
Other Products and Services
We operate various financial services subsidiaries, which provide trust and
other fiduciary services, insurance, and asset-based lending and leasing
services. The subsidiaries allow us to offer a full range of products and
services to our customers. On a consolidated basis, these other financial
services subsidiaries historically have accounted for less than 10% of our
annual earnings.
Bremer Business Finance Corporation. We formed Bremer Business Finance
Corporation in late 1996 to expand the services available to customers that may
not qualify for traditional bank financing. Bremer Business Finance Corporation
engages in secured lending activities and works closely with the Bremer banks in
offering services to customers in the areas of asset-based finance, real estate
finance, real estate equity finance, corporate finance, project finance,
equipment financing and leasing. During 2002, we significantly reduced the size
and scope of operation of Bremer Business Finance Corporation. As of December
31, 2002, Bremer Business Finance Corporation had a loan portfolio of $45.9
million, down from $88.3 million at December 31, 2001. We expect this portfolio
to continue to decline in 2003, with new credit extended only to support current
or potential bank relationships.
Bremer Trust, National Association. Bremer Trust, National Association has trust
powers and offers trust and other fiduciary services in the majority of our
markets. Services that Bremer Trust provides to our customers include serving as
trustee, investment agent, custodian, personal representative, and as a
conservator for individuals, businesses, and public and tax-exempt
organizations. Bremer Trust directly serves as an investment advisor for the
proprietary stock and bond mutual funds we offer to our trust client accounts.
It also operates on a limited basis as a registrar and transfer agent. As of
December 31, 2002, Bremer Trust had 82 employees. Our total trust revenues for
2002 were $9.4 million.
Bremer Insurance Agencies, Inc. Bremer Insurance Agencies, Inc. is an
independent insurance agency with offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North
Dakota, representing many different insurance companies. This gives agency
personnel the ability to tailor coverage to meet the differing needs of our
diverse customer base. The agency's book of business is generated by selling
personal, life, health, commercial and agricultural insurance products. In 2002,
Bremer Insurance generated insurance premium sales of $8.8 million and, as of
December 31, 2002, it had 87 employees.
Brokerage Services. Consumer investment products and services are available at
our subsidiary bank offices through INVEST Financial Corporation of Tampa,
Florida. We have an agreement with INVEST to deliver investment services to our
customers through our branch network and we receive a portion of the commissions
earned by the investment representatives in those branches. We had $5.2 million
in brokerage commissions in 2002.
Bremer Life Insurance Company. Bremer Life Insurance Company was formed as a
reinsurer of credit life and credit accident and health insurance sold by the
Bremer banks, in partnership with American General, which owns a preferred stock
interest in the Bremer Life company.
Operations and Administration
We provide a broad range of services to the individual subsidiaries in order to
augment the capacities of the subsidiary banks' management and to achieve many
of the synergies of a larger company.
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Operations Center. Back-office operations for all banks are housed in a recently
constructed operations center in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, which we moved into in
December 2002. We use a third-party provider for delivery of most data and item
processing services for Bremer and its subsidiaries. We have entered into
contracts for these services that extend through May 2008. Certain of the
operations of this third party provider are located in our operations center.
Credit. We evaluate and approve credit at the individual subsidiary bank level
through individual and senior lending officer credit authorities. In addition,
each bank has a senior credit committee and a director's credit committee that
review and approve larger credits. The director's credit committee can approve
credit up to the individual bank limit. These bank limits range from $700
thousand to $13.0 million, depending on the size of the individual bank.
We also support the credit process at the holding company level through the use
of corporate credit committees and staff. Approval is required at the corporate
level for loans that exceed the individual limits of the banks and for certain
loans that have characteristics that warrant review at the corporate level as
defined in our lending policy. We also provide centralized underwriting and
internal syndication for credits that exceed the lending limits of individual
banks.
The special assets group of the holding company handles most loan workouts. To
improve distressed credit management practices, we have established a policy
that requires the prompt transfer of certain problem loan situations from the
subsidiary banks to the special assets group.
Risk Management. The risk management division is an independent unit that
assists us in managing risk throughout the organization. This is done through
consulting, monitoring, and performing independent audits and examinations of
banks, other subsidiaries, and corporate support functions. The director of risk
management has a direct reporting relationship to the holding company's board of
directors and the boards of the operating entities. Risk management is comprised
of credit examination, internal audit, and compliance administration and
counsel.
o Credit examination reviews our loan portfolio on a regular
basis. The frequency of examination is based on a risk
assessment and provides for more frequent examinations for
units exhibiting higher risk factors.
o Internal audit conducts periodic operational, compliance and
internal control reviews of all of our subsidiary banks and
system-wide operations and reports its findings to the boards
of directors.
o Compliance administration and legal counsel provide assistance
to the banks in meeting their consumer compliance
responsibilities.
Asset Liability and Investment Portfolio Management. We operate using a
centralized treasury function. The asset liability committee of the holding
company is responsible for developing appropriate risk management policies and
for the monitoring of asset liability activities to insure that they are
conducted within established risk parameters. The treasurer has day-to-day
responsibility for our overall interest rate risk, liquidity, and investment
portfolio management.
Finance. We have established policies for capital expenditures, accounting
policy, capital adequacy and dividends. In addition, we monitor the performance
of our individual subsidiaries and coordinate the reporting process, the
strategic planning process and annual profit planning.
Human Resources. Our human resources division has established standard salary
administration procedures, and our subsidiary banks administer these at their
level. Employee benefits are standardized and administered by the holding
company.
Marketing. Our marketing division manages our branding efforts to ensure that
consistent messages are communicated in all of our external communications.
Competition
We do business in the highly competitive financial services industry. The
financial services industry in which we compete is comprised of commercial
banks, thrifts, credit unions, investment banks,
8
brokerage houses, money managers, mortgage banks, insurance companies and other
providers of financial products and services. These firms compete with us for
loans, deposits, trust services, investment products and a host of other
financial products and services.
We believe that our success in competing effectively with these alternative
providers of financial services will be partly based on our ability to monitor
the local economies, make decisions close to the marketplace, commit to and be
involved in the communities we serve, and fully develop our relationship
management concepts. We must preserve our ability to focus on providing
personalized quality banking services to maintain or improve our competitive
position in our markets. We believe that our size, combined with our support
services in specialized areas, adds to the strength of the individual banks,
enabling them to compete more effectively. Some of our competitors are not
subject to the same degree of regulation as that imposed on bank holding
companies and national banks. In addition, the larger banking organizations,
investment banks and brokerage houses have significantly greater resources than
we do. As a result, some of our competitors have advantages over us in name
recognition and market penetration.
Employees
As of February 28, 2003, we had 1,649 full-time equivalent employees. We provide
our employees with a comprehensive program of benefits, some of which are on a
contributory basis, including comprehensive medical and dental plans, life
insurance plans, and 401(k) plans. In addition, all the employees have the
opportunity to invest in our class A common stock. None of our employees is a
member of a collective bargaining unit. We consider our relationship with our
employees to be good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease our principal offices at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2000, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55101, which consist of approximately 25,000 square feet. In addition,
the centralized service operations of the holding company occupy approximately
83,900 square feet of owned property in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, a suburb of St.
Paul. An additional 17,000 square feet of that property is occupied by one of
our third party providers of data and item processing services. We believe that
the principal offices at 445 Minnesota Street in St. Paul and our service
operations facility will be sufficient for our needs in the foreseeable future.
Substantially all of the current offices and branches of the subsidiary banks
are owned, with the primary exception of those located in leased space in
downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota and small leased spaces in
supermarkets. Our bank facilities range in size from 391 square feet to 52,280
square feet.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material legal proceedings pending other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to our business.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the year ended December
31, 2002 to a vote of our security holders, through the solicitation of proxies
or otherwise.
9
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
There is no established trading market for the shares of our class A common
stock. To the best of our knowledge, during the period from May 18, 1989 (the
closing date of the registered initial public offering of Bremer's class A
common stock) through February 28, 2003, a majority of the purchases and sales
of shares of the class A common stock have consisted of transfers effected upon
the exercise of the options described in the portions of Bremer's Prospectus
dated April 20, 1989 ("Prospectus") entitled "Description of Capital Stock -
Description of Class A Common Stock - Restrictions on Transfer" on page 62 of
the Prospectus and "Description of Capital Stock - Description of Class A Common
Stock First Call Option to Company" on page 64 of the Prospectus (which portions
are hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to Rule 12b-23 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934). We are not obligated to purchase any shares of
class A common stock from a holder upon the exercise of a put option if the
purchase price paid for the shares subject to the put option, when added to the
purchase price paid for all previous purchases of class A common stock during
the preceding twelve-month period, would exceed 10% of our net worth as of the
date of such purchase. As of December 31, 2002, our net worth, including
redeemable class A common stock, was $434.1 million and 10% of our net worth and
redeemable class A common stock was $43.4 million.
During the period from January 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003, we did not
directly purchase any shares of class A common stock but assigned to various
parties our options to purchase a total of 125,678.9151 shares. These options
were assigned to the Bremer Financial Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan
("ESOP") (12,920.4231 shares), the Bremer Banks Profit Sharing Plus Plan
(81,390.4920 shares), executives and directors under the Executive Stock
Purchase Plan (31,118.0000 shares) and certain directors of subsidiary banks
(250.0000 shares). To the best of our knowledge, shares purchased by these
parties upon exercise of these assigned options were the only transfers of
shares of class A common stock effected during the period from January 1, 2002
through February 28, 2003. The sales price of the shares of class A common stock
in such transactions occurring during that period ranged from $32.49 to $46.50
per share. These prices were equal to either the per share book value of the
class A common stock as shown in our consolidated balance sheet dated as of the
last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter or, and only with respect
to shares transferred that had been held for employees in the ESOP, the per
share fair market value as determined by an independent appraiser. At December
31, 2002, the most recent date for which a per share book value for the class A
common stock is available, such value was $36.17.
To the best of our knowledge, no brokers are used to sell the shares of class A
common stock, and there are no market makers for the class A common stock. The
Company has sold none of its equity securities during the three years ended
December 31, 2002.
Holders
As of February 28, 2003, there were 1,432 holders of record of the
shares of class A common stock.
Dividends
The subsidiary banks' ability to pay dividends to the parent and the parent's
ability to pay dividends to holders of the class A common stock are restricted
and limited. The restrictions on payments of dividends are also described in
Note Q of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of
this Form 10-K. Each of the subsidiary banks is subject to extensive regulation
regarding the payment of dividends and other matters. All subsidiary banks are
nationally chartered and are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency. In addition, because the deposits of our subsidiary banks are insured
up to the applicable limit (currently $100,000) by the FDIC, all of the
10
subsidiary banks are subject to regulation by the FDIC. The parent and the
Foundation, as bank holding companies, are regulated by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System.
Dividends from Subsidiary Banks. A substantial portion of our cash flow and
income is derived from dividends paid to us by the subsidiary banks, and
restrictions on the payment of such dividends could affect the payment of
dividends by the parent. With regard to the subsidiary banks, and in addition to
the statutory prohibition against the withdrawal of any portion of a national
bank's capital and certain statutory limitations on the payment of dividends,
the approval of the Comptroller is required for the payment of any dividend by
any national bank if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any
calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits (as defined) for that year
combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two calendar years,
less any required transfer to surplus. The Comptroller also has issued a banking
circular emphasizing that the level of cash dividends should bear a direct
correlation to the level of a national bank's current and expected earnings
stream, the bank's need to maintain an adequate capital base, and other factors.
In addition to the foregoing limitations, the appropriate federal banking agency
could take the position that it has the power to prohibit a national bank from
paying dividends if, in its view, such payments would constitute unsafe or
unsound banking practices.
The payment of dividends by any national bank also is affected by the
requirements to maintain adequate capital pursuant to the capital adequacy
guidelines issued by the Comptroller. The Comptroller has issued capital
adequacy regulations for national banks subject to the Comptroller's primary
supervision. These regulations provide for a minimum Tier 1 capital to total
assets (leverage) ratio of 4.00% for the most highly-rated banks and a minimum
total capital to risk-weighted assets (total capital) ratio of 8.00%. These
guidelines and regulations further provide that capital adequacy is to be
considered on a case-by-case basis in view of various qualitative factors that
affect a bank's overall financial condition. Most banking organizations are
expected to maintain a leverage ratio of 100 to 200 basis points above this
minimum, depending on their financial condition. The subsidiary banks are in
compliance with the Comptroller's minimum capital guidelines. See the discussion
of the capital adequacy guidelines set forth in the portion of Part II of this
Form 10-K entitled "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Capital Management."
The above regulations and restrictions on dividends paid by the subsidiary banks
may limit our ability to obtain funds from such dividends for our cash needs,
including funds for payment of operating expenses and for the payment of
dividends on the class A and class B common stock, as well as funds necessary to
facilitate acquisitions. However, because of the capital positions of the
subsidiary banks, we have been able to obtain dividends sufficient to meet our
cash flow needs.
As of December 31, 2002, the subsidiary banks had retained earnings of $24.6
million which were available for distribution to the parent as dividends in 2003
subject to regulatory and administrative restrictions. Of this amount,
approximately $22.8 million was available for distribution without obtaining the
prior approval of the appropriate bank regulator. In 2002 and 2001, the
subsidiary banks paid total dividends to the parent of $59.8 million and $47.3
million. The range of dividend payouts (dividends paid divided by net income)
was 24.3% to 116.5% in 2002 and 0.0% to 210.9% in 2001.
Under the ESOP, and at the option of the ESOP's Administrator, cash dividends
declared on the shares of class A common stock held by the ESOP will be
allocated to the ESOP participants. To the extent that cash dividends declared
on the class A common stock held by the ESOP are distributed to the participants
(whether directly or indirectly), the dividends will be deductible to us. Any
dividends paid in the form of class A common stock with respect to shares
allocated to the individual participants' accounts will be allocated to such
accounts.
Under the Profit Sharing Plan, all cash dividends paid on the class A common
stock are allocated to the accounts of the participants holding shares of the
class A common stock in their profit sharing accounts. All such proceeds are
available to the participants for investment under the Profit Sharing Plan in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Profit Sharing Plan. All
dividends paid in the form of class A common stock will be allocated to the
account of the participant in which the
11
shares are held. In no event will dividends paid on the class A common stock
held by the participants' accounts within the Profit Sharing Plan be forfeited
or otherwise allocated and held by the trustees of the Profit Sharing Plan.
Dividends from the Company. Our payment of dividends is limited by, among other
things, the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to the capital
adequacy guidelines issued by the Federal Reserve Board. These guidelines are
substantially similar to those promulgated by the Comptroller with respect to
national banks, which are discussed above. The payment of dividends by a bank
holding company also is subject to the general limitation that the Federal
Reserve Board could take the position that it has the power to prohibit the bank
holding company from paying dividends if, in its view, such payments would
constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.
We declared and paid dividends to the Foundation and all other holders of our
class A common stock of $19.8 million in 2002 and $19.2 million in 2001. We paid
$5.4 million of dividends in the final quarter of 2002 and $4.8 million of
dividends in each of the first three quarters of 2002 and in each of the four
quarters of 2001. The dividend yield, which consists of dividends paid during
the year divided by shareholders' equity as of the last day of the preceding
year, was 5.1% and 5.4% for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.
