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EX-32 - FIRST UNITED CORP/MD/v165036_ex32.htm
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EX-31.1 - FIRST UNITED CORP/MD/v165036_ex31-1.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

Commission file number 0-14237

First United Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
52-1380770
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
   

19 South Second Street, Oakland, Maryland     21550-0009
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

(800) 470-4356
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes £ No £ (Not Applicable)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer £
Accelerated filer R
Non-accelerated filer £ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes £ No R

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  6,132,448 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, as of October 31, 2009.

 
 

 

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited)
3
   
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition –September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
3
   
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations - for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
4
   
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and year ended December 31, 2008
6
   
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
7
   
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
39
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
40 
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
40 
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
40 
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
40 
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
40 
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
40 
     
Item 5.
Other Information
40 
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
41 
     
SIGNATURES
42 
     
EXHIBIT INDEX
43 
 
 
2

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In thousands, except per share and percentage data)
 
   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
     
Cash and due from banks
  $ 63,096     $ 18,423  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    36,575       882  
Cash and cash equivalents
    99,671       19,305  
Investment securities - trading (at fair value)
    183       -  
Investment securities - available-for-sale (at fair value)
    317,887       354,595  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    13,861       13,933  
Loans
    1,138,366       1,134,546  
Allowance for loan losses
    (16,929 )     (14,347 )
Net loans
    1,121,437       1,120,199  
Premises and equipment, net
    32,363       31,124  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
    15,455       16,322  
Bank owned life insurance
    30,144       29,743  
Deferred tax assets
    25,379       31,407  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
    25,369       22,476  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,681,749     $ 1,639,104  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Non-interest bearing deposits
  $ 107,608     $ 107,749  
Interest bearing deposits
    1,129,526       1,115,140  
Total deposits
    1,237,134       1,222,889  
Short-term borrowings
    46,229       50,495  
Long-term borrowings
    276,615       277,403  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    14,784       14,529  
Dividends payable
    1,229       1,098  
Total Liabilities
    1,575,991       1,566,414  
                 
Shareholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock —no par value;
               
Authorized 2,000 shares of which 30 shares of Series A,
$1,000 per share  liquidation preference, 5% cumulative
increasing to 9% cumulative on February 15, 2014, were
issued and outstanding on September 30, 2009 (discount
of $290 and $0, respectively)
          29,724             -  
Common Stock – par value $.01 per share;
               
Authorized 25,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,132 shares at
September 30, 2009 and 6,113 shares at December 31, 2008
    61       61  
Surplus
    21,183       20,520  
Retained earnings
    86,388       93,092  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (31,598 )     (40,983 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    105,758       72,690  
                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 1,681,749     $ 1,639,104  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
3


FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Interest income
           
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 51,571     $ 55,921  
Interest on investment securities:
               
Taxable
    10,316       12,491  
Exempt from federal income tax
    2,932       2,536  
Total investment income
    13,248       15,027  
Other
    65       538  
Total interest income
    64,884       71,486  
Interest expense
               
Interest on deposits
    15,385       23,972  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    237       852  
Interest on long-term borrowings
    8,768       8,208  
Total interest expense
    24,390       33,032  
Net interest income
    40,494       38,454  
Provision for loan losses
    10,837       6,570  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    29,657       31,884  
Other operating income
               
Service charges
    4,163       4,741  
Trust department
    2,631       2,989  
Total other-than-temporary security impairment losses
    (18,334 )      
Less: Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)
    7,492        
Net securities impairment losses recognized in earnings
    (10,842 )      
Securities losses – trading
    (226 )      
Securities gains – available-for-sale
    131       476  
Insurance commissions Bank owned life insurance
    2,123 401       1,602 585  
Other income
    2,244       2,295  
Total other operating income
    625       12,688  
Other operating expenses
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    17,398       16,586  
Occupancy, equipment and data processing
    6,494       6,027  
Other expense
    11,144       8,368  
Total other operating expenses
    35,036       30,981  
(Loss)/Income before income taxes
    (4,754 )     13,591  
Applicable income tax (benefit) expense
    (2,696 )     4,477  
Net (Loss)/Income
    (2,058 )     9,114  
Accumulated preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
    (1,041 )     —-  
Net (Loss)/Income Available to Common Shareholders
  $ (3,099 )   $ 9,114  
Basic net (loss)/income per common share
  $ (.51 )   $ 1.49  
Diluted net (loss)/income per common share 
  $ (.51 )   1.49  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ .60     $ .60  
Weighted average number of  common shares outstanding
    6,116       6,113  
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding 
    6,116       6,131  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Interest income
           
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 17,061     $ 18,483  
Interest on investment securities:
               
        Taxable
    3,041       4,321  
        Exempt from federal income tax
    975       845  
       Total investment income
    4,016       5,166  
Other
    61       128  
Total interest income
    21,138       23,777  
Interest expense
               
Interest on deposits
    4,835       7,330  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    82       230  
Interest on long-term borrowings
    2,916       3,016  
       Total interest expense
    7,833       10,576  
Net interest income
    13,305       13,201  
Provision for loan losses
    6,917       4,217  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,388       8,984  
Other operating income
               
Service charges
    1,460       1,595  
Trust department
    944       971  
Total other-than-temporary security impairment losses
    (12,538 )      
Less: Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)
    3,877        
Net security impairment losses recognized in earnings
    (8,661 )      
Securities gains – trading
    147        
Securities gains – available-for-sale
    35       —-  
Insurance commissions
    682       521  
Bank owned life insurance
     133       138  
Other income
    730       553  
        Total other operating (loss)/income
    (4,530 )     3,778  
Other operating expenses
               
 Salaries and employee benefits
    5,551       5,364  
 Occupancy, equipment and data processing
    2,236       2,182  
 Other expense
    3,713       2,430  
         Total other operating expenses
    11,500       9,976  
 (Loss)/Income before income taxes
    (9,642 )     2,786  
 Applicable income tax (benefit) expense
    (4,056 )     921  
Net (Loss)/Income
    (5,586 )     1,865  
     Accumulated preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
    (389 )     —-  
 Net (Loss)/Income Available to Common Shareholders
  $ (5,975 )   $ 1,865  
 Basic net (loss)/income per common share
  $ (.97 )   $ .30  
Diluted net (loss)/income per common share 
  $ (.97 )   $ .30  
 Dividends per common share
  $ .20     $ .20  
Weighted average number of  common shares outstanding      6,132       6,103  
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
    6,132        6,121  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Preferred
Stock
   
Common
Stock
   
Surplus
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ -     $ 61     $ 21,400     $ 88,859     $ (5,655 )   $ 104,665  
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
   Net income
                            8,871               8,871  
   Unrealized loss on securities
        available-for- sale, net of
        income taxes of $20,748
                                    (30,660 )     (30,660 )
   Change in accumulated unrealized
        losses for pension and SERP
        obligations, net of income
        taxes of $2,784
                                    (4,668 )     (4,668 )
Comprehensive loss
                                            (26,457 )
Issuance of 25,814 shares of
       common stock under dividend
       reinvestment plan
                       362                          362  
Repurchase of common stock
                    (1,391 )                     (1,391 )
Stock based compensation
                    149                       149  
Cash dividends declared - $.80 per share
                            (4,638 )             (4,638 )
                                                      
Balance at December 31, 2008
    -       61        20,520       93,092       (40,983 )     72,690  
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
   Net loss
                            (2,058 )             (2,058 )
   Unrealized gain on securities
        available-for-sale, net of
        reclassifications and income taxes of
$6,466
                                         9,554            9,554  
   Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of income taxes of $115
                                    (169 )     (169 )
Comprehensive income
                                            7,327  
Issuance of 32,373 shares of
       common stock under dividend
       reinvestment plan
                       366                          366  
Stock based compensation
                    (16 )                     (16 )
Preferred stock issued pursuant to
       TARP – 30,000 shares
    29,687                                        29,687  
Preferred stock discount accretion
    37                       (37 )             -  
Warrant issued pursuant to TARP
                    313                       313  
Preferred stock dividends
                            (813 )             (813 )
Cash dividends declared on common stock-
$.60 per share
                                (3,796 )              (3,796 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2009
  $ 29,724     $ 61     $ 21,183     $ 86,388     $ (31,598 )   $ 105,758  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
                                                       
 
2009
   
2008
 
Operating activities
 
(Unaudited)
 
Net (loss)/income
  $ (2,058 )   $ 9,114  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net
               
    cash provided by operating activities:
               
        Provision for loan losses
    10,837       6,570  
        Depreciation
    2,046       2,130  
        Stock compensation
    (16 )     140  
        Amortization of intangible assets
    867       513  
        Loss on foreclosed real estate
    114        
        Net amortization /(accretion) of investment securities discounts and  premiums
     161       (433 )
        Other-than-temporary-impairment loss on securities 
      10,842        
        Loss on investment securities- trading
    226        
        Gain on investment securities-available for sale
    (131 )     (476 )
        Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets
    (1,425 )     (3,647 )
        Increase in deferred tax assets
    (437 )     (92 )
        Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    255       114  
        Earnings on bank owned life insurance
    (401 )     (585 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    20,880       13,348  
Investing activities
               
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale      73,738       61,742  
Proceeds from sales/calls of investment securities available-for-sale
    37,878       15,270  
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (70,170 )     (179,169 )
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity
          (8,700 )
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate
    1,148        
Net increase in loans
    (14,974 )     (60,582 )
Net decrease (increase) in FHLB stock
     72        (4,599 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (3,285 )     (1,911 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    24,407       (177,949 )
Financing activities
               
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings       (4,266      15,742  
Payments on long-term borrowings      (788 )     (15,786
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
          115,000  
Net increase in deposits
    14,245       50,362  
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrant
    30,000        
Cash dividends paid
    (3,665 )     (3,670 )
Preferred stock dividends paid
    (813 )      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    366       360  
Stock repurchase
          (1,248 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    35,079       160,760  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    80,366       (3,841 )
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
    19,305       25,802  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 99,671     $ 21,961  
Supplemental information
               
Interest paid
  $ 25,679     $ 33,947  
Taxes paid
  $ 1,750     $ 5,120  
Non-cash investing activities:
               
    Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate    $ 2,899     $ 313  
    Transfers from available-for-sale securities to trading
  $   409     $   —  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2009

Note A – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of First United Corporation (the “Corporation”) and its consolidated subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 270, Interim Reporting, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, consisting of normal recurring items, have been included.  Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or for any future interim period.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  For purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation.  Such reclassifications had no impact on net income.

The Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2009 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements as prescribed by ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events. The evaluation was conducted through November 9, 2009, the date these financial statements were issued.

Note B – Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is derived by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. There is no dilutive effect on the earnings per share during  loss periods.  The outstanding warrant did not have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method because the average market prices of the common stock for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 of $10.88 per share and $10.87 per share, respectively, did not exceed the exercise price of the warrant ($13.79 per share).

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands, except for per share amounts):

   
For the nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per
Share
Amount
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per
Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
                                   
Net (loss)/income
  $ (2,058 )               $ 9,114              
Accumulated preferred stock dividends
    (1,004 )                              
Discount accretion on preferred stock
    (37 )                                      
Net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )   $ 9,114       6,113     $ 1.49  
                                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                                               
Net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )   $ 9,114       6,113     $ 1.49  
Non-vested employee stock award
                                        18           
Diluted net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (3,099 )     6,116     $ (.51 )   $ 9,114       6,131     $ 1.49  
 
 
8

 

   
For the three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per
Share
Amount
   
Income
   
Average
Shares
   
Per
Share
Amount
 
Basic Earnings Per Share:
                                   
Net (loss)/income
  $ (5,586 )               $ 1,865              
Accumulated preferred stock dividends
    (375 )                              
Discount accretion on preferred stock
    (14 )                      —                  
Net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )   $ 1,865       6,103     $ .30  
                                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                                               
Net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )   $ 1,865       6,103     $ .30  
Non-vested employee stock award
                                            18           
Diluted net (loss)/income available to common shareholders
  $ (5,975 )     6,132     $ (.97 )   $ 1,865       6,121     $ .30  

Note C – Investments

The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.

