Attached files
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EX-10.7 - EXHIBIT 10.7 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv10w7.htm |
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv99w1.htm |
EX-10.6 - EXHIBIT 10.6 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv10w6.htm |
EX-10.8 - EXHIBIT 10.8 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv10w8.htm |
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv32w1.htm |
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv31w2.htm |
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv31w1.htm |
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv23w1.htm |
EX-10.1.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv10w1w1.htm |
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc | c14779exv21w1.htm |
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
þ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 0-22981
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia | 58-2326075 | |
(State of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
3527 Wheeler Road | ||
Augusta, Georgia | 30909 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(706) 731-6600
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
None | None |
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
(Title of class)
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the issuer has (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and has posted on its corporate website, 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 o NO o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-Accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company þ |
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES o NO þ
The aggregate market value of the registrants common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (2,626,506 shares), on June 30, 2010 was
$18,385,542 based on the closing price of the registrants common stock as reported on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board on June 30, 2010. For
purposes of this response, officers, directors and holders of 5% or more of the registrants common stock are considered affiliates of the registrant
at that date. As of March 21, 2011, 3,546,125 shares of the registrants common stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants definitive proxy statement to be delivered to shareholders in
connection with the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 23, 2011 are
incorporated herein by reference in response to Part III of this Report.
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC.
2010 Form 10-K Annual Report
2010 Form 10-K Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(i)
Table of Contents
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which
represent the expectations or beliefs of our management, including, but not limited to, statements
concerning the banking industry and our operations, performance, financial condition and growth.
For this purpose, any statements contained in this Report that are not statements of historical
fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
words such as may, will, expect, believe, anticipate, intend, could, should, can,
estimate, or continue or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve
substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results
may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including competition, general
economic and market conditions, changes in interest rates, changes in the value of real estate and
other collateral securing loans, interest rate sensitivity and exposure to regulatory and
legislative changes, and other risks and uncertainties described in our periodic reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this Annual Report, and particularly the sections
Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements
are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no
assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The
inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by us or
any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. We
undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
PART I
Item 1. | Business |
General
Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc. (the Company or we, us, our) is a one-bank holding
company and owns 100% of the issued and outstanding stock of First Bank of Georgia (the Bank), an
independent, locally owned, state-chartered commercial bank which opened for business in 1989. The
Bank operates three branch offices in Augusta, Georgia, two branch offices in Martinez, Georgia and
one branch office in Thomson, Georgia. The Bank is also the parent company of Willhaven Holdings,
LLC, which holds certain other real estate of the Bank.
The Bank operates as a locally owned bank that targets the banking needs of individuals and small
to medium-sized businesses by emphasizing personal service. The Bank offers a full range of
deposit and lending services and is a member of an electronic banking network that enables its
customers to use the automated teller machines of other financial institutions. In addition, the
Bank offers commercial and business credit services, as well as various consumer credit services,
including home mortgage loans, automobile loans, lines of credit, home equity loans and home
improvement loans. The Banks deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the FDIC).
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia in January 1997 at the
direction of the Board of Directors of the Bank based on a plan of reorganization developed by the
Board to substantially strengthen the Banks competitive position. The reorganization, in which the
Bank became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was completed in June 1997.
In September 1999, the Bank established a mortgage division which operates as First Bank Mortgage
(the Mortgage Division). The Mortgage Division originates mortgage loans and offers a variety of
other mortgage products. As of December 31, 2010, First Bank Mortgage had locations in the Augusta
and Savannah, Georgia markets as well as the Jacksonville, Florida market.
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In December 2003, the Bank established a financial services division which operates as FB Financial
Services. FB Financial Services offers financial planning and investment services through its
relationship with Linsco/Private Ledger (Member NASD/SIPC), one of the nations leading independent
brokerage firms. A joint office of FB Financial Services and Linsco/Private Ledger is located in
the Banks Main Office location on Wheeler Road in Augusta.
For further information responsive to this item, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this report.
Market Area and Competition
The primary service area of the Bank includes the counties of Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie,
Georgia, the communities of Augusta, Martinez, Evans and Thomson, Georgia, and Aiken County, South
Carolina, which are within a 40-mile radius of the Banks main office. The Bank encounters
competition from other commercial banks, which offer a full range of banking services and compete
for all types of services, especially deposits. In addition, in certain aspects of its banking
business, the Bank also competes with credit unions, small loan companies, consumer finance
companies, brokerage houses, insurance companies, money market funds and other financial service
companies which attract customers that have traditionally been served by banks.
The extent to which other types of financial service companies compete with commercial banks has
increased significantly over the past several years as a result of federal and state legislation
which has permitted these organizations to compete for customers and offer products that have
historically been offered by banks. The impact of this legislation and other subsequent
legislation on the financial services industry cannot be predicted. See the Supervision and
Regulation section that begins on the next page.
Asset/Liability Management
It is the objective of the Bank to manage assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory,
consistent level of profitability within the framework of established cash, loan investment,
borrowing and capital policies. An investment committee is responsible for monitoring policies and
procedures that are designed to ensure acceptable composition of the asset/liability mix, stability
and leverage of all sources of funds while adhering to prudent banking practices. It is the
overall philosophy of management to support asset growth primarily through growth of core deposits,
which include deposits of all categories made by individuals, partnerships and corporations.
Management of the Bank seeks to invest the largest portion of the Banks assets in commercial,
consumer and real estate loans.
The Banks asset/liability mix is monitored on a daily basis and further evaluated with a quarterly
report that reflects interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. This report is
prepared and presented to the Banks Investment Committee and Board of Directors. The objective of
this policy is to control interest-sensitive assets and liabilities so as to minimize the impact of
substantial movements in interest rates on the Companys earnings.
Correspondent Banking
Correspondent banking involves the delivery of services by one bank to another bank which cannot
provide that service from an economic or practical standpoint. The Bank purchases correspondent
services offered by larger banks, including check collections, purchase and sale of federal funds,
wire transfers, security safekeeping, investment services, coin and currency supplies, foreign
exchange (currency and check collection), over line and liquidity loan participations, and sales of
loans to or participations with correspondent banks. The Bank has established correspondent
relationships with First National Bankers Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and SunTrust
Bank. As compensation for services provided by a correspondent, the Bank maintains certain
balances with such correspondents in both non-interest bearing and interest bearing accounts. The
Bank may also buy or sell loan participations with other non-correspondent banks.
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Data Processing
In 2010 the Bank renewed its data processing servicing agreement with Fidelity Information
Services, under which the Bank receives a full range of data processing services, including an
automated general ledger, deposit accounting, commercial, real estate and installment lending data
processing, remote deposit capture, central information file and ATM processing, and internet
banking services, including bill pay and cash management services.
Employees
At December 31, 2010, the Company and the Bank employed 160 persons on a full-time basis and 6
persons on a part-time basis, including 53 officers.
Monetary Policies
The results of operations of the Bank are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities,
particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal
Reserve Board include open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the discount
rate on member bank borrowings, changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits and
limitations on interest rates which member banks may pay on time and savings deposits. In view of
changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of
action by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, no prediction can
be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or the
business and earnings of the Bank.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The following discussion sets forth the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to
bank holding companies and their subsidiaries and provides certain specific information relative to
the Company and the Bank. The regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of
depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund and not for the protection of security holders and
creditors. To the extent that the following information describes statutory and regulatory
provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory
provisions.
Recent Federal Legislation
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 (the EESA) became law. Under the Troubled Asset Relief Program
(TARP) authorized by EESA, the U.S. Treasury established a Capital Purchase Program (CPP)
providing for the purchase of senior preferred shares of qualifying U.S. controlled banks, savings
associations and certain bank and savings and loan holding companies. The Board of Directors of
the Bank decided not to participate in the CPP. The EESA also established a Temporary Liquidity
Guarantee Program (TLGP) that gives the FDIC the ability to provide a guarantee for newly-issued
senior unsecured debt and non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts at eligible insured
institutions. The Board of Directors of the Bank elected to participate in the TLGP.
On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) became law. The ARRA is
a broad economic stimulus package that included additional restrictions on, and potential
additional regulation of, financial institutions. The largest impact that the ARRA has on
financial institutions is on those institutions that participated in the CPP program under TARP.
Because the Board of Directors of the Bank decided not to participate in the CPP, the ARRA has
little direct impact on the Bank at this time.
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On March 23, 2009, the U.S. Treasury, in conjunction with the FDIC and Federal Reserve, announced
the
Public-Private Investment Program (the PPIP). Targeting illiquid real estate loans held on the
books of financial institutions, referred to as legacy loans, and securities backed by loan
portfolios, referred to as legacy securities, the PPIP is designed to open lending channels by
facilitating a market for distressed assets. The PPIP has been structured to combine $75 to $100
billion in capital from TARP with capital from the private sector to generate $500 billion in
purchasing power that will be used to buy legacy loans and legacy securities.
Effective January 1, 2010, all mortgagees who participate in FHA/VA programs of the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are subject to additional requirements. First Bank of
Georgias Mortgage Division falls under the requirement of Section 203(b)(1) of the new Helping
Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (HFSH Act) which requires that the Mortgage Division submit
annual audited financial statements to HUD prepared and audited in accordance with HUDs
Consolidated Audit Guide for Audits of HUD Programs. The new requirements are a prudent safeguard
that permits the FHA to ensure that those entities with which it does business are adequately
capitalized to meet potential needs. The following reports are required to be submitted as part of
that audit: an audit report on the basic consolidated financial statements, an audit report on
internal controls as it relates to reporting and administering HUD-assisted programs and an audit
report on compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to HUD-assisted programs. The
required audit was completed in early 2011.
The Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank
Act) was signed into law July 21, 2010 and results in sweeping changes in the regulation of
financial institutions. Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act apply to, and are more likely to
affect, larger financial institutions. However, the Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous other
provisions that will affect community banks.
Certain of these provisions may have the consequence of increasing expenses and decreasing revenues
of all community banking organizations. Further, the environment in which community banking
organizations will operate in the future, including legislative and regulatory changes affecting,
among other things, their capital, liquidity, and supervision, may have long-term effects on the
business model and profitability of community banking organizations, which effects cannot, now, be
predicted. The specific impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on the current and future financial
performance of the bank, will, in large part, depend on the terms of the required regulations and
policies to be developed and implemented by the appropriate regulatory agencies, pursuant to the
Dodd-Frank Act.
The Dodd-Frank Act affects a number of statutory changes that are, together with the regulations to
be promulgated thereunder, likely to affect community banks. Certain of these changes are
discussed below, as follows:
| Assessment Base for Deposit Insurance. The Dodd-Frank Act changes the assessment base for federal deposit insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital, eliminates the ceiling on the size of the Deposit Insurance Fund, and increases the floor applicable to the size of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which may require an increase in the level of assessments for institutions such as the bank. |
| Deposit Insurance Limits. The Dodd-Frank Act makes permanent the $250,000 limit on federal deposit insurance. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act provides unlimited federal deposit insurance, until December 31, 2012, for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at all insured depository institutions. Noninterest-bearing transaction accounts, as defined in the Dodd-Frank Act, include only traditional, noninterest-bearing demand deposit (or checking) accounts that allow for an unlimited number of transfers and withdrawals at any time, whether held by a business, individual, or other type of depositor. |
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| Interest on Demand Deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act repeals the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts. This will increase community banks cost of funds as they may need to pay interest on demand deposits of business entities to retain such customers. |
| Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act centralizes responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency responsible for implementing, examining, and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws. The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will be created under the Federal Reserve and will have rule-making, enforcement and investigative authority over consumer financial protection statutes. Many new consumer protection regulations are expected to be promulgated over the next few years. Many of those regulations will increase compliance costs for depository institutions or limit the fees they can charge. Community banks may find it more difficult than larger institutions to absorb the increased compliance costs and reduction in income. The new CFPB is specifically authorized to take action and promulgate rules to prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in connection with any transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product. Unfair and deceptive acts are already prohibited by the Federal Trade Commission Act and many state laws. However, the Dodd-Frank Act provides minimal guidance as to what activities will be considered abusive. This will likely be an area of significant consumer litigation in the future. State attorneys general are specifically granted the authority to enforce the regulations promulgated by the CFPB against national banks, which will likely result in increased enforcement of the new consumer regulations. |
| Holding Company Capital Requirements. The Dodd-Frank Act applies the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies, which, among other things, will preclude holding companies from including in Tier 1 Capital trust preferred securities or cumulative preferred stock, if any, issued on or after May 19, 2010. |
| Source of Financial Strength. The Dodd-Frank Act codifies the existing policy of the Federal Reserve, whereunder a bank holding company serves as the source of financial strength for its subsidiary banks. This provision of the Dodd-Frank Act becomes effective on July 21, 2011, and clarifies ambiguities that might exist with respect to the requirements of a policy, as compared to the requirements of a statute. Presumably, the regulations promulgated under the statutory requirements will further clarify these source-of-financial-strength requirements for bank holding companies, together with the enforcement powers of the Federal Reserve relating thereto. |
| Loss of Federal Preemption. The Dodd-Frank Act restricts the preemption of state law by federal law and disallows subsidiaries and affiliates of national banks from availing themselves of such preemption. |
| Interstate Branching. The Dodd-Frank Act, subject to a states restrictions on intra-state branching, now permits interstate branching. Therefore a bank may enter a new state by acquiring a branch of an existing institution or by establishing a new branch office. As a result, there will be no need for the entering bank to acquire or merge with an existing institution in the target state. This ability to establish a de novo branch across state lines will have the effect of increasing competition within a community banks existing markets and will create a downward pressure on the franchise value for existing community banks. |
| Requirement for Mortgage Loans. The Dodd-Frank Act creates additional requirements for residential mortgage loans made by community banks and other mortgage lenders, including restrictions on prepayment penalties and yield-spread premiums, requirements for verification of a borrowers ability to repay the mortgage loan, and other requirements and restrictions. The likely result of these provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be an increase in the compliance and management costs of community banks associated with the origination of residential mortgage loans. |
| Interchange Fees. The Dodd-Frank Act amends the Electronic Funds Transfer Act to, among other things, give the Federal Reserve, on and after July 21, 2010, the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and to enforce a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer. Although community banks will be exempt from a cap on interchange fees, the cap on the fees of large banks, will create market forces that force all fees downward. Therefore, community banks should expect lower interchange revenues in the future. |
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The Company
Bank Holding Company Regulation. The Company is a bank holding company and a member of the Federal
Reserve System under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the BHC Act). As such, the Company is
subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the BHC Act, as well as other
federal and state laws governing the banking business. The Federal Reserve Board is the primary
regulator of the Company, and supervises the Companys activities on a continual basis. The
Company is required to furnish to the Federal Reserve an annual report of its operations at the end
of each fiscal year, and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to
the BHC Act. In general, the BHC Act limits bank holding company business to owning or controlling
banks and engaging in other banking-related activities. The BHC Act requires that a bank holding
company obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before:
| acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank; |
| taking any action that causes a bank to become a subsidiary of a bank holding company; |
| merging or consolidating with another bank holding company; or |
| acquiring most other operating companies. |
Subject to certain state laws, a bank holding company that is adequately capitalized and adequately
managed may acquire the assets of both in-state and out-of-state banks. Under the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (described below), a bank holding company meeting certain qualifications may
apply to the Federal Reserve Board to become a financial holding company, and thereby engage
(directly or through a subsidiary) in certain activities deemed financial in nature, such as
securities brokerage and insurance underwriting. With certain exceptions, the BHC Act prohibits
bank holding companies from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares in
any company that is not a bank or a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board
determines such activities are incidental or closely related to the business of banking.
