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COMMUNITY BANCORP /VT - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)

form10q03312012.htm
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2012

OR
[   ]  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 000-16435



Vermont
03-0284070
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont
05829
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(zip code)
   
Registrant's Telephone Number:  (802) 334-7915

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 for such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ( X )  No (  )

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  YES ( X ) NO (  )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES (  )     NO(X)

At May 08, 2012, there were 4,752,124 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock.
 
 

 
FORM 10-Q
Index
   
   
Page  
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
Financial Statements
4  
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27  
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
44  
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
44  
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
Legal Proceedings
45  
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
45  
Item 6
Exhibits
45  
 
Signatures
46  
 
 
 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary, "the Company".
 
 

 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
 
March 31
   
December 31
   
March 31
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
                 
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 8,980,517     $ 23,459,776     $ 34,115,851  
  Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    4,000       5,000       5,553  
     Total cash and cash equivalents
    8,984,517       23,464,776       34,121,404  
  Securities held-to-maturity (fair value $34,168,000 at 03/31/12,
                       
   $30,289,000 at 12/31/11 and $38,442,000 at 03/31/11)
    33,562,606       29,702,159       37,948,665  
  Securities available-for-sale
    73,035,938       66,098,917       28,460,688  
  Restricted equity securities, at cost
    4,021,350       4,308,550       4,308,550  
  Loans held-for-sale
    1,583,520       2,285,567       1,054,416  
  Loans
    396,245,846       386,386,472       386,953,338  
    Allowance for loan losses
    (3,952,489 )     (3,886,502 )     (3,709,918 )
    Unearned net loan fees
    54,355       7,251       (50,871 )
        Net loans
    392,347,712       382,507,221       383,192,549  
  Bank premises and equipment, net
    12,588,636       12,715,226       12,747,376  
  Accrued interest receivable
    1,845,523       1,700,600       1,966,089  
  Bank owned life insurance
    4,094,066       4,063,246       3,965,349  
  Core deposit intangible
    1,619,128       1,704,346       2,023,910  
  Goodwill
    11,574,269       11,574,269       11,574,269  
  Other real estate owned (OREO)
    220,493       90,000       764,500  
  Prepaid expense - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
    1,030,123       1,131,861       1,379,677  
  Other assets
    12,298,745       11,558,779       9,330,696  
        Total assets
  $ 558,806,626     $ 552,905,517     $ 532,838,138  
                         
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                       
 Liabilities
                       
  Deposits:
                       
    Demand, non-interest bearing
  $ 61,866,873     $ 62,745,782     $ 53,917,918  
    NOW
    106,166,136       123,493,475       104,921,318  
    Money market funds
    76,540,776       71,408,069       73,693,800  
    Savings
    64,512,091       59,284,631       61,151,720  
    Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    61,244,386       51,372,782       51,902,372  
    Other time deposits
    83,662,887       86,088,570       91,970,219  
        Total deposits
    453,993,149       454,393,309       437,557,347  
  Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    20,770,000       18,010,000       18,010,000  
  Repurchase agreements
    24,769,637       21,645,446       21,479,815  
  Capital lease obligations
    818,288       833,467       823,886  
  Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       12,887,000       12,887,000  
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
    4,136,323       4,217,886       2,525,250  
        Total liabilities
    517,374,397       511,987,108       493,283,298  
Shareholders' Equity
                       
  Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 25 shares issued
                       
    and outstanding ($100,000 liquidation value)
    2,500,000       2,500,000       2,500,000  
  Common stock - $2.50 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
                       
   4,961,706 shares issued at 03/31/12, 4,938,262 shares
                       
   issued at 12/31/11, and 4,860,113 shares issued at 03/31/11
    12,404,265       12,345,655       12,150,283  
  Additional paid-in capital
    27,573,676       27,410,049       26,833,255  
  Retained earnings
    1,407,844       1,151,751       618,976  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
    169,221       133,731       75,103  
  Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 03/31/12,
                       
     12/31/11 and 03/31/11
    (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )
        Total shareholders' equity
    41,432,229       40,918,409       39,554,840  
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 558,806,626     $ 552,905,517     $ 532,838,138  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
           
Consolidated Statements of Income
           
(Unaudited)
           
For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
 Interest income
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 5,179,734     $ 5,303,865  
   Interest on debt securities
               
     Taxable
    172,841       70,810  
     Tax-exempt
    213,273       261,889  
   Dividends
    20,732       18,896  
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    3,316       21,652  
        Total interest income
    5,589,896       5,677,112  
                 
 Interest expense
               
   Interest on deposits
    903,291       1,112,783  
   Interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    91,169       117,209  
   Interest on repurchase agreements
    32,903       37,914  
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    243,564       243,564  
        Total interest expense
    1,270,927       1,511,470  
                 
     Net interest income
    4,318,969       4,165,642  
 Provision for loan losses
    250,003       187,500  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    4,068,966       3,978,142  
                 
 Non-interest income
               
   Service fees
    566,616       550,518  
   Income from sold loans
    387,211       502,734  
   Other income from loans
    170,447       155,065  
   Other income
    230,703       251,152  
        Total non-interest income
    1,354,977       1,459,469  
                 
 Non-interest expense
               
   Salaries and wages
    1,433,720       1,466,816  
   Employee benefits
    593,607       540,437  
   Occupancy expenses, net
    873,312       807,612  
   FDIC insurance
    110,481       170,297  
   Amortization of core deposit intangible
    85,218       106,522  
   Other expenses
    1,453,594       1,257,830  
        Total non-interest expense
    4,549,932       4,349,514  
                 
    Income before income taxes
    874,011       1,088,097  
 Income tax (benefit) expense
    (90,838 )     143,229  
        Net income
  $ 964,849     $ 944,868  
                 
 Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  
 Weighted average number of common shares
               
  used in computing earnings per share
    4,735,857       4,635,324  
 Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
 Book value per share on common shares outstanding at March 31,
  $ 8.19     $ 7.97  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
           
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
           
(Unaudited)
           
For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
             
     Net Income
  $ 964,849     $ 944,868  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
  Change in unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale
               
   securities arising during the period
    53,771       (2,356 )
  Tax effect
    (18,281 )     801  
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    35,490       (1,555 )
          Total comprehensive income
  $ 1,000,339     $ 943,313  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           
(Unaudited)
           
For the First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
  Net income
  $ 964,849     $ 944,868  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
   operating activities:
               
    Depreciation and amortization, bank premises and equipment
    282,547       253,061  
    Provision for loan losses
    250,003       187,500  
    Deferred income tax
    (111,584 )     13,540  
    Net gain on sale of loans
    (280,817 )     (201,141 )
    Gain on Trust LLC
    (33,687 )     (42,372 )
    Amortization of bond premium, net
    148,994       87,668  
    Write down of OREO
    0       10,000  
    Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
    11,556,728       11,332,576  
    Originations of loans held for sale
    (10,573,864 )     (9,821,913 )
    Decrease in taxes payable
    (289,172 )     (370,310 )
    Increase in interest receivable
    (144,923 )     (176,468 )
    Amortization of FDIC insurance assessment
    101,738       153,480  
    Decrease (increase) in mortgage servicing rights
    28,024       (176,605 )
    Increase in other assets
    (443,232 )     (165,224 )
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (30,820 )     (32,018 )
    Amortization of core deposit intangible
    85,218       106,522  
    Amortization of limited partnerships
    305,235       122,147  
    Decrease in unamortized loan fees
    (47,104 )     (23,480 )
    Decrease in interest payable
    (12,132 )     (16,415 )
    Decrease in accrued expenses
    (96,540 )     (325,850 )
    Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    16,525       (760 )
       Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,675,986       1,858,806  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
  Investments - held-to-maturity
               
    Maturities and pay downs
    2,108,537       7,121,895  
    Purchases
    (5,968,984 )     (7,629,846 )
  Investments - available-for-sale
               
    Maturities, calls, pay downs and sales
    3,000,000       4,000,000  
    Purchases
    (10,032,244 )     (11,120,276 )
  Proceeds from redemption of restricted equity securities
    287,200       0  
  Investments in limited partnerships
    (213,830 )     0  
  (Increase) decrease in loans, net
    (10,188,919 )     1,888,431  
  Proceeds from sales of bank premises and equipment,
               
    net of capital expenditures
    (155,958 )     (208,466 )
  Proceeds from sales of OREO
    0       435,800  
  Recoveries of loans charged off
    15,036       21,573  
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (21,149,162 )     (5,490,889 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
  Net decrease in demand and NOW accounts
    (18,206,248 )     (5,688,831 )
  Net increase in money market and savings accounts
    10,360,167       4,913,422  
  Net increase in time deposits
    7,445,921       140,493  
  Net increase in repurchase agreements
    3,124,191       2,372,000  
  Net increase in short-term borrowings
    8,760,000       0  
  Repayments on long-term borrowings
    (6,000,000 )     (15,000,000 )
  Decrease in capital lease obligations
    (15,179 )     (10,953 )
  Dividends paid on preferred stock
    (46,875 )     (46,875 )
  Dividends paid on common stock
    (429,060 )     (374,056 )
       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    4,992,917       (13,694,800 )
                 
       Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (14,480,259 )     (17,326,883 )
  Cash and cash equivalents:
               
          Beginning
    23,464,776       51,448,287  
          Ending
  $ 8,984,517     $ 34,121,404  
                 
 Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period
               
  Interest
  $ 1,283,059     $ 1,527,885  
                 
  Income taxes
  $ 300,000     $ 500,000  
                 
 Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale
  $ 53,771     $ (2,356 )
                 
  Loans transferred to OREO
  $ 130,493     $ 0  
                 
 Common Shares Dividends Paid
               
  Dividends declared
  $ 661,881     $ 647,865  
  Increase in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared
    (10,584 )     (95,212 )
  Dividends reinvested
    (222,237 )     (178,597 )
    $ 429,060     $ 374,056  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company contained herein have been made.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full annual period ending December 31, 2012, or for any other interim period.

Note 2.  Recent Accounting Developments

In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-03, “Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements,” amending the criteria under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 860 for determining whether the transferor under a repurchase agreement involving a financial asset has retained effective control over the financial asset and therefore must account for the transaction as a secured borrowing rather than a sale.  The guidance removes from the effective control criteria the consideration of whether the transferor has the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial asset on substantially the agreed terms.  The guidance applies prospectively and is effective for new transactions and for existing transactions that are modified as of the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  Adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement:  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and IFRSs,” amending ASC Topic 820.  Although ASU 2011-04 deals primarily with development of a single fair value framework for US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the ASU also contains additional guidance on fair value measurements.  Among other things, ASU 2011-04: clarifies how a principal market is determined; addresses the fair value measurement or counterparty credit risks and the concept of valuation premise and highest and best use of nonfinancial assets; prescribes a model for measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in shareholders’ equity; limits the use of premiums or discounts based on the size of a holding; and requires certain new disclosures, including disclosures of all transfers between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy, whether or not significant, and additional disclosures regarding unobservable inputs and valuation processes for Level 3 measurements.  The guidance in ASU 2011-04 is to be applied prospectively, and is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  Adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” amending Topic 220.  The amendments provide that an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The Company has chosen the latter option.  This ASU eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  The ASU does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income, nor does it require any transition disclosures.  The amendments in this ASU are to be applied retrospectively, and are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  Early adoption is permitted.  In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”, which defers the effective date of a requirement in ASU 2011-05 related to reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  The deferral of the effective date was made to allow the FASB time to consider whether to require presentation on the face of the financial statements of the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income for all periods presented.  Adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” amending Topic 350.  The guidance changes the manner of testing of goodwill for impairment by providing an entity with the option of first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors may include the following: macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; cost factors; overall financial performance; and other relevant entity-specific events.  If an entity elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that an impairment is more likely than not, the entity is then required to perform the existing two-step quantitative impairment test; otherwise, no further analysis is required.  An entity also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and instead go directly to the two-step quantitative impairment test.  These changes are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted.  The Company does not expect that adoption of the ASU will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210):  Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” amending Topic 210.  The amendments require an entity to disclose both gross and net information about both instruments and transactions that are eligible for offset on the balance sheet and instruments and transactions that are subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement.  This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods, with retrospective disclosure for all comparative periods presented.  The Company is evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-11 but does not expect that adoption of the ASU will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 3.  Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends), including Dividend Reinvestment Plan shares issuable upon reinvestment of dividends declared, and reduced for shares held in treasury.