Securities held for trading: Securities that are held principally for resale in the near future are reported at their fair values (See Note F) as investment securities – trading, with changes in fair value reported in earnings.  Interest and dividends on trading securities are included in interest income from investments.

Securities available-for-sale: Securities classified as available-for-sale are stated at their fair values (See Note F), with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.   The fair values of investments are based upon information that is currently available and may not necessarily represent amounts that will ultimately be realized, which depend on future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the Corporation.

The amortized cost of debt securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for the amortization of premiums to the first call date, if applicable, or to maturity, and for the accretion of discounts to maturity, or, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security.  Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income from investments.  Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investments.  Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded using the specific identification method.

Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Based upon application of new accounting guidance for subsequent measurement in Topic 320 (ASC Section 320-10-35), which the Corporation early adopted effective March 31, 2009 according to the effective date provisions of ASC Paragraph 320-10-65-1, management assesses whether (a) it has the intent to sell a security being evaluated and (b) it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery.  If neither applies, then declines in the fair values of securities below their cost that are considered other-than-temporary declines are split into two components.  The first is the loss attributable to declining credit quality.  Credit losses are recognized in earnings as realized losses in the period in which the impairment determination is made.  The second component consists of all other losses, which are recognized in other comprehensive loss.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, (3) the historic and implied volatility of the fair value of the security, (4) changes in the rating of the security by a rating agency, (5) recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date, (6) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and (7) the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future.  Management also monitors cash flow projections for securities that are considered beneficial interests under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 325-40, Investments – Other – Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, (ASC Section 325-40-35). Further discussion about the evaluation of securities for impairment can be found in Item 2 of Part I of this report under the heading “Investment Securities”.
 
9

 
The following table shows a comparison of amortized cost and fair values of investment securities available-for-sale, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
 Value
 
September 30, 2009
                       
U.S. government agencies
  $ 93,769     $ 1,067     $ 153     $ 94,683  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    63,822       3,410             67,232  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    42,918             8,183       34,735  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    97,080       3,542       144       100,478  
Collateralized debt obligations
    59,928              39,169       20,759  
                                 
Totals
  $ 357,517     $ 8,019     $ 47,649     $ 317,887  
 
December 31, 2008
                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 111,938     $ 1,885     $ 178     $ 113,645  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    80,354       2,222       15       82,561  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    51,753             11,115       40,638  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    95,876       705       3,096       93,485  
Collateralized debt obligations
    70,324              46,058       24,266  
                                 
Totals
  $ 410,245     $ 4,812     $ 60,462     $ 354,595  
 
The following table shows the Corporation’s securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized losses and fair values, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
   
September 30, 2009
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                         
U.S. government agencies
  $ 9,997     $ 3     $ 14,850     $ 150  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
                       
Collateralized mortgage obligations
                34,735       8,183  
Obligations of states and political
    Subdivisions
    905       13       8,208       131  
Collateralized debt obligations
           —       20,759       39,169  
    $ 10,902     $ 16     $ 78,552     $ 47,633  
       
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                                 
U.S. government agencies
  $ 19,822     $ 178     $     $  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies     806       15              
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    37,423       9,927       3,216       1,188  
Obligations of states and political Subdivisions
    66,735       2,781       3,632       315  
Collateralized debt obligations
    2,159       5,393       21,724       40,665  
    $ 126,945     $ 18,294     $ 28,572     $ 42,168  
 
10

 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2009 are shown in the following table.  Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
 (in thousands)
 
Contractual Maturity
 
Amortized
 Cost
   
Fair
 Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 2,460     $ 2,478  
Due after one year through five years
    25,817       26,254  
Due after five years through ten years
    16,718       17,407  
Due after ten years
    205,782       169,781  
      250,777       215,920  
Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    63,822       67,232  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    42,918       34,735  
    $ 357,517     $ 317,887  

U.S. Government Agencies – The unrealized losses on the Corporation’s investments in U.S. government agencies of $153,000 are attributable to the lower interest rate environment and call features associated with the securities with premiums paid at the time of purchase.  All of these securities are of the highest investment grade.  The fair value of one security has been impaired for over 12 months and the fair value of one security has been impaired for less than 12 months.  Contractually, the issuers are not permitted to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost basis of the individual investments.  The Corporation does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.  Accordingly, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2009.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Agencies - The residential mortgage-backed agencies are in an unrealized gain position of $3.4 million at September 30, 2009.  All of these securities are of the highest investment grade.  Therefore, no impairment exists at September 30, 2009.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – The collateralized mortgage obligations are in an unrealized loss position of $8.2 million at September 30, 2009.  All nine of these securities are private label residential mortgage-backed securities and have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.  These securities are reviewed for factors such as loan to value ratio, credit support levels, borrower FICO scores, geographic concentration, prepayment speeds, delinquencies, coverage ratios and credit ratings.  Management believes that all of the securities continue to demonstrate collateral coverage ratios that are adequate to support the Corporation’s investment.  The Corporation purchased all of these securities at a discount relative to their face amounts.  All of these securities were of the highest investment grade at the time of purchase.  As of September 30, 2009, two have been downgraded to one level below investment grade and five have been downgraded more than one level below investment grade.  All of these securities continue to perform as expected at the time of purchase.  This class of securities has been reduced by $8.8 million since December 31, 2008 due to principal paydown.  The Corporation does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.  Accordingly, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2009.

Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions – The unrealized losses on the Corporation’s investments in state and political subdivisions were in an unrealized loss position of $144,000 at September 30, 2009.  Ten securities carried a fair value less than amortized cost basis for over 12 months and two securities have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.  All of the Corporation’s investments in states and other political subdivisions are of investment grade as determined by the major rating agencies.  Management believes that this portfolio is well-diversified throughout the United States, and all bonds continue to perform according to their contractual terms.  The Corporation does not intend to sell these investments and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.  Accordingly, management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2009.

Collateralized Debt Obligations - The $39.2 million in unrealized losses reported for collateralized debt obligations at September 30, 2009 relates to 22 pooled trust preferred securities.  See Note F for a discussion of the methodology used by management to determine the fair values of these securities.  Based upon a review of credit quality and the cash flow tests performed, management determined that six of the collateralized debt obligations in the Corporation’s portfolio were other-than-temporarily impaired.  As a result of this assessment, the Corporation recorded an $18.3 million other-than-temporary impairment loss on these securities as of September 30, 2009.  Year to date, $10.8 million of other-than-temporary losses have been recognized in earnings on the six trust preferred securities and $226,000 of losses have been recognized as a result of moving four securities to trading.  The unrealized losses on the remaining investment securities are primarily attributable to factors such as changes in market interest rates, marketability, liquidity and the current economic environment.
 
11

 
The following tables present a roll-forward of the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) related to credit losses which have been recognized in earnings.
 
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Credit Losses
recorded in
Earnings
(in thousands)
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Losses
recorded in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(in thousands)
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2009
  $ 2,724     $ 0  
Other-than-temporary losses recognized during the period:
               
Additions for OTTI not
previously recognized
    7,925       5,881  
Additional increases for OTTI previously
recognized when there is no intent to
sell and no requirements to sell before
recovery of amortized cost basis
    2,917       1,611  
Total other-than-temporary losses recognized during the period
    10,842       7,492  
                 
Ending balance September 30, 2009
  $ 13,566     $ 7,492  
 
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Credit Losses
recorded in
Earnings
(in thousands)
   
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
Losses recorded
in Other
Comprehensive
Income
(in thousands)
 
Beginning balance July 1, 2009
  $ 4,905     $ 3,615  
Other-than-temporary losses recognized during the period:
               
Additions for OTTI not previously
recognized
    5,744       5,881  
Additional increases(decreases) for OTTI
previously recognized when there is
no intent to sell and no requirements
to sell before recovery of amortized cost basis
    2,917       (2,004 )
Total other-than-temporary losses recognized during the period
    8,661       3,877  
                 
Ending balance September 30, 2009
  $ 13,566     $ 7,492  
                 
 
 
12

 

Note D – Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and due from banks, which represents vault cash in the retail offices and invested cash balances at the Federal Reserve, is carried at fair value.

   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
             
Cash and due from banks, weighted average interest rate of .22% (atSeptember 30, 2009)
  $ 63,096     $ 18,423  

Interest bearing deposits in banks, which represent funds invested at a correspondent bank, are carried at fair value and, as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, consisted of daily funds invested at the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta and First Tennessee Bank (“FTN”).

   
September 30,
2009
   
December 31,
2008
 
             
FHLB daily investments, interest rate of 0.01% (at September 30, 2009)
  $ 36,003     $ 882  
    550        
FTN Fed Funds sold, interest rate of 0.25% (at September 30, 2009)
    22        

Note E - Restricted Investment in Bank Stock

Restricted stock, which represents required investments in the common stock of the FHLB of Atlanta and Atlantic Central Bankers Bank, is carried at cost and is considered a long-term investment.

Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Industry Topic 942, Financial Services – Depository and Lending, (ASC Section 942-325-35).  Management’s evaluation of potential impairment is based on management’s assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost of the restricted stock rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.  The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the issuing bank as compared to the capital stock amount for that bank and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the issuing bank to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of that bank, and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the issuing bank.

On March 25, 2009, the FHLB of Atlanta announced that it would not pay a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2008.  On June 3, 2009, the FHLB of Atlanta announced that it would not pay a dividend for first quarter of 2009.  During the first quarter of 2009, the Corporation reversed approximately $28,000 in dividends that were accrued for the fourth quarter of 2008.  On August 12, 2009, FHLB of Atlanta announced that a dividend for the second quarter of 2009 would be paid.  A dividend of $29,000 was posted during the third quarter of 2009.  The Corporation has not accrued any dividends for the third quarter of 2009.

Management believes that no impairment charge in respect of the restricted stock is necessary as of September 30, 2009.

Note F – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Corporation complies with the guidance of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements required under other accounting pronouncements. This guidance applies only to fair value measurements required or permitted under current accounting guidelines, but does not require any new fair value measurements.  The Corporation also follows the guidance on matters relating to all financial instruments found in ASC Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments – Overall.

Fair value is defined as the price to sell an asset or to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date.  Fair value is best determined by values quoted through active trading markets.  Active trading markets are characterized by numerous transactions of similar financial instruments between willing buyers and willing sellers. Because no active trading market exists for various types of financial instruments, many of the fair values disclosed were derived using present value discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques described below.  As a result, the Corporation’s ability to actually realize these derived values cannot be assumed.

 
13

 


The Corporation measures fair values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Paragraph 820-10-35-37.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value under the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities.  This level is the most reliable source of valuation.

Level 2: Quoted prices that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.  Level 2 inputs include inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates).  It also includes inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).  Several sources are utilized for valuing these assets, including a contracted valuation service, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) evaluations and pricing services, and other valuation matrices.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).  Level 3 instruments are valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and consider risk premiums that a market participant would require.

The level established within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

In April 2009, FASB issued additional guidance in ASC Subparagraphs 820-10-35-51A and 820-10-35-51B on determining when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased and provides a list of factors that a reporting entity should evaluate to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. When the reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, further analysis of the information from that market is needed and significant adjustments to the related prices may be necessary to estimate fair value.  The new guidance also clarifies in ASC Subparagraphs 820-10-35-51E and 820-10-35-51F that when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, some transactions may not be orderly. In those situations, the entity must evaluate the weight of the evidence to determine whether the transaction is orderly. The guidance provides a list of circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. A transaction price that is not associated with an orderly transaction is given little, if any, weight when estimating fair value. The Corporation elected to early adopt this guidance for its March 31, 2009 financial statements as provided in the effective date provisions of ASC Paragraph 820-10-65-4.

The Corporation believes that its valuation techniques are appropriate and consistent with other market participants.  However, the use of different methodologies and assumptions could result in a different estimate of fair values at the reporting date.  The following valuation techniques were used to measure the fair value of assets in the table below which are measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2009.

