Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

Commission File No. 333-74710

 

Georgia Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant issuer (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 ý  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No ý

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 2,940,261 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of November 8, 2004.

 

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Index

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income-Three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income-Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
Signature Page
Exhibit Index

 

2

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

		September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
		(Unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and due from banks		$	5,841,061		$	8,516,138
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		5,056,866			29,860
Federal funds sold		7,257,000			6,887,000
Cash and cash equivalents		18,154,927			15,432,998
Investment securities:
Securities available-for-sale		37,834,541			34,147,840
Other investments		1,307,366			1,357,566
		39,141,907			35,505,406
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $2,500,767 and $2,131,752, respectively		185,567,186			147,463,301
Accrued interest receivable		1,584,529			1,340,445
Premises and equipment, net		5,572,309			4,772,339
Other assets		1,084,239			577,141
Total assets		$	251,105,097		$	205,091,630
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		$	24,375,725		$	23,448,570
NOW		32,906,533			6,308,343
Savings		22,201,726			19,018,079
Time deposits $100,000 and over		82,530,603			62,745,922
Other time deposits		58,049,552			70,446,862
Total deposits		220,064,139			181,967,776
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		731,389			670,052
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		2,000,000			2,000,000
Junior subordinated debentures		6,702,000			0
Stock purchase obligation		0			369,250
Other liabilities		1,185,912			821,737
Total liabilities		230,683,440			185,828,815
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock; no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,940,261shares issued and outstanding		15,034			15,034
Capital surplus		17,035,772			17,290,269
Retained earnings		3,381,088			2,015,345
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(10,237		)	(57,833		)
Total shareholders’ equity		20,421,657			19,262,815
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	251,105,097		$	205,091,630

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended September 30
		2004				2003
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	3,131,931			$		2,531,831
Interest and dividends on investments		390,252				254,230
Interest on federal funds sold and other interest income		12,997				15,864
Total interest income		3,535,180				2,801,925
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		1,036,877				1,114,263
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase		2,001				2,072
Interest on other borrowed funds		20,958				5,230
Total interest expense		1,059,836				1,121,565
Net interest income		2,475,344				1,680,360
Provision for loan losses		280,000				18,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		2,195,344				1,662,360
Other income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		73,372				61,162
Loss on sale of other assets		(5,000			)	0
Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale		11,146				7,663
Other operating income		134,647				21,275
Total other income		214,165				90,100
Other expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		976,884				664,444
Occupancy and equipment expense		197,554				139,114
Data processing		151,420				107,232
Other operating expenses		360,141				288,112
Total other expense		1,685,999				1,198,902
Income before income taxes		723,510				553,558
Income tax expense		238,000				187,000
Net income		$	485,510			$	366,558
Basic earnings per share		$		0.17		$	0.13
Diluted earnings per share		$		0.14		$	0.11

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004					2003
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	8,678,276				$	7,289,759
Interest and dividends on investments		997,519					875,514
Interest on federal funds sold and other interest income		50,954					42,183
Total interest income		9,726,749					8,207,456
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		3,046,708					3,428,746
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase		4,664					16,066
Interest on other borrowed funds		42,020					16,329
Total interest expense		3,093,392					3,461,141
Net interest income		6,633,357					4,746,315
Provision for loan losses		430,000					168,000
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		6,203,357					4,578,315
Other income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		231,355					160,009
Loss on sale of other assets		(9,678				)	0
Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale		17,015					85,697
Other operating income		208,910					54,328
Total other income		447,602					300,034
Other expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		2,705,962					1,859,920
Occupancy and equipment expense		542,139					401,264
Data processing		442,011					333,349
Other operating expenses		934,104					776,773
Total other expense		4,624,216					3,371,306
Income before income taxes		2,026,743					1,507,043
Income tax expense		661,000					520,000
Net income		$			1,365,743		$		987,043
Basic earnings per share		$		0.46			$	0.34
Diluted earnings per share		$		0.40			$	0.29