The following table illustrates the calculation for the periods ended March 31, as adjusted for the cash dividends declared on the preferred stock:

For The First Quarter Ended March 31,
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Net income, as reported
  $ 964,849     $ 944,868  
Less: dividends to preferred shareholders
    46,875       46,875  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 917,974     $ 897,993  
Weighted average number of common shares
               
   used in calculating earnings per share
    4,735,857       4,635,324  
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  

Note 4.  Investment Securities

Securities available-for-sale (AFS) and held-to-maturity (HTM) consisted of the following:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities AFS
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
March 31, 2012
                       
U.S. Government sponsored enterprise (GSE) debt securities
  $ 65,701,558     $ 258,785     $ 59,195     $ 65,901,148  
U.S. Government securities
    7,035,625       21,730       6,625       7,050,730  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       41,700       0       84,060  
    $ 72,779,543     $ 322,215     $ 65,820     $ 73,035,938  
                                 
December 31, 2011
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 60,846,954     $ 215,595     $ 99,310     $ 60,963,239  
U.S. Government securities
    5,006,979       37,424       848       5,043,555  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       49,763       0       92,123  
    $ 65,896,293     $ 302,782     $ 100,158     $ 66,098,917  
                                 
March 31, 2011
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 23,277,044     $ 57,776     $ 71,815     $ 23,263,005  
U.S. Government securities
    5,027,492       28,152       0       5,055,644  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    42,360       99,679       0       142,039  
    $ 28,346,896     $ 185,607     $ 71,815     $ 28,460,688  


 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities HTM
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value*
 
                         
March 31, 2012
                       
States and political subdivisions
  $ 33,562,606     $ 605,394     $ 0     $ 34,168,000  
                                 
December 31, 2011
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 29,702,159     $ 586,841     $ 0     $ 30,289,000  
                                 
March 31, 2011
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 37,948,665     $ 493,335     $ 0     $ 38,442,000  
 
 

 
The scheduled maturities of debt securities AFS were as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
March 31, 2012
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 7,020,449     $ 7,050,344  
Due from one to five years
    64,716,734       64,896,400  
Due from five to ten years
    1,000,000       1,005,134  
    $ 72,737,183     $ 72,951,878  
                 
December 31, 2011
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,018,549     $ 5,035,711  
Due from one to five years
    58,835,384       58,970,925  
Due from five to ten years
    2,000,000       2,000,158  
    $ 65,853,933     $ 66,006,794  
                 
March 31, 2011
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 12,137,321     $ 12,200,055  
Due from one to five years
    16,167,215       16,118,594  
    $ 28,304,536     $ 28,318,649  


The scheduled maturities of debt securities HTM were as follows:



   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value*
 
March 31, 2012
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 24,784,042     $ 24,784,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,236,531       4,388,000  
Due from five to ten years
    804,472       956,000  
Due after ten years
    3,737,561       4,040,000  
    $ 33,562,606     $ 34,168,000  
                 
December 31, 2011
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 20,589,247     $ 20,589,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,534,944       4,682,000  
Due from five to ten years
    822,735       969,000  
Due after ten years
    3,755,233       4,049,000  
    $ 29,702,159     $ 30,289,000  
                 
March 31, 2011
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 28,814,724     $ 28,815,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,439,601       4,563,000  
Due from five to ten years
    782,407       906,000  
Due after ten years
    3,911,933       4,158,000  
    $ 37,948,665     $ 38,442,000  

*Method used to determine fair value on HTM securities rounds values to nearest thousand.

Debt securities with unrealized losses are presented in the table below.  There were no debt securities in an unrealized loss position of 12 months or more as of the dates presented.

   
Less than 12 months
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Loss
 
March 31, 2012
           
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 23,532,511     $ 59,195  
U.S. Government securities
    3,008,279       6,625  
    $ 26,540,790     $ 65,820  
                 
December 31, 2011
               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 29,940,644     $ 99,310  
U.S. Government securities
    999,766       848  
    $ 30,940,410     $ 100,158  
                 
March 31, 2011
               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 10,089,293     $ 71,815  

Debt securities represented consisted of 17 U.S. GSE debt securities and three U.S. Government securities at March 31, 2012 and 21 U.S. GSE debt securities and one U.S. Government security at December 31, 2011, and seven U.S. GSE debt securities as of March 31, 2011 in an unrealized loss position.  These unrealized losses were principally attributable to changes in prevailing interest rates for similar types of securities and not deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.

At March 31, 2012 and 2011 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s AFS portfolio included two classes of Fannie Mae preferred stock with an aggregate cost basis of $42,360, which reflects an other-than-temporary impairment write down in the fourth quarter of 2010 of $25,804 and two other-than-temporary impairment write downs in prior periods.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions, or adverse developments relating to the issuer, warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies or other adverse developments in the status of the securities have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition.
 
Note 5.  Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The composition of net loans follows:

   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
             
Commercial
  $ 46,455,835     $ 39,514,607  
Commercial real estate
    130,920,418       132,269,368  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    164,105,983       159,535,958  
Residential real estate - Jr. lien
    45,346,141       45,886,967  
Consumer
    11,000,989       11,465,139  
      397,829,366       388,672,039  
Deduct (add):
               
Allowance for loan losses
    3,952,489       3,886,502  
Unearned net loan fees
    (54,355 )     (7,251 )
Loans held-for-sale
    1,583,520       2,285,567  
      5,481,654       6,164,818  
          Net Loans
  $ 392,347,712     $ 382,507,221  

The following is an age analysis of past due loans (including non-accrual) by segment:

         
90 Days
   
Total
               
Non-Accrual
   
Over 90 Days
 
March 31, 2012
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                           
Commercial
  $ 1,627,845     $ 487,359     $ 2,115,204     $ 44,340,631     $ 46,455,835     $ 1,047,690     $ 65,350  
Commercial real estate
    868,141       2,794,504       3,662,645       127,257,773       130,920,418       3,666,742       193,044  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    3,048,858       2,369,143       5,418,001       157,104,462       162,522,463       2,604,285       928,443  
Residential real estate - Jr lien
    615,913       44,564       660,477       44,685,664       45,346,141       344,668       35,117  
Consumer
    148,813       0       148,813       10,852,176       11,000,989       0       0  
          Total
  $ 6,309,570     $ 5,695,570     $ 12,005,140     $ 384,240,706     $ 396,245,846     $ 7,663,385     $ 1,221,954  
                                                         
           
90 Days
   
Total
                   
Non-Accrual
   
Over 90 Days
 
December 31, 2011
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                                         
Commercial
  $ 655,168     $ 265,668     $ 920,836     $ 38,593,771     $ 39,514,607     $ 1,066,945     $ 59,618  
Commercial real estate
    2,266,412       1,288,616       3,555,028       128,714,340       132,269,368       3,714,146       98,554  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    5,614,513       2,517,282       8,131,795       149,118,596       157,250,391       2,703,920       969,078  
Residential real estate - Jr lien
    431,885       2,754,129       3,186,014       42,700,953       45,886,967       464,308       111,061  
Consumer
    152,151       1,498       153,649       11,311,490       11,465,139       0       1,498  
          Total
  $ 9,120,129     $ 6,827,193     $ 15,947,322     $ 370,439,150     $ 386,386,472     $ 7,949,319     $ 1,239,809  
                                                         
           
90 Days
   
Total
                   
Non-Accrual
   
Over 90 Days
 
March 31, 2011
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                                         
Commercial
  $ 921,982     $ 7,177     $ 929,159     $ 31,283,129,     $ 32,212,288     $ 92,215     $ 7,177  
Commercial real estate
    599,903       446,842       1,046,745       133,126,143       134,172,888       1,325,271       231,237  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    5,913,261       759,004       6,672,265       154,385,441       161,057,706       2,689,389       259,807  
Residential real estate - Jr lien
    332,892       392,438       725,330       46,270,060       46,995,390       383,223       32,253  
Consumer
    133,522       38,201       171,723       12,343,343       12,515,066       0       38,201  
          Total
  $ 7,901,560     $ 1,643,662     $ 9,545,222     $ 377,408,116     $ 386,953,338     $ 4,490,098     $ 568,675  
 
 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is probable. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

As described below, the allowance consists of general, specific and unallocated components.  However, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio, regardless of specific, general and unallocated components considered in determining the amount of the allowance.

General component

The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors and stratified by the following loan segments: commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate first lien, residential real estate junior lien, and consumer loans. The Company does not disaggregate its portfolio segments further into classes.  Loss ratios are calculated for one year, two year and five year look back periods.  The highest loss ratio among these look-back periods is then applied against the respective segment.  Management uses an average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment. This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-performing loans, levels of and trends in loan risk groups, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of any changes in loan related policies, experience, ability and the depth of management, documentation and credit data exception levels, national and local economic trends, external factors such as competition and regulation and lastly, concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available.

During the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company modified its allowance methodology by further segmenting the residential real estate portfolio into first lien residential mortgages and junior lien residential mortgages, also known as home equity loans.  The change was made to allow the Company to more closely monitor and appropriately reserve for the risk inherent with home equity lending, given the modest repayment requirements, relaxed documentation characteristic of home equity lending, higher loan to value ratios, and the recent decline of home property values. The residential real estate junior lien portfolio accounted for 22 percent of the total residential real estate portfolio as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. No changes in the Company’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component for loan losses were made during the first quarter of 2012.

The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. The Company has policies, procedures and internal controls that management believes are commensurate with the risk profile of each of these segments. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

Commercial – Loans in this segment include commercial and industrial loans and to a lesser extent loans to finance agricultural production. Commercial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business, including trade assets and equipment. While not the primary collateral, in many cases these loans may also be secured by the real estate of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, soft consumer spending, unfavorable foreign trade conditions and the rising cost of labor or raw materials are examples of issues that can impact the credit quality in this segment.

Commercial Real Estate – Loans in this segment are principally made to businesses and are generally secured by either owner-occupied, or non-owner occupied commercial real estate. A relatively small portion of this segment includes farm loans secured by farm land and buildings.  As with commercial loans, repayment of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans is expected from the cash flows of the business and the segment would be impacted by similar risk factors. The non-owner occupied commercial real estate portion includes both residential and commercial construction loans, vacant land and real estate development loans, multi-family dwelling loans and commercial rental property loans. Repayment of construction loans is expected from permanent financing takeout; the Company generally requires a commitment or eligibility for the take-out financing prior to construction loan origination. Real estate development loans are generally repaid from the sale of the subject real property as the project progresses. Construction and development lending entail additional risks, including the project exceeding budget, not being constructed according to plans, not receiving permits, or the pre-leasing or occupancy rate not meeting expectations. Repayment of multi-family loans and commercial rental property loans is expected from the cash flow generated by rental payments received from the individuals or businesses occupying the real estate. Commercial real estate loans are impacted by factors such as competitive market forces, vacancy rates, cap rates, net operating incomes, lease renewals and overall economic demand. In addition, loans in the recreational and tourism sector can be affected by weather conditions, such as unseasonably low winter snowfalls. Commercial real estate lending also carries a higher degree of environmental risk than other real estate lending.

Residential Real Estate - 1st Lien – All loans in this segment are collateralized by first mortgages on 1 – 4 family owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Residential Real Estate – Jr. Lien – All loans in this segment are collateralized by junior lien mortgages on 1 – 4 family residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Consumer – Loans in this segment are made to individuals for consumer and household purposes.  This segment includes both loans secured by automobiles and other consumer goods, as well as loans that are unsecured.  This segment also includes overdrafts, which are extensions of credit made to both individuals and businesses to cover temporary shortages in their deposit accounts and are generally unsecured.  The Company maintains policies restricting the size and length of these extensions of credit.  The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Specific component

The specific component relates to loans that are impaired.  A specific allowance is established when a loan’s impaired basis is less than the carrying value of the loan.  For all loan segments, except consumer loans, a loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, in management’s estimation it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are loan(s) to a borrower that in aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status or are troubled debt restructurings (TDR).  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant or temporary payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management evaluates the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and frequency of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Impaired loans also include troubled loans that are restructured. A TDR occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. TDRs may include the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan’s terms, or a combination of the two.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement.

