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AMES NATIONAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2009 June (Form 10-Q)

form10-q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
[Mark One]
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

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 Number 0-32637

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

IOWA
 
42-1039071
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 
(I. R. S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
 
Identification Number)

405 FIFTH STREET
AMES, IOWA 50010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (515) 232-6251

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( Section 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer T
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

COMMON STOCK, $2.00 PAR VALUE
 
9,432,915
(Class)
 
(Shares Outstanding at July 31, 2009)
 


 
 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

INDEX

       
Page
         
PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
         
Item 1.
 
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
3
         
     
3
         
     
4
         
     
5
         
     
7
         
Item 2.
   
15
         
Item 3.
   
35
         
Item 4.
   
35
         
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
   
         
Item 1.
   
35
         
Item 1.A.
   
35
         
Item 2.
   
36
         
Item 3.
   
36
         
Item 4.
   
36
         
Item 5.
   
37
         
Item 6.
   
37
         
 
38

 
2


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 16,091,796     $ 24,697,591  
Federal funds sold
    -       16,533,000  
Interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    37,303,384       10,400,761  
Securities available-for-sale
    369,918,685       313,014,375  
Loans receivable, net
    422,261,193       452,880,348  
Loans held for sale
    2,657,569       1,152,020  
Bank premises and equipment, net
    12,201,689       12,570,302  
Accrued income receivable
    5,478,330       6,650,287  
Deferred income taxes
    4,194,872       5,838,044  
Other real estate owned
    13,197,056       13,333,565  
Other assets
    621,215       1,070,588  
                 
Total assets
  $ 883,925,789     $ 858,140,881  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits
               
Demand, noninterest bearing
  $ 81,211,180     $ 99,830,687  
NOW accounts
    173,626,736       165,422,333  
Savings and money market
    188,908,676       153,771,034  
Time, $100,000 and over
    83,791,254       81,378,796  
Other time
    156,583,479       164,391,860  
Total deposits
    684,121,325       664,794,710  
                 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    46,461,406       38,509,559  
Other short-term borrowings
    325,219       1,063,806  
Long-term borrowings
    40,500,000       43,500,000  
Dividend payable
    943,292       2,641,216  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    4,217,006       3,794,140  
Total liabilities
    776,568,248       754,303,431  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock, $2 par value, authorized 18,000,000 shares;9,432,915 shares issued and outstanding
    18,865,830       18,865,830  
Additional paid-in capital
    22,651,222       22,651,222  
Retained earnings
    65,434,543       62,471,081  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)-net unrealized income (losses) on securities available-for-sale
    405,946       (150,683 )
Total stockholders' equity
    107,357,541       103,837,450  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 883,925,789     $ 858,140,881  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
3


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
 
    Three Months Ended    
Six Month Ended
 
    June 30,    
June 30,
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Interest and dividend income:
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 6,389,627     $ 7,331,295     $ 13,000,802     $ 15,149,526  
Securities:
                               
Taxable
    2,121,653       2,480,918       4,325,347       4,990,127  
Tax-exempt
    1,249,133       1,261,287       2,454,988       2,608,128  
Federal funds sold
    8,253       90,962       19,328       134,449  
Dividends
    57,602       373,243       143,275       669,737  
                                 
Total interest income
    9,826,268       11,537,705       19,943,740       23,551,967  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
Deposits
    2,183,150       3,647,078       4,624,680       8,074,644  
Other borrowed funds
    476,498       533,972       944,882       1,129,599  
                                 
Total interest expense
    2,659,648       4,181,050       5,569,562       9,204,243  
                                 
Net interest income
    7,166,620       7,356,655       14,374,178       14,347,724  
                                 
Provision for loan losses
    326,670       818,995       556,324       928,694  
                                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,839,950       6,537,660       13,817,854       13,419,030  
                                 
Noninterest income (loss):
                               
Trust department income
    390,882       393,886       773,434       831,153  
Service fees
    449,382       451,594       870,832       880,932  
Securities gains (losses), net
    255,088       893,411       (95,587 )     1,141,781  
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities
    (6,904 )     (2,328,430 )     (29,565 )     (2,555,430 )
Loan and secondary market fees
    256,776       200,246       519,682       386,539  
Merchant and ATM fees
    153,159       160,782       299,169       314,002  
Other
    230,241       212,176       396,631       376,902  
                                 
Total noninterest income (loss)
    1,728,624       (16,335 )     2,734,596       1,375,879  
                                 
Noninterest expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,703,106       2,501,007       5,049,865       5,080,915  
Data processing
    541,678       624,485       1,020,313       1,170,360  
Occupancy expenses
    302,240       377,965       695,044       806,066  
FDIC insurance assessments
    557,091       48,000       1,037,002       88,906  
Other real estate owned
    727,793       31,167       1,154,637       60,881  
Other operating expenses
    705,236       684,603       1,406,703       1,318,793  
                                 
Total noninterest expense
    5,537,144       4,267,227       10,363,564       8,525,921  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    3,031,430       2,254,098       6,188,886       6,268,988  
                                 
Income tax expense
    622,525       386,897       1,338,841       1,501,159  
                                 
Net income
  $ 2,408,905     $ 1,867,201     $ 4,850,045     $ 4,767,829  
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.26     $ 0.20     $ 0.51     $ 0.51  
                                 
Declared dividends per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.28     $ 0.20     $ 0.56  
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 4,360,628     $ (3,028,334 )   $ 5,406,674     $ 2,093,762  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
4


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 4,850,045     $ 4,767,829  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    556,324       928,694  
Amortization and accretion
    184,623       (128,599 )
Depreciation
    432,738       581,737  
Provision for deferred taxes
    1,316,262       (743,925 )
Securities losses (gains), net
    95,587       (1,141,781 )
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities
    29,565       2,555,430  
Impairment on other real estate owned
    931,533       -  
Loss on disposal of equipment
    1,096       -  
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in loans held for sale
    (1,505,549 )     (1,857,295 )
Decrease in accrued income receivable
    1,171,957       1,353,650  
Decrease in other assets
    449,373       144,809  
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
    422,866       84,801  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    8,936,420       6,545,350  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of securities available-for-sale
    (136,151,556 )     (113,479,346 )
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale
    33,751,830       49,909,764  
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available-for-sale
    46,069,180       55,099,059  
Net increase in interest bearing deposits in financial institutions
    (26,902,623 )     (5,503,527 )
Net decrease (increase) in federal funds sold
    16,533,000       (9,900,000 )
Net decrease in loans
    28,563,420       5,208,694  
Net proceeds for the sale of other real estate owned
    702,137       520,000  
Purchase of bank premises and equipment, net
    (65,221 )     (122,203 )
Improvements in other real estate owned
    2,250       -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (37,497,583 )     (18,267,559 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Increase (decrease) in deposits
    19,326,615       (11,092,021 )
Increase in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    7,951,847       9,341,345  
Payments on other short-term borrowings, net
    (738,587 )     (52,348 )
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    2,500,000       15,500,000  
Payments on long-term borrowings
    (5,500,000 )     -  
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
    -       69,201  
Dividends paid
    (3,584,507 )     (5,186,269 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    19,955,368       8,579,908  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (8,605,795 )     (3,142,301 )
                 
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
               
Beginning
    24,697,591       26,044,577  
Ending
  $ 16,091,796     $ 22,902,276  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
5


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
           
Cash payments (receipts) for:
           
Interest
  $ 5,809,507     $ 8,502,724  
Income taxes
    (566,065 )     2,393,024  
                 
SUPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
  $ 1,499,411     $ 127,343  


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
6


AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.
Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are unaudited. In the opinion of the management of Ames National Corporation (the "Company"), these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly these consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for an entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the year-end audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the ”Annual Report”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (the “Banks”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to previously presented financial statements to conform to the 2009 presentation.

Fair value of financial instruments:  The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures:

Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions:  The recorded amount of these assets approximates fair value.

Securities available-for-sale:  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 the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the securities credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.

Loans held for sale:  The fair value of loans held for sale is based on prevailing market prices.

