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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 


 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITIONAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-26551

 


 

INTEGRITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

NORTH CAROLINA   56-2137427

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

39 Second Street, N.W., Hickory, North Carolina   28601
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone number, including area code: (888) 894-2483

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

 

NONE

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

The Registrant’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $35,807,265

 

As of December 31, 2003, the aggregate market value of the 4,734,901 shares of Common Stock of the registrant issued and outstanding held by non-affiliates on such date was approximately $94,508,624 based on the closing sales price of $19.96 per share of the registrant’s Common Stock as listed on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market on December 31, 2003. For purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that the directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 5% of the registrant’s outstanding voting stock are affiliates.

 

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2003: 4,734,901

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

 

  1. Portions of Annual Report to Shareholders for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003 (Part II)

 

  2. Proxy Statement dated March 22 for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III).

 



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FORM 10-K CROSS REFERENCE INDEX

 

As indicated below, portions of (i) the Registrant’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, and (ii) the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 27, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via EDGAR are incorporated by reference into Parts II and III of this Report.

 

Key

 

AR   Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Proxy   Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 27, 2004.

 

10-K   10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

               Page

   Document

Part I

                   

Item 1.

   Business    3    10-K

Item 2.

   Properties    12    10-K

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    14    10-K

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    14    10-K

Part II

              

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity’s, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    14    10-K

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    15    10-K

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15    AR

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    31    10-K

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    32    AR

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    32    10-K

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    32    10-K

Part III

              

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    32    Proxy

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    32    Proxy

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    32    Proxy

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    33    Proxy

Item 14

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services    33    Proxy

Part IV

              

Item 15. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         
    

(a)

   Financial Statements    34    10-K
     (b)    Reports on Form 8-K filed during the three months ended December 31, 2003    34    10-K
     (c)    Exhibits    34    10-K

 

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Part I

 

Item 1 – BUSINESS

 

(a)-(b) Integrity Financial Corporation is a bank holding company, that was organized on June 30, 1998 and elected to become a financial holding company on October 16, 2001. Integrity Financial Corporation (the “Registrant” or “Company”) is a North Carolina corporation and is headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina. The Registrant has two wholly owned subsidiaries that are state chartered banks; Catawba Valley Bank headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina and First Gaston Bank of North Carolina headquartered in Gastonia, North Carolina. On December 31, 2002, under an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) the Registrant acquired Community Bancshares, Inc, the holding company for Northwestern National Bank. Northwestern was merged into the Registrant’s wholly owned subsidiary Catawba Valley Bank, and its former branches are doing business as “Northwestern Bank A Division of Catawba Valley Bank.” This transaction was accounted for under the purchase method. The Registrant also has four other wholly owned subsidiaries, Integrity Financial Services, Catawba Valley Trust I, Catawba Valley Trust II and Community Mortgage. Catawba Valley Bank was organized under the laws of North Carolina on October 27, 1995 and opened for business on November 1, 1995. First Gaston Bank was organized on March 16, 1995 under the laws of North Carolina and opened July 11, 1995. Catawba Valley Bank and First Gaston Bank are collectively referred to herein as the “Banks”. Deposits in the Banks are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund (“BIF”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

 

On March 16, 1999, the Registrant formed Integrity Financial Services, whose principal business activity is that of an agent for various insurance products and nontraditional banking services. In third quarter of 2003 Valley Financial Services, opened a full service brokerage securities office doing business as Integrity Securities.

 

The Registrant formed Catawba Valley Capital Trust I and Catawba Valley Capital Trust II in December 2002. These Trusts were formed to facilitate the issuance of trust preferred securities. The Trusts are statutory business trusts formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and all common securities of each of the Trusts are owned by the Registrant.

 

The Registrant also has a wholly owned subsidiary named Community Mortgage. Community Mortgage was a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bancshares, that the Registrant accquired on December 31, 2002. This subsidiary is inactive at this time.

 

Catawba Valley Bank engages in general banking business in the City of Hickory and portions of eight North Carolina counties: Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, Watauga, and Wilkes. Its operations are primarily retail-oriented and aimed at individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses located in its market area. The Bank provides most traditional commercial and consumer banking services, including personal and commercial checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts and related business and individual banking services. The Bank’s lending activities include making commercial loans to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses located primarily in its market area for various business purposes and various consumer-type loans to individuals, including installment loans, equity lines of credit, overdraft checking credit and credit cards. Also, the Bank makes residential mortgage loans to its customers, which the Bank then sells to another mortgage lender. The Bank issues ATM cards which allow its customers to access their deposit accounts at the automated teller machines of other banks that are linked to the STAR system. The Bank also issues debit cards which allow its customer to have point of sale transactions at various merchants. The Bank does provide Internet and electronic banking services for its customers. The Bank does not provide trust services and leasing services, except through a correspondent bank.

 

Catawba Valley Bank operates twelve offices, each of which are full service offices. The Bank’s main office is located at 1039 Second Street, NE, in Hickory, which is in Catawba County. The Bank has three other locations in Catawba County, three locations in Wilkes County, two locations in Iredell County and one location each in Alexander, Ashe and Watagua counties. The Bank also operates a mortgage loan office in Hickory.

 

First Gaston Bank engages in the general banking business in the City of Gastonia and the surrounding areas of Gaston County. The Bank operates for the primary purpose of serving the banking needs of the customers in its market area. The Bank offers a wide range of banking services, including personal and commercial checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts and other related

 

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business and individual banking services. The Bank’s lending activity consists of commercial, installment, personal and home equity loans to individuals and small-to-medium size businesses located primarily within its market area. The Bank also originates mortgage loans and then sells them to another mortgage lender. The Bank issues ATM and debit cards for its customers’ use and does provide Internet and electronic banking services for its customers.

 

First Gaston Bank operates five full services offices. The Bank’s main office is located at 804 South New Hope Road in Gastonia. The Bank has one location each in the towns of Belmont, Dallas, Mt. Holly and Stanley

 

Commercial banking in North Carolina as a whole is extremely competitive with state laws permitting statewide branching. The Banks compete directly for deposits in their market area with other commercial banks, credit unions, brokerage firms and all other organizations and institutions engaged in money market transactions. In their lending activities, the Banks compete with all other financial institutions, as well as consumer finance companies, mortgage companies and other lenders engaged in the business of extending credit. In Catawba Valley Bank’s Catawba County market there are eleven commercial banks operating with multiple offices. Catawba Valley Bank’s predominant competitors are BB&T, People’s Bank and Wachovia Bank. These three institutions control approximately 66% of the market’s deposits. In Catawba Valley Bank’s mountain counties its main competitors are Wachovia, First Citizens Bank and Yadkin Valley Bank. First Gaston Bank’s market area contains twelve commercial banks operating multiple offices. First Gaston Bank’s primary competitors are BB&T, Citizens South Bank and Wachovia Bank. These three banks control approximately 60% of the market’s deposits.

 

Interest rates, both on loans and deposits, and prices of services are significant competitive factors among financial institutions. Office locations, office hours, customer service, community reputation and continuity of personnel are also important competitive factors. The Banks’ predominant competitors have greater resources, broader geographic markets and higher lending limits. They can offer more products, and can better afford and make more effective use of media advertising, support services and electronic technology than the Banks. The Banks depend on their reputation as community banks in their local market, direct customer contact, their ability to make credit and other business decisions locally, and personalized service to counter these competitive disadvantages.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Registrant employed 217 people. The Registrant is not a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and considers its relations with employees to be good.

 

The Registrant offers equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without consideration of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disability or status as a military veteran. This is done not only because of federal, state, and local requirements, but also because it is the way the Registrant prefers to assure that no qualified person is overlooked in attaining his or her fullest potential.

