Management's discussion and analysis of earnings and related data are presented to assist in understanding the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (the “Company”). The Company is a registered bank holding company operating under the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board and the parent company of Peoples Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a North Carolina-chartered bank, with offices in Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander and Mecklenburg Counties, operating under the banking laws of North Carolina and the rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The office in Mecklenburg County was recently opened in Charlotte, NC under the name of Banco de la Gente to serve the Latino community.<
/DIV>
Overview
Our business consists principally of attracting deposits from the general public and investing these funds in loans secured by commercial real estate, secured and unsecured commercial loans and consumer loans. Our profitability depends primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between the income we receive on our loan and investment securities portfolios and our cost of funds, which consists of interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest income also is affected by the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-bearing liabilities, any positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income. Our profitability is also affected by the level of other income and operating expenses
. Other income consists primarily of miscellaneous fees related to our loans and deposits, mortgage banking income and commissions from sales of annuities and mutual funds. Operating expenses consist of compensation and benefits, occupancy related expenses, federal deposit and other insurance premiums, data processing, advertising and other expenses.
Our operations are influenced significantly by local economic conditions and by policies of financial institution regulatory authorities. The earnings on our assets are influenced by the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations. Lending activities are affected by the demand for commercial and other types of loans, which in turn is affected by the interest rates at which such financing may be offered. Our cost of funds is influenced by interest rates on competing investments and by rates offered on similar investments by competing financial institutions in our market area, as well as general market interest rates. These factors can
cause fluctuations in our net interest income and other income. In addition, local economic conditions can impact the credit risk of our loan portfolio, in that local employers may be required to eliminate employment positions of borrowers, and small businesses and other commercial borrowers may experience a downturn in their operating performance and become unable to make timely payments on their loans. Management evaluates these factors in estimating its allowance for loan losses, and changes in these economic conditions could result in increases or decreases to the provision for loan losses.
Our business emphasis has been to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community-oriented financial institution dedicated to providing quality customer service. We are committed to meeting the financial needs of the communities in which we operate. We believe that we can be more effective in servicing our customers than many of our non-local competitors because of our ability to quickly and effectively provide senior management responses to customer needs and inquiries. Our ability to provide these services is enhanced by the stability of our senior management team.
Due to a general slowdown in the economy beginning in 2000, the Federal Reserve acted to provide a stimulus through a series of interest rate reductions that lowered the prime rate from 9.50% in January 2001 to 4.00% in June 2003. These reductions in prime rate have negatively impacted the Company's net interest margin and net interest spread, which has resulted in lower net interest income for the Company. The Company's asset growth has been slower as a result of heavy refinancing as customers have taken advantage of these attractive interest rates. The fee income associated with the heavy refinancing volume has replaced some of the lost net interest income. The Company has also utilized interest rate swaps to convert some variable rate loans to fixed rate in order to offset some of the reduced earnings becaus
e of the decreases in the prime rate.
The Federal Reserve has increased the Federal Funds Rate a total of 0.75% in 2004 to 1.75% as of September 30, 2004. These increases had a positive impact on third quarter earnings and should continue to have a positive impact on the Bank’s net interest income in the future periods.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition. Many of the Company’s accounting policies require significant judgment regarding valuation of assets and liabilities and/or significant interpretation of specific accounting guidance. The following is a summary of some of the more subjective and complex accounting policies of the Company. A more complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders which is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 6, 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2004 Annual Report”).
Many of the Company’s assets and liabilities are recorded using various techniques that require significant judgment as to recoverability. The collectability of loans is reflected through the Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The Company performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its lending portfolio to assess overall collectability. In addition, certain assets and liabilities are reflected at their estimated fair value in the consolidated financial statements. Such amounts are based on either quoted market prices or estimated values derived from dealer quotes used by the Company, market comparisons or internally generated modeling techniques. The Company’s internal models generally involve present value of cash flow techniques. The various techniques are discussed i
n greater detail elsewhere in management’s discussion and analysis and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report.