Investments held for trading – The fair value of investments held for trading is determined using a market approach. The Level 3 investments consist of four pooled trust preferred securities, which are preferred term securities issued by trust subsidiaries of financial institutions and insurance companies and collateralized by junior subordinated debentures issued to those trusts by the parent institution. Two securities were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008 and were moved to trading during the first quarter of 2009.  The remaining two securities were moved to trading during the third quarter of 2009.  The Corporation obtained fair values for these securities from Moody’s Analytics, an experienced independent third-party pricing provider.  Information such as performance of the underlying collateral, deferral/default rates, cash flow projections, related relevant trades, models and other analytical tools are utilized by the third-party in determining individual security valuations in accordance with proper accounting guidance.  A full explanation of the pricing methodology used by Moody’s Analytics is presented in the next section, under Investments available for sale.

 
14

 

Investments available for sale – The fair value of investments available-for-sale is determined using a market approach.  As of September 30, 2009, Level 2 investment securities available-for-sale include U.S. Government Agencies and residential mortgage-backed securities, private label residential mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds which are not as actively traded.  Their fair values were determined based upon market-corroborated inputs and valuation matrices which were obtained through third party data service providers or securities brokers through which the Corporation has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. The Level 3 investments consist of pooled trust preferred securities.  The Corporation obtained fair values for these securities from Moody’s Analytics.  Information such as performance of the underlying collateral, deferral/default rates, cash flow projections, related relevant trades, models and other analytical tools were utilized by the third-party in determining individual security valuations in accordance with proper accounting guidance.

At September 30, 2009, the Bank owned 22 pooled trust preferred securities with a par value of $59.9 million and a fair value of $20.8 million. Based upon application of the guidance in ASC Subparagraph 820-10-35-51A, management has determined that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity in these securities.  The market for pooled trust preferred securities continues to be non-existent.  There were no new pooled trust preferred issuances during 2008 and there have been none to date in 2009.  Trading activity for pooled trust preferred securities indicates only three total trades during the first quarter of 2009 and zero trades during the third quarter of 2009, compared to a high of 116 trades in the first quarter of 2008.  The volume has declined from a high of $376 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $0 during the third quarter of 2009.  The trading and issuance data presented, along with information from traders, indicates that there is currently an inactive and inefficient market in pooled trust preferred securities which is contributing to the depressed pricing on these securities.

Observable prices for these securities are available based upon broker models and these inputs have been considered in the pricing models used by Moody’s Analytics.  However, the few observable transactions and market quotations that are available are not reliable for purposes of determining fair value at September 30, 2009.  Accordingly, the pooled trust preferred securities portion of the Corporation’s investment portfolio will be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because management determined that significant adjustments are required to determine fair value at the measurement date.

In determining the fair values of the securities, Moody’s Analytics utilized an income valuation approach (present value technique) which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.  This approach is more indicative of fair value than the market approach that has been used historically, and involves several steps.  The credit quality of the collateral was estimated using the average probability of default values for each underlying issuer, adjusted for credit ratings.  The default probabilities also considered the potential for correlation among issuers within the same industry, such as banks with other banks.  The loss given default was assumed to be 95%, allowing for a 5% recovery of collateral.  Management elected to utilize the option assuming that there were no defaults or deferrals for a two-year time period for those banks who have publicly announced participation in the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. The cash flows for the securities were forecast for the underlying collateral and applied to each tranche in the structure to determine the resulting distribution among the securities.  These expected cash flows were then discounted to calculate the present value of the security.  The effective discount rate utilized by Moody’s Analytics for the various securities in the present value calculation was the three-month LIBOR plus 200 basis points (a risk free rate plus a premium for illiquidity).  The resulting prices are highly dependent upon the credit quality of the collateral, the relative position of the tranche in the capital structure of the security and the prepayment assumptions.   Moody’s Analytics modeled the calculations in several thousand scenarios using a Monte Carlo engine and the average price was used for valuation purposes.  Due to the current market conditions as well as the limited trading activity of these securities, the market value of the securities is highly sensitive to assumption changes and market volatility.

Impaired loans – Loans included in the table below are those that are considered impaired under the guidance of the loan impairment subsection of the Receivables Topic, ASC Section 310-10-35, under which the Corporation has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value consists of the loan balance less its valuation allowance and is generally determined based on independent third-party appraisals of the collateral or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.

Foreclosed real estate – Fair value of foreclosed assets was based on independent third-party appraisals of the properties.  These values were determined based on the sales prices of similar properties in the approximate geographic area.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.

 
15

 

For assets measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:
 
       
Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2009 Using
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Description
 
Assets
Measured
at Fair
Value
09/30/09
 
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
Recurring:
                   
Investment securities - trading
  $ 183             $ 183  
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                       
   U.S. government agencies
  $ 94,683       $ 94,683          
   Residential mortgage-backed agencies
  $ 67,232       $ 67,232          
   Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 34,735       $ 34,735          
   Obligations of states and political
        Subdivisions
  $ 100,478       $ 100,478          
   Collateralized debt obligations
  $ 20,759               $ 20,759  
Financial Derivative
  $ (284 )             $ (284 )
 Non-recurring:                          
Impaired loans¹
  $ 9,931               $ 9,931  
Foreclosed real estate
  $ 4,061               $ 4,061  
¹ The impaired loans fair value consists of impaired loans net of the $4,458 valuation allowance.
 
 
       
Fair Value Measurements at 
December 31, 2008 Using
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Description
 
Assets
Measured
at Fair
Value
12/31/08
 
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
Recurring:                    
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                   
    U.S. government agencies
  $ 113,645       $ 113,645        
    Residential mortgage-backed agencies
  $ 82,561       $ 82,561        
    Collateralized mortgage obligations
  $ 40,638       $ 40,638        
    Obligations of states and political
Subdivisions
  $ 93,485       $ 93,485        
    Collateralized debt obligations
  $ 24,266               $ 24,266  
Financial Derivative
                     
                           
Non-recurring:                          
Impaired loans¹
  $  11,760               $  11,760  
Foreclosed real estate
  $ 2,424               $ 2,424  
¹ The impaired loans fair value consists of impaired loans net of the $4,759 valuation allowance.
 
 
 
16

 

The following tables show a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair valued assets measured using Level 3 significant unobservable inputs for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2009:
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
   
Investment
Securities
Available for Sale
   
Investment
Securities -
Trading
   
Cash Flow Hedge
   
Impaired
Loans
   
Foreclosed Real
Estate
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2009
  $ 24,266     $     $     $ 11,760     $ 2,424  
    Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized:
                                       
       Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    (10,842 )     (226 )                 (114 )
       Included in other comprehensive loss
    7,744                            
    Purchases, issuances, and settlements
                (284 )            
    Transfers from Available for Sale to Trading
    (409 )     409                      
    Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                               
    Sales
                              (1,148 )
    Payments/credits/charge-offs
                        (10,881 )      
    Properties/loans added
     —             (284 )      9,052       2,899  
Ending balance September 30, 2009
  $ 20,759     $ 183     $ (284 )   $ 9,931     $ 4,061  
The amount of total gains or losses for the period
included in earnings attributable to the change
in realized/ unrealized gains or losses related to
assets still held at the reporting date
  $ (10,842 )   $ (226 )   $     $     $ (49 )
 
     
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
Unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
(Dollars in Thousands) 
 
     
Investment
Securities
Available for Sale
     
Investment
Securities -
Trading
     
Cash Flow Hedge
     
Impaired
Loans
     
Foreclosed Real
Estate
 
Beginning balance July 1, 2009
  $ 16,674     $ 13     $     $ 11,118     $ 2,357  
    Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized:
                                       
       Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    (8,661 )     147                   (26 )
       Included in other comprehensive loss
    12,769                          
    Purchases, issuances, and settlements
                (284 )            
    Transfers from Available for Sale to Trading
    (23 )     23                    
    Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                             
    Sales
                            (365 )
    Payments/credits/charge-offs
                      (7,117 )      
    Properties/loans added
     —        —              5,930        2,095  
Ending balance September 30, 2009
  $ 20,759     $ 183     $ (284 )   $ 9,931     $ 4,061  
The amount of total gains or losses for the period
included in earnings attributable to the change
in unrealized gains or losses related to assets
still held at the reporting date
  $ (8,661 )   $ 147     $ (284 )   $     $ (26 )

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings for the periods (above) are reported in the statement of operations in other operating income.

Beginning with its March 31, 2009 financial statements, the Corporation elected to early adopt guidance in ASC Subparagraph 825-10-50-2A that requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in summarized financial information for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies, as provided in the effective date provisions of ASC Paragraph 825-10-65-1.

 
17

 

The fair values disclosed under ASC Subtopic 825-10 may vary significantly between institutions based on the estimates and assumptions used in the various valuation methodologies.  The derived fair values are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and significant judgment. Therefore, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the assumptions could significantly impact the derived estimates of fair value.  Disclosure of non financial assets such as buildings as well as certain financial instruments such as leases is not required.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair values presented do not represent the underlying value of the Corporation.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and due from banks:  The carrying amounts as reported in the statement of financial condition for cash and due from banks approximate their fair values.

Interest bearing deposits in banks:  The carrying amount of interest bearing deposits approximates their fair values.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock:  The carrying value of stock issued by the FHLB of Atlanta approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of that stock.

Loans:  For variable rate loans and leases that reprice frequently or “in one year or less,” and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.  Fair values for fixed rate loans and leases and loans and leases that do not reprice frequently are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current market interest rates being offered on the various loan products.

Deposits:  The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, savings, and certain types of money market accounts, etc.) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on the various certificates of deposit to the cash flow stream.

Borrowed funds: The fair value of the Corporation’s FHLB borrowings and junior subordinated debt is calculated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, using rates currently existing for borrowings with similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximate their fair values.

Accrued Interest:  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and payable approximates their fair values.

Derivative Financial Instruments -   The Corporation’s open derivative positions are interest rate swaps that are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Open derivative positions are valued using externally developed pricing models based on observable market inputs provided by a third party and validated by management.   The Corporation has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets.  The Corporation did not have any derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2008.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments:  In the normal course of business, the Corporation’s trust company subsidiary, First United Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), makes commitments to extend credit and issues standby letters of credit.  The Bank expects most of these commitments to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Due to the uncertainty of cash flows and difficulty in the predicting the timing of such cash flows, fair values were not estimated for these instruments.
 
 
18

 

The following table presents fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The actual carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments that are included in the statement of financial condition are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
Financial Assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 63,096     $ 63,096     $ 18,423     $ 18,423  
Interest bearing deposits in banks
    36,575       36,575       882       882  
Investment securities (AFS and trading)
    318,070       318,070       354,595       354,595  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    13,861       13,861       13,933       13,933  
Loans, net
    1,121,437       1,114,647       1,120,199       1,125,029  
Accrued interest receivable
    7,292       7,292       7,713       7,713  
Financial derivative
    (284 )     (284 )            
                                 
Financial Liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    1,237,134       1,185,239       1,222,889       1,229,834  
Borrowed funds
    322,844       337,920       327,898       346,110  
Accrued interest payable
    3,006       3,006       4,295       4,295  
Off balance sheet financial instruments
                       

Note G – Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale and on pension obligations are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) consists of the changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale and pension obligations. Total comprehensive income/(loss), which consists of net income/(loss) plus the changes in other comprehensive income/(loss), was $7.3 million and ($10.4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $6.1 million and ($3.5) million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The following tables present the accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the components included:

   
Investment
securities
with OTTI
   
Investment
securities –
all other
   
Cash Flow
hedges
   
Pension
Plan
   
SERP
   
Total
 
                                     
Accumulated OCI, net:
                                   
Balance – January 1, 2009
  $     $ (33,190 )   $     $ (7,386 )   $ (407 )   $ (40,983 )
   Net gain/(loss) during period
    (4,468 )     14,022       (169 )                 9,385  
Balance – September 30, 2009
  $ (4,468 )   $ (19,168 )   $ (169 )   $ (7,386 )   $ (407 )   $ (31,598 )
 
 
19

 

   
For the nine months ended 
September 30, 2009
 
   
Pre-tax
   
Taxes
   
Net
 
Components of OCI, net:
                 
AFS Securities with OTTI:
                 
  Securities with OTTI charges during the period
  $ (18,334 )   $ 7,400     $ (10,934 )
  Less: OTTI charges recognized in net income
    (10,842 )     4,376       (6,466 )
  Net unrealized losses on investments with OTTI
    (7,492 )     3,024       (4,468 )
                         
AFS Securities – All other:
                       
   Unrealized holding gains during period
    5,178       (2,090 )     3,088  
   Less: Securities with OTTI charges during the period
    (18,334 )     7,400       (10,934 )
   Net unrealized gains on investment securities
    23,512       (9,490 )     14,022  
                         
   Net unrealized gains on investment securities
    16,020       (6,466 )     9,554  
                         
Cash flow hedges:
                       
   Unrealized losses
    (284 )     115       (169 )
                         
Defined benefit plans liability adjustment
                 
    $ 15,736     $ (6,351 )   $ 9,385  

Note H – Junior Subordinated Debentures

In March 2004, the Corporation formed two Connecticut statutory business trusts, First United Statutory Trust I and First United Statutory Trust II (collectively, the “Trusts”), for the purpose of selling $30.9 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to third party investors.  The Trusts used the proceeds of their sales of preferred securities to purchase an equal amount of junior subordinated debentures from the Corporation, as follows:

$20.6 million— floating rate, effective June 2009, payable quarterly based on three-month LIBOR plus 275 basis points (3.04% at September 30, 2009) maturing in 2034, redeemable five years after issuance at the Corporation’s option.