 

The Registrant’s Affirmative Action Policy extends to recruiting, selection, training opportunities, transfers, promotions, salary administration, layoffs, terminations, social programs, and business and community relations.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

Regulation of Registrant

 

Federal Regulation. Registrant is subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, (the “BHC Act”), as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies on a consolidated basis.

 

Registrant is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is required for Registrant to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than five percent of any class of voting shares of such bank or bank holding company.

 

The merger or consolidation of Registrant with another bank holding company, or the acquisition by Registrant of the stock or assets of another bank, or the assumption of liability by Registrant to pay any deposits in another bank, will require the prior written approval of the primary federal bank regulatory agency of the acquiring or surviving bank under the federal Bank Merger Act. The decision is based upon a consideration of statutory factors similar to those outlined above with respect to the BHC Act. In addition, in certain such cases an application to, and the prior approval of, the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act and/or the North Carolina Banking Commission may be required.

 

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Registrant is required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of Registrant’ consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. Such notice and approval is not required for a bank holding company that would be treated as “well capitalized” under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, that has received a composite “1” or “2” rating at its most recent bank holding company inspection by the Federal Reserve Board, and that is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.

 

The status of Registrant as a registered bank holding company under the BHC Act does not exempt it from certain federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the federal securities laws.

 

In addition, a bank holding company is prohibited generally from engaging in, or acquiring five percent or more of any class of voting securities of any company engaged in, non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto are:

 

  making or servicing loans;

 

  performing certain data processing services;

 

  providing discount brokerage services;

 

  acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor;

 

  leasing personal or real property;

 

  making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare, and

 

  acquiring a savings and loan association.

 

In evaluating a written notice of such an acquisition, the Federal Reserve Board will consider various factors, including among others the financial and managerial resources of the notifying bank holding company and the relative public benefits and adverse effects which may be expected to result from the performance of the activity by an affiliate of such company. The Federal Reserve Board may apply different standards to activities proposed to be commenced de novo and activities commenced by acquisition, in whole or in part, of a going concern. The required notice period may be extended by the Federal Reserve Board under certain circumstances, including a notice for acquisition of a company engaged in activities not previously approved by regulation of the Federal Reserve Board. If such a proposed acquisition is not disapproved or subjected to conditions by the Federal Reserve Board within the applicable notice period, it is deemed approved by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve Board uses capital adequacy guidelines in its examination and regulation of bank holding companies. If capital falls below minimum guidelines, a bank holding company may, among other things, be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.

 

The Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines establish the following minimum regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies:

 

  a leverage capital requirement expressed as a percentage of total assets;

 

  a risk-based requirement expressed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets; and

 

  a Tier 1 leverage requirement expressed as a percentage of total assets.

 

The leverage capital requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total assets of 6%, with an expressed expectation that banking organizations generally should operate above such minimum level. The risk-based requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital (which consists principally of shareholders’ equity). The Tier 1 leverage requirement consists of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3% for the most highly-rated companies, with minimum requirements of 4% to 5% for all others.

 

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The risk-based and leverage standards presently used by the Federal Reserve Board are minimum requirements, and higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. Further, any banking organization experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions (i.e., Tier 1 capital less all intangible assets), well above the minimum levels.

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) requires the federal bank regulatory agencies biennially to review risk-based capital standards to ensure that they adequately address interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and risks from non-traditional activities and, since adoption of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the “Riegle Act”), to do so taking into account the size and activities of depository institutions and the avoidance of undue reporting burdens. In 1995, the agencies adopted regulations requiring as part of the assessment of an institution’s capital adequacy the consideration of (a) identified concentrations of credit risks, (b) the exposure of the institution to a decline in the value of its capital due to changes in interest rates and (c) the application of revised conversion factors and netting rules on the institution’s potential future exposure from derivative transactions.

 

In addition, the agencies in September 1996 adopted amendments to their respective risk-based capital standards to require banks and bank holding companies having significant exposure to market risk arising from, among other things, trading of debt instruments, (1) to measure that risk using an internal value-at-risk model conforming to the parameters established in the agencies’ standards and (2) to maintain a commensurate amount of additional capital to reflect such risk. The new rules were adopted effective January 1, 1997, with compliance mandatory from and after January 1, 1998.

 

Under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”), depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. This law is applicable to the extent that Registrant maintains as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to the Bank.

 

Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to certain quantitative and qualitative restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on any extension of credit to, or purchase of assets from, or letter of credit on behalf of, the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, and on the investment in or acceptance of stocks or securities of such holding company or its subsidiaries as collateral for loans. In addition, provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations limit the amounts of, and establish required procedures and credit standards with respect to, loans and other extensions of credit to officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Bank, Registrant, any subsidiary of Registrant and related interests of such persons. Moreover, subsidiaries of bank holding companies are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements (with the holding company or any of its subsidiaries) in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing of services.

 

Any loans by a bank holding company to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of the subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. This priority would also apply to guarantees of capital plans under FDICIA.

 

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Branching

 

Under the Riegle Act, the Federal Reserve Board may approve bank holding company acquisitions of banks in other states, subject to certain aging and deposit concentration limits. As of June 1, 1997, banks in one state may merge with banks in another state, unless the other state has chosen not to implement this section of the Riegle Act. These mergers are also subject to similar aging and deposit concentration limits.

 

North Carolina “opted-in” to the provisions of the Riegle Act. Since July 1, 1995, an out-of-state bank that did not already maintain a branch in North Carolina was permitted to establish and maintain a de novo branch in North Carolina, or acquire a branch in North Carolina, if the laws of the home state of the out-of-state bank permit North Carolina banks to engage in the same activities in that state under substantially the same terms as permitted by North Carolina. Also, North Carolina banks may merge with out-of-state banks, and an out-of-state bank resulting from such an interstate merger transaction may maintain and operate the branches in North Carolina of a merged North Carolina bank, if the laws of the home state of the out-of-state bank involved in the interstate merger transaction permit interstate merger.

 

Regulation of the Banks

 

The Banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. Generally, these laws and regulations are intended to protect depositors and borrowers, not shareholders. To the extent that the following information describes statutory and regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions. Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business of the Registrant and the Banks.

 

State Law. The Banks are subject to extensive supervision and regulation by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the “Commissioner”). The Commissioner oversees state laws that set specific requirements for bank capital and regulate deposits in, and loans and investments by, banks, including the amounts, types, and in some cases, rates. The Commissioner supervises and performs periodic examinations of North Carolina-chartered banks to assure compliance with state banking statutes and regulations, and the Banks are required to make regular reports to the Commissioner describing in detail the resources, assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Banks. Among other things, the Commissioner regulates mergers and consolidations of state-chartered banks, the payment of dividends, loans to officers and directors, record keeping, types and amounts of loans and investments, and the establishment of branches.

 

Deposit Insurance. As a member institution of the FDIC, the Banks deposits are insured up to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor through the Bank Insurance Fund, administered by the FDIC, and each member institution is required to pay semi-annual deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. The BIF assessment rates have a range of 0 cents to 27 cents for every $100 in assessable deposits. Banks with no premium are subject to an annual statutory minimum assessment.

 

Capital Requirements. The federal banking regulators have adopted certain risk-based capital guidelines to assist in the assessment of the capital adequacy of a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and transactions, such as letters of credit, and recourse arrangements, which are recorded as off balance sheet items. Under these guidelines, nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit equivalent amounts of off balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as business loans.

