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U.S. 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, 2003

[  ] Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number 000-33227

Southern Community Financial Corporation


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
North Carolina   56-2270620

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
4605 Country Club Road    
Winston-Salem, North Carolina   27104

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (336) 768-8500

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, No Par Value

7.25% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities
7.25% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
Guarantee with respect to 7.25% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities

7.95% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
7.95% Junior Subordinated Debentures
Guarantee with respect to 7.95% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities

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 in response 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. [  ]

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $73.4 million.

As of March 12, 2004, (the most recent practicable date), the registrant had outstanding 17,610,132 shares of Common Stock, no par value.

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Documents Incorporated By Reference

                 
Document
  Where Incorporated
  1.    
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 13, 2004 to be mailed to shareholders within 120 days of December 31, 2003.
  Part III

Form 10-K Table of Contents

             
Index
  PAGE
           
 
  Business     3  
  Properties     13  
  Legal     13  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     14  
 
           
 
  Market for Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters     14  
  Selected Financial Data     16  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     17  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     45  
  Financial Statements     45  
  Controls and Procedures     45  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     77  
 
           
 
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     77  
  Executive Compensation     77  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management     77  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     77  
  Principal Accountant Fees and Services     77  
 
           
 
  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K     78  

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Who We Are

     Southern Community Financial Corporation (“company”) is the holding company for Southern Community Bank and Trust (“bank”). The bank commenced operations on November 18, 1996 and effective October 1, 2001 became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the newly formed holding company. We are based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina which is located in the north central region of the state, an area also known as the Piedmont Triad. The Piedmont Triad area includes the cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point.

     At December 31, 2003, we had total assets of $798.5 million, net loans of $512.5 million, deposits of $575.2 million, and shareholders’ equity of $50.9 million. We had net income of $3.7 million and $3.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $.40 and $.35 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We had net income of $2.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $.23 for the year ended December 31, 2001.

     We have been, and intend to remain, a community-focused financial institution offering a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations in the communities we serve. Our banking services include checking and savings accounts; commercial, installment, mortgage, and personal loans; trust and investment services; safe deposit boxes; and other associated services to satisfy the needs of our customers.

     In our seven years of existence we have accomplished the following:

  Assembled a management team with knowledge of our local markets and over 100 years of banking experience;

  Registered 22 consecutive quarters of profitability after becoming profitable in our seventh quarter of operation;

  Established eight banking offices including four in Winston-Salem and one each in Clemmons, Kernersville, High Point, and Yadkinville;

  Focused on growing internally reaching total assets of $798.5 million as of December 31, 2003 without any acquisitions;

  Have one subsidiary of the bank, managed by professionals with substantial previous experience:

    VCS Management, LLC, the managing general partner of Salem Capital Partners, L.P., a small business investment company in which the bank is an investor, with offices in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia;

  Began offering trust services in 2002 including investment management, administration and advisory services primarily for individuals, partnerships and corporations;

  Increased our equity to $50.9 million as a result of our initial public offering which raised $12 million, two secondary stock offerings in February 1998 and January 2001, raising $18.7 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and the retention of earnings;

  Listed our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market System on January 2, 2002;

  Created a capital trust, Southern Community Capital Trust I, that issued 1,725,000 cumulative convertible trust preferred securities in February 2002 generating gross proceeds of $17.3 million;

  Announced on July 30, 2003, the agreement to acquire The Community Bank, which was completed on January 12, 2004;

  Created Southern Community Capital Trust II, that issued 3,450,000 trust preferred securities in November 2003 generating gross proceeds of $34.5 million; and

  Maintained a strong credit culture. As of December 31, 2003, our non-performing assets totaled $1.0 million or 0.13% of total assets and our allowance for loan losses was $7.3 million or 1.40% of total loans and 946% of non-performing loans.

     The website for the bank is www.smallenoughtocare.com. Our periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K are available on our website under “Investor Relations.” The company is registered as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve System. The bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures its deposits up to applicable limits. The address of our principal executive office is 4605 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104 and our telephone number is (336) 768-8500. Our common stock as well as each of our trust preferred securities are traded on the Nasdaq National Market System

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under the symbols “SCMF”, “SCMFP” and “SCMFO”, respectively. Trading on SCMFP ceased on March 8th, 2004.

Our Market Area

     We consider our primary market area to be the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina, including Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville (all in Forsyth County), Yadkinville (Yadkin County) and High Point (Guilford County), North Carolina, and to a lesser extent, adjoining counties.

     The Piedmont Triad is a 12 county region located in the north central Piedmont of North Carolina and is named for the three largest cities in the region, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. The region has one fifth of the state’s population and one fifth of its labor force. The region’s population grew an estimated 12.3% between 1990 and 2000. It’s estimated population in 2002 was 1.2 million.

     The Piedmont Triad is the largest Metropolitan Statistical Area located entirely in North Carolina. The MSA is also one of the top 50 in the country in both total population and number of households. Winston-Salem is the largest city in Forsyth County and the fourth largest city in North Carolina. Forsyth County had an estimated population of 314,375 in 2003, Yadkin County was estimated at 39,892, and Guilford County had an estimated population of 463,087. The Piedmont Triad is the economic hub of northwest North Carolina. In 2002, the median family income in both Forsyth and Guilford Counties was over $42,000. In Yadkin County, it was over $36,600. The Piedmont Triad has a very balanced and diversified economy. Approximately 99% of the work force is employed in nonagricultural wage and salary positions. The major employment sectors in 2002 were services (29%), manufacturing (23%), trade (22%), finance, communications and utilities (11%), government (11%) and construction (5%). Unemployment has increased in the Piedmont Triad over the last two years and averaged 6.3% in Guilford County, 5.5% in Yadkin County and 5.4% in Forsyth County in 2002.

     The bank serves our market area through eight full service banking offices, including four offices located in Winston-Salem. Our television and radio advertising has extended into this market area for several years, providing the bank name recognition in the Piedmont Triad area. The bank’s customers may access various banking services through twelve ATMs owned by the bank and ATMs owned by others, through debit cards, and through the bank’s automated telephone and Internet electronic banking products. These products allow the bank’s customers to apply for loans, access account information and conduct various transactions from their telephones and computers.

Business Strategy

     We established our bank with the objective of becoming a vital, long-term player in our markets with a reputation for quality customer service provided by a financially sound organization. Our business strategy is to operate as an institution that is well capitalized, strong in asset quality, profitable, independent, customer-oriented and connected to our community.

     A commitment to customer service is at the foundation of our approach. Our commitment is to put our customers first and we believe it differentiates us from our competitors. Making good quality, profitable loans, which result in a long-standing relationship with our borrowers, will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy. We intend to leverage the core relationships we build by providing a variety of services to our customers. With that focus, we target:

  Small and medium sized businesses, and the owners and managers of these entities;

  Professional and middle managers of locally based companies;

  Residential real estate developers; and

  Individual consumers.

     We intend to grow our franchise through new and existing relationships developed by our associates, and by expanding to contiguous areas through de novo entry and acquisitions which make strategic and economic sense.

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     We also intend to continue to diversify our revenue in order to generate non-interest income. These efforts have included offering investment brokerage services, our mortgage loan department, our small business investment company manager (which generates management fees) and the creation of our trust department. For the year ended December 31, 2003 our non-interest income represented 19.0% of our total revenue. We believe that the profitability of these added businesses and services, not just the revenue generated, is critical to our success.

     Key aspects of our strategy and mission include:

  To provide community-oriented banking services by delivering a broad range of financial services to our customers through responsive service and communication;

  To form a partnership with our customers whereby our decision making and product offerings are geared toward their best long-term interests;

  To be recognized in our community as a long- term player with employees, stockholders and board members committed to that effort; and

  To be progressive in our adoption of new technology so that we can provide our customers access to products and services that meet their needs for convenience and efficiency.

     Our belief is that our way of doing business will build a profitable corporation and shareholder value. We want to consistently reward our shareholders for their investment and trust in us.

Subsidiaries

     The bank operates one subsidiary that provides financial services in addition to those offered directly by the bank. The company formed two additional subsidiaries to issue trust preferred securities. Each subsidiary is described below.

     VCS Management, LLC was formed in March 2000 as the managing general partner of Salem Capital Partners, L.P., a small business investment company licensed by the Small Business Administration. Southern Community Bank and Trust has committed $1.7 million for investment in the partnership, which has a total of $9.2 million of committed capital from various private investors including the bank. The partnership can also borrow funds on a non-recourse basis from the Small Business Administration to increase its capital available for investment. The partnership makes investments in the form of subordinated debt and earns revenue through interest received on its investments and potentially through gains realized from warrants that it receives in conjunction with its debt investments. The bank shares in any earnings of the partnership through its investment in the partnership. VCS Management earns management fees for managing the investment activities of the partnership. For the year ended December 31, 2003 VCS Management earned $562,000 of fee income, representing 2.2% of total consolidated revenue.

     In February of 2002, Southern Community Capital Trust I (“Trust I”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 1,725,000 Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust I Securities”), generating total proceeds of $17.3 million. At December 31, 2003, holders of the Trust I Securities had voluntarily converted $175,000 of the Trust I Securities into 21,187 shares of our common stock at the Conversion Price of $8.26 per share of our common stock. On January 14, 2004, we announced the redemption of all of the Trust I Securities. We redeemed the Trust I Securities under a provision that permitted us to redeem the Trust I Securities in whole at any time prior to March 31, 2007 once the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the Conversion Price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the date that we gave notice of redemption. The Trust I Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004 which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of our common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. The Trust I Securities paid distributions at an annual rate of 7.25%. The Trust I Securities began paying quarterly distributions on March 31, 2002. The company had fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust I. The proceeds from the Trust I Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust I Securities. Subject to certain limitations, the Trust I Securities qualified as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the convertible debentures was to infuse capital into our bank subsidiary, Southern Community Bank and Trust, to fund its operations and continued expansion, and to maintain the company’s and the bank’s status as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

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     In November of 2003, Southern Community Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 3,450,000 Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust II Securities”), generating total proceeds of $34.5 million. The Trust II Securities pay distributions at an annual rate of 7.95% and mature on December 31, 2033. The Trust II Securities began paying quarterly distributions on December 31, 2003. The company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust II. The Trust II Securities are redeemable in whole or in part at any time after December 31, 2008. The proceeds from the Trust II Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust II Securities. We have the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding five years, provided that no deferral period extend beyond the stated maturities of the debentures. Such deferral of interest payments by the company will result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related Trust II Securities. Should we defer the payment of interest on the debentures, the company will be precluded from the payment of cash dividends to shareholders. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures was to provide cash for the acquisition of The Community Bank, to increase our regulatory capital, and to support the growth and operations of our subsidiary banks. The amount of proceeds we count as Tier 1capital cannot comprise more than 25% of our core capital elements. Amounts in excess of that 25% limitation count as Tier 2 supplementary capital on our books. Prior to the closing of the acquisition of The Community Bank on January 12, 2004, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualified as Tier 2 supplementary capital. Prior to the redemption of the Trust I Securities, approximately $20 million of the proceeds of the Trust II Securities counted as Tier 1 capital on our books. After the redemption of the Trust I Securities on March 12, 2004, subject to certain limitations, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes.

Competition

     The activities in which the bank, as our operating subsidiary, engages are highly competitive. Commercial banking in North Carolina is extremely competitive due to state laws, which permit state-wide branching. Consequently, many commercial banks have branches located in several communities. One of the largest regional commercial banks in North Carolina, and one savings institution have their headquarters in Winston-Salem. As of June 2003, there were 97 branches in Forsyth County operated by twelve commercial banks and one savings institution. Approximately $9.5 billion in deposits are located in Forsyth County. Yadkin County had eight banks with ten branches and approximately $378.5 million in deposits. Twenty banks and two savings institutions were operating in Guilford County with 134 branches and approximately $6.7 billion in deposits. Deposits of the bank in June 2003 were $426.4 million in Forsyth County, $69.2 million in Yadkin County, and $10.1 million in Guilford County. Therefore, in its market area, the bank has significant competition for deposits and loans from other depository institutions.

     Other financial institutions such as savings and loan associations, credit unions, consumer finance companies, insurance companies, brokerage companies and other financial institutions with varying degrees of regulatory restrictions compete vigorously for a share of the financial services market. Brokerage companies continue to become more competitive in the financial services arena and pose an ever increasing challenge to banks. Legislative changes also greatly affect the level of competition we face. During 1998 federal legislation allowed credit unions to expand their membership criteria and compete more intensely for traditional bank business. Additionally, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 expanded the types of activities in which a bank holding company can engage. Currently, we must compete against some institutions located in the Piedmont Triad area that have capital resources and legal loan limits substantially in excess of those available to us and the bank. We expect competition to continue to be significant.

Employees

     Southern Community Financial Corporation has no employees of its own and all employees during 2003 were compensated by the bank. At December 31, 2003, the bank employed 157 full-time equivalent persons (including our executive officers). None of the employees are represented by any unions or similar groups, and we have not experienced any type of strike or labor dispute. We consider our relationship with our employees to be extremely important to our long-term success. The Board and management continually seek ways to enhance their benefits and well being.

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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

     Southern Community Financial Corporation is registered as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve. The bank is a North Carolina chartered banking corporation and a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. Banking is a complex, highly regulated industry. The primary goals of bank regulations are to maintain a safe and sound banking system and to facilitate the conduct of sound monetary policy. In furtherance of these goals, Congress has created several largely autonomous regulatory agencies and enacted numerous laws that govern banks, bank holding companies and the banking industry. The descriptions of and references to the statutes and regulations below are brief summaries and do not purport to be complete. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the specific statutes and regulations discussed.

Southern Community Financial Corporation

     Southern Community Financial Corporation is a bank holding company that has elected to be treated as a financial holding company. As a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, we are registered with and subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve. We are required to file annual and other reports with, and furnish information to, the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve conducts periodic examinations of us and may examine any of our subsidiaries, including the bank.

     The Bank Holding Company Act provides that a bank holding company must obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for the acquisition of more than five percent of the voting stock or substantially all the assets of any bank or bank holding company. In addition, the Bank Holding Company Act restricts the extension of credit to any bank holding company by its subsidiary bank. The Bank Holding Company Act also provides that, with certain exceptions, a bank holding company may not engage in any activities other than those of banking or managing or controlling banks and other authorized subsidiaries or own or control more than five percent of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank. The Federal Reserve has deemed limited activities to be closely related to banking and therefore permissible for a bank holding company.

     However, with the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, which became effective on March 11, 2000, the types of activities in which a bank holding company may engage were significantly expanded. Subject to various limitations, the Modernization Act generally permits a bank holding company to elect to become a “financial holding company.” A financial holding company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are “financial in nature.” Among the activities that are deemed “financial in nature” are, in addition to traditional lending activities, securities underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency activities, certain merchant banking activities as well as activities that the Federal Reserve considers to be closely related to banking.

     A bank holding company may become a financial holding company under the Modernization Act if each of its subsidiary banks is “well capitalized” under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act prompt corrective action provisions, is well managed and has at least a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act. In addition, the bank holding company must file a declaration with the Federal Reserve that the bank holding company wishes to become a financial holding company. A bank holding company that falls out of compliance with these requirements may be required to cease engaging in some of its activities. Southern Community Financial Corporation elected, and was authorized by the Federal Reserve, to be a financial holding company.

     Under the Modernization Act, the Federal Reserve serves as the primary “umbrella” regulator of financial holding companies, with supervisory authority over each parent company and limited authority over its subsidiaries. Expanded financial activities of financial holding companies generally will be regulated according to the type of such financial activity: banking activities by banking regulators, securities activities by securities regulators and insurance activities by insurance regulators. The Modernization Act also imposes additional restrictions and heightened disclosure requirements regarding private information collected by financial institutions.

     Enforcement Authority. We will be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve prior to engaging in or, with certain exceptions, acquiring control of more than 5% of the voting shares of a company engaged in, any new activity. Prior to granting such approval, the Federal Reserve must weigh the expected benefits of any such new activity to the public (such as greater convenience, increased competition, or gains in efficiency) against the risk of possible adverse effects of such activity (such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or

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unfair competition, conflicts of interest, or unsound banking practices). The Federal Reserve has cease-and-desist powers over bank holding companies and their nonbanking subsidiaries where their actions would constitute a serious threat to the safety, soundness or stability of a subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve also has authority to regulate debt obligations (other than commercial paper) issued by bank holding companies. This authority includes the power to impose interest ceilings and reserve requirements on such debt obligations. A bank holding company and its subsidiaries are also prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing of services.

     Interstate Acquisitions. Federal banking law generally provides that a bank holding company may acquire or establish banks in any state of the United States, subject to certain aging and deposit concentration limits. In addition, North Carolina banking laws permit a bank holding company which owns stock of a bank located outside North Carolina to acquire a bank or bank holding company located in North Carolina. In any event, federal banking law will not permit a bank holding company to own or control banks in North Carolina if the acquisition would exceed 20% of the total deposits of all federally-insured deposits in North Carolina.

     Capital Adequacy. The Federal Reserve has promulgated capital adequacy regulations for all bank holding companies with assets in excess of $150 million. The Federal Reserve’s capital adequacy regulations are based upon a risk based capital determination, whereby a bank holding company’s capital adequacy is determined in light of the risk, both on- and off-balance sheet, contained in the company’s assets. Different categories of assets are assigned risk weightings and are counted at a percentage of their book value.

     The regulations divide capital between Tier 1 capital (core capital) and Tier 2 capital. For a bank holding company, Tier 1 capital consists primarily of common stock, related surplus, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries and a limited amount of qualifying cumulative preferred securities. Goodwill and certain other intangibles are excluded from Tier 1 capital. Tier 2 capital consists of an amount equal to the allowance for loan and lease losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk weighted assets, limited other types of preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, hybrid capital instruments and term subordinated debt. Investments in and loans to unconsolidated banking and finance subsidiaries that constitute capital of those subsidiaries are excluded from capital. The sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital constitutes qualifying total capital. The Tier 1 component must comprise at least 50% of qualifying total capital.

     Every bank holding company has to achieve and maintain a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 4.0% and a minimum total capital ratio of at least 8.0%. In addition, banks and bank holding companies are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets (leverage capital ratio) of at least 3.0% for the most highly-rated, financially sound banks and bank holding companies and a minimum leverage ratio of at least 4.0% for all other banks. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve define Tier 1 capital for banks in the same manner for both the leverage ratio and the risk-based capital ratio. However, the Federal Reserve defines Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies in a slightly different manner. As of December 31, 2003, our Tier 1 leverage capital ratio and total capital were 8.63% and 17.74%, respectively.

     The guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory level, without significant reliance on intangible assets. The guidelines also indicate that the Federal Reserve will continue to consider a “Tangible Tier 1 Leverage Ratio” in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities. The Tangible Tier 1 Leverage Ratio is the ratio of Tier 1 capital, less intangibles not deducted from Tier 1 capital, to quarterly average total assets. As of December 31, 2003, the Federal Reserve had not advised us of any specific minimum Tangible Tier 1 Leverage Ratio applicable to us.

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the interpretation. In December 2003, the FASB issued a revision to FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to exempt certain entities from its requirements. The company must apply FIN 46R no later than the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. Adoption of FIN 46R will require deconsolidation of the company’s remaining trust preferred subsidiary, Southern Community Capital Trust II (the Trust I Securities were redeemed as of March 12, 2004). Upon deconsolidation, the junior subordinated debentures issued by the company to Trust II will be included in long-term debt (instead of the trust preferred securities) and the company’s equity interest in Trust II will be included in other assets. If Trust I and Trust II were deconsolidated as of December 31, 2003, the effect on the company’s balance sheet would be an increase in other assets of $1.6

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million with a corresponding increase in long-term debt. The deconsolidation of Trust I and Trust II will not materially impact net income.

     The Trust Preferred Securities presently qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital and are reported in Federal Reserve regulatory reports as a minority interest in our consolidated subsidiaries. The junior subordinated debentures do not qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital. On July 2, 2003, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve issued a letter, SR 03-13, stating that notwithstanding FIN 46, trust preferred securities will continue to be included in Tier 1 capital until notice is given to the contrary. There can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve will continue to allow institutions to include trust preferred securities in Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. In the event of a disallowance, there would be a reduction in the company’s consolidated capital ratios. However, the company believes that the bank would remain “well capitalized” under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.

     Source of Strength for Subsidiaries. Bank holding companies are required to serve as a source of financial strength for their depository institution subsidiaries, and, if their depository institution subsidiaries become undercapitalized, bank holding companies may be required to guarantee the subsidiaries’ compliance with capital restoration plans filed with their bank regulators, subject to certain limits.

     Dividends. On January 14, 2004, the company announced the declaration of its first annual cash dividend of $0.11 per share of its common stock which was paid on March 15, 2004, to shareholders of record on February 20, 2004. As a bank holding company that does not, as an entity, currently engage in separate business activities of a material nature, our ability to pay cash dividends depends upon the cash dividends we receive from our subsidiary banks (Southern Community Bank and Trust and after January 12, 2004, The Community Bank). Our only source of income is dividends paid by these banks. We must pay all of our operating expenses from funds we receive from these banks. North Carolina banking requires that dividends be paid out of retained earnings and prohibits the payment of cash dividends if payment of the dividend would cause the bank’s surplus to be less than 50% of its paid-in capital. Also, under federal banking law, no cash dividend may be paid if the bank is undercapitalized or insolvent or if payment of the cash dividend would render the bank undercapitalized or insolvent, and no cash dividend may be paid by the bank if it is in default of any deposit insurance assessment due to the FDIC. Therefore, shareholders may receive dividends from us only to the extent that funds are available from our subsidiary banks. In addition, the Federal Reserve generally prohibits bank holding companies from paying dividends except out of operating earnings, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.

     Change of Control. State and federal banking law restrict the amount of voting stock of the company that a person may acquire without the prior approval of banking regulators. The Bank Holding Company Act requires that a bank holding company obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve before it may merge with a bank holding company, acquire a subsidiary bank, acquire substantially all of the assets of any bank, or before it may acquire ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank or bank holding company if, after such acquisition, it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of that bank or bank holding company. The overall effect of such laws is to make it more difficult to acquire us by tender offer or similar means than it might be to acquire control of another type of corporation. Consequently, our shareholders may be less likely to benefit from rapid increases in stock prices that often result from tender offers or similar efforts to acquire control of other types of companies.