Loans receivable:  The fair value of loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates, which reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.  The estimate of maturity is based on the historical experience, with repayments for each loan classification modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.  The effect of nonperforming loans is considered in assessing the credit risk inherent in the fair value estimate.

Deposit liabilities:  Fair values of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and NOW accounts, and money market accounts, are equal to the amount payable on demand as of the respective balance sheet date.  Fair values of certificates of deposit are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximate fair value because of the generally short-term nature of the instruments.

 
7


Other short-term borrowings:  The carrying amounts of other short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the generally short-term nature of the instruments.

Long-term borrowings: Fair values of long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Accrued income receivable and accrued interest payable:  The carrying amounts of accrued income receivable and interest payable approximate fair value.

2.
Dividends

On May 14, 2009, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock, payable on August 17, 2009 to stockholders of record as of August 3, 2009, equal to $0.10 per share.

3.
Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share amounts were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the periods presented. The weighted average outstanding shares for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were 9,432,915 and 9,430,131, respectively.  The weighted average outstanding shares for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were 9,432,915 and 9,429,855, respectively.  The Company had no potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the periods presented.

4.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2008.

 
8


5.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (as described in Note 1) were as follows:

   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
                         
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 16,091,796     $ 16,092,000     $ 24,697,591     $ 24,698,000  
Federal funds sold
    -       -       16,533,000       16,533,000  
Interest-bearing deposits
    37,303,384       37,303,000       10,400,761       10,401,000  
Securities available-for-sale
    369,918,685       369,919,000       313,014,375       313,014,000  
Loans receivable, net
    422,261,193       425,574,000       452,880,348       448,238,000  
Loans held for sale
    2,657,569       2,658,000       1,152,020       1,152,000  
Accrued income receivable
    5,478,330       5,478,000       6,650,287       6,650,000  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 684,121,325     $ 687,604,000     $ 664,794,710     $ 668,424,000  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    46,461,406       46,461,000       38,509,559       38,510,000  
Other short-term borrowings
    325,219       325,000       1,063,806       1,064,000  
Long-term borrowings
    40,500,000       44,566,000       43,500,000       46,286,000  
Accrued interest payable
    1,338,510       1,339,000       1,578,301       1,578,000  

The methodology used to determine fair value as of June 30, 2009 did not change from the methodology used in the Annual Report.

6.
Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which requires disclosures for those assets and liabilities carried in the balance sheet on a fair value basis.  The Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until 2009 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities which are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  For the Company, this deferral applied to other real estate owned and effective January 1, 2009, the Company included the required disclosures for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

SFAS No. 157 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value also be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value.  There are three levels of determining fair value.


 
Level 1:
Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

 
Level 2:
Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 
Level 3:
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 
9


The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

June 30, 2009
       
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
         
Active markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
         
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
                       
                         
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 369,919,000     $ 5,264,000     $ 364,655,000     $ -  
                                 
 
                               
December 31, 2008
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
           
Active markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
           
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                                 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
                               
                                 
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 313,014,000     $ 8,445,000     $ 304,569,000     $ -  

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 the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the securities credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, as well as U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 securities include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities (including pools and collateralized mortgage obligations), municipal bonds, and corporate debt securities.

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following table presents the assets carried on the balance sheet (after specific reserves) by caption and by level with the SFAS No. 157 valuation hierarchy as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:  

 
10

 
June 30, 2009
       
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
         
Active markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
         
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
                       
                         
Loans
  $ 9,614,000     $ -     $ -     $ 9,614,000  
                                 
Other real estate owned
    13,197,000       -       -       13,197,000  
                                 
Total
  $ 22,811,000     $ -     $ -     $ 22,811,000  
                                 
 
                               
December 31, 2008
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
 
           
Active markets for
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
           
Identical Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                                 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
                               
                                 
Loans
  $ 6,253,000     $ -     $ -     $ 6,253,000  
 
Loans in the tables above consist of impaired credits held for investment.  Impaired loans are valued by management based on collateral values underlying the loans.  Management uses original appraised values and adjusts for trends observed in the market to determine the value of impaired loans.  Other real estate owned in the table above consists of real estate obtained through foreclosure.  Management uses appraised values and adjusts for trends observed in the market and for disposition costs in determining the value of other real estate owned.


7.
Debt and Equity Securities

 
11


The amortized cost of securities available for sale and their approximate fair values are summarized below:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2009:
                       
U.S. treasury
  $ 498,529     $ 34,777     $ -     $ 533,306  
U.S. government agencies
    81,056,991       843,774       (139,372 )     81,761,393  
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    89,673,501       1,640,903       (191,904 )     91,122,500  
State and political subdivisions
    153,552,112       1,763,806       (666,990 )     154,648,928  
Corporate bonds
    34,103,940       622,299       (1,120,820 )     33,605,419  
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    4,650,908       -       (1,679,808 )     2,971,100  
Equity securities, others
    5,738,345       23,400       (485,706 )     5,276,039  
    $ 369,274,326     $ 4,928,959     $ (4,284,600 )   $ 369,918,685  
                                 
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
December 31, 2008:
                               
U.S. treasury
  $ 498,102     $ 47,445     $ -     $ 545,547  
U.S. government agencies
    48,195,482       1,537,009       (37,748 )     49,694,743  
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    66,421,362       1,116,775       (22,258 )     67,515,879  
State and political subdivisions
    127,826,526       1,592,343       (677,869 )     128,741,000  
Corporate bonds
    58,003,206       224,679       (2,990,315 )     55,237,570  
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    6,251,728       205,593       (842,661 )     5,614,660  
Equity securities, others
    6,057,148       -       (392,172 )     5,664,976  
    $ 313,253,554     $ 4,723,844     $ (4,963,023 )   $ 313,014,375  

Non-interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was impacted by net security gains of approximately $255,000 and $893,000, respectively.  For the three months ended June 30, 2009, impairment charges were approximately $7,000, related to the Company’s investment in MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  For the three months ended June 30, 2008, impairment charges were $2,328,000, related to the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) preferred stock, Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) preferred stock and MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  Non-interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was impacted by net security gains (losses) of approximately ($96,000) and $1,142,000, respectively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, impairment charges were approximately $30,000, related to the Company’s investment in MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, impairment charges were $2,555,000, related to the Company’s investment in FHLMC preferred stock, FNMA preferred stock and MGIC Investment Corporation bonds.  The Company’s investment in FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock, the Lehman Brothers Holdings bonds and MGIC bonds are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and have been written down to their aggregate estimated fair values.  As of June 30, 2009, these investments have a carrying and fair value of $752,000.   All losses recognized in the statement of income for the three and six months ended 2009 and 2008 were considered credit losses and thus were recorded in full as impairment losses recognized in earnings.

 
12


Unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, are summarized as follows:

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
June 30, 2009:
                                   
                                     
Securities available for sale:
                                   
U.S. government agencies
  $ 23,409,381     $ (123,883 )   $ 547,505     $ (15,489 )   $ 23,956,886     $ (139,372 )
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    24,952,366       (191,046 )     66,591       (858 )     25,018,957       (191,904 )
State and political subsidivisions
    41,472,990       (577,825 )     2,907,368       (89,165 )     44,380,358       (666,990 )
Corporate obligations
    1,830,440       (25,651 )     15,750,914       (1,095,169 )     17,581,354       (1,120,820 )
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    2,618,300       (1,143,057 )     352,800       (536,751 )     2,971,100       (1,679,808 )
Equity securities, other
    -       -       1,702,787       (485,706 )     1,702,787       (485,706 )
    $ 94,283,477     $ (2,061,462 )   $ 21,327,965     $ (2,223,138 )   $ 115,611,442     $ (4,284,600 )
                                                 
                                                 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
December 31, 2008:
                                               
                                                 
Securities available for sale:
                                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 1,801,958     $ (17,068 )   $ 629,993     $ (20,680 )   $ 2,431,951     $ (37,748 )
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
    5,012,003       (18,645 )     100,052       (3,613 )     5,112,055       (22,258 )
State and political subsidivisions
    29,377,281       (594,462 )     1,482,034       (83,407 )     30,859,315       (677,869 )
Corporate obligations
    30,284,263       (1,810,579 )     10,092,995       (1,179,736 )     40,377,258       (2,990,315 )
Equity securities, financial industry common stock
    2,885,600       (842,661 )     -       -       2,885,600       (842,661 )
Equity securities, other
    2,175,237       (392,172 )     -       -       2,175,237       (392,172 )
    $ 71,536,342     $ (3,675,587 )   $ 12,305,074     $ (1,287,436 )   $ 83,841,416     $ (4,963,023 )

At June 30, 2009, 171 debt securities have unrealized losses of $2,119,086.  These losses are generally due to changes in interest rates or general market conditions.  In analyzing an issuers’ financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond ratings agencies have occurred and industry analysts’ reports.  Unrealized losses on equity securities totaled $2,165,514 as of June 30, 2009.  Management analyzed the financial condition of the equity issuers and considered the general market conditions and other factors in concluding that the unrealized losses on equity securities were not other-than-temporary.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values and management’s assessments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.