$10.3 million—floating rate payable quarterly based on three-month LIBOR plus 275 basis points (3.04% at September 30, 2009) maturing in 2034, redeemable five years after issuance at the Corporation’s option.

The debentures represent the sole assets of the Trusts, and payments of the debentures by the Corporation are the only sources of cash flow for the Trusts.

In December 2004, the Corporation issued an additional $5.0 million of debentures.  The debentures have a fixed rate of 5.88% for the first five years, payable quarterly, and then convert to a floating rate based on the three month LIBOR plus 185 basis points in December 2009.  The debentures mature in 2014, but are redeemable five years after issuance at the Corporation’s option.

The Corporation has the right to defer interest on all of the foregoing debentures for up to 20 quarterly periods, in which case distributions on the preferred securities will also be deferred.  Should this occur, the Corporation may not pay dividends or distributions on, or repurchase, redeem or acquire, any shares of its capital stock.

 
20

 

Note I – Borrowed Funds

The following is a summary of short-term borrowings with original maturities of less than one year (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Short-term  advances, Daily borrowings, interest rate of 0.46% at
December 31, 2008
  $ 0     $ 8,500  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, with
weighted average interest rate at end of
period of 0.72% and 1.33%, respectively
    46,229       41,995  
    $ 46,229     $ 50,495  

The following is a summary of long-term borrowings with original maturities exceeding one year (dollars in thousands):

FHLB advances, bearing interest at rates ranging
from 2.46% to 4.98% at September 30, 2009
  $ 240,686     $ 241,474  
Junior subordinated debentures, bearing interest at rates
ranging from 3.04% to 5.88% at September 30, 2009
    35,929       35,929  
    $ 276,615     $ 277,403  

The long-term FHLB advances are secured by loans collateralized by 1-4 family mortgages and securities.

The contractual maturities of all long-term borrowings are as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30, December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
       
Due in 2009
  $ 13,250     $ 14,000  
Due in 2010
    31,000       31,000  
Due in 2011
    51,000       51,000  
Due in 2012
   
44,250
     
44,250
 
Due in 2013
   
     
 
Thereafter
    137,115       137,153  
Total long-term debt
  $ 276,615     $ 277,403  
 
Note J – Preferred Stock

On January 30, 2009, pursuant to the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program adopted by the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), the Corporation issued the following securities to the Treasury for an aggregate consideration of $30.0 million:  (i) 30,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having no par per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”); and (ii) a warrant to purchase 326,323 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, at an exercise price of $13.79 per share (the “Warrant”).  The proceeds from this transaction qualify as Tier 1 capital and the warrant qualifies as tangible common equity.  The operative documents relating to this transaction are on file with the SEC and available to the public free of charge.
 
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 5% per share on a liquidation amount of $1,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to each dividend period from January 30, 2009 to, but excluding, February 15, 2014.  From and after February 15, 2014, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 9% per share on a liquidation amount of $1,000 per share with respect to each dividend period thereafter. Under the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, on and after February 15, 2012, the Corporation may, at its option, redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, for cash at a per share amount equal to the sum of the liquidation preference per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the redemption date.  The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock further provide that, prior to February 15, 2012, the Corporation may redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock only if it has received aggregate gross proceeds of not less than $7.5 million from one or more qualified equity offerings, and the aggregate redemption price may not exceed the net proceeds received by the Corporation from such offerings.  Notwithstanding the foregoing restriction on redemption, the recently-enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”) permits the Corporation to redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by Treasury at any time (subject to a minimum 25% redemption requirement).  If the Corporation redeems shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the Recovery Act, it may also repurchase a pro rata portion of the Warrant; otherwise, Treasury must liquidate any portion of the Warrant that is not repurchased, at the current market price.  Any redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock requires prior regulatory approval.

 
21

 

Until the earlier of (i) January 30, 2012 or (ii) the date on which the Series A Preferred Stock has been redeemed in full or otherwise disposed of by Treasury, the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock prohibit the Corporation from increasing its quarterly cash dividend paid on common stock above $0.20 per share or repurchasing any shares of common stock or other capital stock or equity securities or trust preferred securities without the consent of the Treasury.

Note K - Pension and SERP Plans

The following table presents the net periodic pension plan cost for the Corporation’s Defined Benefit Pension Plan, the Bank’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, and their related components:

Pension
 
 
For the nine months ended
 September 30,
   
For the three months ended
 September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service cost
  $ 606     $ 693     $ 202     $ 231  
Interest cost
    912       948       304       316  
Expected return on assets
    (1,275 )     (1,755 )     (425 )     (585 )
Amortization of transition asset
    (30 )     (30 )     (10 )     (10 )
Recognized loss
    465       105       155       35  
Prior service cost
    9       9       3       3  
Net pension expense
included in employee benefits
  $ 687     $ (30 )   $ 229     $ (10 )

SERP
 
For the nine months ended
 September 30,
   
For the three months ended
 September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service cost
  $ 100     $ 90     $ 33     $ 30  
Interest cost
    172       138       58       46  
Recognized loss
          6             2  
Prior service cost
     95        84       32        28  
Net pension expense
included in employee benefits
  $ 367     $ 318     $ 123     $ 106  

The Corporation does not intend to contribute to the pension plan in 2009 based upon its fully funded status and a full evaluation of the pension plan.  The Corporation expects to fund the annual projected benefit payments for the SERP from operations.

 
Note L - Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
At the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Corporation’s shareholders approved the First United Corporation Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which authorizes the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, stock units, performance units, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards to employees or directors totaling up to 185,000 shares.
 
On June 18, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted a Long-Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”).  This program was adopted as a sub-plan of the Omnibus Plan to reward participants for increasing shareholder value, align executive interests with those of shareholders, and serve as a retention tool for key executives.  Under the LTIP, participants are granted shares of restricted common stock of the Corporation.  The amount of an award is based on a specified percentage of the participant’s salary as of the date of grant.  These shares will vest if the Corporation meets or exceeds certain performance thresholds.
 
 
22

 

The Corporation complies with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, in measuring and disclosing stock compensation cost.   The measurement objective in ASC Compensation Paragraph 718-10-30-6 requires public companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized in expense over the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).  The performance-related shares granted in connection with the LTIP are expensed ratably from the date that the likelihood of meeting the performance measures is probable through the end of a three year vesting period.

During the second quarter 2009, management determined that the likelihood of meeting the performance measures set forth with the 2008 LTIP stock grant would not be probable.  Therefore, under the guidance of ASC Paragraph 718-10-25-20, the shares are considered unissued and the share-based compensation expense of approximately $148,000 recognized in 2008 and 2009 earnings was reversed effective June 30, 2009.

The Recovery Act imposes restrictions on the type and timing of bonuses and incentive compensation that may be accrued for or paid to certain employees of institutions that participated in Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program.  The Recovery Act generally limits bonuses and incentive compensation to grants of long-term restricted stock that, among other requirements, cannot fully vest until the Capital Purchase Program assistance is repaid, but certain types of compensation, including the Corporation’s 2008 restricted stock grants, are grandfathered.

Stock-based awards were made to directors in May 2009.  This award totaled 5,655 shares at a fair market price of $11.48 per share and is part of their annual compensation package.

Note M – Letters of Credit and Off Balance Sheet Liabilities

The Bank does not issue any guarantees that would require liability recognition or disclosure other than its standby letters of credit.  Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Generally, the Bank’s letters of credit are issued with expiration dates within one year.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank generally holds collateral and/or personal guarantees supporting these commitments.  The Bank had $4.5 million of outstanding standby letters of credit at September 30, 2009 and $5.9 million at December 31, 2008.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral and the enforcement of guarantees would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payment required by the letters of credit.  Management does not believe that the amount of the liability associated with guarantees under standby letters of credit outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is material.

Note N – Derivative Financial Instruments
 
As a part of managing interest rate risk, the Corporation entered into interest rate swap agreements to modify the re-pricing characteristics of certain interest-bearing liabilities. The Corporation has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 815-30, Derivatives and Hedging – Cash Flow Hedges. Cash flow hedges have the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative, net of taxes, recorded in net accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
In July 2009, the Corporation entered into three interest rate swap contracts totaling $20.0 million notional amount, hedging future cash flows associated with floating rate trust preferred debt.  At September 30, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts was ($284) thousand and was reported in Other Assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Cash in the amount of $550,000 is posted as collateral as of September 30, 2009. The Corporation had no open derivative positions at December 31, 2008.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Corporation recorded a decrease in the value of the derivatives of $169 thousand in net accumulated other comprehensive loss to reflect the effective portion of cash flow hedges.  ASC Subtopic 815-30 requires this amount to be reclassified to earnings if the hedge becomes ineffective or is terminated. There was no hedge ineffectiveness recorded for the three months ending September 30, 2009.
 
Interest rate swap agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and the Corporation believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts is not significant as of September 30, 2009.

 
23

 
The table below discloses the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Derivatives in Cash
Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount of gain or (loss)
recognized in OCI on
derivative
(effective portion)
   
Amount of gain or (loss)
reclassified from accumulated
OCI into income
 (effective portion) (a)
   
Amount of gain or (loss)
recognized in income on
derivative (ineffective
portion and amount
excluded from
effectiveness testing) (b)
 
                   
Interest rate contracts
  $ (169 )   $     $  

 
(a)
Reported as interest expense
 
(b)
Reported as other income

Note O – Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162,” (“SFAS 168”). SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for nongovernmental entities.  The Codification does not change GAAP.  Instead, it takes the thousands of individual pronouncements the currently comprise GAAP and reorganizes them approximately 90 accounting Topics, and displays all Topics using a consistent structure.  Contents in each Topic are further organized first by Subtopic, then Section and finally Paragraph.  The Paragraph level is the only level that contains substantive content.  Citing particular content in the Codification involves specifying the unique numeric path to the content through the Topic, Subtopic, Section and Paragraph structure.  FASB suggests that all citations begin with “FASB ASC,” where ASC stands for Accounting Standards Codification.  Changes to the ASC subsequent to June 30, 2009 are referring to as Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”).

In conjunction with the issuance of SFAS 168, the FASB also issued its first Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-1, “Topic 105 – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“ASU 2009-1”) which includes SFAS 168 in its entirety as a transition to the ASC.  ASU 2009-1 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009 and will not have an impact on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations but will change the referencing system for accounting standards.

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events, to establish general standards of accounting and disclosure for subsequent events.  The guidance, which only applies to the accounting and disclosure of subsequent events that are not addressed in other applicable GAAP, establishes the period through which an entity should evaluate events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; requires disclosure of the date through which the subsequent events evaluation ended, and whether it is the issued date or available to be issued date; and provides examples of subsequent events that a company is required to recognize, as well as those that a company is required to disclose, but not recognize.  For calendar year entities, the guidance became effective for the quarter ending on June 30, 2009 (See note A).