The Bank

     The bank is subject to various requirements and restrictions under the laws of the United States and the State of North Carolina. As a North Carolina bank, our subsidiary bank is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the North Carolina Banking Commission. As a member of the Federal Reserve, the bank is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the Federal Reserve. The North Carolina Banking Commission and the Federal Reserve have the power to enforce compliance with applicable banking statutes and regulations. These requirements and restrictions include requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the nature and amount of loans that may be made and the interest that may be charged thereon and restrictions relating to investments and other activities of the bank.

     Transactions with Affiliates. The bank may not engage in specified transactions (including, for example, loans) with its affiliates unless the terms and conditions of those transactions are substantially the same or at least as favorable to the bank as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving other

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nonaffiliated entities. In the absence of comparable transactions, any transaction between the bank and its affiliates must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that in good faith would be offered or would apply to nonaffiliated companies. In addition, transactions referred to as “covered transactions” between the bank and its affiliates may not exceed 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus per affiliate and an aggregate of 20% of its capital and surplus for covered transactions with all affiliates. Certain transactions with affiliates, such as loans, also must be secured by collateral of specific types and amounts. The bank also is prohibited from purchasing low quality assets from an affiliate. Every company under common control with the bank, including us and Southern Community Capital Trust I and II, is deemed to be an affiliate of the bank.

     Loans to Insiders. Federal law also constrains the types and amounts of loans that the bank may make to its executive officers, directors and principal shareholders. Among other things, these loans are limited in amount, must be approved by the bank’s board of directors in advance, and must be on terms and conditions as favorable to the bank as those available to an unrelated person.

     Regulation of Lending Activities. Loans made by the bank are also subject to numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including the Truth-In-Lending Act, Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and adjustable rate mortgage disclosure requirements. Remedies to the borrower or consumer and penalties to the bank are provided if the bank fails to comply with these laws and regulations. The scope and requirements of these laws and regulations have expanded significantly in recent years.

     Branch Banking. All banks located in North Carolina are authorized to branch statewide. Accordingly, a bank located anywhere in North Carolina has the ability, subject to regulatory approval, to establish branch facilities near any of our facilities and within our market area. If other banks were to establish branch facilities near our facilities, it is uncertain whether these branch facilities would have a material adverse effect on our business.

     Federal law provides for nationwide interstate banking and branching, subject to certain aging and deposit concentration limits that may be imposed under applicable state laws. Applicable North Carolina statutes permit regulatory authorities to approve de novo branching in North Carolina by institutions located in states that would permit North Carolina institutions to branch on a de novo basis into those states. Federal regulations prohibit an out-of-state bank from using interstate branching authority primarily for the purpose of deposit production. These regulations include guidelines to insure that interstate branches operated by an out-of-state bank in a host state are reasonably helping to meet the credit needs of the host state communities served by the out-of-state bank.

     Reserve Requirements. Pursuant to regulations of the Federal Reserve, the bank must maintain average daily reserves against its transaction accounts. No reserves are required to be maintained on the first $6.6 million of transaction accounts, but reserves equal to 3.0% must be maintained on the aggregate balances of those accounts between $6.6 million and $45.4 million, and reserves equal to 10.0% plus $1.2 million must be maintained on aggregate balances in excess of $45.4 million. These percentages are subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in a non-interest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of the reserve requirement is to reduce the amount of the institution’s interest-earning assets. As of December 31, 2003, the bank met its reserve requirements.

     Community Reinvestment. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by regulations of the federal bank regulatory agencies, an insured bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for banks, nor does it limit a bank’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the federal bank regulatory agencies, in connection with their examination of insured banks, to assess the banks’ records of meeting the credit needs of their communities, using the ratings of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve,” or “substantial noncompliance,” and to take that record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by those banks. All banks are required to make public disclosure of their CRA performance ratings. The bank received a “satisfactory” rating in its most recent CRA examination.

     Governmental Monetary Policies. The commercial banking business is affected not only by general economic conditions but also by the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve. Changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings, control of borrowings, open market transactions in United States government securities, the imposition of and changes in reserve requirements against member banks and deposits and assets of foreign bank

Page 10


 

branches, and the imposition of and changes in reserve requirements against certain borrowings by banks and their affiliates are some of the monetary policies available to the Federal Reserve. Those monetary policies influence to a significant extent the overall growth of all bank loans, investments and deposits and the interest rates charged on loans or paid on time and savings deposits in order to mitigate recessionary and inflationary pressures. These techniques are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth and distribution of bank loans, investments, and deposits, and their use may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits.

     The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and money markets, as well as the effect of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, no prediction can be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or the business and earnings of the bank.

     Dividends. All dividends paid by the bank are paid to us, the sole shareholder of the bank. The general dividend policy of the bank is to pay dividends at levels consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving our applicable capital ratios and servicing obligations. The dividend policy of the bank is subject to the discretion of the board of directors of the bank and will depend upon such factors as future earnings, growth, financial condition, cash needs, capital adequacy, compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and general business conditions.

     The ability of the bank to pay dividends is restricted under applicable law and regulations. Under North Carolina banking law, dividends must be paid out of retained earnings and no cash dividends may be paid if the bank’s surplus is less than 50% of its paid-in capital. Also, under federal banking law, no cash dividend may be paid if the bank is undercapitalized or insolvent or if payment of the cash dividend would render the bank undercapitalized or insolvent, and no cash dividend may be paid by the bank if it is in default of any deposit insurance assessment due to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

     The exact amount of future dividends on the stock of the bank will be a function of the profitability of the bank in general and applicable tax rates in effect from year to year. The bank’s ability to pay dividends in the future will directly depend on future profitability, which cannot be accurately estimated or assured. We expect that, for the foreseeable future, dividends will be paid by the bank to us as needed to pay any separate expenses of Southern Community Financial Corporation and/or to make required payments on our debt obligations, including the debentures which fund the interest payments on the preferred securities issued by our trust subsidiary, and to pay cash dividends to our shareholders.

     Capital Adequacy. The capital adequacy regulations which apply to state banks, such as the bank, are similar to the Federal Reserve requirements promulgated with respect to bank holding companies discussed above.

     Changes in Management. Any depository institution that has been chartered less than two years, is not in compliance with the minimum capital requirements of its primary federal banking regulator, or is otherwise in a troubled condition must notify its primary federal banking regulator of the proposed addition of any person to the board of directors or the employment of any person as a senior executive officer of the institution at least 30 days before such addition or employment becomes effective. During this 30-day period, the applicable federal banking regulatory agency may disapprove of the addition of such director or employment of such officer. The bank is not subject to any such requirements.

     Enforcement Authority. The federal banking laws also contain civil and criminal penalties available for use by the appropriate regulatory agency against certain “institution-affiliated parties” primarily including management, employees and agents of a financial institution, as well as independent contractors such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution’s affairs and who caused or are likely to cause more than minimum financial loss to or a significant adverse affect on the institution, who knowingly or recklessly violate a law or regulation, breach a fiduciary duty or engage in unsafe or unsound practices. These practices can include the failure of an institution to timely file required reports or the submission of inaccurate reports. These laws authorize the appropriate banking agency to issue cease and desist orders that may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including restitution, reimbursement, indemnification or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its growth, dispose of certain assets or take other action as determined by the primary federal banking agency to be appropriate.

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     Prompt Corrective Action. Banks are subject to restrictions on their activities depending on their level of capital. Federal “prompt corrective action” regulations divide banks into five different categories, depending on their level of capital. Under these regulations, a bank is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or more, a core capital ratio of six percent or more and a leverage ratio of five percent or more, and if the bank is not subject to an order or capital directive to meet and maintain a certain capital level. Under these regulations, a bank is deemed to be “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of eight percent or more, a core capital ratio of four percent or more and a leverage ratio of four percent or more (unless it receives the highest composite rating at its most recent examination and is not experiencing or anticipating significant growth, in which instance it must maintain a leverage ratio of three percent or more). Under these regulations, a bank is deemed to be “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than eight percent, a core capital ratio of less than four percent or a leverage ratio of less than three percent. Under these regulations, a bank is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a risk-based capital ratio of less than six percent, a core capital ratio of less than three percent and a leverage ratio of less than three percent. Under such regulations, a bank is deemed to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a leverage ratio of less than or equal to two percent. In addition, the applicable federal banking agency has the ability to downgrade a bank’s classification (but not to “critically undercapitalized”) based on other considerations even if the bank meets the capital guidelines.

     If a state member bank, such as the bank, is classified as undercapitalized, the bank is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the Federal Reserve. An undercapitalized bank is prohibited from increasing its assets, engaging in a new line of business, acquiring any interest in any company or insured depository institution, or opening or acquiring a new branch office, except under certain circumstances, including the acceptance by the Federal Reserve of a capital restoration plan for the bank.

     If a state member bank were classified as undercapitalized, the Federal Reserve may take certain actions to correct the capital position of the bank. If a state member bank is classified as significantly undercapitalized, the Federal Reserve would be required to take one or more prompt corrective actions. These actions would include, among other things, requiring sales of new securities to bolster capital, changes in management, limits on interest rates paid, prohibitions on transactions with affiliates, termination of certain risky activities and restrictions on compensation paid to executive officers. If a bank is classified as critically undercapitalized, the bank must be placed into conservatorship or receivership within 90 days, unless the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation determines otherwise.

     The capital classification of a bank affects the frequency of examinations of the bank and impacts the ability of the bank to engage in certain activities and affects the deposit insurance premiums paid by the bank. The Federal Reserve is required to conduct a full-scope, on-site examination of every member bank on a periodic basis.

     Banks also may be restricted in their ability to accept brokered deposits, depending on their capital classification. “Well capitalized” banks are permitted to accept brokered deposits, but all banks that are not well capitalized are not permitted to accept such deposits. The Federal Reserve may, on a case-by-case basis, permit member banks that are adequately capitalized to accept brokered deposits if the Federal Reserve determines that acceptance of such deposits would not constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice with respect to the bank.

     Deposit Insurance. The bank’s deposits are insured up to $100,000 per insured account by the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The bank’s deposit insurance assessments may increase depending upon the risk category and subcategory to which the bank is assigned. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assesses insurance premiums on a bank’s deposits at a variable rate depending on the probability that the deposit insurance fund will incur a loss with respect to the bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation determines the deposit insurance assessment rates on the basis of the bank’s capital classification and supervisory evaluations. Each of these categories has three subcategories, resulting in nine assessment risk classifications. The three subcategories with respect to capital are “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized” and “less than adequately capitalized” (that would include “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized” banks). The three subcategories with respect to supervisory concerns are “healthy,” “supervisory concern” and “substantial supervisory concern.” A bank is deemed “healthy” if it is financially sound with only a few minor weaknesses. A bank is deemed subject to “supervisory concern” if it has weaknesses that, if not corrected, could result in significant deterioration of the bank and increased risk to the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A bank is deemed subject to “substantial supervisory concern” if it poses a substantial probability of loss to the Bank Insurance Fund. Any increase in insurance assessments could have an adverse effect on the bank’s earnings.

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     Our management cannot predict what other legislation might be enacted or what other regulations might be adopted or the effects thereof.

Item 2. Properties

     As of December 31, 2003 we operated out of eight banking offices and four operations/administrative offices. All banking offices have ATMs. A summary of our offices is as follows:

                         
    Approximate   Year    
    Square   Established   Owned or
    Footage
  or Acquired
  Leased
Banking Offices:
                       
Winston Salem, North Carolina
                       
4701 Country Club Rd.
    5,500       1996     Leased
3151 Peters Creek Parkway
    2,400       1998     Leased
225 Hanes Mill Rd.
    2,800       2001     Owned
536 South Stratford Rd.
    1,600       1998     Leased
Yadkinville, North Carolina
                       
532 East Main Street
    7,100       1998     Owned
Clemmons, North Carolina
                       
2755 Lewisville Clemmons Rd.
    2,000       2000     Leased
Kernersville, North Carolina
                       
1207 South Main Street
    7,700       2002     Owned
High Point, North Carolina
                       
2541 Eastchester Drive
    3,000       2003     Owned
Operations and Administrative Offices:
                       
Winston Salem, North Carolina
                       
4625 Country Club Rd.
    3,200       1998     Owned
1600 Hanes Mall Blvd.
    10,500       2000     Owned
112 Cambridge Plaza
    3,750       2002     Leased
4605 Country Club Rd. - Corporate
    27,000       2003     Owned

     In addition to the above locations, we have four off site ATMs located at 3484 Robinhood Road, and Ernie Shore Field 401 Deacon Boulevard in Winston-Salem, 1466 River Ridge Road in Clemmons and at 4575 Yadkinville Road, Pfafftown, North Carolina. In February 2004, we opened a loan production office at 249 Williamson Road in Mooresville, North Carolina.

     All of our properties, including land, buildings and improvements, furniture, equipment and vehicles, had a net book value at December 31, 2003 of $17.3 million.

     Additional banking offices may be opened at later dates if deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors and if regulatory approval can then be obtained. The Board of Directors may acquire property in which a director, directly or indirectly, has an interest. In such event, the acquisition of such facilities shall be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, excluding any individual who may have such an interest in the property.

Item 3. Legal

     We are party to legal proceedings arising in the normal conduct of business. Our management believes that this litigation is not material to our financial position or results of our operations or the operations of the bank.

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Item 4. Submission of Matters To a Vote of Security Holders

     At a special meeting of the shareholders conducted on December 11, 2003, shareholders of Southern Community Financial Corporation voted to approve the transaction allowing the company to acquire The Community Bank of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. At the special meeting, 4,723,670 voted for approval of the transaction, 26,465 voted against, and 119,749 abstained.

     There were no additional matters submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends

     Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol “SCMF”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock and our convertible preferred securities (“SCMFP”), based on published financial sources, for the last two years. The convertible preferred securities did not begin trading until the first quarter of 2002. All information has been adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends effected during the periods presented.

                                         
            Price
            SCMF
  SCMFP
Year
  Quarterly Period
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
  2002    
First Quarter
  $ 9.76     $ 5.82     $ 11.01     $ 9.90  
       
Second Quarter
    7.62       6.24       11.20       10.22  
       
Third Quarter
    7.10       5.48       10.65       9.76  
       
Fourth Quarter
    7.36       6.10       11.15       9.90  
  2003    
First Quarter
    8.08       6.30       11.98       10.60  
       
Second Quarter
    9.95       7.57       14.00       10.85  
       
Third Quarter
    10.46       8.88       14.50       12.50  
       
Fourth Quarter
    11.17       9.91       13.99       12.90  

     At December 31, 2003, there were approximately 5,200 holders of record of our common stock, and as of March 12, 2004 there were 7,400 holders of record of our common stock. On January 12, 2004, we issued 6,391,452 shares of our common stock to the former shareholders of The Community Bank. On January 14, 2004, the company announced that Southern Community Capital Trust I would redeem all of its 7.25% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities and its 7.25% Common Securities at the stated liquidation amount of $10.00 per security on March 12, 2004. The record date for the redemption was February 25, 2004 and the redemption resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the Trust I Securities.

     On January 14, 2004, the company announced the payment of an annual cash dividend of $0.11 per share to all common stock shareholders of record on February 20, 2004. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive any cash dividends the Board of Directors may declare. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our earnings and financial condition, regulatory conditions and considerations and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant. As a holding company, Southern Community Financial Corporation is ultimately dependent upon its bank subsidiaries (Southern Community Bank and Trust and, after January 12, 2004, The Community Bank) to provide funding for its operating expenses, debt service (including the interest payments on the preferred securities issued by our remaining trust subsidiary), and dividends. Our only source of income is dividends paid by these banks. We must pay all of our operating expenses from funds we receive from these banks. Various banking laws applicable to our bank subsidiaries limit the payment of dividends, management fees and other distributions by the banks to us and may therefore limit our ability to make dividend payments. Under North Carolina banking law, dividends must be paid out of retained earnings and no cash dividends may be paid if payment of the dividend

Page 14


 

would cause the bank’s surplus to be less than 50% of its paid-in capital. Under federal banking law, no cash dividend may be paid if the bank is undercapitalized or insolvent or if payment of the cash dividend would render the bank undercapitalized or insolvent, or if it is in default of any deposit insurance assessment due to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

     In the future, any declaration and payment of cash dividends will be subject to the Board of Directors’ evaluation of the company’s operating results, financial condition, future growth plans, general business and economic conditions, and tax and other relevant considerations. There is no assurance that, in the future, the company will have funds available to pay cash dividends, or, even if funds are available, that it will pay dividends in any particular amount or at any particular times, or that it will pay dividends at all.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA

     Effective October 1, 2001, the Southern Community Bank and Trust became a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Community Financial Corporation. Southern Community Financial Corporation has no material assets other than those of the bank. Therefore, the financial statements of the bank prior to October 1, 2001 are the historical consolidated financial statements of Southern Community Financial Corporation. The information set forth below does not purport to be complete and should be read in conjunction with the company’s consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

                                         
    For the Years Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Operating Data:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 36,019     $ 33,281     $ 31,366     $ 26,831     $ 16,562  
Interest expense
    14,751       15,803       18,034       14,944       8,481  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    21,268       17,478       13,332       11,887       8,081  
Provision for loan losses
    2,285       1,655       2,320       1,480       1,135  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    18,983       15,823       11,012       10,407       6,946  
Non-interest income
    4,985       3,927       3,402       2,198       775  
Non-interest expense
    18,333       14,781       11,162       8,723       5,892  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    5,635       4,969       3,252       3,882       1,829  
Provision for income taxes
    1,972       1,755       1,147       1,466       293  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105     $ 2,416     $ 1,536  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Per Share Data: (7)
                                       
Net income
                                       
Basic
  $ .41     $ .37     $ .24     $ .30     $ .19  
Diluted
    .40       .35       .23       .29       .18  
Cash dividends
    .00       .00       .00       .00       .00  
Book value
    5.66       5.41       4.84       4.41       3.93  
Weighted average shares
                                       
Basic
    8,826,780       8,788,295       8,707,678       8,097,552       8,037,904  
Diluted
    11,369,429       9,085,853       9,043,611       8,450,245       8,540,293  
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Total assets
  $ 798,502     $ 612,239     $ 481,220     $ 384,027     $ 254,172  
Loans
    519,746       421,938       360,288       282,161       200,312  
Allowance for loan losses
    7,275       6,342       5,400       4,283       3,013  
Deposits
    575,218       449,216       392,851       338,753       218,953  
Short-term borrowings
    51,900       40,706       19,980       6,000       2,500  
Long-term debt
    117,627       72,250       25,000              
Stockholders’ equity
    50,891       47,539       42,451       36,950       31,766  
Capital Ratios: (5)
                                       
Total risk-based capital
    10.66 %     12.23 %     11.53 %     13.03 %     16.40 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital
    9.46 %     10.98 %     10.28 %     11.78 %     15.15 %
Leverage ratio
    7.50 %     8.95 %     9.21 %     11.16 %     14.26 %
Equity to assets ratio
    6.37 %     7.76 %     8.82 %     9.62 %     12.50 %

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    For the Years Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Selected Performance Ratios:
                                       
Return on average assets
    .53 %     .58 %     .50 %     .77 %     .71 %
Return on average equity
    7.48 %     7.24 %     5.13 %     7.27 %     5.00 %
Net interest spread (2)
    3.03 %     3.02 %     2.82 %     3.22 %     3.02 %
Net interest margin (1)
    3.25 %     3.34 %     3.36 %     4.01 %     3.90 %
Non-interest income as a percentage of total revenue (6)
    18.99 %     18.35 %     20.33 %     15.61 %     8.75 %
Non-interest income as a percentage of average assets
    .72 %     .71 %     .80 %     .70 %     .36 %
Non-interest expense to average assets
    2.63 %     2.66 %     2.63 %     2.79 %     2.71 %
Efficiency ratio (3)
    69.83 %     69.05 %     66.70 %     61.93 %     66.53 %
Dividend payout ratio
    .00 %     .00 %     .00 %     .00 %     .00 %
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
Nonperforming loans to period-end loans
    .15 %     .43 %     .25 %     .10 %     .00 %
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans
    1.40 %     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.52 %     1.50 %
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    946 %     348 %     604 %     1,552 %   NM
Nonperforming assets to total assets (4)
    .13 %     .36 %     .26 %     .07 %     .00 %
Net loan charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    .29 %     .18 %     .38 %     .09 %     .02 %
Other Data:
                                       
Number of banking offices
    8       8       7       7       5  
Number of full-time equivalent employees
    157       141       121       104       70  

(1)   Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(2)   Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(3)   Efficiency ratio is non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

(4)   Nonperforming assets consist of non-accrual loans, restructured loans, and real estate owned, where applicable.

(5)   Capital ratios are for the bank.

(6)   Total revenue consists of net interest income and non-interest income.

(7)   All per share data has been restated to reflect the dilutive effect of a stock split effected in the form of a two-for-one stock split in 1999, a stock split effected in the form of a 10% stock dividend in 2000, and 5% stock dividends in 2001 and 2002.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     The following presents management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. All share data have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock splits and stock dividends. The following discussion is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the company.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICY

     The company’s most significant critical accounting policy is the determination of its allowance for loan losses. A critical accounting policy is one that is both very important to the portrayal of the company’s financial condition and results of operations, and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. What makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex is the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. For further discussion, see “Nonperforming Assets” and “Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses” under “ASSET QUALITY.”

OVERVIEW

     Our founders recognized an opportunity to fulfill the financial service needs of individuals and organizations left underserved by consolidation within the financial services industry. To fill a part of this void, we began in 1995 the process by which Southern Community Financial Corporation was created, finally beginning operations on November 18, 1996. From inception, we have strived to serve the financial needs of small to medium-sized businesses, individuals, residential homebuilders and others in and around Winston-Salem and the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina. We offer a broad array of banking and other financial products – products similar to those offered by our larger competitors, but with an emphasis on superior customer service. We believe that our emphasis on quality customer service is the single most important factor among many that have fueled our growth to $799 million in total assets in just over seven years of operations.

     We began operations in November 1996 with $11 million in capital, a single branch facility and thirteen employees. Through December 31, 2003, Southern Community Financial Corporation has grown to a total of eight full-service banking offices with $575 million in customer deposit accounts. In support of this growth, we have generated $24 million of additional capital through sales of common stock in 1998, 2000 and 2001. Through our banking subsidiary we offer traditional banking products as well as a full array of financial services. More recently we have created a Trust Department that began operating in the first quarter of 2002. In October of 2001, we formed Southern Community Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, to become the parent company of Southern Community Bank and Trust. In April of 2003 we completed the construction of a new corporate office on property adjacent to our main banking office in Winston-Salem.