The Change in Bank Control Act of 1978 requires a person (or a group of persons acting in concert)
acquiring control of a bank holding company to provide the Federal Reserve Board with 60 days
prior written notice of the proposed acquisition. Following receipt of this notice, the Federal
Reserve Board has 60 days (or up to 90 days if extended) within which to issue a notice
disapproving the proposed acquisition. In addition, any company must obtain the Federal Reserve
Boards approval before acquiring 25% (5% if the company is a bank holding company) or more of
the outstanding shares or otherwise obtaining control over the Company.
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Financial Services Modernization. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of
1999 (the Modernization Act), enacted on November 12, 1999, amended the BHC Act and:
| allows bank holding companies that qualify as financial holding companies to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking activities than was permissible under prior law; |
| allows insurers and other financial services companies to acquire banks; |
| allows national banks, and some state banks, either directly or through operating subsidiaries, to engage in certain non-banking financial activities; |
| removes various restrictions that applied to bank holding company ownership of securities firms and mutual fund advisory companies; and |
| establishes the overall regulatory structure applicable to bank holding companies that also engage in insurance and securities operations. |
If the Company, which has not obtained qualification as a financial holding company, were to do
so in the future, the Company would be eligible to engage in, or acquire companies engaged in, the
broader range of activities that are permitted by the Modernization Act, provided that if any of
the Companys banking subsidiaries were to cease to be well capitalized or well managed under
applicable regulatory standards, the Federal Reserve Board could, among other things, place
limitations on the Companys ability to conduct these broader financial activities or, if the
deficiencies persisted, require the Company to divest the banking subsidiary. In addition, if the
Company were to be qualified as a financial holding company and any of its banking subsidiaries
were to receive a rating of less than satisfactory under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977
(the CRA), the Company would be prohibited from engaging in any additional activities other than
those permissible for bank holding companies that are not financial holding companies. The broader
range of activities in which financial holding companies are eligible to engage include activities
that are determined to be financial in nature, including insurance underwriting, securities
underwriting and dealing, and making merchant banking investments in commercial and financial
companies.
Transactions with Affiliates. The Company and the Bank are deemed to be affiliates within the
meaning of the Federal Reserve Act, and transactions between affiliates are subject to certain
restrictions. Generally, the Federal Reserve Act limits the extent to which a financial
institution or its subsidiaries may engage in covered transactions with an affiliate. It also
requires all transactions with an affiliate, whether or not covered transactions, to be on terms
substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or subsidiary, as those
provided to a non-affiliate. The term covered transaction includes the making of loans, purchase
of assets, issuance of a guarantee and other similar types of transactions.
Tie-In Arrangements. The Company and the Bank cannot engage in certain tie-in arrangements in
connection with any extension of credit, sale or lease of property or furnishing of services. For
example, with certain exceptions, neither the Company nor the Bank may condition an extension of
credit on either a requirement that the customer obtain additional services provided by either the
Company or the Bank, or an agreement by the customer to refrain from obtaining other services from
a competitor. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted exceptions to its anti-tying rules that allow
banks greater flexibility to package products with their affiliates. These exceptions were
designed to enhance competition in banking and non-banking products and to allow banks and their
affiliates to provide more efficient, lower cost service to their customers.
Source of Strength; Cross-Guarantee. Under former Federal Reserve Board policy and now codified by
the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank
and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when, absent
such rule, the Company may not find itself able to provide it. Capital loans by a bank holding
company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to
certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding companys
bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to
maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to
a priority of payment.
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Under the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve Board may require a bank holding company to
terminate any activity or relinquish control of a non-bank subsidiary, other than a non-bank
subsidiary of a bank, upon the Federal Reserve Boards determination that such activity or control
constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness or stability of any subsidiary depository
institution of the banks holding company. Further, federal bank regulatory authorities have
additional discretion to require a bank holding company to divest itself of any bank or non-bank
subsidiary if the agency determines that divestiture may aid the depository institutions financial
condition.
Subsidiary Dividends. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. A major
portion of the Companys revenues results from amounts paid as dividends to the Company by the
Bank. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finances approval must be obtained before the Bank
may pay cash dividends out of retained earnings if (i) the total classified assets at the most
recent examination of the Bank exceeded 80% of the equity capital, (ii) the aggregate amount of
dividends declared or anticipated to be declared in the calendar year exceeds 50% of the net
profits, after taxes but before dividends for the previous calendar year, or (iii) the ratio of
equity capital to adjusted assets is less than 6%.
In addition, the Company and the Bank are subject to various general regulatory policies and
requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate
capital above regulatory minimums. The appropriate federal regulatory authority is authorized to
determine under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank or bank holding
company that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit
payment thereof. The appropriate federal regulatory authorities have indicated that paying
dividends that deplete a banks capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsound and unsafe
banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current
operating earnings.
Incentive Compensation. On June 21, 2010, the Federal Reserve, along with the OCC, OTS, and FDIC
issued final guidance on incentive compensation policies. The guidance is intended to ensure that
the incentive compensation policies of financial institutions do not undermine the safety and
soundness of such institutions by encouraging excessive risk-taking.
The agencies are working to incorporate oversight of incentive compensation policies as part of the
regular, risk-focused examination process, of financial institutions that are not large, complex
banking organizations. These reviews will be tailored to each financial institution based on the
scope and complexity of the institutions activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation
arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of
examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the financial institutions supervisory
ratings, which can affect the institutions ability to make acquisitions and take other actions.
Enforcement actions may be taken against a financial institution if its incentive compensation
arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the
institutions safety and soundness and the institution is not taking prompt and effective measures
to correct the deficiencies.
The guidance is designed to ensure that incentive compensation arrangements at banking
organizations appropriately tie rewards to longer-term performance and do not undermine the safety
and soundness of the firm or create undue risks to the financial system. Because improperly
structured compensation arrangements for both executive and non-executive employees may pose safety
and soundness risks, the guidance applies not only to top-level managers, but also to other
employees who have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either
individually or as part of a group.
The guidance is based upon the key principles that a financial institutions incentive compensation
arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the
institutions ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective
internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance,
including active and effective oversight by the institutions board of directors.
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The scope and content of banking regulators policies on executive compensation are continuing to
develop and are likely to continue evolving in the near future. It cannot be determined at this
time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the Companys ability to hire,
retain and motivate its key employees.
The Federal Reserve Board and the Dodd-Frank Act addressed loan officer origination compensation
practices with new rules in 2010. See the discussion under Other Regulations.
State Law Restrictions. As a Georgia business corporation, the Company may be subject to certain
limitations and restrictions under applicable Georgia corporate law.
The Bank
General. The Bank, as a Georgia state-chartered bank, is subject to regulation and examination by
the State of Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, as well as the FDIC. Georgia state laws
regulate, among other things, the scope of the Banks business, its investments, its payment of
dividends to the Company, its required legal reserves and the nature, lending limit, maximum
interest charged and amount of and collateral for loans. The laws and regulations governing the
Bank generally have been promulgated by the Georgia Legislature to protect depositors and not to
protect shareholders of the Company or the Bank.
Bank Lending Limit. In September 2009, the Bank became subject to revised regulations from the
State of Georgia Department of Banking and Finance regarding its total aggregate lending limit to a
single customer and that customers related entities. The new regulation revised the definition of
how a single customer is defined. As a result, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the
Banks statutory capital base in October 2009 by appropriating a portion of retained earnings. At
December 31, 2010, the Banks statutory capital base totaled $40.0 million and consisted of $3.18
million in capital stock, $16.32 million of surplus and $20.50 million in appropriated retained
earnings, allowing for a $10.0 million lending limit (25%).
Commercial Real Estate Lending. Lending operations that involve concentration of commercial real
estate loans are subject to enhanced scrutiny by federal banking regulators. The regulators have
issued guidance with respect to the risks posed by commercial real estate lending concentrations.
Real estate loans generally include land development, construction loans, loans secured by
multi-family property and nonfarm nonresidential real property where the primary source of
repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property. The guidance prescribes the
following guidelines for examiners to help identify institutions that are potentially exposed to
concentration risk and may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny:
| total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100 percent or more of the institutions total capital, or |
| total commercial real estate loans as defined in the guidance represent 300 percent or more of the institutions total capital and the outstanding balance of the institutions commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50 percent or more during the prior 36 months. |
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In October 2009, the federal banking agencies issued additional guidance on real estate lending
that emphasizes these considerations.
Insider Credit Transactions. Banks are also subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal
Reserve Act on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, or
any related interests of such persons. Extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are
not less stringent than those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not
covered above and who are not employees. Also, such extensions of credit must not involve more
than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
Regulation W. The Federal Reserve Board has issued Regulation W, which codifies prior regulations
under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and interpretative guidance with respect to
affiliate transactions. Regulation W incorporates the exemption from the affiliate transaction
rules but expands the exemption to cover the purchase of any type of loan or extension of credit
from an affiliate. In addition, under Regulation W:
| a bank and its subsidiaries may not purchase a low-quality asset from an affiliate; |
| covered transactions and other specified transactions between a bank or its subsidiaries and an affiliate must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and |
| with some exceptions, each loan or extension of credit by a bank to an affiliate must be secured by collateral with a market value ranging from 100% to 130%, depending on the type of collateral, of the amount of the loan or extension of credit. |
Regulation W generally excludes all non-bank and non-savings association subsidiaries of banks from
treatment as affiliates, except to the extent that the Federal Reserve Board decides to treat these
subsidiaries as affiliates. Concurrently, with the adoption of Regulation W, the Federal Reserve
Board has proposed a regulation which would further limit the amount of loans that could be
purchased by a bank from an affiliate to not more than 100% of the banks capital and surplus.
This regulation has not yet been adopted.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (the FDICIA), all insured institutions must undergo regular
on-site examinations by their appropriate banking agency. The cost of examinations of insured
depository institutions and any affiliates may be assessed by the appropriate agency against each
institution or affiliate as it deems necessary or appropriate. Insured institutions are required
to submit annual reports to the FDIC, their federal regulatory agency, and their state supervisor
when applicable. The FDICIA directs the FDIC to develop a method for insured depository
institutions to provide supplemental disclosure of the estimated fair market value of assets and
liabilities, to the extent feasible and practicable, in any balance sheet, financial statement,
report of condition, or any other report of any insured depository institution. Each federal
banking agency has prescribed, by regulation, non-capital safety and soundness standards for
institutions under its authority. These standards cover internal controls, information systems and
internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset
growth, compensation, fees and benefits, such other operational and managerial standards as the
agency determines to be appropriate, and standards for asset quality, earnings and stock valuation.
Interstate Banking and Branching. The Dodd-Frank Act modified the federal statute governing de
novo interstate branching by state member banks. As a result, as of July 22, 2010, a state member
bank is authorized to open its initial branch in a host state by establishing a de novo branch at
any location at which a bank chartered by that host state could be established as a branch. A host
state is defined as a state, other than a banks home state, in which the bank seeks to establish
and maintain a branch. A state member bank seeking to open a de novo interstate branch must file
an application with the Federal Reserve in addition to adherence to state filing requirements and
to capital, management, and community reinvestment standards.
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Deposit Insurance and Assessments. The deposits of the Bank are currently insured to a maximum of
$250,000 per depositor for substantially all depository accounts. The FDIC insurance also
temporarily provides unlimited coverage for certain qualifying and participating non-interest
bearing transaction accounts. The increased coverage is in effect until December 31, 2012.
In February 2011, the FDIC board of directors approved a final plan to impose parity in the
deposit-insurance system by basing the assessment base on average total consolidated assets minus
average tangible equity instead of domestic deposits. The proposed new initial base rate schedule
will be substantially lower than the current one. Institutions in Risk Category I, which includes
more than 90 percent of community banks, will be paying 5-9 basis points instead of the current
base rate schedule of 12-16 basis points. Institutions in Risk Categories II, III and IV will pay
14, 23 and 35 basis points, respectively, compared to the current rates of 22, 32 and 45 basis
points, respectively. In addition, the secured liability adjustment will be eliminated under the
final rule (although secured liabilities will likely be reflected in a banks new assessment base),
and the unsecured debt adjustment and the broker deposit adjustment will also stay but with some
modifications. The new rate schedule would go into effect during the second quarter of 2011.
Under the final rule, institutions with less than $1 billion in assets can report average weekly
balances of their consolidated total assets rather than reporting average daily balances.
The final rule will also allow institutions with less than $1 billion in average consolidated total
assets to report the end-of-quarter amount of Tier 1 capital as a proxy for average tangible
equity.
In February 2009, the FDIC had adopted a long-term DIF restoration plan, as well as an additional
emergency assessment for 2009. The restoration plan increased base assessment rates for banks in
all risk categories with the goal of raising the DIF reserve ratio from 0.40% to 1.15% within seven
years. Banks in the best risk category paid initial base rates ranging from 12 to 16 basis points
of assessable deposits beginning April 1, 2009, partially up from the initial base rate range of 12
to 14 basis points. Additionally, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a special emergency
assessment on all financial institutions of 5 basis points of insured deposits as of June 30, 2009.
The FDIC also adopted an interim rule that permitted an emergency special assessment after June
30, 2009 of up to ten basis points. Our special emergency assessment was collected on September
30, 2009. Currently, initial base rate assessments for all FDIC-insured institutions range from 12
to 45 basis points, with assessment rates of 12 to 16 basis points for banks in the best risk
category.
On November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule requiring insured depository institutions to
prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all
quarters of 2010, 2011, and 2012. The estimates were based on a 5% annual growth rate in its
assessment rate and were included on each institutions third quarter 2009 certified statement
invoice. This three-year assessment prepayment was made on December 30, 2009 in addition to the
regularly scheduled payment of the third quarter 2009 assessment. The Bank prepaid a total of
approximately $2,313,000 for 2010, 2011 and 2012 under the new rule.
Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act requires that, in connection with
examinations of financial institutions within their respective jurisdictions, the Federal Reserve,
the FDIC,
or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, shall evaluate the record of each financial
institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low and moderate income
neighborhoods. These factors are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and
applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose
additional requirements and limitations on the Bank. Under the Modernization Act, banks with
aggregate assets of not more than $250 million will be subject to a Community Reinvestment Act
examination only once every sixty months if the bank receives an outstanding rating, once every
forty-eight months if it receives a satisfactory rating, and as needed if the rating is less that
satisfactory. Additionally, under the Modernization Act, banks are required to publicly disclose
the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements.
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The Modernization Act-Consumer Privacy. The Modernization Act also contains provisions regarding
consumer privacy. These provisions require financial institutions to disclose their policy for
collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generally may prevent financial
institutions from sharing personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except
for third parties that market an institutions own products and services. Additionally, financial
institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party
for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing to the consumer.
Capital Adequacy
Federal bank regulatory agencies use capital adequacy guidelines in the examination and regulation
of bank holding companies and banks. If capital falls below minimum guideline levels, the holding
company or bank may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank
businesses or to open new facilities.
The FDIC and Federal Reserve Board use risk-based capital guidelines for banks and bank holding
companies. These are designed to make such capital requirements more sensitive to differences in
risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and
to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance sheet items are
assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate weights. The resulting capital ratios
represent capital as a
percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items. The guidelines are minimums,
and the Federal Reserve Board has noted that bank holding companies contemplating significant
expansion programs should not allow expansion to diminish their capital ratios and should maintain
ratios well in excess of the minimum. The current guidelines require all bank holding companies
and federally-regulated banks to maintain a minimum risk-based total capital ratio equal to 8%, of
which at least 4% must be Tier 1 capital. Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies includes
common shareholders equity, certain qualifying perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in
equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, but excludes goodwill and most other intangibles and
excludes the allowance for loan and lease losses. Tier 2 capital includes the excess of any
preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, mandatory convertible securities, hybrid capital
instruments, subordinated debt and intermediate term-preferred stock, and general reserves for loan
and lease losses up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.
The FDIC and Federal Reserve Board also employ a leverage ratio, which is Tier 1 capital as a
percentage of total assets less intangibles, to be used as a supplement to risk-based guidelines.
The principal objective of the leverage ratio is to constrain the maximum degree to which a bank
holding company or bank may leverage its equity capital base. A minimum leverage ratio of 3% is
required for the most highly rated bank holding companies and banks. Other bank holding companies,
banks and bank holding companies seeking to expand, however, are required to maintain minimum
leverage ratios of at least 4% to 5%.
The FDICIA created a statutory framework of supervisory actions indexed to the capital level of the
individual institution. Under the prompt corrective action regulations adopted by the FDIC and
the Federal Reserve Board, an institution is assigned to one of five capital categories, ranging
from well-capitalized to critically undercapitalized, depending on its total risk-based capital
ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and leverage ratio, together with certain subjective
factors. Institutions which are deemed to be significantly undercapitalized or critically
undercapitalized are subject to certain mandatory supervisory corrective actions.
Increases in regulatory capital requirements appear to be likely, but the federal regulators have
not identified specific increases. In September 2009, the U.S. Treasury Department released a set
of principles for financial regulatory reform, including a general recommendation for increased
capital for banks and bank holding companies across the board (with even higher requirements for
systemically risky banking organizations). In December 2009, the Basel Committee on Board
Supervision issued proposals for regulatory capital changes, including greater emphasis on common
equity as a component of Tier 1 capital. On September 12, 2010, the Basel Committee announced the
calibration of its revised capital framework for major financial institutions. The increased
capital requirements will be phased into national laws and regulations by January 1, 2013. Both
sets of proposals also recommend enhanced leverage and liquidity requirements.
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Other Laws and Regulations
International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001. On October 26,
2001, the USA PATRIOT Act was enacted. It includes the International Money Laundering Abatement
and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the IMLAFA) and strong measures to prevent, detect and
prosecute terrorism and international money laundering. As required by the IMLAFA, the federal
banking agencies, in cooperation with the U.S. Treasury Department, established rules that
generally apply to insured depository institutions and U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks.
Among other things, the new rules require that financial institutions implement reasonable
procedures to (1) verify the identity of any person opening an account; (2) maintain records of the
information used to verify the persons identity; and (3) determine whether the person appears on
any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations. The rules also prohibit
banks from establishing correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks with no physical presence
and encourage cooperation among financial institutions, their regulators and law enforcement to
share information regarding individuals, entities and organizations engaged in terrorist acts or
money laundering activities. The rules
also limit a financial institutions liability for submitting a report of suspicious activity and
for voluntarily disclosing a possible violation of law to law enforcement.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the SOX) was enacted to address
corporate and accounting fraud. It established a new accounting oversight board that enforces
auditing standards and restricts the scope of services that accounting firms may provide to their
public company audit clients. Among other things, it also; (i) requires chief executive officers
and chief financial officers to certify to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC); (ii) imposes new disclosure requirements regarding
internal controls, off-balance-sheet transactions, and pro forma (non-GAAP) disclosures; (iii)
accelerates the time frame for reporting of insider transactions and periodic disclosures by
certain public companies; and (iv) requires companies to disclose whether or not they have adopted
a code of ethics for senior financial officers and whether the audit committee includes at least
one audit committee financial expert.
The SOX requires the SEC, based on certain enumerated factors, to regularly and systematically
review corporate filings. To deter wrongdoing, it: (i) subjects bonuses issued to top executives
to disgorgement if a restatement of a companys financial statements was due to corporate
misconduct; (ii) prohibits an officer or director from misleading or coercing an auditor; (iii)
prohibits insider trades during pension fund blackout periods; (iv) imposes new criminal
penalties for fraud and other wrongful acts; and (v) extends the period during which certain
securities fraud lawsuits can be brought against a company or its officers.
Effective September 21, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to
its rules to conform to Section 404(c) of the SOX, as added by Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Section 404(c) provides that the SOX shall not apply to any audit report prepared by an issuer that
is neither an accelerated filer nor a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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With market value of its common equity less than $75 million, the Company does not qualify as an
accelerated filer or large accelerated filer and therefore is not presently subject to Section
404(c) of the SOX for the year ended December 31, 2010. Prior to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank
Act, the Company, as a non-accelerated filer, would have been required to include an attestation
report from its public accounting firm on internal control over financial reporting in this years
annual report filed with the SEC.
The Companys management continues to be responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting as detailed in Item 9A.
Other Regulations. Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Bank are subject
to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. The Banks loan operations are
also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as:
| effective April 1, 2011, the Federal Reserve Board will implement new rules regarding all persons who originate loans, including mortgage loan officers and brokers. The new rules include, among other things, prohibition of compensation to loan originators based on the terms or conditions of a loan, prohibiting dual payment of a mortgage originator from both the consumer and the creditor, prohibiting a loan officer from steering a consumer to a lender with less favorable terms that increase the loan officer or brokers compensation. The Dodd-Frank Act also addressed loan originator compensation in a similar manner but with additional provisions. The Banks Mortgage Division has addressed these new rules and is prepared for the April 1, 2011 implementation date; |
| the federal Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers; |
| the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves; |
| the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit; |
| the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; |
| the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies; and |
| the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws. |
The deposit operations of the Bank are also subject to:
| the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and |
| the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve Board to implement that act, which governs automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services. |
Financial Institutions Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act. This act expanded and increased the
enforcement powers of the regulators in terms of both civil and criminal penalties available for
use by the federal regulatory agencies against depository institutions and certain
institution-affiliated parties. Institution-affiliated parties primarily include management,
employees, and agents of a financial institution, as well as independent contractors and
consultants such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the
financial institutions affairs. These practices can include the failure of an institution to
timely file required reports or the filing of false or misleading information or the submission of
inaccurate reports. Civil penalties may be as high as $1,000,000 a day for such violations.
Criminal penalties for some financial institution crimes have been increased to twenty years. In
addition, regulators are provided with greater flexibility to commence enforcement actions against
institutions and institution-affiliated parties. Possible enforcement actions include the
termination of deposit insurance. Furthermore, banking agencies power to issue cease-and-desist
orders were expanded. Such orders may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct
any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including restitution, reimbursement,
indemnification or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict
its growth, dispose of certain assets, rescind agreements or contracts, or take other actions as
determined by the ordering agency to be appropriate.
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Privacy and Credit Reporting. Financial institutions are required to disclose their policies for
collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generally may prevent financial
institutions from sharing nonpublic personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties
except under narrow circumstances, such as the processing of transactions requested by the
consumer. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers
to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing
to consumers. It is the Banks policy not to disclose any personal information unless required by
law.
Like other lending institutions, the Bank utilizes credit bureau data in its underwriting
activities. Use of such data is regulated under the Federal Credit Reporting Act on a uniform,
nationwide basis, including credit reporting, prescreening, sharing of information between
affiliates, and the use of credit data. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (the
FACT Act) authorizes states to enact identity theft laws that are not inconsistent with the
conduct required by the provisions of the FACT Act.
Check 21. The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act gives substitute checks, such as a digital
image of a check and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper
check. Some of the major provisions include:
| allowing check truncation without making it mandatory; |
| demanding that every financial institution communicate to accountholders in writing a description of its substitute check processing program and their rights under the law; |
| legalizing substitutions for and replacements of paper checks without agreement from consumers; |
| retaining in place the previously mandated electronic collection and return of checks between financial institutions only when individual agreements are in place; |
| requiring that when accountholders request verification, financial institutions produce the original check (or a copy that accurately represents the original) and demonstrate that the account debit was accurate and valid; and |
| requiring the re-crediting of funds to an individuals account on the next business day after a consumer proves that the financial institution has erred. |
Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies. Our earnings will be affected by domestic economic
conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies.
The Federal Reserve Banks monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an
important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement
national monetary policy in order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession.
The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have major effects upon the levels of bank
loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States government
securities and through its regulation of the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the
reserve requirements against member bank deposits. It is not possible to predict the nature or
impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.
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Future Legislation. Various other legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting the banking
regulatory system are from time to time introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as
regulatory agencies. Currently, the United States Congress is actively considering further
significant changes to the manner of regulating financial institutions. The current legislation
being considered and other future legislation regarding financial institutions may change banking
statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways, and
could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or
affect the competitive balance depending upon whether any of this potential legislation will be
enacted, and if enacted, the effect that it or any implementing regulations, would have on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The nature and extent of future
legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions is very unpredictable at this
time. The Company cannot determine the ultimate effect that such potential legislation, if
enacted, would have upon its financial condition or operations.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
The following are certain significant risks that our management believes are specific to our
business. This should not be viewed as an all-inclusive list.
Recent Market, Legislative and Regulatory Events
The banking crisis that began in 2008 has adversely affected our industry, including our business,
and may continue to have an adverse effect on our business in the future.
Dramatic declines in the housing market over the past three years, with falling home prices
and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment, have negatively impacted the credit
performance of real estate related loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by
financial institutions. These write-downs, initially of asset-backed securities (ABS) but
spreading to other securities and loans, have caused many financial institutions to seek additional
capital, to reduce or eliminate dividends, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in
some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the
stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and
institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other
financial institutions. This economic turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased
level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market
volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. The resulting economic
pressure on consumers and the lack of confidence in the financial markets have adversely affected
our business, financial condition and results of operations. Market developments may affect
consumer confidence levels and may cause adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in
delinquencies and default rates, which may impact our charge-offs and provision for credit losses.
A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult
market conditions on us and others in the financial institutions industry.
Market volatility may have an adverse effect on us.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than 36
months. From time to time, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit
availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers underlying financial strength.
If market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not
experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The financial distress of other financial institutions could have a material adverse impact on us.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions
and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are
interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. We have
exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions
with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks,
investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults
by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the
financial services industry generally, have in the past led, and could in the future lead, to
market-wide liquidity problems and thereafter losses or defaults by us or by other institutions.
Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or
client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be
realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial
instrument exposure due us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that legislation and federal programs enacted in response to the
financial crisis that began in 2008 will fully stabilize the U.S. financial system, and such
legislation and programs may adversely affect us.
In response to the financial issues affecting the banking system and financial markets and going
concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions, the U.S. Congress enacted the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA). The EESA provides the U.S. Secretary of the
Treasury with the authority to establish a Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) with up to $700
billion of residential or commercial mortgages and any securities, obligations or other instruments
that are based on or related to such mortgages, that in each case was originated or issued on or
before March 14, 2008, as well as any other financial instrument that the U.S. Secretary of the
Treasury, after consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, determines the purchase of
which is necessary to promote financial market stability, which include capital injections into
financial institutions.
As part of the EESA, the Treasury Department developed a Capital Purchase Program to purchase up to
$250 billion in senior preferred stock from qualifying financial institutions. The Capital Purchase
Program was designed to strengthen the capital and liquidity positions of viable institutions and
to encourage banks and thrifts to increase lending to creditworthy borrowers. Following the passage
of the EESA and pursuant to its powers under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA), the FDIC
established
the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (TLGP) that gave the FDIC the ability to provide a
guarantee for newly-issued senior unsecured debt and non-interest bearing transaction deposit
accounts at eligible insured institutions. For non-interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, a
10 basis point annual rate surcharge was applied to deposit amounts in excess of $250,000. This
program expired on December 31, 2010.
The U.S. Congress or federal banking regulatory agencies could adopt additional regulatory
requirements or restrictions in response to threats to the financial system and such changes may
adversely affect our operations. To the extent the market does not respond favorably to the
existing or new programs or if they do not function as intended, our business and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
Contemplated and proposed legislation, state and federal programs, and increased government control
or influence may adversely affect us by increasing the uncertainty in our lending operations and
exposing us to increased losses. Statutes and regulations may be altered that may potentially
increase our costs to service and underwrite mortgage loans.
Similarly, any other program established by the FDIC under the systemic risk exception of the FDIA
may adversely affect us whether we participate or not. Our participation in the TLGP requires we
pay additional insurance premiums to the FDIC. Additionally, the FDIC has increased premiums on
insured accounts, levied special assessments and required banks to prepay their deposit assessments
in response to market developments. The increase of failures in the banking industry have
significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured
deposits. These FDIC requirements adversely affect the results of operations of the Bank.
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Recent legislative reforms could result in our business becoming subject to significant and
extensive additional regulations and/or could adversely affect our results of operations and
financial condition.
The Dodd-Frank Act will result in sweeping changes in the regulation of financial institutions
aimed at strengthening the sound operation of the financial services sector. The Dodd-Frank Acts
provisions that have received the most public attention generally have been those applying to or
more likely to affect larger institutions. However, it contains numerous other provisions that
will affect all banks and bank holding companies, and will fundamentally change the system of
oversight described in the section entitled Supervision and Regulation, above.