There are other complex accounting standards that require the Company to employ significant judgment in interpreting and applying certain of the principles prescribed by those standards. These judgments include, but are not limited to, the determination of whether a financial instrument or other contract meets the definition of a derivative in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 133). For a more complete discussion of policies, see the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - An Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“FIN 46”). In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised version of FIN 46 to resolve certain questions and confusion related to the application of the original FIN 46. The Company adopted FIN 46 (Revised) as of December 31, 2003, and as a result, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, PEBK Capital Trust I, is no longer included in these consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements have been restated for all periods presented to reflect this change in accounting, and the adoption of FIN 46 (Revised) had no impact on the Company’s reported res
ults of operations or shareholders’ equity.
In January 2004, the FASB issued as tentative guidance, Derivatives Implementation Group Issue G25, “Cash Flow Hedges: Hedging the Variable Interest Payments on a Group of Prime-Rate-Based Interest-Bearing Loans.” Issue G25 provides guidance for entities wishing to hedge the variability in loan interest receipts that are tied to the prime rate and other issues associated with cash flow hedges. Issue G25 was revised and was cleared by the FASB in July 2004. The revised guidance does allow for hedging a pool of non-benchmark-rate assets or liabilities by entering into an interest rate swap whose floating leg is also based on the prime rate or another non-benchmark-rate. Therefore, management expects that the interest rate swaps hedging prime-rate based loans discussed in the section below entitled “
;Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management” will continue to be treated as cash flow hedges and that the Company will not have to record changes in value as a component of current earnings nor terminate the swaps as long as the hedge is effective.
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of
assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Results of Operations
Summary. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2004 were $1.1 million or $0.35 basic and diluted net earnings per share as compared to $319,000, or $0.10 basic and diluted net income per share for the same period one year ago. Net earnings from recurring operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 were $1.1 million, or $0.36 basic and diluted net earnings per share, as compared to third quarter 2003 net earnings from recurring operations of $355,000, or $0.11 basic and diluted net earnings per share. The increase in recurring earnings is attributable to a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in net interest income, which were partially offset by a decrease in recurring non-intere
st income and an increase in non-interest expense. The Company had net non-recurring losses on the disposition of assets of $42,000 in the third quarter of 2004. Net non-recurring losses on the disposition of assets for the third quarter of 2003 amounted to $72,000.
The annualized return on average assets was 0.64% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 0.19% for the same period in 2003, and annualized return on average shareholders' equity was 8.80% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 2.54% for the same period in 2003. Excluding net non-recurring income, the annualized return on average assets was 0.65% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 0.21% for the same period in 2003, and annualized return on average shareholders' equity was 9.01% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 2.82% for the same period in 2003.
Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $3.4 million, or $1.07 basic net earnings per share and $1.06 diluted net earnings per share. Net earnings from recurring operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $3.4 million or $1.08 basic net earnings per share and $1.07 diluted net earnings per share, representing a 78% increase over net earnings from recurring operations of $1.9 million, or $0.61 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The increase in recurring earnings for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in net interest income, which were partially offset by a decrease in recurring non-interest income and an increase in non-i
nterest expense. Net non-recurring losses on disposition of assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 amounted to $59,000. Net non-recurring losses on disposition of assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $143,000, which included a $628,000 net loss on repossessed assets, which was partially offset by a $479,000 gain associated with the sale of the Bank’s $3.7 million credit card portfolio.
The annualized return on average assets was 0.66% and annualized return on average shareholders’ equity was 8.82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Excluding non-recurring gains and losses on disposition of assets, the annualized return on average assets was 0.67% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 0.39% for the same period in 2003, and annualized return on average shareholders’ equity was 8.92% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 5.11% for the same period in 2003.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income, the major component of the Company's net income, was $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 11% over the $5.4 million earned in the same period in 2003. The increase in net interest income for the third quarter of 2004 was attributable to an increase in interest income due to increases in the prime rate resulting from Federal Reserve interest rate increases. This increase is also due to an increase in the average outstanding balance of loans and investment securities available for sale combined with a reduction in interest expense resulting from a decrease in the cost of funds.
Interest income increased $515,000 or 6% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The increase was due to an increase in the average outstanding balance of investment securities available for sale and loans and an increase in the prime rate. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004 average investment securities available for sale increased $27.2 million to $101.0 million from $73.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003. The increase was attributable to additional securities purchases, which were partially offset by paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and calls. Average
loans increased $4.8 million to $545.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 from $540.9 million for the same period in 2003.