     Real estate secured loans, including construction loans and loans secured by existing commercial and residential properties, comprise the majority of our loan portfolio, with the balance of our loans consisting of commercial and industrial loans and loans to individuals. Through associations with various mortgage lending companies, we originate residential mortgages, at both fixed and variable rates, earning fees for loans originated and additional income for loans sold to others. It has been our strategy to recruit skilled banking professionals who are well trained and highly knowledgeable about our market area, enabling us to develop and maintain a loan portfolio of sound credit quality.

     We recognize that our growth may expose us to increased operational and market risk, primarily with respect to managing overhead, funding costs and credit quality. We have developed critical functions such as Training, Audit, and Credit Administration to assist in managing and monitoring these and other risks. We are committed to creating a solid and diversified financial services organization with a focus on customer service. It is our firm belief that this foundation will continue building our loyal customer base while attracting new clients and providing opportunities for future growth. As bank consolidations continue to take place in our marketplace, Southern Community Financial Corporation is positioned to continue to benefit from their effects.

Financial Condition at December 31, 2003 and 2002

     During the year ended December 31, 2003, our total assets increased by $186.3 million, or 30.4%, to $798.5 million. Of this increase in total assets, $176.1 represented growth in interest-earning assets. Continued strong loan demand resulted in an increase of $96.9 million, or 23.3%, in net loans receivable, while investment securities available for sale and held to maturity increased by $71.6 million and $17.5 million, respectively. Much of the growth in the investment portfolio during the first half of the year was primarily due to planned growth combined with pre-investment of projected maturities for the remainder of the year. During the fourth quarter of 2003 we purchased bonds for the investment portfolio to employ funds received from the issuance of Southern Community Capital Trust II in excess of those needed for The Community Bank acquisition, and to leverage that additional capital. The only category of interest-earning assets that decreased was federal funds sold, which ended 2003 at $271,000 as compared with $11.1 million at the end of 2002. Federal funds sold, with an average annual return of 1.21%, is the lowest yielding among interest-earning assets. Premises and equipment increased by $1.4 million, principally as a result of the investment of $610,000 in a new branch facility located in High Point, NC, and the completion of a new corporate office in the first half of 2003. Other assets increased by $3.5 million, which included the capitalization of costs associated with the issuance of Southern Community Capital Trust II and costs associated with the acquisition of The Community Bank.

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     Loan growth in 2003 was concentrated in commercial and real estate lending. Our total loan growth of $97.8 million in 2003 was spread among portfolios secured by residential and commercial mortgages, which increased by $31.7 million and $48.9 million, respectively. Commercial and industrial lending and construction loan outstandings increased by $15.2 and $7.4 million, respectively during the year. Consumer lending declined $5.5 million from 2002 levels as the bank exited the consumer finance business and liquidated Southeastern Acceptance Corporation. During 2003 we continued our active program of originations of residential mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. At the end of the year loans held for sale totaled $1.1 million.

     Our total liquid assets, defined as cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and investment securities, increased by $84.6 million during the year, to $254.0 million at December 31, 2003 versus $169.4 million at the beginning of the year. Liquid assets represented 31.8% of total assets at December 31, 2003 as compared to 27.7% at the beginning of the year. We have been able to further leverage our capital and generate significant funds for investment both through deposit growth and through borrowings. These available funds have exceeded our lending needs, so we have invested at a positive interest rate spread in securities. In order to optimize our ability to manage interest rate risk, the majority of our increase in liquid assets in 2003 has been in available for sale securities.

     Customer deposits continue to be our primary funding source. While our deposits are primarily generated through our growing branch network, we do utilize some out-of-market and brokered deposits as a funding source. Brokered and out-of-market deposits totaled $159.2 million and $115.7 million at year-end 2003 and 2002, respectively. At December 31, 2003, deposits totaled $575.2 million, an increase of $126.0 million or 28.1% from year-end 2002. As explained above, we have also utilized borrowings to fund growth in 2003. Total borrowings, including $51.7 million in trust preferred securities issued during 2002 and 2003, aggregated $169.5 million at December 31, 2003. Borrowings also included $96.5 million of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB), Federal funds purchased of $11.4 million and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $10.0 million. We will use FHLB advances and other funding sources as necessary to support balance sheet management and growth. However, we believe that as our branch network grows and matures, the volume of core deposits will become a relatively larger portion of our funding mix, which should contribute to a reduction in our overall funding cost.

     Our capital position remains strong, with all of our regulatory capital ratios at levels that make us “well capitalized” under federal bank regulatory capital guidelines. At December 31, 2003, our stockholders’ equity totaled $50.9 million, an increase of $3.4 million from the December 31, 2002 balance. This increase includes net income of $3.7 million earned during the year and a decrease in other comprehensive income of $1.6 million.

     On July 30, 2003, the company and The Community Bank jointly announced the execution of a definitive agreement in which Southern Community Financial Corporation would acquire The Community Bank of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina in a fixed exchange of cash and stock. The Community Bank, founded in 1987 operates 10 community banking offices throughout Surry, Rockingham, Stokes, Iredell and Yadkin counties of North Carolina. On December 11, 2003, shareholders approved the transaction allowing Southern Community Financial Corporation to acquire The Community Bank. On January 12, 2004, the acquisition was completed. For each share of stock owned, The Community Bank shareholders receive $53.05 in cash, 4.8714 shares of newly issued Southern Community common stock or a combination of both, subject to an overall allocation of approximately 6.4 million shares of common stock and $15.2 million in cash. As a result of the acquisition, consolidated assets for the company reached $1.1 billion, with $120 million of shareholders’ equity, and approximately $48 million of goodwill was created.

     On January 14, 2004, the company announced the redemption of all of its 7.25% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities issued through Southern Community Capital Trust I under the provision that the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the Conversion Price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the notice of redemption. The Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004 which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. On January 14, 2004, the company announced the declaration of its first annual cash dividend of $0.11 per share of its common stock which was paid on March 15, 2004, to shareholders of record on February 20, 2004.

Financial Condition at December 31, 2002 and 2001

     During the year ended December 31, 2002, our total assets increased by $131.0 million, or 27.2%, to $612.2 million. Of this increase in total assets, $125.3 represented growth in interest-earning assets. Continued strong loan demand drove an increase of $60.7, or 17.1%, in net loans receivable, while investment securities available for sale and held to maturity increased by $66.3 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The only category of interest-earning assets that decreased was federal funds sold, which

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ended 2002 at $11.1 million as compared with $22.9 million at the end of 2001. Federal funds sold provided the lowest yield among all interest-earning assets, declining from 1.70% at the beginning to 1.16% at year-end. Premises and equipment increased by $3.9 million, principally as a result of the investment of $422,000 in a new branch facility located in Kernersville, NC, and the investment of $3.2 million in a new corporate headquarters that is scheduled for occupancy in the first half of 2003. Other assets increased by $4.1 million, including additional investments in bank-owned life insurance of $557,000. Our total investment in bank-owned life insurance at December 31, 2002 was $2.8 million. This investment is included in other assets in our balance sheet and yielded a tax exempt return of 5.20% during the year 2002.

     Loan growth in 2002 was concentrated in commercial and real estate lending. Our loan growth of $60.7 million in 2002 was spread among our residential and commercial mortgage loans, which increased by $13.2 million and $48.5 million, respectively. Construction loans and loans to individuals increased by $2.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively, while commercial and industrial loans decreased by $5.9 million. During 2002 we continued our active program of originations of residential mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. At the end of the year loans held for sale totaled $4.9 million.

     Our total liquid assets, defined as cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and investment securities, increased by $62.4 million during the year, to $169.4 million at December 31, 2002 versus $107 million at the beginning of the year. Liquid assets represented 27.7% of total assets at December 31, 2002 as compared to 22.2% at the beginning of the year. We have been able to generate significant funds for investment both through deposit growth and through borrowings. These available funds have exceeded our lending needs, so we have invested at a positive interest rate spread in securities. In order to optimize our ability to manage interest rate risk, substantially all of our increased investment in liquid assets in 2002 has been in investments available for sale.

     Customer deposits continue to be our primary funding source. While our deposits are primarily generated through our growing branch network, we do utilize some out-of-market and brokered deposits to support our funding base. Brokered and out-of-market deposits totaled $115.7 million and $61.0 million at year-end 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2002, deposits totaled $449.2 million, an increase of $56.4 million or 14.4% from year-end 2001. As explained above, we have also utilized borrowings to fund growth in 2002. Total borrowings, including $17.3 million in convertible preferred securities issued during 2002, aggregated $113 million at December 31, 2002. Borrowings also included $75.5 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $20.2 million. We will use FHLB advances and other funding sources as necessary to support balance sheet management and growth. However, we believe that as our branch network grows and matures, the volume of core deposits will become a relatively larger portion of our funding mix, which should contribute to a reduction in our overall funding cost.

     Our capital position remains strong, with all of our regulatory capital ratios at levels that make us “well capitalized” under federal bank regulatory capital guidelines. At December 31, 2002, our stockholders’ equity totaled $47.5 million, an increase of $5.0 million from the December 31, 2001 balance. This increase includes net income of $3.2 million earned during the year and other comprehensive income of $1.8 million.

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NET INTEREST INCOME

     Like most financial institutions, the primary component of our earnings is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, principally from loans and investments, and interest expense, principally on customer deposits and borrowings. Changes in net interest income result from changes in volume and changes in interest rates earned and paid. By volume, we mean the average dollar level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Spread refers to the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and margin refers to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Spread and margin are influenced by the levels and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as by levels of noninterest-bearing liabilities. During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, our average interest-earning assets were $655.3 million, $523.3 million, and $397.0 million, respectively. During these same years, our net interest margins were 3.25%, 3.34% and 3.36%, respectively.

     Average Balances and Average Rates Earned and Paid. The following table sets forth, for the years 2001 through 2003, information with regard to average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields or costs, net interest income, net interest spread, net interest margin and ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities. Average loans include nonaccruing loans, the effect of which is to lower the average yield.

                                                                         
    For the Years Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
            Interest                   Interest                   Interest    
    Average   earned/   Average   Average   earned/   Average   Average   earned/   Average
    balance
  paid
  yield/cost
  balance
  paid
  yield/cost
  balance
  paid
  yield/cost
                            (Dollars in thousands)                        
Interest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Loans
  $ 471,808     $ 27,478       5.82 %   $ 395,745     $ 25,689       6.49 %   $ 318,696     $ 26,292       8.25 %
Investment securities available for sale
    118,194       6,022       5.10 %     82,296       4,901       5.96 %     36,439       2,320       6.37 %
Investment securities held to maturity
    61,215       2,469       4.03 %     38,831       2,576       6.63 %     32,261       2,201       6.82 %
Federal fund sold
    4,122       50       1.21 %     6,414       115       1.79 %     9,620       553       5.75 %
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total interest-earning assets
    655,339       36,019       5.50 %     523,286       33,281       6.36 %     397,016       31,366       7.90 %
 
           
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
 
Other assets
    41,182                       32,113                       27,158                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 696,521                     $ 555,399                     $ 424,174                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
NOW and money market
  $ 138,926       1,346       0.97 %   $ 102,427       1,342       1.31 %   $ 80,695       2,135       2.65 %
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    154,026       4,300       2.79 %     114,971       4,549       3.96 %     96,542       5,795       6.00 %
Other time deposits
    163,960       4,244       2.59 %     172,456       6,251       3.62 %     155,979       9,063       5.81 %
Borrowings
    141,019       4,861       3.23 %     83,933       3,661       4.36 %     21,810       1,041       4.77 %
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    597,931       14,751       2.47 %     473,787       15,803       3.34 %     355,026       18,034       5.08 %
 
           
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
 
Demand deposits
    45,101                       34,766                       25,749                  
Other liabilities
    4,512                       2,425                       2,351                  
Stockholders’ equity
    48,977                       44,421                       41,048                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 696,521                     $ 555,399                     $ 424,174                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Net interest income and net interest spread
          $ 21,268       3.03 %           $ 17,478       3.02 %           $ 13,332       2.82 %
 
           
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
 
Net interest margin
                    3.25 %                     3.34 %                     3.36 %
 
                   
 
                     
 
                     
 
 
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
    109.60 %                     110.45 %                     111.83 %                
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 

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RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

     The following table analyzes the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period’s rate), (ii) changes attributable to rate (changes in rate multiplied by the prior period’s volume), and (iii) net change (the sum of the previous columns). The change attributable to both rate and volume (changes in rate multiplied by changes in volume) has been allocated equally to both the changes attributable to volume and the changes attributable to rate.

                                                 
    Year Ended   Year Ended
    December 31, 2003 vs. 2002
  December 31, 2002 vs. 2001
    Increase (Decrease) Due to
  Increase (Decrease) Due to
    Volume
  Rate
  Total
  Volume
  Rate
  Total
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
                                               
Loans
  $ 4,684     $ (2,895 )   $ 1,789     $ 5,679     $ (6,282 )   $ (603 )
Investment securities available for sale
    1,983       (862 )     1,121       2,825       (244 )     2,581  
Investment securities held to maturity
    1,194       (1,301 )     (107 )     442       (67 )     375  
Federal funds sold
    (34 )     (30 )     (64 )     (121 )     (317 )     (438 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest income
    7,827       (5,088 )     2,739       8,825       (6,910 )     1,915  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest expense:
                                               
Deposits:
                                               
NOW and money market
    416       (412 )     4       430       (1,223 )     (793 )
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    1,318       (1,567 )     (249 )     918       (2,164 )     (1,246 )
Other time deposits
    (264 )     (1,743 )     (2,007 )     777       (3,589 )     (2,812 )
Borrowings
    2,229       (1,029 )     1,200       2,837       (217 )     2,620  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    3,699       (4,751 )     (1,052 )     4,962       (7,193 )     (2,231 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income increase (decrease)
  $ 4,128     $ (337 )   $ 3,791     $ 3,863     $ 283     $ 4,146  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

     Net Income. Our net income for 2003 was $3.7 million, an increase of $449,000 from net income of $3.2 million earned in 2002. Net income per share was $.41 basic and $.40 diluted for the year ended December 31, 2003, up from $.37 basic and $.35 diluted for 2002. We have continued to experience strong growth, with total assets averaging $696.5 million during the current year as compared to $555.4 million in 2002, an increase of 25.4%. In absolute terms, our net interest income after provision for loan losses increased by $3.2 million and our non-interest income grew by $1.1 million to $5.0 million, exceeding the increase of $3.6 million in non-interest expenses. Primarily as a result of strong loan growth during 2003, the provision for loan losses increased $630,000 from 2002 levels to $2.3 million. While the interest rate environment was less volatile in 2003 than in recent prior years, we did experience an additional interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in June of 2003. While this historically low interest rate environment has hampered our asset yields, our growth in interest-earning assets combined with lower funding costs resulted in an increase of $3.8 million in net interest income. Our expense growth included the completion of a new banking office and corporate headquarters building, entering into a servicing agreement for our consumer finance loan portfolio, as well as personnel and other infrastructure costs associated with expansion of our business. While these expenses represent investments in building and refining our franchise for the future, their initial effect hampers earnings.

     Net Interest Income. During 2003, our net interest income increased by $3.8 million or 21.7% to $21.3 million. Our growth in interest income was the result of growth in our overall level of average earning assets. Average total interest-earning assets increased $132.1 million, or 25.2%, during 2003 as compared to 2002, while our average yield dropped by 86 basis points

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from 6.36% to 5.50%. The rates earned on a significant portion of our loans adjust immediately when index rates such as our prime rate changes. Conversely, most of our interest-bearing liabilities, including certificates of deposit and borrowings, have rates fixed until maturity. As a result, interest rate reductions such as the one imposed in June of 2003 generally result in an immediate drop in our interest income on loans, with a more delayed impact on interest expense because reductions in interest costs will only occur upon renewals of certificates of deposit or borrowings. Our average total interest-bearing liabilities increased by $124.1 million, or 26.2%, consistent with our increase in interest-earning assets. With rates sustained at lower levels, our average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 87 basis points from 3.34% to 2.47%, allowing our interest rate spread to remain relatively unchanged. For the year ended December 31, 2003, our net interest spread was 3.03% and our net interest margin was 3.25%. For the year ended December 31, 2002, our net interest spread was 3.02% and our net interest margin was 3.34%. In November of 2003 the company, through its non-bank subsidiary Southern Community Capital Trust II, issued 3,450,000 Trust Preferred Securities generating total proceeds of $34.5 million. The Securities pay distributions at an annual rate of 7.95% and mature on December 31, 2033. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures was to provide cash for the acquisition of The Community Bank, to increase our regulatory capital, and to support the growth and operations of our subsidiary bank. While this transaction has strengthened the company’s overall financial condition, its fixed rate coupon will initially hamper our margins given the current interest rate environment. The company has entered into a $20.0 million notional amount receive fixed, pay floating interest rate swap to manage the impact of this transaction on the company’s margin and consolidated asset/ liability position.

     Provision for Loan Losses. We recorded a $2.3 million provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2003, representing an increase of $630,000 from the $1.7 million provision we made for the year ended December 31, 2002. Provisions for loan losses are charged to income to bring our allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management based on the factors discussed under “Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses.” We have continued to increase the level of our allowance for loan losses as a result of the continued growth in our loan portfolio. Total loans receivable increased by $97.8 million during 2003, and by $61.7 million during 2002. In addition to loan growth affecting our provision for loan losses, net loan charge-offs, which totaled $1.4 million during 2003, an increase from $713,000 in 2002, also impacted the provision expense. On an annualized basis, our percentage of net loan charge-offs to average loans outstanding was .29% for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared with .18% for the year ended December 31, 2002. Our consumer finance lending accounted for $774,000 or 57.2% of net charge-offs during 2003, an increase of $368,000 from the prior year. Management decided the consumer finance business was no longer part of the company’s strategic direction, and during the fourth quarter of 2003 we ceased originating new consumer finance loans. It is expected that the residual consumer finance loan portfolio will payoff over a thirty-six month time frame and the company’s level of charge-offs as a percentage of loan outstandings will decline. Nonperforming loans totaled $769,000 or .15% of total loans at December 31, 2003, as compared with $1.8 million or .43% of total loans at December 31, 2002. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2003 of $7.3 million represents 1.40% of total loans and 946% of nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2002 of $6.3 million equaled 1.50% of total loans outstanding at that date.

     Non-Interest Income. For the year ended December 31, 2003, non-interest income increased $1.1 million or 26.9% to $5.0 million from $3.9 million for the prior year. This favorable increase resulted from factors that include an increase of $321,000, or 28.6% to $1.4 million, in service charges and fees on deposit accounts due to deposit growth and implementation of a new overdraft protection program during 2003. Income from investment brokerage fees increased by $614,000, or 184.4%, to $947,000. This increase was a result of a new investment product that was offered for a limited time. Fees on the origination of residential mortgage loans sold into the secondary market remained strong and increased slightly to $1.4 million. Fees generated from mortgage originations during 2002 and 2003 were strong as a result of the increased level of home mortgage refinancings due to the low interest rate environment. However, baring another decline in interest rates we anticipate a reduction in fee income from this line of business in the near term.

     Non-Interest Expense. We strive to maintain non-interest expenses at levels that we believe are appropriate given the nature of our operations and the investments in personnel and facilities that have been necessary to support our growth. From 1998 forward, we have consistently maintained our ratio of non-interest expenses to average total assets below 3%. For 2003 our ratio was 2.63%, down slightly from a ratio of 2.66% in 2002. Because of our continued strong growth we have seen increases in every major component of our non-interest expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2003, our non-interest expense increased $3.6 million, or 24.0%. Salary and employee benefits expense increased $1.8 million, or 23.8%, and reflects the addition of personnel associated with branch expansion, additions of personnel to expand and support our lines of business, and normal increases in salaries and employee benefits. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $537,000, or 21.4%, reflecting the expenses associated with our continued branch expansion, new corporate office and investments in technology to support our banking operations. Other non-interest expenses increased $1.2 million, or 25.9%, reflecting the increased volume of business activity, principally increases in lending and growth in deposit accounts. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2003 the bank ceased operation of its consumer finance subsidiary. Simultaneously, the bank entered into an agreement with the former

Page 23


 

president of that subsidiary to service these loans on the behalf of the bank. The fees paid to service these loans, combined with severance payments to the former employees and costs associated with the transaction, contributed to the increase in non-interest expense.

     Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 35.0 % for the year ending December 31, 2003 and 35.3% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

     Net Income. Our net income for 2002 was $3.2 million, an increase of $1.1 million from net income of $2.1 million earned in 2001. Net income per share was $.37 basic and $.35 diluted for the year ended December 31, 2002, up from $.24 basic and $.23 diluted for 2001. We have continued to experience strong growth, with total assets averaging $555.4 million during the current year as compared to $424.2 million in 2001, an increase of 30.9%. Our percentage growth in net interest income after provision for loan losses of 43.7% exceeded our rate of asset growth, outpacing our 32.4% increase in non-interest expenses, which approximated our rate of asset growth. In absolute terms, our net interest income after provision for loan losses increased by $4.8 million and our non-interest income grew by $525,000, well exceeding the increase of $3.6 million in non-interest expenses. Largely as a result of a lower level of net loan charge-offs in 2002, our provision for loan losses for the year of $1.7 million was $665,000 lower than the provision of $2.3 million made for 2001. Interest rates, which declined dramatically during 2001, were more stable at lower levels during 2002. This interest rate environment, combined with our growth in interest-earning assets, yielded an increase of $4.2 million in net interest income. Our expense growth included a full year of costs for the two new branches opened in 2001 and a partial year’s costs for the new branch opened in 2002, as well as personnel costs associated with expansion of our business. These expenses represent investments in building our franchise, but their initial effect is to dampen earnings.