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (not yet included in the codification).  This statement prescribes the information that a reporting entity must provide in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets.  Specifically, among other aspects, SFAS 166 amends the guidance found in ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, formerly SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, by removing the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and by modifying the financial-components approach used in Topic 860. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.  The Corporation is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS 166 may have on its financial position and results of operations.

 
24

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (not yet included in the codification). This statement amends guidance found in the ASC Topic 810, Consolidation, that required an enterprise to determine whether it’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity.  The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.  SFAS 167 also amends Topic 810 to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.  The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 and is not anticipated to have any material effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

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

INTRODUCTION

The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of material changes in and significant factors affecting the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in Item 1 of Part I of this report.  Unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, references in this report to “us”, “we”, “our”, and “the Corporation” are to First United Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Readers of this report should be aware of the speculative nature of “forward-looking statements.”  Statements that are not historical in nature, including those that include the words “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should”, “expect”, “believe”, “intend”, and similar expressions, are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about, among other things, the industry and the markets in which we operate, and they are not guarantees of future performance.  Whether actual results will conform to expectations and predictions is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties discussed in this report; general economic, market, or business conditions; changes in interest rates, deposit flow, the cost of funds, and demand for loan products and financial services; changes in our competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; our ability to manage growth; changes in laws or regulations or policies of federal and state regulators and agencies; and other circumstances beyond our control.  Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results anticipated will be realized, or if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences on our business or operations.  These and other risks are discussed in detail in the periodic reports that First United Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (see Item 1A of Part II of this report for further information).  Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

THE CORPORATION

First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation that was incorporated in 1985 and is a registered financial holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.  The Corporation’s primary business activity is acting as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Insurance Group, LLC, a full service insurance provider organized under Maryland law (the “Insurance Group”), and First United Statutory Trust I and First United Statutory Trust II, Connecticut statutory business trusts that we formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities.  The Bank has two subsidiaries:  OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia finance company; and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland finance company.  First United Insurance Agency, Inc, a subsidiary of OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., was merged into the Insurance Group effective June 30, 2009.  The Bank provides a complete range of retail and commercial banking services to a customer base serviced by a network of 27 offices and 33 automated teller machines.

We maintain an Internet site at www.mybank4.com on which we make available, free of charge, First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

 
25

 
 
ESTIMATES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008). On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to loan losses, intangible assets, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and pension plan assumptions. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management described its critical accounting policies in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The following discussion updates a critical accounting policy that was contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect recent changes in economic conditions.
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities
 
Investments available-for-sale:  Securities available-for-sale are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity.

The amortized cost of debt securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums to the first call date, if applicable, or to maturity, and for accretion of discounts to maturity, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security.  Such amortization and accretion, plus interest and dividends, are included in interest income from investments.

Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Based upon application of new accounting guidance for subsequent measurement in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, (ASC Section 320-10-35), which the Corporation early adopted effective March 31, 2009 according to the effective date provisions of ASC Paragraph 320-10-65-1 management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery.  If neither applies, then declines in the fair values of securities below their cost that are considered other-than-temporary declines are split into two components.  The first is the loss attributable to declining credit quality.  Credit losses are recognized in earnings as realized losses in the period in which the impairment determination is made.  The second component consists of all other losses.  The other losses are recognized in other comprehensive income.  Further discussion can be found below under the heading “Investments Securities”.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, (3) the historic and implied volatility of the fair value of the security, (4) changes in the rating of the security by a rating agency, (5) recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date, (6) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and (7) the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future.

Other than as discussed above, management does not believe that any material changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since December 31, 2008.

 
26

 
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table sets forth certain selected financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information and unaudited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

   
As of or For the Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Per Share Data
           
                 
   Basic net (loss)/income per common share
 
($
0.51 )  
$
1.49  
   Diluted net (loss)income per common share
 
($
0.51 )  
$
1.49  
                 
Dividends Declared
 
$
.60    
$
.60  
   Book Value
 
$
12.35    
$
14.70  
                 
Significant Ratios
               
   Return on Average Assets (a)
    (.16 %)     .77 %
   Return on Average Equity (a)
    (2.68 %)     12.31 %
   Dividend Payout Ratio (b)
    (178.16 %)     53.70 %
   Average Equity to Average Assets
    6.15 %     6.25 %

Note:
(a)   Annualized
(b) 
Cash dividends paid on common stock as a percent of net income (loss)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Consolidated net loss available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $3.1 million, compared to net income of $9.1 million for the same period of 2008.  Basic and diluted losses per common share for the first nine months of 2009 were ($.51), compared to basic and diluted income per common share of $1.49 for the same period of 2008.  The decrease in net income resulted primarily from $10.8 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges related to available-for-sale securities, $4.3 million in increased loan loss provision expense and $2.3 million of increased Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) deposit insurance premiums.  The increase in FDIC premiums resulted from the special assessment charge of $.8 million recognized in June 2009, the revised FDIC rate structure and the credit which offset 2008 premiums charged.  Core operations remained strong as our net interest income for the first nine months of 2009 increased $2.0 million when compared to the same period of 2008.  Our net interest margin increased from 3.67% for the first nine months of 2008 to 3.68% for the first nine months of 2009.  The provision for loan losses was $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $6.6 million for the same period of 2008.  Interest expense on our interest-bearing liabilities decreased $8.6 million due to the low interest rate environment, our decision to only increase special pricing for full relationship customers and certificates of deposit renewing at lower interest rates due to the short duration of our portfolio.  The increased provision was necessary to provide specific allocations for impaired loans where management has determined that the collateral supporting the loans is not adequate to cover the loan balance and due to increases in the qualitative factors affecting the allowance for loan losses as a result of the current recession and distressed economic environment. 

Other operating income decreased $12.1 million during the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. This decrease is primarily attributable to the recognition of $10.8 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges and $.2 million realized losses on the investment portfolio.  Trust department income and income earned on bank owned life insurance have also declined as compared to the same time period in 2008 due to decreases in the market values of assets under management and reduced interest rates.  Management has also noted a decrease in consumer spending as service charge income has shown a decline of $.6 million during the first nine months of 2009.  These declines were offset slightly by $.5 million of increased insurance commissions as a result of the Insurance Group’s acquisition of books of business late in 2008.  Operating expenses increased $4.1 million in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008.  This increase is due primarily to a $2.3 million increase of FDIC premiums, which is inclusive of the $.8 million special assessment charge, and increases in personnel costs, other real estate owned expenses, and amortization expenses of intangibles.

 
27

 

Consolidated net loss available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2009 was $6.0 million, compared to net income of $1.9 million for the same period of 2008.  Basic and diluted losses per common share were ($.97) for the third quarter of 2009, compared to basic and diluted income per common share of $.30 for the same period of 2008.  The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2009 was 3.53%, compared to 3.67% for the same period of 2008.  This decrease is primarily attributable to the increase in interest-earning assets of $77.3 million and a decrease in rates during the third quarter 2009 when compared to the third quarter 2008.  Third quarter 2009 operating expenses increased by 15% when compared to operating expenses for the third quarter of 2008 due to increased personnel costs, increased FDIC premiums and increases in other real estate owned and amortization of intangibles.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the largest source of operating revenue and is the difference between the interest earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities.  For analytical and discussion purposes, net interest income is adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis to facilitate performance comparisons between taxable and tax-exempt assets.  Fully taxable equivalent income is determined by increasing tax-exempt income by an amount equal to the federal income taxes that would have been paid if this income were taxable at the statutorily applicable rate.  The following table sets forth the average balances, net interest income and expense, and average yields and rates of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

   
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
 
                                     
Interest-Earning Assets:
                                   
                                     
   Loans
  $ 1,132,999     $ 51,606       6.09 %   $ 1,064,525     $ 55,935       7.02 %
                                                 
   Investment securities
    330,823       14,827       5.99       367,494       16,391       5.96  
                                                 
   Other interest earning assets
    65,614       65       .14       17,530       538       4.09  
                                                 
       Total earning assets
  $ 1,529,436       66,498       5.81 %   $ 1,449,549       72,864       6.71 %
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                               
                                                 
   Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 1,122,255       15,385       1.83 %   $ 1,052,791       23,972       3.04 %
                                                 
   Short-term borrowings
    44,231       237       .72       53,629       852       2.12  
                                                 
   Long-term borrowings
    277,033       8,768       4.23       247,053       8,208       4.44  
                                                 
       Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 1,443,519       24,390       2.26 %   $ 1,353,473       33,032       3.25 %
                                                 
Net interest income and spread
          $ 42,108       3.55 %           $ 39,832       3.46 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.68 %                     3.67 %

Note:  Interest income and yields are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate.

 
28

 

Net interest income on an FTE basis increased $2.3 million during the first nine months of 2009 over the same period in 2008 due to an $8.6 million (26.2%) decrease in interest expense, offset by a $6.4 million (8.7%) decrease in interest income.  The decrease in interest income resulted primarily from a decrease in interest rates on loans, an increase in non-accrual assets and our desire to maintain higher cash levels when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  A reversal of approximately $28,000 is reflected in the “Other interest earning assets” line item for September 30, 2009 due to the accrual of stock dividends issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta at a rate of 0.80% for the fourth quarter of 2008.  The Corporation was notified during the first quarter of 2009 that the FHLB of Atlanta would not pay a dividend for the fourth quarter 2008.  The decreases in interest rates throughout 2008 and the increase in non-accruing assets during 2009 contributed to the decrease in the average rate on our average earning assets of 90 basis points, from 6.71% for the first nine months of 2008 to 5.81% for the first nine months of 2009 (on a fully tax equivalent basis).

Interest expense decreased during the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008 due to a reduction in interest rates on interest-bearing liabilities.  Average interest-bearing liabilities increased in the first nine months of 2009 by $90.0 million when compared to the same time period for 2008, with interest-bearing deposits increasing by approximately $69.5 million.  The effect of the decreasing rate environment throughout 2008, our decision to only increase special rates for full relationship customers and the short duration of our portfolio resulted in a 99 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on our average interest-bearing liabilities from 3.25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to 2.26% for the same period of 2009. 

The net result of the aforementioned factors was a 1 basis point increase in the net interest margin during the first nine months of 2009 to 3.68% from 3.67% for the same time period of 2008.

The following table sets forth the average balances, net interest income and expense, and average yields and rates of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
 
                                     
Interest-Earning Assets:
                                   
                                     
   Loans
  $ 1,140,369     $ 17,076       5.94 %   $ 1,088,725     $ 18,485       6.75 %
                                                 
   Investment securities
    326,413       4,541       5.52       370,462       5,621       6.04  
                                                 
   Other interest earning assets
    89,996       61       .29       20,283       128       2.51  
                                                 
       Total earning assets
  $ 1,556,778       21,678       5.52 %   $ 1,479,470       24,234       6.52 %
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                               
                                                 
   Interest-bearing deposits
  $ 1,103,462       4,835       1.74 %   $ 1,060,458       7,330       2.75 %
                                                 
   Short-term borrowings
    45,523       82       .71       52,095       230       1.76  
                                                 
   Long-term borrowings
    276,770       2,916       4.18       277,825       3,016       4.32  
                                                 
       Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 1,425,755       7,833       2.18 %   $ 1,390,378       10,576       3.03 %
                                                 
Net interest income and spread
          $ 13,845       3.34 %           $ 13,658       3.49 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.53 %                     3.67 %

Note:  Interest income and yields are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate.

 
29

 

On a fully tax-equivalent basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 2009 increased $0.2 million in comparison to the third quarter of 2008.  This slight increase resulted from a $2.7 million decrease in interest expense during the period offset by a decrease in interest income of $2.6 million.  The decrease in interest expense resulted from a decrease in rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, which offset the $35.4 million increase in average liabilities.  The decrease in interest income is due to a combination of decreased interest rates and the increase in non-accruing assets.  Average loans increased by $51.6 million while the average balance in investment securities declined by $44.0 million.  Average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $35.4 million (2.5%) during the third quarter of 2009 when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  This increase resulted primarily from increases in interest-bearing deposits offset by a decrease in short-term borrowings.  The effective rate on these liabilities decreased by 85 basis points when comparing the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2008.  Overall, the net interest margin decreased by 14 basis points from 3.67% to 3.53% when comparing the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2008.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $10.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $6.6 million for the same period of 2008.  The increase in the provision was in response to the increase in net charge-offs, specific allocations for impaired loans (primarily acquisition and development loans) where management has determined that the collateral supporting the loans is not adequate to cover the loan balance and increases in the qualitative factors as a result of the current recession and distressed economic environment during 2008 and the first nine months of 2009.  Additional information regarding risk elements in the loan portfolio and management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is provided below under the heading “Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses”.