Interest expense decreased $90,000 or 3% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the cost of funds to 2.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 from 2.32% for the same period in 2003, partially offset by an increase in volume of interest bearing liabilities. The decrease in the cost of funds is primarily attributable to a decrease in the average rate paid on certificates of deposit to 2.35% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 from 2.57% for the same period one year ago.
Net interest income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 was $17.7 million, an increase of 9% over net interest income of $16.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. This increase is attributable to an increase in interest income due to an increase in the prime rate, as well as an increase in the average outstanding balance of investment securities available for sale and loans combined with a reduction in interest expense resulting from a decrease in the cost of funds.
Interest income increased $939,000 or 4% to $26.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $26.0 million for the same period in 2003. The increase was due to an increase in the average outstanding balance of investment securities available for sale and an increase in the prime rate and increases in loans. Average investment securities available for sale increased 28% to $90.1 million, while average loans increased 2% to $549.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period in 2003. All other interest-earning assets including federal funds sold decreased to an average of $9.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from $15.4 million in the same period in 2003. The tax equivalent yield on average earning assets decreased to 5.61% for the nine m
onths ended September 30, 2004 from 5.62% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
Interest expense decreased 5% to $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $9.6 million for the corresponding period in 2003. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities to 2.20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from 2.39% for the same period in 2003, partially offset by an increase in volume of interest-bearing liabilities. The decrease in the cost of funds is primarily attributable to a decrease in the average rate paid on certificates of deposit to 2.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from 2.68% for the same period in 2003.
Provision for Loan Losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2004, additions totaling $931,000 were made to the provision for loan losses compared to $1.6 million for the same period one year ago. The decrease in the provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003 was due to a decrease in classified loans.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 an addition of $2.7 million was made to the provision for loan losses compared to a $4.6 million contribution to the provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The decrease in the provision for loan losses reflects a decrease in classified loans of $8.4 million.
Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income was $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2004 and 2003. Service charges were $908,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, a 10% increase over the same period in 2003. This is primarily attributable to an increase in deposit account related fees coupled with deposit growth. Mortgage banking income decreased $98,000 in the third quarter of 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003. Management expects that mortgage banking income will continue to be less than prior periods due to a reduction in refinancing activity and expected interest rate increases. Miscellaneous income was $341,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $396,000
for the same period in 2003. Recurring non-interest income amounted to $1.6 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in recurring non-interest income is primarily due to a reduction in mortgage banking income resulting from less refinancing activity caused by higher interest rates.
Total non-interest income was $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. Service charges were $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, a 7% increase over the same
period in 2003. This is primarily attributable to an increase in service charge fees combined with deposit growth. Mortgage banking income decreased $333,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 when compared to the same period in 2003. Management expects that mortgage banking income will continue to be less than prior periods due to a reduction in refinancing activity and expected interest rate increases. Net losses on the disposition of assets were $59,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to net losses on the disposition of assets of $143,000 for the same period in 2003. Net losses on disposition of assets in 2003 included a $628,000 net loss on repossessed assets, which was partially offset by a $479,000 gain associated with the sale of the Bank’s $3.7 million credit card portfolio during the first quarter of 2003. During the nine mont
h periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, there were no gains or losses from the sale of securities. Miscellaneous income decreased 3% to $975,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Excluding non-recurring gains or losses on the disposition of assets, non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 decreased 3% when compared to the same period last year. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in mortgage banking income resulting from a reduction in refinancing activity due to increased rates. This decrease was partially offset by increases in service charges, due to an increase in deposit account related fees resulting from deposit growth.
Non-Interest Expense. Total non-interest expense increased 4% to $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $4.8 million for the corresponding period in 2003. Salary and employee benefits totaled $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 10% over the same period in 2003. The increase in salary and employee benefits is due to normal salary increases and increased incentive expense. Occupancy expense increased 3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. This increase is partially due to an increase in lease expense resulting from lease agreements for the Bank’s new Banco de la Gente branch in Mecklenburg County. Other non-interest expense decreased 7% to $1.3 mi
llion for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. The decrease in other non-interest expense resulted primarily from a decrease in other taxes of $119,000 primarily due to a decrease in franchise tax expense.