     Net Interest Income. During 2002, our net interest income increased by $4.2 million or 31.1% to $17.5 million. Our growth in interest income was the result of growth in our overall level of average earning assets. The rates earned on a significant portion of our loans adjust immediately when index rates such as our prime rate change. Conversely, most of our interest-bearing liabilities, including certificates of deposit and borrowings, have rates fixed until maturity. As a result, interest rate reductions will generally result in an immediate drop in our interest income on loans, with a more delayed impact on interest expense because reductions in interest costs will only occur upon renewals of certificates of deposit or borrowings. This affected our net interest income dramatically in 2001. In 2002, however, interest rates were relatively stable at lower levels throughout the year. As a result, the sustained lower rates affected our funding costs more than it did our asset yields, resulting in a 20 basis point increase in our interest rate spread with a decline of only 2 basis points in our net interest margin. Average total interest-earning assets increased $126.3 million, or 31.8%, during 2002 as compared to 2001, while our average yield dropped by 154 basis points from 7.90% to 6.36%. Our average total interest-bearing liabilities increased by $118.8 million, or 33.5%, consistent with our increase in interest-earning assets. With rates sustained at lower levels, our average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 174 basis points from 5.08% to 3.34%, resulting in the 20 basis point increase in our interest rate spread described above. For the year ended December 31, 2002, our net interest spread was 3.02% and our net interest margin was 3.34%. For the year ended December 31, 2001, our net interest spread was 2.82% and our net interest margin was 3.36%.

     Provision for Loan Losses. We recorded a $1.7 million provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2002, representing a decrease of $665,000 from the $2.3 million provision we made for the year ended December 31, 2001. Provisions for loan losses are charged to income to bring our allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management based on the factors discussed under “Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses.” We have continued to increase the level of our allowance for loan losses principally as a result of the continued growth in our loan portfolio. Total loans receivable increased by $61.7 million during 2002, and by $78.1 million during 2001. Our reduced provision for loan losses for the current year was made largely in response the lower total of loan growth and to a decrease in net loan charge-offs, which totaled $713,000 during 2002, down from $1.2 million 2001. On an annualized basis, our percentage of net loan charge-offs to average loans outstanding was .18% for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared with .38% for the year ended December 31, 2001. Southeastern Acceptance Corporation, as a stand-alone entity, experienced loan charge-offs of $406,000 in 2002, an increase of $116,000 from $290,000 in 2001 and represented 3.7% and 4.1% of average loans, respectively. Nonperforming loans totaled $1.8 million or .43% of total loans at December 31, 2002, as compared with $894,000 or .25% of total loans at December 31, 2001. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2002 of $6.3 million represents 1.50% of total loans and 348% of nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2001 of $5.4 million equaled 1.50% of total loans outstanding at that date.

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     Non-Interest Income. For the year ended December 31, 2002, non-interest income increased $525,000 or 15.4% to $3.9 million from $3.4 million for the prior year. This favorable increase resulted from factors that include an increase of $242,000, or 27.5% to $1.1 million, in service charges and fees on deposit accounts as a result of deposit growth and an increase of $301,000, or 29.8% to $1.3 million, in income from the origination of residential mortgage loans sold into the secondary market. We also generated an increase of $140,000 in investment brokerage fees and gains of $70,000 from sales of investment securities available for sale. In aggregate, the increased level of core non-interest income more than offset the effects of nonrecurring income of $383,000 realized in 2001 from an interest rate floor contract.

     Non-Interest Expense. We strive to maintain non-interest expenses at levels that we believe are appropriate given the nature of our operations and the investments in personnel and facilities that have been necessary to support our growth. From 1998 forward, we have consistently maintained our ratio of non-interest expenses to average total assets below 3%. For 2002 our ratio was 2.66%, up slightly from a ratio of 2.63% in 2001. Because of our continued strong growth we have continued to see increases in every major component of our non-interest expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2002, our non-interest expense increased $3.6 million, or 32.4%. Salary and employee benefit expense increased $2.2 million, or 40.8%, and reflects the addition of personnel associated with branch expansion, additions of personnel to expand our lines of business, and normal increases in salaries and employee benefits. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $441,000, or 21.3%, reflecting the expenses associated with our continued branch expansion and investments in technology to support our banking operations. Other non-interest expenses increased $930,000, or 25.9%, reflecting the increased volume of business activity, principally increases in lending and growth in deposit accounts.

     Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 35.3% for each of the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.

LIQUIDITY

     Market and public confidence in our financial strength and in the strength of financial institutions in general will largely determine our access to appropriate levels of liquidity. This confidence is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital resources.

     The term “liquidity” refers to our ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our needs for funding loan originations, deposit withdrawals, maturities of borrowings and operating expenses. Management measures our liquidity position by giving consideration to both on- and off-balance sheet sources of, and demands for, funds on a daily and weekly basis.

     Sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents, net of federal requirements to maintain reserves against deposit liabilities, investment securities eligible for pledging to secure borrowings from correspondent banks pursuant to securities sold under repurchase agreements, investments available for sale, loan repayments, loan sales, deposits, and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank secured with pledged loans and securities, and from correspondent banks under overnight federal funds credit lines. In addition to interest rate-sensitive deposits, the company’s primary demand for liquidity is anticipated fundings under credit commitments to customers.

     Because of our continued growth and the availability of relatively low cost funding sources, we have maintained a high level of liquidity in the form of federal funds sold and investment securities. These aggregated $231.0 million at December 31, 2003, compared to $152.8 million and $88.1 million at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Supplementing customer deposits as a source of funding, we have available lines of credit from various correspondent banks to purchase federal funds on a short-term basis of approximately $27.0 million. We also have the ability to borrow up to $198.5 million, as of December 31, 2003, from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, with $96.5 million outstanding as of that date. At December 31, 2002 we had FHLB borrowings outstanding of $75.5 million. Funding costs have been low during 2003, and we have taken advantage of favorable interest rates offered by the FHLB to provide funding for increased investments. In the second quarter of 2003 the investment portfolio was increased due to planned growth in combination with the pre-investment of projected maturities for the remainder of the year. During the fourth quarter of 2003 we again purchased bonds for the investment portfolio to employ funds received from the issuance of Southern Community Capital Trust II in excess of those needed for The Community Bank acquisition, and to leverage that additional capital. We also had repurchase agreements with a total outstanding balance of $10.0 million at December 31, 2003. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within ninety days from the transaction date and are collateralized by U.S. Government Agency obligations. We have repurchase lines of credit aggregating $100 million from various institutions. The repurchases must be adequately collateralized. At December 31, 2003, our outstanding commitments to extend credit consisted of loan commitments of $55.8 million and amounts available under home equity credit lines, other credit lines and standby letters of

Page 25


 

credit of $48.6 million, $42.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively. We believe that our combined aggregate liquidity position from all sources is sufficient to meet the funding requirements of loan demand and deposit maturities and withdrawals in the near term.

     Throughout our seven-year history, our loan demand has exceeded our growth in core deposits. We have therefore relied heavily on certificates of deposits as a source of funds. While the majority of these funds are from our local market area, the bank has utilized brokered and out-of-market certificates of deposits to diversify and supplement our deposit base. Certificates of deposits represented 59.9% of our total deposits at December 31, 2003, reduced from 64.9% at December 31, 2002. Brokered and out-of-market deposits totaled $159.2 million at year-end 2003 and $115.7 million at year-end 2002, which comprised 27.7% and 25.8% of total deposits, respectively. Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, inclusive of brokered and out-of-market certificates, represented 31.7% of our total deposits at December 31, 2003 and 29.3% at December 31, 2002. A portion of these deposits are controlled by members of our Board of Directors and Advisory Board members, or otherwise come from customers considered to have long-standing relationships with our management. Based upon the nature of these relationships, management does not believe we are subject to significant liquidity risk related to these deposits. Large certificates of deposits are generally considered rate sensitive. While we will need to pay competitive rates to retain these deposits at their maturities, there are other subjective factors that will determine their continued retention.

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

     In the normal course of business there are various outstanding contractual obligations of the company that will require future cash outflows. In addition, there are commitments and contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit, that may or may not require future cash outflows. The following table reflects contractual obligations of the company outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

                                         
    Payments Due by Period
            On Demand                    
            Or Within                   After
Contractual Obligations
  Total
  1 Year
  2-3 Years
  4-5 Years
  5 Years
                    (In thousands)                
Short-term borrowings
  $ 51,900     $ 51,900     $     $     $  
Long-term debt
    65,975             5,000       15,250       45,725  
Trust preferred securities
    51,652                         51,652  
Operating leases
    1,951       352       594       439       566  
Funding obligations
    464       464                    
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations excluding deposits
    171,942       52,716       5,594       15,689       97,943  
Deposits
    575,218       495,329       41,794       32,795       5,300  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 747,160     $ 548,045     $ 47,388     $ 48,484     $ 103,243  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     During 2004, the Company anticipates terminating its current relationship with our third party service provider for item processing. The anticipated cost to exit this contract is expected to be no more than $400,000.

     The following table reflects other commitments of the company outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
    Total                        
    Amounts   Within                   After
Other Commitments
  Committed
  1 Year
  2-3 Years
  4-5 Years
  5 Years
    (In thousands)
Undisbursed portion of home equity credit lines collateralized primarily by junior liens on 1-4 family properties
  $ 48,563     $     $     $     $ 48,563  
Other commitments and credit lines
    68,550       58,549       1,539       4,703       3,759  
Undisbursed portion of construction loans
    33,508       16,021       11,470       3,213       2,804  
Fixed rate mortgage loan commitments
    184       4                   180  
Adjustable rate mortgage loan commitments
    358       299             12       47  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total other commitments
  $ 151,163     $ 74,873     $ 13,009     $ 7,928     $ 55,353  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

     Information about the company’s off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As part of its ongoing business, the company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as special purpose entities (SPEs), which generally are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, 2003, the company is not involved in any unconsolidated SPE transactions.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2003 was $50.9 million. At that date, our capital to asset ratio was 6.4%, and all of our capital ratios exceeded the minimums established for a well-capitalized bank holding company by regulatory measures. Our Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio at December 31, 2003 was 10.85%.

     The bank and the company are subject to minimum capital requirements. See “SUPERVISION AND REGULATION.” As the following table indicates, at December 31, 2003, the company exceeded its regulatory capital requirements.

                         
    At December 31, 2003
    Actual   Minimum   Well-Capitalized
    Ratio
  Requirement
  Requirement
Total risk-based capital ratio
    17.74 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
    10.85 %     4.00 %     6.00 %
Leverage ratio
    8.63 %     4.00 %     5.00 %

     The trust preferred securities presently qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital and are reported in Federal Reserve regulatory reports as a minority interest in our consolidated subsidiaries. The junior subordinated debentures do not qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital. On July 2, 2003, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve issued a letter, SR 03-13, stating that notwithstanding FIN 46, trust preferred securities will continue to be included in Tier 1 capital until notice is given to the contrary. There can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve will continue to allow institutions to include trust preferred securities in Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. In the event of a disallowance, there would be a reduction in the company’s consolidated capital ratios. However, the company believes that the bank would remain “well capitalized” under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.

     As of December 31, 2003 the company had formed two subsidiaries for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities.

     In November of 2003, Southern Community Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 3,450,000 Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust II Securities”), generating total proceeds of $34.5 million. The Trust II Securities pay distributions at an annual rate of 7.95% and mature on December 31, 2033. The Trust II Securities began paying quarterly distributions on December 31, 2003. The company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust II. The Trust II Securities are redeemable in whole or in part at any time after December 31, 2008. The proceeds from the Trust II Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust II Securities. We have the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding five years, provided that no deferral period extend beyond the stated maturities of the debentures. Such deferral of interest payments by the company will result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related Trust II Securities. Should we defer the payment of interest on the debentures, the company will be precluded from the payment of cash dividends to shareholders. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures was to provide cash for the acquisition of The Community Bank, to increase our regulatory capital, and to support the growth and operations of our subsidiary banks. The amount of proceeds we count as Tier 1capital cannot comprise more than 25% of our core capital elements. Amounts in excess of that 25% limitation count as Tier 2 supplementary capital on our books. Prior to the closing of the acquisition of The Community Bank on January 12, 2004, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualified as Tier 2 supplementary capital. Prior to the redemption of the Trust I Securities, approximately $20 million of the proceeds of the Trust II Securities counted as Tier 1 capital on our books. After the redemption of the Trust I Securities on March 12, 2004, subject to certain limitations, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes.

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     In February of 2002, Southern Community Capital Trust I (“Trust I”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 1,725,000 Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust I Securities”), generating total proceeds of $17.3 million. At December 31, 2003, holders of the Trust I Securities had voluntarily converted $175,000 of the Trust I Securities into 21,187 shares of our common stock at the Conversion Price of $8.26 per share of our common stock. On January 14, 2004, we announced the redemption of all of the Trust I Securities. We redeemed the Trust I Securities under a provision that permitted us to redeem the Trust I Securities in whole at any time prior to March 31, 2007 once the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the Conversion Price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the date that we gave notice of redemption. The Trust I Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004 which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of our common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. The Trust I Securities paid distributions at an annual rate of 7.25%. The Trust I Securities began paying quarterly distributions on March 31, 2002. The company had fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust I. The proceeds from the Trust I Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust I Securities. Subject to certain limitations, the Trust I Securities qualified as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the convertible debentures was to infuse capital into our bank subsidiary, Southern Community Bank and Trust, to fund its operations and continued expansion, and to maintain the company’s and the bank’s status as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

     On July 30, 2003, the company and The Community Bank jointly announced the execution of a definitive agreement in which Southern Community Financial Corporation would acquire The Community Bank in a fixed exchange of cash and stock. The Community Bank, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina operates 10 community banking offices throughout Surry, Rockingham, Stokes, Iredell and Yadkin counties, North Carolina. On December 11, 2003, shareholders approved the transaction allowing Southern Community Financial Corporation to acquire The Community Bank. On January 12, 2004, the acquisition was completed. For each share of stock owned, The Community Bank shareholders received $53.05 in cash, 4.8714 shares of newly issued Southern Community common stock or a combination of both, subject to an overall allocation of approximately 6.4 million shares of common stock and $15.2 million in cash.

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

     Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income. Like most financial institutions, our interest income and cost of funds are affected by general economic conditions and by competition in the market place. The purpose of asset/liability management is to provide stable net interest income growth by protecting earnings from undue interest rate risk, which arises from volatile interest rates and changes in the balance sheet mix, and by managing the risk/return relationships between liquidity, interest rate risk, market risk and capital adequacy. We adhere to a Board-approved asset/liability management policy that provides guidelines for controlling, monitoring, and reporting exposure to interest rate risk. Our policy is to manage the company’s net interest income exposure by measuring the impact of changing interest rate environments and adjusting the mix of assets and liabilities to provide an acceptable return within established risk limits. Net interest income simulation and gap reports in conjunction with other tools are utilized to measure and monitor interest rate risk.

     When suitable lending opportunities are not sufficient to utilize available funds, we have generally invested such funds in securities, primarily securities issued by governmental agencies and mortgage-backed securities. The securities portfolio contributes to profitability and plays an important part in our overall interest rate risk management. However, management of the securities portfolio alone cannot balance overall interest rate risk. The securities portfolio must be used in combination with other asset/liability techniques to actively manage the balance sheet. The primary objectives in the overall management of the securities portfolio are safety, liquidity, yield, asset/liability management (interest rate risk), and investing in securities that can be pledged for public deposits or for borrowings.

     In reviewing the needs of our bank with regard to proper management of its asset/liability program, we estimate future needs, taking into consideration investment portfolio purchases, calls and maturities in addition to estimated loan and deposit increases (due to increased demand through marketing) and forecasted interest rate changes. We use a number of measures to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including income simulations and gap analyses. An income simulation model is the primary tool used to assess the direction and magnitude of changes in net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates. Key assumptions in the model include prepayment speeds on mortgage-related assets, cash flows and maturities of other investment securities, loan and deposit volumes and pricing. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors. Based on the results of the income simulation model as of October 31, 2003, we would expect an increase in net interest income of $391,000 if interest rates increase from

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current rates by 200 basis points over the next twelve months, and a decrease in net interest income of $872,000 if interest rates decrease from current rates by 100 basis points over the next twelve months.

     The analysis of interest rate gap (the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities re-pricing or maturing during a given period of time) is another standard tool we use to measure exposure to interest rate risk. We believe that because interest rate gap analysis does not address all factors that can affect earnings performance, it should be used in conjunction with other methods of evaluating interest rate risk.

     Our balance sheet was asset-sensitive at December 31, 2003 in the three-month horizon and liability-sensitive in the one-year period. An asset-sensitive position means that there are more assets than liabilities subject to repricing in that period as market rates change, and conversely with a liability-sensitive position. As a result, in a falling rate environment, our earnings position could deteriorate initially followed by improvement, with the opposite expectation in a rising rate environment, depending on the correlation of rate changes in these categories.

     The following table presents information about the periods in which the interest-sensitive assets and liabilities at December 31, 2003 will either mature or be subject to repricing in accordance with market rates, and the resulting interest-sensitivity gaps. This table shows the sensitivity of the balance sheet at one point in time and is not necessarily indicative of what the sensitivity will be on other dates. Included in interest-bearing liabilities subject to rate changes within 90 days is 100% of the money market and NOW deposits. These types of deposits historically have not repriced coincidentally with or in the same proportion as general market indicators. As simplifying assumptions concerning repricing behavior, all money market and NOW deposits are assumed to reprice immediately and fixed rate loans and mortgage-backed securities are assumed to reprice at their contractual maturity.

                                         
    At December 31, 2003
            Over 3   Total        
    3 Months   Months to   Within   Over 12    
    or Less
  12 Months
  12 Months
  Months
  Total
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets
Loans and loans held for sale
  $ 230,908     $ 34,749     $ 265,657     $ 254,089     $ 519,746  
Investment securities available for sale
    1,000       1,000       2,000       166,500       168,500  
Investment securities held to maturity
    15             15       62,242       62,257  
Federal funds sold
    271             271             271  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest-earning assets
  $ 232,194     $ 35,749     $ 267,943     $ 482,831     $ 750,774  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                       
Deposits:
                                       
Money market and NOW deposits
  $ 179,076     $     $ 179,076     $     $ 179,076  
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    36,414       84,388       120,802       61,367       182,169  
Other time deposits
    52,367       91,509       143,876       18,229       162,105  
Borrowings
    69,052             69,052       100,475       169,527  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 336,909     $ 175,897     $ 512,806     $ 180,071     $ 692,877  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest sensitivity gap per period
  $ (104,715 )   $ (140,148 )   $ (244,863 )   $ 302,760     $ 57,897  
Cumulative gap
  $ (104,715 )   $ (244,863 )   $ (244,863 )   $ 57,897     $ 57,897  
Cumulative ratio of interest-sensitive assets to interest-sensitive liabilities
    68.92 %     52.25 %     52.25 %     108.36 %     108.36 %

Page 30


 

MARKET RISK

     Market risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from adverse changes in market price and interest rates. This risk of loss can be reflected in diminished current market values and/or reduced potential net interest income in future periods. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending and deposit-taking activities. The structure of our loan and deposit portfolios is such that a significant decline in interest rates may adversely impact net market values and net interest income. We do not maintain a trading account nor are we subject to currency exchange risk or commodity price risk. Interest rate risk is monitored as part of the bank’s asset/liability management function, which is discussed in “Asset/Liability Management” above. The following table presents information about the contractual maturities, average interest rates and estimated fair values of our financial instruments that are considered market risk sensitive at December 31, 2003.

                                                                         
    Expected Maturities of Market Sensitive Instruments Held        
    at December 31, 2003 Occurring in the Indicated Year
       
                                                            Average    
                                            Beyond           Interest   Estimated
    2004
  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
  Five Years
  Total
  Rate
  Fair Value
    (Dollars in thousands)
FINANCIAL ASSETS
                                                                       
Federal funds sold
  $ 271     $     $     $     $     $     $ 271       0.89 %   $ 271  
Investment securities(1)(2)
    2,015       4,034             5,970       9,000       208,887       229,906       4.13 %     229,544  
Loans(3):
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    56,581       29,545       20,522       69,585       48,045       86,392       310,670       6.61 %     311,491  
Variable rate
    209,076                                     209,076       4.42 %     209,350  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
 
Total
  $ 267,943     $ 33,579     $ 20,522     $ 75,555     $ 57,045     $ 295,279     $ 749,923       5.24 %   $ 750,656  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
 
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
                                                                       
Money market and NOW deposits
  $ 179,076     $     $     $     $     $     $ 179,076       1.12 %   $ 179,076  
Time deposits
    264,678       24,141       17,653       18,541       14,254       5,007       344,274       2.44 %     344,941  
Preferred securities
    17,152                               34,500       51,652       7.72 %     60,311  
Borrowings
    51,900       5,000             10,000       5,250       45,725       117,875       2.31 %     116,641  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
 
Total
  $ 512,806     $ 29,141     $ 17,653     $ 28,541     $ 19,504     $ 85,232     $ 692,877       2.47 %   $ 700,969  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
 

(1)   Tax-exempt securities are reflected at a tax-equivalent basis using a 34% tax rate.

(2)   Callable securities and borrowings with favorable market rates at December 31, 2003 are assumed to mature at their call dates for purposes of this table.

(3)   Includes nonaccrual loans but not the allowance the loan losses.

Page 31


 

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain of our consolidated quarterly financial information. This information is derived from our unaudited financial statements, which include, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. This information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

                                                                 
    Year Ended December 31, 2003
  Year Ended December 31, 2002
    Fourth   Third   Second   First   Fourth   Third   Second   First
    Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
  Quarter
    (In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
  $ 9,150     $ 9,338     $ 8,801     $ 8,917     $ 8,917     $ 8,656     $ 8,165     $ 7,543  
Interest expense
    3,945       3,657       3,625       3,524       3,880       3,954       4,028       3,941  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    5,565       5,681       5,176       4,846       5,037       4,702       4,137       3,602  
Provision for loan losses
    595       465       685       540       475       400       420       360  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    4,970       5,216       4,491       4,306       4,562       4,302       3,717       3,242  
Non-interest income
    1,134       1,257       1,424       1,170       1,274       1,008       883       762  
Non-interest expense
    4,818       4,892       4,604       4,019       4,192       3,871       3,572       3,146  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    1,286       1,581       1,311       1,457       1,644       1,439       1,028       858  
Income taxes
    450       533       459       510       594       503       354       304  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 836     $ 1,028     $ 852     $ 947     $ 1,050     $ 936     $ 674     $ 554  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Per share data(1):
                                                               
Net income:
                                                               
Basic
  $ .09     $ .12     $ .10     $ .11     $ .12     $ .11     $ .08     $ .06  
Diluted
    .09       .11       .09       .10       .12       .10       .07       .06  
Common stock price:
                                                               
High
  $ 11.17     $ 10.46     $ 9.95     $ 8.08     $ 7.36     $ 7.10     $ 7.62     $ 9.76  
Low
    9.91       8.88       7.57       6.30       6.10       5.48       6.24       5.82  

(1)   Per share data has been adjusted to reflect the dilutive effect of a 5% stock dividend in 2002.