8.
Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
 
 
13


A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  The Company will apply its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment under FAS 114.  Impairment of $943,000 and $257,000 is included in the allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  The following is a recap of impaired loans at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Impaired loans without an allowance
  $ 4,523,000     $ 2,679,000  
Impaired loans with an allowance
    6,034,000       3,831,000  
Total impaired loans
    10,557,000       6,510,000  
                 
Allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans
    943,000       257,000  
                 
Net impaired loans
  $ 9,614,000     $ 6,253,000  

Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Balance, beginning
  $ 6,932,000     $ 5,847,000     $ 6,779,000     $ 5,781,000  
Loans charged-off
    (582,000 )     (96,000 )     (679,000 )     (169,000 )
Recoveries of loans charged-off
    11,000       39,000       32,000       68,000  
Net charge offs
    (571,000 )     (57,000 )     (647,000 )     (101,000 )
Provision for loan losses
    327,000       819,000       556,000       929,000  
Balance, ending
  $ 6,688,000     $ 6,609,000     $ 6,688,000     $ 6,609,000  

9.
New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.  The FSP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157 (FAS 157), Fair Value Measurements, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.  The adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 did not materially affect the Company’s 2009 consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments – an amendment to FASB Statement No. 107 (FAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28 (APB 28). The FSP amends FAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods.  The adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28 has been included in the disclosures in this Form 10-Q.

 
14


Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has early adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.  This FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. The Company applied FSP on FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 prospectively.  Management believes that the impairment of investment securities as of June 30, 2009, except the amounts recognized in the income statement for the six months ended June 30, 2009, are temporary under the FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 and other guidance.

In May, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement 165, Subsequent Events, to incorporate the accounting and disclosure requirements for subsequent events into U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Prior to the issuance of the Statement, these requirements were included in the auditing standards in AICPA AU section 560, Subsequent Events.  Statement No. 165 introduces new terminology, defines a date through which management must evaluate subsequent events, and lists the circumstances under which an entity must recognize and disclose events or transactions occurring after the balance-sheet date.  This Statement is effective for the Company for the period ended June 30, 2009.

Management evaluated subsequent events through August 6, 2009, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.  There were no significant events or transactions occurring after June 30, 2009, but prior to August 6, 2009 that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at June 30, 2009.  There were no events or transactions that provided evidence about conditions that did not exist at June 30, 2009.

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

Overview

Ames National Corporation is a bank holding company established in 1975 that owns and operates five bank subsidiaries in central Iowa.  The following discussion is provided for the consolidated operations of the Company and its Banks, First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (First National), State Bank & Trust Co. (State Bank), Boone Bank & Trust Co. (Boone Bank), Randall-Story State Bank (Randall-Story Bank) and United Bank & Trust NA (United Bank). The purpose of this discussion is to focus on significant factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

The Company does not engage in any material business activities apart from its ownership of the Banks.  Products and services offered by the Banks are for commercial and consumer purposes including loans, deposits and trust services.  The Banks also offer investment services through a third-party broker dealer.  The Company employs twelve individuals to assist with financial reporting, human resources, audit, compliance, marketing, technology systems and the coordination of management activities, in addition to 182 full-time equivalent individuals employed by the Banks.

The Company’s primary competitive strategy is to utilize seasoned and competent Bank management and local decision making authority to provide customers with faster response times and more flexibility in the products and services offered.  This strategy is viewed as providing an opportunity to increase revenues through creating a competitive advantage over other financial institutions.  The Company also strives to remain operationally efficient to provide better profitability while enabling the Company to offer more competitive loan and deposit rates.

 
15


The principal sources of Company revenues and cash flow are: (i) interest and fees earned on loans made by the Banks; (ii) securities gains and dividends on equity investments held by the Company and the Banks; (iii) service charges on deposit accounts maintained at the Banks; (iv) interest on fixed income investments held by the Banks; and (v) fees on trust services provided by those Banks exercising trust powers.  The Company’s principal expenses are: (i) interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings; (ii) salaries and employee benefits; (iii) data processing costs associated with maintaining the Bank’s loan and deposit functions; and (iv) occupancy expenses for maintaining the Banks’ facilities.  The largest component contributing to the Company’s net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings).  One of management’s principal functions is to manage the spread between interest earned on earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities in an effort to maximize net interest income while maintaining an appropriate level of interest rate risk.

The Company had net income of $2,409,000, or $0.26 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2009, compared to net income of $1,867,000, or $0.20 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  Total equity capital as of June 30, 2009 totaled $107 million or 12.1% of total assets as of June 30, 2009.

The Company’s earnings for the second quarter increased $542,000 from the $1,867,000 earned a year ago.  The higher quarterly earnings can be primarily attributed to decreased write downs associated with the other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and lower provision expense for loan losses.  Impairment of securities for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 of $7,000 related to a corporate bond issue of MGIC Investment Corporation.  During the same period in 2008, the Company had other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities of $2,328,000 related to FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and a corporate bond issue of MGIC Investment Corporation.  As of June 30, 2009, the carrying value and fair value of the other-than-temporary impaired securities totaled $752,000.  Management believes that additional impairment charges may be necessary on investment securities in future quarters if financial and economic conditions do not improve as perceived by bond investors.  Partially offsetting these improvements was an increase in other real estate owned costs, a decrease in securities gains and an increase in FDIC insurance assessments.  The increase in other real estate costs of $697,000 is due primarily to write downs on certain other real estate owned and other costs associated with the increased volume of other real estate owned.  The increase in the FDIC insurance assessments of $509,000 is due to higher quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment for 2009, which are also expected to negatively impact future quarters if bank failures continue to erode the FDIC insurance fund.  In 2009, 53 banks have failed compared to 25 bank failures in 2008.

Net loan charge-offs for the quarter totaled $571,000, compared to net charge-offs of $57,000 in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase in the charge-offs was primarily related to a commercial real estate loan for which collateral was repossessed in the second quarter of 2009. The provision for loan losses for the second quarter of 2009 totaled $327,000 compared to the provision for loan losses of $819,000 for the same period in 2008 due to higher specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans, offset in part by a lower general reserve due to a decrease in loan balances.

The Company had net income of $4,850,000, or $0.51 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to net income of $4,768,000, or $0.51 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

 
16


The Company’s earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased $82,000 from the $4,768,000 earned a year ago.  While the level of net income remained relatively stable, certain non-interest income and non-interest expense items incurred significant changes.  The six month period ending June 30, 2009 had much lower expense associated with the write down of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and lower provision expense for loan losses.  Impairment of securities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 of $30,000 related to a corporate bond issue of MGIC Investment Corporation.  For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company had other-than-temporary impairments of investment securities of $2,555,000 related to FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and a corporate bond issue of MGIC Investment Corporation.  The improvement in these areas was partially offset by higher write downs of other real estate owned, a decrease in securities gains and higher FDIC insurance assessments.  The increase in other real estate costs of $1,094,000 is due primarily to write downs on certain other real estate owned and other costs associated with the increased volume of other real estate owned.  The increase in the FDIC assessments of $948,000 is due primarily to higher quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment for 2009.