Total non-interest expense was $14.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 8% over the same period in 2003. Salary and employee benefits totaled $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, an increase of 12% over the same period in 2003. The increase in salary and employee benefits is primarily due to normal salary increases, increased incentive expense and increased employee insurance costs. Occupancy expense increased 6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 due to an increase in lease expense resulting from lease agreements for branch facilities entered into during 2003 and 2004. Other non-interest expense increased 4% to $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. The increase in other non-interest exp
ense included an increase in consulting expense of $91,000 and an increase in advertising expense of $86,000.
Income Taxes. The Company reported income taxes of $552,000 for the third quarter of 2004, which represented an effective tax rate of 33%. During the three month period ended September 30, 2003, the Company reported income taxes of $307,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 49%. The higher effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 was the result of a review of the Bank’s tax position and adjustments made to state income taxes.
The Company reported income taxes of $1.7 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This represented effective tax rates of 34% and 36% for the respective periods.
Analysis of Financial Condition
Investment Securities. Available for sale securities amounted to $105.3 million at September 30, 2004 compared to $79.5 million at December 31, 2003. This increase is attributable to additional securities purchases, which were partially offset by paydowns on mortgage-backed securities, calls and maturities during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increased volume of securities purchases reflects management’s directed effort to increase investment securities as a percentage of total assets in an effort to reduce the credit risk in the balance sheet. Average available for sale securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 amounted to $90.1 million compared to $72.1 million for the year en
ded December 31, 2003.
Loans. At September 30, 2004, loans amounted to $545.8 million compared to $552.1 million at December 31, 2003, a decrease of $6.3 million. Average loans represented 85% of average earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to 86% for the year ended December 31, 2003. Mortgage loans held for sale were $4.4 million and $587,000 at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses reflects management's assessment and estimate of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio. The Bank periodically analyzes the loan portfolio in an effort to review asset quality and to establish an allowance for loan losses that management believes will be adequate in light of anticipated risks and loan losses. In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, size, quality and risk of loans in the portfolio are reviewed. Other factors considered are:
| · |
the Bank’s loan loss experience; |
| · |
the amount of past due and non-performing loans; |
| · |
the status and amount of other past due and non-performing assets; |
| · |
underlying estimated values of collateral securing loans; |
| · |
current and anticipated economic conditions; and |
| · |
other factors which management believes affect the allowance for potential credit losses. |
An analysis of the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is prepared by the Bank’s credit administration personnel and presented to the Bank’s Board of Directors on a regular basis. The allowance is the total of specific reserves allocated to significant individual loans plus a general reserve. After individual loans with specific allocations have been deducted, the general reserve is calculated by applying general reserve percentages to the nine risk grades within the portfolio. Loans are categorized as one of nine risk grades based on management’s assessment of the overall credit quality of the loan, including payment history, financial position of the borrower, underlying collateral and internal credit review. The general reserve percentages are
determined by management based on its evaluation of losses inherent in the various risk grades of loans. The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to expense in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses and recoveries are charged and credited directly to the allowance.
The following table presents the percentage of loans assigned to each risk grade along with the general reserve percentage applied to loans in each risk grade at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.
| LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS: |
|
Percentage of Loans |
|
General Reserve |
|
|
|
|
By Risk Grade |
|
Percentage |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/30/2004 |
|
|
12/31/2003 |
|
|
9/30/2004 |
|
|
12/31/2003 |
|
| Risk 1 (Excellent Quality) |
|
|
12.64% |
|
|
11.36% |
|
|
0.15% |
|
|
0.15% |
|
| Risk 2 (High Quality) |
|
|
22.04% |
|
|
24.03% |
|
|
0.50% |
|
|
0.50% |
|
| Risk 3 (Good Quality) |
|
|
55.13% |
|
|
53.80% |
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
1.00% |
|
| Risk 4 (Management Attention) |
|
|
5.35% |
|
|
5.11% |
|
|
2.50% |
|
|
2.50% |
|
| Risk 5 (Watch) |
|
|
0.74% |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
7.00% |
|
|
7.00% |
|
| Risk 6 (Substandard) |
|
|
2.05% |
|
|
2.43% |
|
|
12.00% |
|
|
12.00% |
|
| Risk 7 (Low Substandard) |
|
|
0.76% |
|
|
1.33% |
|
|
25.00% |
|
|
25.00% |
|
| Risk 8 (Doubtful) |
|
|
0.04% |
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
50.00% |
|
|
50.00% |
|
| Risk 9 (Loss) |
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
100.00% |
|
|
100.00% |
|
At September 30, 2004 there were no relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade, five relationships exceeding $1.0 million each (which totaled $8.7 million) in the Substandard risk grade and two relationships exceeding $1.0 million each (which totaled $6.9 million) in the Low Substandard risk grade. Balances of individual relationships exceeding $1.0 million in these risk grades ranged from $1.3 million to $4.0 million. These customers continue to meet payment requirements and these relationships would not become non-performing assets unless they are unable to meet those requirements.
An allowance for loan losses is also established, as necessary, for individual loans considered to be impaired in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value
of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or at the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired under SFAS No. 114 was approximately $6.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively, with related allowance for loan losses of approximately $2.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
The allowance for loan losses decreased to $9.5 million or 1.73% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2004 as compared to $9.7 million, or 1.76% of total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2003. The decrease was the result of net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 totaling $2.9 million. These charge-offs included charges of $1.0 million and $550,000 related to loans to customers that were formerly directors of the Company.
The Bank’s allowance for loan losses is also subject to regulatory examinations and determinations as to adequacy, which may take into account such factors as the methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses and the size of the allowance for loan losses compared to a group of peer banks identified by the regulators. During their routine examinations of banks, the FDIC and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
While it is the Bank's policy to charge off in the current period loans for which a loss is considered probable, there are additional risks of future losses which cannot be quantified precisely or attributed to particular loans or classes of loans. Because these risks include the state of the economy, management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance is necessarily approximate and imprecise. After review of all relevant matters affecting loan collectability, management believes that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate.
The Company grants loans and extensions of credit primarily within the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina, which encompasses Catawba, Alexander, Iredell and Lincoln counties and also in Mecklenburg County. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, which is dependent upon the real estate market. Non-real estate loans also can be affected by local economic conditions. At September 30, 2004, approximately 6% of the Company’s portfolio was not secured by any type of collateral. Unsecured loans generally involve higher credit risk than secured loans and, in the event of customer default, the Company has a higher exposure to potential loan losses.
Non-performing Assets. Non-performing assets totaled $8.1 million at September 30, 2004 or 1.17% of total assets, compared to $6.3 million at December 31, 2003, or 0.93% of total assets. Non-accrual loans were $6.8 million at September 30, 2004, an increase of $2.5 million from non-accruals of $4.3 million at December 31, 2003. As a percentage of total loans outstanding, non-accrual loans were 1.24% at September 30, 2004 compared to 0.79% at December 31, 2003. The Bank had loans ninety days past due and still accruing at September 30, 2004 of $113,000 as compared to $271,000 at December 31, 2003. Other real estate owned totaled $1.2 million as of September 30, 2004 as compared to $1.4 million at December 31, 2003
. The Company had no repossessed assets as of September 30, 2004. Repossessed assets totaled $206,000 as of December 31, 2003.
Total non-performing loans, which include non-accrual loans and loans ninety days past due and still accruing, were $6.9 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 1.26% at September 30, 2004, as compared to 0.84% at December 31, 2003.