Some of these provisions may have the consequence of increasing our expenses, decreasing our
revenues, and changing the activities in which we choose to engage. The environment in which
banking organizations will operate after the financial crisis, including legislative and regulatory
changes affecting capital, liquidity, supervision, permissible activities, corporate governance and
compensation, changes in fiscal policy and steps to eliminate government support for banking
organizations, may have long-term effects on the business model and profitability of banking
organizations that cannot now be foreseen. The specific impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our current
activities or new financial activities we may consider in the future, our financial performance,
and the markets in which we operate, will depend on the manner in which the relevant agencies
develop and implement the required rules and the reaction of market participants to these
regulatory developments.
Our Material Business Risks
An economic downturn, especially one affecting Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie counties, could
adversely affect our business.
Our success significantly depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits, and
housing in our primary market areas of Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie counties in the State of
Georgia. If these communities do not grow or if prevailing local or national economic conditions
are unfavorable, our business may be adversely affected. An economic downturn would likely harm the
quality of our loan portfolio and reduce the level of our deposits, which in turn would hurt our
business. If the strength of
the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts
operations declines, or continues to decline, this could result in, among other things, a
deterioration in credit quality, increased loan charge-offs and delinquencies or a reduced demand
for credit, including a resultant effect on the Banks loan portfolio and allowance for loan
losses. These factors could materially adversely affect the Companys financial condition and
results of operations. Unlike many larger institutions, we are not able to spread the risks of
unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies. The Bank is
a community bank and as such, is mandated by the Community Reinvestment Act and other regulations
to conduct most of its lending activities within the geographic area where it is located. As a
result, the Bank and its borrowers may be especially vulnerable to the consequences of changes in
the local economy.
Weakness in the real estate market, including the secondary residential mortgage loan markets, has
adversely affected us and may continue to adversely affect us.
Significant ongoing disruptions in the secondary market for residential mortgage loans have reduced
the demand for and impaired the liquidity of many mortgage loans. The effects of ongoing mortgage
market challenges, combined with the ongoing correction in residential real estate market prices
and reduced levels of home sales, could result in further price reductions in single family home
values, adversely affecting the value of collateral securing mortgage loans that we hold, mortgage
loan originations and profits on sale of mortgage loans. Declining real estate prices and higher
interest rates have also caused higher delinquencies and losses on certain mortgage loans. These
trends could continue. Continued declines in real estate values, home sales volumes and financial
stress on borrowers as a result of job losses, interest rate resets on adjustable rate mortgage
loans or other factors could have further adverse effects on borrowers, resulting in higher
delinquencies and greater charge-offs in future periods, which could adversely affect our financial
condition or results of operations. Additionally, decreases in real estate values might adversely
affect the creditworthiness of state and local governments, and this might result in decreased
profitability or credit losses from loans made to such governments.
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Our loan portfolio includes a substantial amount of commercial real estate and construction and
development loans, which may have more risks than residential or consumer loans.
Our commercial real estate loans and construction and development loans account for a substantial
portion of our total loan portfolio. These loans generally carry larger loan balances and usually
involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than home equity, residential or consumer
loans. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans is a result of
several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and to
borrowers in similar lines of business, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic
conditions on income-producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring
these types of loans.
Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate in some cases is dependent
upon the successful operation, development or sale of the related real estate or commercial
project. If the cash flow from the project is reduced, the borrowers ability to repay the loan
may be impaired. This cash flow shortage may result in the failure to make loan payments. In
these cases, we may be compelled to modify the terms of the loan. As a result, repayment of these
loans may, to a greater extent than other types of loans, be subject to adverse conditions in the
real estate market or economy.
Many of our borrowers have more than one loan or credit relationship with us.
Many of our borrowers have more than one commercial real estate or commercial business loan
outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit
relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse
development with respect to, for example, a one-to-four family residential mortgage loan.
Our decisions regarding credit risk and reserves for loan losses may materially and adversely
affect our business.
Making loans and other extensions of credit is an essential element of our business. Although we
seek to mitigate risks inherent in lending by adhering to specific underwriting practices, our
loans and other extensions of credit may not be repaid. The risk of nonpayment is affected by a
number of factors, including:
| the duration of the credit; |
| credit risks of a particular customer; |
| changes in economic and industry conditions; and |
| in the case of a collateralized loan, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral. |
We attempt to maintain an appropriate allowance for loan losses to provide for potential losses in
our loan portfolio. However, there is no precise method of predicting credit losses, since any
estimate of loan losses is necessarily subjective and the accuracy depends on the outcome of future
events. Therefore, we face the risk that charge-offs in future periods will exceed our allowance
for loan losses and that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses will be required.
Additions to the allowance for loan losses would result in a decrease of our net income, and
possibly our capital.
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We face strong competition for customers, which could prevent us from obtaining customers and may
cause us to pay higher interest rates to attract deposits.
The banking business is highly competitive and we experience competition in each of our markets
from many other financial institutions. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings
and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage
firms, insurance companies, money market funds and other mutual funds, as well as super-regional,
national and international financial institutions that operate offices in our primary market areas
and elsewhere. We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making
loans. In addition, in order to grow we have to attract customers from other existing financial
institutions or from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established, larger financial
institutions. These institutions offer some services, such as extensive and established branch
networks and trust services, which we currently do not provide. In addition, competitors that are
not depository institutions are generally not subject to the extensive regulations that apply to
us. There is a risk that we will have a competitive disadvantage with these other financial
institutions in our markets, and that we may have to pay higher interest rates to attract deposits,
resulting in reduced profitability. In new markets that we may enter, we will also compete
against well-established community banks that have developed relationships within the community.
Changes in monetary policies and interest rates could reduce our profitability and adversely affect
our business.
Our profitability is affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal
Reserve, and depends in large part on our net interest income, which is the difference between
interest earned from interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest
paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Our net interest income
will be adversely affected if market interest rates change such that the interest we pay on
deposits and borrowings increases faster than the interest we earn on loans and investments. Many
factors cause changes in interest rates, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and
international economic and political conditions. While we intend to manage the effects of changes
in interest rates by adjusting the terms, maturities, and pricing of our assets and liabilities,
our efforts may not be effective and our financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
Our recent operating results may not be indicative of our future operating results.
In 2010 we experienced a decline in loan demand, but were able to see an increase in total assets
due to strong deposit growth. We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth from
prior years and may not even be able to grow our business at all. Consequently, our historical
results of operations are not necessarily indicative of our future operations. Various factors,
such as economic conditions, regulatory and legislative considerations and competition may also
impede our ability to expand our market presence. If we experience a significant decrease in our
rate of growth, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected because
a high percentage of our operating costs are fixed expenses.
We could be adversely affected by the loss of one or more key personnel or by an inability to
attract and retain employees.
We believe that our growth and future success will depend in large part on the skills of our
executive and other senior officers. The loss of the services of one or more of these officers
could impair our ability to continue to implement our business strategy. Our executive and other
senior officers have extensive and long-standing ties within our primary market areas and
substantial experience with our operations, and have contributed significantly to our growth. If
we lose the services of any one of them, he or she may be difficult to replace and our business
could be materially and adversely affected.
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Our success also depends, in part, on our continued ability to attract and retain experienced and
qualified employees. The competition for such employees is intense, and our inability to continue
to attract, retain and motivate employees could adversely affect our business.
The success of our growth strategy depends on our ability to identify and recruit individuals with
experience and relationships in the markets in which we intend to expand.
We intend to expand our banking network over the next several years into both new and existing
markets in and around our current market areas. We believe that to expand into new markets
successfully, we must identify and recruit experienced key management members with local expertise
and relationships in these markets. We expect that competition for qualified management in the
markets in which we may expand will be intense and that there will be a limited number of qualified
persons with knowledge of and experience in the community banking industry in these markets. Even
if we identify individuals that we believe could assist us in establishing a presence in a new
market, we may be unable to recruit these individuals away from their current employers. In
addition, the process of identifying and recruiting individuals with the combination of skills and
attributes required to carry out our strategy is often lengthy. Our inability to identify, recruit
and retain talented personnel to manage new offices effectively and in a timely manner would limit
our growth and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We will face risks with respect to future expansion and acquisitions or mergers.
We may expand into new lines of business or offer new products or services. Any expansion plans we
undertake may also divert the attention of our management from the operation of our core business,
which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We may also seek to acquire other
financial institutions or assets of those institutions. Any of these activities would involve a
number of risks such as the time and expense associated with evaluating new lines of business or
new markets for expansion, hiring or retaining local management and integrating new acquisitions.
Even if we acquire new lines of business or new products or services, they may not be profitable.
Nor can we say with certainty that we will be able to consummate, or if consummated, successfully
integrate, future acquisitions, if any, or that we will not incur disruptions or unexpected expense
in integrating such acquisitions. Any given acquisition, if and when consummated, may adversely
affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our growth may require us to raise additional capital that may not be available when it is needed
or may not be available on terms acceptable to us.
We are required by regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our
operations. To support our continued growth, we may need to raise additional capital. Our ability
to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend in part on conditions in the capital markets at
that time, which are outside our control. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to
raise additional capital, if needed, on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional
capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and
acquisitions could be materially impaired.
We are subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to examination, supervision and
comprehensive regulation by various regulatory agencies. Our compliance with these regulations is
costly and restricts certain of our activities, including payment of dividends, mergers and
acquisitions, purchase and sale of investments, origination and sale of loans, interest rates
charged on loans, interest rates paid on deposits and locations of offices. We are also subject to
regulatory capital requirements established by our regulators, which require us to maintain
adequate capital to support our growth. If we fail to meet these capital and other regulatory
requirements, our ability to grow, our cost of funds and FDIC insurance, our ability to borrow
funds, our ability to pay dividends on common stock, and our ability to make acquisitions, could be
materially and adversely affected.
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The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry could change at any time, and we cannot
predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Because government
regulation greatly affects the business and financial results of all banks and bank holding
companies, our cost of compliance could adversely affect our profitability. In addition, the
purpose of these laws and regulations is to protect and insure the interests and deposits of our
depositors, and are not for the protection of our investors.
Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have involved significant expenditures, and
non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission, have increased the scope, complexity and cost of corporate governance,
reporting and disclosure practices. We have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience,
greater compliance costs, including costs related to internal controls, as a result of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Effective September 21, 2010, the SEC adopted amendments to its rules and forms to implement
revised Section 404(c) to exclude smaller, non-accelerated filers. We are a non-accelerated filer
and have market value of common equity less than $75 million, and therefore are not presently
subject to the SOX Section 404 as it relates to certain internal control requirements. However,
management continues to be responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting. For further discussion see Other Laws and Regulations.
We may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums in the future.
Recent insured institution failures, as well as deterioration in banking and economic conditions,
have significantly increased the loss provisions of the FDIC, resulting in a decline in the
designated reserve ratio to historical lows. The FDIC expects a higher rate of insured institution
failures in the next few years compared to recent years. Therefore, the reserve ratio may continue
to decline. Additionally, the EESA temporarily increased the limit on FDIC coverage to $250,000
through December 31, 2009, which was extended to December 31, 2013 on May 20, 2009. On July 21,
2010, the $250,000 FDIC coverage limit was made permanent by the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act.
These developments have caused the premiums assessed by the FDIC to increase. Specifically,
beginning April 1, 2009, the deposit insurance base assessment increased and may be decreased or
increased in the future based on unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and brokered deposits held by
the institution, for a resulting assessment range of 17 to 43 basis points per $100 for well
capitalized institutions that are not New Institutions. The FDIC is allowed to impose special
emergency assessments on or after September 30, 2009, of up to 10 basis points per quarter, if
necessary, to maintain public confidence in FDIC insurance. Additionally, on November 12, 2009,
the FDIC announced that it would require insured institutions to prepay slightly over three years
of estimated insurance assessments. Payment of the prepaid assessment, along with our regular
fourth quarter assessment, was due on December 31, 2009, and was based on our total base assessment
rate in effect on September 30, 2009. Since we book such payments at the end of each quarter, the
prepayment does not affect our reporting of net income; however, the prepayment does have a
negative effect on our cash flow. These higher FDIC base assessment rates and special assessments
have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
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We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that we are required to pay for FDIC
insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures, we may be required to
pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. These announced increases and
any future increases in FDIC insurance premiums may materially and adversely affect our results of
operations. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act changed the assessment base for federal deposit
insurance from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital.
Although we may see a decline in premium as a result of this change, there is still risk that
future assessments could increase again.
Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other authoritative bodies, could materially impact our
financial statements.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial
condition and results of operations. From time to time, the regulatory agencies, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, and other authoritative bodies change the financial accounting and
reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes can be
difficult to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and
results of operations.
We must respond to rapid technological changes, and these changes may be more difficult to
implement or more expensive than anticipated.
We will have to respond to future technological changes. Specifically, if our competitors introduce
new products and services embodying new technologies, or if new industry standards and practices
emerge, then our existing product and service offerings, technology and systems may be impaired or
become obsolete. Further, if we fail to adopt or develop new technologies or to adapt our products
and services to emerging industry standards, then we may lose current and future customers, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. The financial services industry is changing rapidly and in order to remain
competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the functionality and features of our
products, services and technologies. These changes may be more difficult to implement or more
expensive than we anticipate.
Risks Related to Investing in Our Common Stock
There is not an active trading market for our common stock and an active trading market may never
develop or be maintained.
There is not an active trading market for our common stock and, as none should be expected to
develop in the foreseeable future, an investor may be unable to liquidate his or its investment and
should be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in our common stock for an indefinite
period. We cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for our common stock may
develop or be sustained.
We do not anticipate declaring cash dividends in the foreseeable future for both regulatory and
business reasons.
Holders of our common stock are not entitled to receive dividends unless declared by our board of
directors. Since our inception, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not
intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Even if we decide to pay dividends, our
ability to do so will be limited by regulatory restrictions, our financial condition, results of
operations, capital requirements, level of indebtedness and such other factors as our board of
directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends is limited by our obligations to maintain
sufficient capital and by other restrictions on the payment of dividends that are applicable to us.
Investors should not purchase our common stock if they require dividend income.
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Our securities are not FDIC insured.
Our securities, including our common stock, are not savings or deposit accounts or our other
obligations, and are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC or any other governmental
agency and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire investment.
We may issue additional shares of our common stock that could result in dilution of an investors
investment.
Our board of directors may determine from time to time that there is a need to obtain additional
capital through the issuance of additional shares of common stock or other securities. These
issuances would likely dilute the ownership interests of our investors and may dilute the per share
book value of our common stock. In addition, the issuance of additional shares of common stock
under our stock option and equity incentive plans will further dilute each investors ownership of
our common stock.