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004				2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	1,365,743			$		987,043
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		441,477				(6,183			)
Provision for loan losses		430,000				168,000
Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale		(17,015			)	(85,697			)
Loss on sale of other assets		9,678				0
Deferred income taxes		(209,612			)	(104,966			)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable		(244,085			)	(312,758			)
Other assets		(128,682			)	(37,687			)
Income taxes payable		76,229				19,690
Accrued interest payable		86,245				9,756
Other liabilities		201,701				(191,498			)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,011,679				445,700
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale maturities		(15,395,412			)	(28,578,174			)
Proceeds from sales and pay downs of securities available-for-sale		7,361,469				26,504,530
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale		4,270,853				1,350,000
Purchase of other investments		(202,000			)	(706,400			)
Proceeds from sale of other investments		50,200				0
Net increase in loans		(38,533,885			)	(12,178,220			)
Purchases of premises and equipment		(1,076,928			)	(1,119,552			)
Net cash used in investing activities		(43,525,703			)	(14,727,816			)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits		38,096,363				26,286,862
Net change in federal funds purchased		0				(4,200,000			)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		61,337				(2,785,542			)
Proceeds from junior subordinated debentures		6,702,000				0
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances		0				8,500,000
Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances		0				(8,500,000			)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		33,983				6,914
Settlement of stock purchase obligation		(657,730			)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities		44,235,953				19,308,234
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		2,721,929				5,026,118
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		15,432,998				5,329,014
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	18,154,927			$		10,355,132
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the period for interest		$	3,007,147			$	3,451,385
Cash paid during the period for income taxes		$		795,909		$	439,776

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

GEORGIA BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements and, accordingly, they are condensed and omit disclosures which would substantially duplicate those contained in the most recent annual report to shareholders.  The financial statements as of September 30, 2004 and for the interim periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation.  The financial information as of December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.  For further information, refer to the financial statements and the notes included in Georgia Bancshares, Inc. 2003 Annual Report.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have adopted various accounting policies which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in the preparation of our financial statements.  Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2003 as filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB.

 

Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by us which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities.  We consider these accounting policies to be critical accounting policies.  The judgments and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions we make, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates which could have a material impact on our carrying values of assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

 

We believe the process for establishing the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We have developed policies and procedures for evaluating the overall quality of our credit portfolio and the timely identification of potential credit problems. The loan portfolio is periodically reviewed to evaluate the outstanding loans and to measure both the performance of the portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. We have established an allowance for loan losses through a provision for loan losses charged to expense on our statement of operations.

 

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 costs 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.  Accordingly, the Company has recorded no expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003 related to its stock options.  The Company has elected to continue with the accounting methodology in Opinion No. 25 and, as a result, has provided the following pro forma disclosure of net income and basic and diluted earnings per common share.

 

			For the nine months ended September 30,
			2004				2003
Net income	As reported		$		1,365,743		$	987,043
	Effect of stock option grants		(132,116			)	(53,971			)
	Pro forma		$	1,233,627			933,072
Basic earnings per share	As reported		$	0.46			$		0.34
	Pro forma		$	0.42			$		0.32
Diluted earnings per share	As reported		$	0.40			$		0.29
	Pro forma		$	0.36			$		0.27

 

7

 

NOTE 2 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income, which is defined as non-owner related transactions in equity.  The following table sets forth the amounts of other comprehensive income included in equity along with the related tax effect for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

 

		Pre-tax Amount				Income Tax Effect			Net-of-tax Amount
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004:
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period		$	54,100			$	(17,892	)	$	36,208
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		17,015				(5,627		)	11,388
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$		71,115		$	(23,519	)	$	47,596

 

		Pre-tax Amount			Income Tax Effect			Net-of-tax Amount
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period		$	(824,925	)	$	280,475		$		(544,450	)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		85,697			(29,137		)	56,560
Other comprehensive income		$	(739,228	)	$	251,338		$	(487,890		)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income consists solely of the unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of the deferred tax effects.

 

8

 

NOTE 3 - - EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Net income per share - basic is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Net income per share - diluted is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common share equivalents using the treasury stock method.  Dilutive common share equivalents include common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options.