Net loan charge-offs for the six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $647,000, compared to net charge-offs of $101,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  The provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $556,000 compared to the provision for loan losses of $929,000 for the same period in 2008 due to higher specific allowance for loan losses on impaired loans, offset in part by a lower general reserve due to a decrease in loan balances.

The following management discussion and analysis will provide a review of important items relating to:

·
Challenges
·
Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results
·
Income Statement Review
·
Balance Sheet Review
·
Asset Quality and Credit Risk Management
·
Liquidity and Capital Resources
·
Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

Challenges

Management has identified certain challenges that may negatively impact the Company’s revenues in the future and is attempting to position the Company to best respond to those challenges.

·           On March 16, 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) informed the Company’s lead bank, First National, of the OCC’s decision to establish individual minimum capital ratios for First National in excess of the capital ratios that would otherwise be imposed under applicable regulatory standards.  The OCC is requiring First National to maintain, on an ongoing basis, Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 9% of Adjusted Total Assets and Total Risk Based Capital of 11% of Risk-Weighted Assets.  As of June 30, 2009, First National exceeded the 9% Tier 1 and 11% Risk Based capital requirements.  Failure to maintain the individual minimum capital ratios established by the OCC could result in additional regulatory action against First National.

·           On July 16, 2008, First National entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding with the OCC regarding First National’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, including actions to be taken with respect to commercial real estate risk management procedures, credit underwriting and administration, appraisal and evaluation process, problem loan management, credit risk ratings recognition and loan review procedures.  Since entering into the Memorandum, management has been actively pursuing the corrective actions required by the Memorandum in an effort to address the deficiencies noted in administration of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.

 
17


·           The Company and affiliate banks have invested in certain corporate bonds issued by companies whose financial condition may further deteriorate requiring additional impairment charges.  Additional impairment charges may be necessary on investment securities in future periods if financial and economic conditions do not improve as perceived by bond investors.

·           Banks have historically earned higher levels of net interest income by investing in longer term loans and securities at higher yields and paying lower deposit expense rates on shorter maturity deposits.  If the yield curve was to flatten or invert in 2009, the Company’s net interest margin may compress and net interest income may be negatively impacted.  Historically, management has been able to position the Company’s assets and liabilities to earn a satisfactory net interest margin during periods when the yield curve is flat or inverted by appropriately managing credit spreads on loans and maintaining adequate liquidity to provide flexibility in an effort to hold down funding costs.  Management would seek to follow a similar approach in dealing with this challenge in 2009.

·           While short term interest rates remained at relatively low levels in 2008 and 2009 with an increase in longer term interest rates in 2009, interest rates may eventually increase or the yield curve may change and may present a challenge to the Company.  Increases in interest rates may negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin if interest expense increases more quickly than interest income.  The Company’s earning assets (primarily its loan and investment portfolio) have longer maturities than its interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings); therefore, in a rising interest rate environment, interest expense will increase more quickly than interest income as the interest bearing liabilities reprice more quickly than earning assets.  In response to this challenge, the Banks model quarterly the changes in income that would result from various changes in interest rates.  Management believes Bank earning assets have the appropriate maturity and repricing characteristics to optimize earnings and the Banks’ interest rate risk positions.

·           The Company’s market in central Iowa has numerous banks, credit unions, and investment and insurance companies competing for similar business opportunities.  This competitive environment will continue to put downward pressure on the Banks’ net interest margins and thus affect profitability.  Strategic planning efforts at the Company and Banks continue to focus on capitalizing on the Banks’ strengths in local markets while working to identify opportunities for improvement to gain competitive advantages.

·           A substandard performance in the Holding Company’s equity portfolio could lead to a reduction in the realized security gains or an other-than-temporary impairment, thereby negatively impacting the Holding Company’s earnings.  The Holding Company invests capital that may be utilized for future expansion in a portfolio of common stocks with an estimated fair market value of approximately $4.7 million as of June 30, 2009.  The Holding Company focuses on stocks that have historically paid dividends in an effort to lessen the negative effects of a bear market.  However, this strategy did not prove successful for the first six months of 2009 and for year ended December 31, 2008 as problems in the general economy caused a significant decline in the fair value and dividend rates of the Holding Company’s equity portfolio. Unrealized losses in the Holding Company’s equity portfolio totaled $2.2 million as of June 30, 2009.  This compares to unrealized losses in the Holding Company of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2008.

·           The economic conditions for commercial real estate developers in the Des Moines metropolitan area deteriorated in 2008.  This deterioration has contributed to the Company’s increased level of non-performing assets.  During the third quarter of 2008, the Company foreclosed on two real estate properties (other real estate owned) totaling $10.5 million in the Des Moines market.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company has impaired loans totaling $5.3 million with six Des Moines area development companies with specific reserves totaling $623,000.  The Company has additional credit relationships with real estate developers in the Des Moines area that, presently, have collateral values sufficient to cover loan balances.  However, these loans may become impaired in the future if economic conditions do not improve or become worse.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company has a limited number of such credits and is actively engaged with the customers to minimize credit risks.

 
18


·           During 2009, management will be focusing its efforts, in part, on steps necessary to improve the Company’s capital position given the ongoing negative developments in the national and local economies and the uncertainty of the timing and improvement of economic conditions.  An increased level of capital will enable the Company to better accommodate any impairment losses in the investment portfolio and any provision for loan losses with respect to the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio that may be recorded during the year due to the asset quality of the Company’s investment securities portfolio and commercial real estate loan portfolio.

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

Certain key performance indicators for the Company and the industry are presented in the following chart.  The industry figures are compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and are derived from 8,246 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the FDIC.  Management reviews these indicators on a quarterly basis for purposes of comparing the Company’s performance from quarter to quarter against the industry as a whole.

Selected Indicators for the Company and the Industry

   
June 30, 2009
   
March 31, 2009
                         
   
3 Months
   
6 Months
   
3 Months
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Company
   
Company
   
Company
   
Industry *
   
Company
   
Industry
   
Company
   
Industry
 
                                                 
Return on average assets
    1.08 %     1.12 %     1.15 %     0.22 %     0.74 %     0.12 %     1.30 %     0.81 %
                                                                 
Return on average equity
    9.09 %     9.20 %     9.32 %     2.26 %     5.89 %     1.24 %     9.89 %     7.75 %
                                                                 
Net interest margin
    3.73 %     3.83 %     3.97 %     3.39 %     3.94 %     3.18 %     3.39 %     3.29 %
                                                                 
Efficiency ratio
    62.25 %     60.57 %     58.76 %     53.79 %     67.40 %     59.02 %     53.71 %     59.37 %
                                                                 
Capital ratio
    11.92 %     12.15 %     12.39 %     8.04 %     12.57 %     7.49 %     13.20 %     7.97 %

*Latest available data

Key performances indicators include:

·           Return on Assets

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average assets.  It is used to measure how effectively the assets of the Company are being utilized in generating income.  The Company's annualized return on average assets was 1.08% and 0.85%, respectively, for the three month periods ending June 30, 2009 and 2008.  The increase in this ratio in 2009 from the previous period is the result of lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and lower provision for loan losses, offset in part by increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and lower net interest income.

 
19


·           Return on Equity

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average equity.  It is used to measure the net income or return the Company generated for the shareholders’ equity investment in the Company. The Company's return on average equity was 9.09% and 6.70%, respectively for the three month periods ending June 30, 2009 and 2008.  The increase in this ratio in 2009 from the previous period is the result of lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and lower provision for loan losses, offset in part by increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and lower net interest income.