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
Not Applicable
Item 2. | Properties |
The Companys and the Banks main office is located at 3527 Wheeler Road in Augusta, Georgia. This
office was opened in September 2005. The Bank operates three banking offices in Augusta, Georgia,
two banking offices in Martinez, Georgia and one banking office in Thomson, Georgia. All of these
offices are owned by the Bank. The following table sets forth the location of each of the Banks
branch offices and the date each branch opened for business:
Branch | Date Opened | |
Hill Street Office, Thomson, Georgia
|
January 1989 | |
Daniel Village Office, Augusta, Georgia
|
March 1999 | |
West Town Office, Martinez, Georgia
|
October 1999 | |
Medical Center Office, Augusta, Georgia
|
January 2001 | |
Furys Ferry Road Office, Martinez, Georgia
|
April 2002 | |
Main Office, Augusta, Georgia
|
September 2005 |
In January 2002, the Bank purchased a site located in Evans, Georgia. In March 2005, the Bank
entered into a contract to purchase another site in Evans, Georgia and finalized that purchase in
February 2006. The Bank will continue to evaluate the possibility of constructing a full service
banking facility on one of the two sites in Evans, Georgia.
The Bank also leases office space at one location in Augusta to house the Mortgage Division. The
Mortgage Division also operates offices in Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida out of
leased office space. However, the Bank will be closing the Jacksonville, Florida office as of
April 1, 2011.
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Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or the Bank is a party or of
which any of their properties are the subject; nor are there material proceedings known to the
Company or the Bank to be contemplated by any governmental authority; nor are there material
proceedings known to the Company or the Bank, pending or contemplated, in which any director,
officer or affiliate or any principal security holder of the Company or the Bank, or any associate
of any of the foregoing is a party or has an interest adverse to the Company or the Bank.
Item 4. | [Removed and Reserved] |
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PART II
Item 5. | Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. |
Market Information
The Companys common stock trades on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol GECR.
The market for the Companys common stock must be characterized as a limited market due to its
relatively low trading volume and lack of analyst coverage. The following table sets forth for the
periods indicated the quarterly high and low sales prices per share as reported by the
Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board. These quotations also reflect inter-dealer prices without retail
mark-ups, mark-downs, or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The
share prices below reflect all stock splits.
High | Low | |||||||
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 |
||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 6.25 | ||||
Second Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 6.55 | ||||
Third Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 5.15 | ||||
Fourth Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 5.36 | ||||
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 |
||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 10.00 | $ | 5.75 | ||||
Second Quarter |
$ | 9.98 | $ | 5.25 | ||||
Third Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 6.25 | ||||
Fourth Quarter |
$ | 8.00 | $ | 6.25 |
Holders of Common Stock
As of March 21, 2011, the number of holders of record of the Companys common stock was
approximately 572.
Dividends
No cash dividends were paid by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2010 or 2009.
Future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in light of
circumstances existing from time to time, including the Companys growth, financial condition and
results of operations, the continued existence of the restrictions described below on the Banks
ability to pay dividends and other factors that the Board of Directors of the Company considers
relevant. In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company may determine, from time to time,
that it is prudent to pay special nonrecurring cash dividends in addition to or in lieu of regular
cash dividends. Such special dividends will depend upon the financial performance of the Company
and will take into account its capital position. No special dividend is presently contemplated.
Because the Companys principal operations are conducted through the Bank, the Company
generates cash to pay dividends primarily through dividends paid to it by the Bank. Accordingly,
any dividends paid by the Company will depend on the Banks earnings, capital requirements,
financial condition and other factors. Under Georgia law, the Bank may pay dividends only when and
if the Bank is not insolvent. In addition, dividends may not be declared or paid at any time when
the Bank does not have combined paid-in capital and appropriated retained earnings equal to at
least 20% of the Banks capital stock. Moreover, dividends may not be paid by the Bank without the
prior approval of the Georgia Banking Department, if the dividends are in excess of specified
amounts fixed by the Georgia Banking Department.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The Company currently has three equity compensation plans: (i) the 1997 Stock Option Plan,
which was approved by shareholders; (ii) the 2004 Incentive Plan, which was approved by
shareholders; and (iii) the Directors Equity Incentive Plan, which has not been approved by
shareholders. The following table provides information as of December 31, 2010 regarding the
Companys then existing compensation plans and arrangements:
Number of securities | ||||||||||||
to be issued upon | Weighted-average | Number of securities remaining | ||||||||||
exercise of | exercise price of | available for future issuance | ||||||||||
outstanding | outstanding | under equity compensation | ||||||||||
options, warrants and | options, warrants | plans (excluding securities | ||||||||||
rights | and rights | reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||||
Plan category | (a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans
approved by security
holders: |
||||||||||||
1997 Stock Option Plan |
159,038 | $ | 9.60 | | ||||||||
2004 Incentive Plan |
124,251 | $ | 10.38 | 200,874 | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders |
| | 54,539 | |||||||||
Total |
283,289 | $ | 9.94 | 255,413 |
Directors Equity Incentive Plan
The Directors Equity Incentive Plan provides that non-employee directors of the Company and
the Bank may elect to purchase shares of the Companys common stock in lieu of receiving
cash for director fees earned in each calendar quarter. The purchase price for shares
acquired under the plan is $2.00 less than the average closing market price of the
Companys common stock for the last ten trading days of each quarter as reported on the
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. A non-employee director may join the plan at any time
during the last seven days of each calendar quarter. The Directors Equity Incentive Plan
also provides non-employee directors of the Company and the Bank annual retainer shares in
the form of 1) base award shares, plus 2) bonus shares for service as Board chairman, plus
3) bonus shares for service on various committees. Non-employee advisory board members
also qualify to receive annual award shares from the Directors Equity Incentive Plan
provided they meet an agreed upon annual attendance requirement.
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Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
Our selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for the years ended December 31,
2006 through 2010 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Our audited
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the years in the
three year period ended December 31, 2010 are included elsewhere in this report. All years have
been restated as necessary for stock dividends and stock splits.
At and for the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Selected Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
$ | 495,311 | $ | 484,013 | $ | 460,828 | $ | 447,869 | $ | 417,471 | ||||||||||
Investment securities and FHLB stock |
79,431 | 47,289 | 59,795 | 60,393 | 55,404 | |||||||||||||||
Loans, held for investment |
316,809 | 336,849 | 336,293 | 322,201 | 280,883 | |||||||||||||||
Loans, held for sale |
46,570 | 58,135 | 28,402 | 39,547 | 56,758 | |||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses |
7,866 | 5,072 | 4,284 | 5,059 | 4,386 | |||||||||||||||
Deposits |
414,749 | 405,240 | 377,009 | 379,966 | 341,342 | |||||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings |
3,469 | 7,297 | 15,859 | 17,473 | 38,661 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
25,000 | 25,000 | 25,400 | 10,500 | 600 | |||||||||||||||
Other liabilities |
7,119 | 3,203 | 3,476 | 3,959 | 4,742 | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
44,976 | 43,273 | 39,084 | 35,971 | 32,126 | |||||||||||||||
Selected Results of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
24,409 | 24,604 | 26,371 | 29,019 | 25,335 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
7,290 | 9,722 | 13,038 | 15,706 | 11,969 | |||||||||||||||
Net interest income |
17,119 | 14,882 | 13,333 | 13,313 | 13,366 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for loan losses |
8,355 | 3,082 | 1,456 | 909 | 898 | |||||||||||||||
Net interest income after provision for
provision for loan losses |
8,764 | 11,800 | 11,877 | 12,404 | 12,468 | |||||||||||||||
Non-interest income |
13,246 | 14,157 | 9,920 | 9,932 | 9,800 | |||||||||||||||
Non-interest expense |
20,543 | 20,902 | 17,745 | 17,816 | 17,911 | |||||||||||||||
Income before taxes |
1,467 | 5,055 | 4,052 | 4,520 | 4,357 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(66 | ) | 1,303 | 1,252 | 1,619 | 1,460 | ||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 1,533 | $ | 3,752 | $ | 2,800 | $ | 2,901 | $ | 2,897 | ||||||||||
Per Share Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net income basic |
$ | 0.44 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 0.82 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.86 | ||||||||||
Net income diluted |
$ | 0.44 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.83 | $ | 0.83 | ||||||||||
Book value |
$ | 12.72 | $ | 12.37 | $ | 11.31 | $ | 10.58 | $ | 9.51 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
3,519,408 | 3,484,309 | 3,426,860 | 3,393,224 | 3,370,277 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted |
3,519,408 | 3,492,871 | 3,503,856 | 3,508,606 | 3,489,564 |
28
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At and for the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Performance Ratios: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Return on average assets |
0.32 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.78 | % | ||||||||||
Return on average equity |
3.41 | % | 8.93 | % | 7.36 | % | 8.39 | % | 9.57 | % | ||||||||||
Net interest margin (1) |
3.83 | % | 3.37 | % | 3.15 | % | 3.36 | % | 3.81 | % | ||||||||||
Efficiency ratio (2) |
67.65 | % | 71.98 | % | 76.31 | % | 76.64 | % | 77.39 | % | ||||||||||
Loan (excl LHFS) to deposit ratio |
76.39 | % | 83.12 | % | 89.20 | % | 84.80 | % | 82.29 | % | ||||||||||
Asset Quality Ratios: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Nonperforming loans to total loans |
1.72 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.39 | % | 3.20 | % | 0.68 | % | ||||||||||
Nonperforming assets to total loans
(excl LHFS + OREO) |
2.82 | % | 3.12 | % | 3.57 | % | 3.73 | % | 1.03 | % | ||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses to
nonperforming loans |
125.71 | % | 81.94 | % | 84.65 | % | 43.77 | % | 191.86 | % | ||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses to
total loans (excl LHFS) |
2.48 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.56 | % | ||||||||||
Capital Ratios: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Average equity to average assets |
9.36 | % | 8.81 | % | 8.41 | % | 8.16 | % | 8.11 | % | ||||||||||
Leverage ratio |
9.32 | % | 8.96 | % | 8.59 | % | 8.18 | % | 7.85 | % | ||||||||||
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio |
11.75 | % | 10.50 | % | 9.82 | % | 9.39 | % | 9.25 | % | ||||||||||
Total risk-based capital ratio |
13.01 | % | 11.74 | % | 10.91 | % | 10.72 | % | 10.50 | % |
(1) | Non-tax equivalent. | |
(2) | Computed by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding gains and losses on the sale of assets. |
Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion provides information about the major components of the results of
operations and financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of the Company and Bank and
should be read in conjunction with the Business and Financial Statements sections included
elsewhere in this report. Information given in response to Item 6 of this report, Selected
Financial Data, is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 7.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and Bank are in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices within the
banking industry. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates or
judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes.
These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements;
accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different
estimates or judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of
estimates, and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially
different than originally reported.
Estimates or judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at
fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair
value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or
liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at
fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the
information used to record the valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based
either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available. When
third-party information is not available, valuation adjustments are estimated in good faith by
management primarily through the use of internal cash flow modeling techniques.
The most significant accounting policies for the Company and Bank are presented in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the
other financial statement notes, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are
valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Management views critical
accounting policies to be those that are highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments,
estimates and assumptions, and where changes in those estimates and assumptions could have a
significant impact on the financial statements. Management currently views the determination of the
allowance for loan losses to be the only critical accounting policy.
29
Table of Contents
The allowance for loan losses represents managements estimate of probable credit losses inherent
in the loan portfolio. Estimating the amount of the allowance for loan losses requires significant
judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on
impaired loans, estimated losses on non-impaired loans based on historical loss experience, and
consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to
significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the consolidated
balance sheet. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts
previously charged off are credited to the allowance. A provision for loan losses is charged to
operations based on managements periodic evaluation of the factors previously mentioned, as well
as other pertinent factors.
The allowance for loan losses consists of an allocated component and an unallocated component. The
components of the allowance for loan losses represent an estimation made pursuant to either ASC
450-20, Contingencies: Loss Contingencies, or ASC 310-10-35, Receivables: Subsequent
Measurement. The allocated component of the allowance for loan losses reflects expected losses
resulting from analyses developed through specific credit allocations for individual loans and
historical loss experience for each loan category. The specific credit allocations are based on
regular analyses of all loans over a fixed-dollar amount where the internal credit rating is at or
below a predetermined classification. These analyses involve a high degree of judgment in
estimating the amount of loss associated with specific loans, including estimating the amount and
timing of future cash flows and collateral values. The historical loss element is determined using
the average of actual losses incurred over prior years for each type of loan. The historical loss
experience is adjusted for known changes in economic conditions and credit quality trends such as
changes in the amount of past due and nonperforming loans. The resulting loss allocation factors
are applied to the balance of each type of loan after removing the balance of impaired loans from
each category.
There are many factors affecting the allowance for loan losses; some are quantitative while others
require qualitative judgment. Although management believes its process for determining the
allowance adequately considers all the potential factors that could potentially result in credit
losses, the process includes subjective elements and may be susceptible to significant change. To
the extent actual outcomes differ from managements estimates, additional provisions for loan
losses could be required that could adversely affect the Banks earnings or financial position in
future periods.
Additional information on the Banks loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses can be found in
the Loan Portfolio section of this Item 7. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements also
includes additional information on the Banks accounting policies related to the allowance for loan
losses.
Consolidated Financial Information
Certain consolidated financial information for the Company and Bank as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is presented below:
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | Net Income | Total Assets | Net Income | Total Assets | Net Income | |||||||||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
GECR consolidated |
$ | 495,311 | $ | 1,533 | $ | 484,013 | $ | 3,752 | $ | 460,828 | $ | 2,800 | ||||||||||||
The Bank |
$ | 495,223 | 1,665 | $ | 483,916 | 3,919 | $ | 460,726 | 2,983 | |||||||||||||||
The Company |
$ | (132 | ) | $ | (167 | ) | $ | (183 | ) | |||||||||||||||
30
Table of Contents
The Company incurred $200,418, $253,524 and $269,108 in operational costs for the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These costs were partially offset by income tax
benefits of $68,142, $86,198 and $86,497 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In total, the net
losses for the Company were $132,276, $167,326, and $182,611 for the years ended December 31, 2010,
2009 and 2008, respectively. The Companys operational costs are primarily funded by proceeds from
the exercise of stock options.
The Companys line of credit issued in June 2009 with its correspondent bank, First National
Bankers Bank, which provided the Company the ability to draw a principal sum of $1.0 million in
periodic advances matured on June 5, 2010. The Company did not renew the line of credit. The
outstanding principal balance at December 31, 2009 was $0.