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003
Net income per share – basic computation:
Net income		$	485,510		$	366,558
Average common shares outstanding - basic		2,939,406			2,926,044
Net income per share - basic		$	0.17		$	0.13
Net income per share - diluted computation:
Net income		$	485,510		$	366,558
Average common shares outstanding - basic		2,939,406			2,926,044
Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Stock options and warrants		411,690			521,525
Average common shares outstanding - diluted		3,351,096			3,447,569
Net income per share – diluted		$	0.14		$	0.11

 

9

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2004			2003
Net income per share – basic computation:
Net income		$	1,365,743		$	987,043
Average common shares outstanding - basic		2,937,223			2,923,230
Net income per share - basic		$	0.46		$	0.34
Net income per share - diluted computation:
Net income		$	1,365,743		$	987,043
Average common shares outstanding - basic		2,937,223			2,923,230
Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Stock options and warrants		448,441			471,561
Average common shares outstanding - diluted		3,385,664			3,394,791
Net income per share – diluted		$	0.40		$	0.29

 

All information has been adjusted for any stock splits and stock dividends effected during the periods presented.

 

NOTE 4 – STOCK PURCHASE OBLIGATION

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003, reflects a liability of $369,250 described as “Stock purchase obligation”. This amount was recorded in 2001 following the dissention by a minority shareholder to the plan of share exchange to reorganize the bank into a holding company structure.

 

On April 12, 2004, an order was received from the court establishing the aggregate principal sum of $657,730 to be paid to the dissenting shareholder. This amount was paid on April 13, 2004.

 

The impact of this settlement on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of April 13, 2004 was the elimination of the $369,250 stock purchase obligation liability and a reduction of capital surplus in the amount of the differential, $288,480.

 

NOTE 5 – JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

 

On September 29, 2004, the Company issued through a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust, Georgia Bancshares Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), $6,500,000 of preferred beneficial interest in the Company’s unsecured junior subordinated debentures (trust preferred securities) that qualify as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines within certain limitations.  The Company owns all of the common securities of the Trust. The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by the Trust to purchase $6,702,000 of junior subordinated debentures of the Company, which carry a floating rate of interest adjusted every three months to the 3 month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.60%.  At September 30, 2004, this rate was 4.57%. Of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures, $202,000 was used for the common securities of the Trust and $6,500,000 was used to strengthen the capital position of the Bank to accommodate current and future growth.  The debentures and related accrued interest represent the sole assets of the Trust.

 

10

 

The trust preferred securities accrue and pay distributions quarterly, at an interest rate equal to the 3 month LIBOR rate plus 2.60%.  The Company has entered into contractual arrangements which, taken collectively, fully and unconditionally guarantee payment of accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the trust preferred securities, the redemption price with respect to any trust preferred securities called for redemption by the Trust, and payments due upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Trust.

 

The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on October 18, 2034, or upon earlier redemption as proved in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by the Trust in whole or in part, on or after October 18, 2009.  As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the unpaid principal amount, plus any accrued unpaid interest.

 

11

 

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

 

This Report contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance.  Our actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors which are beyond our control.  The words “may,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” and “estimate,” as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify such forward-looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

•                  significant increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries;

•                  changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins;

•                  changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment;

•                  the level of allowance for loan loss;

•                  the rate of delinquencies and amounts of charge-offs;

•                  the rates of loan growth;

•                  adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses;

•                  general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally and especially in our primary service area, becoming less favorable than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

•                  changes occurring in business conditions and inflation;

•                  changes in technology;

•                  changes in monetary and tax policies;

•                  loss of consumer confidence and economic disruptions resulting from terrorist activities;

•                  changes in the securities markets; and

•                  other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Interest Income