Deposits. Total deposits at September 30, 2004 were $565.7 million, an increase of $15.9 million over deposits of $549.8 million at December 31, 2003. At September 30, 2004 interest-bearing demand accounts, which include NOW, MMDA and savings, increased 19% or $30.5 million when compared to December 31, 2003. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the Bank’s Investment Checking product. Core deposits, which include demand deposits, savings accounts and certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000, increased $29.6
million to $407.8 million at September 30, 2004 as compared to $378.2 million at December 31, 2003. Certificates of deposit in amounts greater than $100,000 or more totaled $157.9 million at September 30, 2004 as compared to $171.6 million at December 31, 2003. This decrease is due to a reduction in
brokered deposits that were replaced with core deposits. At September 30, 2004, brokered deposits amounted to $40.6 million as compared to $55.5 million at December 31, 2003. Brokered deposits are generally considered to be more susceptible to withdrawal as a result of interest rate changes and to be a less stable source of funds, as compared to deposits from the local market. Brokered deposits outstanding as of September 30, 2004 had a weighted average interest rate of 2.36% with a weighted average original term of 24 months.
Borrowed Funds. Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) totaled $60.0 million at September 30, 2004 compared to $58.0 million at December 31, 2003. This increase reflects $3.0 million in overnight FHLB borrowings resulting from short-term borrowing needs at September 30, 2004. The average balance of FHLB borrowings for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $58.7 million compared to $59.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. At September 30, 2004, FHLB borrowings with matur
ities exceeding one year amounted to $47.0 million. The FHLB has the option to convert $52.0 million of the total advances to a floating rate and, if converted, the Bank may repay advances without payment of a prepayment fee. The Company had no federal funds purchased as of September 30, 2004 or December 31, 2003.
Junior Subordinated Debentures (related to Trust Preferred Securities). In December 2001 the Company formed a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust, PEBK Capital Trust I (“PEBK Trust”), which issued $14.0 million of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures that qualify as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines. All of the common securities of PEBK Trust are owned by the Company. The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by PEBK Trust to purchase $14.4 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company, which pay a floating rate equal to prime plus 50 b
asis points. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were used for general purposes, primarily to provide capital to the Bank. The debentures represent the sole asset of PEBK Trust. PEBK Trust is not included in the consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2004 or December 31, 2003.
The trust preferred securities accrue and pay quarterly distributions based on the liquidation value of $50,000 per capital security at a floating rate of prime plus 50 basis points. The Company has guaranteed distributions and other payments due on the trust preferred securities to the extent PEBK Trust has funds with which to make the distributions and other payments. The net combined effect of all the documents entered into in connection with the trust preferred securities is that the Company is liable to make the distributions and other payments required on the trust preferred securities.
The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on December 31, 2031, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by PEBK Trust, in whole or in part, on or after December 31, 2006. As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest.
Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management. The objective of the Company’s Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk strategies is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest income to changing interest rates and to minimize the interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at various maturities. This is to be done in conjunction with the need to maintain adequate liquidity and the overall goal of maximizing net interest income.
The Company manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) of the Bank. The ALCO meets monthly and has the responsibility for approving asset/liability management policies, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or earnings and reviewing the interest rate sensitivity of the Company. ALCO tries to minimize interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by attempting to minimize wide fluctuations in net interest income due to interest rate movements. The ability to control these fluctuations has a direct impact on the profitability of the Company. Management monitors this activity on a regular basis thr
ough analysis of its portfolios to determine the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities.
The Company’s rate sensitive assets are those earning interest at variable rates and those with contractual
maturities within one year. Rate sensitive assets therefore include both loans and available for sale securities. Rate sensitive liabilities include interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, time deposits and borrowed funds. The Company’s balance sheet is asset-sensitive, meaning that in a given period there will be more assets than liabilities subject to immediate repricing as interest rates change in the market. Because most of the Company’s loans are tied to the prime rate, they reprice more rapidly than rate sensitive interest-bearing deposits. During periods of rising rates, this results in increased net interest income. The opposite occurs during periods of declining rates. Average rate sensitive assets at September 30, 2004 totaled $648.6 million, excee
ding average rate sensitive liabilities by $92.5 million.