 

A banking organization’s risk-based capital ratios are obtained by dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk adjusted assets. The regulators measure risk-adjusted assets, which include off balance sheet items, against both total qualifying capital (the sum of Tier 1 capital and limited amounts of Tier 2 capital) and Tier 1 capital. “Tier 1,” or core capital, includes common equity, qualifying noncumulative perpetual

 

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preferred stock and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangibles, subject to certain exceptions. “Tier 2,” or supplementary capital, includes among other things, limited-life preferred stock, hybrid capital instruments, mandatory convertible securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations and less required deductions. The inclusion of elements of Tier 2 capital is subject to certain other requirements and limitations of the federal banking agencies. Banks and bank holding companies subject to the risk-based capital guidelines are required to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8%. The appropriate regulatory authority may set higher capital requirements when particular circumstances warrant. As of December 31, 2003, the Registrant was classified as “well-capitalized” with Tier 1 and Total Risk - Based Capital of 10.77% and 12.86% respectively.

 

The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations specifying that they will include, in their evaluations of a bank’s capital adequacy, an assessment of the bank’s interest rate risk (“IRR”) exposure. The standards for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of a banking organization’s IRR management include a measurement of board of director and senior management oversight, and a determination of whether a banking organization’s procedures for comprehensive risk management are appropriate for the circumstances of the specific banking organization.

 

Failure to meet applicable capital guidelines could subject a banking organization to a variety of enforcement actions, including limitations on its ability to pay dividends, the issuance by the applicable regulatory authority of a capital directive to increase capital and, in the case of depository institutions, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, as well as the measures described under FDICIA described below, as applicable to undercapitalized institutions. In addition, future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the amount of capital recognized for purposes of capital adequacy. Such a change could affect the ability of the Company to grow and could restrict the amount of profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends to the shareholders.

 

FDICIA. In December 1991, Congress enacted FDICIA, which substantially revised the bank regulatory and funding provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and made significant revisions to several other federal banking statutes. FDICIA provides for, among other things:

 

  publicly available annual financial condition and management reports for certain financial institutions, including audits by independent accountants,

 

  the establishment of uniform accounting standards by federal banking agencies,

 

  the establishment of a “prompt corrective action” system of regulatory supervision and intervention, based on capitalization levels, with greater scrutiny and restrictions placed on depository institutions with lower levels of capital,

 

  additional grounds for the appointment of a conservator or receiver, and

 

  restrictions or prohibitions on accepting brokered deposits, except for institutions which significantly exceed minimum capital requirements.

 

FDICIA also provides for increased funding of the FDIC insurance funds and the implementation of risk-based premiums.

 

A central feature of FDICIA is the requirement that the federal banking agencies take “prompt corrective action” with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. Pursuant to FDICIA, the federal bank regulatory authorities have adopted regulations setting forth a five-tiered system for measuring the capital adequacy of the depository institutions that they supervise. Under these regulations, a depository institution is classified in one of the following capital categories: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” An institution may be deemed by the regulators to be in a capitalization category that is lower than is indicated by its actual capital position if, among other things, it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to asset quality, management, earnings or liquidity.

 

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FDICIA provides the federal banking agencies with significantly expanded powers to take enforcement action against institutions which fail to comply with capital or other standards. Such action may include the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC or the appointment of a receiver or conservator for the institution. FDICIA also limits the circumstances under which the FDIC is permitted to provide financial assistance to an insured institution before appointment of a conservator or receiver.

 

Miscellaneous. The dividends that may be paid by the Company are subject to legal limitations. In accordance with North Carolina banking law, dividends may not be paid unless the Company’s capital surplus is at least 50% of its paid-in capital.

 

The earnings of the Company will be affected significantly by the policies of the Federal Reserve Board, which is responsible for regulating the United States money supply in order to mitigate recessionary and inflationary pressures. Among the techniques used to implement these objectives are open market transactions in United States government securities, changes in the rate paid by banks on bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. These techniques are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth and distribution of bank loans, investments, and deposits, and their use may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits.

 

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

 

The Company cannot predict what legislation might be enacted or what regulations might be adopted, or if enacted or adopted, the effect thereof on the Bank’s operations.

 

Community Reinvestment Act. The Banks are subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (CRA). Under the terms of the CRA, the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency is required, in connection with the examination of a bank, to assess such bank’s record in meeting the credit needs of the community served by that bank, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The regulatory agency’s assessment of the Bank’s record is made available to the public. Such an assessment is required of any bank, which has applied for any application for a domestic deposit-taking branch, relocation of a main office, branch or ATM, merger or consolidation with or acquisition of assets or assumption of liabilities of a federally insured depository institution.

 

Under CRA regulations, banks with assets of less than $250,000,000 that are independent or affiliated with a holding company with total banking assets of less than $1 billion, are subject to streamlined small bank performance standards and much less stringent data collection and reporting requirements than larger banks. The agencies emphasize that small banks are not exempt from CRA requirements. The streamlined performance method for small banks focuses on the bank’s loan-to-deposit ratio, adjusted for seasonal variations and as appropriate, other lending-related activities, such as loan originations for sale to secondary markets or community development lending or qualified investments; the percentage of loans and, as appropriate, other lending-related activities located in the Bank’s assessment areas; the Bank’s record of lending to and, as appropriate, other lending-related activities for borrowers of different income levels and businesses and farms of different sizes; the geographic distribution of the Bank’s loans given its assessment areas, capacity to lend, local economic conditions, and lending opportunities; and the Bank’s record of taking action, if warranted, in response to written complaints about its performance in meeting the credit needs of its assessment areas.

 

Regulatory agencies will assign a composite rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve,” or “substantial noncompliance” to the institution using the foregoing ground rules. A bank’s performance need not fit each aspect of a particular rating profile in order for the bank to receive that rating;

 

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exceptionally strong performance with respect to some aspects may compensate for weak performance in others, and the bank’s overall performance must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices and generally with the appropriate rating profile. To earn an outstanding rating, the bank first must exceed some or all of the standards mentioned above. The agencies may assign a “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance” rating depending on the degree to which the bank has failed to meet the standards mentioned above.

 

The regulation further states that the agencies will take into consideration these CRA ratings when considering any application and that a bank’s record of performance may be the basis for denying or conditioning the approval of an application.

 

Change of Control

 

State and federal law restricts the amount of voting stock of a bank holding company or a bank that a person may acquire without the prior approval of banking regulators. The overall effect of such laws is to make it more difficult to acquire a bank holding company or bank by tender offer or similar means than it might be to acquire control of another type of corporation.

 

Pursuant to North Carolina law, no person may, directly or indirectly, purchase or acquire voting stock of any bank holding company or bank which would result in the change of control of that entity unless the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, first shall have approved such proposed acquisition. A person will be deemed to have acquired “control” of the bank holding company or the bank if he, she or it, directly or indirectly, (i) owns, controls or has the power to vote 10% or more of the voting stock of the bank holding company or bank, or (ii) possesses the power to direct or cause the direction of its management and policy.

 

Federal law imposes additional restrictions on acquisitions of stock in bank holding companies and FDIC-insured banks. Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act and the regulations thereunder, a person or group acting in concert must give advance notice to the Federal Reserve or the FDIC before directly or indirectly acquiring the power to direct the management or policies of, or to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of, any bank holding company or federally-insured bank. Upon receipt of such notice, the federal regulator either may approve or disapprove the acquisition. The Change in Bank Control Act generally creates a rebuttable presumption of a change in control if a person or group acquires ownership or control of or the power to vote 10% or more of any class of a bank holding company or bank’s voting securities; the bank holding company has a class of securities that are subject to registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, following such transaction, no other person owns a greater percentage of that class of securities.