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2004, net interest income increased $794,984, or 47.31% to $2,475,344 as compared to $1,680,360 for the same period in 2003.  Interest income from loans, including fees, increased $600,100 or 23.70% to $3,131,931 at September 30, 2004, as compared to $2,531,831 at September 30, 2003.  This increase in net interest income is a direct result of the combination of an increase in the outstanding balances of net loans, which increased from $147,463,301 at December 31, 2003, to $185,567,186 at September 30, 2004, and a decrease in the average interest cost of deposits and other interest bearing liabilities.  Income on investment securities increased $136,022, or 53.50%, to $390,252 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $254,230 at September 30, 2003.  This increase is primarily attributable to growth in the overall size of the investment securities portfolio during the period, as well as adjustments to the mix of the types of securities within the portfolio.  Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $1,059,836 as compared to $1,121,565 for the same period in 2003.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net interest income increased $1,887,042, or 39.76%, to $6,633,357 as compared to $4,746,315 for the same period in 2003.  Interest income from loans, including fees, increased $1.388,517, or 19.05%, to $8,678,276 at September 30, 2004, as compared to $7,289,759 at September 30, 2003.  Income on investment securities increased $122,005 or 13.94% to $997,519 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $875,514 at September 30, 2003.  This increase is the result of changes to the mix of the types of securities within the portfolio, as well as a slight increase in the size of the investment securities portfolio.  Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $3,093,392 as compared to $3,461,141 for the same period in 2003.

 

12

 

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses is the charge to operating earnings that management believes is necessary to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level.  For the three months ended September 30, 2004, the provision charged to expense was $280,000 as compared to $18,000 for the same period in 2003.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the provision charged to expense was $430,000, as compared to $168,000 for the same period in 2003.   The increase in the provisions for loan losses during 2004 is the direct result of the growth in the loan portfolio.  The total loan loss allowance as a percentage of gross loans changed only slightly, as it represented 1.33% of gross loans at September 30, 2004 and 1.43% at December 31, 2003.  There are risks inherent in making all loans, including risks with respect to the period of time over which loans may be repaid, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions, risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers, and, in the case of a collateralized loan, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral.  We maintain an allowance for loan losses based on, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic conditions, and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality.  Our judgment about the adequacy of the allowance is based upon a number of assumptions about future events, which we believe to be reasonable, but which may not prove to be accurate.  We consider our loss history, the practices of other financial institutions in regard to loan loss allowances, general economic conditions nationally and within our market area, business conditions within each segment of the markets that we lend to and possible loss exposures on specific loans that we have identified for special scrutiny.

 

In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review our allowance for loan losses for adequacy. Our losses will undoubtedly vary from our estimates, and there is a possibility that charge offs in future periods could exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any given point in time or that substantial additional increases in the allowance for loan losses could be required.  Additions to the allowance for loan losses could result in a decrease of our net income and, possibly, our capital.

 

Noninterest Income

 

Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $214,165, an increase of $124,065 from $90,100 during the comparable period in 2003.  Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale increased $3,483 from $7,663 in 2003 to $11,146 in 2004.  We sell securities from time to time in order to adjust the mix of our investment portfolio or, on rare occasions, to provide liquidity for ongoing operations.  However, the service charge income component of non-interest income increased $12,210, or 19.96%, to $73,372 as compared to $61,162 for the same period in 2003.  This increase is reflective of the increase in consumer deposit accounts realized between the two periods.  Also, other operating income increased $113,372 to $134,647 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $21,275 for the three month period in 2003.  This amount is reflective of the start-up of a mortgage origination department within the bank on July 1, 2004 to generate additional fee income as well as additional ATM surcharge fees that are generated as we continue to expand our branch network.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, non-interest income was $447,602, an increase of $147,568, or 49.18%, over the $300,034 recognized for the same period in 2003.  This increase was realized in spite of a significant decrease in income from security transactions in 2004.  Gains on sales of securities available-for-sale decreased $68,682 from $85,697 in 2003 to $17,015 in 2004.  Service charge income increased $71,346, or 44.59%, when compared to 2003 figures and other operating income increased $154,582, or 284.53%, over the same period in 2003.  Again, both of these components of non-interest income are indicative of the successes realized from the continued expansion of our branch network and the development of the mortgage origination department to increase fee income.