Page 32


 

Lending Activities

     General. We provide to our customers residential, commercial and construction loans secured by real estate, as well as a full range of short- to medium-term commercial and industrial, Small Business Administration guaranteed and personal loans, both secured and unsecured. We have implemented loan policies and procedures that establish the basic guidelines governing our lending operations. Generally, those guidelines address the types of loans that we seek, our target markets, underwriting and collateral requirements, terms, interest rate and yield considerations and compliance with laws and regulations. All loans or credit lines are subject to approval procedures and amount limitations. These limitations apply to the borrower’s total outstanding indebtedness to us, including the indebtedness of any guarantor. The policies are reviewed and approved at least annually by our Board of Directors. We supplement our supervision of the loan underwriting and approval process with periodic loan audits by internal loan examiners and outside professionals experienced in loan review work. We have focused our lending activities on the types of loans that we believe will be most in demand by our target customers, as presented in the loan portfolio composition tables below:

                                                 
    At December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
            Percent           Percent           Percent
    Amount
  of Total
  Amount
  of Total
  Amount
  of Total
                    (Dollars in thousands)                
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 150,312       28.9 %   $ 118,572       28.1 %   $ 105,357       29.2 %
Commercial mortgage loans
    186,758       35.9 %     137,812       32.7 %     89,354       24.8 %
Construction loans
    71,908       13.8 %     64,500       15.3 %     61,558       17.1 %
Commercial and industrial loans
    87,127       16.8 %     71,948       17.0 %     77,820       21.6 %
Loans to individuals
    23,641       4.6 %     29,106       6.9 %     26,199       7.3 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Subtotal
    519,746       100.0 %     421,938       100.0 %     360,288       100.0 %
 
           
 
             
 
             
 
 
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (7,275 )             (6,342 )             (5,400 )        
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
Net loans
  $ 512,471             $ 415,596             $ 354,888          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
                                 
    At December 31,
    2000
  1999
            Percent           Percent
    Amount
  of Total
  Amount
  of Total
    (Dollars in thousands)
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 84,280       29.9 %   $ 65,399       32.6 %
Commercial mortgage loans
    59,410       21.0 %     38,293       19.1 %
Construction loans
    52,800       18.7 %     32,427       16.2 %
Commercial and industrial loans
    60,280       21.4 %     44,563       22.3 %
Loans to individuals
    25,391       9.0 %     19,630       9.8 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Subtotal
    282,161       100.0 %     200,312       100.0 %
 
           
 
             
 
 
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (4,283 )             (3,013 )        
 
   
 
             
 
         
Net loans
  $ 277,878             $ 197,299          
 
   
 
             
 
         

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     The following table presents at December 31, 2003 (i) the aggregate maturities of loans in the named categories of our loan portfolio and (ii) the aggregate amounts of such loans, by variable and fixed rates, that mature after one year:

                                                                 
    At December 31, 2003
    Due within   Due after one year   Due after    
    one year
  but within five years
  five years
  Total
    Amount
  Yield
  Amount
  Yield
  Amount
  Yield
  Amount
  Yield
    (Dollars in thousands)
Loans:
                                                               
Residential mortgage
  $ 88,419       4.45 %   $ 35,554       6.43 %   $ 26,221       5.72 %   $ 150,194       5.14 %
Commercial mortgage
    55,081       4.62 %     79,553       5.84 %     52,105       5.70 %     186,739       5.44 %
Construction
    56,157       4.78 %     14,945       4.26 %     806       5.78 %     71,908       4.68 %
Commercial and industrial
    57,822       4.51 %     21,978       5.01 %     6,990       4.54 %     86,790       4.64 %
Individuals
    8,012       6.80 %     15,087       14.30 %     247       6.19 %     23,346       11.61 %
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         
Total
    265,349       4.63 %     167,259       6.49 %     86,369       5.61 %     518,977       5.39 %
Nonaccrual loans
    308               438               23               769          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         
Loans, gross
  $ 265,657             $ 167,697             $ 86,392             $ 519,746          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         

     The above table is based on contractual scheduled maturities. Early repayment of loans or renewals at maturity are not considered in this table.

     Real Estate Loans. Real estate loans represent our greatest concentration of loans, and are divided into three categories: residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, and construction loans. We make real estate loans for purchasing, constructing and refinancing one to four family residential, five or more family residential and commercial properties. We also make loans secured by real estate to commercial and individual borrowers who use the loan proceeds for other purposes. Our real estate loans totaled $409.0 million at December 31, 2003, representing 78.6% of our total loans outstanding. Our loan policy requires appraisal prior to funding a real estate loan and also outlines the requirements for appraisals on renewals.

     We pursue an aggressive policy of evaluation and monitoring on any real estate loan that becomes troubled, including reappraisal when appropriate. We recognize and reserve for potential exposures as soon as we identify them. However, the pace of absorption of real properties is affected both by each property’s individual nature and characteristics, the status of the real estate market at the time, general economic conditions and other factors that could adversely affect our volume of non-performing real estate loans and our ability to dispose of foreclosed properties without loss.

     Residential Mortgage Loans. We provide our customers access to long-term conventional real estate loans through the origination of Federal National Mortgage Association–conforming loans. Many of the fixed-rate one to four family owner occupied residential mortgage loans that we originated are for sale in the secondary market and have been pre-sold for the account of third parties. Residential mortgage loans held for sale totaled $1.1 million at December 31, 2003. We receive income from residential mortgage loans originated for sale in the secondary market, with such fees aggregating $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 and $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. We anticipate that we will continue to be an active originator of residential loans for sale to third parties.

     Residential loans are generated through our in-house staff as well as the bank’s existing customer base, referrals from real estate agents and builders, and local marketing efforts. Our lending efforts include the origination of loans secured by first mortgages on one to four family residences and on home equity credit lines. Our residential mortgage loans totaled $150.3 million at December 31, 2003, and included $67.1 million in one-to-four family permanent mortgage loans, $66.1 million in outstanding advances under home equity credit lines, and $17.1 million of other loans secured by residential real estate. Of our residential mortgage loans, 54% have variable rates of interest while 46% have fixed interest rates. Substantially all of our residential mortgage loans are secured by properties located within our market area, although we will make loans secured by properties outside our market area to qualifying existing customers. We believe that the amount of risk associated with this group of loans is mitigated in part due to the type of loans involved. Historically, the amount of losses suffered on this type of loan has been significantly less than those loans collateralized by other types of properties.

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     Our one to four family residential loans generally have maturities ranging from 1 to 30 years. These loans are either fully amortizing with monthly payments sufficient to repay the total amount of the loan or amortizing with a balloon feature, typically due in fifteen years or less. We review information concerning the income, financial condition, employment history and credit history when evaluating the creditworthiness of an applicant for a residential mortgage loan.

     Commercial Mortgage Loans. Our commercial mortgage loans totaled $186.8 million at December 31, 2003. These loans are secured principally by commercial buildings for office, retail, manufacturing, storage and warehouse properties. Generally in underwriting commercial mortgage loans, we require the personal guaranty of borrowers and a demonstrated cash flow capability sufficient to service the debt. Loans secured by commercial real estate may be in greater amount and involve a greater degree of risk than one to four family residential mortgage loans, and payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties and the underlying businesses. We make commercial mortgage loans at both fixed and variable rates for terms generally up to 15 years. Of our commercial mortgage loans, 23% have variable rates of interest while 77% have fixed interest rates, including those loans, which contractually have floating rate terms but have hit a rate floor temporally fixing the interest rate.

     Construction Loans. We originate one to four family residential construction loans for the construction of custom homes (where the home buyer is the borrower), and we provide construction financing to builders. We have a staff of lending professionals and assistants who service only our construction loan portfolio. We generally receive a pre-arranged permanent financing commitment from an outside banking entity prior to financing the construction of pre-sold homes. We lend to builders who have demonstrated a favorable record of performance and profitable operations and who are building in our market area. We also make commercial real estate construction loans, as noted in the preceding paragraph. We endeavor to limit our construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Also, we generally require documentation of all draw requests and utilize loan officers to inspect the project prior to paying any draw requests from the builder. With few exceptions, the bank requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on construction loans. Construction loans aggregated $71.9 million at December 31, 2003.

     Commercial Loans. Commercial business lending is a primary focus of our lending activities. At December 31, 2003, our commercial loan portfolio equaled $87.1 million or 16.8% of total loans. Commercial loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, and other business purposes. Short-term working capital loans generally are secured by accounts receivable, inventory and/or equipment. The bank also makes term commercial loans secured by equipment and real estate. Lending decisions are based on an evaluation of the financial strength, management and credit history of the borrower, and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. With few exceptions, the bank requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment.

     Commercial loans generally provide greater yields and re-price more frequently than other types of loans, such as real estate loans. More frequent re-pricing means that yields on our commercial loans adjust with changes in interest rates.

     Loans to Individuals. Loans to individuals include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and miscellaneous secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans generally can carry significantly greater risks than other loans, even if secured, if the collateral consists of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment. Repossessed collateral securing a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan. We attempt to manage the risks inherent in consumer lending by following established credit guidelines and underwriting practices designed to minimize risk of loss.

     Loan Approvals. Our loan policies and procedures establish the basic guidelines governing our lending operations. Generally, the guidelines address the type of loans that we seek, our target markets, underwriting and collateral requirements, terms, interest rate and yield considerations and compliance with laws and regulations. All loans or credit lines are subject to approval procedures and amount limitations. These limitations apply to the borrower’s total outstanding indebtedness to us, including the indebtedness of any guarantor. The policies are reviewed and approved at least annually. We supplement our supervision of the loan underwriting and approval process with periodic loan audits by independent, outside professionals experienced in loan review work.

     Individual lending authorities are established by the Board of Directors as periodically requested by Management. All individual lending authorities are reviewed and approved at least annually by the Board of Directors.

     The Board Loan Committee consists of the CEO, President, Managing EVP of Commercial Lending, SVP in charge of Credit Administration, and four outside Directors as appointed by the Board of Directors. This Committee meets on a monthly

Page 35


 

basis to review for approval all loan requests in excess of $3.5 million. As of December 31, 2003, the legal lending limit for the bank was approximately $9.7 million.

ASSET QUALITY

     We consider asset quality to be of primary importance. We employ a formal internal loan review process to ensure adherence to the Lending Policy as approved by the Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of each lending officer to assign an appropriate risk grade to every loan originated. Credit Administration, through the loan review process, validates the accuracy of the initial risk grade assessment. In addition, as a given loan’s credit quality improves or deteriorates, it is Credit Administration’s responsibility to change the borrowers risk grade accordingly. The function of determining the allowance for loan losses is fundamentally driven by the risk grade system. As part of the loan review function, we use a third party professional to review the underwriting documentation and risk grading analysis. In determining the allowance for loan losses and any resulting provision to be charged against earnings, particular emphasis is placed on the results of the loan review process. We also give consideration to historical loan loss experience, the value and adequacy of collateral, economic conditions in our market area and other factors. For loans determined to be impaired, the allowance is based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the appropriate level of reserve to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

     Our policy in regard to past due loans normally requires a prompt charge-off to the allowance for loan losses following timely collection efforts and a thorough review. Further efforts are then pursued through various means available. Loans carried in a non-accrual status are generally collateralized and probable losses are considered in the determination of the allowance for loan losses.

Nonperforming Assets

     The table sets forth, for the period indicated, information about our nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, total nonperforming loans (nonaccrual loans plus restructured loans), and total nonperforming assets.

                                         
    At December 31,
               
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
            (Dollars in thousands)        
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 769     $ 1,823     $ 894     $ 276     $  
Restructured loans
                             
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total nonperforming loans
    769       1,823       894       276        
Foreclosed assets
    272       383       347       4        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 1,041     $ 2,206     $ 1,241     $ 280     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
  $     $     $     $ 15     $ 7  
Allowance for loan losses
    7,275       6,342       5,400       4,283       3,013  
Nonperforming loans to period end loans
    0.15 %     .43 %     .25 %     .10 %     .00 %
Allowance for loan losses to period end loans
    1.40 %     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.52 %     1.50 %
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    946 %     348 %     604 %     1,552 %   NM
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    0.13 %     .36 %     .26 %     .07 %     .00 %

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     Our financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, including the recognition of interest income on loans, unless we place a loan on nonaccrual basis. We account for loans on a nonaccrual basis when we have serious doubts about the collectibility of principal or interest. Generally, our policy is to place a loan on nonaccrual status when the loan becomes past due 90 days. We also place loans on nonaccrual status in cases where we are uncertain whether the borrower can satisfy the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Amounts received on nonaccrual loans generally are applied first to principal and then to interest only after all principal has been collected. Restructured loans are those for which concessions, including the reduction of interest rates below a rate otherwise available to that borrower or the deferral of interest or principal, have been granted due to the borrower’s weakened financial condition. We record interest on restructured loans at the restructured rates, as collected, when we anticipate that no loss of original principal will occur. Potential problem loans are loans which are currently performing and are not included in nonaccrual or restructured loans above, but about which we have serious doubts as to the borrower’s ability to comply with present repayment terms. These loans are likely to be included later in nonaccrual, past due or restructured loans, therefore they are considered by our management in assessing the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2003, we had identified $4.7 million of potential problem loans.

     At December 31, 2003, we had $769,000 of nonaccrual loans. At that time, the largest nonaccrual balance to any one borrower was $290,000, with the average balance for the 62 nonaccrual loans being $12,400. Interest on nonaccrual loans foregone was approximately $130,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, $110,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002 and $60,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001.

     Real estate owned consists of foreclosed assets, repossessed and idled properties. At December 31, 2003 real estate owned totaled $267,000 or .03% of total assets, and consisted of one commercial and one residential property. We have reviewed recent appraisals of these properties and believe that the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, exceed their carrying value.

Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses

     Our allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. We increase our allowance for loan losses by provisions charged to operations and by recoveries of amounts previously charged off, and we reduce our allowance by loans charged off. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance at least quarterly. In addition, on a quarterly basis our Board of Directors reviews our loan portfolio, conducts an evaluation of our credit quality and reviews our computation of the loan loss provision, recommending changes as may be required. In evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, we consider the growth, composition and industry diversification of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, current delinquency levels, adverse situations that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions and other relevant factors deriving from our limited history of operations. Because we have a limited history of our own, we also consider the loss experience and allowance levels of other similar banks and the historical experience encountered by our management and senior lending officers prior to joining us. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to make adjustments for estimated losses based upon judgments different from those of our management.

     We use our risk grading program, as described under “ASSET QUALITY,” to facilitate our evaluation of probable inherent loan losses and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this program, risk grades are initially assigned by loan officers, reviewed by Credit Administration, and tested by our internal auditor and by an independent professional. The testing program includes an evaluation of a sample of new loans, large loans, loans that are identified as having potential credit weaknesses, loans past due 90 days or more, and nonaccrual loans. We strive to maintain our loan portfolio in accordance with conservative loan underwriting policies that result in loans specifically tailored to the needs of our market area. Every effort is made to identify and minimize the credit risks associated with such lending strategies. We have no foreign loans and we do not engage in lease financing or highly leveraged transactions.

     We follow a loan review program designed to evaluate the credit risk in our loan portfolio. Through this loan review process, we maintain an internally classified watch list that helps management assess the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In establishing the appropriate classification for specific assets, management considers, among other factors, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, the borrower’s ability to repay, the borrower’s payment history and the current status. As a result of this process, certain loans are categorized as substandard, doubtful or loss and reserves are allocated based on management’s judgment and historical experience.

     Loans classified as “substandard” are those loans with clear and defined weaknesses such as unfavorable financial ratios, uncertain repayment sources or poor financial condition that may jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some losses if the deficiencies are not corrected. A reserve of up to

Page 37


 

20% is generally allocated to each of these loans. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans but with an increased risk that collection or liquidation in full is highly questionable and improbable. A reserve of 50% is generally allocated to loans classified as doubtful. Loans classified as “loss” are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this asset even though partial recovery may be achieved in the future. As a practical matter, when loans are identified as loss they are charged off against the allowance for loan losses. In addition to the above classification categories, we also categorize loans based upon risk grade and loan type, assigning an allowance allocation based upon each category.

     Growth in loans outstanding has, throughout our history, been the primary reason for increases in our allowance for loan losses and the resultant provisions for loan losses necessary to provide for those increases. This growth has been spread among our major loan categories, with the concentrations of major loan categories being relatively consistent in recent years. For all full fiscal years through 2000, our loan loss experience was similar to that of other new banks, with net loan charge-offs in each year of less than .10% of average loans outstanding. Our percentage of net loan charge-offs to average loans outstanding was .18% for the year ended December 31, 2002, which increased to .29% for 2003. Continued loan demand coupled with higher net charge-offs resulted in a $630,000 increase in our provision for loan losses which totaled $2.3 million for the year-ended December 31, 2003. Our consumer finance lending accounted for $774,000 or 57.2% of net charge-offs during 2003, an increase of $368,000 from the prior year. During the fourth quarter of 2003 the bank ceased the consumer finance operations. It is expected that the residual consumer finance loan portfolio will payoff over a thirty-six month time frame and the company’s level of charge-off as a percentage of loan outstandings will decline. Our allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2003 of $7.3 million represents 1.40% of total loans and 946% of nonperforming loans.

     The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of an amount adequate to provide for known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio in the normal course of business. We make specific allowances that are allocated to certain individual loans and pools of loans based on risk characteristics, as discussed below. In addition to the allocated portion of the allowance for loan losses, we maintain an unallocated portion that is not assigned to any specific category of loans. This unallocated portion is intended to reserve for the inherent risk in the portfolio and the intrinsic inaccuracies associated with the estimation of the allowance for loan losses and its allocation to specific loan categories. While management believes that it uses the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. Furthermore, while we believe we have established the allowance for loan losses in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing our portfolio, will not require adjustments to our allowance for loan losses. In addition, because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing allowance for loan losses is adequate or that increases will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed herein. Any material increase in the allowance for loan losses may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

     The following table describes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among various categories of loans and certain other information for the dates indicated. The allocation is made for analytical purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future losses may occur.

                                                 
    At December 31,
                   
    2003
  2002
  2001
            % of Total           % of Total           % of Total
    Amount
  Loans(1)
  Amount
  Loans(1)
  Amount
  Loans (1)
            (Dollars in thousands)
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 475       28.9 %   $ 350       28.1 %   $ 550       29.2 %
Commercial mortgage loans
    2,200       35.9 %     1,500       32.7 %     825       24.8 %
Construction loans
    1,100       13.8 %     1,100       15.3 %     1,000       17.1 %
Commercial and industrial loans
    1,200       16.8 %     1,000       17.0 %     1,100       21.6 %
Loans to individuals
    1,050       4.6 %     1,225       6.9 %     925       7.3 %
Unallocated
    1,250       %     1,167       %     1,000       %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 7,275       100.0 %   $ 6,342       100.0 %   $ 5,400       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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    At December 31,
               
    2000
  1999
            % of Total           % of Total
    Amount
  Loans (1)
  Amount
  Loans (1)
            (Dollars in thousands)
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 350       29.9 %   $ 125       32.6 %
Commercial mortgage loans
    525       21.0 %     425       19.1 %
Construction loans
    900       18.7 %     750       16.2 %
Commercial and industrial loans
    900       21.4 %     725       22.3 %
Loans to individuals
    650       9.0 %     225       9.8 %
Unallocated
    958       %     763       %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 4,283       100.0 %   $ 3,013       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

(1) Represents total of all outstanding loans in each category as a percentage of total loans outstanding.

     The following table presents for the periods indicated information regarding changes in our allowance for loan losses:

                                         
    At or for the Years Ended December 31,
           
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
            (Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 6,342     $ 5,400     $ 4,283     $ 3,013     $ 1,905  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Charge-offs:
                                       
Residential mortgage loans
          82       115             28  
Commercial mortgage loans
                53              
Construction loans
          113                    
Commercial and industrial loans
    398       90       416       122       5  
Loans to individuals
    1,022       473       663       90       14  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total charge-offs
    1,420       758       1,247       212       47  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Recoveries:
                                       
Construction loans
                            20  
Commercial and industrial loans
    31       15       29       1        
Loans to individuals
    37       30       15       1        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total recoveries
    68       45       44       2       20  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net charge-offs
    (1,352 )     (713 )     (1,203 )     (210 )     (27 )
Provision for loan losses
    2,285       1,655       2,320       1,480       1,135  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 7,275     $ 6,342     $ 5,400     $ 4,283     $ 3,013  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans outstanding
  $ 519,746     $ 421,938     $ 360,288     $ 282,161     $ 200,312  
Average loans outstanding
  $ 471,808     $ 395,745     $ 318,696     $ 240,888     $ 160,718  
Allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding
    1.40 %     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.52 %     1.50 %
Ratio of net loan charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    .29 %     .18 %     .38 %     .09 %     .02 %

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Investment Activities

     Our investment portfolio plays a primary role in management of liquidity and interest rate sensitivity and, therefore, is managed in the context of the overall balance sheet. The securities portfolio generates a substantial percentage of our interest income and serves as a necessary source of liquidity.

     Management attempts to deploy investable funds into instruments that are expected to increase the overall return of the portfolio given the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, while maintaining acceptable levels of capital, and interest rate and liquidity risk.