·           Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was 3.73% compared to 3.91% for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  The ratio is calculated by dividing net interest income by average earning assets.  Earning assets are primarily made up of loans and investments that earn interest.  This ratio is used to measure how well the Company is able to maintain interest rates on earning assets above those of interest-bearing liabilities, which is the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings.  This decrease is primarily the result of lower yields on interest earning assets and a decline in the average loan balances, offset in part by lower cost of funds on deposits and other borrowings.  The lower yields and cost of funds were due primarily to lower market interest rates as interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities are repricing.

·           Efficiency Ratio

This ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net interest income and noninterest income.  The ratio is a measure of the Company’s ability to manage noninterest expenses.  The Company’s efficiency ratio was 62.25% and 58.13% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The increase in the efficiency ratio in 2009 from the previous period is primarily the  result of increased FDIC insurance assessments, increased other real estate owned costs, lower securities gains and lower net interest income, offset in part by lower write offs of other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities.

·           Capital Ratio

The average capital ratio is calculated by dividing average total equity capital by average total assets.  It measures the level of average assets that are funded by shareholders’ equity.  Given an equal level of risk in the financial condition of two companies, the higher the capital ratio, generally the more financially sound the company.  The Company’s capital ratio is significantly higher than the industry average.

Industry Results

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reported the following results for the first quarter of 2009:
 
Highest Earnings in Four Quarters Are 61 Percent Lower than a Year Ago
 
Sharply higher trading revenues at large banks helped FDIC-insured institutions post an aggregate net profit of $7.6 billion in the first quarter of 2009. Realized gains on securities and other assets at a few large institutions also contributed to the quarter’s profits. First quarter earnings were $11.7 billion (60.8%) lower than in the first quarter of 2008 but represented a significant recovery from the $36.9 billion net loss the industry reported in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Provisions for loan and lease losses were lower than in the fourth quarter of 2008 but continued to rise on a year-over-year basis. The increase in loss provisions, higher charges for goodwill impairment, and reduced income from securitization activity were the primary causes of the year-over-year decline in industry net income. Evidence of earnings weakness was widespread in the first quarter; more than one out of every five institu­tions (21.6%) reported a net loss, and almost three out of every five (59.3%) reported lower net income than in the first quarter of 2008.
 
 
20

 
Loss Provisions Continue to Weigh Heavily on Earnings
   
Insured institutions set aside $60.9 billion in loan loss provisions in the first quarter, an increase of $23.7 billion (63.6%) from the first quarter of 2008. Almost two out of every three insured institutions (65.4%) increased their loss provisions. Goodwill impairment charges and other intangible asset expenses rose to $7.2 billion from $2.8 billion a year earlier. Against these negative factors, total noninterest income contributed $68.3 billion to pretax earnings, a $7.8-billion (12.8%) improvement over the first quarter of 2008. Net interest income was $4.4 billion (4.7%) higher, and realized gains on securities and other assets were up by $1.9 billion (152.6%). The rebound in noninterest income stemmed primarily from higher trading revenue at a few large banks, but gains on loan sales and increased servicing fees also provided a boost to noninterest revenues. Trading revenues were $7.6 billion higher than a year earlier, servicing fees were up by $2.4 billion, and real­ized gains on securities and other assets were $1.9 billion higher. Nevertheless, these positive develop­ments were outweighed by the higher expenses for bad loans and goodwill impairment. The average return on assets (ROA) was 0.22%, less than half the 0.58% registered in the first quarter of 2008 and less than one-fifth the 1.20% ROA the industry enjoyed in the first quarter of 2007.
 
Lower Funding Costs Lift Large Bank Margins
 
For the sixth consecutive quarter, falling interest rates caused declines in both average funding costs and aver­age asset yields. The industry’s average funding cost fell by more than its average asset yield in the quarter, and the quarterly net interest margin (NIM) improved from fourth quarter 2008 and first quarter 2008 levels. The average NIM in the first quarter was 3.39%, compared to 3.34% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 3.33% in the first quarter of 2008. This is the highest level for the industry NIM since the second quarter of 2006. However, most of the improvement was concentrated among larger institutions; more than half of all institutions (55.4%) reported lower NIMs compared to a year earlier, and almost two-thirds (66.0%) had lower NIMs than in the fourth quar­ter of 2008. The average NIM at institutions with less than $1 billion in assets fell from 3.66% in the fourth quarter to 3.56%, a 21-year low.
 
Charge-Offs Continue to Rise in All Major Loan Categories
 
First-quarter net charge-offs of $37.8 billion were slightly lower than the $38.5 billion the industry charged-off in the fourth quarter of 2008, but they were almost twice as high as the $19.6 billion total in the first quarter of 2008. The year-over-year rise in charge-offs was led by loans to commercial and industrial (C&I) borrowers, where charge-offs increased by $4.2 billion (170%); by credit cards (up $3.4 billion, or 68.9%); by real estate construction loans (up $2.9 billion, or 161.7%); and by closed-end 1–4 family residential real estate loans (up $2.7 billion, or 64.9%). Net charge-offs in all major categories were higher than a year ago. The annualized net charge-off rate on total loans and leases was 1.94%, slightly below the 1.95% rate in the fourth quarter of 2008 that is the highest quarterly net charge-off rate in the 25 years that insured institutions have reported these data. Well over half of all insured institutions (58.3%) reported year-over-year increases in quarterly charge-offs.
 
 
21

 
Noncurrent Loans Rise by $59.2 Billion
 
The high level of charge-offs did not stem the growth in noncurrent loans in the first quarter. On the contrary, noncurrent loans and leases increased by $59.2 billion (25.5%), the largest quarterly increase in the three years that noncurrent loans have been rising. The percentage of loans and leases that were noncurrent rose from 2.95% to 3.76% during the quarter; the noncurrent rate is now at the highest level since the second quarter of 1991. The rise in noncurrent loans was led by real estate loans, which accounted for 84% of the overall increase. Noncurrent closed-end 1–4 family residential mortgage loans increased by $26.7 billion (28.1%), while noncurrent real estate construction loans were up by $10.5 billion (20.3%), and noncurrent loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate properties rose by $6.9 billion (40%). All major loan cate­gories experienced rising levels of noncurrent loans, and 58 percent of insured institutions reported increases in their noncurrent loans during the quarter.
 
Reserve Building Continues
 
Loss provisions surpassed net charge-offs by $23.1 billion in the first quarter, and the industry’s loan loss reserves increased by $20.0 billion (11.5%). The ratio of reserves to total loans rose during the quarter from 2.21% to 2.50%, an all-time high. The previous record level of 2.38% was reached at the end of the first quarter of 1992. Despite the rise in the level of reserves relative to total loans, the indus­try’s ratio of reserves to noncurrent loans fell for a 12th consecutive quarter, from 74.8% to 66.5%, the lowest level in 17 years.
 
Industry Capital Registers Largest Quarterly Increase Since 2004
 
Total equity capital of insured institutions increased by $82.1 billion in the first quarter, the largest quarterly increase since the third quarter of 2004.  The industry’s tier one leverage capital increased by a record $69.8 billion (7.0%) during the quar­ter, and the average leverage capital ratio increased from 7.48% to 8.04%. Most of the aggre­gate increase in capital was concentrated among a rela­tively small number of institutions, including some institutions participating in the U.S. Treasury Depart­ment’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). A majority of institutions (55.3%) reported declines in their leverage capital ratios during the quarter. A number of institutions reduced their dividend payments in the first quarter, as the total amount of dividends paid by insured institutions fell by almost half ($6.8 billion) compared to the first quarter of 2008. Of the 3,603 institutions that paid dividends in the first quar­ter of 2008, two-thirds (2,337 institutions) reduced their dividends in the current quarter, including 995 institutions that eliminated first quarter dividends.
 