 

Noninterest Expense

 

Total non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $1,685,999 or 40.63% higher than the $1,198,902 for the three months ended September 30, 2003.  The largest increase was in personnel costs, which increased from $664,444 in the third quarter of 2003 to $976,884, or an increase of 47.02%.  The increase is attributable to the hiring of additional staff to support the growth in our branch network.  Occupancy expense increased to $197,554 from $139,114.  This increase is attributable to the opening of new locations in Kroger Towne Center and in Tyrone during the latter part of 2003 and the opening of the Sharpsburg location in early 2004.  Data processing costs rose to $151,420 from $107,232, for an increase of $44,188, or 41.21%, over the comparable period from a year ago.  Other operating expenses increased to $360,141 from $288,112, an increase of $72,029, or 25.00%, over the same period in 2003.  Other operating expenses include legal and accounting fees, office supplies, telephone service, postage expense, credit related

 

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expenses such as credit reports and filing fees, FDIC insurance premiums and business insurance premiums.  This increase is attributable to the growth we have experienced during the past twelve months.  This growth is evidenced by the fact that total assets have increased from $191,263,849 at September 30, 2003 to $205,091,630 at December 31, 2003, to $250,903,097 at September 30, 2004.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, total non-interest expense was $4,624,216, or 37.16% higher than the $3,371,306 realized during the nine months ended September 30, 2003.  The salaries and employee benefits component of non-interest expense realized the largest increase over the two periods, increasing from $1,859,920 at September 30, 2003 to $2,705,962, or an increase of 45.49%.  As mentioned in the previous paragraph, additional personnel have been hired to support the growth realized in the past twelve months.  These additional personnel include branch personnel and middle managers to support the expanding branch network.  Occupancy expense increased from $401,264 in 2003 to $542,139 in 2004.  Data processing costs rose to $442,011 from $333,349 for an increase of $108,662, or 32.60% over the comparable period from a year ago.  The increase in data processing costs is reflective of the increase in the number of transaction accounts realized over the past twelve months.  Other operating expenses increased to $934,104 from $766,773, an increase of $157,331, or 20.25%, over the same period in 2003.  The largest component of other operating expenses was legal and accounting expenses which increased 53.47% between the two periods.

 

Income Taxes

 

The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $238,000 as compared to $187,000 for the same period in 2003, and $661,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to $520,000 for the same period in 2003.  These increases in provisions for income taxes resulted from increased income before taxes.

 

Net Income

 

The combination of the above factors resulted in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 of $485,510 as compared to $366,558 for the same period in 2003, an increase of $118,952, or 32.45%.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net income was $1,365,743 as compared to $987,043 for the same period in 2003, an increase of $378,700 or 38.37%.

 

Assets and Liabilities

 

During the first nine months of 2004, total assets increased $46,013,467, or 22.44%, to $251,105,097 as compared to $205,091,630 at December 31, 2003.  The primary sources of growth in assets were net loans, which increased $38,103,885 from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004, and interest-bearing deposits in other banks, which increased from $29,860 to $5,056,866 during the first nine months of 2004.  Investment securities increased by $3,636,501 over the balances reflected in the December 31, 2003 financial statements.  Total deposits increased $38,096,363, or 20.94%, to $220,064,139 from the December 31, 2003 amount of $181,967,776.  At September 30, 2004, securities sold under agreements to repurchase had increased slightly to $731,389 from $670,052.  These agreements are for our commercial sweep accounts for corporate customers and are not FDIC insured.   In order to fund loan growth and provide liquidity for daily operating needs, we occasionally utilize advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  At December 31, 2003 and at September 30, 2004, we had $2,000,000 outstanding in FHLB advances.

 

On September 29, 2004 the Company, through its subsidiary, Georgia Bancshares Capital Trust I, issued floating rate trust preferred securities.  The Company raised $6,702,000 from the sale of the capital securities.  $202,000 was used to capitalize the Trust and $6,500,000 was contributed as additional capital for the Bank to support current and future growth of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions set forth in the proposed rule recently released by the Federal Reserve Bank with respect to the capital treatment of trust preferred securities, the capital infusion will continue to be considered Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes and is reported as a long-term debt obligation of the Company.   The Federal Reserve Bank’s proposed rule provides for, among other things, the continued treatment of trust preferred securities meeting certain guidelines as Tier 1 capital subject to a reduction in the amount of trust preferred securities eligible for such treatment and changes the way the trust preferred securities will be accounted for in the five years before they mature, effectively amortizing the amount that is treated as Tier 1 capital.  The Federal Reserve Bank expects that this rule will become effective March 31, 2007.