     The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and the resulting market value of securities at the dates indicated:

                                 
            Gross   Gross    
    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Market
    Cost
  Gains
  Losses
  Value
            (Dollars in thousands)        
December 31, 2003
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 33,567     $ 685     $ 7     $ 34,245  
Mortgage-backed
    127,678       1,058       884       127,852  
Other
    6,403                   6,403  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 167,648     $ 1,743     $ 891     $ 168,500  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 61,291     $ 56     $ 1,276     $ 60,071  
Mortgage-backed
    640       11       13       638  
Municipals
    326       9             335  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 62,257     $ 76     $ 1,289     $ 61,044  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
December 31, 2002
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 21,254     $ 901     $     $ 22,155  
Mortgage-backed
    67,618       1,802             69,420  
Other
    5,355                   5,355  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 94,227     $ 2,703     $     $ 96,930  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 44,000     $ 540     $     $ 44,540  
Mortgage-backed
    421       22             443  
Municipals
    328       8             336  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 44,749     $ 570     $     $ 45,319  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
December 31, 2001
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 22,172     $ 1,162     $     $ 23,334  
Mortgage-backed
    4,271       147             4,418  
Other
    2,926                   2,926  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 29,369     $ 1,309     $     $ 30,678  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 33,500     $ 664     $ 2     $ 34,162  
Mortgage-backed
    1,029       34             1,063  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 34,529     $ 698     $ 2     $ 35,225  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Page 40

 


 

     The following table presents the carrying values, fair values, intervals of maturities or repricings, and weighted average yields of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2003:

                         
                    Weighted
    Amortized   Fair   Average/
    Cost
  Value
  Yield
    (Amounts in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government agencies
                       
Due after one but within five years
  $ 8,970     $ 9,079       4.54 %
Due after five but within ten years
    24,597       25,166       5.19 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
    33,567       34,245       5.02 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Mortgage-backed
                       
Due after one but within five years
    8       8       5.57 %
Due after five but within ten years
    56,324       55,999       4.95 %
Due after ten years
    71,346       71,845       4.90 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
    127,678       127,852       4.92 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Other
                       
Due after ten years
    6,403       6,403       4.21 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Total securities available for sale
                       
Due after one but within five years
    8,978       9,087       4.54 %
Due after five but within ten years
    80,921       81,165       5.02 %
Due after ten years
    77,749       78,248       4.84 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
  $ 167,648     $ 168,500       4.91 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Securities held to maturity:
                       
U. S. Government agencies
                       
Due after one but within five years
  $ 8,000     $ 7,945       3.45 %
Due after five but within ten years
    33,291       32,572       4.04 %
Due after ten years
    20,000       19,554       4.93 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
    61,291       60,071       4.25 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Mortgage-backed
                       
Due within one year
    15       16       5.57 %
Due after five but within ten years
    102       113       6.83 %
Due after ten years
    523       509       4.07 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
    640       638       4.59 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
State and local governments(1)
                       
Due after one but within five years
    326       335       3.59 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
Total securities held to maturity
                       
Due within one year
    15       16       5.57 %
Due after one but within five years
    8,326       8,280       3.46 %
Due after five but within ten years
    33,393       32,685       4.05 %
Due after ten years
    20,523       20,063       4.91 %
 
   
 
     
 
         
 
  $ 62,257     $ 61,044       4.25 %
 
   
 
     
 
         

(1) Yields on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using a 34% tax rate.

     At December 31, 2003, there were no securities of any issuer (other than governmental agencies) that exceeded 10% of the company’s stockholders’ equity.

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Derivative Financial Instruments

     A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or reference rate. These instruments primarily consist of interest rate swaps, caps, floors, financial forward and futures contracts and options written or purchased. Derivative contracts are written in amounts referred to as notional amounts. Notional amounts only provide the basis for calculating payments between counterparties and do not represent amounts to be exchanged between parties and are not a measure of financial risks. Credit risk arises when amounts receivable from a counterparty exceed amounts payable. We control our risk of loss on derivative contracts by subjecting counterparties to credit reviews and approvals similar to those used in making loans and other extensions of credit.

     Late in 2000, in anticipation of declining interest rates, we bought an interest rate floor contract with a notional amount of $20 million, which we subsequently sold in 2001. We recognized income aggregating $383,000 on this floor contract in 2001, including the gain realized upon its disposal, in non-interest income.

     We have also used interest rate swaps in the management of interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements between two parties to exchange a series of cash flows representing interest payments. A swap allows both parties to alter the repricing characteristics of assets or liabilities without affecting the underlying principal positions. Through the use of a swap, assets and liabilities may be transformed from fixed to floating rates, from floating rates to fixed rates, or from one type of floating rate to another. At December 31, 2003, swap derivatives with a total notional value of $51.0 million, with terms ranging up to thirty years, were outstanding.

     Although off-balance sheet derivative financial instruments do not expose the company to credit risk equal to the notional amount, such agreements generate credit risk to the extent of the fair value gain in an off-balance sheet derivative financial instrument if the counterparty fails to perform. Such risk is minimized through the creditworthiness of the counterparties and the consistent monitoring of these agreements. The counterparties to these arrangements were primarily large commercial banks and investment banks. Where appropriate, master netting agreements are arranged or collateral is obtained in the form of rights to securities. At December 31, 2003, our interest rate swaps reflected a net unrealized loss of $32,700. In addition, the bank has liquidated two interest rate swap contracts in order to effectively lock-in its hedged position. The bank realized gains of $1.1 million on the liquidation of these contracts, which are being amortized into income over the remaining lives of the original contract terms.

     Other risks associated with interest-sensitive derivatives include the effect on fixed rate positions during periods of changing interest rates. Indexed amortizing swaps’ notional amounts and maturities change based on certain interest rate indices. Generally, as rates fall the notional amounts decline more rapidly, and as rates increase notional amounts decline more slowly. At December 31, 2003, we had no indexed amortizing swaps outstanding. Under unusual circumstances, financial derivatives also increase liquidity risk, which could result from an environment of rising interest rates in which derivatives produce negative cash flows while being offset by increased cash flows from variable rate loans. Such risk is considered insignificant due to the relatively small derivative positions we hold.

     A discussion of derivatives is presented in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements, which are presented under Item 8 in this Form 10-K.

Sources of Funds

Deposit Activities

     We provide a range of deposit services, including non-interest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. These accounts generally earn interest at rates established by management based on competitive market factors and our desire to increase or decrease certain types or maturities of deposits. We have used brokered deposits and out of market deposits as funding sources. As of December 31, 2003, we have $97.1 million of brokered deposits and $62.1 million of out of market deposits. However, we strive to establish customer relations to attract core deposits in non-interest-bearing transactional accounts and thus to reduce our costs of funds.

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     The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each of our major categories of deposits.

                                                 
    For the Years Ended December 31,
    2003
  2002
  2001
    Average   Average   Average   Average   Average   Average
    Balance
  Rate
  Balance
  Rate
  Balance
  Rate
                    (Dollars in thousands)                
Interest-bearing NOW and money market accounts
  $ 138,926       0.97 %   $ 102,427       1.31 %   $ 80,695       2.65 %
Time deposits $100,000 or more
    154,026       2.79 %     114,971       3.96 %     96,542       6.00 %
Other time deposits
    163,960       2.59 %     172,456       3.62 %     155,979       5.81 %
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    456,912       2.17 %     389,854       3.11 %     333,216       5.10 %
Demand and other non-interest-bearing deposits
    45,101               34,766               25,749          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
Total average deposits
  $ 502,013       1.97 %   $ 424,620       2.86 %   $ 358,965       4.73 %
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         

     The following table presents the amounts and maturities of our certificates of deposit with balances of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2003:

         
    At December 31, 2003
    (In thousands)
Remaining maturity:
       
Less than three months
  $ 36,414  
Three to six months
    54,564  
Six to twelve months
    29,824  
Over twelve months
    61,367  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 182,169  
 
   
 
 

Borrowings

     As an additional source of funding, we use advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. As set forth in the following table, outstanding advances at December 31, 2003 totaled $96.5 million, and are secured by loans with a carrying amount of $96.1 million, which approximates market value, and investment securities with a market value of $110.5 million. Available additional borrowings, based on the collateral value of these assets, was $110.2 million at December 31, 2003.

                 
    Interest    
Year of Maturity
  Rate
  Amount
            (In thousands)
2004
    2.73 %   $ 30,500  
2005
    3.74 %     5,000  
2006
    %      
2007
    3.12 %     10,000  
2008
    1.93 %     5,250  
Thereafter
    3.31 %     45,725  
 
           
 
 
 
          $ 96,475  
 
           
 
 

     In addition to the Federal Home Loan Bank advances, we also had a repurchase agreement with an outstanding balance of $10.0 million at December 31, 2003. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within ninety days from the transaction date and are collateralized by U.S. Government Agency obligations. The company has repurchase lines of credit aggregating $100.0 million from various institutions. The repurchases must be adequately collateralized.

Page 43


 

     In addition, we may purchase federal funds through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with various banks aggregating $27.0 million. These lines are intended for short-term borrowings and are subject to restrictions limiting the frequency and term of advances. These lines of credit are payable on demand and bear interest based upon the daily federal funds rate. We had $11.4 million of federal funds borrowings outstanding under these lines as of December 31, 2003.

     Borrowings that are scheduled to be repaid within one year are classified as short-term borrowings. For 2003 and 2002, average outstanding short-term borrowings were $37.5 million and $35.1 million, respectively.

     In November of 2003, Southern Community Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 3,450,000 Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust II Securities”), generating total proceeds of $34.5 million. The Trust II Securities pay distributions at an annual rate of 7.95% and mature on December 31, 2033. The Trust II Securities began paying quarterly distributions on December 31, 2003. The company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust II. The Trust II Securities are redeemable in whole or in part at any time after December 31, 2008. The proceeds from the Trust II Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust II Securities. We have the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding five years, provided that no deferral period extend beyond the stated maturities of the debentures. Such deferral of interest payments by the company will result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related Trust II Securities. Should we defer the payment of interest on the debentures, the company will be precluded from the payment of cash dividends to shareholders. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures was to provide cash for the acquisition of The Community Bank, to increase our regulatory capital, and to support the growth and operations of our subsidiary banks. The amount of proceeds we count as Tier 1capital cannot comprise more than 25% of our core capital elements. Amounts in excess of that 25% limitation count as Tier 2 supplementary capital on our books. Prior to the closing of the acquisition of The Community Bank on January 12, 2004, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualified as Tier 2 supplementary capital. Prior to the redemption of the Trust I Securities, approximately $20 million of the proceeds of the Trust II Securities counted as Tier 1 capital on our books. After the redemption of the Trust I Securities on March 12, 2004, subject to certain limitations, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes.

     In February of 2002, Southern Community Capital Trust I (“Trust I”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 1,725,000 Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust I Securities”), generating total proceeds of $17.3 million. At December 31, 2003, holders of the Trust I Securities had voluntarily converted $175,000 of the Trust I Securities into 21,187 shares of our common stock at the Conversion Price of $8.26 per share of our common stock. On January 14, 2004, we announced the redemption of all of the Trust I Securities. We redeemed the Trust I Securities under a provision that permitted us to redeem the Trust I Securities in whole at any time prior to March 31, 2007 once the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the Conversion Price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the date that we gave notice of redemption. The Trust I Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004, which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of our common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. The Trust I Securities paid distributions at an annual rate of 7.25%. The Trust I Securities began paying quarterly distributions on March 31, 2002. The company had fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust I. The proceeds from the Trust I Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust I Securities. Subject to certain limitations, the Trust I Securities qualified as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the convertible debentures was to infuse capital into our bank subsidiary, Southern Community Bank and Trust, to fund its operations and continued expansion, and to maintain the company’s and the bank’s status as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

Other Recent Developments

     On July 30, 2003, the company and The Community Bank jointly announced the execution of a definitive agreement in which Southern Community Financial Corporation would acquire The Community Bank in a fixed exchange of cash and stock. The Community Bank, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina operates 10 community banking offices throughout Surry, Rockingham, Stokes, Iredell and Yadkin counties, North Carolina. On December 11, 2003, shareholders approved the transaction allowing Southern Community Financial Corporation to acquire The Community Bank. On January 12, 2004, the acquisition was completed. For each share of stock owned, The Community Bank shareholders received $53.05 in cash, 4.8714 shares of newly issued Southern Community common stock or a combination of both, subject to an overall allocation of approximately 6.4 million shares of common stock and $15.2 million in cash.

Page 44


 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the interpretation. In December 2003, the FASB issued a revision to FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to exempt certain entities from its requirements. The company must apply FIN 46R no later than the end of the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. Adoption of FIN 46R will require deconsolidation of the company’s remaining trust preferred subsidiary, Southern Community Capital Trust II (the Trust I Securities were redeemed as of March 12, 2004). Upon deconsolidation, the junior subordinated debentures issued by the company to Trust II will be included in long-term debt (instead of the trust preferred securities) and the company’s equity interest in Trust II will be included in other assets. If Trust I and Trust II were deconsolidated as of December 31, 2003, the effect on the company’s balance sheet would be an increase in other assets of $1.6 million with a corresponding decrease in long-term debt. The deconsolidation of Trust I and Trust II will not materially impact net income.

     A discussion of other recent accounting pronouncements is presented in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, which are presented under Item 8 in this Form 10-K.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     Statements contained in this annual report, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Amounts herein could vary as a result of market and other factors. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the bank with the Federal Reserve Bank from time to time. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, results of operations and business of the company that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the company’s operations, pricing, products and services.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See “MARKET RISK” under Item 6.

Item 8. Financial Statements

The information required by this item is filed herewith.

Item 8A. Controls and Procedures

     Southern Community Financial Corporation’s management, with the participation of the its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2003. Based on that evaluation, the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2003. There were no material changes in the company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2003.

Page 45


 

(DIXON HUGHES LOGO)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors
Southern Community Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Southern Community Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Southern Community Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Dixon Hughes PLLC

Sanford, North Carolina
March 12, 2004

Page 46


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2003 and 2002

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands,
    except share data)
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 22,929     $ 16,632  
Federal funds sold
    271       11,084  
Investment securities (Note 3)
               
Available for sale, at fair value
    168,500       96,930  
Held to maturity (fair value of $61,044 and $45,319 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    62,257       44,749  
Loans (Note 4)
    519,746       421,938  
Allowance for loan losses (Note 5)
    (7,275 )     (6,342 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Loans
    512,471       415,596  
Premises and equipment (Note 6)
    17,337       15,962  
Other assets (Note 12)
    14,737       11,286  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 798,502     $ 612,239  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Deposits
               
Demand
  $ 51,868     $ 41,869  
Money market and NOW
    179,076       115,981  
Time (Note 7)
    344,274       291,366  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Deposits
    575,218       449,216  
Short-term borrowings (Note 8)
    51,900       40,706  
Long-term debt (Note 8)
    65,975       55,000  
Preferred securities (Note 9)
    51,652       17,250  
Other liabilities (Note 10)
    2,866       2,528  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities
    747,611       564,700  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity (Notes 9 and 14)
               
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively
           
Common stock, no par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 8,986,796 and 8,791,683 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively
    44,377       43,123  
Retained earnings
    5,493       1,830  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,021       2,586  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    50,891       47,539  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Commitments (Notes 11 and 16)
               
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 798,502     $ 612,239  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes.

Page 47


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands, except
    share and per share data)
Interest Income
                       
Loans
  $ 27,478     $ 25,689     $ 26,292  
Investment securities available for sale
    6,022       4,901       2,320  
Investment securities held to maturity
    2,469       2,576       2,201  
Federal funds sold
    50       115       553  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Interest Income
    36,019       33,281       31,366  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest Expense
                       
Money market and NOW deposits
    1,346       1,342       2,135  
Time deposits
    8,544       10,800       14,858  
Borrowings
    4,861       3,661       1,041  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Interest Expense
    14,751       15,803       18,034  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Interest Income
    21,268       17,478       13,332  
Provision for Loan Losses (Note 5)
    2,285       1,655       2,320  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses
    18,983       15,823       11,012  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Non-Interest Income (Note 13)
    4,985       3,927       3,402  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Non-Interest Expense
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    9,603       7,758       5,510  
Occupancy and equipment
    3,045       2,508       2,067  
Other (Note 13)
    5,685       4,515       3,585  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Non-Interest Expense
    18,333       14,781       11,162  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
    5,635       4,969       3,252  
Income Tax Expense (Note 12)
    1,972       1,755       1,147  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Income Per Share
                       
Basic
  $ .41     $ .37     $ .24  
Diluted
    .40       .35       .23  
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
                       
Basic
    8,826,780       8,788,295       8,707,678  
Diluted
    11,369,429       9,085,853       9,043,611  

See accompanying notes.

Page 48


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Net income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Other comprehensive income:
                       
Securities available for sale:
                       
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities
    (1,851 )     1,465       802  
Tax effect
    713       (565 )     (309 )
Reclassification of gains recognized in net income
          (70 )      
Tax effect
          27        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net of tax amount
    (1,138 )     857       493  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash flow hedging activities:
                       
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedging activities
    (250 )     1,461        
Tax effect
    73       (502 )      
Reclassification of gains recognized in net income
    (406 )     (52 )      
Tax effect
    156       18        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net of tax amount
    (427 )     925        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    (1,565 )     1,782       493  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,098     $ 4,996     $ 2,598  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes.

Page 49


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

                                                 
                                         
    Common Stock
  Additional           Accumulated
Other
  Total
                    Paid-in   Retained   Comprehensive   Stockholders’
    Shares
  Amount
  Capital
  Earnings
  Income
  Equity
    (Amounts in thousands, except share data)
Balance at December 31, 2000
    7,595,979     $ 18,990     $ 15,766     $ 1,883     $ 311     $ 36,950  
Net income
                      2,105             2,105  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                            493       493  
Formation of holding company
          17,771       (17,771 )                  
Common stock issued pursuant to:
                                               
Sale of common stock
    344,118       860       1,951                   2,811  
5% stock dividend
    396,702       2,618             (2,626 )           (8 )
Stock options exercised
    18,191       46       35                   81  
Current income tax benefit
                19                   19  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2001
    8,354,990       40,285             1,362       804       42,451  
Net income
                      3,214             3,214  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
                            1,782       1,782  
Common stock issued pursuant to:
                                               
5% stock dividend
    416,601       2,733             (2,733 )            
Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares
                      (13 )           (13 )
Stock options exercised
    20,092       77                         77  
Current income tax benefit
          28                         28  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2002
    8,791,683       43,123             1,830       2,586       47,539  
Net income
                      3,663             3,663  
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
                            (1,565 )     (1,565 )
Common stock issued pursuant to:
                                               
Conversion of trust preferred securities
    21,187       175                         175  
Issuance costs
          (13 )                       (13 )
Stock options exercised
    173,926       770                         770  
Current income tax benefit
          322                         322  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2003
    8,986,796     $ 44,377     $     $ 5,493     $ 1,021     $ 50,891  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

See accompanying notes.

Page 50


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
                       
Net income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    2,041       1,337       1,003  
Provision for loan losses
    2,285       1,655       2,320  
Realized gain on sales of available for sale securities, net
          (70 )      
Realized gain on sale of equipment
    (98 )     (3 )      
Deferred income taxes
    (357 )     (452 )     (91 )
Realized (gain) loss on sale of foreclosed assets
    76       (21 )      
Change in assets and liabilities:
                       
Increase in other assets
    (2,153 )     (1,505 )     (165 )
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    338       1,590       (1,695 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Adjustments
    2,132       2,531       1,372  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    5,795       5,745       3,477  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities (Increase) decrease in federal funds sold
    10,813       11,842       (1,881 )
Purchases of:
                       
Available for sale investment securities
    (127,391 )     (112,297 )     (2,061 )
Held to maturity investment securities
    (66,463 )     (43,328 )     (35,000 )
Proceeds from maturities and calls of:
                       
Available for sale investment securities
    53,326       26,152       11,190  
Held to maturity investment securities
    48,962       33,104       20,712  
Proceeds from sales of available for sale investment securities
          21,220        
Net increase in loans
    (100,229 )     (62,667 )     (79,330 )
Proceeds from termination of interest rate swaps
    951       208        
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (3,543 )     (5,066 )     (3,407 )
Proceeds from disposal of premises and equipment
    657       3        
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
    1,109       289        
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance
    (144 )     (557 )     (2,000 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
    (181,952 )     (131,097 )     (91,777 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
                       
Net increase in deposits
    126,223       56,365       54,098  
Net increase in borrowings
    22,169       50,726       38,980  
Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities, net of debt issuance costs
    33,292       15,923        
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    770       105       2,911  
Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares
          (13 )     (8 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
    182,454       123,106       95,981  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    6,297       (2,246 )     7,681  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year
    16,632       18,878       11,197  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year
  $ 22,929     $ 16,632     $ 18,878  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
                       
Interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds
  $ 14,446     $ 15,385     $ 18,269  
Income taxes paid
    2,879       1,721       1,530  
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
                       
Transfer of loans to foreclosed assets
  $ 1,069     $ 304     $ 79  
Increase (decrease) in fair value of securities available for sale, net of tax
    (1,138 )     857       493  
Increase (decrease) in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax
    (334 )     925        
Unrealized loss of fair value hedges
    (140 )            
Convertible trust preferred securities converted to common stock
    175              

See accompanying notes.

Page 51


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(1) ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

In October 2001, Southern Community Financial Corporation (the “company”) was formed as a financial holding company for Southern Community Bank and Trust. Upon formation, one share of Southern Community Financial Corporation’s no par value common stock was exchanged for each of the outstanding shares of Southern Community Bank and Trust’s $2.50 par value common stock.

Southern Community Bank and Trust (the “bank”) was incorporated November 14, 1996 and began banking operations on November 18, 1996. The bank is engaged in general commercial and retail banking in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, principally Forsyth, Guilford and Yadkin Counties, operating under the banking laws of North Carolina and the rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and on February 2, 2001 the bank became a member of the Federal Reserve System. The bank undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Southern Community Financial Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Southern Community Capital Trust I and Trust II, trusts for the trust preferred securities, and Southern Community Bank and Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Southeastern Acceptance Corporation, a consumer finance company (dissolved during 2003), and VCS Management, L.L.C., the managing general partner for Salem Capital Partners L.P., a Small Business Investment Company. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Southern Community Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “company.”

Use of 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, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for losses on loans.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are defined as those amounts included in the balance sheet caption “Cash and due from banks.”

Federal regulations require institutions to set aside specified amounts of cash as reserves against transaction and time deposits. As of December 31, 2003, the daily average gross reserve requirement was $12.2 million.

Investment Securities

Available for sale securities are carried at fair value and consist of bonds and mortgage-backed securities not classified as trading securities or as held to maturity securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale securities are reported as a net amount in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. Gains and losses on the sale of available for sale securities are determined using the specific-identification method. Bonds and mortgage-backed securities for which the bank has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost, adjusted for premiums and discounts that are recognized in interest income using a method that approximates the interest method over the period to maturity. Declines in the fair value of individual held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are other than temporary would result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value. Such write-downs would be included in earnings as realized losses.