12
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
At or for the year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Operating results
Total interest income $ 298,741 $ 329,078 $ 314,171 $ 263,967 $ 245,525
Net interest income 195,059 171,666 150,989 139,053 124,101
Net interest income (1) 203,374 179,806 159,051 146,370 131,678
Provision for credit losses 18,161 12,054 8,338 8,321 5,570
Noninterest income 74,643 67,738 54,217 52,465 51,270
Noninterest expense 159,129 148,673 126,630 121,944 107,013
Net income 61,649 51,626 45,781 40,111 41,511
Dividends 19,800 19,200 16,680 15,840 15,840
Average balances
Total assets $ 4,997,860 $ 4,656,013 $ 4,010,098 $ 3,584,460 $ 3,248,180
Securities (2) 1,088,518 1,104,541 1,001,031 1,043,771 954,994
Loans and leases (3) 3,540,323 3,210,537 2,749,662 2,315,105 2,084,462
Total deposits 3,647,435 3,461,900 2,982,220 2,679,237 2,456,807
Short-term borrowings 427,309 450,407 423,258 391,396 367,601
Long-term debt 369,045 252,929 215,009 156,708 73,047
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities 76,500 53,164 - - -
Redeemable class A common stock 32,960 29,758 26,677 24,650 23,205
Shareholders' equity 379,044 342,216 306,781 283,467 266,862
Period-end balances
Total assets $ 5,259,543 $ 5,094,064 $ 4,192,596 $ 3,851,485 $ 3,398,079
Securities (2) 1,126,501 1,201,645 951,627 1,038,372 996,673
Loans and leases (3) 3,679,669 3,498,839 2,915,601 2,542,897 2,172,631
Total deposits 3,750,329 3,806,018 3,106,082 2,849,946 2,569,904
Short-term borrowings 511,476 448,912 441,746 427,431 353,959
Long-term debt 417,678 315,923 232,660 215,832 116,286
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities 76,500 76,500 - - -
Redeemable class A common stock 34,728 31,193 28,324 25,029 24,270
Shareholders' equity 399,368 358,719 325,715 287,847 279,108
Financial ratios
Return on average assets (4) 1.23% 1.11% 1.14% 1.12% 1.30%
Return on average realized equity (5)(6) 15.30 14.00 13.54 12.88 14.55
Average realized equity to average
assets (5)(6) 8.06 7.92 8.43 8.69 8.79
Tangible realized equity to assets (5)(6) 6.14 5.56 7.33 7.37 8.38
Dividend payout 32.12 37.19 36.43 39.49 38.16
Net interest margin (1) 4.38 4.15 4.22 4.34 4.31
Operating efficiency ratio (1)(7) 56.50 57.63 57.56 60.51 59.05
Reserve to total loans and leases 1.60 1.54 1.57 1.65 1.70
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases 0.37 0.26 0.17 0.24 0.13
Per share of common stock (5)
Net income-basic and diluted $ 5.14 $ 4.30 $ 3.82 $ 3.34 $ 3.46
Dividends paid per share 1.65 1.60 1.39 1.32 1.32
Book value 36.17 32.49 29.50 26.07 25.28
Realized book value (6) 35.08 32.08 29.37 26.95 24.93
- ----------
(1) Tax-equivalent basis (TEB).
(2) Includes securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale.
(3) Net of unearned discount and includes nonaccrual loans and leases.
(4) Calculation is based on income before minority interests.
(5) Calculation includes shareholders' equity and redeemable class A common stock
(6) Excluding net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale.
(7) Calculation excludes minority interest, nonrecurring gains and losses, other nonrecurring noninterest income and
amortization of intangibles.
13
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Critical Accounting Policies
In preparing the financial statements, we follow accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, which in many cases require us to make
assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported. A summary
of our significant accounting policies can be found in Note A to the
consolidated financial statements and many of these policies are relatively
straightforward. However, management has identified the accounting policies
described below as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions
inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of our consolidated
financial statements and management's discussion and analysis.
The difficulty in applying these policies arises from the assumptions, estimates
and judgments that have to be made currently about matters that are inherently
uncertain, such as future economic conditions, operating results and valuations
as well as management intentions. As the difficulty increases, the level of
precision decreases, meaning that actual results can and probably will be
different from those currently estimated. We base our assumptions, estimates and
judgments on a combination of historical experiences and other reasonable
factors.
Reserves for Credit Losses. In general, determining the amount of the reserve
for credit losses requires significant judgment and the use of estimates by
management. We maintain an allowance for credit losses to absorb probable losses
in the loan and lease portfolio based on a quarterly analysis of the portfolio
and expected future losses. Reserves for credit losses include charges to reduce
the recorded balances of loans receivable and real estate to their estimated net
realizable value or fair value, as applicable. The policy for accounting for the
reserves for credit losses is described in the later section titled "Financial
Condition - Reserve for Credit Losses" and in Note A to the consolidated
financial statements.
Investment Securities. Investment securities are recorded at cost, which
includes premiums and discounts if purchased at other than par or face value. We
amortize premiums and discounts as an adjustment to interest income using the
effective interest method over the estimated life of the security. The cost of
investment securities sold, and any resulting gain or loss, is based on the
specific identification method.
Investments in marketable equity and debt securities are classified into three
categories - held to maturity, available for sale, or trading - pursuant to
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." As of December 31, 2002, no
investments were classified as trading securities. Held-to-maturity securities
represent investments for which we have the ability and intent to hold to
maturity and may be sold only under very limited circumstances. We currently
classify our investments in certain municipal bond obligations and certain U.S.
government agency obligations as held-to-maturity securities.
Management periodically evaluates investment securities for other than temporary
declines in fair value. Declines in fair value of individual investment
securities below their amortized cost that are deemed to be other than temporary
will be written down to current market value and included in earnings as
realized losses. There were no investment securities which management identified
to be other-than-temporarily impaired for the year ended December 31, 2002. If
the financial markets experience deterioration and investments decline in fair
value, charges to income could occur in future periods.
Interest Income Recognition. We recognize interest income by methods that
conform to general accounting practices within the banking industry. Interest
income is accrued on loan and lease balances based on the principal amount
outstanding. Loans and leases are reviewed regularly by management and placed on
nonaccrual status when the collection of interest or principal is unlikely. The
accrual of interest on loans and leases is suspended when the credit becomes 90
days or more past due, unless the loan or lease is fully secured and in the
process of collection. Thereafter, no interest is recognized as income unless
received in cash or until such time the borrower demonstrates the ability to pay
interest and principal.
14
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142, "Accounting for Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets," establishes standards for the amortization of acquired
intangible assets and the non-amortization and impairment assessment of
goodwill. In addition, SFAS No. 147, "Acquisitions of Certain Financial
Institutions," establishes standards for unidentifiable intangible assets
acquired specifically in branch purchases that qualify as business combinations.
At December 31, 2002, we had $85.1 million of goodwill, which is not subject to
periodic amortization, and $21.0 million in other intangible assets, which is
subject to periodic amortization.
Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to
unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired. Our recorded
goodwill relates to value inherent in the banking business, and the value is
dependent upon our ability to provide quality, cost effective services in a
competitive market place. As such, goodwill value is supported ultimately by
revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted. A decline in
revenue as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost
effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill
that could adversely impact earnings in future periods.
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
in effect through December 31, 2001, we amortized goodwill on a straight-line
basis over periods ranging from 15 to 25 years. Effective January 1, 2002, we no
longer were required to amortize previously recorded goodwill as a result of
adopting SFAS No. 142 and SFAS No. 147.
We have performed the transitional impairment tests on our goodwill assets and
have concluded that the recorded value of goodwill was not impaired as of
December 31, 2002. There are many assumptions and estimates underlying the
determination of impairment. Another estimate using different, but still
reasonable, assumptions could produce a significantly different result.
Additionally, future events could cause management to conclude impairment
indicators exist and our goodwill is impaired, which would result in us
recording an impairment loss. Any resulting impairment loss could have a
material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
Note A to the consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting
policies adopted by us during 2002 and the expected impact of accounting
policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the
extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects our financial
condition, results of operations, or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the
applicable section(s) of the financial review and the notes to the consolidated
financial statements.
Overview
Earnings. We reported net income of $61.6 million or $5.14 basic and diluted
earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2002. This compares to net
income of $51.6 million or $4.30 basic and diluted earnings per share in 2001
and $45.8 million or $3.82 basic and diluted earnings per share in 2000. Return
on average realized equity was 15.30% in 2002, as compared to 14.00% in 2001 and
13.54% in 2000. Realized equity excludes the impact on equity of unrealized
gains and losses associated with available-for-sale securities. Return on
average assets was 1.23% in 2002, versus 1.11% in 2001 and 1.14% in 2000.
Assets. Total assets at December 31, 2002 increased $165.5 million, or 3.2%, to
$5.3 billion from $5.1 billion at December 31, 2001. During 2001, assets
increased $901.5 million, or 21.5%, from $4.2 billion at December 31, 2000.
Loans and leases net of unearned discount as a percentage of total assets were
70.0% at December 31, 2002, compared to 68.7% at December 31, 2001 and 69.5% at
December 31, 2000.
Acquisitions. Two acquisitions impacted our operating results during the three
year period ended December 31, 2002. In March 2000, we acquired, for cash in a
purchase transaction, the stock of Northwest Equity Corp. of Amery, Wisconsin,
and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Northwest Savings Bank, with offices in Amery,
New Richmond, and Siren, Wisconsin. In May 2000, we merged Northwest Savings
Bank with and into our subsidiary bank in Wisconsin, which added about
15
$91.8 million in assets and $61.6 million in deposits to that bank and resulted
in the closing of duplicate facilities in Siren and Amery, Wisconsin.
In May 2001, we completed the Branch Acquisition. This added approximately $715
million in deposits and $320 million in loans to our subsidiary bank operating
in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Of the $320 million of loans acquired, approximately
$150 million were loans originated in the branch locations, primarily home
equity and other consumer credit. The remaining loans were primarily
middle-market commercial loans originated in the commercial banking group.
The following pro forma financial information was prepared assuming the Branch
Acquisition had been completed at January 1, 2001:
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net Interest Income $ 195,059 $ 177,191
Net Income $ 61,649 $ 51,917
Net Income Per Share $ 5.14 $ 4.33
Results of Operations
Net Interest Income. We derive our net income primarily from net interest
income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income,
principally from loans and investment securities, and interest expense,
principally on borrowings and customer deposits. Changes in net interest income
result from changes in volume, net interest spread, and net interest margin.
Volume refers to the average dollar levels of interest earning assets and
interest bearing liabilities. Net interest spread refers to the difference
between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average cost of
interest bearing liabilities. Net interest margin refers to the net interest
income divided by average interest earning assets and is influenced by the level
and relative mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities.
16
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information regarding average balances of assets and
liabilities and the total dollar amounts of interest income from interest bearing assets and interest expense
on interest bearing liabilities. In addition, the table shows resultant yields or costs, net interest income,
net interest spread and net interest margin:
Years ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
Average Average Average
Average Rate/ Average Rate/ Average Rate/
Balance Interest(1) Yield Balance Interest(1) Yield Balance Interest(1) Yield
------- ----------------- ------- ----------------- ------- -----------------
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
Loans and leases (2)
Commercial and other $ 856,382 $ 53,671 6.27% $ 804,688 $ 64,462 8.01% $ 663,494 $ 62,507 9.42%
Commercial real estate 1,067,489 77,308 7.24 923,695 77,063 8.34 753,402 67,881 9.01
Agricultural 421,631 28,205 6.69 409,463 34,535 8.43 421,539 39,384 9.34
Residential real estate 749,459 52,623 7.02 668,943 55,625 8.32 548,876 48,545 8.84
Consumer 335,661 26,704 7.96 318,502 28,885 9.07 289,779 26,351 9.09
Tax-exempt 109,701 9,395 8.56 85,246 7,880 9.24 72,572 6,855 9.45
------- ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
Total Loans and Leases 3,540,323 247,906 7.00 3,210,537 268,450 8.36 2,749,662 251,523 9.15
Reserve for credit losses (57,122) (49,964) (44,647)
------- ------- -------
Net Loans and Leases 3,483,201 3,160,573 2,705,015
Securities
Mortgage-backed 771,653 39,853 5.16 720,043 43,885 6.09 639,065 42,510 6.65
Other taxable 120,887 3,962 3.28 176,825 8,175 4.62 151,890 10,530 6.93
Tax-exempt 195,978 14,940 7.62 207,673 15,961 7.69 210,076 16,799 8.00
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Total Securities 1,088,518 58,755 5.40 1,104,541 68,021 6.16 1,001,031 69,839 6.98
Federal funds sold 15,031 244 1.62 15,313 569 3.72 9,466 612 6.47
Other earning assets 4,194 151 3.60 4,624 178 3.85 5,763 259 4.49
----- --- ----- --- ----- ---
Total Earning Assets (3) $4,648,066 $ 307,056 6.61% $4,335,015 $337,218 7.78% $3,765,922 $322,233 8.56%
Cash and due from banks 145,321 142,388 122,611
Other noninterest earning assets 261,595 228,574 166,212
------- ------- -------
Total Assets $4,997,860 $4,656,013 $4,010,098
=========== ========== ==========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Noninterest bearing deposits $ 584,071 $ 480,949 $ 386,511
Interest bearing deposits
Savings and NOW accounts 424,950 $ 2,134 0.50% 344,738 $ 3,178 0.92% 312,038 $ 3,965 1.27%
Money market checking 238,338 574 0.24 195,261 1,123 0.58 164,080 1,557 0.95
Money market savings 952,847 10,596 1.11 892,428 26,999 3.03 596,794 29,469 4.94
Savings certificates 1,177,926 45,125 3.83 1,264,654 70,683 5.59 1,155,466 66,076 5.72
Certificates over $100,000 269,303 10,153 3.77 283,870 16,270 5.73 367,331 22,678 6.17
-------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Total Interest Bearing Deposits 3,063,364 68,582 2.24 2,980,951 118,253 3.97 2,595,709 123,745 4.77
--------- ------ --------- ------- --------- -------
Total Deposits 3,647,435 3,461,900 2,982,220
Short-term borrowings 427,309 6,587 1.54 450,407 17,959 3.99 423,258 25,329 5.98
Long-term debt 369,045 21,340 5.78 252,929 16,215 6.41 215,009 14,108 6.56
Company obligated mandatorily
redeemable preferred securities 76,500 7,173 9.38 53,164 4,985 9.38 - - NM
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities $3,936,218 $ 103,682 2.63% $3,737,451 $157,412 4.21% $3,233,976 $ 163,182 5.05%
Noninterest bearing liabilities 65,417 65,489 56,003
------ ------ ------
Total Liabilities 4,585,706 4,283,889 3,676,490
Minority interest 150 150 150
Redeemable class A common stock 32,960 29,758 26,677
Shareholders' equity 379,044 342,216 306,781
------- ------- -------
Total Liabilities and Equity $4,997,860 $4,656,013 $4,010,098
========== ========== ==========
Net interest income $ 203,374 $179,806 $ 159,051
========= ======== =========
Net interest spread 3.97% 3.57% 3.51%
Net Interest margin 4.38% 4.15% 4.22%
(1) Interest income includes $8,315, $8,140 and $8,062, in 2002, 2001 and 2000 to adjust to a fully taxable basis using the federal
statutory rate of 35%.
(2) Net of unearned discount and includes nonaccrual loans and leases.
(3) Before deducting the reserve for credit losses.
17
The following table illustrates, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the periods
indicated, the changes in our net interest income due to changes in volume and
changes in interest rates. Changes in net interest income other than those due
to volume have been included in changes due to rate:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 vs. 2001 2001 vs. 2000
------------- -------------
Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease)
Due to Change in Due to Change in
---------------- ----------------
Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total
------ ---- ----- ------ ---- -----
(in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
Loans and leases (1) $ 27,575 $(48,119) $(20,544) $ 42,159 $(25,231) $16,928
Taxable securities (251) (7,994) (8,245) 7,102 (8,082) (980)
Tax-exempt securities (1) (899) (123) (1,022) (192) (646) (838)
Federal funds sold (10) (315) (325) 378 (421) (43)
Other interest earning assets (16) (10) (26) (51) (31) (82)
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Total interest earning assets $ 26,399 $(56,561) $(30,162) $ 49,396 $(34,411) $14,985
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Interest bearing liabilities:
Savings and NOW accounts $ 408 $ (1,452) $ (1,044) $ 1,329 $(2,116) $ (787)
Money market accounts 3,607 (20,559) (16,952) 10,396 (13,300) (2,904)
Savings certificates (5,688) (25,987) (31,675) 1,499 (3,300) (1,801)
Short-term borrowings (921) (10,451) (11,372) 1,625 (8,995) (7,370)
Long-term debt 7,444 (2,319) 5,125 2,488 (381) 2,107
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities 2,188 - 2,188 4,985 - 4,985
----- ----- ----- -----
Total interest bearing liabilities 7,038 (60,768) (53,730) 22,322 (28,092) (5,770)
----- ------- ------- ------ ------- ------
Change in net interest income $ 19,361 $ 4,207 $ 23,568 $ 27,074 $(6,319) $20,755
======== ======= ======== ======== ======= =======
(1) Interest income includes $8,315, $8,140 and $8,062 in 2002, 2001 and 2000 to adjust to a fully taxable basis using
the federal statutory rate of 35%.
Tax-equivalent net interest income for 2002 was $203.4 million, an increase of
13.1% from the 2001 total of $179.8 million. Tax-equivalent net interest income
in 2001 increased 13.0% from $159.1 million in 2000. The increase in net
interest income resulted primarily from our average earning assets, which
increased by $313.1 million or 7.2% in 2002 from 2001 and by $569.1 million or
15.1% in 2001 from 2000. Most of the increase in average earning assets was due
to growth in loans. Average loans and leases increased by $329.8 million, or
10.3%, in 2002 from 2001 and by $460.9 million, or 16.8%, in 2001 from 2000. The
Branch Acquisition in 2001 contributed significantly to the growth in loans.
Also contributing to the increase in net interest income for 2002 was an
increase in the net interest margin to 4.38% in 2002 from 4.15% in 2001.