Other Operating Income

Other operating income decreased $12.1 million during the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. The decrease is primarily attributable to the recognition of $10.8 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges, a $.2 million realized loss on the investment portfolio, as a result of moving two securities to trading, and a decrease of $.6 million in service charge income due to decreased consumer spending. Trust department revenue and income on our bank owned life insurance policies also decreased due to declines in the market values of assets under management and reduced interest rates, respectively.  These declines were offset slightly by a $.5 million increase in insurance commissions as a result of the Insurance Group’s acquisition of books of business late in 2008.

Other operating income for the third quarter of 2009 decreased $8.3 million when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  The decrease is primarily attributable to the $8.7 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on the investment portfolio.  Insurance commissions increased 30.9% in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2008 due primarily to acquisitions late in 2008.  The composition of operating income is illustrated in the following table.  For comparative purposes, the securities losses of $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and securities gain of $.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 have been excluded from the nine-month ended table as well as the securities losses of $8.5 million for the three-month period in 2009.  However, these amounts are reflected in other operating income on the consolidated statements of operations.

   
Income as % of Total Other Operating
Income
   
Income as % of Total Other Operating
Income
 
   
Nine Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
Service charges
    36 %     39 %     37 %     42 %
Trust department
    23 %     24 %     24 %     26 %
Insurance commissions
    18 %     13 %     17 %     14 %
Bank owned life insurance
    3 %     5 %     3 %     4 %
Other income
    20 %     19 %     19 %     14 %
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

 
30

 

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses increased $4.1 million (13%) for the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  For the third quarter 2009, other operating expenses increased $1.5 million (15%) when compared to the same time period of 2008.  The increases for both periods were due to increases in personnel expenses, occupancy and equipment expenses as we continue our expansion in Morgantown, West Virginia, Frederick, Maryland and in the markets served by the Insurance Group.  In addition, expense for the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan increased $.7 million in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the first nine months of 2008.  This increase is a result of the decline in market value of the plan assets and the lower discount rate.  We have also recognized increases in other expenses directly attributable to the FDIC assessments of $2.3 million when compared to the same time period in 2008.  The composition of operating expense is illustrated in the following table.

   
Expense as % of Total Other Operating Expenses
 
   
Nine Months ended
   
Three months ended
 
   
September 30,
 2009
   
September 30,
2008
   
September 30,
2009
   
September 30,
2008
 
Salaries and employee benefits
    50 %     54 %     48 %     54 %
Occupancy, equipment and data processing
    18 %     19 %     20 %     22 %
Other
    32 %     27 %     32 %     24 %
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

Applicable Income Taxes

In reporting interim financial information, income tax provisions should be determined under the procedures set forth in ASC Topic, Income Taxes, in Section 740-270-30.  This guidance provides that at the end of each interim period the company should make its best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The rate so determined should be used in providing for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis.  The effective tax rate should reflect anticipated investment tax credits, foreign tax rates, percentage depletion, capital gains rates, and other available tax planning alternatives.  However, in arriving at this effective tax rate no effect should be included for the tax related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect in reports for the interim period or for the fiscal year.

 Based on the guidance in ASC Topic 740, management has concluded that the other-than-temporary impairment charge meets the definition of a “significant, unusual or extraordinary item that will be separately reported” based on the following:

 
·
The impairment charge related to credit loss is significant and is a highly unusual event for investments which were investment grade at the time of purchase and have become impaired as a result of the severe decline in the economy and an illiquid credit market.
 
·
The other-than-temporary impairment is reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The effective tax benefit rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 61%, compared to an effective tax rate of 33% for the first nine months of 2008.  The effective tax rate for the year-ended December 31, 2008 was 29%.  The decrease thus far in 2009 when compared to the same time period in 2008 is primarily attributable to the other-than-temporary impairment charge of $8.7 million recognized in the third quarter of 2009 and the increased provision expense in the third quarter.  The year-to-date loss coupled with forecasted favorable, permanent book to tax adjustments results in an income tax benefit for the Corporation resulting in the 61% effective tax benefit rate.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Balance Sheet Overview

Total assets were $1.7 billion at September 30, 2009, an increase of $42.6 million since December 31, 2008.  During this time period, gross loans increased $3.8 million, cash and interest-bearing deposits in banks increased $80.4 million, deferred tax assets decreased $6 million and our investment portfolio decreased $36.5 million.  The increase in loans is due to funding committments in the commercial portfolio.  Cash and due from banks increased as management made the decision not to replace called investments and to maintain cash in order to increase our liquidity position.  Total liabilities increased by approximately $9.6 million during the first nine months of 2009, reflecting increases in total deposits of $14.2 million offset by a $4.3 million decrease in short-term borrowings.  The increase in deposits is due to strong retail deposit growth in money market and certificates of deposit products, which allowed management to repay $42.0 million in wholesale funding.  The increase of $33.1 million in shareholders’ equity is primarily attributable to the $30.0 million raised in January 2009 through our sale of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Preferred Stock”) and a related warrant to purchase common stock, and a $9.4 million decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the unrealized losses in the investment portfolio at September 30, 2009, offset by the year to date net loss and the payment of dividends.

 
31

 

Loan Portfolio

The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

(Dollars in millions)
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Commercial
  $ 609.2       53 %   $ 575.9       51 %
Residential – Mortgage
    400.8       35       403.8       36  
Installment
    120.6       11       140.2       12  
Residential – Construction
    7.8       1       14.6       1  
                                 
     Total Loans
  $ 1,138.4       100 %   $ 1,134.5       100 %

Comparing loans at September 30, 2009 to loans at December 31, 2008, our loan portfolio has increased by $3.9 million (0.3%).  Continued growth in commercial loans ($33.3 million) was offset by a decline in our residential mortgage and construction portfolio ($9.8 million) and a decline in our installment portfolio ($19.6 million). The decrease in installment loans is primarily attributable to a decline in the indirect loan portfolio resulting from a slowdown in economic activity and management’s de-emphasis of this form of lending product.   The decrease in the residential mortgage portfolio is attributable to the increased amount of loan refinancings that are occurring as consumers seek long-term fixed rate loans.  We are using secondary market outlets to satisfy these loan requests.  The decrease in construction loans is due to the current recession which has had, and continues to have, a material and adverse effect on economic growth and the housing market.  The growth in the commercial portfolio is a result of continuous growth in our new market areas and funding of previous loan commitments.  At September 30, 2009, approximately 72% of the commercial loan portfolio was collateralized by real estate, compared to 74% at December 31, 2008.

Risk Elements of Loan Portfolio

The following table presents the risk elements of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated.  Management is not aware of any potential problem loans other than those listed in this table or discussed below.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Non-accrual loans
  $ 43,272     $ 24,553  
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
    2,596       3,476  
Total
  $ 45,868     $ 28,029  
Total as a percentage of total loans
    4.03 %     2.47 %
Restructured loans
  $ 26,512     $ 468  

Performing loans considered impaired loans, as defined and identified by management, amounted to $84.5 million at September 30, 2009 and $56.5 million at December 31, 2008. Loans are identified as impaired when the loan is classified as substandard and management determines that it is probable that the borrower will not be able to pay principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan.  These loans consist primarily of acquisition and development loans.  The fair values are generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the collateral or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  Specific allocations have been made where management believes there is insufficient collateral and no secondary source of repayment is available.

As of September 30, 2009, we had $60.6 million in funded real estate acquisition and development loans throughout our market areas, compared to $74.6 million at December 31, 2008.  We rely on various monitoring policies and procedures and the extensive experience of our lending and credit personnel to help mitigate the risks related to this type of lending activity.

 
32

 

During the past several years, there has been significant coverage in the media regarding the topic of “sub-prime” loans and the resulting increase in loan delinquencies and foreclosures. A sub-prime loan is defined generally as a loan to a borrower with a weak credit record or a reduced repayment capacity. These borrowers typically pose a higher risk of defaults and foreclosure. We generally do not make sub-prime loans. When we do make such loans, the decision to lend is based on the presence of facts and circumstances that management believes mitigate the risks inherent in this type of loan. Management believes that, as of September 30, 2009, our exposure to risk related to sub-prime loans is very low. However, it should be noted that the current economic recession, driven in large part by the recent global banking crisis, has adversely affected local housing markets as well as the demand for and availability of credit.

Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses

An allowance for loan losses is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.

We use the methodology outlined in FDIC Statement of Policy on Allowance for Loan Losses. The starting point for this methodology is to segregate the loan portfolio into two pools, non-homogeneous (i.e., commercial) and homogeneous (i.e., consumer and residential mortgage) loans. The two pools are further segmented by loan type and by loan classification, including uncriticized (pass), other assets especially mentioned and substandard. The uncriticized (pass) pools for commercial real estate and residential real estate are further segmented based upon the geographic locations of the underlying collateral. Each loan pool is analyzed with general allowances and specific allocations being made as appropriate. For general allowances, the previous eight quarters of loss activity are used in the estimation of losses in the current portfolio. These historical loss amounts are modified by the following qualitative factors: levels of and trends in delinquency rates and non-accrual loans; trends in volumes and terms of loans; effects of changes in lending policies; experience, ability, and depth of management; national and local economic trends and conditions; and concentrations of credit in the determination of the general allowance. The qualitative factors are updated each quarter by information obtained from internal, regulatory, and governmental sources. Specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses are made for those loans on the “Watchlist” in which the collateral value is less than the outstanding loan balance with the allocation being the dollar difference between the two. The Watchlist represents loans, identified and closely monitored by management, which possess certain qualities or characteristics that may lead to collection and loss issues. Allocations are not made for loans that are cash secured, for the Small Business Administration and Farm Service Agency guaranteed portion of loans, or for loans that are sufficiently collateralized.

The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses will vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed quarterly, and as adjustments, either positive or negative, become necessary, a corresponding increase or decrease is made in the allowance for loan losses. The methodology used to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is consistent with prior years. An estimate for probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments, such as letters of credit and binding but unfunded loan commitments is also prepared. This estimate is computed in a manner similar to the methodology described above, adjusted for the probability of actually funding the commitment.

The following table presents a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30 (dollars in thousands):

   
2009
   
2008
 
Balance, January 1
  $ 14,347     $ 7,304  
   Gross charge offs
    (8,879 )     (2,981 )
   Recoveries
    624       625  
        Net credit losses
    (8,255 )     (2,356 )
   Provision for loan losses
    10,837       6,570  
Balance at end of period
  $ 16,929     $ 11,518  
                 
Allowance for Loan Losses to loans outstanding (as %)
    1.49 %     1.05 %
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
               
   during the period, annualized  (as %)
    0.97     0.30 %

 
33

 

The allowance for loan losses increased to $16.9 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $14.3 million at December 31, 2008.  The provision for loan losses was $10.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared to $6.6 million for the same period of 2008.  The increase in the provision for loan losses in the first nine months of 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008 was in response to the increase in net charge-offs and non-performing loans, the results of our quarterly review of the adequacy of the qualitative factors affecting the allowance, and specific allocations for impaired loans.  As part of our loan review process, management has noted an increase in foreclosures and bankruptcies in the geographic areas where we operate.  Additionally, the current economic environment has caused a decline in real estate sales.  Consequently, we have closely reviewed and applied sensitivity analysis to collateral values to more adequately measure potential future losses.  Where necessary, we have obtained new appraisals on collateral.  Specific allocations of the allowance have been provided in these instances where losses may occur.