 

Government Monetary Policy and Economic Controls

 

As a bank holding company whose primary asset is the ownership of the capital stock of two commercial banks, the Registrant is directly affected by the government monetary policy and the economy in general. The actions and policies of the Federal Reserve which acts as the nation’s central bank can directly affect money supply and, in general, affect bank’s lending activities by increasing or decreasing their costs and availability of funds. An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to combat recession and curb inflation pressures. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve to implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the discount rate and surcharges, if any, on member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. These methods are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits, and interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits. The Banks are not members of the Federal Reserve System but are subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve on non-member banks. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

 

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Recent Legislative Developments

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. On July 30, 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) was signed into law which mandated a variety of reforms intended to address corporate and accounting fraud. SOX contained provisions which amended the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (the “Act”) and provisions which directed the SEC to promulgate certain rules. The resultant law and regulations under the Act, as of the time of this annual report, is set forth in the following paragraphs. SOX provides for the establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), which enforces auditing, quality control and independence standards for firms that audit Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)-reporting companies and will be funded by fees from all SEC-reporting companies. SOX imposed higher standards for auditor independence and restricts provision of consulting services by auditing firms to companies they audit. Any non-audit services being provided to an audit client will require preapproval by the Company’s audit committee members. In addition, certain audit partners must be rotated periodically. SOX requires chief executive officers and chief financial officers, or their equivalent, to certify to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the SEC, subject to civil and criminal penalties if they knowingly or willfully violate this certification requirement. In addition, under SOX, counsel will be required to report evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or a breach of fiduciary duty by a company to its chief executive officer or its chief legal officer, and if such officer does not appropriately respond, to report such evidence to the audit committee or other similar committee of the board of directors or the board itself.

 

Longer prison terms will also be applied to corporate executives who violate federal securities laws, the period during which certain types of suits can be brought against a company or its officers has been extended, and bonuses issued to top executives prior to restatement of a company’s financial statements are now subject to disgorgement if such restatement was due to corporate misconduct. Executives are also prohibited from trading during retirement plan “blackout” periods. In addition, a provision directs that civil penalties levied by the SEC as a result of any judicial or administrative action under the Securities Act be deposited in a fund for the benefit of harmed investors. Directors and executive officers must also report most changes in their ownership of a company’s securities within two business days of the change, and as of the end of June 2003, all ownership reports must be electronically filed.

 

SOX also increases the oversight and authority of audit committees of publicly traded companies. Audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer. In addition, all SEC-reporting companies must disclose whether at least one member of the committee is an audit committee “financial expert” (as such term is defined by the SEC rules) and if not, why not. Audit committees of publicly traded companies will have authority to retain their own counsel and other advisors funded by the company. Audit committees must establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting and auditing matters and procedures for confidential, anonymous submission of employee concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. It is the responsibility of the audit committee to hire, oversee and work on disagreements with the Company’s independent auditor.

 

It is unlawful for any person that is not a registered public accounting firm (“RPAF”) to audit an SEC-reporting company. Under SOX, a RPAF is prohibited from performing statutorily mandated audit services for a company if such company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller, chief accounting officer or any person serving in equivalent positions has been employed by such firm and participated in the audit of such company during the one-year period preceding the audit initiation date. SOX also prohibits any officer or director of a company or any other person acting under their direction from taking any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead any independent public or certified accountant engaged in the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the purpose of rendering the financial statement’s materially misleading. The SEC has prescribed rules requiring inclusion of an internal control report and assessment by management of the Company’s internal controls in the annual report to shareholders. SOX requires the RPAF that issues the audit report to attest to and report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal controls. In addition SOX requires that each financial report required to be prepared in accordance with (or reconciled to) generally accepted accounting principles and filed with the SEC reflect all material correcting adjustments that are identified by a RPAF in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Although the Registrant has incurred additional expense in complying with the provisions of the Act and the related rules, management does not expect that such compliance will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

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International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001. On October 26, 2001, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 was enacted. This act contains the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, which sets forth anti-money laundering measures affecting insured depository institutions, broker-dealers and other financial institutions. The Act requires U.S. financial institutions to adopt new policies and procedures to combat money laundering and grants the Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to establish regulations and to impose requirements and restrictions on the operations of financial institutions. We have not as yet determined the impact that this act will have on our operations although the impact is not expected to be material.

 

Effective March 11, 2000, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which was signed into law on November 12, 1999, allows a bank holding company to qualify as a “financial holding company” and, as a result, be permitted to engage in a broader range of activities that are “financial in nature” and in activities that are determined to be incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act amends the BHC Act to include a list of activities that are financial in nature, and the list includes activities such as underwriting, dealing in and making a market in securities, insurance underwriting and agency activities and merchant banking. The Federal Reserve Board is authorized to determine other activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to such activities. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also authorizes banks to engage through financial subsidiaries in certain of the activities permitted for financial holding companies.

 

Registrant cannot predict what legislation might be enacted or what regulations might be adopted, or if enacted or adopted, the effect thereof on Registrant’s operations.

 

(c)-(e) Not applicable.

 

Item 2 – Property

 

The following table sets forth the location and other related information regarding the Banks’ offices and other properties occupied as of December 31, 2003.

 

Offices


  

Location


  

Status


Catawba Valley Bank          

Corporate Headquarters

   39 Second Street NW Hickory, North Carolina    Owned

Main Office

  

1039 Second Street NE

Hickory, North Carolina

   Owned

West Hickory Branch

  

1445 Second Avenue NW

Hickory, North Carolina

   Leased

Newton Branch

  

2675 Northwest Boulevard

Newton, North Carolina

   Owned

Operations Center

  

1115 Second Street NE

Hickory, North Carolina

   Owned

Mortgage Center

  

1125 Second Street NE

Hickory, North Carolina

   Leased

Springs Road Branch

  

2444 Springs Road

Hickory, North Carolina

   Owned

Statesville Branch

  

1829 E. Board Street

Statesville, North Carolina

   Owned

Mooresville Branch

   141 Williamson Road Mooresville, North Carolina    Owned

 

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Table of Contents

Offices


  

Location


   Status

First Gaston Bank          

Main Office

   804 South New Hope Road Gastonia, North Carolina    Owned

Belmont Branch

   6440 South Main Street Belmont, North Carolina    Owned

Mt. Holly Branch

  

701 South Main Street

Mt. Holly, North Carolina

   Owned

Operations Center

  

252 Wilmot Drive

Gastonia, North Carolina

   Owned

Stanley Branch

   206 South Highway 27 Stanley, North Carolina    Owned

Dallas Branch

   120 West Wilkins Street Dallas, North Carolina    Leased

Mortgage Lending

   720 N 3rd Street, Suite 402B Wilmington, North Carolina    Leased

Offices


  

Location


   Status

Northwestern Bank A Division of Catawba Valley Bank

         

Wilkesboro Branch

   1600 Curtis Bridge Road Wilkesboro, North Carolina    Owned

N. Wilkesboro Branch

  

5 Sparta Road

N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina

   Leased

Millers Creek Branch

   2924 NC Highway 16 North Millers Creek, North Carolina    Owned / Land leased

Taylorsville Branch

   315 West Main Avenue Taylorsville, North Carolina    Owned

W. Jefferson Branch

  

1055 Mt. Jefferson Road

West Jefferson, North Carolina

   Owned

Boone Branch

  

325 Leola Street

Boone, North Carolina

   Leased

Loan Administration

   1301 Westwood Lane Wilkesboro, North Carolina    Leased

Offices


  

Location


   Status

Integrity Securities    1331 Fourth Street Drive, NW Hickory, NC    Leased

 

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Table of Contents

Item 3 – Legal Proceedings

 

The Registrant is not involved in any legal proceeding other than those associated with its normal banking operations.