Downsizing at a Few Large Banks Causes $302-Billion Decline in Industry Assets
 
Total assets declined by $301.7 billion (2.2%) during the quarter, as a few large banks reduced their loan portfolios and trading accounts. This is the largest percentage decline in industry assets in a single quarter in the 25 years for which quarterly data are available. Eight large institutions accounted for the entire decline in industry assets; most insured institutions (67.3%) reported increased assets during the quarter, although only 47% had increases in their loan balances. The decline in industry assets consisted primarily of a $159.6-billion (2.1%) reduction in loans and leases, a $144.5-billion (14.9%) decline in assets in trading accounts, and a $91.7-billion (12.7%) drop in Fed funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements. Balances with Federal Reserve banks, which had increased by $488.2 billion in the previous two quarters, declined by $32.5 billion (6.3%) during the first quarter. Unused loan commitments fell for a fifth consecutive quarter, declining by $532.0 billion (7.4%). Most of the reduction occurred in credit card lines, which fell by $406.6 billion (9.9%), but unused commitments declined for all major loan categories during the quar­ter. The amount of assets securitized and sold declined by $26.6 billion (1.4%) during the quarter.
 
 
22

 
Deposit Share of Funding Rises Even as Total Deposits Decline
 
The decline in industry assets and the increase in equity capital meant a reduced need for funding during the quarter. Total deposits declined by $81.3 billion (0.9%), while nondeposit liabilities fell by $320.2 billion (9.1%). Deposits in domestic offices increased modestly ($41.9 billion, or 0.6%), with time deposits falling by $72.5 billion (2.6%). Deposits in foreign offices declined by $123.2 billion (8.0%). Liabilities in trading accounts fell by $116.8 billion (24.6%), while Federal Home Loan Bank advances declined for a second consecutive quarter, falling by $91.0 billion (11.6%). Deposits funded 66.1% of total industry assets at the end of the quarter, up from 65.3% at the end of 2008. This is the highest deposit funding share since March 2002.
 
Twenty-One Failures Is Highest Quarterly Total Since 1992
 
The number of FDIC-insured commercial banks and savings institutions reporting financial results declined from 8,305 to 8,246 in the first quarter. Mergers absorbed 50 institutions, while 21 insured institutions failed. This is the largest number of failed institutions in a quarter since the fourth quarter of 1992. Thirteen new charters were added in the first quarter, the fewest since the first quarter of 1994. During the quarter, the number of insured banks and thrifts on the FDIC’s “Problem List” increased from 252 to 305, and total assets of “problem” institutions rose from $159 billion to $220 billion.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion contained in this Item 2 and other disclosures included within this report are based, in part, on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.  These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The financial information contained in these statements is, for the most part, based on the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. However, the preparation of these statements requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in the Company’s Annual Report.  Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments, management has identified its most critical accounting policies to be those related to the allowance for loan losses, valuation of other real estate owned and the assessment of other-than-temporary impairment of certain financial instruments.

Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses that is treated as an expense and charged against earnings.  Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans.  On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative.  Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors.  Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company’s market area.  To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or lesser than future charge-offs.

 
23


Other Real Estate Owned

Real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure are initially recorded at the fair value less estimated selling cost at the date of foreclosure.  Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and property held for sale is carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell.  Impairment losses on property to be held and used are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a property exceeds its fair value.  Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed.  The portion of interest costs relating to development of real estate is capitalized.  Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. This evaluation is inherently subjective and requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the intent to sell the investment securities and the more likely than not requirement that the Company will be required to sell the investment securities prior to recovery (2) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer.  Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that change in management’s assessment of other-than-temporary impairment will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 
24

 
Income Statement Review for the Three Months ended June 30, 2009

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the three month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin.  The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets.  The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.  The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Three Months ended June 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue
   
Yield
   
Average
   
Revenue
   
Yield
 
   
balance
               
balance
             
ASSETS
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-earning assets
                                   
Loans 1
                                   
Commercial
  $ 70,798     $ 919       5.19 %   $ 85,853     $ 1,222       5.69 %
Agricultural
    34,907       526       6.02 %     30,377       520       6.85 %
Real estate
    308,549       4,587       5.95 %     328,767       5,219       6.35 %
Consumer and other
    25,121       358       5.70 %     24,297       370       6.09 %
                                                 
Total loans (including fees)
    439,376       6,390       5.82 %     469,294       7,331       6.25 %
                                                 
Investment securities
                                               
Taxable
    215,224       2,098       3.90 %     202,765       2,565       5.06 %
Tax-exempt  2
    141,822       1,922       5.42 %     139,453       2,307       6.62 %
Total investment securities
    357,046       4,020       4.50 %     342,218       4,872       5.70 %
                                                 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    25,908       81       1.25 %     6,395       51       3.19 %
Federal funds sold
    18,910       8       0.17 %     17,735       91       2.05 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    841,239     $ 10,499       4.99 %     835,642     $ 12,345       5.91 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    48,401                       41,190                  
                                                 
                                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 889,640                     $ 876,832                  


1 Average loan balance includes nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.
2 Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.

 
25


AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Three Months ended June 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                   
Deposits
                                   
Savings, NOW accounts, and money markets
  $ 370,835     $ 438       0.47 %   $ 328,858     $ 860       1.04 %
Time deposits < $100,000
    158,393       1,164       2.94 %     171,752       1,720       4.01 %
Time deposits > $100,000
    81,935       581       2.84 %     102,319       1,067       4.17 %
Total deposits
    611,163       2,183       1.43 %     602,929       3,647       2.42 %
Other borrowed funds
    86,866       476       2.19 %     78,630       534       2.72 %
                                                 
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
    698,029       2,660       1.52 %     681,559       4,181       2.45 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Demand deposits
    80,177                       75,967                  
Other liabilities
    5,379                       7,861                  
                                                 
Stockholders' equity
    106,056                       111,445                  
                                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 889,640                     $ 876,832                  
                                                 
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 7,839       3.73 %           $ 8,164       3.91 %
                                                 
Spread Analysis
                                               
Interest income/average assets
  $ 10,499       4.72 %           $ 12,345       5.63 %        
Interest expense/average assets
  $ 2,660       1.20 %           $ 4,181       1.91 %        
Net interest income/average assets
  $ 7,839       3.52 %           $ 8,164       3.73 %        

 
26


Net Interest Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.73% and 3.91%, respectively.  Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 decreased and totaled $7,167,000 compared to the $7,357,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008.

For the three months ended June 30, 2009, interest income decreased $1,711,000 or 14.8% when compared to the same period in 2008.  The decrease was primarily attributable to lower loan and investment securities average yields and lower average balances of loans in the current period than the three months ended June 30, 2008.

Interest expense decreased $1,521,000 or 36.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.  The lower interest expense for the period is attributable to lower average time deposit balances and lower average rates paid on deposits and other borrowings in comparison to the same period in 2008.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was $327,000 compared to a provision for loan losses of $819,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the general reserve due to a decrease in the balance in the loan portfolio, offset by higher level of specific reserves on impaired loans.  Net charge-offs of $571,000 were realized in the three months ended June 30, 2009 and compare to net charge-offs of $57,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008.  The increase in the charge-offs was primarily related to a commercial real estate loan for which collateral was repossessed in the second quarter of 2009.

Non-interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income increased $1,745,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of lower securities transactions losses as previously detailed.  Excluding net security gains and other-than-temporary impairment write down on certain investment securities for the three months ending June 30, 2009 and 2008, non-interest income increased $59,000, or 4.1%.

Non-interest expense increased $1,270,000 or 29.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of FDIC insurance assessments due to increasing quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment and other real estate owned costs, due to write-downs of other real estate owned and other costs associated with the increased volume of other real estate owned.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $623,000 and $387,000, representing an effective tax rate of 21% and 17%, respectively.  The higher pretax earnings in 2009 and the effect of income from tax exempt securities lead to the higher effective tax rate in comparison to same period in 2008.