Reductions in the general level of interest rates and a migration of customer
deposits to lower yielding products reduced the average annual cost of our
interest bearing liabilities by 158 basis points when comparing 2002 with 2001.
Offsetting some of this positive impact to the net interest margin was a 117
basis point decline on the average yield of earning assets between the same two
periods. While the net interest margin for the full year 2002 was 4.38%, the net
interest margin did decline to 4.21% for the fourth quarter of 2002 from 4.43%
in the third quarter of 2002. The fourth quarter decline in net interest margin,
which was primarily due to the effects of historically low interest rates, is
expected to continue during the first half of 2003.
In 2001, net interest margin decreased to 4.15% from 4.22% in 2000. During 2001,
reductions in the general level of interest rates and some pricing adjustments
on our interest bearing deposits reduced our overall cost of average interest
bearing liabilities. The ratio of interest expense to average earning assets
declined by 70 basis points to 3.63% in 2001 from 4.33% in 2000. These pricing
adjustments made during 2001 were possible partially as a result of the Branch
Acquisition, which added approximately $715 million of deposits to our balance
sheet and reduced the need for us to compete as
18
aggressively for deposits. Offsetting this positive impact to the net interest
margin was a 78 basis point decline in the average yield of average earning
assets between the same two periods. In addition, the cost of funding the
non-earning asset created by the premium associated with the Branch Acquisition
reduced the 2001 net interest margin by approximately eight basis points
compared to 2000.
Provision for Credit Losses. We establish the provision for credit losses based
on a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of the reserve for credit losses. The
provision for credit losses was $18.2 million in 2002, $12.1 million in 2001 and
$8.3 million in 2000. Net charge-offs were $13.1 million in 2002, $8.2 million
in 2001 and in $4.6 million in 2000. For further information regarding the
provision for credit losses, see the section entitled "Financial Condition -
Reserve for Credit Losses."
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income was $74.6 million in 2002 compared to
$67.7 million in 2001 and $54.2 million in 2000. Recurring noninterest income,
which excludes gains from other asset and securities sales, was $71.3 million in
2002 compared to $65.2 million in 2001 and $53.8 million in 2000. Recurring
noninterest income increased by 9.3% in 2002 and 21.3% in 2001. The following
table summarizes the components of noninterest income:
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Service charges $ 28,908 $ 26,833 $ 22,284
Insurance 10,195 10,282 10,045
Trust 9,418 9,443 9,139
Brokerage 5,150 4,550 5,481
Gain on sale of loans 12,640 9,375 2,758
Other recurring noninterest income 5,018 4,751 4,063
----- ----- -----
Recurring noninterest income 71,329 65,234 53,770
Gain on sale of other assets 1,070 376 177
Gain on sale of securities 2,244 2,128 270
----- ----- ---
Total noninterest income $ 74,643 $ 67,738 $ 54,217
======== ======== ========
Service charge income increased by 7.7% in 2002 from 2001 and 20.4% in 2001 from
2000. The Branch Acquisition in 2001 contributed significantly to the growth in
service charge income. Brokerage revenue increased by 13.2% in 2002 after a
decrease of 17.0% in 2001. Trust revenue decreased by .3% in 2002 and increased
3.3% in 2001 while insurance revenue decreased by .8% in 2002 and increased 2.4%
in 2001. Both brokerage and trust revenue have been negatively impacted by the
weak performance of the domestic equity markets over the last few years. Gains
on sales of loans result primarily from the sale of fixed rate residential real
estate first mortgages into the secondary market. The higher volume of loan
sales and resulting income has been due in a large part to customer refinancing
activity caused by historically low interest rates. Income from loan sales
increased by 34.8 % in 2002 and 239.9% in 2001.
19
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $10.5 million, or 7.0%, in
2002 and $22.0 million, or 17.4%, in 2001. The following table summarizes the
components of noninterest expense:
Years ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Salaries and wages $ 72,740 $ 65,703 $ 58,331
Employee benefits 20,801 15,992 14,018
Occupancy 10,525 9,662 7,651
Furniture and equipment 9,602 10,075 9,432
Printing, postage and telephone 6,491 6,581 5,850
Marketing 5,775 6,951 4,862
Data processing fees 9,012 8,421 7,244
Professional fees 4,821 3,939 2,878
Other real estate owned 97 101 106
FDIC premiums and examination fees 1,743 1,616 1,652
Amortization of intangibles 2,986 6,653 3,713
Other noninterest expense 14,536 12,979 10,893
------ ------ ------
Total noninterest expense $ 159,129 $ 148,673 $ 126,630
========= ========= =========
Personnel costs, which include salaries, wages and employee benefits, accounted
for 58.8% of noninterest expense in 2002 and increased by $11.8 million, or
14.5%, from 2001 and $9.3 million, or 12.9%, from 2000 to 2001. Ongoing
operating costs related to our Branch Acquisition in 2001 contributed
significantly to the growth in personnel costs. Employee benefit costs increased
by $4.8 million, or 30.0%, from 2001 to 2002, primarily as a result of increased
employee medical insurance and pension costs, after increasing by $2.0 million,
or 14.1%, from 2000 to 2001.
Excluding personnel costs, noninterest expense decreased $1.4 million, or 2.1%,
from 2001 to 2002. The adoption of new accounting rules in 2002, which
eliminated the requirement to amortize goodwill arising from business
combinations, reduced the amortization of intangibles by $3.7 million in 2002
compared to 2001.
Excluding personnel costs, noninterest expense increased $12.7 million, or
23.4%, in 2001. Contributing to the increase in noninterest expense in 2001 were
a $2.0 million increase in occupancy expense, a $2.1 million increase in
marketing expenses, a $1.2 million increase in data processing fees, and a $2.9
million increase in amortization of goodwill and other intangible, all largely
due to the Branch Acquisition.
A common industry statistic used to measure the productivity of banking
organizations is the operating efficiency ratio. The operating efficiency ratio
measures the cost required to generate each dollar of revenue and is calculated
by dividing recurring noninterest expense by tax-equivalent net interest income
and recurring noninterest income. Our operating efficiency ratio was 56.5% in
2002 and 57.6% in each of 2001 and 2000. Our strategic goal is to move the
operating efficiency ratio to 55.0% or below.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense, which consists of provisions for federal and
state income taxes, was $30.8 million for 2002 compared to $27.1 million in 2001
and $24.5 million in 2000. Our effective tax rate was 33.3% in 2002, a decrease
from the effective rates of 34.4% in 2001 and 34.8% in 2000.
20
Financial Condition
Loan and Lease Portfolio. We maintain a diversified loan and lease portfolio
consisting of commercial, commercial real estate, agricultural, residential real
estate, consumer and tax-exempt loans and leases. The following table summarizes
the components of our gross loan and lease portfolio:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount %
------ - ------ - ------ - ------ - ------ -
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and other $ 872,597 23.7% $ 883,099 25.2% $ 717,936 24.6% $ 596,680 23.4% $ 475,556 21.8%
Commercial real estate 1,052,194 28.6 957,318 27.3 733,746 25.1 648,029 25.4 501,205 23.0
Construction 76,460 2.1 83,388 2.4 68,296 2.3 70,869 2.8 59,913 2.8
Agricultural 436,364 11.9 417,069 11.9 416,660 14.3 433,357 17.0 444,784 20.4
Residential real estate 768,068 20.9 708,334 20.2 578,876 19.8 450,812 17.7 376,652 17.3
Construction 23,546 0.6 19,300 0.6 18,051 0.6 15,274 0.6 13,397 0.6
Consumer 332,428 9.0 334,472 9.6 302,824 10.4 275,320 10.8 250,803 11.5
Tax-exempt 118,465 3.2 97,308 2.8 83,082 2.9 59,815 2.3 55,477 2.6
------- --- ------ --- ------ --- ------ --- ------ ---
Total loans and leases $3,680,122 100.0% $3,500,288 100.0% $2,919,471 100.0% $2,550,156 100.0% $2,177,787 100.0%
========== ===== ========== ===== ========== ===== ========== ===== ========== =====
At December 31, 2002, our loan and lease portfolio of $3.7
billion was comprised of 57.6% commercial credit, 30.5% consumer credit and
11.9% agricultural credit. The loan and lease portfolio increased $179.8
million, or 5.1%, in 2002 and $580.8 million, or 19.9%, in 2001. Approximately
53% of the loan growth during 2001 was related to the Branch Acquisition.
Our commercial portfolio is primarily secured with collateral consisting of
inventory, receivables and equipment. We utilize standard advance rates in
determining amounts that can be advanced for each collateral type. Advances
secured by inventory and receivables are normally short-term floating rate
advances. Equipment loans typically amortize over five years. The commercial
portfolio decreased by $10.5 million, or 1.2%, to $872.6 million as of December
31, 2002 but had grown in excess of 20.0% for each of the prior three years.
Our commercial real estate portfolio, which includes interim commercial real
estate construction loans, consists primarily of loans to business customers who
occupy the property or use the property for income production. Commercial real
estate loans are generally made for up to 80.0% of appraised value or cost and
typically have a term of five years with 15 to 20 year amortization. The
commercial real estate portfolio increased $87.9 million, or 8.5%, in 2002 and
$238.7 million, or 29.8%, in 2001. The Branch Acquisition was a significant
contributor to the growth of the commercial real estate portfolio in 2001.
Our agricultural loans include term loans secured by farmland or equipment, and
operating loans used for commodity production. Our agricultural customers and
agricultural-based communities are diversified across the three states we serve
and we extend credit to 12 different types of commodity producers. Agricultural
loans increased to $436.4 million, an increase of $19.3 million, or 4.6%, in
2002 compared to a modest increase of $409.0 thousand, or .1%, in 2001. For our
agricultural customers, 2002 was a fairly average year with respect to crop
conditions and prices. Government support programs continue to play an important
role in the overall economics of farm production. At December 31, 2002 and
December 31, 2001, agricultural loans represented 11.9% of our total loans and
leases, down from 14.3% at December 31, 2000 and 17.0% at December 31, 1999.
Residential real estate loans increased $64.0 million, or 8.8%, in 2002 and
$130.7 million, or 21.9%, in 2001. The residential real estate portfolio
includes home equity loans, first mortgage residential real estate loans, and
some construction loans. The construction loans are typically made to builders
on homes under construction that have been pre-sold. Home equity loans comprise
approximately 76% of our $791.6 million in residential real estate loans as of
December 31, 2002. Combined loan to value ratios for home equity loans typically
range from 80.0% to 100.0%. Most of the increase in residential real estate
loans in 2002 and 2001was in home equity loans, which increased $111.3 million,
or 22.5%, in 2002 and $183.5 million, or 59%, in 2001. A substantial portion of
the home equity loan increase in 2001 was due to the Branch Acquisition. First
mortgage residential real estate
21
lending is generally conducted in compliance with secondary market underwriting
guidelines, and most newly originated fixed rate first mortgage loans are sold
into the secondary market.
Our consumer loan portfolio decreased by $2.0 million, or .6%, in 2002 after an
increase of $31.6 million, or 10.5%, in 2001. As of December 31, 2002,
approximately $142.8 million, or 42.9%, of the consumer portfolio consisted of
indirect auto loans, generally to borrowers within our market area. The
remainder of the portfolio consisted of direct consumer loans, with credit card
loans making up only about 1.8% of the total consumer portfolio.
Tax-exempt loans and leases, which are made to municipalities and qualifying
non-profit organizations, increased by $21.2 million, or 21.7%, in 2002 and
$14.2 million, or 17.1%, in 2001.
The following table summarizes the amount and maturity of the loan and lease
portfolio as of December 31, 2002:
At December 31, 2002, Maturing in
---------------------------------
One Year One to Over
or Less Five Years Five Years Total
------- ---------- ---------- -----
(in thousands)
Commercial and other $ 438,700 $ 383,542 $ 50,355 $ 872,597
Commercial real estate 179,197 616,691 256,306 1,052,194
Construction 33,257 29,794 13,409 76,460
Agricultural 204,073 181,922 50,369 436,364
Residential real estate 78,875 501,378 187,815 768,068
Construction 22,042 1,144 360 23,546
Consumer 108,237 218,659 5,532 332,428
Tax-exempt 13,004 24,079 81,382 118,465
------ ------ ------ -------
Total loans and leases $1,077,385 $1,957,209 $645,528 $3,680,122
========== ========== ======== ==========
Loans and leases maturing after one year
Fixed interest rate $1,041,613 $342,656 $1,384,269
Variable interest rate 915,596 302,872 1,218,468
------- ------- ---------
Total $1,957,209 $645,528 $2,602,737
========== ======== ==========
22
Nonperforming Assets. Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans,
restructured loans, and other real estate acquired in loan settlements. The
accrual of interest on loans and leases is suspended when the interest or
principal payments are contractually past due 90 days or more, unless the loan
is fully secured and in the process of collection. Payments received on
nonaccrual loans are typically applied to principal and not recorded as income.
Restructured loans generally continue to accrue interest but include concessions
in terms as a result of the borrower's deteriorated financial condition. The
following table presents comparative data for nonperforming assets:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans and leases $ 28,782 $ 20,307 $ 13,941 $ 16,608 $ 13,077
Restructured loans and leases 323 499 50 48 178
--- --- -- -- ---
Total nonperforming loans and leases 29,105 20,806 13,991 16,656 13,255
Other real estate owned (OREO) 2,805 1,616 3,658 527 620
----- ----- ----- --- ---
Total nonperforming assets $ 31,910 $ 22,422 $ 17,649 $ 17,183 $ 13,875
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due $ 3,407 $ 2,995 $ 3,590 $ 4,753 $ 1,142
== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases 0.79 % 0.60 % 0.48 % 0.65 % 0.61 %
Nonperforming assets to total loans, leases and OREO 0.87 0.64 0.61 0.68 0.64
Nonperforming assets and accruing loans and leases 90 days
or more past due to total loans, leases and OREO 0.96 0.73 0.73 0.86 0.69
Nonperforming assets were $31.9 million at December 31, 2002, compared to $22.4
million at the end of 2001 and $17.6 million at the end of 2000.
Correspondingly, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans, leases,
and other real estate owned increased to 0.87% at December 31, 2002, compared to
0.64% in 2001 and 0.61% in 2000. Nonperforming loans and leases, including
nonaccrual and restructured loans and leases, totaled $29.1 million, or 0.79% of
total loans and leases, at December 31, 2002, versus $20.8 million, or 0.60% of
total loans and leases, at December 31, 2001, and $14.0 million, or 0.48% of
total loans and leases, at December 31, 2000. The $8.3 million increase in
nonperforming loans and leases between December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002
is primarily due to commercial credits originated in our finance company
subsidiary and is a result of a weaker economic environment.
Other real estate owned ("OREO") increased to $2.8 million at December 31, 2002,
compared to $1.6 million at December 31, 2001 and $3.7 million at December 31,
2000. The increase in OREO in 2002 was primarily due to two commercial real
estate properties with a carrying value of $959.7 thousand that were acquired
through foreclosure in the fourth quarter of 2002. We sold $733.2 thousand of
these properties during January 2003.
Reserve for Credit Losses. We maintain a reserve for credit losses to absorb
losses inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. The reserve is based on
ongoing, quarterly assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the
loan and lease portfolio and, to a lesser extent, on unused commitments to
provide financing. The reserve is increased by the provision for credit losses,
which is charged against current period operating results and decreased by the
amount of charge-offs, net of recoveries. Our methodology for assessing the
appropriateness of the reserve consists of several key elements, which include
the formula reserve, specific reserves, and the unallocated reserve.
The formula reserve is calculated by applying loss factors to our outstanding
loans and certain unused commitments. Loss factors for each loan type are based
on our historical loss experience through the course of the business cycle and
may be adjusted for significant factors that, in
23
management's judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the
evaluation date. Specific reserves are established in cases where management has
identified significant conditions or circumstances related to a credit that
management believes indicate the probability that a loss has been incurred in
excess of the amount determined by the application of the formula reserve.
The unallocated reserve is comprised of two elements. The first element
recognizes the model and estimation risk associated with the formula and
specific reserves. The second element is based upon management's evaluation of
various conditions that are not directly measured in the determination of the
formula and specific reserves. The conditions evaluated in connection with the
unallocated reserve may include existing general economic and business
conditions affecting our key lending areas, credit quality trends, collateral
values, loan volumes and concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio,
specific industry conditions within portfolio segments, recent duration of the
current business cycle, and findings of our internal loan review examiners.