 

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Investment Securities

 

Investment securities available-for-sale increased from $34,147,840 at December 31, 2003 to $37,834,541 at September 30, 2004.  Although the overall value of investment securities available-for-sale changed very little since the beginning of 2004 ($3,686,701 or a 10.80% increase), market conditions have required changes in the mix of securities within the portfolio. The recent refinancing boom among homeowners has caused high rates of repayments on our higher coupon mortgage backed securities. These prepayments have also caused many of our mortgage backed security balances to decrease rapidly, resulting in small balances on many of our securities. We sold these securities and intend to reinvest the funds in higher yielding loans, or in lower coupon rate mortgage backed securities that will provide more stable cash flows. Generally, our purpose in purchasing mortgage backed securities is that they provide good income yields as well as a consistent cash flow from the monthly mortgage payments. These cash flows are then reinvested in new loans or additional purchases of mortgage backed securities, depending on loan demand and market conditions. This also allows us to regularly invest at current market rates.  While we do invest in traditional government agency securities on occasion, recent market conditions have resulted in historically low yields on those securities and we have chosen to maximize our yields by investing in other segments of the market. We also allocate a portion of our investment portfolio to tax-free securities and we have increased our purchases of tax-free securities during the last 12 months. When we purchase tax-free securities we typically give priority to the purchase of tax-free municipal securities issued by municipalities domiciled in the State of Georgia, although we do purchase securities from other states when we deem it beneficial. It is generally our policy to designate our marketable investment securities as available-for-sale, and all securities were so designated at September 30, 2004.

 

Other investments decreased by $50,200 from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004 as a result of the Federal Home Loan Bank redeeming a portion of the stock owned by the company.

 

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Loans

 

Net loans increased $38,103,885, or 25.84%, from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004.  As shown below, the main component of growth in the loan portfolio was real estate construction and land development loans, which increased 35.44%, or $28,750,989.  In addition, non residential mortgage loans increased $7,005,808, or 15.04%, over the balances outstanding on December 31, 2003.  Generally, we do not make and retain first mortgages on 1-4 family real estate. Our typical real estate-mortgage loan is on commercial real estate.  Balances within the major loans receivable categories as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

COMPOSITION OF LOAN PORTFOLIO

 

		September 30, 2004						December 31, 2003
		Amount				Percent of Total		Amount				Percent of Total
Real estate - construction and land development		$	109,883,565			58.38	%	$		81,132,576		54.17	%
Real estate - residential		6,075,455				3.23	%	5,883,066				3.93	%
Real estate - non-farm and non-residential		53,587,636				28.47	%	46,581,828				31.10	%
Commercial, financial and agricultural		13,356,644				7.10	%	11,705,627				7.82	%
Consumer		4,559,419				2.42	%	4,419,451				2.95	%
All other loans		773,284				0.40	%	38,076				0.03	%
Loans, gross		$	188,236,003			100.00	%	$	149,760,624			100.00	%
Deferred loan fees		(168,050			)			(165,571			)
Allowance for possible losses		(2,500,767			)			(2,131,752			)
Loans, net		$		185,567,186				$	147,463,301

 

Risk Elements in the Loan Portfolio

 

The following is a summary of risk elements in the loan portfolio:

 

		September 30, 2004						December 31, 2003
Loans: Non-accrual loans		$			128,951			$	100,680
Accruing loans more than 90 days past due		$				—		$	—
Loans identified by the internal review mechanism:
Criticized		$		247,250				$		266,394
Classified		$	2,787,322					$			2,159,382

 

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The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our allowance for loan losses and the composition of charge-offs and recoveries for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