Net charge-offs relating to the installment loan portfolio represent 13% of our total net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2009.  Generally, installment loans are charged-off after they are 120 days contractually past due.  Loans past due 30 days or more were $2.8 million or 2.3% of the installment portfolio at September 30, 2009, compared to $4.9 million or 3.5% at December 31, 2008.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2009 is adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio.  Amounts that will be recorded for the provision for loan losses in future periods will depend upon trends in the loan balances, including the composition of the loan portfolio, changes in loan quality and loss experience trends, potential recoveries on previously charged-off loans and changes in other qualitative factors.

Investment Securities

At September 30, 2009, the total cost basis of the available-for-sale investment portfolio was $357.5 million, compared to a fair value of $317.9 million.  Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.

The following table presents the composition of our securities portfolio available-for-sale at amortized cost and fair values at the dates indicated:
   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
(FV)
   
FV
As %
of
Total
   
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
(FV)
   
FV
As %
of
Total
 
Securities Available-for-Sale:
                                   
   U.S. government and agencies
  $ 93.8     $ 94.7       30 %   $ 111.9     $ 113.6       32 %
   Residential mortgage-backed agencies
    63.8       67.2       21       80.3       82.6       23  
   Collateralized mortgage obligations
    42.9       34.7       11       51.8       40.6       12  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    97.1       100.5       32       95.9       93.5       26  
   Collateralized debt obligations
    59.9       20.8       6       70.3       24.3       7  
      Total Investment Securities
  $ 357.5     $ 317.9       100 %   $ 410.2     $ 354.6       100 %

Total investment securities have decreased $36.7 million since December 31, 2008.  U.S. government agencies decreased by $18.9 million during the first nine months of the year due to calls in the portfolio. Residential mortgage-backed agencies and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $21.3 million as a result of increased paydowns on the underlying loans.  The collateralized debt obligations portfolio consists primarily of trust preferred securities issued by trust subsidiaries of financial institutions and insurance companies that are collateralized by junior subordinated debentures issued by those parent institutions.  The $3.5 million decrease in this sector is due to a decline in the market value of these securities directly attributable to the current economic environment and its impact on the financial services industry.  The decreases in these sectors were offset by an increase in state and political subdivisions of $7.0 million.

At September 30, 2009, the securities classified as available-for-sale included a net unrealized loss of $39.6 million, which represents the difference between the fair value and amortized cost of securities in the portfolio.  The comparable amount at December 31, 2008 was an unrealized loss of $55.6 million.  Typically, the fair values of securities available-for-sale will generally decrease whenever interest rates increase, and the fair values will typically increase in a declining rate environment.  However, fair values have also been affected by factors such as marketability, liquidity and the current economic environment.

 
34

 

As discussed in Note F to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report, the Corporation measures fair market values based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. In April 2009, FASB issued additional guidance in ASC Subparagraphs 820-10-35-51A and 820-10-35-51B on determining when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased and provides a list of factors that a reporting entity should evaluate to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. When the reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, further analysis of the information from that market is needed and significant adjustments to the related prices may be necessary to estimate fair value.  The new guidance also clarifies in ASC Subparagraphs 820-10-35-51E and 820-10-35-51F that when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, some transactions may not be orderly. In those situations, the entity must evaluate the weight of the evidence to determine whether the transaction is orderly. The guidance provides a list of circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Level 3 prices or valuation techniques require inputs that are both significant to the valuation assumptions and are not readily observable in the market (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).  These Level 3 instruments are valued based on both observable and unobservable inputs derived from the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

Approximately $20.8 million (6%) of our securities available-for-sale were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 assets).  These securities are pooled trust preferred securities and are classified as collateralized debt obligations and contributed approximately $39.2 million to the unrealized loss reported in our accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Statement of Financial Condition.  The terms of the debentures underlying trust preferred securities allow the issuer of the debentures to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, and, in such case, the terms of the related trust preferred securities allow their issuers to defer dividend payments for up to 20 quarters.  Some of the issuers of the trust preferred securities in our investment portfolio have defaulted and/or deferred payments ranging from 4.20% to 30.1% of the total collateral balances underlying the securities.  The securities were designed to include structural features that provide investors with credit enhancement or support to provide default protection by subordinated tranches.  These features include over-collateralization of the notes or subordination, excess interest or spread which will redirect funds in situations where collateral is insufficient, and a specified order of principal payments.  There are securities in our portfolio that are under-collateralized which does represent additional stress on our tranche.  However, in these cases, the terms of the securities require excess interest to be redirected from subordinate tranches as credit support, which provides additional support to our investment.

As part of its other-than-temporary impairment analysis, management reviewed all of the underlying issuers for each trust preferred security in the portfolio.  Various credit factors were analyzed and as a result, management identified issuers we considered to represent collateral at risk.  The total collateral at risk for each security was then compared to the amount of collateral that would need to move to deferral or default in order to cause a break in yield for a given class of bonds.  A break in yield means that deferrals or defaults have reached such a level that the tranche would not receive all of the contractual cash flows (principal and interest) by the maturity date. This is indicative of a permanent credit loss.  This information was reviewed along with the results of the cash flow tests described below to assess whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired.

The following table provides a summary of these securities and the credit status of the securities as of September 30, 2009.

 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Investment Description
   
First United Level 3 Investments
   
Security Credit Status
 
Deal
 
Class
   
Book
Value
   
Fair
Market
Value
   
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
   
Lowest
Credit
Rating
   
Original
Collateral
   
Deferrals/
Defaults
 as % of
Original
Collateral
   
Performing
Collateral
   
Collateral
Support
   
Collateral
Support
as % of
Performing
Collateral
   
Collateral
at Risk
 (Internal
 Assessment)
 
Preferred Term Security I
 
Mezz
      967       815       (152 )  
CC
      277,500       19.46 %     233,500       (11,492 )     -4.92 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XI
 
 
B-1
      1,500       722       (778 )  
CC
      601,775       17.82 %     499,871       (64,564 )     -12.92 %     7,500  
Preferred Term Security XV*
   
B-1
      4,590       1,688       (2,902 )  
CC
      598,300       21.99 %     470,644       (90,467 )     -19.22 %     5,000  
Preferred Term Security XVI*
   
C
      2,418       733       (1,685 )  
CC
      606,040       25.93 %     452,018       (87,200 )     -19.29 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XVII
   
C
      1,478       395       (1,083 )  
CC
      481,470       17.02 %     401,797       (37,937 )     -9.44 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XVII
   
C
 
    4,435       1,183       (3,252 )  
CC
      481,470       17.02 %     401,797       (37,937 )     -9.44 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XVIII
   
C
 
    2,003       587       (1,416 )  
CCC
      676,565       19.81 %     545,265       (62,878 )     -11.53 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XVIII
   
C
 
    3,004       880       (2,124 )  
CCC
      676,565       19.81 %     545,265       (62,878 )     -11.53 %     -  
Preferred Term Security XIX
   
C
      1,512       479       (1,033 )  
CC
      700,535       14.70 %     600,223       (38,384 )     -6.39 %     54,745  
Preferred Term Security XIX
   
C
      2,520       798       (1,722 )  
CC
      700,535       14.70 %     600,223       (38,384 )     -6.39 %     54,745  
Preferred Term Security XIX
   
C
      3,525       1,117       (2,408 )  
CC
      700,535       14.70 %     600,223       (38,384 )     -6.39 %     54,745  
Preferred Term Security XIX
   
C
      1,512       479       (1,033 )  
CC
      700,535       14.70 %     600,223       (38,384 )     -6.39 %     54,745  
Preferred Term Security XXII
   
C-1
      5,050       1,030       (4,020 )  
 C
      1,386,600       22.90 %     1,073,662       (147,307 )     -13.72 %     47,000  
Preferred Term Security XXII
   
C-1
      2,028       412       (1,616 )  
 C
      1,386,600       22.90 %     1,073,662       (147,307 )     -13.72 %     47,000  
Preferred Term Security XXIII
   
C-1
      1,981       703       (1,278 )  
CCC
      1,388,000       17.11 %     1,153,304       (62,205 )     -5.39 %     90,000  
Preferred Term Security XXIII
   
D-1
      2,037       416       (1,621 )  
CC
      1,388,000       17.11 %     1,153,304       (166,416 )     -14.43 %     90,000  
Preferred Term Security XXIII
   
D-1
      6,102       1,249       (4,853 )  
CC
      1,388,000       17.11 %     1,153,304       (166,416 )     -14.43 %     90,000  
Preferred Term Security XXIV*
   
C-1
      1,636       341       (1,295 )  
CC
      1,050,600       28.49 %     754,135       (185,237 )     -24.56 %     31,000  
Preferred Term Security I-P-I
   
B-2
      2,000       1,314       (686 )  
 B+
      192,100       9.11 %     174,600       10,831       6.20 %     -  
Preferred Term Security I-P-IV
   
B-1
      3,000       2,024       (976 )  
 B
      312,700       4.16 %     299,700       23,162       7.73 %     13,000  
Preferred Term Security I-P-IV
   
B-1
      5,000       3,374       (1,626 )  
 B
      312,700       4.16 %     299,700       23,162       7.73 %     13,000  
ALESC 11A*
   
D
      1,630       20       (1,610 )  
 C
      667,095       20.17 %     525,047       (94,725 )     -18.04 %     4,200  
                                                                                         
Total Level 3 Securities Available for Sale
      59,928       20,759       (39,169 )                                                        
 
* Security has been deemed other-than-temporarily impaired and loss has been recognized in accordance with ASC Section 320-10-35.
         
 
Management systematically evaluates securities for impairment on a quarterly basis.  Based upon application of new accounting guidance for subsequent measurement in Topic 320 (ASC Section 320-10-35) management must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery.  If neither applies, then declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are considered other-than-temporary declines are split into two components.  The first is the loss attributable to declining credit quality.  Credit losses are recognized in earnings as realized losses in the period in which the impairment determination is made.  The second component consists of all other losses.  The other losses are recognized in other comprehensive income.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, (3) the historic and implied volatility of the security, (4) changes in the rating of a security by a rating agency, (5) recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date, (6) failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest payments, and (7) the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future.  Due to the duration and the significant market value decline in the pooled trust preferred securities held in our portfolio, we performed more extensive testing on these securities for purposes of evaluating whether or not an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.

 
35

 

Twenty-two of the pooled trust preferred securities in our portfolio have been in an unrealized loss position for over 12 months.  Although some of the securities have been in a loss position for over one year, this is not an automatic indication of an other-than-temporary impairment.  Rather, individual facts and circumstances may indicate that a decline in fair value longer than 12 months may be temporary.  Given the extraordinary market conditions prevalent over the past nine months and the current economic recession, additional consideration has been given to the length of time the securities have been in a loss position and the likelihood that a market recovery will be longer than an otherwise orderly market would dictate.

The factors to be considered in reaching a conclusion about the existence of impairment may be both subjective and objective and include knowledge and experience about past and current events as well as assumptions about future events.  In the case of the trust preferred securities, the decline in fair value is attributable to adverse conditions in the market, adverse conditions in the financial industry, as well as adverse conditions related to the underlying issuers of the securities (all of whom operate in the financial industry).

The meltdown of the sub-prime mortgage market during the past two years has resulted in the occurrence of unprecedented events in the financial services industry.  Large banking houses and investment firms have gone out of business and/or consolidated, many banks have been closed by regulators and the capital structures of many organizations have significantly weakened.  These events, in turn, have significantly and adversely affected all sectors of the local, national and global economies and have contributed to a national and worldwide liquidity and credit crisis.  The Federal Reserve Bank and the government have taken steps to lower interest rates, inject capital into banks and financial companies, establish outlets to sell troubled assets and have developed programs to modify troubled mortgage loans.  The new accounting guidance in ASC Topic 820 has been provided to relieve the uncertainties of fair market accounting applications in markets where there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity resulting in non-orderly transactions and in ASC Topic 320 to provide relief from other-than-temporary impairment not related to credit problems.  The fair market values of the pooled trust preferred securities have shown the effects of all of these factors since the underlying issuers all operate in some realm of the financial industry, most of them community banks.