The reserve also incorporates the results of measuring impaired loans and leases
as provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 114,
"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," and SFAS No. 118,
"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and
Disclosures." These accounting standards prescribe the measurement methods,
income recognition, and disclosures related to impaired loans and leases. A loan
is considered impaired when management determines that it is probable that we
will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual
terms of the loan or lease agreement. Impairment is measured by the difference
between the recorded investment in the loan or lease (including accrued
interest, net deferred loan fees or costs, and unamortized premium or discount)
and the estimated present value of total expected future cash flows, discounted
at the loan's effective rate, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan
is collateral dependent. Impairment is recognized by adjusting the reserve for
credit losses.
24
The reserve for credit losses was $58.8 million, or 1.60% of total loans and
leases, at December 31, 2002, compared to $53.7 million, or 1.54% of loans and
leases, at December 31, 2001, and $45.9 million, or 1.57% of loans and leases,
at December 31, 2000. Activity in the reserve for credit losses for the past
five years is shown in the following table:
For the Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(dollars in thousands)
Beginning of year $ 53,716 $ 45,895 $ 41,895 $ 37,019 $ 34,253
Charge-offs:
Commercial and other 9,368 6,316 3,273 1,270 820
Commercial real estate 2,510 174 287 1,445 152
Construction - - 24 - 25
Agricultural 330 377 518 2,138 835
Residential real estate 301 422 320 351 328
Consumer 2,662 2,563 1,481 1,860 1,808
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total charge-offs 15,171 9,852 5,903 7,064 3,968
------ ----- ----- ----- -----
Recoveries:
Commercial and other 874 555 320 351 218
Commercial real estate 105 100 226 152 322
Construction 6 - 5 - -
Agricultural 399 384 165 355 102
Residential real estate 70 35 64 36 30
Consumer 639 545 491 545 492
--- --- --- --- ---
Total recoveries 2,093 1,619 1,271 1,439 1,164
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net charge-offs 13,078 8,233 4,632 5,625 2,804
Provision for credit losses 18,161 12,054 8,338 8,321 5,570
Reserve related to acquired assets - 4,000 294 2,180 -
----- ----- --- ----- -----
End of year $ 58,799 $ 53,716 $ 45,895 $ 41,895 $ 37,019
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Average loans and leases $3,540,323 $3,210,537 $2,749,662 $2,315,105 $2,084,462
Annualized net charge-offs to average
loans and leases 0.37 % 0.26 % 0.17 % 0.24 % 0.13 %
Reserve as a percentage of:
Period-end loans and leases 1.60 % 1.54 % 1.57 % 1.65 % 1.70 %
Nonperforming loans and leases 202.02 258.17 328.03 251.53 279.28
Nonperforming assets 184.27 239.57 260.04 243.82 266.80
Net charge-offs were $13.1 million in 2002, $8.2 million in 2001, and $4.6
million in 2000. Expressed as a percentage of average loans and leases, net
charge-offs increased to 0.37% in 2002 from 0.26% in 2001. Charge-offs of
commercial loans increased to $9.4 million in 2002 from $6.3 million in 2001.
Charge-offs in 2002 included a $5.5 million charge-off in the fourth quarter
related to a leveraged lease to a U.S. airline entering bankruptcy during the
quarter. Charge-offs of commercial real estate loans increased to $2.5 million
in 2002 from $174 thousand in 2001. This was primarily the result of a single
credit charged off during the third quarter. The provision for credit losses was
$18.2 million in 2002, $12.1 million in 2001, and $8.3 million in 2000.
The reserve to nonperforming loans and leases decreased to 202.02% at December
31, 2002, from 258.17% at December 31, 2001 and 328.03% at December 31, 2000.
The ratio of classified loans and leases, which include those loans and leases
with an internal loan review rating of substandard, doubtful or loss, to total
loans and leases was 3.6% at December 31, 2002 compared to 3.7% at December 31,
2001 and 2.9% at December 31, 2000.
Management has allocated the reserve to sectors based on relative risk
characteristics of the loan and lease portfolio. Commercial allocations are
based on a quarterly review of individual loans
25
outstanding and commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
Consumer allocations are based on an analysis of product mix, credit scoring and
risk composition of the portfolio, fraud loss and bankruptcy experiences,
historical and expected delinquency, and charge-off statistics for each
homogenous category or group of loans.
The following table shows the allocation of the reserve for credit losses to
sectors for each of the last five years:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
Loans and Loans and Loans and Loans and Loans and
Leases to Leases to Leases to Leases to Leases to
Total Loans Total Loans Total Loans Total Loans Total Loans
Amount and Leases Amount and Leases Amount and Leases Amount and Leases Amount and Leases
------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- -----------------
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and other $22,400 23.7% $18,800 25.2% $12,800 24.6% $10,200 23.4% $ 8,300 21.8%
Commercial real estate 14,200 30.7 13,900 29.7 9,900 27.4 9,200 28.2 10,100 25.8
Agricultural 8,400 11.9 8,700 11.9 9,300 14.3 11,900 17.0 8,200 20.4
Residential real estate 4,400 21.5 3,600 20.8 1,900 20.4 1,900 18.3 2,700 17.9
Consumer 2,800 9.0 2,800 9.6 2,500 10.4 2,300 10.8 1,500 11.5
Tax-exempt 1,200 3.2 100 2.8 100 2.9 600 2.3 300 2.6
Unallocated 5,399 - 5,816 - 9,395 - 5,795 - 5,919 -
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total reserve $58,799 100.0% $53,716 100.0% $45,895 100.0% $41,895 100.0% $37,019 100.0%
======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ======= =====
At December 31, 2002, the commercial portfolio includes $16.6 million of
exposure to major U.S. airlines in the form of airplane leases, and $5.0 million
of the commercial and other reserve allocation at that date is related to these
airline leases. Approximately $5.4 million, or 9.2%, of the reserve for loan and
lease losses is not allocated to specific credits at December 31, 2002, compared
to $5.8 million, or 10.8%, at December 31, 2001 and $9.4 million, or 20.5%, at
December 31, 2000.
Securities. Our investment portfolio consists of investments and mortgage backed
securities that we intend to hold to maturity which are valued at amortized
cost. Our portfolio also includes debt and equity securities that are
available-for-sale which are valued at current market value. The investment
portfolio is maintained primarily for liquidity and collateral purposes and to
generate interest income. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of
low-risk government and government agency-backed securities and high-grade
municipal bonds.
The securities portfolio decreased by $75.1 million, or 6.3%, to $1.1 billion at
December 31, 2002 from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2001 and $951.6 million at
December 31, 2000. We sold $211.9 million of securities during 2002, resulting
in a $2.2 million gain on sale of securities. An additional $411.0 million of
securities matured during 2002. We reinvested $532.0 million of the total
proceeds from sales and maturities in other securities during 2002 and utilized
the rest of the funds received to fund loan growth during the year. The increase
in the portfolio during 2001 was primarily due to the investment of cash
received as a result of the Branch Acquisition.
26
The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of securities
held on December 31, 2002:
At December 31, 2002
--------------------
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gain Loss Value
---- ---- ---- -----
(in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
U. S. Treasury securities $ 1,810 $ 130 $ - $ 1,823
U. S. government agency obligations 83,499 783 - 84,282
Obligations of state and political
subdivisions 19,362 1,087 - 20,449
Mortgage-backed securities 746,721 19,654 60 766,315
Equity securities 44,528 120 - 44,648
Other 45,331 240 - 45,571
------ --- ------
Total securities available-for-sale $941,251 $21,897 $ 60 $963,088
======== ======= ==== ========
Securities held-to-maturity:
U. S. government agency obligations $ 1,000 $ - $ - $ 1,000
Obligations of state and political
subdivisions 162,413 7,848 28 170,233
------- ----- -- -------
Total securities held-to-maturity $163,413 $ 7,848 $ 28 $171,233
======== ======= ==== ========
The following table presents the maturity of securities held at December 31,
2002 and the weighted average rates by range of maturity. The table includes
projected payments on mortgage-backed securities. Certain equity securities,
which include Federal Home Loan Bank stock, Federal Reserve Bank stock, Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation preferred stock, and Federal National Mortgage
Association preferred stock, do not have a stated face rate or maturity. Equity
securities are presented in this table based on estimated rates at December 31,
2002:
Amortized Cost
--------------
Within 1 Year 1-5 Years 5-10 Years After 10 Years Totals
------------- --------- ---------- -------------- ------
Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
( dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S.
government agencies $ 14,004 3.13 % $ 72,305 2.53 % $ - - % $ - - % $ 86,309 2.63 %
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions (1) 18,793 7.49 75,680 7.73 84,260 7.33 3,042 7.07 181,775 7.58
Mortgage-backed securities 228,099 5.05 415,332 4.84 82,115 4.74 21,175 4.33 746,721 4.88
Equity securities - - - - - - - - 44,528 3.71
Other securities 43,296 1.77 - - 2,035 6.81 - - 45,331 2.00
------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ---- ----- ---- ------ ----
Total Investment Securities $304,192 4.65 % $563,317 4.93 % $168,410 6.06 % $ 24,217 4.68 % $1,104,664 4.98 %
======== ==== ======== ==== ======== ==== ======== ==== ========== ====
(1) Yields are presented on a tax-equivalent basis to reflect the tax-exempt nature of these securities. The incremental federal
statutory rate applied is 35%.
The average maturity of the portfolio was 38 months at December 31, 2002, with
an average tax-equivalent yield to maturity on the portfolio of 4.98%,
unrealized gains of $29.7 million and unrealized losses of $88.0 thousand. This
compares to an average maturity of 50 months at December 31, 2001, and an
average tax-equivalent yield to maturity of 5.44%, unrealized gains of $12.6
million, and unrealized losses of $1.7 million. At December 31, 2002, the market
value of our securities was $1.1 billion, or $29.7 million over their amortized
cost. This compares to a market value of $1.2 billion, or $10.8 million over
amortized cost, at December 31, 2001.
Total Deposits. Deposits decreased by $55.7 million, or 1.5% in 2002, after an
increase of $699.9 million, or 22.5%, in 2001. The Branch Acquisition was a
significant contributor to overall deposit
27
growth in 2001. Noninterest bearing deposits increased by $67.5 million, or
10.3%, in 2002, and $200.1 million, or 43.8%, in 2001. Savings, NOW, and money
market accounts increased $36.7 million, or 2.2%, in 2002 and $493.4 million, or
43.1%, in 2001.
Savings certificate balances decreased by $159.8 million, or 10.6%, in 2002 but
increased $6.4 million, or 0.4%, in 2001. The continued decline in interest
rates during 2002 and 2001 made savings certificates a less attractive product
option for customers. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, savings certificates
included $10.0 million of deposits acquired through brokers. This compares with
$76.7 million of brokered deposits at December 31, 2000. These brokered deposits
mature during the first half of 2003 and we do not expect to replace them.
The following table sets forth the distribution of our deposits by type:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
------ ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest bearing deposits $ 724,102 19.3 % $ 656,651 17.3 % $ 456,571 14.7 %
Savings and NOW accounts 460,454 12.3 411,193 10.8 318,481 10.3
Money market accounts 1,215,674 32.4 1,228,282 32.3 827,578 26.6
Time certificates of deposit:
Less than $100,000 1,096,297 29.2 1,241,710 32.6 1,175,006 37.8
$100,000 or more 253,802 6.8 268,182 7.0 328,446 10.6
------- --- ------- --- ------- ----
$3,750,329 100.0 % $3,806,018 100.0 % $3,106,082 100.0 %
========== ===== ========== ===== ========== =====
Included in interest bearing deposits at December 31, 2002 were $253.8 million
of time deposits that had balances of $100,000 or more. Maturities of these time
deposits are summarized as follows:
At December 31, 2002
--------------------
(in thousands)
Three months or less $ 87,453
Over three months to six months 48,389
Over six months to twelve months 47,652
Over twelve months 70,308
------
Total $ 253,802
=========
Short-Term Borrowings. Short-term borrowings include federal funds purchased,
securities sold under agreements to repurchase, treasury tax and loan notes,
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances with original maturities of one year or
less, and advances under an unsecured revolving credit facility. Short-term
borrowings increased 13.9% to $511.5 million at December 31, 2002 from $448.9
million at December 31, 2001 and from $441.7 million at December 31, 2000.
Repurchase agreements with customers, which constitute 79.0% of short-term
borrowings at December 31, 2002, increased to $404.0 million at the end of 2002
from $371.8 million at the end of 2001 and $285.1 million at the end of 2000. At
December 31, 2002, 86.2% of the customer repurchase agreements were related to
daily checking account sweep mechanisms that are part of our cash management
product line. FHLB advances with maturities of one year or less increased to
$60.0 million at the end of 2002 from $35.0 million at the end of 2001 and
declined from $95.0 million at the end of 2000. The decline of short-term FHLB
advances in 2001 came as the result of the Branch Acquisition, which increased
our deposit base and decreased our need for this type of funding. The total
amount that can be borrowed under the unsecured revolving credit facility is
$30.0 million. The facility is maintained primarily for contingency purposes.
There were no advances outstanding under this short-term revolving credit
facility at December 31, 2002 compared to $33.0 million at December 31, 2001 and
$15.0 million at December 31, 2000.
28
The following table presents a summary of our short-term borrowings for the
periods ended on the dates indicated:
Federal Funds Federal Home Treasury Revolving
and Repurchase Loan Bank Tax and Loan Credit
Agreements Borrowings Notes Facility
---------- ---------- ----- --------
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31
2002 $ 449,970 $ 60,000 $ 1,506 $ -
2001 377,762 35,000 3,150 33,000
2000 329,061 95,000 2,685 15,000
Weighted average interest rate at December 31
2002 1.24 % 1.53 % 1.11 % - %
2001 2.08 3.55 1.68 2.77
2000 6.49 6.55 6.25 7.16
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end
2002 $ 449,970 $ 103,000 $ 3,047 $ 19,000
2001 415,261 331,000 3,150 42,000
2000 329,102 165,419 3,899 40,000
Average amount outstanding during the year
2002 $ 385,065 $ 33,731 $ 1,953 $ 6,560
2001 337,511 84,152 2,188 26,556
2000 287,563 105,428 2,412 27,855
Weighted average interest rate during the year
2002 1.45 % 2.01 % 1.52 % 4.48 %
2001 3.60 5.21 3.32 5.06
2000 5.72 6.28 6.18 7.58
Long-Term Debt. Long-term debt, which includes senior notes, FHLB advances with
original maturities of greater than one year, and installment promissory notes,
increased $101.8 million, or 32.2%, in 2002 and $83.3 million, or 35.8%, in
2001. The following table summarizes long-term debt for the last three years:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Senior notes $ 65,000 $ 65,000 $ 65,000
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings 350,773 248,594 164,908
Installment promissory notes 1,905 2,329 2,752
----- ----- -----
Total $417,678 $315,923 $232,660
======== ======== ========
We issued the senior notes in November 1999. The proceeds were used in
connection with acquisitions. The installment promissory note obligations were
also incurred in connection with acquisitions.
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities. We issued $76.5
million of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities in two separate
transactions in 2001 in conjunction with the Branch Acquisition. On February 22,
2001, we issued $16.5 million of 10.2% Capital Securities through Bremer
Statutory Trust I ("BST"), and on May 8, 2001, we issued $60 million of 9.0%
Cumulative Capital Securities through Bremer Capital Trust I ("BCT.") The
proceeds of both of these offerings, combined with the proceeds from the sale by
BST and BCT to the parent of their common securities, were invested by BST and
BCT in Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures ("debentures") of our
parent company. The debentures mature not earlier than July 15, 2006 and not
later than July 15, 2031. At December 31, 2001, $76.5 million in Capital
Securities qualified as Tier I capital under guidelines of the Federal Reserve.
Equity of Shareholders and Redeemable Class A Common Stock. Shareholders' equity
and redeemable class A common stock was $434.1 million at December 31, 2002
compared to $389.9 million at December 31, 2001 and $354.0 million at December
31, 2000. Book value per share increased to $36.17 at December 31, 2002 from
$32.49 at December 31, 2001 and $29.50 at December 31, 2000. Dividends paid per
share increased to $1.65 in 2002 from $1.60 in 2001 and $1.39
29
in 2000. The dividends paid in 2002 of $19.8 million represented 5.1% of the
equity of shareholders at December 31, 2001 and 32.1% of 2002 net income.
Realized book value per share, which excludes the impact of the net unrealized
gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, increased to $35.08 at December
31, 2002 from $32.08 at December 31, 2001 and $29.37 at December 31, 2000.