Unallocated component

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
 
The following summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses and select loan information, by portfolio segment.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2012
                             
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
         
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
   Beginning balance
  $ 342,314     $ 1,385,939     $ 1,578,493     $ 331,684     $ 124,779     $ 123,293     $ 3,886,502  
      Charge-offs
    (9,834 )     (46,799 )     (58,474 )     (60,287 )     (23,658 )     0       (199,052 )
      Recoveries
  $ 1,252       756       1,457       1,356       10,215       0       15,036  
      Provisions
    54,844       49,472       73,977       45,322       12,686       13,702       250,003  
   Ending balance
  $ 388,576     $ 1,389,368     $ 1,595,453     $ 318,075     $ 124,022     $ 136,995     $ 3,952,489  
                                                         
Allowance for loan losses
 
Evaluated for impairment
                                                       
   Individually
  $ 56,500     $ 36,200     $ 255,300     $ 35,500     $ 0     $ 0     $ 383,500  
   Collectively
    332,076       1,353,168       1,340,153       282,575       124,022       136,995       3,568,989  
          Total
  $ 388,576     $ 1,389,368     $ 1,595,453     $ 318,075     $ 124,022     $ 136,995     $ 3,952,489  
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
 
   Individually
  $ 981,463     $ 3,623,305     $ 2,314,559     $ 305,906     $ 0             $ 7,225,233  
   Collectively
    45,474,372       127,297,113       161,791,424       45,040,235       11,000,989               390,604,133  
          Total
  $ 46,455,835     $ 130,920,418     $ 164,105,983     $ 45,346,141     $ 11,000,989             $ 397,829,366  
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2011
                               
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
         
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
   Beginning balance
  $ 302,421     $ 1,391,898     $ 1,830,816     $ 0     $ 151,948     $ 50,852     $ 3,727,935  
      Charge-offs
    (22,050 )     (197,367 )     (521,608 )     (96,961 )     (103,687 )     0       (941,673 )
      Recoveries
    13,225       8,479       42,593       20       35,923       0       100,240  
      Provisions
    48,718       182,929       226,692       428,625       40,595       72,441       1,000,000  
   Ending balance
  $ 342,314     $ 1,385,939     $ 1,578,493     $ 331,684     $ 124,779     $ 123,293     $ 3,886,502  
                                                         
Allowance for loan losses
 
Evaluated for impairment
                                                       
   Individually
  $ 70,600     $ 57,500     $ 283,200     $ 47,200     $ 0     $ 0     $ 458,500  
   Collectively
    271,714       1,328,439       1,295,293       284,484       124,779       123,293       3,428,002  
          Total
  $ 342,314     $ 1,385,939     $ 1,578,493     $ 331,684     $ 124,779     $ 123,293     $ 3,886,502  
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
 
   Individually
  $ 1,000,120     $ 3,669,260     $ 2,366,326     $ 434,664     $ 0             $ 7,470,370  
   Collectively
    38,514,487       128,600,108       157,169,632       45,452,303       11,465,139               381,201,669  
          Total
  $ 39,514,607     $ 132,269,368     $ 159,535,958     $ 45,886,967     $ 11,465,139             $ 388,672,039  
 
 

 
For the first quarter ended March 31, 2011
 
         
Commercial
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
   
Allowance for loan losses
 
   Beginning balance
  $ 302,421     $ 1,391,898     $ 1,830,816     $ 151,948     $ 50,852     $ 3,727,935  
      Charge-offs
    (700 )     0       (188,800 )     (37,590 )     0       (227,090 )
      Recoveries
    8,106       1,090       0       12,377       0       21,573  
      Provision
    (53,379 )     3,958       114,103       25,130       97,688       187,500  
   Ending balance
  $ 256,448     $ 1,396,946     $ 1,756,119     $ 151,865     $ 148,540     $ 3,709,918  
                                                 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 14,500     $ 51,200     $ 254,100     $ 0     $ 0     $ 319,800  
 Collectively evaluated  for impairment
    241,948       1,345,746       1,502,019       151,865       148,540       3,390,118  
          Total
  $ 256,448     $ 1,396,946     $ 1,756,119     $ 151,865     $ 148,540     $ 3,709,918  
   
Loans
 
 Individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 92,215     $ 1,325,271     $ 3,072,612     $ 0             $ 4,490,098  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    32,120,073       132,847,617       206,034,900       12,515,066             $ 383,517,656  
          Total
  $ 32,212,288     $ 134,172,888     $ 209,107,512     $ 12,515,066             $ 388,007,754  
 
Impaired loans by segments were as follows:

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2012
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized*
 
                               
With no related allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial
  $ 437,244     $ 459,130     $ 0     $ 408,934     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,989,517       2,241,646       0       2,015,309       0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
    841,086       1,069,606       0       920,953       0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
    0       0       0       62,893       0  
                                         
With an allowance recorded
                                       
   Commercial
    544,218       562,609       56,500       581,857       0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,633,788       1,658,905       36,200       1,630,974       0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
    1,473,473       1,983,044       255,300       1,419,490       0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
    305,906       321,500       35,500       307,392       0  
                                         
Total
                                       
   Commercial
  $ 981,463     $ 1,021,739     $ 56,500     $ 990,791     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
  $ 3,623,305     $ 3,900,551     $ 36,200     $ 3,646,283     $ 0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
  $ 2,314,559     $ 3,052,650     $ 255,300     $ 2,340,443     $ 0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
  $ 305,906     $ 321,500     $ 35,500     $ 370,285     $ 0  
          Total
  $ 7,225,233     $ 8,296,440     $ 383,500     $ 7,347,802     $ 0  
 
For the year ended December 31, 2011
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized*
 
                               
With no related allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial
  $ 380,624     $ 391,800     $ 0     $ 332,523     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
    2,041,101       2,246,905       0       960,407       0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
    1,000,819       1,191,437       0       1,210,137       0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
    125,786       185,142       0       25,157       0  
                                         
With an allowance recorded
                                       
   Commercial
    619,496       637,729       70,600       237,724       0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,628,159       1,653,646       57,500       1,128,795       0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
    1,365,507       1,869,338       283,200       1,629,151       0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
    308,878       321,475       47,200       61,776       0  
                                         
Total
                                       
   Commercial
  $ 1,000,120     $ 1,029,529     $ 70,600     $ 570,247     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
  $ 3,669,260     $ 3,900,551     $ 57,500     $ 2,089,202     $ 0  
   Residential real estate 1st lien
  $ 2,366,326     $ 3,060,775     $ 283,200     $ 2,839,288     $ 0  
   Residential real estate Jr lien
  $ 434,664     $ 506,617     $ 47,200     $ 86,933     $ 0  
          Total
  $ 7,470,370     $ 8,497,472     $ 458,500     $ 5,585,670     $ 0  

 
For the first quarter ended March 31, 2011
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized*
 
                               
With no related allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial
  $ 2,427     $ 2,531     $ 0     $ 13,679     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
    180,077       180,077       0       90,038       0  
   Residential real estate
    1,966,456       2,634,063       0       1,552,373       0  
                                         
With an allowance recorded
                                       
   Commercial
    89,788       95,034       14,500       63,042       0  
   Commercial real estate
    1,145,194       1,145,672       51,200       1,145,195       0  
   Residential real estate
    1,106,156       1,264,496       254,100       1,593,889       0  
                                         
Total
                                       
   Commercial
  $ 92,215     $ 97,565     $ 14,500     $ 76,721     $ 0  
   Commercial real estate
  $ 1,325,271     $ 1,325,749     $ 51,200     $ 1,235,233     $ 0  
   Residential real estate
  $ 3,072,612     $ 3,898,559     $ 254,100     $ 3,146,262     $ 0  
          Total
  $ 4,490,098     $ 5,321,873     $ 319,800     $ 4,458,216     $ 0  

*Interest income recognized on impaired loans is immaterial for all periods presented.

Interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual or charged off is reversed against interest income.  The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The Company is not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or restructured loans.
 
Credit Quality Grouping
 
In developing the allowance for loan losses, management uses credit quality grouping to help evaluate trends in credit quality. The Company groups credit risk into Groups A, B and C. The manner the Company utilizes to assign risk grouping is driven by loan purpose. Commercial purpose loans are individually risk graded while the retail portion of the portfolio is generally grouped by delinquency pool.
 
Group A loans - Acceptable Risk – are loans that are expected to perform as agreed under their respective terms.  Such loans carry a normal level of risk that does not require management attention beyond that warranted by the loan or loan relationship characteristics, such as loan size or relationship size. Group A loans include commercial loans that are individually risk rated and retail loans that are rated by pool. Group A retail loans include both performing consumer and residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans are loans to individuals secured by 1-4 family homes, including first mortgages, home equity and home improvement loans. Loan balances fully secured by deposit accounts or that are fully guaranteed by the Federal Government are considered acceptable risk.
 
Group B loans – Management Involved - are loans that require greater attention than the acceptable loans in Group A. Characteristics of such loans may include, but are not limited to, borrowers that are experiencing negative operating trends such as reduced sales or margins, borrowers that have exposure to adverse market conditions such as increased competition or regulatory burden, or that have had unexpected or adverse changes in management. These loans have a greater likelihood of migrating to an unacceptable risk level if these characteristics are left unchecked. Group B is limited to commercial loans that are individually risk rated.
 
Group C loans – Unacceptable Risk – are loans that have distinct shortcomings that require a greater degree of management attention.  Examples of these shortcomings include a borrower's inadequate capacity to service debt, poor operating performance, or insolvency.  These loans are more likely to result in repayment through collateral liquidation. Group C loans range from those that are likely to sustain some loss if the shortcomings are not corrected, to those for which loss is imminent and non-accrual treatment is warranted. Group C loans include individually rated commercial purpose loans, and retail loans adversely rated in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification Policy. Group C retail loans include 1-4 family residential real estate loans and home equity loans past due 90 days or more with loan-to-value ratios greater than 60%, home equity loans 90 days or more past due where the bank does not hold first mortgage, irrespective of loan-to-value, loans in bankruptcy where repayment is likely but not yet established, and lastly consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due.
 
Commercial purpose loan ratings are assigned by the commercial account officer; for larger and more complex commercial loans, the credit rating is a collaborative assignment by the lender and the credit analyst. The credit risk rating is based on the borrower's expected performance, i.e., the likelihood that the borrower will be able to service its obligations in accordance with the loan terms. Credit risk ratings are meant to measure risk versus simply record history.  Assessment of expected future payment performance requires consideration of numerous factors.  While past performance is part of the overall evaluation, expected performance is based on an analysis of the borrower's financial strength, and historical and projected factors such as size and financing alternatives, capacity and cash flow, balance sheet and income statement trends, the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, and the quality of the borrower’s management.  Other factors influencing the credit risk rating to a lesser degree include collateral coverage and control, guarantor strength and commitment, documentation, structure and covenants and industry conditions.  There are uncertainties inherent in this process.
 
Credit risk ratings are dynamic and require updating whenever relevant information is received.  The risk ratings of larger or more complex loans, and Group B and C rated loans, are assessed at the time of their respective annual reviews, during quarterly updates, in action plans or at any other time that relevant information warrants update. Lenders are required to make immediate disclosure to the Chief Credit Officer of any known increase in loan risk, even if considered temporary in nature.
 
 

The risk ratings within the loan portfolio by segments were as follows:

   
Total Loans
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
             
         
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
             
March 31, 2012
 
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                                     
Group A
  $ 43,981,911     $ 118,545,738     $ 158,316,199     $ 44,121,439     $ 10,997,140     $ 375,962,427  
Group B
    503,551       4,433,089       330,433       321,946       0       5,589,019  
Group C
    1,970,373       7,941,591       5,459,351       902,756       3,849       16,277,920  
          Total
  $ 46,455,835     $ 130,920,418     $ 164,105,983     $ 45,346,141     $ 11,000,989     $ 397,829,366  

   
Total Loans
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
             
         
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
             
December 31, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                                     
Group A
  $ 36,971,880     $ 119,410,381     $ 153,954,604     $ 44,943,200     $ 11,459,371     $ 366,739,436  
Group B
    530,523       4,037,860       98,603       322,022       0       4,989,008  
Group C
    2,012,204       8,821,127       5,482,751       621,745       5,768       16,943,595  
          Total
  $ 39,514,607     $ 132,269,368     $ 159,535,958     $ 45,886,967     $ 11,465,139     $ 388,672,039  

   
Total Loans
 
         
Commercial
   
Residential
             
March 31, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                               
Group A
  $ 29,165,570     $ 118,791,786     $ 203,607,047     $ 12,456,909     $ 364,021,313  
Group B
    914,995       6,464,176       276,372       0       7,655,543  
Group C
    2,131,723       8,916,926       5,224,093       58,157       16,330,898  
          Total
  $ 32,212,288     $ 134,172,888     $ 209,107,512     $ 12,515,066     $ 388,007,754  


Modifications of Loans and TDRs

A loan is classified as a TDR if, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.