 

Item 4 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Part II

 

Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity’s Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The information contained in the section captioned “Market for the Common Stock, Stock Prices and Dividends” in the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders (the “Annual Report”) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

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Item 6 – Selected Financial Data

 

Selected Financial Information and Other Data

($ in thousands, except per share and nonfinancial data)

 

     At or for the Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Operating Data:

                                        

Total interest income

   $ 29,436     $ 21,182     $ 21,851     $ 20,033     $ 14,247  

Total interest expense

     11,784       9,079       11,547       10,344       6,868  
    


 


 


 


 


Net interest income

     17,652       12,103       10,304       9,689       7,379  

Provision for loan losses

     1,110       1,224       927       1,118       813  
    


 


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision

     16,542       10,879       9,377       8,571       6,566  

Non-interest income

     6,371       5,514       3,606       1,852       1,400  

Non-interest expense

     15,876       10,273       9,075       6,817       5,677  
    


 


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     7,037       6,120       3,908       3,606       2,289  

Provision for income taxes

     2,323       2,130       1,278       928       592  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 4,714     $ 3,990     $ 2,630     $ 2,678     $ 1,697  
    


 


 


 


 


Per Share Data: (1)

                                        

Earnings per share - basic

   $ 1.03     $ 1.32     $ 0.86     $ 0.88     $ 0.56  

Earnings per share - diluted

     1.00       1.24       0.85       0.85       0.53  

Cash dividends per share

     0.16       0.13       0.11       0.10       0.10  

Market price

                                        

High

     20.55       16.23       14.09       14.05       17.25  

Low

     16.34       11.14       8.18       7.65       11.15  

Close

     19.96       15.28       10.95       —         —    

Book value

     13.27       14.10       10.29       10.32       7.50  

Weighted average shares outstanding

                                        

Basic

     4,556,943       3,019,389       3,049,764       3,353,556       3,123,338  

Diluted

     4,691,065       198,560       76,739       3,453,336       3,258,562  

Selected Year-End Balance Sheet Data:

                                        

Loans

   $ 463,447     $ 415,741     $ 240,321     $ 195,018     $ 148,413  

Allowance for loan losses

     6,171       5,721       3,454       2,938       2,331  

Intangible assets

     19,715       19,813       —         —         —    

Total assets

     629,729       553,967       325,474       267,495       204,964  

Deposits

     497,960       440,532       259,147       220,004       171,082  

Borrowings

     57,555       40,077       33,766       17,632       7,913  

Shareholders’ equity

     62,812       60,232       31,388       28,616       25,141  

Selected Average Balances:

                                        

Total assets

     597,821       358,556       296,113       234,700       182,427  

Loans

     445,632       264,274       213,924       171,076       129,635  

Total interest-earning assets

     554,788       338,816       285,970       222,377       172,037  

Deposits

     476,912       287,689       238,120       193,674       153,934  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     485,274       297,654       242,950       190,124       158,523  

Shareholders’ Equity

     61,584       32,824       30,500       26,659       23,179  

Selected Performance Ratios:

                                        

Return on average assets

     0.80 %     1.11 %     0.89 %     1.13 %     0.92 %

Return on average equity

     7.66 %     12.16 %     8.77 %     9.93 %     7.60 %

Net interest margin

     3.22 %     3.57 %     3.62 %     4.37 %     4.35 %

Noninterest expense to average assets

     2.68 %     2.87 %     3.06 %     2.90 %     3.11 %

Dividend payout ratio

     15.53 %     9.85 %     12.63 %     11.36 %     17.86 %

Efficiency ratio

     66.09 %     58.31 %     65.24 %     59.07 %     64.67 %

Asset Quality Ratios:

                                        

Nonperforming loans to period-end loans

     0.83 %     1.12 %     0.24 %     0.10 %     0.15 %

Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans

     1.33 %     1.38 %     1.44 %     1.51 %     1.57 %

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

     1.20 %     52.86 %     16.71 %     6.71 %     9.96 %

Nonperforming assets to total assets

     0.34 %     0.65 %     0.51 %     0.26 %     0.11 %

Net loan charge-offs to average loans

     0.15 %     -0.21 %     -0.19 %     -0.30 %     0.37 %

 

Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

 

The information contained in the section captioned “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain of the information required to be provided pursuant to the disclosure requirements under Guide 3 of the Guides for the preparation and Filing of Reports and Registration Statements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is included in the Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The remainder of this information is provided in the following tables:

 

Table 1: Selected Financial Information and Other Data is incorporated by reference to Item 6 of this Report on Form 10-KSB

 

 

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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 2

Average Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis

($ in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2003

    Year Ended December 31, 2002

    Year Ended December 31, 2001

 
     Average
Balance


    Interest

  

Average

Rate


    Average
Balance


    Interest

   Average
Rate


    Average
Balance


    Interest

   Average
Rate


 

Interest-earning assets:

                                                               

Loans

   $ 433,648     $ 26,378    6.08 %   $ 264,274     $ 17,754    6.72 %   $ 213,924     $ 17,655    8.25 %

Taxable securities

     72,213       2,299    3.18 %     53,518       2,680    5.01 %     49,679       3,338    6.72 %

Non-taxable securities

     14,120       566    4.01 %     10,938       517    4.73 %     7,466       388    5.20 %

Other interest-earning assets

     27,440       192    0.70 %     10,086       231    2.29 %     10,817       471    4.35 %
    


 

  

 


 

  

 


 

  

Total interest-earning assets

     547,420       29,435    5.38 %     338,816       21,182    6.25 %     281,886       21,852    7.75 %
            

  

         

  

         

  

Other assets

     44,293                    19,740                    10,143               
    


              


              


            

Total assets

   $ 591,713                  $ 358,556                  $ 292,029               
    


              


              


            

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                                                               

Deposits:

                                                               

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

   $ 151,459     $ 1,716    1.13 %   $ 69,324     $ 874    1.26 %   $ 62,744     $ 1,662    2.65 %

Time deposits over $ 100,000

     127,556       3,321    2.60 %     83,209       3,000    3.61 %     54,669       3,048    5.58 %

Other time deposits

     153,701       4,723    3.07 %     108,643       4,073    3.75 %     99,772       5,590    5.60 %

Borrowings

     58,816       2,023    3.44 %     36,478       1,132    3.10 %     25,765       1,248    4.84 %
    


 

  

 


 

  

 


 

  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     491,531       11,783    2.40 %     297,654       9,079    3.05 %     242,950       11,548    4.75 %
            

  

         

  

         

  

Non-interest-bearing deposits

     36,531                    26,513                    20,935               

Other liabilities

     2,129                    1,565                    1,728               

Stockholders’ equity

     61,522                    32,824                    30,500               
    


              


              


            

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 591,713                  $ 358,556                  $ 296,113               
    


              


              


            

Net interest income and interest rate spread

           $ 17,652    2.98 %           $ 12,103    3.20 %           $ 10,304    3.00 %
            

  

         

  

         

  

Net yield on average interest-earning assets

                  3.22 %                  3.57 %                  3.66 %
                   

                

                

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

     111.37 %                  113.83 %                  116.03 %             
    


              


              


            

 

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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 3

Volume and Rate Variance Analysis

($ in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,
2003 vs. 2002


   

Year Ended December 31,

2002 vs. 2001


   

Year Ended December 31,

2001 vs. 2000


 
     Increase (Decrease) Due to

    Increase (Decrease) Due to

    Increase (Decrease) Due to

 
     Volume

   Rate

    Total

    Volume

    Rate

    Total

    Volume

     Rate

     Total

 

Interest income:

                                                                         

Loans

   $ 10,841    $ (2,217 )   $ 8,624     $ 3,769     $ (3,670 )   $ 99     $ 3,872      $ (3,017 )    $ 855  