Capital Management. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
("FDICIA") required the establishment of a capital-based supervisory system of
prompt corrective action for all depository institutions. The Federal Reserve
Board's implementation of FDICIA defines "well-capitalized" institutions as
those whose Tier I capital ratio equals or exceeds 6%, total risk-based capital
ratio equals or exceeds 10%, and leverage ratio equals or exceeds 5%. We have
maintained our capital at the "well-capitalized" level in each of these
categories in the past and expect to do so in the future. The capital ratios of
the Subsidiary Banks in each of these categories met or exceeded the
"well-capitalized" ratios as of December 31, 2002. The following table compares
the consolidated capital ratios with the minimum requirements for well
capitalized and adequately capitalized banks as of December 31, 2002:
Minimum Requirements
--------------------
Well Adequately
Capital Category Actual Capitalized Capitalized
- ---------------- ------ ----------- -----------
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets 10.44 % 6.00 % 4.00 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets 11.70 10.00 8.00
Tier I capital to average tangible assets 7.86 5.00 4.00
Payment of dividends to us by the subsidiary banks is subject to various
limitations by bank regulators, which includes maintenance of certain minimum
capital ratios.
Asset Liability Management
Liquidity Management. The objective of liquidity management is to ensure the
continuous availability of funds to meet our financial commitments. We use an
asset liability management committee ("ALCO") as part of our risk management
process. ALCO is responsible for managing balance sheet and off-balance sheet
commitments to meet the needs of customers while achieving our financial
objectives. ALCO meets regularly to review funding capacity, current and
forecasted loan demand, investment opportunities, and liquidity positions as
outlined in our asset liability policy. With this information, ALCO guides
changes in the balance sheet structure to provide for adequate ongoing
liquidity.
Several factors provide for a favorable liquidity position. The first is the
ability to acquire and retain funds in the local markets we serve. This
in-market funding provides an historically stable source of funding and
represented approximately 86% of total liabilities during 2002. Our
available-for-sale securities portfolio is a secondary source of liquidity
because of its readily marketable nature and predictable stream of maturities.
While we prefer to fund the balance sheet with in-market funding sources,
another source of liquidity is our ready access to regional and national
wholesale funding markets, including federal funds purchased, Federal Home Loan
Bank advances, and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2002, we also had
available $30.0 million of borrowing capacity under an unsecured credit
facility. As of December 31, 2002, there were no advances outstanding under this
facility. This credit facility is used primarily for contingency purposes.
Interest Rate Risk Management. Interest rate risk is the risk that changing
interest rates will adversely affect net income and balance sheet valuations.
The objective of interest rate risk management is to control this risk exposure.
The responsibility for this process rests with ALCO. ALCO establishes
appropriate risk management policies and monitors asset liability activities to
minimize our exposure to adverse interest rate trends. The tools used to measure
interest rate risk include a valuation model which measures the sensitivity of
balance sheet valuations to changes in interest rates, gap analysis, and
simulation of future net income.
In the valuation model, the market value of each asset and liability as of the
reporting date is calculated by computing the present value of all cash flows to
be generated. In each case, the cash
30
flows are discounted by a market interest rate chosen to reflect as closely as
possible the characteristics of the given asset or liability as obtained from
independent broker quotations and other public sources. The impact on valuations
is then calculated for a 200 basis point rate shock. The rate shock is an
instantaneous change in market rates across the yield curve. Significant
assumptions required in the use of the valuation model include estimates
regarding prepayment activity and the behavior of non-maturity deposits in
various interest rate environments. The model does not reflect actions that ALCO
could initiate in response to a change in interest rates. The valuation model
indicates that the value of assets would decline approximately 2.2% with a 200
basis point increase in interest rates. After considering the impact on
liabilities and tax effects, the market value of equity impact from this 200
basis point increase in rates would be negligible. This is within our maximum
risk limit of 20.0% for this risk measure.
The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent
to which such assets and liabilities are "interest rate sensitive" and by
monitoring an institution's interest rate sensitivity "gap". An asset or
liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if
it matures or reprices within that time period. The interest rate sensitivity
gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest earning assets
anticipated, based on certain assumptions, to mature or reprice within a
specific time period and the amount of interest bearing liabilities anticipated,
based on certain assumptions, to mature or reprice within that same time period.
An interest rate sensitivity gap is considered positive when the amount of
interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive
liabilities that mature or reprice within a specified time period. An interest
rate gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive
liabilities exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive assets that mature or
reprice within a specified time period.
31
The following table sets forth at December 31, 2002 the amounts of interest
earning assets and interest bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within the
time periods indicated, based on the information and assumptions set forth in
the notes thereto:
Amount Repricing or Maturing
----------------------------
Within 3 - 12 1 - 5 Over 5
3 Months Months Years Years Total
-------- ------ ----- ----- -----
(dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets (1)
Loans and leases $1,853,280 $ 662,069 $1,017,076 $ 147,697 $3,680,122
Securities 172,275 465,716 341,367 147,143 1,126,501
Other earning assets 24,213 - - - 24,213
------ ------
Total interest earning assets $2,049,768 $1,127,785 $1,358,443 $ 294,840 $4,830,836
========== ========== ========== ========= ==========
Interest bearing liabilities
Interest bearing deposits (2) $1,221,074 $ 726,034 $1,078,509 $ 610 $3,026,227
Short-term borrowings 493,669 12,645 5,162 - 511,476
Long-term debt (3) 2,026 48,504 247,198 119,950 417,678
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities - - - 76,500 76,500
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total interest bearing liabilities $1,716,769 $ 787,183 $1,330,869 $ 197,060 $4,031,881
========== ========== ========== ========= ==========
Rate sensitive gap $ 332,999 $ 340,602 $ 27,574 $ 97,780 $ 798,955
========== ========== ========== ========= ==========
Cumulative rate sensitive gap $ 332,999 $ 673,601 $ 701,175 $ 798,955
========== ========== ========== =========
Rate sensitive gap % to total assets 6.3 % 6.5 % 0.5 % 1.9 % 15.2 %
Cumulative rate sensitive gap % to total assets 6.3 % 12.8 % 13.3 % 15.2 %
- ------------------------------
(1) Adjustable and floating rate assets are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather
than in the period in which they are due. Fixed rate assets are included in the periods in which they are scheduled to be
repaid based on scheduled amortization, except for mortgage backed securities which are adjusted for prepayment assumptions.
(2) Includes non-maturity savings and NOW accounts positioned to run off evenly over sixty months and money market savings
accounts, most of which are positioned to reprice within three months.
(3) Adjustable and floating rate borrowings are included in the period in which their interest rates are next scheduled to adjust
rather than in the period in which they are due.
The repricing gaps are within our risk tolerances, which limit the maximum
90-day and one-year gaps to 15.0% of total assets.
We also use simulation modeling of future net interest income and net income as
a risk management tool. Simulation modeling results indicate that net income
would decrease by approximately 5.8% over the next year with a 300 basis point
decline in the level of rates and increase approximately 3.0% with a 300 basis
point increase in the level of rates. The projected changes in net income are
within the current policy limit that requires that the change in net income over
the next 12 months not exceed 8.0%.
Pension Plans. The Company maintains the Bremer Retirement Plan ("Pension
Plan"), which is a qualified defined benefit pension plan designed to provide
retirement benefits to substantially all of the employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries. In addition, the Company has a Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan ("SERP") designed to supplement the benefits determined under the Pension
Plan for certain highly compensated employees of the Company to the extent the
benefits under the Pension Plan are capped by compensation limits.
Our pension expense for all pension plans approximated $1.5 million and $382
thousand for the years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001. Pension
expense is calculated per SFAS No. 87 "Employers' Accounting for Pensions" and
is based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including an expected long-term
rate of return on Pension Plan assets. For the years 2002 and 2001,
32
our expected long-term rate of return was 10.0%. In developing our expected
long-term rate of return assumption, we evaluated input from our actuaries and
accountants, including their review of asset class return expectations based on
broad equity and bond indices, as well as long-term inflation assumptions. We
also considered our historical 10-year average actual returns on Pension Plan
assets of 14.13% for the period from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1999,
which have been in excess of the broader equity and bond benchmark indices.
For 2003, we have lowered our expected long-term rate of return on Pension Plan
assets from 10% to 9% as a result of the review discussed above and other
external factors. This expected return is based on an asset allocation
assumption of 70% equities and 30% fixed income, which we expect to be our
long-term asset allocation average as outlined in our Pension Investment Policy.
The equity allocation is distributed over nine professionally managed mutual
funds covering six different equity styles. We regularly review our actual asset
allocation and periodically rebalance our investments to our targeted allocation
when considered appropriate. We believe that 9.0% is a reasonable long-term rate
of return on our Pension Plan assets, despite the recent market downturn in
which our Pension Plan assets had a loss of 9.1% for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2002. We will continue to evaluate our actuarial assumptions,
including our expected rate of return, at least annually, and will adjust as
necessary.
The discount rate that we utilize for determining future pension obligations is
based primarily on a review of current AAA rated long-term bond rates. The
discount rate determined as a result of this review has decreased to 6.75% as of
the measurement date, September 30, 2002, from 7.25% as of the measurement date,
September 30, 2001. Due to the lowering of the expected long-term rate of return
on our Pension Plan assets to 9.0%, a discount rate of 6.75%, and various other
assumptions, we estimate that our pension expense for 2003 will approximate $3.9
million compared to $1.5 million for 2002. Future actual pension expense will
depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and
various other factors related to the populations participating in our pension
plans.
While the return on our Pension Plan assets was a negative 9.1% for the year
ended December 31, 2002, the value of Pension Plan assets increased to $42.2
million at December 31, 2002 from $40.1 million at December 31, 2001. This
increase was the result of a $5.8 million cash contribution to the Pension Plan
in December 2002. As of September 30, 2002, the measurement date for purposes of
determining the funded status of the Pension Plan, the fair value of assets was
$35.0 million. At that time the Accumulated Pension Benefit Obligation ("APBO"),
which reflects the present value of the pension benefits earned by employees as
of a certain date, was $38.5 million. As a result, the Company, in accordance
with SFAS 87, was required to record an Additional Minimum Pension Liability on
its books of $9.7 million as of December 31, 2002, resulting in an after-tax
reduction of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Shareholders' Equity of
$5.8 million.
Other Market Risk. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange
rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of our
business activities.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related data presented herein have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America, which require the measurement of financial position
and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes
in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.
The assets and liabilities of a financial institution are primarily monetary in
nature. As a result, interest rates have more impact on our performance than the
effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move
in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and
services. The liquidity and the maturity structure of our assets and liabilities
are important to the maintenance of acceptable performance levels. We disclose
the estimated fair values of our financial instruments in accordance with SFAS
No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments."
33
Effects of a Recessionary Economy
This past year has been one of substantial economic and market turmoil. During
such times, it is not uncommon for borrowers to have cash flow difficulties and
stress on their debt servicing abilities. This is one of our greatest risks as a
financial services provider in this type of an environment. We have been closely
monitoring credit trends and customer situations in order to make necessary
adjustments to our loan loss reserves and credit policies. When we first saw
signs of a slowing economy in late 2000, we increased our loan loss reserves. In
2001 and 2002, we increased our provision for loan losses approximately 50% each
year as a reaction to this risk. Conversely, we have seen our net interest
margin increase during the latter half of 2001 and the first three quarters of
2002, as our lower cost of wholesale borrowing and customer deposit preferences
have had a positive impact on our interest bearing liability costs.
At this time, the ultimate effect of the recession on our borrowers and credit
quality is unknown. However, we aware of the risks and believe that our diverse
loan portfolio and our geographic dispersion will serve to mitigate any
significant impact to our organization as the economy struggles to improve.
Commitments and Contingencies
We utilize various off-balance sheet instruments to satisfy the financing needs
of customers. These instruments represent our contractual obligations to provide
funding, within a specified time period, to a customer. The following represents
the outstanding obligations at December 31:
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands)
Standby letters of credit $ 37,245 $ 18,394
Loan commitments 1,040,027 848,391
Standby letters of credit represent a conditional commitment to satisfy an
obligation to a third party, generally to support public and private borrowing
arrangements, on behalf of the customer. Loan commitments represent contractual
agreements to provide funding to customers over a specified time period as long
as there is no violation of any condition of the contract. These loans generally
will take the form of operating lines.
Our potential exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
other party is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The
credit risk associated with letters of credit and loan commitments is
substantially the same as extending credit in the form of a loan; therefore, the
same credit policies apply in evaluating potential letters of credit or loan
commitments. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon the
extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation. The type of
collateral held varies, but includes accounts receivable, inventory, and
productive assets.
Under substantially noncancelable contracts, we are obligated to pay
approximately $4.8 million in annual data processing and item processing fees to
third party providers through May 2008. The costs under the item processing
contract are calculated in accordance with a volume-based fee schedule, which is
subject to change annually.
We are routinely involved in legal actions which are incidental to our business.
Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of these cases,
management believes, based on discussions with counsel, that any ultimate
liability will not materially affect the consolidated financial position or
operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
See the information regarding disclosures about market risk under "Management's
Discussion and Analysis" on pages 30 through 34, and in "Risk Factors" attached
as Exhibit 99.1.