		December 31, 2003			September 30, 2004
Average loans outstanding		$	138,068,163		$	165,743,584
Gross loans outstanding at period end		$	149,595,053		$	188,067,953
Total non-performing loans		$	100,680		$	128,951
Beginning balance of allowance		$	1,889,306		$	2,131,752
Loans charged off:
Real estate - construction		0			0
Real estate - mortgage		0			0
Commercial, financial and agricultural		(17,519		)	(40,165		)
Consumer		(9,509		)	(26,278		)
Total loans charged off		(27,028		)	(66,443		)
Recoveries:
Real estate - construction		1,655			0
Real estate - mortgage		0			0
Commercial, financial and agricultural		570			4,115
Consumer		1,249			1,343
Total recoveries		3,474			5,458
Net loans charged off		(23,554		)	(60,985		)
Provision for loan losses		266,000			430,000
Balance at period end		$	2,131,752		$	2,500,767
Allowance as a percent of total loans		1.43		%	1.33		%
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans		0.07		%	0.07		%
Non-performing loans as a percentage of allowance		4.72		%	5.16		%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average gross loans outstanding during the period		0.02		%	0.04		%

 

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Deposits

 

At September 30, 2004, total deposits were $220,064,139, an increase of $38,096,363, or 20.94%, from December 31, 2003.    All categories of deposits realized a gain over amounts recorded as of December 31, 2003.  Noninterest bearing demand deposits increased $927,155, or 3.95%, from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004.  During this same period, interest bearing demand deposits increased $26,598,190, or 421.64%.  Certificates of deposit increased $7,387,371, or 5.55%, from December 31, 2003 to September 30, 2004.  At September 30, 2004, certificates of deposit included brokered deposits totaling $26,850,000.  We have found that the cost of using brokered deposits is reasonable in comparison to the cost of obtaining traditional local deposits.  For this reason, we anticipate continuing to utilize brokered deposits as a funding source.  However, our business plan places a strong emphasis on local deposit growth.  In order to build local core deposits, we believe that we need to provide convenience to both retail and consumer depositors in our market area.  We believe this convenience can best be provided through a series of branch banks providing attractive deposit products, located in growth areas.  Toward this end, we opened the supermarket branch in the Kroger store in Towne Center south of Fayetteville in June 2003, we opened our new full-service branch in Tyrone in August 2003, and we opened our new full-service branch in Sharpsburg in April 2004.  Construction is complete on the branch scheduled to open in Fairburn in November 2004.

 

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank

 

As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we had $2,000,000 in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank outstanding.  We borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank from time to time.  We use these borrowings as a source of liquidity and to fund loans when appropriate.  Borrowings are under a blanket lien agreement that we have executed with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  Under this agreement, we assign the proceeds of loan repayments and payoffs to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta as collateral against future advances.  This arrangement will provide greater access to borrowings if the need for such borrowings arises in the future.

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future obligations through liquidation or maturity of existing assets or the acquisition of additional liabilities. Cash and federal funds sold are our primary sources of asset liquidity. We generate cash and federal funds sold from scheduled maturities of loans and investments on the asset side and through pricing policies on the liability side for interest-bearing deposit accounts and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.  The level of liquidity is measured by the loan-to-total funds ratio, which was at 82.02% at September 30, 2004 and 81.02% at December 31, 2003.

 

Securities available-for-sale, which totaled $37,834,541 at September 30, 2004, serve as a secondary source of liquidity.  We also have lines of credit available with correspondent banks to purchase federal funds for periods from one to seven days.  At September 30, 2004, unused fed funds lines of credit totaled $13,200,000.

 

When we deem it necessary and prudent we access deposit markets other than the local market for sources of funds. These funds include “brokered” deposits and deposits generated from internet sources.

 

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Capital Resources

 

Total shareholders’ equity increased from $19,262,815 at December 31, 2003 to $20,421,657 at September 30, 2004.  The increase is due to net income for the nine months ending September 30, 2004 of $1,365,743, an after tax increase of $47,596 in the fair value of securities available-for-sale, a $288,480 reduction in capital surplus related to the settlement with a minority shareholder in April, 2004, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $33,983.

 

The Federal Reserve Board and bank regulatory agencies require bank holding companies and financial institutions to maintain capital at adequate levels based on a percentage of assets and off-balance sheet exposures, adjusted for risk-weights ranging from 0% to 100%.  Under the risk-based standard, capital is classified into two tiers.  Tier 1 capital consists of common shareholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, minus certain intangible assets.  Tier 2 capital consists of the general reserve for loan losses subject to certain limitations.  An institutions’ qualifying capital base for purposes of its risk-based capital ratio consists of the sum of its Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.  The regulatory minimum requirements are 4% for Tier 1 and 8% for total risk-based capital.