Page 52


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Loans Held for Sale

The company originates single family, residential first mortgage loans on a presold basis. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Upon closing, these loans, together with their servicing rights, are sold to other financial institutions under prearranged terms. The company recognizes certain origination and service release fees upon the sale which are included in non-interest income in the consolidated statement of operations.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan. Interest on loans is recorded based on the principal amount outstanding. The accrual of interest on impaired loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against interest income. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based upon management’s estimate of the amount needed to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level. In making the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, management gives consideration to current economic conditions, statutory examinations of the loan portfolio by regulatory agencies, delinquency information and management’s internal review of the loan portfolio. Loans are considered impaired when it is probable that all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected. The measurement of impaired loans is generally based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate, or upon the fair value of the collateral if readily determinable. If the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance is established as a component of the allowance for loan losses. While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations. In addition, regulatory examiners may require the bank to recognize changes to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which are 30 years for buildings and 3 - 10 years for furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the expected terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred and additions and improvements to premises and equipment are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations.

Foreclosed Assets

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less expected cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other expenses.

Page 53


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will not be realized.

Derivatives

The company utilizes interest rate swaps in the management of interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements between two parties to exchange a series of cash flows representing interest payments. A swap allows both parties to alter the repricing characteristics of assets or liabilities without affecting the underlying principal positions. Through the use of a swap, assets and liabilities may be transformed from fixed to floating rates, from floating rates to fixed rates, or from one type of floating rate to another. Swap terms generally range from one year to ten years depending on the need.

The company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of its variable-rate loans to a fixed rate (cash flow hedge), and to convert a portion of its fixed-rate debt to a variable rate (fair value hedge). Interest rate swaps are contracts in which a series of interest rate flows are exchanged over a prescribed period. The notional amount on which the interest payments are based is not exchanged.

Under SFAS No. 133, the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a fair value hedging instrument, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged, is recognized currently in earnings in the same accounting period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized currently in earnings.

The net interest payable or receivable on interest rate swaps that are designated as hedges is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income or expense of the related asset or liability. Gains and losses from early terminations of derivatives are deferred and amortized as yield adjustments over the shorter of the remaining term of the hedged asset or liability or the remaining term of the derivative instrument. Upon disposition or settlement of the asset or liability being hedged, deferral accounting is discontinued and any gains or losses are recognized in income. Unrealized holding gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reported, net of applicable income tax effect, in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Derivative financial instruments that fail to qualify as a hedge are carried at fair value with gains and losses recognized in current earnings.

Per Share Data

Basic and diluted net income per share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period after retroactively adjusting for a 5% stock dividend distributed October 15, 2002 and 2001. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised or convertible trust preferred securities were converted, resulting in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the net income of the company.

Page 54


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Per Share Data (Continued)

Basic and diluted net income per share have been computed based upon net income as presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding or assumed to be outstanding as summarized below:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing basic net income per share
    8,826,780       8,788,295       8,707,678  
Effect of dilutive convertible preferred securities
    2,088,975              
Effect of dilutive stock options
    453,674       297,558       335,933  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in computing diluted net income per share
    11,369,429       9,085,853       9,043,611  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, net income for determining diluted earnings per share was $4,504 thousand, after adjusting for the $842 thousand after tax effect of the expense associated with the 2,088,975 dilutive convertible preferred securities. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, there were 14,700, 227,925, and 182,952 options, respectively, that were antidilutive since the exercise price exceeded the average market price for the year. For the year ended December 31, 2002 there were 2,088,975 of antidilutive shares related to the convertible trust preferred securities (see Note 9) since the conversion price exceeded the average market price for the year. These common stock equivalents have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for their respective years.

Stock Compensation Plans

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages all entities to adopt a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock compensation plans, whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. However, it also allows an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for those plans using the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, whereby compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the stock at the grant date (or other measurement date) over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. Stock options issued under the company’s stock option plans have no intrinsic value at the grant date and, under Opinion No. 25, no compensation cost is recognized for them. The company has elected to continue with the accounting methodology in Opinion No. 25. Presented below are the pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share and other disclosures as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied.

Page 55


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Stock Compensation Plans (Continued)

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
            (Amounts in thousands,        
            except per share data)        
Net income:
                       
As reported
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (257 )     (447 )     (552 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 3,406     $ 2,767     $ 1,553  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
                       
As reported
  $ .41     $ .37     $ .27  
Pro forma
    .39       .31       .18  
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
As reported
  $ .40     $ .35     $ .23  
Pro forma
    .37       .31       .18  

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity during a period for non-owner transactions and comprises net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are excluded from earnings under current accounting standards. Components of other comprehensive income for the company consist of the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, in the company’s available for sale securities portfolio and unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, in the company’s cash flow hedge instruments.

Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2003 and 2002 consists of the following:

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands)
Unrealized holding gains - investment securities available for sale
  $ 852     $ 2,704  
Deferred income taxes
    (329 )     (1,043 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net unrealized holding gains - investment securities available for sale
    523       1,661  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Unrealized holding gains - cash flow hedge instruments
    812       1,409  
Deferred income taxes
    (314 )     (484 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net unrealized holding gains - cash flow hedge instruments
    498       925  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 1,021     $ 2,586  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Segment Reporting

SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, requires management to report selected financial and descriptive information about reportable operating segments. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally, disclosures are required for segments internally identified to evaluate performance and resource allocation. In all material respects, the company’s operations are entirely within the commercial banking segment, and the consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the results of that segment. Also, the company has no foreign operations or customers.

Page 56


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 improves financial reporting by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. In particular, SFAS No. 149 clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative, clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, amends the definition of an “underlying” to conform it to language used in FIN 45 and amends certain other existing pronouncements. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. In addition, with some exceptions, all provisions of SFAS No. 149 should be applied prospectively. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified by the company after May 31, 2003, and is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. However, the FASB has deferred indefinitely the classification and measurement provisions as they related to certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the interpretation. In December 2003, the FASB issued a revision to FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to exempt certain entities from its requirements. FIN 46R is effective for public entities that have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Application by public entities, other than small business issuers, for all other types of variable interest entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46R is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a partial consensus on Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. Issue 03-1 requires certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures for investments subject to SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, that are impaired at the balance sheet date but for which an other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized. The company adopted the partial consensus on Issue 03-1 during 2003 and has provided the new disclosures in Note 3. The EITF is expected to continue deliberating other aspects of Issue 03-1, including when to recognize other-than-temporary impairment.

Page 57


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(3) INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The following is a summary of the securities portfolio by major classification at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                                 
    2003
            Gross   Gross    
    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
    Cost
  Gains
  Losses
  Value
            (Amounts in thousands)        
Securities available for sale:
                               
U. S. Government agencies
  $ 33,567     $ 685     $ 7     $ 34,245  
Mortgage-backed
    127,678       1,058       884       127,852  
Other
    6,403                   6,403  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 167,648     $ 1,743     $ 891     $ 168,500  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U. S. Government agencies
  $ 61,291     $ 56     $ 1,276     $ 60,071  
Mortgage-backed
    640       11       13       638  
Municipals
    326       9             335  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 62,257     $ 76     $ 1,289     $ 61,044  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                 
    2002
            Gross   Gross    
    Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
    Cost
  Gains
  Losses
  Value
            (Amounts in thousands)        
Securities available for sale:
                               
U. S. Government agencies
  $ 21,254     $ 901     $     $ 22,155  
Mortgage-backed
    67,618       1,802             69,420  
Other
    5,355                   5,355  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 94,227     $ 2,703     $     $ 96,930  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
U. S. Government agencies
  $ 44,000     $ 540     $     $ 44,540  
Mortgage-backed
    421       22             443  
Municipals
    328       8             336  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 44,749     $ 570     $     $ 45,319  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The following tables show our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2003. All unrealized losses on investment securities are a result of volatility in the market during 2003. For available for sale securities, the unrealized losses relate to one U.S. Government Agency bond and nine mortgage-backed securities. For held to maturity securities, the unrealized losses relate to eight U.S. Government Agency bonds and one mortgage-backed security. All unrealized losses on investment securities are considered by management to be temporarily impaired given the credit ratings on these investment securities and the short duration of the unrealized loss.

Page 58


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(3) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

                                                 
    Less Than 12 Months
  12 Months or More
  Total
    Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized
    value
  losses
  value
  losses
  value
  losses
                    (Amounts in thousands)                
Securities available for sale:
                                               
U.S. government securities
  $ 1,926     $ 7     $     $     $ 1,926     $ 7  
Mortgage-backed securities
    82,990       884                   82,990       884  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 84,916     $ 891     $     $     $ 84,916     $ 891  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
                                               
U.S. government securities
  $ 50,016     $ 1,276     $     $     $ 50,016     $ 1,276  
Mortgage-backed securities
    509       13                   509       13  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 50,525     $ 1,289     $     $     $ 50,525     $ 1,289  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale during 2002 were $21.2 million. Gross gains of $101,000 and gross losses of $31,000 were realized on those sales. There were no sales of investment securities in 2003 and 2001.

The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2003 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligation.

                                 
    Securities Available for Sale
  Securities Held to Maturity
    Amortized   Fair   Amortized   Fair
    Cost
  Value
  Cost
  Value
            (Amounts in thousands)        
Due within one year
  $     $     $     $  
Due after one year through five years
    8,970       9,079       8,326       8,280  
Due after five years through ten years
    24,597       25,166       33,291       32,572  
Due after ten years
    6,403       6,403       20,000       19,554  
Mortgage-backed securities
    127,678       127,852       640       638  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 167,648     $ 168,500     $ 62,257     $ 61,044  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Securities with carrying values of $15.8 million and $7.7 million and fair values of $16.3 million and $10.9 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits as required by law. Additionally, at December 31, 2003, securities with carrying values of $118.2 million and fair values of $120.0 million were pledged to secure both the company’s borrowings from the FHLB and a repurchase agreement.

Page 59


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(4) LOANS

Following is a summary of loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands)
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 150,312     $ 118,572  
Commercial mortgage loans
    186,758       137,812  
Construction loans
    71,908       64,500  
Commercial and industrial loans
    87,127       71,948  
Loans to individuals
    23,641       29,106  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 519,746     $ 421,938  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Loans are primarily made in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, principally Forsyth, Guilford and Yadkin Counties. Real estate loans can be affected by the condition of the local real estate market. Commercial and installment loans can be affected by the local economic conditions. Included in residential mortgage loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are loans held for sale totaling approximately $1.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of nonperforming assets at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 769     $ 1,823  
Foreclosed assets
    272       383  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 1,041     $ 2,206  
 
   
 
     
 
 

At December 31, 2003, the recorded investment in loans considered impaired in accordance with SFAS No. 114 totaled $5.5 million, of which $769,000 consisted of nonaccrual loans. The corresponding valuation allowance for the impaired loans amounted to $1.45 million. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was approximately $1.6 million. The amount of interest recognized on impaired loans during the portion of the year that they were impaired was not material.

At December 31, 2002, the recorded investment in loans considered impaired in accordance with SFAS No. 114 totaled $1.8 million, all of which were nonaccrual loans, with no corresponding valuation allowances. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was approximately $1.3. The amount of interest recognized on impaired loans during the portion of the year that they were impaired was not material.

The company has granted loans to certain directors and executive officers of the company and their related interests. Such loans are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other borrowers and, in management’s opinion, do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility. All loans to directors and executive officers or their interests are submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. A summary of loans to directors and their interests follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Loans to directors and officers as a group (12) at December 31, 2002
  $ 8,011  
Disbursements during year ended December 31, 2003
    16,067  
Amounts collected during year ended December 31, 2003
    (5,782 )
 
   
 
 
Loans to directors and officers as a group (12) at December 31, 2003
  $ 18,296  
 
   
 
 

At December 31, 2003, the company had pre-approved but unused lines of credit totaling $2.7 million to executive officers, directors and their affiliates.

Page 60


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(5) ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 6,342     $ 5,400     $ 4,283  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Provision charged to operations
    2,285       1,655       2,320  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Charge-offs
    (1,420 )     (758 )     (1,247 )
Recoveries
    68       45       44  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net charge-offs
    (1,352 )     (713 )     (1,203 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 7,275     $ 6,342     $ 5,400  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

(6) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Following is a summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands)
Land
  $ 3,214     $ 2,874  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    12,039       11,052  
Furniture and equipment
    6,472       5,196  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    21,725       19,122  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (4,388 )     (3,160 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 17,337     $ 15,962  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Depreciation and amortization amounting to $1.6 million in 2003, $1.2 million in 2002, and $1.0 million in 2001 is included in occupancy and equipment expense.

(7) DEPOSITS

Time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more were approximately $182.2 million and $131.5 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:

                         
    $100,000   Under    
    and Over
  $100,000
  Total
    (Amounts in thousands)
2004
  $ 120,802     $ 143,876     $ 264,678  
2005
    13,173       10,968       24,141  
2006
    14,872       2,781       17,653  
2007
    15,794       2,747       18,541  
2008
    12,521       1,733       14,254  
Thereafter
    5,007             5,007  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 182,169     $ 162,105     $ 344,274  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Page 61


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(8) BORROWINGS

The company has an $102.0 million credit line available with the Federal Home Loan Bank for advances. These advances are secured by both loans with a carrying value of $96.1 million and pledged investment securities with a market value of $110.5 million.

At December 31, 2003, the company’s fixed rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances of $96.5 million mature through 2013. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the interest rate on these advances ranged from 1.21% to 5.35% and from 1.51% to 5.35%, respectively. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the weighted average interest rates on the advances were 3.03% and 3.72%, respectively.

The contractual maturities of the Federal Home Loan Bank advances at December 31, 2003 are as follows:

         
    2003
    (Amounts in thousands)
Due in 2004
  $ 30,500  
Due in 2005
    5,000  
Due in 2006
     
Due in 2007
    10,000  
Due in 2008
    5,250  
Thereafter
    45,725  
 
   
 
 
 
  $ 96,475  
 
   
 
 

In addition to the above advances, the company also has a repurchase agreement with an outstanding balance of $10.0 million at December 31, 2003. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within ninety days from the transaction date and are collateralized by U.S. Government Agency obligations. The company has repurchase lines of credit of $100.0 million from various institutions, which must be adequately collateralized.

In addition to the above advances, the company has lines of credit of $27.0 million from various correspondent banks to purchase federal funds on a short-term basis. The company has $11.4 million outstanding as of December 31, 2003.

Aggregate borrowings at December 31, 2003 amounted to $117.9 million, including $51.9 million that is due within one year and classified as short-term borrowings and $66.0 million due after one year that is classified as long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Page 62


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(9) PREFERRED SECURITIES

In November of 2003, Southern Community Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 3,450,000 Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust II Securities”), generating total proceeds of $34.5 million. The Trust II Securities pay distributions at an annual rate of 7.95% and mature on December 31, 2033. The Trust II Securities began paying quarterly distributions on December 31, 2003. The company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust II. The Trust II Securities are redeemable in whole or in part at any time after December 31, 2008. The proceeds from the Trust II Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust II Securities. We have the right to defer payment of interest on the debentures at any time and from time to time for a period not exceeding five years, provided that no deferral period extend beyond the stated maturities of the debentures. Such deferral of interest payments by the company will result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related Trust II Securities. Should we defer the payment of interest on the debentures, the company will be precluded from the payment of cash dividends to shareholders. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the debentures was to provide cash for the acquisition of The Community Bank, to increase our regulatory capital, and to support the growth and operations of our subsidiary banks. The amount of proceeds we count as Tier 1 capital cannot comprise more than 25% of our core capital elements. Amounts in excess of that 25% limitation count as Tier 2 supplementary capital on our books. Prior to the closing of the acquisition of The Community Bank on January 12, 2004, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualified as Tier 2 supplementary capital. Prior to the redemption of the Trust I Securities, approximately $20 million of the proceeds of the Trust II Securities counted as Tier 1 capital on our books. After the redemption of the Trust I Securities on March 12, 2004, subject to certain limitations, substantially all of the proceeds from the Trust II Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes.

In February of 2002, Southern Community Capital Trust I (“Trust I”), a newly formed subsidiary of the company, issued 1,725,000 Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities (“Trust I Securities”), generating total proceeds of $17.3 million. At December 31, 2003, holders of the Trust I Securities had voluntarily converted $175,000 of the Trust I Securities into 21,187 shares of our common stock at the Conversion Price of $8.26 per share of our common stock. On January 14, 2004, we announced the redemption of all of the Trust I Securities. We redeemed the Trust I Securities under a provision that permitted us to redeem the Trust I Securities in whole at any time prior to March 31, 2007 once the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the Conversion Price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the date that we gave notice of redemption. The Trust I Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004, which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of our common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. The Trust I Securities paid distributions at an annual rate of 7.25%. The Trust I Securities began paying quarterly distributions on March 31, 2002. The company had fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Trust I. The proceeds from the Trust I Securities were utilized to purchase convertible junior subordinated debentures from us under the same terms and conditions as the Trust I Securities. Subject to certain limitations, the Trust I Securities qualified as Tier 1 capital of the company for regulatory capital purposes. The principal use of the net proceeds from the sale of the convertible debentures was to infuse capital into our bank subsidiary, Southern Community Bank and Trust, to fund its operations and continued expansion, and to maintain the company’s and the bank’s status as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.

A description of the trust preferred outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2003 is as follows (in thousands):

                                         
                            Carrying value at
    Shares   Interest   Maturity   December 31,
Issuing Entity
  outstanding
  Rate
  date
  2003
  2002
Southern Community Capital Trust I
    1,707,500       7.25 %     12/31/33     $ 17,075     $ 17,250  
Southern Community Capital Trust II
    3,450,000       7.95 %     3/31/32       34,577        
 
                           
 
     
 
 
 
                            51,652       17,250  
 
                           
 
     
 
 

Page 63


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(10) EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Retirement Plan

The company maintains a 401(k) retirement plan that covers all eligible employees. The company matches 100% of employee contributions, with the company’s contribution limited to 6% of each employee’s salary. Matching contributions are funded when accrued. Matching expenses totaled approximately $355,000 in 2003, $315,000 in 2002, and $240,000 in 2001.

Employment Agreements

The company has entered into employment agreements with its chief executive officer and two other executive officers to ensure a stable and competent management base. The agreements provide for a three-year term, but the agreements may annually be extended for an additional year. The agreements provide for benefits as spelled out in the contracts and cannot be terminated by the Board of Directors, except for cause, without prejudicing the officers’ rights to receive certain vested benefits, including compensation. In the event of a change in control of the company, as outlined in the agreements, the acquirer will be bound to the terms of the contracts.

Termination Agreements

The company has entered into special termination agreements with substantially all other employees, who have completed one year of service, which provide for severance pay benefits in the event of a change in control of the company which results in the termination of such employee or diminished compensation, duties or benefits.

Supplemental Retirement

The company during 2001 implemented a non-qualifying deferred compensation plan for certain key executive and senior officers. The company has purchased life insurance policies on the participating officers in order to provide future funding of benefit payments. Benefits will accrue during employment based upon the performance of the underlying life insurance policies both during employment and after retirement. Such benefits will continue to accrue and be paid throughout each participant’s life assuming satisfactory performance of the funding life insurance policies. The plan also provides for payment of death or disability benefits in the event a participating officer becomes permanently disabled or dies prior to attainment of retirement age. Provisions of $217,000 in 2003, $142,000 in 2002 and $58,000 in 2001 were expensed for future benefits to be provided under this plan. The corresponding liability related to this plan was $384,000 and $200,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On December 19, 2002, the Board approved the creation of, and on February 20, 2003 the Board adopted, subject to shareholder approval, the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2002 ESPP”). An aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the company has been reserved for issuance by the company upon exercise of options to be granted from time to time under the 2002 ESPP. The purpose of the 2002 ESPP is to provide employees of the company with an opportunity to purchase shares of the common stock of the company in order to encourage employee participation in the ownership and economic success of the company.

The 2002 ESPP provides employees of the company the right to purchase, annually, shares of the company’s common stock at 85% of fair market value. The number of shares that can be purchased in any calendar year by any individual is limited to the lesser of: (1) shares with a fair market value of $25,000; or (2) shares with a fair market value of 20% of the individual’s annual compensation. Shares purchased through the 2002 ESPP must be held by the employee for one year, after which time the employee is free to dispose of the stock.

Page 64


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(10) EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT PLAN (Continued)

Stock Option Plans

During 1997 the company adopted, with stockholder approval, the 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan. Both plans were amended in 2000 and in 2001, with stockholder approval, to increase the number of shares available for grant. Each of these plans makes available options to purchase 875,253 shares of the company’s common stock. During 2002 the company adopted, with stockholder approval in 2003, the 2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan with 350,000 options available and the 2002 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan with 150,000 options available. The aggregate number of shares available for issuance pursuant to options is 2,250,506. The exercise price of all options granted to date is the fair value of the company’s common shares on the date of grant. All options vest over a five-year period. All unexercised options expire ten years after the date of grant. A summary of the company’s option plans and stock purchase plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, reflecting the effects of stock splits and dividends declared, including the 5% stock dividend declared and distributed in 2002, is as follows:

                                         
            Outstanding Options
  Exercisable Options
    Shares           Weighted           Weighted
    Available           Average           Average
    for Future   Number   Exercise   Number   Exercise
    Grants
  Outstanding
  Price
  Outstanding
  Price
At December 31, 2000
    94,285       1,372,394     $ 4.80       843,116     $ 4.38  
Options authorized
    132,917                          
Options granted/vested
    (91,061 )     91,061       5.18       311,624       4.44  
Options exercised
          (20,055 )     4.00       (20,055 )     4.00  
Options forfeited
    63,184       (63,184 )     6.18       (23,381 )     5.08  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
At December 31, 2001
    199,325       1,380,216       4.77       1,111,304       4.39  
Options authorized
                             
Options granted/vested
    (124,950 )     124,950       6.66       182,830       5.77  
Options exercised
          (21,097 )     3.64       (21,097 )     3.64  
Options forfeited
    48,940       (48,940 )     6.49       (13,808 )     5.33  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
At December 31, 2002
    123,315       1,435,129       4.88       1,259,229       4.59  
Options authorized
    500,000                          
Options granted/vested
    (150,000 )     150,000       8.45       104,187       7.85  
Options exercised
          (173,926 )     5.32       (173,926 )     5.32  
Options forfeited
    39,192       (39,192 )     8.55       (39,192 )     8.55  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
At December 31, 2003
    512,507       1,372,011     $ 5.35       1,150,298     $ 4.79  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Page 65


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(10) EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT PLAN (Continued)

Stock Option Plans (Continued)

The weighted average remaining life of options outstanding at December 31, 2003 is 5 years. The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at December 31, 2003 is $3.44 to $12.16. Information pertaining to options outstanding at December 31, 2003 is as follows:

                 
    Number of   Number of
Range of Exercise Prices
  Options Outstanding
  Options Exercisable
$3.44 - $6.66
    1,071,660       1,003,459  
$6.85 - $8.90
    152,561       93,332  
$9.25 - $12.16
    147,790       53,507  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Outstanding at end of year
    1,372,011       1,150,298  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The estimated per share fair value of options granted, together with the assumptions used in estimating those fair values, are displayed below:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Estimated fair value of options granted
  $ 4.54     $ 2.30     $ 2.35  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Assumptions in estimating option values:
                       
Risk-free interest rate
    3.00 %     3.50 %     4.00 %
Dividend yield
    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
Volatility
    39.00 %     22.00 %     18.00 %
Expected life
  7 years   7 years   7 years

(11) LEASES

The company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases. Future minimum lease payments under these leases for the years ending December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
2004
  $ 352  
2005
    321  
2006
    273  
2007
    227  
2008
    212  
Thereafter
    566  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 1,951  
 
   
 
 

Total rental expense under operating leases was $414,000 in 2003, $461,000 in 2002, and $427,000 in 2001.