Taxable securities

     766      (1,147 )     (381 )     225       (883 )     (658 )     933        (53 )      880  

Non-taxable securities

     139      (90 )     49       172       (43 )     129       187        (21 )      166  

Other interest-earning assets

     259      (298 )     (39 )     (24 )     (216 )     (240 )     (26 )      (56 )      (82 )
    

  


 


 


 


 


 


  


  


Total interest income

     12,005      (3,752 )     8,253       4,142       (4,812 )     (670 )     4,965        (3,146 )      1,819  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 


  


  


Interest expense:

                                                                         

Deposits

                                                                         

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

     983      (141 )     842       129       (917 )     (788 )     250        (827 )      (577 )

Time deposits over $ 100,000

     1,377      (1,056 )     321       1,310       (1,358 )     (48 )     975        (251 )      724  

Other time deposits

     1,537      (887 )     650       415       (1,932 )     (1,517 )     926        (302 )      624  

Borrowings

     731      160       891       426       (542 )     (116 )     698        (265 )      433  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 


  


  


Total interest expense

     4,627      (1,923 )     2,704       2,279       (4,748 )     (2,469 )     2,849        (1,645 )      1,204  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 


  


  


Net interest income increase (decrease)

   $ 7,377    $ (1,828 )   $ 5,549     $ 1,863     $ (64 )   $ 1,799     $ 2,117      $ (1,502 )    $ 615  
    

  


 


 


 


 


 


  


  


 

 

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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 4

Noninterest Income

($ in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

   2002

    2001

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

   $ 2,667    $ 1,851     $ 1,227  

Other service charges, commissions and fees

     522      408       333  

Fees from presold mortgages

     1,801      2,185       1,538  

Commissions from sale of credit insurance

     16      9       12  

Commission - Valley Financial Services

     419      145       89  
    

  


 


Core noninterest income

     5,425      4,598       3,199  

Loan sale gains

     —        3       6  

Securities gains (losses), net

     77      461       116  

Other - noninterest income

     869      492       288  

Other gains (losses), net

     —        (40 )     (3 )
    

  


 


Total noninterest income

   $ 6,371    $ 5,514     $ 3,606  
    

  


 


 

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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 5

Noninterest expenses

($ in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

     2003

   2002

   2001

Salaries

   $ 6,971    $ 4,863    $ 4,022

Employee benefits

     1,321      835      686
    

  

  

Total personnel expenses

     8,292      5,698      4,708

Net occupancy expense

     1,190      531      466

Equipment related expense

     1,039      594      537

Amortization of intangible assets

     319      3      —  

Stationery and supplies

     482      264      236

Telephone

     564      133      117

Professional fees

     540      389      482

Advertising and business promotions

     338      249      221

Non-credit losses

     282      41      36

Merger expenses

     —        —        237

Data processing

     803      733      651

Other noninterest expenses

     2,028      1,638      1,384
    

  

  

Total noninterest expense

   $ 15,877    $ 10,273    $ 9,075
    

  

  

 

19


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 8

Securities Portfolio Composition

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31

     2003

   2002

Securities available for sale:

             

U. S. Treasury

   $ —      $ —  

U. S. Government agencies

     47,809      36,682

Mortgage-backed securities

     32,870      24,084

State and local governments

     11,356      14,126

Equity securities

     1,921      860
    

  

Total securities available for sale

     93,956      75,752
    

  

Securities held for sale:

             

State and local governments

   $ 2,758    $ —  

Other

     200      —  
    

  

       2,958      —  
    

  

Average total securities during the year

   $ 80,749    $ 68,006
    

  

 

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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 9

Securities Portfolio Composition

($ in thousands)

 

    

Amortized

Cost


  

Fair

Value


  

Book

Yield (1)


 

Securities available for sale:

                

U. S. Government agencies

                

Due within one year

   4,184    4,240    3.91 %

Due after one but within five years

   31,869    31,970    3.08 %

Due after five but within ten years

   8,948    9,032    4.75 %

Due after ten years

   2,562    2,567    4.25 %
    
  
  

     47,563    47,809    3.53 %
    
  
  

Mortgage-backed securities

                

Due within one year

   —      —      0.00 %

Due after one but within five years

   6,243    6,303    3.80 %

Due after five but within ten years

   11,445    11,443    3.80 %

Due after ten years

   15,049    15,124    3.73 %
    
  
  

     32,737    32,870    3.74 %
    
  
  

State and local governments

                

Due within one year

   1,086    1,096    3.17 %

Due after one but within five years

   2,736    2,868    3.62 %

Due after five but within ten years

   5,228    5,649    4.58 %

Due after ten years

   1,605    1,743    5.04 %
    
  
  

     10,655    11,356    4.26 %
    
  
  

Other Securities

   1,935    1,921    3.23 %
    
  
  

Total securities available for sale

                

Due within one year

   5,270    5,336    3.76 %

Due after one but within five years

   40,848    41,141    3.23 %

Due after five but within ten years

   25,621    26,124    4.29 %

Due after ten years

   21,151    21,355    3.80 %
    
  
  

     92,890    93,956    3.68 %
    
  
  

Securities held to maturity:

                

State and local governments

                

Due within one year

   —      —      0.00 %

Due after one but within five years

   —      —      0.00 %

Due after five but within ten years

   814    864    4.26 %

Due after ten years

   2,144    2,060    4.57 %
    
  
  

     2,958    2,924    4.48 %
    
  
  

Other Securities

   200    200    12.00 %
    
  
  

Total securities held to maturity

                

Due within one year

   2,758    2,924    4.48 %

Due after one but within five years

   —      —      0.00 %

Due after five but within ten years

   200    200    12.00 %

Due after ten years

   —      —      0.00 %
    
  
  

     2,958    3,124    4.99 %
    
  
  

 

21


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 10

Loan Portfolio Composition

($ in thousands)

 

    At December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
    Amount

    % of
Total
Loans


    Amount

    % of
Total
Loans


    Amount

   

% of

Total

Loans


    Amount

   

% of

Total

Loans


    Amount

    % of
Total
Loans


 

Commercial

  $ 149,017     32.12 %   $ 117,642     28.26 %   $ 61,954     $ 25.75 %   $ 50,145     25.69 %   $ 36,653     25.10 %

Real estate - construction and land development

    57,975     12.50 %     47,685     11.45 %     46,283       19.24 %     28,002     14.35 %     19,686     13.48 %

Real estate - 1-4 family mortgage

    71,893     15.50 %     74,134     17.81 %     40,879       16.99 %     37,028     18.97 %     29,720     20.35 %

Real estate - 5 or more families

    17,247     3.72 %     16,121     3.87 %     6,713       2.79 %     4,610     2.36 %     5,120     3.51 %

Real estate - Commercial

    96,147     20.73 %     96,070     23.08 %     37,830       15.73 %     35,720     18.30 %     25,508     17.47 %

Loans to individuals

    32,829     7.08 %     29,673     7.13 %     23,964       9.96 %     21,823     11.18 %     14,780     10.12 %

Home equity lines of credit

    38,779     8.36 %     34,971     8.40 %     22,940       9.54 %     17,867     9.15 %     14,557     9.97 %
   


 

 


 

 


 


 


 

 


 

Loans, gross

    463,887     100.00 %     416,296     100.00 %     240,563       100.00 %     195,195     100.00 %     146,024     100.00 %
           

         

         


         

         

Allowance for loan losses

    (6,171 )           (5,721 )           (3,454 )             (2,938 )           (2,231 )      

Unamortized net deferred loan fees and unearned income

    (440 )           (555 )           (242 )             (177 )           (123 )      
   


       


       