 

Banks and bank holding companies are also required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on total assets, which is known as the leverage ratio.  The minimum requirement for the leverage ratio is 3%, but all but the highest rated institutions are required to maintain ratios 100 to 200 basis point above the minimum.  Both the company and the bank exceeded their minimum regulatory capital ratios as of September 30, 2004

 

The following table summarizes our risk-based capital at September 30, 2004:

 

Shareholders’ equity		$			20,421,657
Plus: unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities		10,237
Plus: qualifying trust preferred securities		6,500,000
Tier 1 capital		26,931,894
Plus: allowance for loan losses (1)		2,500,767
Total capital		$		29,432,661
Risk-weighted assets		$	205,819,000
Total average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2004		$	246,078,000
Risk based capital ratios
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)		10.94				%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)		14.30				%
Tier 1 capital (to total average assets)		13.09				%

 

(1) limited to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets

 

Regulatory Matters

 

From time to time, various bills are introduced in the United States Congress with respect to the regulation of financial institutions.  Certain of these proposals, if adopted, could significantly change the regulation of banks and the financial services industry.  We cannot predict whether any of these proposals will be adopted or, if adopted, how these proposals would affect us.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.  Our market risk arises principally from interest rate risk inherent in our lending, deposit, and borrowing activities.  We actively monitor and manage our interest rate risk exposure.  Although we manage certain other risks, such as credit quality and liquidity risk, in the normal course of business we consider interest rate risk to be our most significant market risk and the risk that could potentially have the largest material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  We do not maintain a trading portfolio or deal in international instruments, and, therefore, other types of market risks, such as foreign currency risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of our business activities.

 

Our interest rate risk management is the responsibility of the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”).  ALCO has established policies and limits to monitor, measure and coordinate the bank’s sources, uses, and pricing of funds.

 

Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense associated with the bank’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities also change, thereby impacting net interest income, the primary component of our earnings.  ALCO utilizes the results of both a static and dynamic gap report to quantify the estimated exposure of net interest income to a sustained change in interest rates.

 

The gap analysis projected net interest income based on both a rise and fall in interest rates of 200 basis points (i.e. 2.00%) over a twelve-month period.  The model is based on actual repricing dates of interest sensitive assets and interest sensitive liabilities.  The model incorporates assumptions regarding the impact of changing interest rates on the prepayment rates of certain assets.

 

We measure this exposure based on an immediate change in interest rates of up or down 200 basis points.  Given this scenario, the bank had, at the end of the period, an exposure to falling rates and a benefit from rising rates.  More specifically, for the period ended September 30, 2004 the model forecasts a decline in net interest income of $1 million or -15.08%, as a result of a 200 basis point decline in rates.  The model also predicts a $301 thousand increase in net interest income, or +4.54% as a result of a 200 basis point increase in rates.  The forecasted results of the model are within the limits specified by ALCO.  The following chart reflects our sensitivity to changes in interest rates as of September 30, 2004.  The numbers are based on a static balance sheet, and the chart assumes that pay downs and maturities of both assets and liabilities are reinvested in like instruments at current interest rates, rates down 200 basis points, and rates up 200 basis points.

 

Interest Rate Risk
Income Sensitivity Summary
As of September 30, 2004

 

		DOWN 200 BP			CURRENT			UP 200 BP
Net interest income		$	5,632,943		$	6,633,357		$	6,934,572
Dollar change net interest income		$	(1,000,414	)	—			$	301,215
Percent change net interest income		(15.08		)%	0.00		%	4.54		%

 

The preceding sensitivity analysis is a modeling analysis, which changes periodically and consists of hypothetical estimates based upon numerous assumptions including interest rate levels, shape of the yield curve, prepayments on loans and securities, rates on loans and deposits, reinvestment of paydowns and maturities of loans, investments and deposits, among others.  In addition, there are no assumptions for growth or a change in asset mix. While assumptions are developed based on the current economic and market conditions, management cannot make any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

 

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