Results of Operations Comparison of 2010 and 2009
Balance Sheet
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the consolidated Company and Bank experienced an increase in
total assets. Total assets increased $11.3 million or 2.3%, to $495.3 million at December 31, 2010
from $484.0 million at December 31, 2009. Average total assets were $480.2 million in 2010 and
$476.5 million in 2009, an increase of $3.7 million or 0.8%. Loans held for sale decreased from
$58.1 million at December 31, 2009 to $46.6 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $11.5
million or 19.8%. All other loans decreased with a portfolio balance, net of allowance for loan
losses, of $309.0 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $331.8 million at December 31, 2009, a
decrease of $22.8 million or 6.9%. Commercial and industrial loans decreased $2.6 million or
11.4%, from $22.9 million at December 31, 2009 to $20.3 million at December 31, 2010. Real estate
mortgage loans increased $4.4 million or 2.2%, from $199.2 million at December 31, 2009 to $203.6
million at December 31, 2010, and real estate construction loans decreased $21.0 million or 19.6%,
from $107.4 million at December 31, 2009 to $86.4 million at December 31, 2010. Installment and
consumer loans decreased $0.9 million or 12.0%, from $7.5 million at December 31, 2009 to $6.6
million at December 31, 2010. The decreases in most categories are primarily the result of weaker
demand during the economic recession experienced over the past two years. Construction loans
declined primarily as a result of borrower pay downs and charge offs in our Savannah market.
However, the increase in real estate mortgage loans is the result of the overall stability of the
Richmond, McDuffie, and Columbia County, Georgia market areas. The decline in loan demand coupled
with strong deposit growth, created abundant liquidity, resulting in significant increases in cash
and due from banks as well as securities available-for-sale. Cash and due from banks grew $18.6
million or 142.8% to $31.7 million at December 31, 2010 from $13.1 million at December 31, 2009.
At December 31, 2010 and 2009 interest bearing balances with correspondent banks comprised $25.5
million and $2.1 million, respectively, of cash and due from banks. Securities available-for-sale
increased $32.4 million or 73.0% to $76.9 million at December, 31, 2010 compared to $44.5 million
at December 31, 2009.
The allowance for loan losses was $7.9 million at December 31, 2010 and $5.1 million at December
31, 2009. This represents an increase of $2.8 million or 55.1%. The increase in the allowance is
based upon managements rating and assessment of the loan portfolio and the credit risk inherent in
the portfolio, and reflects the state of the economy and an increase in loan charge-offs during
2010. The Banks ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans was 2.16% at December 31, 2010
and 1.28% at December 31, 2009. Substantially all loans held for sale originated by the Bank
consist of well-secured single family residential mortgage loans which are originated with a sales
commitment and are sold in the secondary market shortly after origination, thus greatly reducing
the Banks credit risk. The Banks ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans, excluding
loans held for sale, was 2.48% at December 31, 2010, compared to 1.51% at December 31, 2009.
Foreclosed real estate decreased $1.7 million or 38.4% to $2.8 million at December 31, 2010
compared to $4.5 million at December 31, 2009.
31
Table of Contents
The asset growth of the Bank during 2010 was primarily funded through deposit account activity
within the Banks existing market. Total deposit accounts at December 31, 2010 were $414.7 million, an
increase of $9.5 million or 2.3%, from $405.2 million at December 31, 2009. Brokered deposits
totaled $30.4 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $32.1 million or 51.3%, compared to $62.5
million at December 31, 2009. The Bank utilizes Promontory Interfinancial Network (CDARS) to
obtain and retain large time deposits of customers seeking full FDIC insurance coverage. Through
network member institutions the CDARS deposits are broken into smaller deposits in order to receive
insurance coverage beyond the FDICs $250,000 limit. CDARS deposits decreased $27.7 million or
67.2% to $13.5 million at December 31, 2010 from $41.2 million at December 31, 2009. This decline
in brokered and CDARS deposits is a direct result of the Banks increased reliance on core
deposits. Deposits excluding brokered and CDARs increased $69.5 million or 23.0% to $371.1
million at December 31, 2010 compared to $301.7 million at December 31, 2009. Total other
borrowings by the Bank were $32.1 million at December 31, 2010, a slight decrease of $0.2 million
or 0.6%, from the balance of $32.3 million at December 31, 2009. However, due to a change to ASC
860-10 Transfers and Servicing regarding loan participations, $3.6 million of participated loans
were classified as other borrowings at December 31, 2010.
The Banks loan to deposit ratio was 87.6% at December 31, 2010 and 97.5% at December 31, 2009.
Excluding mortgage loans held for sale, this ratio was 76.4% for 2010 and 83.1% for 2009.
Income Statement
Interest income was $24.4 million for 2010 compared to $24.6 million for 2009, a slight decrease of
$0.2 million or 0.8%. This decrease was primarily the result of declining interest rates and
weakened loan demand during the economic recession experienced over the past two years. Interest
expense decreased $2.4 million or 25.0%, from $9.7 million for 2009 to $7.3 million for 2010. This
decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the lower cost of funds resulting from the
falling interest rate environment since 2008. In an effort to obtain growth in deposit accounts to
maintain steady borrowing levels and reduce the need for brokered deposits, the Bank focuses its
marketing efforts in the local markets served by the Bank. As a result of these efforts, the Bank
experienced growth in interest bearing deposits in 2010. Interest bearing deposits increased $9.6
million or 2.6%, from $363.5 million at December 31, 2009 to $373.1 million at December 31, 2010.
This increase in interest bearing deposits was primarily the result of an increase in money market
accounts. Non-interest bearing deposits decreased slightly by $0.2 million or 0.5%, from $41.8
million at December 31, 2009 to $41.6 million at December 31, 2010. Net interest income was $17.1
million for 2010 compared to $14.9 million for 2009, an increase of $2.2 million or 14.8%. Net
interest margin increased to 3.83% for the year ended December 31, 2010 from 3.37% for 2009.
32
Table of Contents
The provision for loan losses was $8.4 million for 2010 compared to $3.1 million for 2009, an
increase of $5.3 million or 171.0%. This increase is the result of managements detailed review of
the Banks loan portfolio and adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the level of the Banks
non-performing assets, charge-offs and loan delinquencies, and the overall weakness in the economy.
The majority of the increase in the provision for loan losses was due to a provision of $4,706,000
in the second quarter of 2010. As a result of the increase in the provision for loan losses, the
ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased to
2.48% at December 31, 2010 from 1.51% at December 31, 2009. Net charge-offs were $5.6 million in
2010, up from the $2.3 million in 2009, resulting in annual charge-off to average loans ratios of
1.49% and 0.67%, respectively. Management considers the current allowance for loan losses to be
appropriate based upon its detailed analysis of the potential risk in the portfolio; however, there
can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan
losses or that additional provisions will not be required.
Non-interest income for 2010 was $13.2 million compared to $14.2 million for 2009, a decrease of
$1.0 million or 7.0%. This decrease in 2010 is primarily due to the $1.7 million gain on sale of
183 lots and another parcel of land in the Willhaven Subdivision in Augusta, Georgia in 2009,
partially offset by a higher 2010 gain on sale of mortgage loans. Gain on sale of mortgage loans
increased from $9.7 million in 2009 to $10.8 million in 2010, an increase of $1.1 million or 11.3%.
However, the mortgage origination volume sold in 2010 was $553.2 million compared to $606.5
million in 2009, a decrease of $53.3 million or 8.8%.
Non-interest expense decreased from $20.9 million in 2009 to $20.5 million in 2010, a decrease of
$0.4 million or 1.7%. This decrease is primarily the result of reduced incentive expense, FDIC
assessment cost, and control of other expenses, offset by higher salaries and other real estate
expenses.
In total, net income decreased in 2010 by $2.2 million or 59.1%, from $3.7 million in 2009 to $1.5
million in 2010 as a result of each of the above factors.
33
Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders Equity; Interest Rates and Interest
Differential
The following table presents the average balance sheet of the consolidated Company for the years
ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Also presented is the consolidated Companys actual
interest income and expense from each asset and liability, the average yield of each
interest-earning asset and the average cost of each interest-bearing liability. This table
includes all major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest | Average | Interest | Average | Interest | Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average | Income/ | Yield / | Average | Income/ | Yield / | Average | Income/ | Yield / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance | Expense | Rate | Balance | Expense | Rate | Balance | Expense | Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, net of unearned income |
$ | 373,779 | $ | 22,379 | 5.99 | % | $ | 386,961 | $ | 22,260 | 5.75 | % | $ | 360,689 | $ | 23,186 | 6.43 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities |
54,978 | 1,989 | 3.62 | % | 52,672 | 2,337 | 4.44 | % | 61,375 | 3,100 | 5.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fed funds sold & cash in banks |
18,202 | 41 | 0.23 | % | 4,051 | 7 | 0.17 | % | 3,996 | 85 | 2.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets |
446,959 | 24,409 | 5.46 | % | 443,684 | 24,604 | 5.55 | % | 426,060 | 26,371 | 6.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NON-INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and due from banks |
8,226 | 8,686 | 6,296 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank premises and fixed assets |
9,476 | 9,877 | 10,260 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued interest receivable |
1,657 | 1,748 | 1,956 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets |
20,019 | 17,506 | 12,978 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses |
(6,158 | ) | (5,026 | ) | (5,190 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 480,179 | $ | 476,475 | $ | 452,360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOW accounts |
$ | 38,473 | $ | 226 | 0.59 | % | $ | 35,300 | $ | 211 | 0.60 | % | $ | 31,674 | $ | 376 | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Savings accounts |
52,102 | 570 | 1.09 | % | 52,515 | 587 | 1.12 | % | 67,259 | 1,408 | 2.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Money market accounts |
24,826 | 309 | 1.24 | % | 11,945 | 139 | 1.16 | % | 8,773 | 167 | 1.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Time accounts |
246,359 | 5,232 | 2.12 | % | 256,146 | 7,808 | 3.05 | % | 231,736 | 9,999 | 4.31 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing deposits |
361,760 | 6,337 | 1.75 | % | 355,906 | 8,745 | 2.46 | % | 339,442 | 11,950 | 3.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTHER INTEREST-BEARING
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowed funds |
29,190 | 953 | 3.26 | % | 38,614 | 977 | 2.53 | % | 37,390 | 1,088 | 2.91 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities |
390,950 | 7,290 | 1.86 | % | 394,520 | 9,722 | 2.46 | % | 376,832 | 13,038 | 3.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NON-INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Demand deposits |
42,066 | 36,439 | 33,501 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities |
2,202 | 3,519 | 3,971 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders equity |
44,961 | 41,997 | 38,056 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 480,179 | $ | 476,475 | $ | 452,360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income |
$ | 17,119 | $ | 14,882 | $ | 13,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate spread |
3.60 | % | 3.08 | % | 2.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest margin |
3.83 | % | 3.37 | % | 3.15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average loans (excl LHFS) to average deposits |
81.52 | % | 86.73 | % | 88.67 | % |
34
Table of Contents
Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income
The following table sets forth information regarding changes in net interest income attributable to
changes in average balances and changes in rates for the periods indicated. The effect of a change
in average balance has been determined by applying the average rate in the earlier period to the
change in average balance in the later period, as compared with the earlier period. The balance of
the change in interest income or expense and net interest income has been attributed to a change in
average rate. Non-accruing loans have been included in the category Net loans and loans held for
sale.
Comparison of Years Ended | Comparison of Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2010 and 2009 | December 31, 2009 and 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) Due to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance | Rate | Total | Balance | Rate | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest earned on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt securities |
$ | (38 | ) | $ | (5 | ) | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 82 | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 75 | ||||||||
Taxable securities |
148 | (453 | ) | (305 | ) | (558 | ) | (280 | ) | (838 | ) | |||||||||||||
Federal funds sold and cash in banks |
23 | 11 | 34 | 2 | (80 | ) | (78 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net loans and loans held for sale |
(758 | ) | 877 | 119 | 1,689 | (2,615 | ) | (926 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total interest income |
$ | (625 | ) | $ | 430 | $ | (195 | ) | $ | 1,215 | $ | (2,982 | ) | $ | (1,767 | ) | ||||||||
Interest paid on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOW deposits |
19 | (4 | ) | 15 | 43 | (208 | ) | (165 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Money market deposits |
150 | 20 | 170 | 60 | (88 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Savings deposits |
(5 | ) | (12 | ) | (17 | ) | (309 | ) | (512 | ) | (821 | ) | ||||||||||||
Time deposits |
(298 | ) | (2,278 | ) | (2,576 | ) | 1,053 | (3,244 | ) | (2,191 | ) | |||||||||||||
Borrowed funds |
(238 | ) | 214 | (24 | ) | 36 | (147 | ) | (111 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total interest expense |
$ | (372 | ) | $ | (2,060 | ) | $ | (2,432 | ) | $ | 883 | $ | (4,199 | ) | $ | (3,316 | ) | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in net interest
income |
$ | (253 | ) | $ | 2,490 | $ | 2,237 | $ | 332 | $ | 1,217 | $ | 1,549 | |||||||||||
Loan Portfolio
The Bank engages in a full complement of lending activities, including commercial,
consumer/installment and real estate loans. As of December 31, 2010, the Banks loan portfolio,
excluding loans held for sale, consisted of 64.2% real estate mortgage loans, 27.3% real estate
construction loans, 6.4% commercial loans and 2.1% consumer/installment loans.
The Banks real estate mortgage loans include commercial mortgage lending and residential mortgage
lending. The Banks commercial mortgage loans are generally secured by office buildings, retail
establishments and other types of property. The Banks residential mortgage loans are primarily
single-family residential loans secured by the residential property.
The Banks real estate construction loans consist of residential and commercial construction loans
as well as land development loans. These loans are primarily construction and development loans to
builders in the Augusta and Savannah, Georgia areas and the Jacksonville, Florida area.
35
Table of Contents
Commercial lending is directed principally towards businesses whose demands for funds fall within
the Banks legal lending limits and which are potential deposit customers of the Bank. This
category of loans includes loans made to individual, partnership or corporate borrowers, for a
variety of business purposes. These loans include short-term lines of credit, short- to
medium-term plant and equipment loans, loans for general working capital and letters of credit.
The Banks consumer loans consist primarily of installment loans to individuals for personal,
family or household purposes, including automobile loans to individuals and pre-approved lines of
credit.
While risk of loss in the Banks loan portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the
various borrowers, risk of loss may also increase due to factors beyond the Banks control, such as
local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market
may also impact the relative risk in the Banks real estate portfolio.
With respect to loans which exceed the Banks lending limits or established credit criteria, the
Bank may originate such loans and sell them to another bank. The Bank may also purchase loans
originated by other banks. Management of the Bank does not believe that its loan purchase
participations will necessarily pose any greater risk of loss than loans which the Bank originates.