The economic environment and its impact on the financial services industry have virtually eliminated the market for the pooled trust preferred securities in our portfolio. Management has determined that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity in these securities.  There are few recent transactions in the market for these securities relative to historical levels.  There were no new pooled trust preferred issuances during 2008 and there have been none to date in 2009.  Trading activity for pooled trust preferred securities indicates only three total trades during the first quarter of 2009 and zero trades during the third quarter of 2009, compared to a high of 116 trades in the first quarter of 2008.  The volume has declined from a high of $376 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $0 during the second and third quarters of 2009.  The trading and issuance data presented, along with information from traders, indicates that there is currently an inactive and inefficient market in pooled trust preferred securities which is contributing to the depressed pricing on these securities.  Price quotations are clearly indicative of distressed trades and vary significantly from prices achieved during an active market.  Comparing each issuer’s estimate of cash flows and, taking into consideration all available market data and nonperformance risk, there is a significant increase in the implied liquidity risk premiums and yields on the securities.  This has led to a wide bid-ask spread as buyers for the securities are seeking “fire-sale” prices and owners of the securities are not willing to accept such pricing.

All of the above mentioned issues, coupled with the general interest rate environment, have had an adverse impact on the underlying banks and insurance company issuers of the pooled trust preferred securities.  The generally accepted accounting principles that we use to prepare our financial statements require management to consider all available evidence in its evaluation of the realizable value of an investment.  Judgment is required to determine whether factors exist that indicate an impairment loss has been incurred at the end of a reporting period.  The judgment may be based on both subjective and objective factors.  At the time of purchase, nineteen of the Trust Preferred securities were rated A and seven were rated BBB.  In its analysis, management considered the credit ratings as part of its overall evaluation of the underlying collateral.  Management also recognizes that there have been instances over the past several months where highly rated securities have failed.  Two of the preferred term securities in our portfolio were downgraded by Moody’s in the fourth quarter of 2008 and an additional eight were downgraded in March 2009.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the remaining preferred term securities in our portfolio were downgraded below investment grade by Fitch Ratings. Due to the credit downgrades, management performed an in-depth analysis of the underlying issuers in every trust preferred security owned by the Corporation and shock tests of collateral values were performed in order to determine how much stress the securities could withstand before a loss in principal would be experienced.

 
36

 

For securities that are considered beneficial interests under the guidance of ASC Subtopic 325-40, Investments – Other – Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, (ASC Section 325-40-35), management also monitors cash flow projections for significant adverse changes. The guidance removes the requirement to estimate cash flows from the views of a market participant but rather to base the estimate of cash flows on current information and events.  Further, in making the other-than-temporary assessment, the holder should consider all relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts when estimating future cash flows.  This information should include remaining payment terms of the security, prepayment speeds, the financial condition of the issuer(s), expected defaults, and the value of any underlying collateral.

The guidance in ASC Subtopic 325-40 requires that the present value of the current estimated cash flows be compared to the present value of cash flows at the last reporting date.  If the present value of the original cash flows estimated at the initial transaction date (or at the last date previously revised) is greater than the present value of the current estimated cash flows, the change is considered adverse (that is, an other-than-temporary impairment should be considered to have occurred).  The following assumptions were used in our cash flow tests:

 
1.
Default Rate – 0.75% applied annually to bank and insurance collateral; 15% recovery after two years.
 
·
Based upon FDIC data, the default data since the late 70’s demonstrates that BIF (Bank Insurance Fund) insured institutions defaulted at a rate of approximately 36 basis points (bps) per year.
 
·
Based upon A.M. Best number of impairments experienced in the insurance industry of 72 bps per year.
 
·
On 11/21/08, Standard & Poor’s published “Global Methodology for Rating Trust Preferred/Hybrid Securities Revised”.  This study lists a recovery assumption of 15%.
 
2.
Prepayment Speed – 1% annually; 100% at maturity;
 
·
Based upon a preferred term security historical collateral redemption summary; updated since 9/30/08 to reflect the slow-down in pre-payment speeds and the reluctance on the part of banks to release capital in the current market environment.  Anticipated life to maturity is used because auction take-out is currently considered unlikely.
 
3.
LIBOR Rate is assumed to remain constant for all periods
 
4.
Additional Defaults and Deferrals – actual defaults that have been experienced in the pools and actual and announced deferrals have been incorporated into expected cash flows for each individual security.
 
5.
Discount Rate – the rate equal to the current yield used to accrete the beneficial interest as required in FASB ASC paragraph 325-40-35-6

In accordance with FASB ASC section 325-40-35, the present value of cash flow for the Preferred Term Securities at 9/30/09 was compared to the present value of the cash flows previously projected at 6/30/09.   The results showed that the present value of the current estimated cash flows were greater than or equal to the present value of cash flows at the last reporting date for all securities except for six.  As a result, management determined that we do not expect to recover the securities’ entire amortized cost basis on those six issues and as such, they were deemed other-than-temporarily impaired at 9/30/2009.  Based on this calculation, a credit loss in the amount of approximately $8.7 million was recognized in earnings for this period.   In addition, two of these securities were moved to held for trading since the securities showed no future cash flow potential.

On October 13, 2008, as part of the U.S. government’s economic stabilization plan, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) announced two plans, the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) and the Temporary Liquid Guarantee Program (“TLGP”).  The regulators highly encouraged participation in the programs in order to build capital levels, supply additional liquidity to the banking industry, and improve financial ratios for the large regional and national banks and the community banks.  A third program, the Capital Assistance Program, was adopted during the first quarter of 2009.  Many of the banks who issued the trust preferred securities in our portfolio have announced participation in one or more of these programs.  Management believes that these programs should help to bolster confidence in the industry and, eventually, provide capital and liquidity to the banking industry, but a long recovery is anticipated.

Management does not intend to sell these securities nor is it more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the securities prior to recovery.  The risk-based capital ratios require that banks set aside additional capital for securities that are rated below investment grade.  Securities rated one level below investment grade require a 200% risk weighting.  Additional methods are applicable to securities rated more than one level below investment grade.  As of September 30, 2009, management believes that we maintain sufficient capital and liquidity to cover the additional capital requirements of these securities and future operating expenses.  Additionally, we do not anticipate any material commitments or expected outlays of capital in the near term.

 
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Deposits

           The following table presents the composition of our deposits as of the dates indicated:

(Dollars in millions)
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
  $ 107.6       9 %   $ 107.7       9 %
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    413.3       33       430.9       35  
Savings deposits
    31.3       3       33.1       3  
Time deposits less than $0.1
    296.5       24       298.8       24  
Time deposits $0.1 or more
    388.4       31       352.4       29  
Total Deposits
  $ 1,237.1       100 %   $ 1,222.9       100 %

Deposits increased $14.2 million during the first nine months of 2009 when compared to deposits at December 31, 2008.  Interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $17.6 million, non-interest bearing demand deposits decreased slightly by $0.1 million and savings deposits declined by $1.8 million.  During the second quarter of 2009, management repaid $42 million of brokered money market deposits.  Time deposits increased $33.7 million due to a successful promotion of the 13 and 24-month certificate of deposit products.  We are shifting our focus to longer-term liabilities as we anticipate a flat to rising interest rate environment in the future.

Borrowed Funds

The following table presents the composition of our borrowings at the dates indicated:

(Dollars in millions)
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Short-term borrowings
  $ 0.0     $ 8.5  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    46.2       42.0  
   Total short-term borrowings
  $ 46.2     $ 50.5  
                 
FHLB advances
  $ 240.7     $ 241.5  
Junior subordinated debt
    35.9       35.9  
   Total long-term borrowings
  $ 276.6     $ 277.4  

Total short-term borrowings decreased by approximately $4.3 million during the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to the Corporation being in an overnight investment position at September 30, 2009 offset by an increase of $4.2 million in repurchase agreements.  Long-term borrowings decreased during the first nine months of 2009 by $0.8 million due to scheduled monthly amortization of long-term advances.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We derive liquidity through increased customer deposits, maturities in or sale of the investment portfolio, loan repayments and income from earning assets.  When deposits are not adequate to fund customer loan demand, liquidity needs can be met in the short-term funds markets through arrangements with our correspondent banks or through the purchase of brokered certificates of deposit.  The Bank is also a member of the FHLB of Atlanta, which provides another source of liquidity. As discussed in Note H to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report, we may from time to time access capital markets and/or borrow funds from private investors to meet some of our liquidity needs.  We actively manage our liquidity position through the Asset and Liability Management Committee of the Board of Directors.  Monthly reviews by management and quarterly reviews by the committee under prescribed policies and procedures are designed to ensure that we will maintain adequate levels of available funds.

In response to current economic conditions, management has performed an extensive review of the Bank’s liquidity position and has identified areas to increase liquidity over the next three to six months.  We have identified alternative methods to reduce the pledges on securities in our investment portfolio.  We are reducing our indirect lending and investing excess cash flow in short-term investments, and have identified the availability of a money market funding source from our in-house broker dealer.  In addition, the TLGP, which was extended to June 30, 2010, has also allowed us to release investment collateral.

 
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Management believes that we have adequate liquidity available to respond to current and anticipated liquidity demands and is unaware of any trends or demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will materially affect our ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.

The following table presents the Corporation’s capital ratios at September 30, 2009:

         
Required
   
Required
 
         
For Capital
   
To Be
 
         
Adequacy
   
Well
 
   
Actual
   
Purposes
   
Capitalized
 
                   
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    10.61 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    9.23       4.00       6.00  
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)
    8.75       3.00       5.00  

At September 30, 2009, First United Corporation and the Bank were categorized as “well capitalized” under federal banking regulatory capital requirements.  As noted above, pursuant to the Treasury’s CPP, the Corporation sold 30,000 shares of Preferred Stock and a related warrant to purchase 326,323 shares of common stock for an exercise price of $13.79 per share to the Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $30 million.  The proceeds from this transaction count as Tier 1 capital and the warrant qualifies as tangible common equity.  Information about the terms of these securities is provided in Note J to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report.
 
On August 17, 2009, the Corporation paid a cash dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock in the amount of $375,000.  The third quarter dividend will be paid on November 17, 2009.

First United Corporation paid a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share on July 31, 2009.  On September 23, 2009, the Board of Directors declared another dividend of an equal amount, to be paid on November 2, 2009 to shareholders of record as of October 14, 2009.

First United Corporation is pursuing options to raise capital during the fourth quarter of 2009 in order to better position the Bank for future opportunities and to build capital reserves as the Company progresses through the economic recovery.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of our customers.  Letters of credit commit us to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur.  The credit risks inherent in loan commitments and letters of credit are essentially the same as those involved in extending loans to customers, and these arrangements are subject to our normal credit policies.  Loan commitments and letters of credit totaled $112.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2009, compared to $142.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008.  We are not a party to any other off-balance sheet arrangements.

See Note I to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report for further disclosure on Borrowed Funds.  There have been no other significant changes to contractual obligations as presented at December 31, 2008.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary market risk is interest rate fluctuation and we have procedures in place to evaluate and mitigate this risk.  This market risk and our procedures are described in First United Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Interest Rate Sensitivity”.  Management believes that no material changes in our market risks or in the procedures used to evaluate and mitigate these risks have occurred since December 31, 2008.

 
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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in those rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.  The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls as of September 30, 2009 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the CEO and the CFO.  Based on that evaluation, Management, including the CEO and the CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at the reasonable assurance level.

During the third quarter of 2009, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risks and uncertainties to which our financial condition and operations are subject are discussed in detail in Item 1A of Part I of the Annual Report of First United Corporation on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Management does not believe that any material changes in our risk factors have occurred since December 31, 2008.

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

        None.

Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

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

None.

Item 5.   Other Information

None.

 
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Item 6.   Exhibits

The exhibits filed or furnished with this quarterly report are listed in the Exhibit Index that follows the signatures, which index is incorporated herein by reference.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
FIRST UNITED CORPORATION
 
     
Date:   November 6, 2009
/s/ William B. Grant  
 
William B. Grant, Chairman of the Board
 
 
and Chief Executive Officer
 
     
Date   November 6, 2009
/s/ Carissa L. Rodeheaver  
 
Carissa L. Rodeheaver, Executive Vice President
 
 
and Chief Financial Officer
 

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certifications of the CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
31.2
 
Certifications of the CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
32
  
Certification of the CEO and the CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (furnished herewith)
 
 
43