The Company has granted such a concession if it has modified a troubled loan in any of the following ways:

·  
Reduced the original contractual interest rate to a rate that is below the current market rate for the borrower;
·  
Converted a variable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan;
·  
Extended the term of the loan beyond an insignificant delay;
·  
Deferred or forgiven principal in an amount greater than three months of payments; or,
·  
Performed a refinancing and deferred or forgiven principal on the original loan.

An insignificant delay or insignificant shortfall in the amount of payments typically would not require the loan to be accounted for as a TDR.  However, pursuant to regulatory guidance, any delay longer than three months is generally not considered insignificant. The assessment of whether a concession has been granted also takes into account payments expected to be received from third parties, including third-party guarantors, provided that the third party has the ability to perform on the guarantee.

The Company’s TDRs are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only, on a limited basis, reduced interest rates for borrowers below the current market rate for the borrower.  The Company has not forgiven principal within the terms of original restructurings, nor has it converted variable rate terms to fixed rate terms.
 
The following table presents loans modified as TDRs by segment during the three month period ended March 31, 2012:

         
Pre-
   
Post-
 
         
Modification
   
Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
                   
Commercial real estate
    2     $ 1,030,645     $ 1,030,645  
Residential real estate 1st lien
    1       119,813       119,813  
          Total
    3     $ 1,150,458     $ 1,150,458  
 
 

The following table presents TDRs for the twelve month period ending March 31, 2012 for which there was a payment default during the period:
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
 
Commercial
    4     $ 675,309  
Commercial real estate
    3       475,965  
Residential real estate 1st lien
    5       117,232  
          Total
    12     $ 1,268,506  
 
With respect to the calculation of the allowance for loan losses, non-accrual TDRs are treated as other impaired loans and carry individual specific allocations. These loans are categorized as non-performing, may be past due, and are generally adversely risk rated. The TDRs that have defaulted under their restructured terms are generally in collection status and their reserve allocation is typically calculated using the fair value of collateral method.

Note 6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As a result of the merger with LyndonBank on December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $11,574,269.  The goodwill is not amortizable and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The Company also recorded $4,161,000 of acquired identified intangible assets representing the core deposit intangible which is subject to amortization as a non-interest expense over a ten year period using a double declining method.

Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible for the first three months of 2012 was $85,218.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining annual amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible, absent any future impairment, is expected to be as follows:

2012
  $ 255,652  
2013
    272,695  
2014
    272,695  
2015
    272,695  
2016
    272,695  
2017
    272,696  
Total remaining core deposit intangible
  $ 1,619,128  

Management evaluates goodwill for impairment annually and the core deposit intangible for impairment if conditions warrant.  As of the date of the most recent evaluation (December 31, 2011), management concluded that no impairment existed.

Note 7.  Fair Value

Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value to provide additional insight into the Company’s quality of earnings. Some of these assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a nonrecurring basis, with the determination based upon applicable existing accounting pronouncements. For example, securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Other assets, such as, mortgage servicing rights, loans held for sale, and impaired loans, are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using the lower of cost or market methodology to determine impairment of individual assets. The Company groups assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (with level 1 considered highest and level 3 considered lowest). A brief description of each level follows.

Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes mortgage servicing rights, impaired loans, and OREO.

Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices for similar assets, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using matrix pricing models, or other model-based valuation techniques requiring observable inputs other than quoted prices such as yield curves, prepayment speeds, and default rates. Recurring Level 1 securities would include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Recurring Level 2 securities include federal agency securities.
 
 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reflected in the balance sheet at the dates presented are summarized below:

March 31, 2012
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Total
 
Assets: (market approach)
                 
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 65,901,147     $ 65,901,147  
U.S. Government securities
    7,050,730       0       7,050,730  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    84,060       0       84,060  
                         
December 31, 2011
                       
Assets: (market approach)
                       
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 60,963,239     $ 60,963,239  
U.S. Government securities
    5,043,555       0       5,043,555  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    92,123       0       92,123  
                         
March 31, 2011
                       
Assets: (market approach)
                       
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 23,263,005     $ 23,263,005  
U.S. Government securities
    4,030,003       1,025,641       5,055,644  
U.S. GSE preferred stock
    142,039       0       142,039  

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the periods presented.  There were no Level 3 financial instruments at March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, or March 31, 2011.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Mortgage servicing rights. Mortgage servicing rights represent the value associated with servicing residential mortgage loans. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are reported using the amortization method. In evaluating the carrying values of mortgage servicing rights, the Company obtains third party valuations based on loan level data including note rate, type and term of the underlying loans. As such, the Company classifies mortgage servicing rights as nonrecurring Level 2.

OREO. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is initially recorded at market value. The fair value of other real estate owned is based on property appraisals and an analysis of similar properties currently available. As such, the Company records other real estate owned as nonrecurring Level 2.

Impaired loans. A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that all of the principal and interest due under the original underwriting terms of the loan may not be collected. Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. As such, the Company records impaired loans as nonrecurring Level 2.

The following table includes assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that have had a fair value adjustment since their initial recognition. Impaired loans measured at fair value only include impaired loans with a related specific allowance for loan losses and are presented net of specific allowances of $383,500 at March 31, 2012, $458,500 at December 31, 2011, and $319,800 at March 31, 2011.


Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and reflected in the balance sheet at the dates presented are summarized below:

March 31, 2012
 
Level 2
 
Assets: (market approach)
     
Mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,100,502  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    3,573,885  
OREO
    220,493  
         
December 31, 2011
       
Assets: (market approach)
       
Mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,167,808  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    3,463,540  
OREO
    90,000  
         
March 31, 2011
       
Assets: (market approach)
       
Mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,362,331  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    2,021,338  
OREO
    764,500  

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the periods presented.  There were no Level 1 or Level 3 financial instruments at March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, or March 31, 2011.

FASB ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, if the fair values can be reasonably determined. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques using observable inputs when available. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
 
 
Fair values of financial instruments

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

Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values.

Investment securities:  The fair value of securities available for sale equals quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined using quoted market prices for similar securities.  Level 1 securities include certain U.S. Government securities and U.S. GSE preferred stock.  Level 2 securities include asset-backed securities, including obligations of U.S. GSEs and certain U.S. Government securities.

Restricted equity securities:  Restricted equity securities are comprised of FRBB stock and FHLBB stock.  These securities are carried at cost, which is believed to approximate fair value, based on the redemption provisions of the FRBB and the FHLBB.  The stock is nonmarketable, and redeemable at par value, subject to certain conditions, and, in the case of FHLBB stock, a moratorium on redemptions.

Loans and loans held-for-sale:  For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying amounts.  The fair values for other loans (for example, fixed rate residential, commercial real estate, and rental property mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan fair value estimates include judgments regarding future expected loss experience and risk characteristics.  Loan impairment is deemed to exist when full repayment of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan is no longer probable.  Impaired loans are reported based on one of three measures: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the fair value is less than an impaired loan’s recorded investment, an impairment loss is recognized as part of the allowance for loan losses.  Accordingly, certain impaired loans may be subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  Management has estimated the fair values of these assets using Level 2 inputs, such as the fair value of collateral based on independent third-party appraisals for collateral-dependent loans.

The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant.  The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.

Mortgage servicing rights:  Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated regularly for impairment based upon the fair   value of the servicing rights as compared to their amortized cost. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income, with loans divided into strata for valuation purposes based on their rates, terms and other features. The Company obtains a third party valuation based upon loan level data, including note rate, type and term. The model utilizes a variety of observable inputs for its assumptions, the most significant of which are loan prepayment assumptions and the discount rate used to discount future cash flows.  Mortgage servicing rights are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are classified as Level 2 assets.

Deposits, federal funds purchased and borrowed funds:  The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (for example, checking and savings accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The fair values for certificates of deposit and borrowed funds are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates and indebtedness to a schedule of aggregated contractual maturities on such time deposits and indebtedness.

Junior subordinated debentures:  Fair value is estimated using current rates for debentures of similar maturity.

Capital lease obligations:  Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow calculation using current rates.  Based on current rates, carrying value approximates fair value.

Accrued interest:  The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values.

Off-balance-sheet credit related instruments:  Commitments to extend credit were evaluated and fair value was estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit-worthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.
 
 

The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:


March 31, 2012
 
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
       
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 8,985     $ 8,985     $ 0     $ 0     $ 8,985  
Securities held-to-maturity
    33,563       0       34,168       0       34,168  
Securities available-for-sale
    73,036       7,135       65,901       0       73,036  
Restricted equity securities
    4,021       0       4,021       0       4,021  
Loans and loans held-for-sale
                                       
  Commercial
    46,456       0       0       47,093       47,093  
  Commercial real estate
    130,920       0       0       132,599       132,599  
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    164,106       0       0       170,681       170,681  
  Residential real estate - Jr. lien
    45,346       0       0       46,234       46,234  
  Consumer
    11,001       0       0       11,438       11,438  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,069       0       1,101       0       1,200  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,846       0       1,846       0       1,846  



March 31, 2012
 
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial liabilities:
       
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Deposits
                             
  Other deposits
  $ 428,467     $ 0     $ 431,115     $ 0     $ 431,115  
  Brokered deposits
    25,526       0       25,546       0       25,546  
Federal funds purchased and short term-borrowings
    8,760       0       8,760       0       8,760  
Long-term borrowings
    12,010       0       12,383       0       12,383  
Repurchase agreements
    24,770       0       24,770       0       24,770  
Capital lease obligations
    818       0       818       0       818  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       0       12,361       0       12,361  
Accrued interest payable
    138       0       138       0       138  


   
December 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2011
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,465     $ 23,465     $ 34,121     $ 34,121  
Securities held-to-maturity
    29,702       30,289       37,949       38,442  
Securities available-for-sale
    66,099       66,099       28,461       28,461  
Restricted equity securities
    4,309       4,309       4,309       4,309  
Loans and loans held-for-sale, net
    384,793       395,386       384,247       393,310  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,097       1,168       1,253       1,362  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,701       1,701       1,966       1,966  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    454,393       457,347       437,557       439,994  
Federal funds purchased and other
                               
  borrowed funds
    18,010       18,404       18,010       18,240  
Repurchase agreements
    21,645       21,645       21,480       21,480  
Capital lease obligations
    833       833       824       824  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       11,691       12,887       13,366  
Accrued interest payable
    150       150       175       175  

The estimated fair values of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were immaterial as of the dates presented in the above table.
 
 

Note 8.  Loan Servicing

The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of the mortgage servicing rights for the periods indicated:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
                   
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,097,442     $ 1,076,708     $ 1,076,708  
   Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
    98,317       355,730       107,216  
   Mortgage servicing rights amortized
    (90,181 )     (346,165 )     (82,273 )
   Change in valuation allowance
    (36,161 )     11,169       151,662  
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,069,417     $ 1,097,442     $ 1,253,313  
 

Note 9.  Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 10.  Subsequent Event

The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date that the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements, as required by GAAP.  On March 13, 2012, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.14 per common share payable May 1, 2012 to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2012.  This dividend, amounting to $661,881, was accrued at March 31, 2012.
 
 

 

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

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
for the Period Ended March 31, 2012

    The following discussion analyzes the consolidated financial condition of Community Bancorp. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, as of March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, and its consolidated results of operations for the periods then ended.  The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is therefore eligible for relief from certain disclosure requirements.  In accordance with such provisions, the Company has elected to provide its audited consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for two, rather than three, years.

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in its 2011 Annual Report on form 10-K filed with the SEC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains certain forward-looking statements about the results of operations, financial condition and business of the Company and its subsidiary. When used therein, the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "predicts," or similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.

     Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Future results of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward looking statements included in this discussion include, but are not limited to, estimated contingent liability related to assumptions made within the asset/liability management process, management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level, credit risk expectations relating to the Company's loan portfolio and its participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) program, and management's general outlook for the future performance of the Company, summarized below under "Overview". Although forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this Report, except as required by applicable law.  The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

     Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) general economic conditions, either nationally, regionally or locally continue to deteriorate, resulting in a decline in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services; (2) competitive pressures increase among financial service providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial service industry generally, including competitive pressures from non-bank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems; (3) interest rates change in such a way as to reduce the Company's margins;  (4) changes in laws or government rules, or the way in which courts and government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, increase our costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business; (5) changes in federal or state tax policy; (6) changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (7) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (8) changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits; and (9) the effect of and changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies, regulation of the money supply by the Federal Reserve Board, and adverse changes in the credit rating of U.S. government debt.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP or GAAP) must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  However, two non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G.  We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G.

     Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions.  However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

OVERVIEW

     The Company’s consolidated assets on March 31, 2012 were $558,806,626, an increase of $5,901,109, or 1.1% from December 31, 2011, and an increase of $25,968,488, or 4.9% from March 31, 2011.  The most significant change in assets in both comparison periods was a decrease in cash and an increase in investments and loans as the Company shifted cash into higher yielding assets.  Cash decreased $14,480,259 from year end and $25,136,887 year over year.  The funds were utilized to increase the available-for-sale portfolio, which increased $6,937,021 from year end and $44,575,250 year over year and to fund loans, which also increased $9,157,327 from year end and $9,821,612 from March 31, 2011.  Deposits increased $16,835,962 from March 31, 2011 to December 31, 2011, while NOW accounts decreased $17,327,339 during the first quarter of 2012, mostly due to cyclical fluctuations in the balances of municipal customer accounts, as account balances typically increase during the second and third quarters of the year and then run off during the first half of the following year.   The decrease in certificates of deposits under $100,000 year over year is due in part to the low interest rate environment while the increase in time deposits from year end to March 31, 2012 is due to $11,476,000 in one-way funds purchased through Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) of Promontory Interfinancial Network during the quarter to help fund loan demand.  Demand for commercial loans increased since year end and demand for 1-4 family residential loans has remained steady.  The Company has retained in the loan portfolio some 10 – 15 year mortgages to help maintain the level of the 1-4 family loans, while continuing to sell 30 year mortgage loans in the secondary market to manage interest rate risk.

     Net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $964,849 or $0.19 per common share compared to $944,868 also $0.19 per common share for the first quarter of 2011.  Although earnings increased over the 2011 comparison period, an increase in the weighted average number of common shares of 100,533 resulted in the same level of earnings per common share.  Net interest income increased in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011, despite a decline in interest income, due to a decrease in interest expense.  The lower interest expense was attributed to a combination of the decrease in other time deposits and a decrease in rates paid on interest bearing deposits and borrowed funds.  Non-interest income decreased during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter 2011, due in part to a decrease in fee income from the sale of residential loans in the secondary market.  Also contributing to the difference is an impairment write down to mortgage servicing rights in 2012 of $36,161 versus a positive adjustment of $104,179 in 2011.  Operating expenses increased $200,418, of which $173,171 was attributed to an increase in the amortization of the Company’s investment in tax credit projects.

     On March 13, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share, payable on May 1, 2012 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2012.  The Company is focused on increasing the profitability of the balance sheet, improving expense efficiency, and prudently managing risk, particularly credit risk, in order to remain a well-capitalized bank in this challenging economic environment.

     The national economy is showing signs of a gradual recovery from the recent recession; however the pace of the recovery has been slow.  Spending, production and job market activity indicate the economy is expanding moderately, yet these gains are overshadowed by a widening federal budget deficit and global economic turbulence from the European debt crisis which leaves the economy vulnerable to shocks.  The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee recently indicated that they expect somewhat stronger growth in 2012 than in 2011; however the outlook remains uncertain, and close monitoring of economic developments will remain necessary.  More locally, economic indicators in Vermont, such as the unemployment rate and employment by industry, are more positive.  The current unemployment rate in Vermont is lower by 1.0 percentage point compared to the prior year.  According to industry statistics, real estate sales activity increased in 2011.  Vermont’s residential real estate market improved slowly since the lows of 2009 – 2010, with a gradual increase in median sale prices across most counties.  New construction remains sluggish with the relative cost of existing homes much less than building construction.  In the farming sector, average milk prices in 2011 exceeded the average price for 2010 and are projected to decrease only slightly in 2012.  Employers in the manufacturing, professional and business services and tourism industries are reporting significant over-the-year increases in employment.  Tourism activity during the fall foliage season and early winter was good with local hotels reporting stable bookings; however lack of snowfall had a negative impact on hotels, restaurants and convenience stores that rely on those who travel to the area for skiing and snowmobiling.  A positive addition to Northern Vermont is a multi-phase expansion project of a local ski resort that continues to expand into a year round indoor and outdoor recreation destination resort.  Already completed is an 84-room hotel and improvements to the base facility, lifts, a new ski shop, a learn-to-ski center, and a childcare facility.  Plans also include a zip line, ropes course, and mountain bike trail development. Towards the end of last year, the new indoor water park opened its doors and helped the resort survive the winter of less than average snow fall.  The ice arena also opened a few years ago as well as a multi level parking garage.  The newest expansion has been the construction of a 176 suite hotel that is connected to the water park, several restaurants and fitness room.  The project continues with an expansion and revitalization of the portion of the ski trails. This project has injected nearly $100 million of construction funding into the local economy over the last two years utilizing Federal EB5 program capital from foreign investors and has created many jobs for the area.

     While the trends in 2011 and the first quarter of 2012 have created some welcome distance from the recent recession, the rising price of fuel and other consumer goods will continue to impact adversely the consumer and all sectors of the economy, particularly as it relates to credit performance, which tends to lag economic cycles.  Management considers these economic factors, among others, in assessing the level of the Company’s reserve for loan losses in an effort to adequately reserve for probable losses due to consequences of the recession. The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $250,003 in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $187,500 in the first quarter of 2011.  The methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses combines historical elements, delinquent and non-performing loan trends and factors that reflect the current economic environment; this methodology is described in detail in the Credit Risk section of this report.

     The regulatory environment continues to increase operating costs and place extensive burden on personnel resources to comply with a myriad of legal requirements, including those under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act.  It is unlikely that these administrative costs and burdens will moderate in the future.

     On April 5, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) which contains various provisions to facilitate capital funding by small businesses, and increases the threshold for registration as a public company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 for banks and bank holding companies from 500 shareholders of record to 2,000 and increases the threshold for a deregistration from 300 to 1200.  Management of the Company is currently evaluating the JOBS Act and its potential impact on the Company.

     The following pages describe our first quarter financial results in much more detail. Please take the time to read them to more fully understand the quarter and three months ended March 31, 2012 in relation to the 2011 comparison periods.  The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related notes contained in this report and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The Company’s significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the December 31, 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, are fundamental to understanding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition because they require management to use estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of the Company’s assets or liabilities and financial results.  Five of these policies are considered by management to be critical because they require difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.  The critical accounting policies govern:

· the allowance for loan losses;
· other real estate owned (OREO);
· valuation of residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs);
· other than temporary impairment of investment securities; and
· the carrying value of goodwill.

     These policies are described further in the Company’s December 31, 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” and in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements.  There have been no material changes in the critical accounting policies described in the 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The Company’s net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $964,849, representing an increase of $19,981 or 2.1% over net income of $944,868 for the first quarter of 2011. This resulted in earnings per common share of $0.19 for both the first quarter of 2012 and 2011.  Core earnings (net interest income) for the first quarter of 2012 increased $153,327 or 3.7%, compared to the first quarter of 2011.  Although interest income decreased $87,216 or 1.5%, this decrease was more than offset by a decrease in interest expense of $240,543 or 15.9% year over year.  Despite a $9,821,612 or 2.5% increase in loans between periods, interest and fees on loans, the major component of interest income, decreased by $124,131 or 2.3%, due to a decrease in interest rates between periods.  Interest expense on deposits, the major component of total interest expense, decreased $209,492 or 18.8% between periods, attributable primarily to a decrease in the rates paid on interest-bearing deposit accounts.

    Non-interest income decreased $104,492 or 7.2%, while non-interest expense increased $200,418 or 4.6% for the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the first quarter of 2011.  Mortgage servicing rights was the major component of the $204,630 or 115.9% decrease in non-interest income between the comparison periods.  Fees related to the servicing of loans sold on the secondary market increased $89,107 or 27.3%, for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter in 2011.  Exchange income, a component of other income, decreased $14,000 or 38.9% for the first three months of 2012, from $36,000 in 2011 to $22,000 in 2012.  Income from the Company’s trust and investment management affiliate, Community Financial Services Group, LLC (CFSG), also decreased $8,685 or 20.5% for the first three months of 2012.  Occupancy expense, a component of non-interest expense, increased $65,700 or 8.1% for the first quarter due in part to increases in depreciation and service contracts.  During the first three months of 2012, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance expense decreased $59,816 or 35.1% compared to the first three months of 2011.  This decrease is due to a change in the formula used to assess deposit insurance premiums effective April 1, 2011.  Loss on limited partnerships, a component of other expenses, increased $173,171 or 141.8% for the first quarter of 2012.  This increase was attributed to an increase in the amortization of the Company’s investment in tax credit projects.

      Return on average assets, which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings.  Return on average equity, which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings.  The following table shows these ratios annualized for the comparison periods.

For the quarter ended March 31,
2012  
2011  
     
Return on Average Assets
0.72%
0.70%
Return on Average Equity
9.35%
9.67%
     
 
 
 

 

The following table summarizes the earnings performance and balance sheet data of the Company for the 2012 and 2011 comparison periods.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
Balance Sheet Data
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Net loans
  $ 393,931,232     $ 384,792,788  
Total assets
    558,806,626       552,905,517  
Total deposits
    453,993,149       454,393,309  
Borrowed funds
    20,770,000       18,010,000  
Total liabilities
    517,374,397       511,987,108  
Total shareholders' equity
    41,432,229       40,918,409  
                 
Three Months Ended March 31,
    2012       2011  
                 
Total interest income
  $ 5,589,896     $ 5,677,112  
Less:
               
Total interest expense
    1,270,927       1,511,470  
  Net interest income
    4,318,969       4,165,642  
Less:
               
Provision for loan losses
    250,003       187,500  
                 
Non-interest income
    1,354,977       1,459,469  
Less:
               
Non-interest expense
    4,549,932       4,349,514  
  Income before income taxes
    874,011       1,088,097  
Less:
               
Applicable income tax expense
    (90,838 )     143,229  
                 
   Net Income
  $ 964,849     $ 944,868  
                 
Per Share Data
               
                 
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
Book value per common shares outstanding
  $ 8.19     $ 7.97  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    4,735,857       4,635,324  
Number of common shares outstanding
    4,751,605       4,650,012  

INTEREST INCOME VERSUS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)

     The largest component of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments versus the interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds (i.e. other borrowings).  The Company’s level of net interest income can fluctuate over time due to changes in the level and mix of earning assets, and sources of funds (volume) and from changes in the yield earned and costs of funds (rate).  A portion of the Company’s income from municipal investments is not subject to income taxes.  Because the proportion of tax-exempt items in the Company's portfolio varies from year-to-year, to improve comparability of information, the non-taxable income shown in the tables below has been converted to a tax equivalent basis. Because the Company’s corporate tax rate is 34%, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we divide the tax-free income by 66%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equivalent to $1.52 in taxable income.

     Tax-exempt income is derived from municipal investments, which comprised the entire held-to-maturity portfolio of $33,562,606 at March 31, 2012, and $37,948,665 at March 31, 2011.

 
 

 

     The following table shows the reconciliation between reported net interest income and tax equivalent, net interest income for the comparison periods of 2012 and 2011.

For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Net interest income as presented
  $ 4,318,969     $ 4,165,642  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    109,868       134,913  
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 4,428,837     $ 4,300,555  
 
 
 
     The following table presents average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) and interest expense are both expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the 2012 and 2011 comparison periods.

                                     
   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
         
2012
               
2011
       
               
Average
               
Average
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                                   
                                     
 Loans (1)
  $ 391,354,167     $ 5,179,734       5.32 %   $ 389,001,889     $ 5,303,865       5.53 %
 Taxable investment securities
    72,207,427       172,841       0.96 %     23,703,792       70,810       1.21 %
 Tax-exempt investment securities
    32,499,603       323,141       4.00 %     36,604,441       396,802       4.40 %
 Sweep and interest earning accounts
    7,313,703       3,316       0.18 %     37,541,054       21,652       0.23 %
 Other investments (4)
    4,632,429       20,732       1.80 %     4,695,550       18,896       1.63 %
     Total
  $ 508,007,329     $ 5,699,764       4.51 %   $ 491,546,726     $ 5,812,025       4.80 %
                                                 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
                                                 
 NOW
  $ 111,800,243     $ 91,757       0.33 %   $ 103,637,956     $ 133,619       0.52 %
 Money market accounts
    75,414,173       175,387       0.94 %     74,305,272       219,897       1.20 %
 Savings deposits
    61,694,702       24,707       0.16 %     57,848,479       30,170       0.21 %
 Time deposits
    139,361,484       611,440       1.76 %     144,073,247       729,097       2.05 %
 Federal funds purchased and
                                               
  other borrowed funds
    18,446,000       75,409       1.64 %     22,410,000       100,416       1.82 %
 Repurchase agreements
    24,965,042       32,903       0.53 %     20,379,073       37,914       0.75 %
 Capital lease obligations
    823,481       15,760       7.66 %     827,642       16,793       8.12 %
 Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       243,564       7.60 %     12,887,000       243,564       7.66 %
     Total
  $ 445,392,125     $ 1,270,927       1.15 %   $ 436,368,669     $ 1,511,470       1.40 %
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 4,428,837                     $ 4,300,555          
Net interest spread (2)
                    3.36 %                     3.40 %
Net interest margin (3)
                    3.51 %                     3.55 %
                                                 
(1) Included in gross loans are non-accrual loans with an average balance of $7,818,530 and $4,594,164 for the three
 
months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount
 
and allowance for loan losses.
 