The following table presents the categories of loans contained in the Banks loan portfolio as of
the end of the five most recent fiscal years and the total amount of all loans for such periods:
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Type of Loan | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
$ | 20,298 | $ | 22,906 | $ | 31,173 | $ | 29,582 | $ | 27,692 | ||||||||||
Real estate construction |
86,418 | 107,429 | 105,032 | 89,580 | 73,502 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate residential |
61,194 | 66,050 | 65,958 | 53,557 | 47,319 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate commercial |
142,351 | 133,140 | 125,194 | 139,111 | 121,822 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer |
6,606 | 7,468 | 9,092 | 10,487 | 10,609 | |||||||||||||||
Subtotal |
$ | 316,867 | $ | 336,993 | $ | 336,449 | $ | 322,317 | $ | 280,944 | ||||||||||
Less: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Unearned income and deferred loan
fees |
(58 | ) | (144 | ) | (156 | ) | (116 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||||||||
Allowance for possible loan losses |
(7,866 | ) | (5,072 | ) | (4,284 | ) | (5,059 | ) | (4,386 | ) | ||||||||||
Total (net of allowance) |
$ | 308,943 | $ | 331,777 | $ | 332,009 | $ | 317,142 | $ | 276,497 | ||||||||||
In addition to the above, the Bank also had $46.6 million and $58.1 million of single family
residential mortgage loans held for sale that were originated by the Banks Mortgage Division at
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
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Table of Contents
The table below presents an analysis of maturities of certain categories of loans as of December
31, 2010:
Due in 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Year or | Due in 1 to | Due After | ||||||||||||||
Type of Loan | Less | 5 Years | 5 Years | Total | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
$ | 10,962 | $ | 9,336 | $ | | $ | 20,298 | ||||||||
Real estate construction |
77,342 | 8,994 | 82 | 86,418 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 88,304 | $ | 18,330 | $ | 82 | $ | 106,716 | ||||||||
The following is a presentation of an analysis of sensitivities of certain loans (those
presented in the maturity table above) to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2010 (in
thousands):
Loans due after 1 year with predetermined interest rates |
$ | 17,037 | ||
Loans due after 1 year with floating interest rates |
$ | 1,375 | ||
Total loans due after 1 year |
$ | 18,412 | ||
The following table presents information regarding non-accrual and past due loans at the dates
indicated:
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number |
50 | 63 | 56 | 65 | 49 | |||||||||||||||
Amount |
$ | 6,257 | $ | 6,190 | $ | 5,061 | $ | 11,558 | $ | 2,286 | ||||||||||
Accruing loans which are contractually
past due 90 days or more as to principal and
interest payments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Number |
| | 3 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Amount |
$ | | $ | | $ | 1 | $ | 18 | $ | 71 |
Accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due as to principal and
interest or when, in managements judgment, the interest will not be collectible in the normal
course of business. Additional interest income of approximately $179,000 in 2010 would have been
recorded if all loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis had been current in accordance with
their original terms. No interest income has been recognized in 2010 on loans that have been
accounted for on a non-accrual basis.
The following table presents loans classified as troubled debt restructurings as defined in ASC
310-40:
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled debt restructurings |
$ | 9,250 | $ | 4,188 | $ | | $ | | $ | |
At December 31, 2010, there were no loans classified for regulatory purposes as doubtful,
substandard or special mention that have not been disclosed above which (i) represent or result
from trends or uncertainties which management reasonably expects will materially impact future
operating results, liquidity or capital resources, or (ii) represent material credits about which
management is aware of any information which causes management to have serious doubts as to the
ability of such borrowers to comply with the loan repayment terms.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Loan Loss Experience
An analysis of the Banks loss experience is furnished in the following table for the periods
indicated.
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of year |
$ | 5,072 | $ | 4,284 | $ | 5,059 | $ | 4,386 | $ | 3,756 | ||||||||||
Charge-offs: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate construction |
3,663 | 1,382 | 1,107 | | | |||||||||||||||
Real estate residential |
980 | 553 | 798 | 28 | 98 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate commercial |
850 | | 26 | | | |||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
139 | 208 | 223 | 163 | 106 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer |
147 | 199 | 110 | 97 | 95 | |||||||||||||||
5,779 | 2,342 | 2,264 | 288 | 299 | ||||||||||||||||
Recoveries: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate construction |
16 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Real estate residential |
13 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Real estate commercial |
22 | 1 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
63 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer |
104 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 7 | |||||||||||||||
218 | 48 | 33 | 52 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
Net (charge-offs) recoveries |
(5,561 | ) | (2,294 | ) | (2,231 | ) | (236 | ) | (268 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision charged to operations |
8,355 | 3,082 | 1,456 | 909 | 898 | |||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses, end of year |
$ | 7,866 | $ | 5,072 | $ | 4,284 | $ | 5,059 | $ | 4,386 | ||||||||||
Ratio of net (charge-offs) recoveries
during the period to average loans
outstanding during the period |
(1.49 | %) | (.67 | %) | (.67 | %) | (.08 | %) | (.10 | %) |
Allowance for Loan Losses
In the normal course of business, the Bank has recognized and will continue to recognize losses
resulting from the inability of certain borrowers to repay loans and the insufficient realizable
value of collateral securing such loans.
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Table of Contents
Accordingly, management has established an allowance for loan losses, which totaled approximately
$7,866,000 at December 31, 2010, which is allocated according to the following table, along with
the percentage of loans in each category to total loans:
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio | Portfolio | Portfolio | Portfolio | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance | as % of | Allowance | as % of | Allowance | as % of | Allowance | as % of | Allowance | as % of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
$ | 227 | 6.4 | % | $ | 259 | 6.8 | % | $ | 436 | 9.3 | % | $ | 562 | 9.2 | % | $ | 883 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate construction |
3,908 | 27.3 | % | 2,364 | 31.9 | % | 1,838 | 31.2 | % | 1,928 | 27.8 | % | 1,442 | 26.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate residential |
1,070 | 19.3 | % | 827 | 19.6 | % | 622 | 19.6 | % | 639 | 16.6 | % | 650 | 16.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate commercial |
1,617 | 44.9 | % | 1,319 | 39.5 | % | 1,147 | 37.2 | % | 1,608 | 43.2 | % | 1,110 | 43.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer |
251 | 2.1 | % | 176 | 2.2 | % | 133 | 2.7 | % | 195 | 3.2 | % | 191 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unallocated |
793 | | 127 | | 107 | | 127 | | 110 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 7,866 | $ | 5,072 | $ | 4,284 | $ | 5,059 | $ | 4,386 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In evaluating the Banks allowance for loan losses, management takes into consideration
concentrations within the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, growth of the portfolio,
current economic conditions and the appraised value of collateral securing loans. Although
management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate, managements evaluation of losses is
a continuing process which may necessitate adjustments to the allowance in future periods.
Real estate residential loans constituted approximately 19.3% of outstanding loans at December 31,
2010. Residential mortgages are generally secured by the underlying residence. Management of the
Bank currently believes that these loans are adequately secured.
Real estate commercial loans were approximately 44.9% of outstanding loans at December 31, 2010.
Management believes the risk of loss for commercial real estate loans is generally higher than
residential loans. Management continuously monitors the performance of the commercial real estate
portfolio and collateral values.
Real estate construction loans represented approximately 27.3% of the Banks outstanding loans at
December 31, 2010. This category of the loan portfolio consists of commercial and residential
construction and development loans located in the Banks market areas in Georgia and Florida.
Management of the Bank closely monitors the performance of these loans and periodically inspects
properties and development progress. Management considers these factors in estimating and
evaluating the allowance for loan losses.
Commercial loans represented approximately 6.4% of outstanding loans at December 31, 2010.
Commercial loans are generally considered by management as having greater risk than other
categories of loans in the Banks loan portfolio. However, the Bank generally originates commercial
loans on a secured basis, and at December 31, 2010, over 99% of the Banks commercial loans were
secured. Management believes that the secured status of a substantial portion of the commercial
loan portfolio greatly reduces the risk of loss inherently present in commercial loans.
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Table of Contents
Consumer loans represented approximately 2.1% of outstanding loans at December 31, 2010 and are
also well secured. At December 31, 2010, the majority of the Banks consumer loans were secured by
collateral primarily consisting of automobiles, boats and other personal property. Management
believes that these loans inherently possess less risk than other categories of loans.
Loans held for sale consist of single family residential mortgage loans originated by the Banks
Mortgage Division. These loans are originated with an investor purchase commitment and are sold
shortly after origination by the Bank.
The Banks management and Board of Directors monitor the loan portfolio monthly to evaluate the
adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Ratings on classified loans are also reviewed and
performance is evaluated in determining the allowance. The provision for loan losses charged to
operations is based on this analysis. In addition, management and the Board consider such factors
as delinquent loans, collateral values and economic conditions in their evaluation of the adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses.
Cash and Due from Banks
Cash on hand, cash items in the process of collection, and amounts due from correspondent banks and
the Federal Reserve Bank are included in Cash and Due from Banks. As of December 31, 2010,
interest-bearing cash on deposit with correspondent banks totaled $3.3 million compared to $2.1
million as of December 31, 2009. Interest-bearing cash on deposit in the Federal Reserve excess
balance fund was $22.2 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to $0 as of December 31, 2009.
Funds required to be on reserve with the Federal Reserve totaled $0 and $78,000 as of December 31,
2010 and 2009, respectively.
Investments
As of December 31, 2010, investment securities comprised approximately 17.9% of the Banks assets.
The Bank invests primarily in obligations of the United States or agencies of the United States,
mortgage-backed securities and obligations, certain obligations of states and municipalities,
corporate securities, Federal Home Loan Bank stock, and bank-owned life insurance. The Bank also
enters into federal funds transactions with its principal correspondent banks. The Bank may act as
a net seller or net purchaser of such funds.
The following table presents, for the dates indicated, the estimated fair market value of the
Banks investment securities available for sale. The Bank has classified all of its investment
securities as available for sale:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other U.S
government agencies |
$ | 28,229 | $ | 10,652 | $ | 27,330 | ||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
39,600 | 23,904 | 20,190 | |||||||||
Obligations of States and political subdivisions |
9,075 | 9,783 | 9,924 | |||||||||
Corporate obligations |
| 122 | 150 | |||||||||
Total investment securities |
$ | 76,904 | $ | 44,461 | $ | 57,594 | ||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank stock |
2,527 | 2,828 | 2,201 | |||||||||
Total investment securities and FHLB stock |
$ | 79,431 | $ | 47,289 | $ | 59,795 | ||||||
40
Table of Contents
The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average yields of the
Banks investment securities as of December 31, 2010:
Maturities of Investment Securities | ||||||||||||||||
Less Than | One To | Five To | Over | |||||||||||||
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Ten Years | |||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government agencies |
$ | | $ | 1,987 | $ | 10,441 | $ | 15,801 | ||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
419 | | 1,774 | 37,408 | ||||||||||||
Obligations of States and political subdivisions |
| 1,495 | 4,325 | 3,255 | ||||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank stock |
2,527 | | | | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 2,946 | $ | 3,482 | $ | 16,540 | $ | 56,464 | ||||||||
Weighted Average Yields | ||||||||||||||||
Less Than | One To | Five To | Over | |||||||||||||
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Ten Years | |||||||||||||
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and other U.S.
government agencies |
| 1.00 | % | 2.69 | % | 6.00 | % | |||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
2.52 | % | | 4.01 | % | 3.13 | % | |||||||||
Obligations of States and political subdivisions |
| 4.01 | % | 3.92 | % | 4.06 | % | |||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank stock |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Total weighted average yield |
2.52 | % | 2.29 | % | 3.15 | % | 3.31 | % |
The weighted average yields on tax-exempt obligations presented in the table above have been
computed on a tax-equivalent basis.
Increased liquidity has resulted in significant increases in investment securities, resulting in
greater occurrence of issuer concentrations. The table below reflects investments with issuers
exceeding 10% of the Companys shareholders equity as of December 31, 2010:
Book Value | Market Value | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Freddie Mac |
||||||||
U.S. agency securities |
$ | 9,500 | $ | 9,441 | ||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
7,542 | 7,733 | ||||||
Ginnie Mae |
||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
11,442 | 11,566 | ||||||
Fannie Mae |
||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
15,718 | 15,782 | ||||||
Small Business Association |
||||||||
U.S. agency securities |
14,265 | 14,261 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 58,467 | $ | 58,783 | ||||
In September 2007, an $8.0 million bank-owned life insurance policy (BOLI) was acquired in order to
insure the key officers of the Bank. Per ASC 325-30, Investments in Insurance Contracts, this
policy recorded at its cash surrender value, net of surrender charges and/or early termination
charges. As of December 31, 2010, the BOLI cash surrender value was $9.2 million resulting in other
income for 2010 of $398,000 and an annualized net yield of 4.43%.
41
Table of Contents
Deposits
The Bank offers a wide range of commercial and consumer interest bearing and non-interest bearing
deposit accounts, including checking accounts, money market accounts, negotiable order of
withdrawal (NOW) accounts, individual retirement accounts, certificates of deposit and regular
savings accounts. The sources of deposits are residents, businesses and employees of businesses
within the Banks market area, obtained through the personal solicitation of the Banks officers
and directors, direct mail solicitation and advertisements published in the local media. Although
de-emphasized in 2010, the Bank has also utilized the brokered certificate of deposit market and
the CDARS program for funding needs for loan origination and liquidity. These brokered and CDARS
deposits are included in time deposits on the balance sheet. The Bank pays competitive interest
rates on time and savings deposits. In addition, the Bank has implemented a service charge fee
schedule competitive with other financial institutions in the Banks market area, covering such
matters as maintenance fees on checking accounts, per item processing fees on checking accounts,
returned check charges and similar items.
The following table details, for the indicated periods, the average amount of and average rate paid
on each of the following deposit categories (dollar amounts in thousands):
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average | Rate | Average | Rate | Average | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
Deposit Category | Amount | Paid | Amount | Paid | Amount | Paid | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest
bearing demand
deposits |
$ | 42,066 | | $ | 36,439 | | $ | 33,501 | | |||||||||||||||
NOW and money
market deposits |
63,299 | 0.85 | % | 47,245 | 0.74 | % | 40,447 | 1.34 | % | |||||||||||||||
Savings deposits |
52,102 | 1.09 | % | 52,515 | 1.12 | % | 67,259 | 2.09 | % | |||||||||||||||
Time deposits |
246,359 | 2.12 | % | 256,146 | 3.05 | % | 231,736 | 4.31 | % |
The maturities of certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts of $100,000 or
more as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:
2010 | ||||
(in thousands) | ||||
Three months or less |
$ | 23,973 | ||
Over three months through six months |
30,996 | |||
Over six months through twelve months |
43,211 | |||
Over twelve months |
73,663 | |||
Total |
$ | 171,843 | ||
Borrowed Funds
The Banks borrowed funds consist of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, including
federal funds purchased, retail repurchase agreements and lines of credit with the Federal Home
Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve. The average balance of borrowed funds was approximately $29.2
million, $38.4 million, and $36.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
The most significant borrowed funds categories for the Bank are the lines of credit from the
Federal Home Loan Bank, consisting of the Loans Held for Sale program, a 1-4 family and
commercial real estate loans line of credit (1-4 LOC), and two long-term convertible advances.