34
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2002 and 2001
(in thousands except share data)
2002 2001
---- ----
Assets
Cash and due from banks $ 256,900 $ 213,101
Interest bearing deposits 4,185 4,250
Investment securities available-for-sale 196,773 240,036
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale 766,315 780,538
------- -------
Total securities available-for-sale 963,088 1,020,574
Investment securities held-to-maturity
(fair value: 12/31/02 - $171,233, 12/31/01 - $183,570) 163,413 181,071
Loans and leases 3,680,122 3,500,288
Reserve for credit losses (58,799) (53,716)
Unearned discount (453) (1,449)
---- ------
Net loans and leases 3,620,870 3,445,123
Interest receivable 33,854 37,350
Premises and equipment, net 82,152 65,062
Goodwill 85,148 85,148
Other intangibles 21,025 23,504
Other assets 28,908 18,881
------ ------
Total assets $5,259,543 $5,094,064
========== ==========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Noninterest bearing deposits $ 724,102 $ 656,651
Interest bearing deposits 3,026,227 3,149,367
--------- ---------
Total deposits 3,750,329 3,806,018
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements 449,970 377,762
Other short-term borrowings 61,506 71,150
Long-term debt 417,678 315,923
Company obligated mandatorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts
holding junior subordinated debentures 76,500 76,500
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 69,314 56,649
------ ------
Total liabilities 4,825,297 4,704,002
Minority interests 150 150
Redeemable class A common stock, 960,000 shares
issued and outstanding 34,728 31,193
Shareholders' equity
Common stock
Class A, no par, 12,000,000 shares authorized;
240,000 shares issued and outstanding 57 57
Class B, no par, 10,800,000 shares authorized,
issued and outstanding 2,562 2,562
Retained earnings 389,998 351,497
Accumulated other comprehensive income 6,751 4,603
----- -----
Total shareholders' equity 399,368 358,719
------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,259,543 $5,094,064
========== ==========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
35
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees $ 244,694 $ 265,758 $ 249,178
Securities
Taxable 43,815 52,060 53,040
Tax-exempt ` 9,837 10,514 11,082
Federal funds sold 244 569 612
Other 151 177 259
--- --- ---
Total interest income 298,741 329,078 314,171
Interest expense
Deposits 68,582 118,253 123,745
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements 5,577 12,155 16,445
Other short-term borrowings 1,010 5,804 8,884
Long-term debt 21,340 16,215 14,108
Company obligated manditorily redeemable
preferred securities of subsidiary trusts
holding junior subordinated debentures 7,173 4,985 -
----- ----- -----
Total interest expense 103,682 157,412 163,182
------- ------- -------
Net interest income 195,059 171,666 150,989
Provision for credit losses 18,161 12,054 8,338
------ ------ -----
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 176,898 159,612 142,651
Noninterest income
Service charges 28,908 26,833 22,284
Insurance 10,195 10,282 10,045
Trust 9,418 9,443 9,139
Brokerage 5,150 4,550 5,481
Gain on sale of loans 12,640 9,375 2,758
Gain on sale of securities 2,244 2,128 270
Other 6,088 5,127 4,240
----- ----- -----
Total noninterest income 74,643 67,738 54,217
Noninterest expense
Salaries and wages 72,740 65,703 58,331
Employee benefits 20,801 15,992 14,018
Occupancy 10,525 9,662 7,651
Furniture and equipment 9,602 10,075 9,432
Data processing fees 9,012 8,421 7,244
FDIC premiums and examination fees 1,743 1,616 1,652
Amortization of intangibles 2,986 6,653 3,713
Other 31,720 30,551 24,589
------ ------ ------
Total noninterest expense 159,129 148,673 126,630
------- ------- -------
Income before income tax expense 92,412 78,677 70,238
Income tax expense 30,763 27,051 24,457
------ ------ ------
Net income $ 61,649 $ 51,626 $ 45,781
======== ======== ========
Per common share amounts:
Net income-basic and diluted $ 5.14 $ 4.30 $ 3.82
Dividends paid 1.65 1.60 1.39
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
36
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
( in thousands, except per share amounts)
Accumulated
Common Stock Other
------------ Comprehensive Comprehensive Retained
Class A Class B Income (Loss) Income Earnings Total
------- ------- ------------- ------ -------- -----
Balance, December 31, 1999
Comprehensive income $ 57 $ 2,562 $ (9,664) $ 294,892 $ 287,847
Net income $ 45,781 45,781 45,781
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized losses on securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during
the period 12,222 12,222
Less: Reclassified adjustment for gains
included in income (162) (162)
---- ----
Other comprehensive income 12,060 12,060 12,060
------
Comprehensive income 57,841
======
Dividends, $1.39 per share (16,680) (16,680)
Allocation of net income in excess of
dividends and other comprehensive income
to redeemable class A common stock (965) (2,328) (3,293)
-- ----- ---- ------ ------
Balance, December 31, 2000 57 2,562 1,431 321,665 325,715
Comprehensive income
Net income 51,626 51,626 51,626
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during
the period 4,725 4,725
Less: Reclassified adjustment for gains
included in income (1,277) (1,277)
------ ------
Other comprehensive income 3,448 3,448 3,448
-----
Comprehensive income 55,074
======
Dividends, $1.60 per share (19,200) (19,200)
Allocation of net income in excess of
dividends and other comprehensive income
to redeemable class A common stock (276) (2,594) (2,870)
-- ----- ---- ------ ------
Balance, December 31, 2001 57 2,562 4,603 351,497 358,719
Comprehensive income
Net income 61,649 61,649 61,649
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during
the period 9,442 9,442
Less: Reclassified adjustment for gains
included in income (1,347) (1,347)
Minimum pension liability, net of tax (5,760) (5,760)
------ ------
Other comprehensive income 2,335 2,335 2,335
-----
Comprehensive income $ 63,984
========
Dividends, $1.65 per share (19,800) (19,800)
Allocation of net income in excess of
dividends and other comprehensive income
to redeemable class A common stock (187) (3,348) (3,535)
-- ---- ---- ------ ------
Balance, December 31, 2002 $ 57 $ 2,562 $ 6,751 $ 389,998 $ 399,368
==== ======= ======= ========= =========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
37
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
(in thousands)
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 61,649 $ 51,626 $ 45,781
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities
Provision for credit losses 18,161 12,054 8,338
Depreciation and amortization 14,182 15,754 11,521
Deferred income taxes 754 317 3,825
Minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries - - 21
Gain on sale of securities (2,244) (2,128) (270)
Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net (159) (52) (72)
Other assets and liabilities, net (10,776) (14,864) 9,683
Proceeds from loans originated for sale 555,440 354,654 135,936
Loans originated for sale (537,700) (362,290) (133,404)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 99,307 55,071 81,359
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest bearing deposits, net 65 1,481 (845)
Purchases of mortgage-backed securities (335,139) (516,515) (4,909)
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities (183,462) (120,375) (49,338)
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities (13,416) (55,570) (12,180)
Proceeds from maturities of mortgage-backed securities 346,544 239,090 91,324
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investment securities 33,403 21,958 14,062
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities 31,074 42,655 22,621
Proceeds from sales of mortage-backed securities 15,951 77,353 28,025
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities 195,926 69,263 17,495
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned 1,010 3,779 1,092
Loans and leases, net (211,648) (259,835) (379,574)
Acquisition of minority interests - (225) (458)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired - 326,546 (18,416)
Purchase of premises and equipment (24,646) (5,276) (5,717)
------- ------ ------
Net cash used in investing activities (144,338) (175,671) (296,818)
Cash flows from financing activities
Noninterest bearing deposits, net 67,451 109,848 50,093
Savings, NOW and money market accounts, net 36,653 132,470 113,030
Certificates of deposits, net (159,793) (256,893) 93,013
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements,net 72,208 48,701 27,578
Other short-term borrowings, net (9,644) (41,535) (13,263)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 116,013 85,000 33,099
Repayments of long-term debt (14,258) (1,737) (16,271)
Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities - 76,500 -
Common stock dividends paid (19,800) (19,200) (16,680)
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by financing activities 88,830 133,154 270,599
------ ------- -------
Net decrease in cash and due from banks 43,799 12,554 55,140
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period 213,101 200,547 145,407
------- ------- -------
Cash and due from banks at end of period $ 256,900 $ 213,101 $ 200,547
========= ========= =========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for interest $ 111,859 $ 164,222 $ 153,534
Cash paid during the year for income taxes 28,089 26,123 17,274
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
38
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note A: Accounting Policies
Nature of business - Bremer Financial Corporation (the "Company") is a
privately-held regional financial services company headquartered in St. Paul,
Minnesota. The Company is the sole shareholder of 11 subsidiary banks
("Subsidiary Banks") which draw most of their deposits from and make
substantially all of their loans within the states of Minnesota, North Dakota,
and Wisconsin. The Company has identified each of the subsidiary banks as a
separate operating segment. These operating segments have been combined for
segment information reporting purposes as one reportable segment since the
nature and distribution of the products and services, the type of customer, and
the regulatory environment are similar. Additionally, the Company provides
asset-based lending and leasing, trust and insurance services to its customers
through wholly-owned nonbanking subsidiaries, and investment services through a
third party relationship.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries
conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America and general practices within the financial services industry. The more
significant accounting policies are summarized below:
Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company (a bank holding company majority owned by the Otto Bremer
Foundation) and all Subsidiary Banks and other subsidiaries in which the Company
has a majority interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated.
Cash flows - For purposes of this statement, the Company has defined cash
equivalents as cash and due from banks. During the years ended December 31,
2002, 2001, and 2000, the Company received real estate valued at $2,645,000,
$1,166,000 and $3,454,000 in satisfaction of outstanding loan balances.
Investment and mortgage-backed securities - Held-to-maturity securities consist
of debt securities which the Company has the intent and ability to hold to
maturity and are valued at amortized historical cost. Under certain
circumstances (including the deterioration of the issuer's creditworthiness or a
change in tax law or statutory or regulatory requirements), securities
held-to-maturity may be sold or transferred to another portfolio.
Available-for-sale securities consist of debt and equity securities that will be
held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that may be sold in
response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity,
or changes in the availability or yield of alternative investments. These
securities are valued at current market value with the resulting unrealized
holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, and
the resultant allocation to redeemable class A common stock reflected as a
separate component of shareholders' equity until realized. Gains or losses on
these securities are computed based on the amortized cost of the specific
securities when sold. The Company does not engage in trading activities.
Loans and leases - Interest income is accrued on loan and lease balances based
on the principal amount outstanding. Loans and leases are reviewed regularly by
management and placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of interest or
principal is unlikely. The accrual of interest on loans and leases is suspended
when the credit becomes 90 days or more past due, unless the loan or lease is
fully secured and in the process of collection. Thereafter, no interest is
recognized as income unless received in cash or until such time the borrower
demonstrates the ability to pay interest and principal. Certain net loan and
commitment fees are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loan or
commitment as an adjustment of yield. Loans held-for-sale in the secondary
market are recorded at lower of aggregate cost or market.
Reserve for credit losses - Management determines the adequacy of the reserve
based upon a number of factors, including credit loss experience and a
continuous review of the loan and lease portfolio. Being an estimate, the
reserve is subject to change through evaluation of the loan and lease
composition, economic conditions, and the economic prospects of borrowers.
Under the Company's credit policies and practices, all nonaccrual and
restructured commercial, agricultural, construction, and commercial real estate
loans and leases, plus certain other loans and
39
leases identified by the Company, meet the definition of impaired loans under
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 114, "Accounting by
Creditors for Impairment of a Loan" and SFAS No. 118 "Accounting by Creditors
for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures." Impaired loans as
defined by SFAS No. 114 and SFAS No. 118 exclude certain large groups of smaller
balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer loans and residential real estate
loans. Under these statements, loan impairment is required to be measured based
on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's
effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the observable market
price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral
dependent.
The reserve also incorporates the results of measuring impaired loans and leases
as provided in SFAS No. 114 and SFAS No. 118. These accounting standards
prescribe the measurement methods, income recognition, and disclosures related
to impaired loans and leases. A loan is considered impaired when management
determines that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all
amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan or lease
agreement. Impairment is measured by the difference between the recorded
investment in the loan or lease (including accrued interest, net deferred loan
fees or costs, and unamortized premium or discount) and the estimated present
value of total expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's effective
rate, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.
Impairment is recognized by adjusting the reserve for credit losses.
Premises and equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization computed principally on accelerated
methods based on estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to
forty years. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Gains or losses on disposition of premises and equipment are reflected in
income.
Other real estate - Other real estate owned, which is included in other assets,
represents properties acquired through foreclosure and other proceedings
recorded at the lower of the amount of the loan satisfied or fair value. Any
write-down to fair value at the time of foreclosure is charged to the reserve
for credit losses. Property is appraised periodically to ensure that the
recorded amount is supported by the current fair value. Market write-downs,
operating expenses and losses on sales are charged to other expenses. Income,
including gains on sales, is credited to other income.
Income taxes - Bremer Financial Corporation and subsidiaries file a consolidated
federal tax return. Deferred taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences
in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities
and their financial reporting amounts at each year end .
Comprehensive income - Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity
of a business enterprise during a period resulting from transactions and other
events and circumstances from nonowner sources. It includes all changes in
equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and
distributions to owners. For the Company, comprehensive income consists of net
income, as reported in the financial statements, and other comprehensive income,
which consists of the change in unrealized gains and losses on
available-for-sale securities and the change in the minimum pension liability.
Goodwill and intangible assets - Intangible assets consist of goodwill, core
deposit intangibles, and other intangibles. The remaining unamortized balances
at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were approximately $106,173,000 and $108,652,000.
The core deposit and other intangibles have remaining amortization lives of 5 to
10 years. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested regularly for impairment. The
Company adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which
addresses the accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other
intangible assets, on January 1, 2002. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142,
intangible assets acquired in a business combination, which do not possess
finite useful lives, will no longer be amortized into net income over an
estimated useful life. However, these intangible assets will be tested for
impairment at least annually based on specific guidance provided in the new
standard. Management has performed a transitional impairment test on its
goodwill assets and its annual assessment, and no impairment loss was recorded
as a result of this test.
40
In October 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
No. 147, "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions." This Statement
removes acquisitions of financial institutions from the scope of both SFAS 72,
"Accounting for Certain Acquisitions of Banking or Thrift Institutions," and
FASB Interpretation No. 9, "Applying APB Opinions No. 16 and 17 When a Savings
and Loan Association or a Similar Institution Is Acquired in a Business
Combination Accounted for by the Purchase Method." SFAS No. 72 included a
requirement to recognize and subsequently amortize any excess of the fair value
of the liabilities assumed in certain acquisitions over the fair value of
tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired as an unidentifiable
intangible asset. Under the requirements of SFAS No. 147, for a transaction that
is a business combination, the unidentifiable intangible asset that is required
to be recognized under SFAS No. 72 represents goodwill that should be accounted
for under SFAS No. 142.
Had the Company been accounting for its goodwill under SFAS No. 142 and SFAS No.
147 for all periods presented, the Company's net income and income per share
would have been as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands, except per share data)
Reported net income $ 61,649 $ 51,626
Add: Goodwill amortization, net of tax - 3,513
----- -----
Pro forma adjusted net income $ 61,649 $ 55,139
======== ========
Net income per share
As reported $ 5.14 $ 4.30
Add: Goodwill amortization, net of tax - 0.29
----- ----
Pro forma adjusted net income per share $ 5.14 $ 4.59
====== ======
The following table presents relevant information about the Company's
amortized and unamortized intangible assets:
As of December 31, 2002
-----------------------
Gross Carrying Accumulated
Amount Amortization
------ ------------
Amortized intangible assets
Core deposit premium $ 21,313 $ 4,743
Other 7,413 2,958
----- -----
Total $ 28,726 $ 7,701
======== =======
Unamortized intangible assets
Goodwill $ 85,148
--------
Total $ 85,148
========
As of December 31, 2001
-----------------------
Gross Carrying Accumulated
Amount Amortization
------ ------------
Amortized intangible assets
Core deposit premium $ 21,313 $ 2,151
Other 6,138 1,796
----- -----
Total $ 27,451 $ 3,947
======== =======
Unamortized intangible assets
Goodwill $ 85,148
--------
Total $ 85,148
========
The Company recorded aggregate intangible amortization expense of $3.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 2002. The estimated amortization expense for
each of the next five years is approximately $2.6 million. Goodwill was $85.1
million at December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001.
Recent accounting pronouncements - In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," which is required to be adopted
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. SFAS No. 143 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for obligations associated
41
with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset
retirement costs. It requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset
retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a
reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. The associated asset
retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the
long-lived asset. The Company adopted SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003. The
Company does not expect the provisions of SFAS No. 143 to have a material impact
on our financial position and results of operations.
In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation ("FIN") No. 45,
"Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including
Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN No. 45 clarifies the
requirements for a guarantor's accounting for and disclosure of certain
guarantees issued and outstanding. The initial recognition and initial
measurement provisions of FIN No. 45 are applicable to guarantees issued or
modified after December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements of FIN No. 45 are
effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods after December
15, 2002. The adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a significant impact on the
Company's financial statement disclosures and is not expected to have a
significant impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheet or results of
operations.
In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, an interpretation of Account Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated
Financial Statements." FIN No. 46 explains how to identify variable interest
entities and how an enterprise assesses its interests in a variable interest
entity to decide whether to consolidate that entity. This Interpretation
requires existing unconsolidated variable interest entities to be consolidated
by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks
among parties involved. FIN No. 46 is effective immediately for variable
interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest
entities in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that date. The
Interpretation applies in the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2003,
to variable interest entities in which an enterprise holds a variable interest
that it acquired before February 1, 2003. The Company does not anticipate that
the adoption of FIN No. 46 will have a material effect on its financial position
or results of operations.
Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to
significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit
losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures
or in satisfaction of loans and leases.
Earnings per share calculations - Basic earnings per common share have been
computed using 12,000,000 common shares for all periods. The Company does not
have any dilutive securities. See Note Q.
Reclassifications - Certain amounts have been reclassified to provide consistent
presentation among the various accounting periods shown.
Note B: Acquisitions
On May 11, 2001, the Company acquired from Firstar Corporation, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, (the "Seller") 11 of its Minneapolis/St. Paul branch locations and a
portfolio of commercial loans and related deposits (the "Branch Acquisition").
This transaction came as a result of the Seller's divestiture requirement
related to its merger with U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 11 branch
offices and the commercial loan portfolio that were acquired are now operated as
part of the Company's subsidiary bank charter in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The
acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition of assets and assumption of
liabilities and resulted in the recognition of a core deposit premium of
approximately $20.0 million and approximately $45.0 million of other intangible
assets.
42
The following pro forma financial information was prepared assuming the Branch
Acquisition had been completed at January 1, 2001:
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net Interest Income $ 195,059 $ 177,191
Net Income 61,649 51,917
Net Income Per Share $ 5.14 $ 4.33
Note C: Restrictions on Cash and Due From Banks
The Subsidiary Banks are required to maintain average reserve balances in the
form of vault cash or balances maintained either directly with a Reserve Bank or
in a pass-through account, in accordance with the Federal Reserve Bank
requirements. The amount of those cash reserve balances was approximately
$10,092,000 and $6,920,000 as of December 31, 2002 and 2001.
Note D: Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities
At December 31, 2002 and 2001, investment and mortgage-backed securities with an
amortized cost of $433,885,000 and $749,497,000 were pledged as collateral to
secure public deposits and for other purposes. The amortized cost and estimated
fair value by maturity at December 31, 2002, are shown below (contractual
maturity or, with mortgage-backed securities, projected principal payments are
used):
Held-to-Maturity Available-for-Sale
---------------- ------------------
Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value
---- ----- ---- -----
(in thousands)
Within 1 year $ 18,502 $ 18,760 $285,690 $293,427
1 - 5 years 60,237 63,274 503,080 514,613
5 - 10 years 82,132 86,626 86,278 88,386
After 10 years 2,542 2,573 21,675 22,014
Equity securities - - 44,528 44,648
------ ------ ------ ------
Total investment securities $163,413 $171,233 $941,251 $963,088
======== ======== ======== ========
The amortized cost and fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities
available-for-sale as of December 31 consisted of the following:
2002 2001
---- ----
Gross Gross Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value Cost Gains Losses Value
---- ----- ------ ----- ---- ----- ------ -----
(in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities $ 1,810 $ 13 $ - $ 1,823 $ 1,318 $ 68 $ - $ 1,386
Obligations of U.S.
government agencies 83,499 783 - 84,282 123,808 1,142 97 124,853
Obligations of state and
political subdivisions 19,362 1,087 - 20,449 33,787 797 1 34,583
Mortgage-backed securities 746,721 19,654 60 766,315 774,274 7,111 847 780,538
Equity securities 44,528 120 - 44,648 43,201 103 8 43,296
Other 45,331 240 - 45,571 35,842 76 - 35,918
------ --- --- ------ ------ -- --- ------
Total securities available-
for-sale $ 941,251 $ 21,897 $ 60 $963,088 $1,012,230 $ 9,297 $ 953 $1,020,574
========= ======== ==== ======== ========== ======= ===== ==========
Proceeds from sales of investments and mortgage-backed securities were
$211,877,000, $146,616,000, and $45,520,000 for 2002, 2001 and 2000. Gross gains
of $2,244,000, $2,134,000, and $434,000 and gross losses of $0, $6,000, and
$164,000 were realized on those sales for 2002, 2001 and 2000.