(2) Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on average earning assets and the average rate
 
paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(3) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.
 
(4) Included in other investments is the Company’s FHLBB Stock with an average balance of $3,657,279 and a dividend
 
payout rate of approximately 0.31% per quarter.
 
                                                 
 
 
 

 

     The average volume of earning assets for the first three months of 2012 increased $16,460,603 or 3.4% compared to the same period of 2011, while the average yield decreased 29 basis points.  The average volume of loans increased $2,352,278 or 0.6%, while the average yield decreased 21 basis points.  Interest earned on the loan portfolio comprised 90.9% of total interest income for the first three months of 2012 and 91.3% for the 2011 comparison period.  The average volume of sweep and interest earning accounts decreased $30,227,351 or 80.5%.  This was due to the decrease in cash and increase in investments and loans as the Company shifted cash into higher yielding assets.  The average volume of the taxable investment portfolio (classified as available-for-sale) increased $48,503,635 or 204.6% for the same period in 2011, while the average yield decreased 25 basis points.  The Company increased its taxable investment portfolio with U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities, as deposit funding increased in 2011.  The average volume of the tax exempt investment portfolio (classified as held-to-maturity) decrease $4,104,838 or 11.2% between periods, while the average tax equivalent yield decreased 40 basis points.  Interest earned on tax exempt investments (which is presented on a tax equivalent basis) comprised 5.7% of total interest income for the first three months of 2012 compared to 6.9% for the same period in 2011.  The Company has experienced additional competition from other local financial institutions in our municipal market, which is reflected in the decrease in the average volume of our tax exempt investment portfolio.

     In comparison, the average volume of interest bearing liabilities for the first three months of 2012 increased $9,023,456 or 2.1% over the 2011 comparison period, while the average rate paid on these liabilities decreased 25 basis points.  The average volume of NOW accounts increased $8,162,287 or 7.9% and money market funds increased $1,108,901 or 1.5% and the average rate paid decreased 19 basis points and 26 basis points, respectively.  The average volume carried in the Company’s money market product, an insured cash sweep account (ICS), increased $3,596,449 year over year from $8,422,500 in 2011 to $12,018,999 in 2012.  This product has brought in new funds but most of the interest has come from the Company’s CDARS customers looking for alternatives to placing their money in time deposit accounts that are not as liquid.  The average volume of time deposits decreased $4,711,763 or 3.3%, and the average rate paid on time deposits decreased 29 basis points.  Late in the first quarter of 2012, the Company purchased of $11,476,000 in one-way funds through CDARS which had little impact to the average volume. The average volume of federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds decreased $3,964,000 or 17.7% from an average volume of $22,410,000 for the first three months of 2011 to $18,446,000 for the same period in 2012.

     The prolonged low interest rate environment has resulted in continued pressure on the Company’s net interest spread and margin.  The Company’s earning assets are being replaced and repriced to lower interest rates, while the opportunity to reduce rates on non-maturing interest-bearing deposits is more limited.  A decrease of 29 basis points on the average yield on earning assets and 25 basis points on the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities during the first three months of 2012 compared to a decrease of 60 basis points and 21 basis points, respectively, for the first three months of 2011.  Most of the decrease in interest expense during the first three months of 2012 was attributable to the decrease in time deposits due to both volume and the rate paid on these deposits.  As long-term time deposits matured, they either repriced to lower rates or were not renewed.  The cumulative result of all these changes was a decrease of four basis points in the net interest spread and a decrease of four basis points in the net interest margin.

 
 
    The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the first three months of 2012 and 2011 resulting from volume changes in average assets and average liabilities and fluctuations in average rates earned and paid.

Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense
 
                   
   
Variance
   
Variance
       
   
Due to
   
Due to
   
Total
 
   
Rate (1)
   
Volume (1)
   
Variance
 
Average Interest-Earning Assets
                 
 Loans
  $ (156,206 )   $ 32,075     $ (124,131 )
 Taxable investment securities
    (42,683 )     144,714       102,031  
 Tax-exempt investment securities
    (32,837 )     (40,824 )     (73,661 )
 Sweep and interest earning accounts
    (4,808 )     (13,528 )     (18,336 )
 Other investments
    2,118       (282 )     1,836  
     Total
  $ (234,416 )   $ 122,155     $ (112,261 )
                         
Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                       
 NOW
  $ (52,328 )   $ 10,466     $ (41,862 )
 Money market accounts
    (47,791 )     3,281       (44,510 )
 Savings deposits
    (7,455 )     1,992       (5,463 )
 Time deposits
    (97,039 )     (20,618 )     (117,657 )
 Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    (8,843 )     (16,164 )     (25,007 )
 Repurchase agreements
    (13,492 )     8,481       (5,011 )
 Capital lease obligations
    (954 )     (79 )     (1,033 )
     Total
  $ (227,902 )   $ (12,641 )   $ (240,543 )
                         
       Changes in net interest income
  $ (6,514 )   $ 134,796     $ 128,282  
                         
(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:
 
Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume
 
Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate
 
Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:
 
Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume
 
Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate
 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest Income: The Company's non-interest income decreased $104,492 or 7.2% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011, from $1,354,977 to $1,459,469.  Income from sold loans decreased $115,523 or 23.0% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011 reflecting a decrease of $204,630 or 115.9% in mortgage servicing rights which was offset in part by an increase of $71,050 or 37.4% in point fees and premiums on sold loans.  Additionally, other income decreased $20,449 or 8.1% for the first quarter comparison periods, due to decreases of $14,000 or 38.9% from exchange income and $8,685 or 20.5% from the Company’s trust and investment management affiliate, CFSG.  Service fees increased $16,098 or 2.9% and other income from loans increased $15,382 or 9.9% quarter over quarter helping to offset a portion of the other decreases in the components of non-interest income noted here.

Non-interest Expense: The Company's non-interest expense increased $200,418 or 4.6% to $4,549,932 for the first quarter of 2012 compared to $4,349,514 for the 2011 comparison period.  Decreases were recorded in salaries and wages of $33,096 or 2.3%, FDIC insurance of $59,816 or 35.1% and the amortization of the core deposit intangible associated with the LyndonBank acquisition of $21,305 or 20.0%.  Offsetting these decreases were increases in employee benefits of $53,170 or 9.8%, occupancy expense of $65,700 or 8.1% and other expenses of $195,765 or 15.6%.

     Losses relating to various limited New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) partnership investments for affordable housing in our market area constitute the largest portion of other expenses.  These losses for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 amounted to $295,317 and $122,146, respectively, representing an increase of $173,171 or 141.8%.  These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits, and are designed to provide an effective yield between 8% and 10%.  Losses relating to the Company’s NMTC investment for the first quarter 2012 were recorded as $9,918, with tax credits amounting to $28,714.  The Company amortizes these investments under the effective yield method, resulting in the asset being amortized consistent with the periods in which the Company receives the tax benefit.
 
 
APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

     The provision for income taxes decreased from a tax expense of $143,229 for the first quarter of 2011 to a tax benefit of $90,838 for the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of $234,067 or 163.4%.  The change from expense to benefit is due primarily to the increase in tax credits year over year.  Total tax credits for the first three months of 2012 were $319,857 compared to total tax credits of $133,518 for the first three months of 2011.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

     The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percent of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2011
 
Assets
                                   
 Loans (gross)*
  $ 397,829,366       71.19 %   $ 388,672,039       70.30 %   $ 388,007,754       72.82 %
 Securities available-for-sale
    73,035,938       13.07 %     66,098,917       11.95 %     28,460,688       5.34 %
 Securities held-to-maturity
    33,562,606       6.01 %     29,702,159       5.37 %     37,948,665       7.12 %
*includes loans held for sale
                                               
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2011
 
Liabilities
                                               
 Time deposits
  $ 144,907,273       25.93 %   $ 137,461,352       24.86 %   $ 143,872,591       27.00 %
 Savings deposits
    64,512,091       11.54 %     59,284,631       10.72 %     61,151,720       11.48 %
 Demand deposits
    61,866,873       11.07 %     62,745,782       11.35 %     53,917,918       10.12 %
 Now
    106,166,136       19.00 %     123,493,475       22.34 %     104,921,318       19.69 %
 Money market accounts
    76,540,776       13.70 %     71,408,069       12.92 %     73,693,800       13.83 %
 Federal funds purchased
    8,760,000       1.57 %     0       0.00 %     0       0.00 %
 Long-term borrowings
    12,010,000       2.15 %     18,010,000       3.26 %     18,010,000       3.38 %

     The Company's loan portfolio increased $9,157,327 or 2.4%, from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012, and increased $9,821,612 or 2.5%, from March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012.  This increase is due in part to a large commercial loan originated during the first quarter of 2012 and to the Company’s decision to begin holding some 10-15 year fixed rate residential mortgages in-house, rather than selling them into the secondary market.  Securities available-for-sale increased $6,937,021 or 10.5% through purchases from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012, and $44,575,250 or 156.6% year over year.  Securities held-to-maturity increased $3,860,447 or 13.0% during the first three months of 2012, and decreased $4,386,059 or 11.6% year to year.  The increase in the held-to-maturity portfolio reflects municipal investments that matured in December 2011 and renewals during the first quarter 2012.  Competition remains aggressive for these municipal investments, accounting for the modest increase year to date and the decrease year over year.

     Total deposits decreased $400,160 or 0.1% from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and increased $16,435,802 or 3.8% from March 31, 2011.  Time deposits increased $7,445,921 or 5.4% from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and $1,034,682 or 0.7% from March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012.  This increase in time deposits is attributable to the purchase of $11,476,000 in one-way funds through the CDARS program discussed in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section.  Savings deposits increased $5,227,460 or 8.8% during the first three months of 2012 and $3,360,371 or 5.5% year to year.  Demand deposits decreased $878,909 or 1.4% during the first three months of 2012, compared to an increase of $7,948,955 or 14.7% year to year.  NOW accounts reported a decrease during the first three months of 2012 of $17,327,339 or 14.0% and an increase of $1,244,818 or 1.2% year over year.  The government agency accounts decreased $17,214,199 with an average monthly balance of $22,703,755 at March 31, 2012 compared to $39,917,874 at December 31, 2011.  The account held by the Company’s affiliate, CFSG, had an average monthly balance of $24,127,485 at March 31, 2012 compared to $27,018,380 at December 31, 2011, contributing to the decrease in 2012.  Money market accounts increased $5,132,707 or 7.2% for the first three months of 2012 and increased $2,846,976 or 3.9% year over year, reflecting the demand for the ICS program.  Long-term borrowings at March 31, 2012 decreased $6,000,000 or 33.3% compared to both December 31, and March 31, 2011.
 
 

RISK MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages the Company’s interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk.  The Company's Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO) is made up of the Executive Officers and all the Vice Presidents of the Bank.  The ALCO formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity and various business strategies.  The ALCO meets monthly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk.  In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved and periodically reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet.

     Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s financial instruments also change, thereby impacting net interest income (NII), the primary component of the Company’s earnings.  Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity.  The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses.  It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process.  The ALCO utilizes the results of this simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes.  The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.  Furthermore, the model simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing a flattening yield curve as well. This sensitivity analysis is compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point (bp) shift upward and a 100 bp shift downward in interest rates.  The analysis also provides a summary of the Company's liquidity position. Furthermore, the analysis provides testing of the assumptions used in previous simulation models by comparing the projected NII with actual NII.  The asset/liability simulation model provides management with an important tool for making sound economic decisions regarding the balance sheet.

     The Company’s Asset/Liability Policy has been enhanced with a contingency funding plan to help management prepare for unforeseen liquidity restrictions to include hypothetical severe liquidity crises.

