FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP - Quarter Report: 2009 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 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, 2009
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For
the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission
File Number: 000-26099
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
94-3327828
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
111
W. Pine Street, Lodi, California
|
95240
|
(Address
of principal Executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code (209) 367-2300
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
Yes x No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See
definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer o
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
Non-accelerated
filer o
|
Smaller
Reporting Company o
|
(Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No
x
Number of
shares of common stock of the registrant: Par value $0.01, authorized
2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 782,565 as of April 30,
2009.
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
FORM
10-Q
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PART
I. - FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
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Page
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Item
1 -
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Financial
Statements
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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Item
2 -
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11
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Item
3 -
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25
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Item
4 -
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28
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PART
II. - OTHER
INFORMATION
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Item
1 -
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28
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Item
1A –
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29
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Item
2 -
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29
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Item
3 -
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29
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Item
4 -
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29
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Item
5 -
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29
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Item
6 -
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29
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30
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30
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PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
Consolidated
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in
thousands)
|
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2008
|
||||||||||
Assets
|
||||||||||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents:
|
||||||||||||
Cash
and Due From Banks
|
$ | 37,289 | $ | 46,774 | $ | 48,160 | ||||||
Federal
Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to
Resell
|
112,023 | 14,000 | - | |||||||||
Total
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
149,312 | 60,774 | 48,160 | |||||||||
Investment
Securities:
|
||||||||||||
Available-for-Sale
|
262,308 | 291,839 | 226,646 | |||||||||
Held-to-Maturity
|
70,953 | 71,890 | 104,418 | |||||||||
Total
Investment Securities
|
333,261 | 363,729 | 331,064 | |||||||||
Loans
|
1,168,738 | 1,177,364 | 1,111,285 | |||||||||
Less:
Allowance for Loan Losses
|
20,500 | 20,034 | 19,032 | |||||||||
Loans,
Net
|
1,148,238 | 1,157,330 | 1,092,253 | |||||||||
Premises
and Equipment, Net
|
22,406 | 21,653 | 20,353 | |||||||||
Bank
Owned Life Insurance
|
42,418 | 41,965 | 40,619 | |||||||||
Interest
Receivable and Other Assets
|
36,175 | 38,986 | 35,911 | |||||||||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 1,731,810 | $ | 1,684,437 | $ | 1,568,360 | ||||||
Liabilities
|
||||||||||||
Deposits:
|
||||||||||||
Demand
|
$ | 267,936 | $ | 319,318 | $ | 273,190 | ||||||
Interest
Bearing Transaction
|
143,688 | 146,879 | 131,180 | |||||||||
Savings
|
370,470 | 353,055 | 319,007 | |||||||||
Time
|
694,287 | 613,450 | 570,681 | |||||||||
Total
Deposits
|
1,476,381 | 1,432,702 | 1,294,058 | |||||||||
Securities
Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
|
60,000 | 60,000 | 40,000 | |||||||||
Federal
Home Loan Bank Advances
|
690 | 703 | 49,441 | |||||||||
Subordinated
Debentures
|
10,310 | 10,310 | 10,310 | |||||||||
Interest
Payable and Other Liabilities
|
22,946 | 24,177 | 25,306 | |||||||||
Total
Liabilities
|
1,570,327 | 1,527,892 | 1,419,115 | |||||||||
Shareholders'
Equity
|
||||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
8 | 8 | 8 | |||||||||
Additional
Paid-In Capital
|
76,839 | 78,527 | 82,863 | |||||||||
Retained
Earnings
|
78,284 | 72,350 | 63,754 | |||||||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
|
6,352 | 5,660 | 2,620 | |||||||||
Total
Shareholders' Equity
|
161,483 | 156,545 | 149,245 | |||||||||
Total
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
|
$ | 1,731,810 | $ | 1,684,437 | $ | 1,568,360 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
Consolidated
Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(in
thousands except per share data)
|
Three
Months
|
|||||||
Ended
March 31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Interest
Income
|
||||||||
Interest
and Fees on Loans
|
$ | 18,661 | $ | 20,557 | ||||
Interest
on Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to
Resell
|
33 | 6 | ||||||
Interest
on Investment Securities:
|
||||||||
Taxable
|
3,491 | 2,420 | ||||||
Exempt
from Federal Tax
|
743 | 774 | ||||||
Total
Interest Income
|
22,928 | 23,757 | ||||||
Interest
Expense
|
||||||||
Deposits
|
4,231 | 6,742 | ||||||
Borrowed
Funds
|
539 | 231 | ||||||
Subordinated
Debentures
|
119 | 195 | ||||||
Total