 
27


Income Statement Review for the six months ended June 30, 2009

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin.  The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets.  The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.  The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Six Months ended June 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue
   
Yield
   
Average
   
Revenue
   
Yield
 
   
balance
               
balance
             
ASSETS
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-earning assets
                                   
Loans 1
                                   
Commercial
  $ 71,953     $ 1,842       5.12 %   $ 82,791     $ 2,588       6.25 %
Agricultural
    35,503       1,082       6.10 %     31,597       1,135       7.18 %
Real estate
    312,982       9,360       5.98 %     330,725       10,696       6.47 %
Consumer and other
    24,829       717       5.78 %     24,098       731       6.07 %
                                                 
Total loans (including fees)
    445,267       13,001       5.84 %     469,211       15,150       6.46 %
                                                 
Investment securities
                                               
Taxable
    200,080       4,282       4.28 %     203,860       5,168       5.07 %
Tax-exempt  2
    134,108       3,777       5.63 %     142,091       4,665       6.57 %
Total investment securities
    334,188       8,059       4.82 %     345,951       9,833       5.68 %
                                                 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    19,615       186       1.90 %     3,943       68       3.45 %
Federal funds sold
    20,052       19       0.19 %     12,055       134       2.22 %
                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    819,123     $ 21,266       5.19 %     831,160     $ 25,185       6.06 %
                                                 
Noninterest-earning assets
    48,601                       42,274                  
                                                 
                                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 867,724                     $ 873,434                  


1 Average loan balance includes nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.
2 Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.

 
28


AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

   
Six Months ended June 30,
 
                                     
   
2009
   
2008
 
                                     
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Revenue/
   
Yield/
 
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
   
balance
   
expense
   
rate
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities
                                   
Deposits
                                   
Savings, NOW accounts, and money markets
  $ 350,810     $ 919       0.52 %   $ 322,303     $ 2,080       1.29 %
Time deposits < $100,000
    160,999       2,468       3.07 %     174,490       3,652       4.19 %
Time deposits > $100,000
    81,600       1,237       3.03 %     106,334       2,343       4.41 %
Total deposits
    593,409       4,625       1.56 %     603,127       8,075       2.68 %
Other borrowed funds
    82,855       945       2.28 %     73,704       1,129       3.06 %
                                                 
Total Interest-bearing liabilities
    676,264       5,570       1.65 %     676,831       9,204       2.72 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
                                               
Demand deposits
    80,704                       75,972                  
Other liabilities
    5,359                       8,999                  
                                                 
Stockholders' equity
    105,396                       111,632                  
                                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 867,724                     $ 873,434                  
                                                 
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 15,696       3.83 %           $ 15,981       3.85 %
                                                 
Spread Analysis
                                               
Interest income/average assets
  $ 21,266       4.90 %           $ 25,185       5.77 %        
Interest expense/average assets
  $ 5,570       1.28 %           $ 9,204       2.11 %        
Net interest income/average assets
  $ 15,696       3.62 %           $ 15,981       3.66 %        

Net Interest Income

For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.83% and 3.85%, respectively.  Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased $26,000 and totaled $14,374,000 compared to the $14,348,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, interest income decreased $3,608,000 or 15.3% when compared to the same period in 2008.  The decrease was primarily attributable to lower loan and investment securities average yields and lower average balances of loans in the current period than the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Interest expense decreased $3,635,000 or 39.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.  The lower interest expense for the period is attributable to lower average time deposit balances and lower average rates paid on deposits and other borrowings in comparison to the same period in 2008.

 
29


Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 of $556,000 compared to a provision for loan losses of $929,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the general reserve due to a decrease in the balance in the loan portfolio, offset by higher level of specific reserves on impaired loans.  Net charge-offs of $647,000 were realized in the six months ended June 30, 2009 and compare to net charge-offs of $101,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  The increase in the charge-offs was primarily related to a commercial real estate loan for which collateral was repossessed in the second quarter of 2009.

Non-interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income increased $1,359,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of securities transactions previously detailed.  Excluding net security losses and gains and other-than-temporary impairment write down on certain investment securities for the six months ending June 30, 2009 and 2008, non-interest income increased $70,000, or 2.5%.

Non-interest expense increased $1,838,000 or 21.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as the result of FDIC insurance assessments due to increasing quarterly deposit assessment rates and a special assessment and other real estate owned costs, due to write-downs of other real estate owned and other costs associated with the increased volume of other real estate owned.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $1,339,000 and $1,501,000, representing an effective tax rate of 22% and 24%, respectively.  The lower pretax earnings in 2009 and the effect of income from tax exempt securities lead to the lower effective tax rate in comparison to same period in 2008.

Balance Sheet Review

As of June 30, 2009, total assets were $883,926,000, a $25,785,000 increase compared to December 31, 2008.  The increase in deposits and a decrease in the loan portfolio, federal funds sold and cash and due from banks, funded an increase in securities available-for-sale and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions.  The decrease in the loan portfolio is due in part to a decrease in loan demand.

Investment Portfolio

The investment portfolio totaled $369,919,000 as of June 30, 2009, 18.2% higher than the December 31, 2008 balance of $313,014,000.  This increase in the investment portfolio was primarily due to increases of $32.1 million in U.S. government agencies, $23.6 million in U.S. government mortgage-backed securities and $25.9 million in state and political subdivisions, offset in part by a decrease of $21.6 million in corporate bonds.

On a quarterly basis, the investment securities portfolio is reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment.  As of June 30, 2009, existing gross unrealized losses of $4,285,000 (48% of which have been impaired less than 12 months) are considered to be temporary in nature due to market interest rate fluctuations and other factors, rather than deteriorations in the credit component of the securities.  As a result of the Company’s favorable liquidity position, the Company does not have the intent to sell securities and it is more likely than not that the Company will hold the securities until recovery of its cost basis to avoid considering an impairment to be other-than-temporary.

 
30


Loan Portfolio

The loan portfolio declined $30,619,000, or 6.8%, during the six months as net loans totaled $422,261,000 as of June 30, 2009 compared to $452,880,000 as of December 31, 2008.  The decrease in loan volume is due to a weakening of the loan demand in 2008 and 2009.

Deposits

Deposits totaled $684,121,000 as of June 30, 2009, an increase of $19,327,000 from December 31, 2008.  The increase is attributed to increases in NOW and money market accounts, offset in part by decreases in demand accounts and time deposits, as a result of lower market rates.  The increase in deposits is due to increases in public fund deposits, offset in part by a decrease in retail deposits.

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $46,461,000 as of June 30, 2009, $7,952,000 higher than December 31, 2008.  The increase is primarily due to one commercial customer.

Other Borrowed Funds

Long-term borrowings totaled $40,500,000 as of June 30, 2009, $3,000,000 lower than December 31, 2008.  The decrease is attributable to pay downs of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2008.

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

The Company’s credit risk is historically centered in the loan portfolio, which on June 30, 2009 totaled $422,261,000 compared to $452,880,000 as of December 31, 2008.  Net loans comprise 48% of total assets as of June 30, 2009.  The object in managing loan portfolio risk is to reduce the risk of loss resulting from a customer’s failure to perform according to the terms of a transaction and to quantify and manage credit risk on a portfolio basis.  The Company’s level of problem loans (consisting of non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more) as a percentage of total loans of 1.75%, is lower than the Company’s peer group (460 bank holding companies with assets of $500 million to $1 billion) of 2.49% as of March 31, 2009.

Impaired loans, net of specific reserves, totaled $9,614,000 as of June 30, 2009 compared to impaired loans of $6,253,000 as of December 31, 2008.  The increase in impaired loans from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009, is due primarily to two Des Moines area real estate development company loans.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  The Company applies its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment under FAS 114.  As of June 30, 2009, non-accrual loans totaled $7,384,000; loans past due 90 days and still accruing totaled $208,000.  This compares to non-accrual loans of $6,339,000 and loans past due 90 days and still accruing of $469,000 on December 31, 2008.  Other real estate owned totaled $13,197,000 and $13,334,000 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 
31


The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was 1.56% and 1.47%, respectively. The allowance for loan losses totaled $6,688,000 and $6,779,000 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Net charge-offs for the six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $647,000 compared to net charge-offs of $101,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower, a realistic determination of value and adequacy of underlying collateral, the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower, an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories and a review of delinquent and classified loans.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity management is the process by which the Company, through its Banks’ Asset and Liability Committees (ALCO), ensures that adequate liquid funds are available to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. These commitments include funding credit obligations to borrowers, funding of mortgage originations pending delivery to the secondary market, withdrawals by depositors, maintaining adequate collateral for pledging for public funds, trust deposits and borrowings, paying dividends to shareholders, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and maintaining deposit reserve requirements.
 