43
A summary of amortized cost and fair value of investment securities
held-to-maturity at December 31 consisted of the following:
2002 2001
---- ----
Gross Gross Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value Cost Gains Losses Value
---- ----- ------ ----- ---- ----- ------ -----
(in thousands)
Obligations of U.S.
Obligations of U.S.
government agencies $ 1,000 $ - $ - $ 1,000 $ 5,064 $ 56 $ - $ 5,120
Obligations of state and
political subdivisions 162,413 7,848 28 170,233 176,007 3,199 756 178,450
------- ----- -- ------- ------- ----- --- -------
Total securities held-to-
maturity $163,413 $ 7,848 $ 288 $171,233 $181,071 $3,255 $ 756 $183,5706
======== ======= ===== ======== ======== ====== ===== =========
State and political subdivision investments largely involve governmental
entities within the Company's market area.
Note E: Loans and Leases
The Company is engaged in lending activities with borrowers in a wide variety of
industries. Lending is concentrated in the areas in which its Subsidiary Banks
are located. A decline in the local economies in these areas could negatively
impact the quality of these loans. Loans and leases at December 31 consisted of
the following:
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands)
Commercial and other $ 872,597 $ 883,099
Commercial real estate 1,052,194 957,318
Construction 76,460 83,388
Agricultural 436,364 417,069
Residential real estate 768,068 708,334
Construction 23,546 19,300
Consumer 332,428 334,472
Tax-exempt 118,465 97,308
------- ------
Total loans and leases $3,680,122 $3,500,288
========== ==========
Impaired loans and leases were $29,105,000 and $20,806,000 at December 31, 2002
and 2001, respectively. Impaired loans and leases include nonaccrual and
restructured loans and leases. Restructured loans and leases are those for which
the terms (principal and/or interest) have been modified as a result of the
inability of the borrower to meet the original terms of the loan or lease. The
reserve for credit losses included approximately $7,520,000 and $4,049,000
relating to impaired loans and leases at December 31, 2002 and 2001,
respectively.
Following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans and leases.
No significant amounts of interest income were recognized during each of the
three years ending December 31:
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Average investment in impaired loans, net of reserves $ 21,056 $ 12,730 $ 11,898
======== ======== ========
Interest income as originally contracted $ 1,689 $ 1,327 $ 1,335
======== ======== ========
Other nonperforming assets, consisting of other real estate owned, amounted to
$2,805,000 and $1,616,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001.
At December 31, 2002 and 2001, loans totaling $1,627,865,000, and $1,411,135,000
had been pledged to secure Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances. Acceptable
collateral is defined by the
44
FHLB and we currently pledge residential, agricultural, and commercial real
estate mortgages and certain other eligible business and agricultural loans.
The Subsidiary Banks of the Company have had, and expect to have in the future,
banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with some directors and
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, or with an associate of such
persons (the "Group"). Such transactions have been and will be made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates on loans and collateral,
as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated
persons and do not and will not involve more than normal risk of collection. No
loans to a related person were restructured to provide for a deferral of
payments and/or a reduction in interest rates.
The aggregate dollar amount of loans to the Group was $24,909,000 and
$24,679,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001. During 2002, $62,461,000 of new loans
were made, repayments totaled $65,231,000, and changes in the composition of the
Group increased loans outstanding by $3,000,000.
Note F: Reserve for Credit Losses
Changes in the reserve for credit losses are as follows:
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Beginning of year $ 53,716 $ 45,895 $ 41,895
Charge-offs (15,171) (9,852) (5,903)
Recoveries 2,093 1,619 1,271
----- ----- -----
Net charge-offs (13,078) (8,233) (4,632)
Provision for credit losses 18,161 12,054 8,338
Reserve related to acquired assets - 4,000 294
----- ----- ---
End of year $ 58,799 $ 53,716 $ 45,895
======== ======== ========
Note G: Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment at December 31 consisted of the following:
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands)
Land $ 12,745 $ 9,787
Buildings and improvements 86,883 73,558
Furniture and equipment 59,257 55,844
------ ------
Total premises and equipment 158,885 139,189
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 76,733 74,127
------ ------
Premises and equipment, net $ 82,152 $ 65,062
======== ========
45
Note H: Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings consist of federal funds and repurchase agreements (which
generally mature within one to sixty days of the transaction date), treasury tax
and loan notes (which generally mature within one to thirty days), FHLB advances
(which mature within one year), and advances under an unsecured revolving credit
facility agreement. The available credit facility of $30.0 million was unused at
December 31, 2002. The facility agreement contains covenants, including a
requirement to maintain certain minimum levels of capitalization.
Information related to short-term borrowings for the three years ended December
31 is provided below:
Federal Funds Federal Home Treasury Revolving
and Repurchase Loan Bank Tax and Loan Credit
Agreements Borrowings Notes Facility
---------- ---------- ----- --------
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31
2002 $ 449,970 $ 60,000 $ 1,506 $ -
2001 377,762 35,000 3,150 33,000
2000 329,061 95,000 2,685 15,000
Weighted average interest rate at December 31
2002 1.24 % 1.53 % 1.11 % - %
2001 2.08 3.55 1.68 2.77
2000 6.49 6.55 6.25 7.16
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end
2002 $ 449,970 $ 103,000 $ 3,047 $ 19,000
2001 415,261 331,000 3,150 42,000
2000 329,102 165,419 3,899 40,000
Average amount outstanding during the year
2002 $ 385,065 $ 33,731 $ 1,953 $ 6,560
2001 337,511 84,152 2,188 26,556
2000 287,563 105,428 2,412 27,855
Weighted average interest rate during the year
2002 1.45 % 2.01 % 1.52 % 4.48 %
2001 3.60 5.21 3.32 5.06
2000 5.72 6.28 6.18 7.58
Note I: Long-term Debt
Long-term debt (debt with original maturities of more than one year) at December
31 consisted of the following:
At December 31,
---------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Senior notes $ 65,000 $ 65,000 $ 65,000
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings 350,773 248,594 164,908
Installment promissory notes 1,905 2,329 2,752
----- ----- -----
Total $417,678 $315,923 $232,660
======== ======== ========
The $65 million of senior notes are unsecured and are made up of two tranches.
The $46 million first tranche bears an interest rate of 8.27% and matures on
November 1, 2004, while the remaining $19 million second tranche bears an
interest rate of 8.47% and matures on November 1, 2006. These senior note
agreements contain covenants, including a requirement to maintain certain
minimum levels of capitalization.
The FHLB borrowings bear interest at rates ranging from 3.19% to 6.68%, with
maturity dates from 2003 through 2013, and are secured by certain loans.
The installment promissory notes bear interest at 7.59% and are payable in
semi-annual installments through 2007.
46
Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2002, were as follows:
(in thousands)
2003 $ 50,529
2004 79,536
2005 48,767
2006 64,550
2007 54,346
Beyond 2007 119,950
-------
Total $417,678
========
At December 31, 2002, $71 million of the FHLB borrowings due in years beyond
2007 were subject to call prior to maturity at the option of the FHLB. Of this
amount, $57 million is callable in 2003 and $14 million is currently callable on
a quarterly basis.
Note J: Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities
The Company issued $76.5 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities
in two separate transactions in 2001 in conjunction with the Branch Acquisition.
On February 22, 2001, the Company issued $16.5 million of 10.2% Capital
Securities through Bremer Statutory Trust I ("BST") and on May 8, 2001, the
Company issued $60 million of 9.0% Cumulative Capital Securities through Bremer
Capital Trust I ("BCT.") The proceeds of both of these offerings, combined with
the proceeds from the sale by BST and BCT to the parent of their common
securities, were invested by BST and BCT in Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures ("debentures") of the parent company. The debentures mature
not earlier than July 15, 2006 and not later than July 15, 2031. At December 31,
2002, $76.5 million in Capital Securities qualified as Tier I capital under
guidelines of the Federal Reserve.
Note K: Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Most of the Company's assets and liabilities are considered financial
instruments as defined in SFAS 107. Many of the Company's financial instruments,
however, lack an available trading market which is characterized by an exchange
transaction of the instrument by a willing buyer and seller. It is also the
Company's general practice and intent to hold most of its financial instruments
to maturity and not engage in trading activities. Therefore, significant
estimations and present value calculations were utilized by the Company for
purposes of this disclosure. The use of different market assumptions and/or
estimation methodologies may have a material effect on these estimated fair
value amounts.
47
The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information
available to the Company as of December 31, 2002 and 2001. Although the Company
is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair
value amounts, these amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes
of these financial statements since December 31, 2002 and, therefore, current
estimates of fair value may differ from the amounts presented. As of December
31, carrying amounts and estimated fair values were:
2002 2001
---- ----
Estimated Estimated
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
------ ----- ------ -----
( in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks $ 256,900 $ 256,900 $ 213,101 $ 213,101
Interest bearing deposits 4,185 4,185 4,250 4,250
Investment securities held-to-maturity 163,413 171,233 181,071 183,570
Investment securities available-for-sale 963,088 963,088 1,020,574 1,020,574
Loans and leases 3,620,870 3,669,981 3,445,123 3,508,794
Financial liabilities:
Demand deposits $2,400,230 $2,400,230 $2,296,126 $2,296,126
Time deposits 1,350,099 1,371,880 1,509,892 1,530,871
Short-term borrowings 511,476 511,642 448,912 449,119
Long-term debt 417,678 442,094 315,923 329,083
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities 76,500 85,489 76,500 79,500
Cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits - The carrying value for
these financial instruments approximates fair value due to the relatively short
period of time between the origination of the instruments and their expected
realization.
Securities - Fair values of these financial instruments were estimated using
quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices were not
available, fair value was estimated using market prices for similar assets. As
required by SFAS No. 115, securities available-for-sale are carried at fair
market value.
Loans and leases - The loan and lease portfolio consists of both variable and
fixed rate obligations. The carrying amounts of variable rate loans, a majority
of which reprice within the next three months, and for which there has been no
significant change in credit risk, are assumed to approximate fair value. The
fair values for fixed rate loans and leases are estimated using discounted cash
flow analysis. The discount rates applied are based on the current interest
rates for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Deposits - The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as
non-interest bearing savings and money-market checking accounts, is the amount
payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits is estimated using the rates
currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Short-term borrowings - Due to the short term nature of repricing and maturities
of these instruments, fair value approximates carrying value.
Long-term debt - For fixed rate debt, the fair value is determined by
discounting future cash flows at current rates for debt with similar remaining
maturities and call features. For variable rate debt, fair value approximates
carrying value.
Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities - Fair values of these financial
instruments were estimated using quoted market prices, when available. If quoted
market prices were not available, fair value was estimated using market prices
for similar assets.
48
Off-balance sheet financial instruments - The estimated fair value of these
instruments, such as loan commitments and standby letters of credit,
approximates their off-balance sheet carrying value due to repricing ability and
other terms of the contracts.
Note L: Employee Benefit Plans
Pension plan - The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering
substantially all of its employees. The benefits are based on age, years of
service and the monthly average of the 60 consecutive months' compensation out
of the last 120 months that gives the highest average. In recent years, the
Company's funding policy is to contribute annually an amount approaching the
maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes.
Contributions are intended to provide for benefits attributed to service to date
and for those expected to be earned in the future.
Other postretirement benefits - The Company provides certain retiree health care
benefits relating primarily to medical insurance co-payments to retired
employees between the ages of 55 and 65. In accordance with SFAS No. 106 as
amended by SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other than Pensions," the Company accrues the cost of these benefits during the
employees' active service. Contributions to the pension plan are intended to
provide for benefits attributed to service to date and for those expected to be
earned in the future. Benefits under SFAS No. 106 are funded as incurred.
The costs of these programs are as follows:
Other
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
---------------- -----------------------
2002 2001 2000 2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Net pension cost
Service cost $ 2,362 $ 1,932 $ 1,757 $ 293 $ 222 $ 151
Interest cost 2,734 2,507 2,271 223 230 167
Expected long-term return on assets (3,750) (4,052) (3,704) - - -
Net (gain) recognition 82 (157) (197) (18) (26) (78)
Prior service cost amortization 113 152 173 (12) (12) (6)
--- --- --- --- --- --
Net pension cost $ 1,541 $ 382 $ 300 $ 486 $ 414 $ 234
======= ======= ======= ===== ===== =====
49
The following tables set forth the plans' funded status (based on a valuation
date of September 30), along with a description of how the status changed during
the past two years and the amount recognized on the Company's balance sheet at
December 31. The funded status of the plans is equal to the fair value of plan
assets less the benefit obligation at end of year.
Other
Postretirement
Pension Benefits Benefits
---------------- --------
2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at end of prior year (9/30) $ 38,268 $32,812 $ 3,163 $ 2,825
Service cost 2,362 1,932 293 222
Interest cost 2,734 2,507 223 230
Plan particpants' contributions - - 129 104
Amendments (110) 226 - -
Actuarial loss 7,480 2,708 1,764 66
Benefits paid (1,221) (1,917) (767) (284)
------ ------ ---- ----
Benefit obligation at end of year (9/30) $ 49,513 $38,268 $ 4,805 $ 3,163
======== ======= ======= =======
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at end of prior year (9/30) $ 35,637 $40,219 $ - $ -
Actual return on plan assets (2,868) (3,814) - -
Employer contribution 3,464 1,149 - -
Benefits paid (1,221) (1,917) - -
------ ------ ---- ----
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (9/30) $ 35,012 $35,637 $ - $ -
========= ======= ====== ======
Funded status of plans
Funded status of plans $(14,501) $(2,631) $(4,805) $(3,163)
Unrecognized net loss/(gain) 18,733 4,716 1,212 (570)
Unrecognized prior service costs 438 662 (54) (67)
Contributions between September 30 and December 31 5,829 2,473 - -
----- ----- ---- ----
Prepaid benefit asset/(accrued benefit liability) $ 10,499 $ 5,220 $(3,647) $(3,800)
======== ======= ======= =======
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position
Prepaid benefit cost $ 12,053 $ 6,727 $ - $ -
Accrued benefit liability (11,343) (1,507) (3,647) (3,800)
Intangible asset 189 - - -
Accumulated other comprehensive income 9,600 - - -
----- ---- ---- ----
Net amount recognized $ 10,499 $ 5,220 $(3,647) $(3,800)
======== ======= ======= =======
50
The weighted average discount rate and rate of increase in future compensation
levels used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit
obligation and the expected long-term rates of return on assets are as follows:
Other
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
---------------- -----------------------
Weighted average assumptions 2002 2001 2000 2002 2001 2000
- ---------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Discount rate 6.75 % 7.25 % 7.75 % 6.75 % 7.25 % 7.75 %
Expected long-term return on assets 9.00 10.00 10.00 - - -
Rate of compensation increase 4.25 4.25 4.25 - - -
For purposes of the 2002 postretirement benefits measurements, the Company has
assumed a health-care cost trend rate of 9.00%. For 2003, the Company assumes
grading down to an ultimate trend rate of 5% for 2011 and later years. The
health-care trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts
reported. A one percentage point change in the health-care trend rate would have
the following effects on 2002 service and interest cost on the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2002:
One (1) Percentage Point
------------------------
Increase Decrease
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Effect on service and interest cost components of net periodic cost $ 72 $ (76)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 551 (478)
Profit sharing plan - The profit sharing plan is a defined contribution plan
with contributions made by the Company. The profit sharing plan is
noncontributory at the employee level, except for the employees' option to
contribute under a 401(k) savings plan available as part of the profit sharing
plan.
Contributions are calculated using a formula based primarily upon the Company's
earnings. Total contributions made for 2002, 2001, and 2000 were approximately
$4,139,000, $3,504,000 and $3,157,000, respectively.
Employee stock ownership plan - The ESOP is a defined contribution plan covering
substantially all employees, with contributions made exclusively by the Company
on a discretionary year-by-year basis. The contribution was $400,000 for 2002,
$300,000 for 2001 and $100,000 for 2000.