Interest Expense
|
4,889 | 7,168 | ||||||
Net
Interest Income
|
18,039 | 16,589 | ||||||
Provision
for Loan Losses
|
870 | 570 | ||||||
Net
Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses
|
17,169 | 16,019 | ||||||
Non-Interest
Income
|
||||||||
Service
Charges on Deposit Accounts
|
1,612 | 1,718 | ||||||
Net
Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities
|
1,020 | (139 | ) | |||||
Credit
Card Merchant Fees
|
- | 534 | ||||||
Increase
in Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
|
453 | 439 | ||||||
ATM
Fees
|
367 | 361 | ||||||
Net
Loss on Deferred Compensation Investments
|
(51 | ) | (632 | ) | ||||
Other
|
757 | 696 | ||||||
Total
Non-Interest Income
|
4,158 | 2,977 | ||||||
Non-Interest
Expense
|
||||||||
Salaries
and Employee Benefits
|
7,304 | 7,118 | ||||||
Net
Loss on Deferred Compensation Investments
|
(51 | ) | (632 | ) | ||||
Occupancy
|
709 | 658 | ||||||
Equipment
|
699 | 496 | ||||||
Credit
Card Merchant Expense
|
- | 407 | ||||||
ORE
Holding Costs
|
505 | - | ||||||
Other
|
2,809 | 1,719 | ||||||
Total
Non-Interest Expense
|
11,975 | 9,766 | ||||||
Income
Before Income Taxes
|
9,352 | 9,230 | ||||||
Provision
for Income Taxes
|
3,418 | 3,466 | ||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,934 | $ | 5,764 | ||||
Earnings
Per Share
|
$ | 7.55 | $ | 7.21 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(in
thousands)
|
Three
Months
|
|||||||
Ended
March 31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,934 | $ | 5,764 | ||||
Other
Comprehensive Income -
|
||||||||
Unrealized
Gains on Securities:
|
||||||||
Unrealized
holding gains arising during the period, net of income tax benefits of
$931 and $1,130 for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
|
1,283 | 1,556 | ||||||
Less:
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net
income, net of related income tax effects of $(429) and $58 for the
quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
|
(591 | ) | 81 | |||||
Total
Other Comprehensive Income
|
692 | 1,637 | ||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
$ | 6,626 | $ | 7,401 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders'
Equity (Unaudited)
(in
thousands except share data)
|
Accumulated
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
|
Additional
|
Other
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Common
|
Paid-In
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Shareholders'
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Earnings
|
Income
|
Equity
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
800,112 | $ | 8 | $ | 84,437 | $ | 57,990 | $ | 983 | $ | 143,418 | |||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
- | - | 5,764 | - | 5,764 | |||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
of Stock
|
(3,422 | ) | - | (1,574 | ) | - | - | (1,574 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Change
in Net Unrealized Gains on Securities Available-for-Sale
|
- | - | - | 1,637 | 1,637 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
March 31, 2008
|
796,690 | $ | 8 | $ | 82,863 | $ | 63,754 | $ | 2,620 | $ | 149,245 | |||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
786,960 | $ | 8 | $ | 78,527 | $ | 72,350 | $ | 5,660 | $ | 156,545 | |||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
- | - | 5,934 | - | 5,934 | |||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
of Stock
|
(4,395 | ) | - | (1,688 | ) | - | - | (1,688 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Change
in Net Unrealized Gains on Securities Available-for-Sale
|
- | - | - | 692 | 692 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
March 31, 2009
|
782,565 | $ | 8 | $ | 76,839 | $ | 78,284 | $ | 6,352 | $ | 161,483 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Operating
Activities:
|
||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,934 | $ | 5,764 | ||||
Adjustments
to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities:
|
||||||||
Provision
for Loan Losses
|
870 | 570 | ||||||
Depreciation
and Amortization
|
467 | 417 | ||||||
Net
(Accretion) Amortization of Investment Security Premiums &
Discounts
|
(900 | ) | 470 | |||||
Net
(Gain) Loss on Investment Securities
|
(1,020 | ) | 139 | |||||
Net
Gain on Sale of Property & Equipment
|
(13 | ) | - | |||||
Net
Change in Operating Assets & Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Net
Decrease (Increase) in Interest Receivable and Other
Assets
|
1,856 | (248 | ) | |||||
Net
Decrease in Interest Payable and Other Liabilities
|
(1,232 | ) | (394 | ) | ||||
Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
|
5,962 | 6,718 | ||||||
Investing
Activities:
|
||||||||
Securities
Available-for-Sale:
|
||||||||
Purchased
|
- | (89,664 | ) | |||||
Sold,
Matured or Called
|
32,651 | 7,306 | ||||||
Securities
Held-to-Maturity:
|
||||||||
Purchased
|
(20 | ) | - | |||||
Matured
or Called
|
952 | 1,148 | ||||||
Net
Loans Originated or Acquired
|
8,138 | 29,571 | ||||||
Principal
Collected on Loans Previously Charged Off
|
84 | 92 | ||||||
Net
Additions to Premises and Equipment
|
(1,220 | ) | (582 | ) | ||||
Proceeds
from Disposition of Property & Equipment
|
13 | - | ||||||
Net
Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities
|
40,598 | (52,129 | ) | |||||
Financing
Activities:
|
||||||||
Net
Decrease in Demand, Interest-Bearing Transaction, and Savings
Accounts
|
(37,158 | ) | (24,265 | ) | ||||
Net
Increase in Time Deposits
|
80,837 | 7,533 | ||||||
Net
Increase in Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
|
- | 40,000 | ||||||
Net
(Decrease) Increase in Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
|
(13 | ) | 20,487 | |||||
Stock
Repurchases
|
(1,688 | ) | (1,574 | ) | ||||
Net
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
|
41,978 | 42,181 | ||||||
Increase
(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
88,538 | (3,230 | ) | |||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
|
60,774 | 51,390 | ||||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents as of March 31, 2009 and March 31,
2008
|
$ | 149,312 | $ | 48,160 |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
NOTES TO
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1.