Page 66


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(12) INCOME TAXES

The significant components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Current tax provision:
                       
Federal
  $ 1,952     $ 2,074     $ 1,151  
State
    377       133       87  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    2,329       2,207       1,238  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Deferred tax provision:
                       
Federal
    (231 )     (380 )     (80 )
State
    (126 )     (72 )     (11 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    (357 )     (452 )     (91 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net provision for income taxes
  $ 1,972     $ 1,755     $ 1,147  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to income before income taxes is summarized below:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Tax computed at the statutory federal rate
  $ 1,915     $ 1,689     $ 1,106  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
                       
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    166       40       50  
Tax exempt income
    (77 )     (75 )     (49 )
Other permanent differences
    (32 )     101       40  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    57       66       41  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Provision for income taxes included in operations
  $ 1,972     $ 1,755     $ 1,147  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred taxes at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

                 
    2003
  2002
    (Amounts in thousands)
Deferred tax assets relating to:
               
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 2,682     $ 2,287  
Deferred compensation
    148       77  
Other
    120       60  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total deferred tax assets
    2,950       2,424  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities relating to:
               
Property and equipment
    (436 )     (304 )
Loan fees and costs
    (356 )     (299 )
Other comprehensive income
    (643 )     (1,526 )
Other
    (5 )     (25 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (1,440 )     (2,154 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net recorded deferred tax asset
  $ 1,510     $ 270  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The company has no valuation allowance at December 31, 2003 or 2002 because management has determined that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

Page 67


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(13) NON-INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

The major components of non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
  $ 1,442     $ 1,121     $ 879  
Presold mortgage loan fees
    1,350       1,310       1,009  
Investment brokerage fees
    947       333       193  
SBIC management fees
    562       542       564  
Income from derivative
                383  
Gain on sale of investment securities
          70        
Other
    684       551       374  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 4,985     $ 3,927     $ 3,402  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The major components of other non-interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
    (Amounts in thousands)
Postage, printing and office supplies
  $ 383     $ 313     $ 339  
Advertising and promotion
    862       566       519  
Data processing and other outsourced services
    1,317       1,177       1,033  
Professional services
    706       260       341  
Other
    2,417       2,199       1,353  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 5,685     $ 4,515     $ 3,585  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

(14) REGULATORY MATTERS

The bank, as a North Carolina banking corporation, may pay cash dividends to the company only out of undivided profits as determined pursuant to North Carolina banking laws. However, regulatory authorities may limit payment of dividends by any bank when it is determined that such limitation is in the public interest and is necessary to ensure financial soundness of the bank.

The bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state 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 consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Page 68


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(14) REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios, as prescribed by regulations, of total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier I capital to average assets. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt correction action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the bank must maintain minimum amounts and ratios, as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s category. Information regarding the bank’s capital and capital ratios is set forth below:

                                                 
                                    Minimum To Be Well
                    Minimum For Capital   Capitalized Under Prompt
    Actual
  Adequacy Purposes
  Corrective Action Provisions
    Amount
  Ratio
  Amount
  Ratio
  Amount
  Ratio
                    (Dollars in thousands)                
As of December 31, 2003:
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
  $ 64,828       10.66 %   $ 48,670       8.00 %   $ 60,838       10.00 %
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
    57,553       9.46 %     24,335       4.00 %     36,503       6.00 %
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets)
    57,553       7.50 %     30,710       4.00 %     38,387       5.00 %
As of December 31, 2002:
                                               
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
  $ 60,563       12.23 %   $ 39,601       8.00 %   $ 49,501       10.00 %
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
    54,373       10.98 %     19,800       4.00 %     29,701       6.00 %
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets)
    54,373       8.95 %     24,314       4.00 %     30,392       5.00 %

The company is also subject to these capital requirements. At December 31, 2003, the company’s total capital to risk-weighted assets, Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier I capital to average assets were 17.74%, 10.85% and 8.63%, respectively.

(15) DERIVATIVES

Derivative Financial Instruments

The company has stand-alone derivative financial instruments in the form of interest rate swap agreements, which derive their value from underlying interest rates. These transactions involve both credit and market risk. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivative are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any. Such difference, which represents the fair value of the derivative instruments, is reflected on the company’s consolidated balance sheets as derivative assets and derivative liabilities.

The company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these agreements. The company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect any counterparties to fail their obligations. The company deals only with primary dealers.

Derivative instruments are generally either negotiated OTC contracts or standardized contracts executed on a recognized exchange. Negotiated OTC derivative contracts are generally entered into between two counterparties that negotiate specific agreements terms, including the underlying instruments, amount, exercise prices and maturity.

Page 69


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(15) DERIVATIVES (Continued)

Risk Management Policies - Hedging Instruments

The primary focus of the company’s asset/liability management program is to monitor the sensitivity of the company’s net portfolio value and net income under varying interest rate scenarios to take steps to control its risks. On a quarterly basis, the company simulates the net portfolio value and net income expected to be earned over a twelve-month period following the date of simulation. The simulation is based on a projection of market interest rates at varying levels and estimates the impact of such market rates on the levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities during the measurement period. Based upon the outcome of the simulation analysis, the company considers the use of derivatives as a means of reducing the volatility of net portfolio value and projected net income within certain ranges of projected changes in interest rates. The company evaluates the effectiveness of entering into any derivative instrument agreement by measuring the cost of such an agreement in relation to the reduction in net portfolio value and net income volatility within an assumed range of interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk Management - Cash Flow Hedging Instruments

The company originates variable rate loans for its loan portfolio. These loans expose the company to variability in interest receipts due to changes to interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest income increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest income decreases. Management believes it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of its interest receipts and therefore, generally hedges a portion of its variable-rate interest receipts. To meet this objective, management enters into interest rate swap agreements whereby the company receives fixed rate payments and makes variable interest rate payments during the contract period.

At December 31, 2003, the information pertaining to outstanding interest rate swap agreements used to hedge variable rate loans is as follows (amounts in thousands):

                 
    2003
  2002
Notional amount
  $ 10,000     $ 35,000  
Weighted average pay rate
    4.00 %     4.25 %
Weighted average receive rate
    6.21 %     6.46 %
Weighted average maturity in years
    .3       2.2  
Unrealized gain relating to interest rate swaps
  $ 111     $ 1,253  
Deferred gain from early termination
  $ 701     $ 156  

These agreements require the company to make payments at a variable rate determined by a specified index (prime) in exchange for receiving payments at a fixed rate.

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the company’s interest rate swaps used to hedge variable rate loans reflected an unrealized gain of $812,000 and $1.4 million, respectively, which included deferred gains from the early termination of interest rate swaps in the amount of $701,000 and $156,000, respectively. The unrealized gain is included in other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The recognized portion of the gains from early termination, which was $406,000 for 2003 and $52,000 for 2002, is included in interest income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The unrecognized gain at December 31, 2003 will be included in income over an eighteen-month period, with $482,000 expected to be recognized in income in 2004.

Risk management results for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 related to the balance sheet hedging of variable rate loans indicate that the hedges were 100% effective and that there was no component of the derivative instruments’ gain or loss which was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

At December 31, 2003, the unrealized gain relating to use of interest rate swaps was recorded in other assets.

Page 70


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(15) DERIVATIVES (Continued)

Interest Rate Risk Management - Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Continued)

Late in 2000, the company purchased an off-balance sheet financial contract, an interest rate floor, to assist in managing interest rate risk. During 2001, the company sold the interest rate floor. The company recognized income aggregating $383,000 on this floor contract in 2001, including the gain realized upon its disposal, in non-interest income.

Interest Rate Risk Management - Fair Value Hedging Instruments

During 2003, the company utilized fixed rate time deposits and trust preferred securities for use in the company’s lending and investment activities and other general purposes. These debt obligations expose the company to variability in their fair value due to changes in the level of interest rates. Management believes that it is prudent to limit the variability in the fair value of a portion of its fixed-rate funding. It is the company’s objective to hedge the change in fair value of fixed-rate funding coverage levels that are appropriate, given anticipated or existing interest rate levels and other market considerations, as well as the relationship of change in this liability to other liabilities of the company. To meet this objective, the company utilizes interest rate swaps as an asset/liability management strategy to hedge the change in value of the funding due to changes in expected interest rate assumptions. These interest rate swap agreements are contracts to make a series of floating rate payments determined by a specified index (LIBOR) in exchange for receiving a series of fixed rate payments. Although the company hedges the change in value of its fixed-rate funding, its hedge coverage ratio does not equate to 100%. The company believes it is economically prudent to keep hedge coverage ratios at acceptable risk levels, which may vary depending on current and expected interest rate movement. At December 31, 2003, the ineffective portion of the fair value hedge amounted to $4,000 and is included in non-interest income.

At December 31, 2003, the information pertaining to outstanding interest rate swap agreements used to hedge fixed-rate funding is as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Notional amount
  $ 41,000  
Weighted average pay rate
    2.15 %
Weighted average receive rate
    5.22 %
Weighted average maturity in years
    16.9  
Unrealized loss relating to interest rate swaps
  $ 140  

No interest rate swap agreements used to hedge fixed-rate funding were terminated during 2003. At December 31, 2003, the unrealized loss relating to use of interest rate swaps was recorded in other assets.

(16) OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheets. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of conditions established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the company, upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral obtained varies but may include real estate, stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit.

Page 71


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(16) OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK (Continued)

A summary of the contract amount of the company’s exposure to off-balance sheet risk as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

                 
    2003
  2002
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
               
Loan commitments and undisbursed lines of credit
  $ 146,414     $ 99,706  
Undisbursed standby letters of credit
    4,749       11,090  
Construction contracts outstanding
          445  

(17) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial instruments include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, investment securities, loans, bank-owed life insurance, deposit accounts and other borrowings, accrued interest and derivatives. Fair value estimates are made at a specific moment in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no active market readily exists for a portion of the company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Due from Banks, and Federal Funds Sold

The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks, and federal funds sold approximate fair value because of the short maturities of those instruments.

Investment Securities

Fair value for investment securities equals quoted market price if such information is available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

Loans

For certain homogenous categories of loans, such as residential mortgages, fair value is estimated using the quoted market prices for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics. The fair value of other types of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

Investment in Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The carrying value of bank-owned life insurance approximates fair value because this investment is carried at cash surrender value, as determined by the insurer.

Page 72


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(17) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is estimated based on discounting expected cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Borrowings

The fair values are based on discounting expected cash flows at the interest rate for debt with the same or similar remaining maturities and collected requirements.

Accrued Interest

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

Derivative financial instruments

Fair values for interest rate swap agreements are based upon the amounts required to settle the contracts. Fair values for on-balance-sheet commitments to originate loans held for sale are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, and for fixed-rate commitments also consider the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

With regard to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk discussed in Note 16, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of future financing commitments.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the company’s financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes, are as follows at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                                 
    2003
  2002
    Carrying   Estimated   Carrying   Estimated
    amount
  fair value
  amount
  fair value
    (In thousands)
Financial assets:
                               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 22,929     $ 22,929     $ 16,632     $ 16,632  
Federal funds sold
    271       271       11,084       11,084  
Investment securities available for sale
    168,500       168,500       96,930       96,930  
Investment securities held to maturity
    62,257       61,044       44,749       45,319  
Loans, net
    512,471       513,566       415,596       416,631  
Investment in life insurance
    2,895       2,895       2,751       2,751  
Accrued interest receivable
    3,430       3,430       3,269       3,269  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    575,218       575,885       449,216       449,481  
Short-term borrowings
    51,900       51,900       40,706       40,706  
Long-term debt
    65,975       64,741       55,000       53,393  
Trust preferred securities
    51,652       60,311       17,250       18,458  
Accrued interest payable
    1,324       1,324       1,019       1,019  
On-balance sheet derivative financial instruments:
                               
Interest rate swap agreements:
                               
Assets, net
    (29 )     (29 )     1,253       1,253  

Page 73


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(18) PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL DATA

Southern Community Financial Corporation’s condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and its related condensed statements of operations and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 are as follows:

Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31, 2003 and 2002

(Amounts in thousands)

                 
    2003
  2002
Asset:
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 384     $ 67  
Investment in subsidiaries
    58,574       56,835  
Receivable from subsidiaries
    39,000       6,320  
Investment securities available for sale
    70       70  
Other assets
    6,116       2,031  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 104,144     $ 65,323  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities:
               
Junior subordinated debentures
  $ 53,253     $ 17,784  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    44,378       43,123  
Retained earnings
    5,492       1,830  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,021       2,586  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    50,891       47,539  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 104,144     $ 65,323  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Condensed Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(Amounts in thousands)

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Equity in income of subsidiaries
  $ 4,634     $ 3,890     $ 2,105  
Interest income
    232       171        
Other income
    4       90        
Interest expense
    (1,543 )     (1,131 )      
Other expense
    (312 )     (154 )      
Income tax benefit
    648       348        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Page 74


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(18) PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL DATA (Continued)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

(Amounts in thousands)

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 3,663     $ 3,214     $ 2,105  
Equity in income of subsidiaries
    (4,634 )     (3,890 )     (2,105 )
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    44       33        
Increase in receivable from subsidiaries
    (31,350 )     (316 )      
Increase in other assets
    (1,468 )     (203 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    (33,745 )     (1,162 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Investing activities:
                       
Investment in subsidiaries
          (14,716 )      
Purchase of investments
          (70 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
          (14,786 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from junior subordinated debentures, net of debt issuance costs
    33,292       15,923        
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    770       105        
Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares on 5% stock dividend
          (13 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    34,062       16,015        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net increase in cash
    317       67        
Cash, beginning of year
    67              
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash, end of year
  $ 384     $ 67     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

(19) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (unaudited)

On July 30, 2003, the company and The Community Bank jointly announced the execution of a definitive agreement in which Southern Community Financial Corporation would acquire The Community Bank of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina in a fixed exchange of cash and stock. The Community Bank, founded in 1987 operates 10 community-banking offices throughout Surry, Rockingham, Stokes, Iredell and Yadkin counties of North Carolina. On December 11, 2003, shareholders approved the transaction allowing Southern Community Financial Corporation to acquire The Community Bank. On January 12, 2004, the acquisition was completed. For each share of stock owned, The Community Bank shareholders receive $53.05 in cash, 4.8714 shares of newly issued Southern Community common stock or a combination of both, subject to an overall allocation of approximately 6.4 million shares of common stock and $15.2 million in cash. As a result of the acquisition, consolidated assets for the company reached $1.1 billion, with $120 million of shareholders’ equity, and approximately $48 million of goodwill was created.

Page 75


 

SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(19) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

On January 14, 2004, the company announced the redemption of all of its 7.25% Cumulative Convertible Trust Preferred Securities issued through Southern Community Capital Trust I under the provision that the trading price of our common stock had been at least 125% of the conversion price for a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending within five days of the notice of redemption. The Securities were redeemed on March 12, 2004 which resulted in the issuance of 2,060,000 shares of common stock through the conversions and the retirement of $61,000 of the convertible trust preferred securities. On January 14, 2004, the company announced the declaration of its first annual cash dividend of $0.11 per share of its common stock which was paid on March 15, 2004, to shareholders of record on February 20, 2004.

Page 76


 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Incorporated by reference from the company’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2004.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Incorporated by reference from the company’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2004.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Incorporated by reference from the company’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2004.

The following table sets forth equity compensation plan information at December 31, 2003.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

                         
                    Number of securities
    Number of securities           remaining available for
    to be issued   Weighted-average   future issuance under
    upon exercise of   exercise price of   equity compensation plans
    outstanding options,   outstanding options,   (excluding securities
Plan Category
  warrants and rights
  warrants and rights
  reflected in column(a))
    (a)   (b)   (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
                       
Stock Option Plans
    1,372,011     $ 5.35       512,524  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
    20,000     $ 7.65       980,000  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
  NA   NA   NA
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
    1,392,011     $ 5.39       1,492,524  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Incorporated by reference from the company’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2004.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Incorporated by reference from the company’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2004.

Page 77


 

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)(1)    Financial Statements. The following financial statements and supplementary data are included in Item 8 of this report.

         
Financial Statements
  Form 10-K Page
Independent Auditors’ Report
    46  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002
    47  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    48  
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    49  
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    50  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001
    51  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    52-76  

(a)(2)    Financial Statement Schedules. All applicable financial statement schedules required under Regulation S-X have been included in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(a)(3)    Exhibits. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed below.

     
Exhibit No.
  Description
Exhibit 3.1:
 
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Current Report on Form 8K dated October 1, 2001)
 
   
Exhibit 3.2:
 
Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Current Report on Form 8K dated October 1, 2001)
 
   
Exhibit 3.3:
 
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (“2001 Annual Report”))
 
   
Exhibit 4.1:
 
Specimen certificate for Common Stock of Southern Community Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Current Report on Form 8K dated October 1, 2001)
 
   
Exhibit 4.2:
 
Form of 7.25% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 dated November 28, 2001, Registration No. 333-74084 (the “S-2 Registration Statement”))
 
   
Exhibit 4.3:
 
Form of Certificate for 7.25% Trust Preferred Security of Southern Community Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Amendment Number One to the S-2 Registration Statement dated January 10, 2002)
 
   
Exhibit 4.4:
 
Form of 7.95% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated September 26, 2003, Registration No. 333-109167 (the “S-3 Registration Statement”))
 
   
Exhibit 4.5:
 
Form of Certificate for 7.95% Trust Preferred Security of Southern Community Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the S-3 Registration Statement)

Page 78


 

     
Exhibit No.
  Description
Exhibit 10.1:
 
1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Southern Community Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment Number One to the Registration Statement dated January 10, 2002)
 
   
Exhibit 10.2:
 
1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan of Southern Community Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment Number One to the Registration Statement dated January 10, 2002)
 
   
Exhibit 10.3:
 
Indenture with respect to the Company’s 7.25% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 2001 Annual Report)
 
   
Exhibit 10.4:
 
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Southern Community Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2001 Annual Report)
 
   
Exhibit 10.5:
 
Guarantee Agreement for Southern Community Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 2001 Annual Report)
 
   
Exhibit 10.6:
 
Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities with respect to Southern Community Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the 2001 Annual Report)
 
   
Exhibit 10.7:
  2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Southern Community Financial Corporation
 
   
Exhibit 10.8:
  2002 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan of Southern Community Financial Corporation
 
   
Exhibit 10.9:
 
Indenture with respect to the Company’s 7.95% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
 
   
Exhibit 10.10:
  Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Southern Community Capital Trust II
 
   
Exhibit 10.11:
  Guarantee Agreement for Southern Community Capital Trust II
 
   
Exhibit 10.12:
  Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities with respect to Southern Community Capital Trust II
 
   
Exhibit 10.13:
  2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
   
Exhibit 21:
  Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
   
Exhibit 23:
  Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
 
   
Exhibit 31.1:
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Chief Executive Officer
 
   
Exhibit 31.2:
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Chief Financial Officer
 
   
Exhibit 32:
  Section 1350 Certifications

(b)    Current Reports on Form 8-K filed during the fourth quarter of 2003.

         
Type
  Date Filed
  Reporting Purpose
Item 5
  October 6, 2003   Registration statement filed with regard to 3 million shares of Capital Trust II.
 
       
Item 5.
  October 16, 2003   To announce ceasing consumer finance Operations.
 
       
Item 9.
  October 21, 2003   To report results for the period ending 9/30/03.
 
       
Item 5.
  October 27, 2003   To report resignation of a director.
 
       
Item 5.
  November 5, 2003   To announce sale of $30 million of Capital Trust II trust preferred securities.
 
       
Item 9.
  November 13, 2003   To announce presenting at 11/19/03 Ryan Beck Financial Institutions Investors Conference.
 
       
Item 5.
  December 17, 2003   To announce shareholder approval of the acquisition of The Community Bank.

Page 79


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         
    SOUTHERN COMMUNITY
      FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
       
Date: March 24, 2004
  By:  /s/ F. Scott Bauer
   
 
      F. Scott Bauer
      Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
Date: March 24, 2004
  By:  /s/ Richard M. Cobb
   
 
      Richard M. Cobb
      Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

         
SIGNATURE
  TITLE
  DATE
/s/ F. Scott Bauer

F. Scott Bauer
  Chairman of the Board   March 24, 2004
/s/ James O. Frye

James O. Frye
  Vice Chairman of the Board   March 24, 2004
/s/ Don Gray Angell

Don Gray Angell
  Director   March 24, 2004
/s/ Zack W. Blackmon, Sr.

Zack W. Blackmon, Sr.
  Director   March 24, 2004
/s/ Edward T. Brown

Edward T. Brown
  Director   March 24, 2004
/s/ Charles R. Bokesch

Charles R. Bokesch
  Director   March 24, 2004
/s/ James G. Chrysson

James G. Chrysson
  Director   March 24, 2004

Page 80


 

         
SIGNATURE
  TITLE
  DATE
/s/ Matthew G. Gallins
Matthew G. Gallins
  Director   March 24, 2004
       
/s/ H. Lee Merritt, Jr.

H. Lee Merritt, Jr.
  Director   March 24, 2004
       
 

Dianne M. Neal
  Director   March     , 2004
       
/s/ Billy D. Prim

Billy D. Prim
  Director   March 24, 2004
       
/s/ Durward A. Smith, Jr.

Durward A. Smith, Jr.
  Director   March 24, 2004
       
/s/ William G. Ward, Sr., M.D.

William G. Ward, Sr., M.D.
  Director   March 24, 2004

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