Liquidity is derived primarily from core deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments, sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations; and access to other funding sources. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased lines, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other capital market sources.
 
As of June 30, 2009, the level of liquidity and capital resources of the Company remain at a satisfactory level and compare favorably to that of other FDIC insured institutions.  Management believes that the Company's liquidity sources will be sufficient to support its existing operations for the foreseeable future.

The liquidity and capital resources discussion will cover the following topics:

·
Review the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources
·
Review of the Statements of Cash Flows
·
Company Only Cash Flows
·
Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs
·
Capital Resources

 
32


Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

Liquid assets of cash on hand, balances due from other banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions for June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 totaled $53,395,000 and $51,631,000, respectively.  A higher level of interest bearing deposits in financial institutions, offset in part by a decrease in federal funds sold was the primary reason for the increase.

Other sources of liquidity available to the Banks as of June 30, 2009 include outstanding lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa of $74,203,000, with $20,500,000 of outstanding FHLB advances at June 30, 2009.  Federal funds borrowing capacity at correspondent banks was $110,213,000, with $600,000 of outstanding federal fund balances as of June 30, 2009. The Company had securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $45,861,000 and long-term repurchase agreements of $20,000,000 as of June 30, 2009.

Total investments as of June 30, 2009 were $369,919,000 compared to $313,014,000 as of December 31, 2008.   These investments provide the Company with a significant amount of liquidity since all of the investments are classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2009.

The investment portfolio serves an important role in the overall context of balance sheet management in terms of balancing capital utilization and liquidity. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate environment, liquidity and credit considerations. The portfolio’s scheduled maturities represent a significant source of liquidity.

Review of Statements of Cash Flows

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $8,936,000 compared to the $6,545,000 provided for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily related to changes in securities gains (losses), other-than-temporary impairment, provision for deferred taxes and write-down of other real estate owned.
 
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $37,498,000 and compares to $18,268,000 used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities was primarily due to changes in securities available-for-sale and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions, offset by changes in federal funds sold and loans.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 totaled $19,955,000 compared to $8,580,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to changes in deposits, offset in part by the change in long-term borrowings.  As of June 30, 2009, the Company did not have any external debt financing, off-balance sheet financing arrangements, or derivative instruments linked to its stock.

Company Only Cash Flows

The Company’s liquidity on an unconsolidated basis is heavily dependent upon dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. The Company requires adequate liquidity to pay its expenses and pay stockholder dividends. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $1,840,000 compared to $4,432,000 for the same period in 2008.  For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company contributed additional capital to First National Bank in the amount of $850,000.  Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amounts of dividends banking subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval.  Federal Reserve policy further limits the circumstances under which bank holding companies may declare dividends. For example, a bank holding company should not continue its existing rate of cash dividends on its common stock unless its net income is sufficient to fully fund each dividend and its prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.  Federal and state banking regulators may also restrict the payment of dividends by order.  First National, which paid dividends in 2008 in the amount of $5,184,000, is currently unable to pay dividends to the Company without first obtaining approval of the OCC.  First National does not plan to seek such approval in 2009, thus reducing substantially the dividends the Company will receive from the Banks during 2009.  In response, and in an effort to conserve capital during the current period of economic uncertainty, the board of directors of the Company recently reduced the quarterly dividend paid by the Company from $0.28 per share to $0.10 per share.

 
33


The Company has unconsolidated interest bearing deposits and marketable investment securities totaling $6,757,000 as of June 30, 2009 that are presently available to provide additional liquidity to the Banks.

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

No material capital expenditures or material changes in the capital resource mix are anticipated at this time.  The primary cash flow uncertainty would be a sudden decline in deposits causing the Banks to liquidate securities.  Historically, the Banks have maintained an adequate level of short-term marketable investments to fund the temporary declines in deposit balances.  There are no known trends in liquidity and cash flow needs as of June 30, 2009 that is a concern to management.

Capital Resources

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2009 totaled $107,358,000 and was higher than the $103,837,000 recorded as of December 31, 2008.  At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 12.15% and 12.10%, respectively.  The capital levels of the Company currently exceed applicable regulatory guidelines as of June 30, 2009.

Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides the Company with the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, including forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s future financial performance and asset quality.  Any forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, asset quality, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:  economic conditions, particularly in the concentrated geographic area in which the Company and its affiliate banks operate; competitive products and pricing available in the marketplace; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government; changes in governmental regulations affecting financial institutions (including regulatory fees and capital requirements); changes in prevailing interest rates; credit risk management and asset/liability management; the financial and securities markets; the availability of and cost associated with sources of liquidity; and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report.  Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 
34


Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking.  Interest rate risk results from the changes in market interest rates which may adversely affect the Company's net interest income.  Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate this risk.  Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and how it has been managed year-to-date in 2009 changed significantly when compared to 2008.

Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings

Not applicable

Item 1.A.
Risk Factors

The following paragraphs supplement the discussion under Items 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report:

Regulatory concerns.

On March 16, 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) informed the Company’s lead bank, First National, of the OCC’s decision to establish individual minimum capital ratios for First National in excess of the capital ratios that would otherwise be imposed under applicable regulatory standards.  The OCC is requiring First National to maintain, on an ongoing basis, Tier 1 Leverage Capital of 9% of Adjusted Total Assets and Total Risk Based Capital of 11% of Risk-Weighted Assets.  As of June 30, 2009, First National exceeded the 9% Tier 1 and 11% Risk Based capital requirements.  Failure to maintain the individual minimum capital ratios established by the OCC could result in additional regulatory action against First National.

 
35


On July 16, 2008, First National entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding with the OCC regarding First National’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, including actions to be taken with respect to commercial real estate risk management procedures, credit underwriting and administration, appraisal and evaluation process, problem loan management, credit risk ratings recognition and loan review procedures.  Since entering into the Memorandum, management has been actively pursuing the corrective actions required by the Memorandum in an effort to address the deficiencies noted in administration of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.  In the event the OCC determines, through future examination of First National, that the specific actions required by the Memorandum have not been successfully implemented, a more formal enforcement action may be initiated by the OCC.
 
Continued deterioration in the debt and equity markets.
 
The severe downturn in the debt and equity markets, reflecting uncertainties associated with the mortgage crisis, worsening economic conditions (including the perceived onset of a global recession), widening of credit spreads, bankruptcies and government intervention in large financial institutions, has resulted in significant realized and unrealized losses in the Company’s investment portfolio. Depending on future market conditions, the Company could incur substantial additional realized and unrealized losses in its investment portfolio, which could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition and/or results of operations.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
 
(a)
The Company’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on April 29, 2009.
 
(b)
At the annual meeting the stockholders re-elected Robert L. Cramer, Steven D. Forth, James R. Larson II and Warren R. Madden to the Company’s Board of Directors.  Directors whose term of office continued after the annual meeting consist of Betty A. Baudler Horras, Douglas C. Gustafson, DVM, Charles D. Jons, MD, Thomas H. Pohlman, Daniel L. Krieger, Larry A. Raymon, Frederick C. Samuelson, and Marvin J. Walter.
 
 
36


(c)
There were 9,432,915 shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting.  The voting results on the election of directors were as follows:
 

   
Votes
 
   
In Favor
   
Withheld
 
             
Robert L. Cramer
    7,408,826       30,982  
Steven D. Forth
    7,409,403       30,405  
James R. Larson II
    7,339,466       100,342  
Warren R. Madden
    7,397,111       42,697  

There were no broker non-votes or abstentions on this proposal.

Other Information

Not Applicable

Exhibits

31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 
37


SIGNATURES

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

   
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
     
DATE: August 6, 2009
  By:   /s/ Thomas H. Pohlman
     
    Thomas H. Pohlman, President
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
    By:   /s/ John P. Nelson
     
    John P. Nelson, Vice President
    (Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
38


EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
 
-Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
 
-Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
 
-Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
-Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
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