     While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Credit Risk - A primary challenge of management is to reduce the exposure to credit loss within the loan portfolio. Management follows established underwriting guidelines, and exceptions to the policy must be approved in accordance with limits prescribed by the Board of Directors.  The adequacy of the loan loss reserve is reviewed quarterly by the risk management committee of the Board of Directors and then presented to the full Board of Directors for approval.  This committee meets to discuss, among other matters, potential exposures, historical loss experience, and overall economic conditions.  Existing or potential problems are noted and addressed by senior management in order to assess the risk of probable loss or delinquency.  A sample of loans are reviewed periodically by an independent loan review firm in order to assure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies and procedures and regulatory guidance. The Company maintains a Credit Administration department whose function includes credit analysis and monitoring and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio including delinquent and non-performing loans. The Company also monitors concentration of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interest, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans.  The Company has seen an increase in commercial and industrial loans as a percent of the total loan portfolio.  The Company’s strategy is to continue in this direction and it is committed to adding additional resources to the commercial credit function to manage the risk as this growth materializes.  However, achieving significant increases in commercial loans remains a challenge in light of the prolonged weak economy and slow recovery.  Some growth has also been realized in the residential mortgage first lien portfolio with the Company now holding rather than selling some of its 10 and 15 year fixed rate mortgages.


     The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
   
Total Loans
   
% of Total
 
                         
Construction & land development
  $ 11,522,557       2.90 %   $ 12,588,715       3.24 %
Secured by farm land
    10,183,530       2.56 %     10,223,277       2.63 %
1 - 4 family residential - 1st lien
    164,105,983       41.25 %     159,535,958       41.05 %
1 - 4 family residential - Jr lien
    45,346,141       11.40 %     45,886,967       11.80 %
Commercial real estate
    109,214,331       27.45 %     109,457,376       28.16 %
Loans to finance agricultural production
    1,257,655       0.32 %     1,282,339       0.33 %
Commercial & industrial loans
    45,198,180       11.36 %     38,232,268       9.84 %
Consumer loans
    11,000,989       2.76 %     11,465,139       2.95 %
     Total gross loans
    397,829,366       100.00 %     388,672,039       100.00 %
Deduct (add):
                               
Allowance for loan losses
    3,952,489               3,886,502          
Unearned loan fees
    (54,355 )             (7,251 )        
Loans held-for-sale
    1,583,520               2,285,567          
      5,481,654               6,164,818          
      Net loans
  $ 392,347,712             $ 382,507,221          
 
 

 
Allowance for loan losses and provisions - The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio (See Critical Accounting Policies). Although the Company, in establishing the allowance, considers the inherent losses in individual loans and pools of loans, the allowance is a general reserve available to absorb all credit losses in the loan portfolio.  No part of the allowance is segregated for, or allocated to, any particular loan or class.

     When establishing the allowance each quarter the Company applies a combination of historical loss factors and qualitative factors to loan classes including residential first and junior lien mortgages, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer loan portfolios.  During the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company changed its allowance methodology by segmenting the classes of the residential real estate portfolio into first lien residential mortgages and junior lien residential mortgages, also known as home equity loans.  The change was made to allow the Company to closely monitor and appropriately reserve for the risk inherent with home equity lending, given the modest repayment requirements, relaxed documentation, higher loan to value ratios characteristic of home equity lending, and the recent decline of home property values. No changes in the Company’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component for loan losses were made during the first quarter of 2012.  The Company will shorten or lengthen its look back period for determining average portfolio historical loss rates as the economy either contracts or expands; during a period of economic contraction a shortening of the look back period may more conservatively reflect the current economic climate.  In light of the 2008 recession, in late 2008 the Company modified its allowance methodology by shortening its historical look back period from five years to one to two years, and by also comparing loss rates to losses experienced during the last economic downturn, from 1999 to 2002. The highest loss rates experienced for these look back periods are applied to the various segments in establishing the allowance.

     The Company then applies numerous qualitative factors to each of these segments of the loan portfolio. Those factors include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans, criticized and classified assets, volumes and terms of loans, and the impact of any loan policy changes. Experience, ability and depth of lending personnel, levels of policy and documentation exceptions, national and local economic trends, the competitive environment, and concentrations of credit are also factors considered.


     The following table summarizes the Company's loan loss experience for the three months ended March 31,

   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Loans outstanding, end of period
  $ 397,829,366     $ 388,007,754  
Average loans outstanding during period
  $ 391,354,167     $ 389,001,889  
Non-accruing loans, end of period
  $ 7,663,385     $ 4,490,098  
                 
Loan loss reserve, beginning of period
  $ 3,886,502     $ 3,727,935  
Loans charged off:
               
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    (58,474 )     (188,800 )
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    (60,287 )     0  
  Commercial real estate
    (46,799 )     0  
  Commercial loans not secured by real estate
    (9,834 )     (700 )
  Consumer loans
    (23,658 )     (37,590 )
       Total loans charged off
    (199,052 )     (227,090 )
Recoveries:
               
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    1,457       0  
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    1,356       0  
  Commercial real estate
    756       1,090  
  Commercial loans not secured by real estate
    1,252       8,106  
  Consumer loans
    10,215       12,377  
        Total recoveries
    15,036       21,573  
Net loans charged off
    (184,016 )     (205,517 )
Provision charged to income
    250,003       187,500  
Loan loss reserve, end of period
  $ 3,952,489     $ 3,709,918  
                 
Net charge offs to average loans outstanding
    0.047 %     0.053 %
Provision charged to income as a percent of average loans
    0.064 %     0.048 %
Loan loss reserve to average loans outstanding
    1.010 %     0.954 %
Loan loss reserve to non-accruing loans *
    51.576 %     82.624 %

*The percentages include loans that carry federal government guarantees. If the guaranteed portions were deducted, the reserve coverage of non-accruing loans would increase to 77.4% as of March 31, 2012 and 106.3% as of March 31, 2011.
 
 

     Specific allocations to the reserve are made for certain impaired loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including interest and principal, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are loans to a borrower that in aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status, including troubled debt restructurings (TDR).  The Company will review all the facts and circumstances surrounding non-accrual and TDR loans and on a case-by-case basis may consider loans below the threshold as impaired when such treatment is material to the financial statements.  The Company reviews all the facts and circumstances surrounding non-accrual and TDR loans and on a case-by-case basis may consider loans below the threshold as impaired when such treatment is material to the Company's financial statements. Commercial and commercial real estate loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, payment in full of principal and interest is not expected, and/or principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more. However, such a loan need not be placed in non-accrual status if it is both well secured and in the process of collection.  Residential mortgages and home equity loans are considered for non-accrual status at 90 days past due and are evaluated on a case by case basis to assure that the Company’s net income is not materially overstated. The Company obtains current property appraisals or market value analyses and considers the cost to carry and sell collateral in order to assess the level of specific allocations required. Consumer loans are generally not placed in non-accrual but are charged off by the time they reach 120 days past due.

     The portion of the allowance termed "unallocated" is established to absorb inherent losses that exist as of the valuation date although not specifically identified through management's process for estimating credit losses.  While the allowance is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire allowance is available to support loan losses, regardless of category.

     The Company began experiencing increasing delinquencies and collection activity in 2008 when the most recent recession began. The slow recovery has resulted in prolonged work through of some of these delinquencies and problem loans. The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default and foreclosure. During the same period the Company experienced increasing trends in the levels of non-performing loans and criticized and classified assets, which is consistent with the length and depth of the economic recession and the current measured recovery. During 2009 the Company had carried the maximum qualitative factor adjustment for weak economic conditions and is now slowly decreasing that factor as the recovery progresses. The factors for trends in delinquency and non-accrual loans and criticized and classified assets were similarly increased. With the economic recovery continuing, the levels of both Group B and C loans have shown gradual improvement. The sluggish pace of the economic recovery and the lack of national economic stimulus funding in 2011 translated into slow and measured improvement of the negative trends experienced in the loan portfolio since the onset of the 2008 recession.

     The Company’s non-performing assets decreased $173,296 or 1.9% during the first three months of 2012 from $9,279,128 at December 31, 2011 to $9,105,832 as of March 31, 2012.  The non-performing loan decrease for the first quarter of 2012 is attributable in large part to the transfer of two properties into Other Real Estate Owned totaling $130,493, the auction liquidation of a $73,607 real estate loan, several charge offs relating to residential real estate loans and one further write down of a commercial real estate loan by $46,325.  Foreclosure actions are in process on 18 non-performing loans to 14 borrowing relationships with balances totaling approximately $3.5 million; those foreclosures and claims on related government guarantees are expected to reduce non performing loans during 2012.  Auctions are scheduled for the second quarter of 2012 to liquidate collateral securing six non-performing loans that total $1.6 million. The $9.1 million of non-performing loans at March 31, 2012 carry $2.6 million in federal government guarantees, making the non-performing loans net of guarantee $6.5 million. At March 31, 2011, of the $5.1 million in non-performing loans, $1.2 million carried federal government guarantees, resulting in non-performing loans net of guarantee of $3.9 million.

     When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, the Company's policy is to reverse the accrued interest against current period income and to discontinue the accrual of interest until the borrower clearly demonstrates the ability and intention to resume normal payments, typically demonstrated by regular timely payments for a period of not less than six months.  Interest payments received on non-accrual or impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance.  Deferred taxes are calculated monthly, based on interest amounts that would have accrued through the normal accrual process.

     Non-performing assets for the comparison periods were as follows:

   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Percent
         
Percent
 
   
Balance
   
of Total
   
Balance
   
of Total
 
                         
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing:
                   
  Commercial loans
  $ 65,350       0.72 %   $ 59,618       0.64 %
  Commercial real estate
    193,044       2.12 %     98,554       1.06 %
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    928,443       10.20 %     969,078       10.44 %
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    35,117       0.39 %     111,061       1.20 %
  Consumer
    0       0.00 %     1,498       0.02 %
     Total
    1,221,954       13.43 %     1,239,809       13.36 %
                                 
Non-accrual loans:
                               
  Commercial loans
    1,047,690       11.50 %     1,066,945       11.50 %
  Commercial real estate
    3,666,742       40.27 %     3,714,146       40.03 %
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    2,604,285       28.60 %     2,703,920       29.14 %
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    344,668       3.78 %     464,308       5.00 %
     Total
    7,663,385       84.15 %     7,949,319       85.67 %
                                 
Other real estate owned
    220,493       2.42 %     90,000       0.97 %
                                 
     Total
  $ 9,105,832       100.00 %   $ 9,279,128       100.00 %

     The Company’s non-accrual loans decreased $285,934 or 3.6% during the first three months from $7,949,319 at December 31, 2011 to $7,663,385 as of March 31, 2012.  The Company’s impaired loans decreased $245,137 during the first three months of 2012 from $7,470,370 to $7,225,233. Specific allocations to the reserve decreased for the same period, from $458,500 to $383,500. Three impaired loans to one borrower, totaling approximately $1.0 million at December 31, 2008, were rewritten through a TDR in 2009 and as of March 31, 2012 the book balance was $462,843 and the loan is paying according to terms. Two other federally guaranteed loans to one borrower totaling $1.3 million at December 31, 2009 were rewritten through a TDR in 2010 and as of March 31, 2012 the book balance remains at just over $1.1 million; the subject loans are now in the foreclosure process. A $1.3 million residential mortgage loan modified in June 2010 now has a balance of $800,000 and is also in foreclosure. Two other non-performing loans with balances of approximately $1.0 million at December 31, 2011 were restructured in January 2012 to allow for tropical storm Irene flood related remediation and are performing under the terms of the modification. The impaired portfolio as of March 31, 2012 includes approximately 32% residential first mortgages, 4% junior lien home equity loans, 50% commercial real estate, with the balance of 14% in commercial or installment loans not secured by real estate.  This compares to the impaired portfolio as of December 31, 2011 that included approximately 32% residential first mortgages, 6% junior lien home equity loans, 49% commercial real estate, with the balance of 13% in commercial or installment loans not secured by real estate.

     The Company is not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans.

     As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the OREO portfolio totaled $220,493 and $90,000 respectively.  The Company’s OREO portfolio at March 31, 2012 consisted of three properties acquired through the normal foreclosure process.