In order to assist in achieving a desired level of interest rate sensitivity, the Company entered into off-balance sheet contracts that are considered derivative financial instruments. These contracts consist of interest rate swap agreements under which the Company converted $55.0 million of variable rate loans to a fixed rate. At September 30, 2004, the Company had two interest rate swap contracts outstanding. These swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the first swap agreement, the Company receives a fixed rate of 5.22% and pays a variable rate based on the current prime rate (4.75% at September 30, 2004) on a notional amount of $25.0 million. The swap agreement matures in April 2006. Under the second swap agreement, the Company receives a rate of 5.41% and pays a variable rate based on the curre
nt prime rate (4.75% at September 30, 2004) on a notional amount of $30.0 million. The swap agreement matures in September 2006. Management believes that the risk associated with using this type of derivative financial instrument to mitigate interest rate risk should not have any material unintended impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
During 2003, the Company settled two previously outstanding interest rate swap agreements. The first swap, with a notional amount of $40.0 million and scheduled to mature in June 2004 was sold for a gain of $860,000. The second swap with a notional amount of $20.0 million and scheduled to mature in July 2004 was sold for a gain of $394,000. The gains realized upon settlement are being recognized over the original term of the agreements and during the nine month period ended September 30, 2004, gains of approximately $553,000 were realized. For the year ended December 31, 2003, gains of approximately $701,000 were realized.
The Bank also utilizes interest rate floors on certain variable rate loans to protect against further downward movements in the prime rate. At September 30, 2004, there were $12.3 million in loans that are tied to the prime rate and had interest rate floors in effect pursuant to the terms of the promissory notes on these loans. The weighted average rate on these loans is 0.45% higher than the indexed rate on the promissory notes without the interest rate floors.
Liquidity. The objectives of the Company’s liquidity policy are to provide for the availability of adequate funds to meet the needs of loan demand, deposit withdrawals, maturing liabilities and to satisfy regulatory requirements. Both deposit and loan customer cash needs can fluctuate significantly depending upon business cycles, economic conditions and yields and returns available from alternative investment opportunities. In addition, the Company’s liquidity is affected by off-balance sheet commitments to lend in the form of unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. As of September 30, 2004 such unfunded commitments to extend cre
dit were $117.4 million, while commitments in the form of standby letters of credit totaled $3.2 million.
The Company uses several sources to meet its liquidity requirements. The primary source is core deposits, which includes demand deposits, savings accounts and certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000. The Company considers these to be a stable portion of the Company’s liability mix and the result of on-going consumer and commercial banking relationships. As of September 30, 2004, the Company’s core deposits totaled $407.8 million, or 72% of total deposits.
The other sources of funding for the Company are through large denomination certificates of deposit, including brokered deposits, federal funds purchased and FHLB advances. The Bank is also able to borrow from the Federal Reserve System on a short-term basis.
At September 30, 2004, the Bank had a significant amount of deposits in amounts greater than $100,000, including brokered deposits of $40.6 million, which mature over the next two years. The balance and cost of these deposits are more susceptible to changes in the interest rate environment than other deposits.
The Bank had a line of credit with the FHLB equal to 20% of the Bank’s total assets, with an outstanding balance of $60.0 million at September 30, 2004. The remaining availability at FHLB was $38.3 million at September 30, 2004. The Bank also had the ability to borrow up to $26.5 million for the purchase of overnight federal funds from three correspondent financial institutions as of September 30, 2004.
The liquidity ratio for the Bank, which is defined as net cash, interest bearing deposits with banks, federal funds sold, certain investment securities and certain FHLB advances available under the line of credit, as a percentage of net deposits (adjusted for deposit runoff projections) and short-term liabilities was 33.55% at September 30, 2004 and 26.83% at December 31, 2003. The minimum required liquidity ratio as defined in the Bank’s Asset/Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management Policy is 20%.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. The Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 are summarized in the table below. The Company’s contractual obligations include the repayment of principal and interest related to FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures, as well as certain payments under current lease agreements. Other commitments include commitments to extend credit. Because not all of these commitments to extend credit will be drawn upon, the actual cash requirements are likely to be significantly less than the amounts reported for other commitments below.
|
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
September 30, 2004 |
|
December 31, 2003 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Cash Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term borrowings |
|
$ |
47,000,000 |
|
|
52,000,000 |
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures |
|
|
14,433,000 |
|
|
14,433,000 |
|
|
Operating lease obligations |
|
|
8,421,358 |
|
|
8,482,928 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
69,854,358 |
|
|
74,915,928 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments to extend credit |
|
$ |
117,384,364 |
|
|
104,729,455 |
|
|
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written |
|
|
3,185,993 |
|
|
3,876,430 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
120,570,357 |
|
|
108,605,885 |
|
The Company enters into derivative contracts to manage various financial risks. A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. Derivative contracts are written in amounts referred to as notional amounts, which only provide the basis for calculating payments between counterparties and are not a measure of financial risk. Therefore, the derivative liabilities recorded on the balance sheet under “Accrued interest payable and other liabilities” as
of September 30, 2004 do not represent the amounts that may ultimately be paid under these contracts. Further discussions of derivative instruments are included above in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management”.