         


       


     

Total loans, net

  $ 457,276           $ 410,020           $ 236,867             $ 192,080           $ 143,670        
   


       


       


         


       


     

 

22


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 11

Loan Maturities

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31, 2003

    

Due within

one year


   Due after one
year but within
five years


  

Due after

five years


   Total

Commercial

   $ 72,079,827    $ 66,657,126    $ 10,279,900    $ 149,016,853

Real estate - construction and land development

     37,377,373      18,252,086      2,345,655      57,975,114

Real estate - 1-4 family mortgage

     22,078,155      43,225,006      6,590,054      71,893,215

Real estate - 5 or more families

     838,348      11,449,178      4,959,169      17,246,695

Real estate - commercial

     21,482,545      64,713,847      9,950,983      96,147,375

Loans to individuals

     11,968,144      14,735,573      6,125,477      32,829,194

Home equity lines of credit

     49,451      128,756      38,600,198      38,778,405
    

  

  

  

Total gross loans

   $ 165,873,843    $ 219,161,572    $ 78,851,436    $ 463,886,851
    

  

  

  

 

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

 

23


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 12

Nonperforming Assets

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Nonaccrual loans

   $ 2,166     $ 2,442  

Past due loans 90 days or more

     1,723       582  
    


 


Total nonperforming loans

     3,889       3,024  

Other real estate owned

     1,271       586  
    


 


Total nonperforming assets

   $ 5,160     $ 3,610  
    


 


Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans

     0.84 %     0.73 %

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and other real estate

     1.11 %     0.87 %

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets

     0.82 %     0.65 %

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of allowance for loan losses

     63.02 %     52.86 %

Total loans

     463,887       416,296  

Total loans and other real estate

     465,158       416,882  

Total assets

     629,729       553,967  

Allowance for loan losses

     6,171       5,721  

 

24


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 13

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31,

     2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

   1999

Commercial

   $ 1,859    $ 1,493    $ 942    $ 1,219    $ 859

Real estate - construction and land development

     541      520      590      272      196

Real estate - 1-4 family mortgage

     796      656      498      321      318

Real estate - 5 or more families

     199      171      80      —        —  

Real estate - commercial mortgage

     1,066      1,355      593      285      295

Loans to individuals

     425      370      275      241      235

Home equity lines of credit

     388      306      263      203      140
    

  

  

  

  

Total allocated

     5,274      4,871      3,241      2,541      2,043

Unallocated

     897      850      213      397      288
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 6,171    $ 5,721    $ 3,454    $ 2,938    $ 2,331
    

  

  

  

  

 

25


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 14

Loan Loss and Recovery Experience

($ in thousands)

 

     At or for the Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Loan outstanding at the end of the year

   $ 463,447     $ 415,741     $ 240,321     $ 195,018     $ 145,901  
    


 


 


 


 


Average loans outstanding during the year

   $ 445,632     $ 213,924     $ 171,716     $ 129,552     $ 98,092  
    


 


 


 


 


Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year

   $ 5,721     $ 3,454     $ 2,938     $ 2,331     $ 1,997  

Provision for loan losses

     1,110       1,224       927       1,118       813  
    


 


 


 


 


       6,831       4,678       3,865       3,449       2,810  
    


 


 


 


 


Loans charged off:

                                        

Commercial

     193       263       197       289       413  

Real estate - construction

     33       47       73       —         —    

Real estate - commercial mortgage

     24       —         —         55       —    

Real estate - 1-4 family mortgage

     278       4       12       28       —    

Loans to individuals

     254       276       144       170       176  

Home equity lines of credit

     —         —         —         13       —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total charge-offs

     782       590       426       555       589  
    


 


 


 


 


Recoveries of loans previously charged off:

                                        

Commercial

     (28 )     (8 )     (3 )     (16 )     (69 )

Real estate - construction

     (39 )     —         (3 )     —         —    

Real estate - commercial mortgage

     —         —         —         (16 )     —    

Real estate - 1-4 family mortgage

     (21 )     (2 )     —         —         —    

Loans to individuals

     (34 )     (22 )     (9 )     (12 )     (41 )

Home equity lines of credit

     —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total recoveries

     (122 )     (32 )     (15 )     (44 )     (110 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net charge-offs

     660       558       411       511       479  
    


 


 


 


 


Allowance recorded related to loans assumed in acquisition of Community

             1,601                          

Allowance for loan losses at end of year

   $ 6,171     $ 5,721     $ 3,454     $ 2,938     $ 2,331  
    


 


 


 


 


Ratios:

                                        

Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans

     -0.15 %     -0.26 %     -0.24 %     -0.39 %     -0.49 %

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans at end of year

     1.33 %     1.38 %     1.44 %     1.51 %     1.60 %

 

26


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 16 - Worksheet

Maturities of Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31, 2003

     3 Months
or Less


   Over 3 Months
to 6 Months


   Over 6 Months
to 12 Months


   Over 12
Months


   Total

Catawba Valley

     29,492,093      25,616,700      25,689,273      23,523,471      104,321,538

First Gaston

     5,939,186      6,839,178      8,539,553      11,043,274      32,361,192
    

  

  

  

  

Time Deposits of $100,000 or more

   $ 35,431,280    $ 32,455,878    $ 34,228,827    $ 34,566,745    $ 136,682,730
    

  

  

  

  

 

 

27


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Table 17

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31, 2003

 
     3 Months
or Less


    Over 3 Months
to 12 Months


    Total Within
12 Months


    Over 12
Months


    Total

 

Interest-earning assets:

                                        

Loans

   $ 71,860     $ 135,628     $ 207,488     $ 255,958     $ 463,446  

Securities available for sale

     4,612       16,807       21,419       72,536       93,955  

Securities held to maturity

     —         —         —         2,958       2,958  

Other earning assets

     14,588       —         14,588       2,256       16,844  
    


 


 


 


 


Total interest-earning assets

   $ 91,060     $ 152,435     $ 243,495     $ 333,708     $ 577,203  
    


 


 


 


 


Percent of total interest-earning assets

     15.78 %     26.41 %     42.19 %     57.81 %     100.00 %

Cumulative percent of total interest-earning assets

     15.78 %     42.19 %     42.19 %     100.00 %     100.00 %

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                        

Savings, NOW and money market deposits

   $ 37,353     $ 57,985     $ 95,338     $ 74,059     $ 169,397  

Time deposits > $100,000

     35,431       66,685       102,116       34,566       136,682  

Other time deposits

     24,165       85,166       109,331       43,740       153,071  

Borrowings

     13,632       9,813       23,445       34,110       57,555  
    


 


 


 


 


     $ 110,581     $ 219,649     $ 330,230     $ 186,475     $ 516,705  
    


 


 


 


 


Percent of total interest-bearing liabilities

     21.40 %     42.51 %     63.91 %     36.09 %     100.00 %

Cumulative percent of total interest-bearing liabilities

     21.40 %     63.91 %     63.91 %     100.00 %     100.00 %

Interest sensitivity gap

   $ (19,521 )   $ (67,214 )   $ (86,735 )   $ 147,233     $ 60,498  

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap

     (19,521 )     (86,735 )     (86,735 )     60,498       60,498  

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percent of total interest-earning assets

     -3.38 %     -15.03 %     -15.03 %     10.48 %     10.48 %

Cumulative ratio of interest-sensitive assets to interest-sensitive liabilities

     82.35 %     73.73 %     73.73 %     111.71 %     111.71 %

 

28


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 19

Capital Ratios

($ in thousands)

 

     At December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Risk-Based and Leverage Capital:

                

Tier 1 Capital:

                

Common shareholders’ equity

   $ 62,562     $ 60,232  

Trust preferred securities

     10,000       10,000  

Intangible assets

     (19,493 )     (19,813 )