      The Company is committed to a conservative lending philosophy and maintains high credit and underwriting standards. As of March 31, 2012 the Company maintained a total residential loan portfolio (including 1st lien and Jr lien) of $209,452,124 compared to $205,422,925 as of December 31, 2011 and a commercial real estate portfolio (including construction, land development and farm land loans) of $130,920,418 as of March 31, 2012 and $132,269,368 as of December 31, 2011, together accounting for 85.6% and 86.9%, of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

     The residential mortgage portfolio makes up the largest segment of the loan portfolio and as a result of the severity and depth of the recent recession it has recently seen the greatest degree of collection and foreclosure activity and losses. The Company however, has not experienced delinquencies and losses to the extent of national peers as the Company maintains a mortgage loan portfolio of traditional mortgage products and has not engaged in higher risk loans such as option adjustable rate mortgage products, high loan-to-value products, interest only mortgages, subprime loans and products with deeply discounted teaser rates. In areas of the country where such risky products were originated, borrowers with little or no equity in their property have been defaulting on mortgages they can longer afford, and walking away from those properties as real estate values have fallen precipitously.  While real estate values have declined in the Company’s market area, the sound underwriting standards historically employed by the Company have mitigated the trends in defaults and property surrenders experienced elsewhere.  Residential mortgages with loan-to-values exceeding 80% are generally covered by private mortgage insurance (PMI).  A 90% loan-to-value residential mortgage product without PMI is only available to borrowers with excellent credit and low debt-to-income ratios and has not been widely originated.  Junior lien home equity products make up 22% of the residential mortgage portfolio with maximum loan-to-value ratios (including prior liens) of 80%.  The residential mortgage portfolio has had satisfactory performance in light of the depth of the recent recession and the slow recovery.

     Risk in the Company’s commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios is mitigated in part by using government guarantees issued by federal agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development. At March 31, 2012, the Company had $27,816,786 in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of 22,650,426, compared to $28,077,575 in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $22,885,794 at December 31, 2011.

     The Company made a first quarter 2012 provisions to the allowance for loan losses of $250,003, comparable to the level of the provision made over the last two years and sufficient, in management’s view, to cover first quarter 2012 net losses of $184,016 and to provide for growth in the loan portfolio. Net loan losses began increasing in 2007 and 2008 as a result of the recession and, given the increasing trend, the depth of the recession and the long and shallow recovery, management increased its provision for loan losses to $1.0 million for 2011 and just under $1.1 million for 2010, compared to $625,004 for 2009. Management believes that the increase in the provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2012 and prior recent periods is directionally consistent with the trends and risk in the loan portfolio and with the growth of the loan portfolio. Management will continue to monitor the activity of non-performing loans, carefully assess the reserve requirement and adjust the provision in future periods as circumstances warrant. The Company has an experienced collections department that continues to work actively with borrowers to resolve problem loans, and management continues to monitor the loan portfolio closely.

Market Risk - In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and liquidity risk in its loan and deposit-taking operations, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  Declining capital markets can result in fair value adjustments necessary to record decreases in the value of the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary-impairment.  The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes.  The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. During times of recessionary periods, a declining housing market can result in an increase in loan loss reserves or ultimately an increase in foreclosures.  Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product.  The prolonged weak economy and disruption in the financial markets in recent years may heighten the Company’s market risk.  As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

     The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.  Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. During the first three months of 2012, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance sheet risk.

     The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. The Company's financial instruments whose contract amount represents credit risk were as follows:

   
-Contract or Notional Amount-
 
   
March 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
             
Unused portions of home equity lines of credit
  $ 21,186,758     $ 20,161,629  
Other commitments to extend credit
    32,892,880       38,106,476  
Residential construction lines of credit
    350,290       588,290  
Commercial real estate and other construction lines of credit
    2,202,747       2,126,558  
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit
    1,864,414       1,954,885  
Recourse on sale of credit card portfolio
    391,600       398,200  
MPF credit enhancement obligation, net of liability recorded
    1,977,739       1,979,684  

     Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company sold its credit card portfolio during the third quarter of 2007, but retained a partial recourse obligation under the terms of the sale, based on total lines, not balances outstanding.  Based on historical losses, the Company does not expect any significant losses from this commitment.

     In connection with its trust preferred securities financing completed on October 31, 2007, the Company guaranteed the payment obligations under the $12,500,000 of capital securities of its subsidiary, CMTV Statutory Trust I.  The source of funds for payments by the Trust on its capital securities is payments made by the Company on its debentures issued to the Trust.  The Company's obligation under those debentures is fully reflected in the Company's balance sheet, in the gross amount of $12,887,000 for each of the comparison periods, of which $12,500,000 represents external financing.

     During 2011, an audit conducted by the Vermont Tax Department resulted in a sales and use tax assessment, including interest and penalties, of $171,563, which was subsequently reduced to $118,506.  The Company disputes various portions of the adjusted assessment and has filed a notice of appeal.  Furthermore, pending legislative proposals on the taxation of cloud computing, if enacted, could further reduce the assessment.  As of March 31, 2012, the Company had accrued a liability in the amount of $65,000 relating to this matter.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings.  Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities.  Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process.  The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available-for-sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to roll over risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds.  Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and funding requirements for loan commitments.  The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds.

     In order to attract deposits, the Company has from time to time taken the approach of offering deposit specials at competitive rates, in varying terms that fit within the balance sheet mix.  The strategy of offering specials is meant to provide a means to retain deposits while not having to reprice the entire deposit portfolio.  The Company recognizes that at times when loan demand exceeds deposit growth, it may be desirable to utilize alternative sources of deposit funding to augment retail deposits and borrowings.  One-way deposits purchased through the CDARS provide an alternative funding source when needed.  Such deposits are generally considered a form of brokered deposits.  The Company had $11,476,000 and $0 in one-way funds on March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  In addition, two-way CDARS deposits allow the Company to provide FDIC deposit insurance to its customers in excess of account coverage limits by exchanging deposits with other CDARS members.  At March 31, 2012, the Company reported $1,019,541 in CDARS deposits representing exchanged deposits with other CDARS participating banks compared to $1,121,632 at December 31, 2011.  The balance in ICS deposits was $13,030,100 at March 31, 2012, compared to $10,872,204 at December 31, 2011.

     The Company has a Borrower-in-Custody arrangement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) secured by eligible commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and home equity loans, resulting in an available line of $69,693,455 and $69,222,549, respectively at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  Credit advances in the FRBB lending program are overnight advances with interest chargeable at the primary credit rate (generally referred to as the discount rate), currently 75 basis points.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding advances against this line.

     The Company has an unsecured Federal Funds line with the FHLBB with an available balance of $500,000 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily approximately 25 basis points higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.  In addition, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, additional borrowing capacity of approximately $68,399,795 and $77,902,569, respectively, was available through the FHLBB secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio (generally, residential mortgages).

     The following table reflects the Company’s outstanding FHLBB advances against the respective lines as of the dates indicated:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
Long-Term Advances
                 
FHLBB Community Investment Program borrowing, 7.67% fixed
                 
   rate, due November 16, 2012
  $ 10,000     $ 10,000     $ 10,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 1.00% fixed rate, due January 27, 2012
    0       6,000,000       6,000,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 1.71% fixed rate, due January 28, 2013
    6,000,000       6,000,000       6,000,000  
FHLBB term borrowing, 2.72% fixed rate, due January 27, 2015
    6,000,000       6,000,000       6,000,000  
      12,010,000       18,010,000       18,010,000  
Overnight Borrowings
                       
Federal funds purchased (FHLBB),  0.28%
    8,760,000       0       0  
                         
     Total Borrowings
  $ 20,770,000     $ 18,010,000     $ 18,010,000  

     Under a separate agreement, the Company has the authority to collateralize public unit deposits up to its FHLBB borrowing capacity ($68,399,795 and $77,902,569, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively, less outstanding advances) with letters of credit issued by the FHLBB.  The Company offers a Government Agency Account to the municipalities collateralized with these FHLBB letters of credit.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, approximately $18,800,000 and $15,950,000, respectively, of qualifying residential real estate loans was pledged as collateral to the FHLBB for these collateralized governmental unit deposits.

     On March 13, 2012, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.14 on common stock payable on May 1, 2012, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2012, which was accrued in the financial statements at March 31, 2012.
 
 

     The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012:

Balance at December 31, 2011 (book value $8.13 per common share)
  $ 40,918,409  
    Net income
    964,849  
    Issuance of stock through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    222,237  
    Dividends declared on common stock
    (661,881 )
    Dividends declared on preferred stock
    (46,875 )
    Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
    35,490  
    Balance at March 31, 2012 (book value $8.19 per common share)
  $ 41,432,229  

     The primary source of funds for the Company's payment of dividends to its shareholders is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank.  The Bank, as a national bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  Under such restrictions, the Bank may not, without the prior approval of the OCC, declare dividends in excess of the sum of the current year's earnings (as defined) plus the retained earnings (as defined) from the prior two years.

     The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's and the Bank's financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items, as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Prompt corrective action capital requirements are applicable to banks, but not bank holding companies.

     Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  The Company’s Series A preferred stock ($2.5 million liquidation preference) is includable without limitation in its Tier 1 capital.  In accordance with changes in the regulatory requirements for calculating capital ratios, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company deducts the amount of goodwill, net of deferred tax liability ($2,061,772 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011), for purposes of calculating the amount of trust preferred junior subordinated debentures includable in Tier 1 capital.  Management believes, as of March 31, 2012, that the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

     As of March 31, 2012 the Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory capital framework for Prompt Corrective Action and the Company exceeded applicable consolidated regulatory capital guidelines.

     The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and its subsidiary as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 exceeded regulatory guidelines and are presented in the following table.

                           
Minimum
 
               
Minimum
   
To Be Well
 
               
For Capital
   
Capitalized Under
 
               
Adequacy
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Purposes:
   
Action Provisions:
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
As of March 31, 2012:
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
   Company
  $ 46,944       12.36 %   $ 30,379       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 46,347       12.22 %   $ 30,340       8.00 %   $ 37,924       10.00 %
   
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
   Company
  $ 40,682       10.71 %   $ 15,189       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 42,342       11.16 %   $ 15,170       4.00 %   $ 22,755       6.00 %
   
Tier I capital (to average assets)
 
   Company
  $ 40,682       7.52 %   $ 21,645       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 42,342       7.83 %   $ 21,624       4.00 %   $ 27,030       5.00 %

 

 
                           
Minimum
 
               
Minimum
   
To Be Well
 
               
For Capital
   
Capitalized Under
 
               
Adequacy
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Purposes:
   
Action Provisions:
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2011:
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
   Company
  $ 46,351       12.50 %   $ 29,660       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 45,772       12.37 %   $ 29,596       8.00 %   $ 36,995       10.00 %
   
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
   Company
  $ 39,980       10.78 %   $ 14,830       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 41,830       11.31 %   $ 14,798       4.00 %   $ 22,197       6.00 %
   
Tier I capital (to average assets)
 
   Company
  $ 39,980       7.28 %   $ 21,965       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 41,830       7.63 %   $ 21,935       4.00 %   $ 27,419       5.00 %

     The Company intends to continue the past policy of maintaining a strong capital resource position to support its asset size and level of operations.  Consistent with that policy, management will continue to anticipate the Company's future capital needs and will adjust its dividend payment practices consistent with those needs.

     From time to time the Company may make contributions to the capital of Community National Bank.  At present, regulatory authorities have made no demand on the Company to make additional capital contributions.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The Company's management of the credit, liquidity and market risk inherent in its business operations is discussed in Part 1, Item 2 of this report under the captions "RISK MANAGEMENT" and “COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS”, which are incorporated herein by reference.  Management does not believe that there have been any material changes in the nature or categories of the Company's risk exposures from those disclosed in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on form 10-K.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  As of March 31, 2012, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of 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.  Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012 were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

     For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

     In the normal course of business the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
 

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

     The following table provides information as to purchases of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2012, by the Company and by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18):

                     
Maximum Number of
 
               
Total Number of
   
Shares That May Yet
 
   
Total Number
   
Average
   
Shares Purchased
   
Be Purchased Under
 
   
of Shares
   
Price Paid
   
as Part of Publicly
   
the Plan at the End
 
For the period:
 
Purchased(1)(2)
   
Per Share
   
Announced Plan
   
of the Period
 
                         
January 1 – January 31
    0     $ 0.00       N/A       N/A  
February 1 – February 29
    4500       9.50       N/A       N/A  
March 1 – March 31
    11,800       9.66       N/A       N/A  
     Total
    16,300     $ 9.66       N/A       N/A  

(1)  All 16,300 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of Community National Bank.  Such share purchases were facilitated through CFSG, which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan.  Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.

(2)  Shares purchased during the period do not include fractional shares repurchased from time to time in connection with the participant's election to discontinue participation in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report:
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 Exhibit 101--
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the first quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes, tagged as blocks of text.*  **

*  This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

**  As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 

 
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.

COMMUNITY BANCORP.


DATED:  May 14, 2012
/s/ Stephen P. Marsh                    
 
 
Stephen P. Marsh, Chairman, President
 
 
& Chief Executive Officer
 
     
DATED:  May 14, 2012
/s/ Louise M. Bonvechio                
 
 
Louise M. Bonvechio,  Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)