Capital Resources. Shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2004 was $50.7 million compared to $48.6 million at December 31, 2003. At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, amounted to a gain of $97,000 and $588,000, respectively. Annualized return on average equity, including non-recurring income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 8.82% compared to 4.01% for the year ended December 31, 2003. Total cash dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 amounted to $944,000 as compared to total cash dividends of $940,000 paid for the first n
ine months of 2003.
Under the regulatory capital guidelines, financial institutions are currently required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, with a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater. Tier 1 capital
is generally defined as shareholders' equity and Trust Preferred Securities less all intangible assets and goodwill. The Company’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 10.77% and 10.50% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Total risk-based capital is defined as Tier 1 capital plus supplementary capital. Supplementary capital, or Tier 2 capital, consists of the Company's allowance for loan losses, not exceeding 1.25% of the Company's risk-weighted assets. Total risk-based capital ratio is therefore defined as the ratio of total capital (Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets. The Company’s total risk-based capital ratio was 12.02% and 11.75% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. In addition to the Tier 1 and total risk-based capital requirements, financial institutions are also required to maintain
a leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of 4.0% or greater. The Company’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.46% and 9.37% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
The Bank’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 10.12% and 9.87% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The total risk-based capital ratio for the Bank was 11.37% and 11.13% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 8.87% and 8.80% at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
A bank is considered to be "well capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0 % or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and has a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater. Based upon these guidelines, the Bank was considered to be "well capitalized" at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.
The capital treatment of trust preferred securities has been reviewed recently by the Federal Reserve Bank due to PEBK Trust being deconsolidated in accordance with FIN 46. The Federal Reserve Bank’s proposal for capital treatment of trust preferred securities, released May 4, 2004, would continue to permit the inclusion of trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies. Further discussions of FIN 46 are included under “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report.
There have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks as of September 30, 2004 from that presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it
files or submits under the Exchange Act.
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
In the opinion of management, the Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine, non-material proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.
| ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased |
|
Average Price Paid per Share |
|
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
|
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
|
|
July 1-31, 2004 |
|
|
619 |
|
$ |
19.69 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 1-31, 2004 |
|
|
237 |
|
|
19.03 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 1-30, 2004 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
856 |
|
$ |
19.51 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Not applicable
Not applicable.
Not applicable
Exhibit (3)(i) Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to the Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 2, 1999
Exhibit (3)(ii) Amended and Restated Bylaws of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2004
Exhibit (4) Specimen Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) to the Form
8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 2, 1999
Exhibit (10)(a) Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Tony W. Wolfe incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(a) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
Exhibit (10)(b) Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Joseph F. Beaman, Jr. incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
Exhibit (10)(c) Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and William D. Cable incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(d) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
Exhibit (10)(d) Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and Lance A. Sellers incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(e) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
Exhibit (10)(e) Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(f) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000
Exhibit (10)(f) Employment Agreement between Peoples Bank and A. Joseph Lampron incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(g) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2002
Exhibit (10)(g) Peoples Bank Directors’ and Officers’ Deferral Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(h) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2002
Exhibit (10)(h) Rabbi Trust for the Peoples Bank Directors’ and Officers’ Deferral Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2002
Exhibit (10)(i) Description of Service Recognition Program maintained by Peoples Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2003
Exhibit (31)(a) Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit (31)(b) Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit (32) Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.
|
November 10, 2004 |
|
/s/ Tony W. Wolfe |
| Date |
|
Tony W. Wolfe |
| |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
November 10, 2004 |
|
/s/ A. Joseph Lampron |
| Date |
|
A. Joseph Lampron |
| |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| |
|
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer) |