Unrealized (gains) losses on securities available for sale

     (690 )     (1,231 )
    


 


Total Tier 1 leverage capital

     52,379       49,188  
    


 


Tier 2 Capital:

                

Allowable allowance for loan losses

     6,171       5,095  
    


 


Tier 2 capital additions

     6,171       5,095  
    


 


Total risk-based capital

   $ 58,550     $ 54,283  
    


 


Risk adjusted assets

     486,338       407,568  

Average assets

     586,546       474,512  

Risk-based capital ratios:

                

Tier 1 capital to Tier 1 risk weighted assets

     10.77 %     12.07 %

Minimum required Tier 1 capital

     4.00 %     4.00 %

Total risk-based capital to Tier 2 risk-based capital

     12.86 %     13.32 %

Minimum required total risk-based capital

     8.00 %     8.00 %

Leverage capital ratios:

                

Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets

     8.93 %     10.37 %

Minimum required Tier 1 leverage capital

     4.00 %     4.00 %

 

29


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Integrity Financial Corporation

Table 20

Securities Performance Ratios

 

     At or for the Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Return on average assets

   0.80 %   1.11 %   0.89 %   1.14 %   0.92 %

Return on average equity

   7.66 %   12.16 %   8.62 %   10.05 %   7.60 %

Dividend payout ratio

   15.53 %   9.66 %   12.63 %   11.36 %   17.86 %

Equity to assets ratio

   10.93 %   10.87 %   9.64 %   10.70 %   12.27 %

 

30


Table of Contents

Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

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

 

Expected Maturities of Market Sensitive Instruments Held

at December 31, 2003 in the Indicated Year

($ in thousands)

 

    2004

  2005

  2006

  2007

  2008

  Beyond
Five Years


  Total

  Average
Interest
Rate


    Estimated
Fair Value


FINANCIAL ASSETS

                                                     

Fed funds sold

  $ 13   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ 13   0.95 %   $ 13

Investment Securities

    5,270     5,642     8,961     13,235     12,701     50,040     95,849   3.67 %     97,080

Loans

                                                     

Fixed Rate

    35,187     5,990     10,514     13,475     30,902     29,063     125,131   6.81 %     126,158

Variable Rate

    182,029     28,549     22,387     27,808     27,630     49,912     338,315   5.05 %     341,093

Total

  $ 222,499   $ 40,181   $ 41,862   $ 54,518   $ 71,233   $ 129,015   $ 559,308   5.21 %   $ 564,344

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

                                                     

Money market and NOW Deposits

  $ 72,907   $ 31,942   $ 31,942   $ 8,151   $ 8,151   $ 16,303   $ 169,396   1.00 %   $ 163,672

Time Deposits

    212,537     56,783     14,227     3,030     2,364     812     289,753   2.46 %     290,590

Borrowings

    24,445     14,500     —       —       —       18,610     57,555   2.50 %     74,472

Trust Preferred

    —       —       —       —       —       10,000     10,000   5.75 %     10,000

Total

  $ 309,889   $ 103,225   $ 46,169   $ 11,181   $ 10,515   $ 45,725   $ 526,704   3.85 %     538,734

 

31


Table of Contents

Item 8 – Financial Statements

 

The information contained in the sections captioned “Balance Sheets”, “Statements of Operations”, “Statements of Cash Flows”, “Statements of Stockholders’ Equity”, “Notes to Financial Statements” and “Independent Auditors’ Report” in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9A – Controls and Procedures

 

As of December 31, 2003, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Registrant’s management, including Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that as of December 31, 2003, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Registrant maintained effective disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part III

 

Item 10 – Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The information contained under the section captioned “PROPOSAL 2: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement dated March 22, 2004 for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11 – Executive compensation

 

The information contained under the section captioned “PROPOSAL 2: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Director Compensation” and “-Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The information contained under the section captioned “Voting Securities and Beneficial Ownership Thereof” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Stock Options Plans

 

Set forth below is certain information regarding the Registrant’s various stock option plans

 

Plan Category


  

Number of Securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights

(a)


  

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(b)


  

Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column

(a) (c))


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   Nonstatutory: 290,754
Incentive: 365,460
   $
$
9.10
8.71
   0
64,163

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   None      None    None

Total

   656,214    $ 9.39    64,163

 

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Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The information contained under the section captioned “Indebtedness and Transactions of Management” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information contained under the section captioned “Proposal 3: Ratifications of Independent Public Accountants” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Table of Contents

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

 

(a) Registrant’s consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto and independent auditors’ report thereon are set forth in the sections captioned “Balance Sheets”, “Statements of Operations”, “Statements of Cash Flows”, “Statements of Stockholders’ Equity”, “Notes to Financial Statements” and “Independent Auditors’ Report” in Registrant’s Annual Report filed herewith and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

No financial statement schedules are included since the required information is either not applicable, is immaterial or is included in our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

 

A list of the exhibits to this Form 10-K is set forth below and on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Reports Filed on Form 8-K

 

  1. An 8-K was filed on October 28, 2003 (reporting under Item 9) regarding Registrant’s third quarter earnings.

 

  2. An 8-K-A was filed on November 13, 2003 (reporting under Item 9) regarding Registrant’s third quarter earnings

 

(c) Exhibits

 

  3(i) Articles of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange and Commission, March 25, 1999)

 

  3(ii) Bylaws of Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, March 25,1999)

 

  10(i) 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan, approved by shareholders on May 14, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission March 25, 1999)

 

  10(ii) 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Directors, approved by shareholders on April 22, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission March 25, 1999)

 

  10(iii) Employment and Change of Control Agreement between Catawba Valley Bank and R. Steve Aaron dated May 1, 2002 (filed herewith)

 

  10(iv) Employment Agreement between First Gaston Bank of North Carolina and W. Alex Hall dated January 1, 2003 (filed herewith)

 

  10(v) Employment Agreement between Catawba Valley Bank and Ronald S. Shoemaker dated December 31, 2002 (filed herewith)

 

  10(vi) Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement between Catawba Valley Bank and Ronald S. Shoemaker dated December 31, 2002 (filed herewith)

 

  13 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders (filed herewith)

 

  21 List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)

 

  31(i) Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

  31(ii) Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

  32(i) Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

  99 Proxy Statement for 2004 Annual Meeting (filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 14a-6(b))

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

INTEGRITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Date: March 15, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/ R. Steve Aaron


       

R. Steve Aaron

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 15, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/ Susan B. Mikels


       

Susan B. Mikels

Chief Financial Officer

 

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Table of Contents

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

 

/s/ David E. Cline


   March 15,2004

David E. Cline, Director

    

/s/ R. Steve Aaron


   March 15,2004

R. Steve Aaron, Director

    

/s/ Loretta Dodgen, Ph.D


   March 15, 2004

Loretta Dodgen, Ph.D, Director

    

/s/ W. Alex Hall


   March 15, 2004

W. Alex Hall, Director

    

/s/ Robert P. Huntley


   March 15, 2004

Robert P. Huntley, Director

    

/s/ W. Steve Ikerd


   March 15, 2004

W. Steve Ikerd, Director

    

/s/ H. Ray McKenney, Jr.


   March 15, 2004

H.Ray McKenney, Jr

    

/s/ Howard L. Pruitt


   March 15, 2004

Howard L. Pruitt, Director

    

/s/ Jack R Ferguson


   March 15, 2004

Jack R. Ferguson, Director

    

/s/ Dwight E. Pardue


   March 15, 2004

Dwight E. Pardue, Director

    

/s/ Ronald S Shoemaker


   March 15, 2004

Ronald S. Shoemaker, Director