42
Table of Contents
At December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, there was no outstanding balance on the LHFS line of credit.
The average balance outstanding for the year 2010 on the LHFS line of credit was $3,000 with a
weighted average interest rate of 0.97%. The average balance outstanding for the year 2009 on the
LHFS line of credit was $1.7 million with a weighted average interest rate of 1.05%. For 2008, the
average balance outstanding was $76,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 3.20%. The maximum
amount outstanding on the LHFS line of credit at any month end during 2010 was $0, compared to
$10.8 million, in 2009, and $4.0 million in 2008. The LHFS line of credit is secured by the
mortgage loans held for sale originated with the borrowed funds. The interest rate on the LHFS line
of credit is equal to the Federal Home Loan Banks Daily Rate Credit Program rate plus 50 basis
points.
At December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance on the 1-4 LOC was $0, compared to an outstanding
balance of $3.6 million with an interest rate of 0.36% at December 31, 2009. In 2008 the
outstanding balance was $6.0 million with an interest rate of 0.46%. The average balance
outstanding on the 1-4 LOC was $244,000 for 2010 with a weighted average interest rate of 0.47%.
The average balance outstanding on the 1-4 LOC was $4.6 million for 2009 with a weighted average
interest rate of 0.47%. In 2008, the average balance outstanding was $8.3 million with a weighted
average interest rate of 2.40%. The maximum amount outstanding on the 1-4 LOC at any month end
during 2010 was $7.0 million, compared to $8.6 million in 2009, and $24.0 million in 2008. This 1-4
LOC is secured by the Banks portfolio of 1-4 family first mortgage loans, excluding those loans
that are held for sale, and commercial real estate loans. The interest rate on the 1-4 LOC is equal
to the Federal Home Loan Banks Daily Rate Credit Program.
During 2007, a long-term convertible advance was established as an additional line of credit. At
December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance on this advance was $10.0 million with a weighted
average interest rate of 3.83%. This advance matures December 2012 and was callable until December
2010. An additional, but similar, long-term convertible advance was also established during 2008.
At December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance on this advance was $15.0 million with a weighted
average interest rate of 3.33%. This advance matures May 2013 and was callable until May 2010.
Return on Equity and Assets
The following table presents certain profitability, return and capital ratios for the Company as of
the end of the past three fiscal years.
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||
Return on Average Assets |
0.32 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.62 | % | ||||||
Return on Average Equity |
3.41 | % | 8.93 | % | 7.36 | % | ||||||
Dividend Payout Ratio |
| | | |||||||||
Equity to Assets Ratio |
9.08 | % | 8.94 | % | 8.48 | % |
Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity
Deposit levels and the associated timing and quantity of funds flowing into and out of a bank
inherently involve a degree of uncertainty. In order to ensure that it is capable of meeting
depositors demands for funds, the Bank must maintain adequate liquidity. Liquid assets consisting
primarily of cash and deposits due from other banks, federal funds sold, funds held in a Federal
Reserve excess balance account, and investment securities maturing within one year provide the
source of such funds. Insufficient liquidity may force a bank to engage in emergency measures to
secure necessary funding, which could be costly and negatively affect earnings. The Bank monitors
its liquidity on a monthly basis and seeks to maintain it at an optimal level.
As of December 31, 2010, the Banks liquidity ratio was 28.5% as compared to 23.4% at December 31,
2009. In addition to the liquid assets described above, the Bank has a reserve funding source in
the form of federal funds lines of credit with First National Bankers Bank and SunTrust Bank.
Management is not aware of any demands, commitments or uncertainties which could materially affect
the Banks liquidity position. However, should an unforeseen demand for funds arise, the Bank held
readily marketable investment securities at December 31, 2010 with a total market value of $79.1
million in its available-for-sale portfolio and Federal Home Loan Bank stock which would provide an
additional source of liquidity.
43
Table of Contents
Gap management is a conservative asset/liability strategy designed to maximize earnings over a
complete interest rate cycle while reducing or minimizing the Banks exposure to interest rate
risk. Various assets and liabilities are termed rate sensitive when the interest rate can be
replaced. By definition, the gap is the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate
sensitive liabilities in a given time horizon. At December 31, 2010, the Bank was asset sensitive
in the 0-3 month and 5 years or more time frames, but liability sensitive in the 3-12 month and 1-5
years time frames.
The following is an analysis of rate sensitive assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2010 (in
thousands):
5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 - 3 mos. | 3 - 12 mos. | 1 - 5 years | or more | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Taxable securities |
$ | 158 | $ | 261 | $ | 1,987 | $ | 65,423 | $ | 67,829 | ||||||||||
Tax-exempt securities |
| | 1,495 | 7,580 | 9,075 | |||||||||||||||
Federal funds sold and cash in banks |
25,526 | | | | 25,526 | |||||||||||||||
Loans |
150,913 | 74,914 | 77,407 | 60,145 | 363,379 | |||||||||||||||
Total rate sensitive assets |
176,597 | 75,175 | 80,889 | 133,148 | 465,809 | |||||||||||||||
NOW and money market deposits |
74,681 | | | | 74,681 | |||||||||||||||
Savings deposits |
53,880 | | | | 53,880 | |||||||||||||||
Time deposits |
36,520 | 113,196 | 94,772 | 98 | 244,586 | |||||||||||||||
Total rate sensitive deposits |
165,081 | 113,196 | 94,772 | 98 | 373,147 | |||||||||||||||
Borrowed funds |
3,467 | | | | 3,467 | |||||||||||||||
Total rate sensitive liabilities |
168,548 | 113,196 | 94,772 | 98 | 376,614 | |||||||||||||||
Excess of rate sensitive assets less rate
sensitive liabilities |
$ | 8,049 | $ | (38,021 | ) | $ | (13,883 | ) | $ | 133,050 | $ | 89,195 | ||||||||
Cumulative ratio of rate sensitive assets
to liabilities |
105 | % | 89 | % | 88 | % | 124 | % | ||||||||||||
Cumulative gap |
$ | 8,049 | $ | (29,972 | ) | $ | (43,855 | ) | $ | 89,195 |
Capital Resources
The equity capital of the Bank totaled $44.6 million at December 31, 2010, an increase of $1.5
million, or 3.5%, from equity capital of $43.1 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in equity
capital was attributable to the Banks net income of $1.7 million, offset by a decrease of $0.1
million in the Banks after-tax unrealized gain/(loss) on available-for-sale securities which,
under ASC 320-10, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities, is recognized in the available-for-sale
portion of the bond portfolio by making adjustments to the equity capital account. The equity
capital of the Company consolidated totaled $45.0 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $43.3
million at December 31, 2009.
Management believes that the capitalization of the Company and the Bank consolidated is adequate to
sustain the growth experienced in 2010. The following table sets forth the applicable actual and
required capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2010:
44
Table of Contents
Minimum | ||||||||
December 31, 2010 | Regulatory Requirement | |||||||
Bank |
||||||||
Total risk-based capital ratio |
12.91 | % | 8.0 | % | ||||
Tier 1 Capital ratio |
11.65 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||
Leverage ratio |
9.17 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||
Company Consolidated |
||||||||
Total risk-based capital ratio |
13.01 | % | 8.0 | % | ||||
Tier 1 Capital ratio |
11.75 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||
Leverage ratio |
9.24 | % | 4.0 | % |
The above ratios indicate that the capital position of the Company and the Bank are sound and that
the Company is well positioned for future growth.
There are no commitments of capital resources known to management which would have a material
impact on the Banks capital position.
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable
market data and therefore measurements are based primarily upon estimates, are often calculated
based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability,
and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be
realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there
may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions
used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the
results of current or future values.
The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and
liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at
fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to
record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, loans held
for investment, and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically
involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.
Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair
value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available,
fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques
such as present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the securities credit rating, prepayment
assumptions, and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. At December 31, 2010, the Company
classified $76.9 million of investment securities available-for-sale subject to recurring fair
value adjustments as Level 2. The Companys principal market for these securities is the secondary
institutional markets and valuations are based on observable market data in those markets.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due
to a change in interest rates, exchange rates and equity prices. Our primary market risk is
interest rate risk.
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The primary objective of asset/liability management is to manage interest rate risk and achieve
reasonable stability in net interest income throughout interest rate cycles. This is achieved by
maintaining the proper balance of rate sensitive earning assets and rate sensitive liabilities. The
relationship that compares rate sensitive earning assets to rate sensitive liabilities is the
principal factor in projecting the effect that fluctuating interest rates will have on future net
interest income. Rate sensitive earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are those that can
be re-priced to current market rates within a relatively short time period. Management monitors the
rate sensitivity of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities over the entire life of these
instruments in order to manage this risk.
We have not experienced a high level of volatility in net interest income primarily because of the
relatively large base of core deposits that do not re-price on a contractual basis. These deposit
products include regular savings, interest-bearing transaction accounts and money market savings
accounts. Balances for these accounts are reported based on historical re-pricing. However, the
rates paid are typically not directly related to market interest rates, since management has some
discretion in adjusting these rates as market rates change.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank may enter into off-balance sheet financial instruments
which are not reflected in the financial statements. These instruments include commitments to
extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the
financial statements when funds are disbursed or the instruments become payable.
Following is an analysis of significant off-balance sheet financial instruments:
December 31, 2010 | December 31, 2009 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Commitments to extend credit |
$ | 49,477 | $ | 59,082 | ||||
Standby letters of credit |
5,154 | 5,712 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 54,631 | $ | 64,794 | ||||
Contractual Obligations
We have various contractual obligations that we must fund as part of our normal operations. The
following table shows aggregate information about our contractual obligations, including interest,
and the periods in which payments are due. The amounts and time periods are measured from December
31, 2010, based upon rates in effect at December 31, 2010.
Payments Due by Period (in thousands)
Less than | More than | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | 5 years | ||||||||||||||||
Time Deposits |
$ | 244,586 | $ | 149,716 | $ | 82,629 | $ | 12,144 | $ | 97 | ||||||||||
Long-Term Debt |
27,154 | 957 | 26,197 | | | |||||||||||||||
Data Processing Obligations |
3,261 | 712 | 1,423 | 1,126 | | |||||||||||||||
Operating Lease Obligations |
703 | 297 | 378 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Service Contract Obligations |
400 | 287 | 113 | | | |||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 276,104 | $ | 151,969 | $ | 110,740 | $ | 13,284 | $ | 111 | ||||||||||
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Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Information in response to this Item 7A is incorporated by reference from the previous sections of
Item 7 of this report: Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk.
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
The following financial statements are filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and incorporated herein
by reference:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Income
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
There has been no occurrence requiring a response to this item.
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this report
and have concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
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Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Companys management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Companys
management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an
evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the
framework in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, the Companys management
concluded that the Companys internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December
31, 2010.
Pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only
managements report in this annual report, this report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation
report of the Companys registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of 2010, there were no changes in the Companys internal control over
financial reporting that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially
affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. | Other Information. |
Not applicable.
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PART III
Certain information required by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the
Companys definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for the Companys
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 23, 2011 (the Proxy Statement). The Company
will, within 120 days of the end of its fiscal year, file the Proxy Statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. |
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled
Corporate Governance and Board Matters, Election of Directors and Executive Officers
contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. | Executive Compensation. |
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled
Executive Compensation contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. |
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management contained in the Proxy Statement.
See also the section entitled Equity Compensation Plan Information in Item 5 of this Annual
Report.
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. |
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled
Corporate Governance and Board Matters and Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and
Certain Control Persons contained in the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The information responsive to this item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled
Proposal No. 3: Ratification of Appointment of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. contained in the
Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. |
(a)1. The following financial statements are filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and
incorporated herein by reference:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Income
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 |
||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(a)2. Financial Statement Schedules
Not Applicable
(a)3 & (b). The following exhibits are filed with this report:
Exhibit | ||||||||
Number | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated herein by reference
to the exhibit contained in the Companys Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Registration No.
333-69763, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
3.1.1 | | Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit contained in the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000,
previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
3.2 | | By-Laws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit
contained in the Companys Registration Statement on Form SB-2 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Registration No. 333-69763)). |
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Exhibit | ||||||||
Number | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
* 10.1 | | 1997 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit
contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2002, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
*10.1.1 | | Amendment to 1997 Stock Option Plan effective July 28, 2008 (filed herewith). |
||||||
*10.1.2 | | Amendment to 1997 Stock Option Plan effective July 26, 2010 (incorporated
herein by reference to the exhibit 10.2 contained in the Companys Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, previously filed
with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.1 | | 1997 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit
contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2002, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.2 | | 2004 Incentive Plan as amended (incorporated herein by reference to the
Exhibit 10.1 contained in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2010, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.3 | | Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the Companys 2004 Incentive
Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit contained in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005,
previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.4 | | Severance Protection Agreement between First Bank of Georgia and Remer Y.
Brinson, III, dated September 4, 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to
the exhibit contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.5 | | Severance Protection Agreement with Thomas J. Flournoy (incorporated herein
by reference to the exhibit contained in the Companys Form 8-K filing on
June 26, 2009 previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
* 10.6 | | Compensation Arrangement with Remer Y. Brinson, III (filed herewith). |
||||||
* 10.7 | | Compensation Arrangement with Thomas J. Flournoy (filed herewith). |
||||||
* 10.8 | | First Bank of Georgia Annual Incentive Plan for Remer Y. Brinson, III (filed
herewith). |
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Exhibit | ||||||||
Number | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
* 10.9 | | Directors Equity Incentive Plan effective October 26, 2009 (incorporated
herein by reference to the exhibit contained in the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, previously filed with the
Commission). |
||||||
14.1 | | Code of Ethics (incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 99.2 contained
in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 2004, previously filed with the Commission). |
||||||
21.1 | | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
||||||
23.1 | | Consent of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. |
||||||
31.1 | | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section
302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
||||||
31.2 | | Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant
to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
||||||
32.1 | | Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
||||||
99.1 | | Financial Statements. |
* | - Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 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.
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC. |
||||
Date: March 29, 2011 | By: | /s/ Remer Y. Brinson, III | ||
Remer Y. Brinson, III | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
||||
Date: March 29, 2011 | By: | /s/ Thomas J. Flournoy | ||
Thomas J. Flournoy | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
DIRECTORS | DATE | DIRECTORS | DATE | |||
/s/ Patrick G. Blanchard
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ Robert N. Wilson, Jr.
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ Remer Y. Brinson, III
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ A. Montague Miller
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ Mac A. Bowman
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ George H. Inman
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ Philip G. Farr
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ David W. Joesbury, Sr.
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ Samuel A. Fowler, Jr.
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ James L. Lemley, M.D.
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ Arthur J. Gay, Jr.
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ Julian W. Osbon
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ John W. Lee
|
March 29, 2011 | /s/ Bennye M. Young
|
March 29, 2011 | |||
/s/ William D. McKnight
|
March 29, 2011 |
54