Note M: Other Noninterest Income
Other noninterest income at December 31 consisted of the following:
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
( in thousands)
Fees on loans $ 3,799 $ 3,517 $ 3,024
Other 2,289 1,610 1,216
----- ----- -----
Total $ 6,088 $ 5,127 $ 4,240
======= ======= =======
51
Note N: Other Noninterest Expense
Other noninterest expense at December 31 consisted of the following:
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
( in thousands)
Printing, postage and telephone $ 6,491 $ 6,581 $ 5,850
Marketing 5,775 6,951 4,862
Professional fees 4,821 3,939 2,878
Other real estate owned 97 101 106
Other 14,536 12,979 10,893
------ ------ ------
Total $31,720 $30,551 $24,589
======= ======= =======
Note O: Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes at December 31 were as follows:
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
( in thousands)
Current
Federal $ 24,717 $ 21,822 $ 16,538
State 5,292 4,912 4,094
Deferred 754 317 3,825
--- --- -----
Total $ 30,763 $ 27,051 $ 24,457
======== ======== ========
A reconciliation between income tax expense and the amount computed by applying
the statutory federal income tax rate at December 31 was as follows:
2002 2001 2000
( in thousands)
Tax at statutory rate $ 32,359 $ 27,537 $ 24,583
Plus state income tax, net of federal tax benefits 3,498 3,250 3,110
----- ----- -----
35,857 30,787 27,693
Less tax effect of:
Interest on state and political subdivision securities 3,053 3,011 2,890
Other tax-exempt interest 2,109 1,706 1,714
Amortization 60 (1,225) (1,176)
Other (128) 244 (192)
---- --- ----
5,094 3,736 3,236
----- ----- -----
Income tax expense $ 30,763 $ 27,051 $ 24,457
======== ======== ========
52
The following table sets forth the temporary differences comprising the net
deferred taxes included with other assets on the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31:
2002 2001
---- ----
( in thousands)
Deferred tax assets
Provision for credit losses $23,342 $21,298
Employee compensation and benefits accruals 1,569 (87)
Deferred income 1,259 1,001
Other 149 9
--- -
Total $26,319 $22,221
======= =======
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred expense $ 3,326 $ 1,724
Depreciation and amortization 21,365 20,674
Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale 8,738 3,325
Other 310 85
--- --
Total 33,739 25,808
------ ------
Net deferred tax liabilities $ 7,420 $ 3,587
======= =======
Note P: Commitments and Contingencies
The Company utilizes various off-balance sheet instruments to satisfy the
financing needs of customers. These instruments represent contractual
obligations of the Company to provide funding, within a specified time period,
to a customer. The following represents the outstanding obligations at December
31:
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands)
Standby letters of credit $ 37,245 $ 18,394
Loan commitments 1,040,027 848,391
Standby letters of credit represent a conditional commitment to satisfy an
obligation to a third party, generally to support public and private borrowing
arrangements, on behalf of the customer. Loan commitments represent contractual
agreements to provide funding to customers over a specified time period as long
as there is no violation of any condition of the contract. These loans most
often take the form of operating lines.
The Company's potential exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance
by the other party is represented by the contractual amount of those
instruments. The credit risk associated with letters of credit and loan
commitments is substantially the same as extending credit in the form of a loan;
therefore, the same credit policies apply in evaluating potential letters of
credit or loan commitments. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed
necessary upon the extension of credit, is based on management's credit
evaluation. The type of collateral held varies, but includes real estate,
accounts receivable, inventory, and productive assets.
Under substantially noncancelable contracts, the Company is obligated to pay
approximately $4.8 million in annual data processing and item processing fees to
third party providers through May 2008. The costs under the item processing
contract are calculated in accordance with a volume-based fee schedule, which is
subject to change annually.
The Company is routinely involved in legal actions which are incidental to the
business of the Company. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate
outcome of these cases, management believes, based on discussions with counsel,
that any ultimate liability will not materially affect the consolidated
financial position or operations.
Note Q: Common Stock
The Company has authorized 12,000,000 shares of class A common stock and
10,800,000 shares of class B common stock. The shares of class A common stock
have full rights to vote on all matters
53
properly before the Company's shareholders, including the election of the
Company's directors. The class B common stock, all of which is held by the Otto
Bremer Foundation, is non-voting except with respect to certain extraordinary
corporate transactions, upon which the holders would have the right to vote on
an equivalent per share basis with the holders of class A common stock.
Each share of class B common stock is convertible into one share of class A
common stock upon the occurrence of the following events: (i) at the affirmative
election of a third party or entity, upon the transfer of class B common stock
from the Otto Bremer Foundation to any third party or entity, or (ii) at the
affirmative election of the holder of class B common stock, if cash dividends
have not been paid on class A and class B common stock with respect to any year
in an amount equal to at least 5% of the Company's net book value as of the last
day of the immediately preceding year. The Company has reserved 10,800,000
shares of class A common stock in the event of conversion of the class B common
stock.
At December 31, 2002 and 2001, 960,000 shares of redeemable class A stock were
issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2002, these shares were subject to
redemption at a price of $36.17 per share, which approximated book value. These
shares are owned by employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries
and the employee benefit plans of the Company. These holders of class A common
stock have the right to require the Company to purchase their shares under
certain circumstances. It is the Company's intent that these 960,000 shares will
continue to be held by employees, directors, and employee benefit plans of the
Company and its subsidiaries and not be directly purchased by the Company or the
Otto Bremer Foundation.
Federal law prevents the Company and its non-bank subsidiaries from borrowing
from the Subsidiary Banks unless the loans are secured by specified U.S.
obligations. Further, the secured loans that may be made by Subsidiary Banks are
generally limited in amount to 10% of the Subsidiary Bank's equity if made to
the Company or any individual affiliate and 20% of the Subsidiary Bank's equity
if made to all affiliates and the Company in the aggregate. At December 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000, no Subsidiary Banks had extended credit to the Company.
Payment of dividends to the Company by its Subsidiary Banks is subject to
various limitations by bank regulators, which includes maintenance of certain
minimum capital ratios. As of December 31, 2002, $24,634,000 of retained
earnings of the Subsidiary Banks was available for distribution to the Company
as dividends subject to these limitations. Approximately $22,827,000 was
available for distribution without obtaining the prior approval of the
appropriate bank regulator.
Note R: Regulatory Matters
The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered
by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements
can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by
regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the
Company's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the
regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet
specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's
assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under
regulatory accounting practices. The Company's capital amounts and
classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators
about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the
table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to
risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average
assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2002, that the
Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.
54
The Company's and Subsidiary Banks' actual capital amounts and ratios as of
December 31 are also presented below:
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
For Capital Prompt Corrective
Actual Adequacy Purposes Action Provisions
------ ----------------- -----------------
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
(dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2002:
Total capital (to risk
weighted assets)
Consolidated $ 440,181 11.70 % $ 301,011 > 8.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 406,928 10.67 % $ 305,116 > 8.00 % $ 381,395 > 10.00 %
Tier I capital (to risk
weighted assets)
Consolidated $ 392,933 10.44 % $ 150,506 > 4.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 359,103 9.42 % $ 152,558 > 4.00 % $ 228,837 > 6.00 %
Tier I capital (to
average assets)
Consolidated $ 392,933 7.86 % $ 200,054 > 4.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 359,103 7.28 % $ 197,238 > 4.00 % $ 246,548 > 5.00 %
As of December 31, 2001:
Total capital (to risk
weighted assets)
Consolidated $ 398,719 11.19 % $ 285,058 > 8.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 388,413 10.86 % $ 286,103 > 8.00 % $ 357,629 > 10.00 %
Tier I capital (to risk
weighted assets)
Consolidated $ 354,021 9.94 % $ 142,529 > 4.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 343,588 9.61 % $ 143,051 > 4.00 % $ 214,577 > 6.00 %
Tier I capital (to
average assets)
Consolidated $ 354,021 7.27 % $ 194,904 > 4.00 % N/A
Subsidiary Banks $ 343,588 7.18 % $ 191,500 > 4.00 % $ 239,375 > 5.00 %
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA") required
the establishment of a capital-based supervisory system of prompt corrective
action for all depository institutions. The Federal Reserve Board's
implementation of FDICIA defines "well-capitalized" institutions as those whose
Tier I capital ratio equals or exceeds 6%, total risk-based capital ratio equals
or exceeds 10%, and leverage ratio equals or exceeds 5%. The Company's
Subsidiary Banks ratios in each of these categories met or exceeded the
"well-capitalized" ratios as of December 31, 2002.
55
Note S: Bremer Financial Corporation (Parent Company Only) Condensed
Statements:
Balance Sheets
December 31,
------------
2002 2001
---- ----
(in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 454 $ 149
Investment securities available-for-sale 38,497 17,814
Investment in and advances to:
Bank subsidiaries 475,523 454,754
Non-bank subsidiaries 63,672 94,944
Other assets 6,422 6,215
----- -----
Total assets $ 584,568 $ 573,876
========= =========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings $ - $ 33,000
Long-term debt 66,905 67,329
Junior subordinated debentures issued to subsidiary trusts 78,867 78,867
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,700 4,768
Redeemable class A common stock 34,728 31,193
Shareholders' equity 399,368 358,719
------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 584,568 $ 573,876
========= =========
Statements of Income
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Income
Dividends from:
Bank subsidiaries $59,780 $47,330 $46,475
Non-bank subsidiaries 3,200 300 1,300
Interest from subsidiaries 2,793 4,737 5,107
Interest income on taxable securities 258 259 222
Other income 1,331 504 -
----- ---
Total income 67,362 53,130 53,104
Expenses
Interest expense:
Short-term borrowings 294 1,344 2,112
Long-term debt 5,667 5,700 5,736
Junior subordinated debentures
issued to subsidiary trusts 7,392 5,137 -
Salaries and benefits 1,010 961 792
Operating expense paid to subsidiaries 1,393 1,241 998
Other operating expenses 548 1,479 1,239
--- ----- -----
Total expenses 16,304 15,862 10,877
------ ------ ------
Income before income tax benefit 51,058 37,268 42,227
Income tax benefit 4,680 4,308 2,432
----- ----- -----
Income of parent company only 55,738 41,576 44,659
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 5,911 10,050 1,122
----- ------ -----
Net income $61,649 $51,626 $45,781
======= ======= =======
56
Note S: Bremer Financial Corporation (Parent Company Only) Condensed
Statements (continued):
Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ----
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 61,649 $ 51,626 $ 45,781
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in undistributed (earnings) of subsidiaries (5,911) (10,050) (1,122)
Depreciation and amortization 953 744 662
Other, net (6,989) (860) 232
------ ---- ---
Net cash provided by operating activities 49,702 41,460 45,553
------ ------ ------
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries, net 24,510 (104,949) (23,290)
Purchases of securities, net (26,545) (15,364) (4,626)
Proceeds from sales of securities 5,862 1,537 639
----- ----- ---
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities 3,827 (118,776) (27,277)
----- -------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities
Short-term borrowings, net (33,000) 18,000 (1,000)
Repayments of long-term debt (424) (423) (424)
Proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debentures - 78,867 -
Dividends paid (19,800) (19,200) (16,680)
------- ------- -------
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (53,224) 77,244 (18,104)
------- ------ -------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 305 (72) 172
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year 149 221 49
--- --- --
End of year $ 454 $ 149 $ 221
==== ===== =====
57
Note T: Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information(Unaudited):
BREMER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
2002 Quarter Ended
------------------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
-------- ------- ------------ -----------
Interest income $ 75,365 $ 74,878 $ 75,733 $ 72,765
Interest expense 27,573 26,081 25,610 24,418
Net interest income 47,792 48,797 50,123 48,347
Net income 16,511 16,174 16,208 12,756
Per share of common stock
Net income-basic and diluted 1.38 1.35 1.35 1.06
2001 Quarter Ended
------------------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
-------- ------- ------------ -----------
Interest income $ 79,046 $ 83,349 $ 85,919 $ 80,764
Interest expense 41,988 41,968 40,299 33,157
Net interest income 37,058 41,381 45,620 47,607
Net income 11,174 12,466 14,113 13,873
Per share of common stock
Net income-basic and diluted 0.93 1.04 1.18 1.15
58
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Bremer Financial Corporation
Saint Paul, Minnesota
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bremer Financial
Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company), a subsidiary of the Otto Bremer
Foundation, as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2002. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Bremer Financial Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the three years in the period ended December
31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for goodwill in 2002.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 24, 2003
59
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
No event requiring disclosure pursuant to this Item 9 has occurred during the
two years ended December 31, 2002.
PART III
Items 10 through 13 of the Form 10-K are omitted because the Company will file
before April 30, 2003 a definitive Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement")
conforming to Schedule 14A involving the election of directors. The information
required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III of the Form 10-K are hereby
incorporated by reference to such Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our
disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this annual
report, and, based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures
are effective. There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in
other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the
date of their evaluation.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) The following financial statements of Bremer Financial Corporation are
part of this document under Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data:
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001
Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended December 31, 2002,
2001 and 2000
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Years ended
December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Independent Auditors' Report
(2) Financial statement schedules are omitted as they are not applicable,
not required, or the required information is included in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
(3) The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
10.1 Bremer Financial Corporation 2002 Variable Compensation Plan.
10.2 Bremer Financial Corporation Executive Stock Purchase Plan
effective August 1, 2002.
12.1 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges.
21 Subsidiaries of the Company.
99.1 Risk Factors.
60
99.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.3 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3,
4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8, respectively, to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 30, 2001:
4.1 Form of Indenture between Wilmington Trust Company and Bremer
Financial Corporation.
4.2 Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture (included as an exhibit
to Exhibit 4.1).
4.3 Certificate of Trust for Bremer Capital Trust I.
4.4 Declaration of Trust for Bremer Capital Trust I.
4.5 Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for Bremer
Capital Trust I.
4.6 Form of Capital Securities Certificate (included as an exhibit
to Exhibit 4.5).
4.7 Form of Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement between Bremer
Financial Corporation and
Wilmington Trust Company.
4.8 Form of Supplemental Indenture.
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1, 28.7, and
28.8, respectively, to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1989:
3.1 Bylaws of the Company in effect on the date hereof.
99.4 The portion of the final Prospectus of the Company dated April
20, 1989 ("Prospectus"), which was filed with the SEC on April
20, 1989, entitled "Description of Capital Stock Description
of Class A Common Stock - Restrictions on Transfer."
99.5 The portion of the Prospectus entitled "Description of Capital
Stock - Description of Class A Common Stock - First Call
Option to Company" on page 64 of the Prospectus.
The following exhibit is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on February 10,
1989:
3.2 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company in effect
on the date hereof.
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2,
respectively, to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
S-1 filed with the SEC on March 29, 1989:
4.9 Specimen of Stock Certificate evidencing Class A Common Stock.
4.10 Specimen of Stock Certificate evidencing Class B Common Stock.
(b) The Company filed no Current Reports on Form 8-K during the fourth
quarter of 2002, which ended December 31, 2002.
A copy of this Form 10-K and exhibits herein can be obtained by writing Robert
B. Buck, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bremer Financial
Corporation, 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2000, St. Paul, MN 55101.
61
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
March 21, 2003. Bremer Financial Corporation
By: /s/Stan K. Dardis
-----------------------------
Stan K. Dardis
Its President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
is signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant on March
21, 2003 in the capacities indicated.
/s/Stan K. Dardis
----------------------------
Stan K. Dardis
Its President and Chief Executive Officer
and Director
/s/Terry M. Cummings
----------------------------
Terry M. Cummings
Chairman of the Board and Director
/s/William H. Lipschultz
----------------------------
William H. Lipschultz
Vice President and Director
/s/Charlotte S. Johnson
----------------------------
Charlotte S. Johnson
Vice President and Director
/s/Sherman Winthrop
----------------------------
Sherman Winthrop
Director
/s/Daniel C. Reardon
---------------------------
Daniel C. Reardon
Vice President and Director
/s/Patrick J. Donovan
---------------------------
Patrick J. Donovan
Director
/s/Robert B. Buck
---------------------------
Robert B. Buck
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/Stuart F. Bradt
---------------------------
Stuart F. Bradt
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
62
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Stan K. Dardis, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bremer Financial
Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of
the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the
Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee
of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions
with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 21, 2003
/s/Stan K. Dardis
---------------------------
Stan K. Dardis
Chief Executive Officer
63
I, Robert B. Buck , certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bremer Financial
Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
this annual report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this annual report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of
the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the
Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee
of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions
with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: March 21, 2003
/s/ Robert B. Buck
---------------------------
Robert B. Buck
Chief Financial Officer
64