Significant Accounting Policies
Farmers
& Merchants Bancorp (the Company) was organized March 10, 1999. Primary
operations are related to traditional banking activities through its subsidiary
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the Bank) which was
established in 1916. The Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Farmers &
Merchants Investment Corporation and Farmers/Merchants Corp. Farmers &
Merchants Investment Corporation has been dormant since 1991. Farmers/Merchants
Corp. acts as trustee on deeds of trust originated by the Bank.
The
Company’s other subsidiaries include F & M Bancorp, Inc. and FMCB Statutory
Trust I. F & M Bancorp, Inc. was created in March 2002 to protect the name F
& M Bank. During 2002 the Company completed a fictitious name filing in
California to begin using the streamlined name “F & M Bank” as part of a
larger effort to enhance the Company’s image and build brand name recognition.
In December 2003 the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, FMCB Statutory
Trust I. FMCB Statutory Trust I is a non-consolidated subsidiary per generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and was formed for the sole purpose of
issuing Trust Preferred Securities. The accounting and reporting policies of the
Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America and prevailing practice within the banking industry. The
following is a summary of the significant accounting and reporting policies used
in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and notes
thereto have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America for financial information and with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, F & M
Bancorp, Inc. and the Bank, along with the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries,
Farmers & Merchants Investment Corporation and Farmers/Merchants Corp.
Significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
The
preparation of unaudited consolidated interim financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and
assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Certain
amounts in the prior periods’ unaudited consolidated interim financial
statements and related footnote disclosures have been reclassified to conform to
the current-year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on
previously reported income.
2.
Fair Value Measurements
Effective
January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 (SFAS 157), “Fair Value Measurements.”
SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair
value measurements. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require, or
permit, assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand
the use of fair value in any new circumstances. In this standard, the FASB
clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions
market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of
this principle, SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the
information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy is as
follows:
Level 1
inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement
date.
Level 2
inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include
quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs
other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as
interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted
intervals.
Level 3
inputs - Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or
liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
Securities
classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value on a recurring basis
utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair
value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value
measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market
spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade
execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the
bond's terms and conditions, among other things.
The
Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from
time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is
established. See Note 3 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. Once a loan
is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in
accordance with SFAS 114, “Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan.” The fair value of impaired loans is estimated
using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of
similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value, and discounted cash flows.
Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the
fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded
investments in such loans. At December 31, 2008, substantially all impaired
loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral. In accordance
with SFAS 157, impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the
fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.
When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or
a current appraised value which uses observable data, the Company records the
impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. Otherwise, the Company records the
impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.
Other
Real Estate (“ORE”) is reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis. When the
fair value of the ORE is based on an observable market price or a current
appraised value which uses observable data, the Company records the ORE as
nonrecurring Level 2. Otherwise, the Company records the ORE as nonrecurring
Level 3. Other real estate is reported in Interest Receivable and Other Assets
on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The
following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities
measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value
hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such
fair value.
Fair
Value Measurements
At
March 31, 2009, Using
|
||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
Fair
Value
March
31, 2009
|
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level
1)
|
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level
3)
|
||||||||||||
Available-for-Sale
Securities
|
$ | 262,308 | $ | - | $ | 262,308 | $ | - | ||||||||
Total
Assets Measured at Fair Value On a Recurring Basis
|
$ | 262,308 | $ | - | $ | 262,308 | $ | - |
The
following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities
measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and indicates the fair value
hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such
fair value.
Fair
Value Measurements
At
March 31, 2009, Using
|
||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
Fair
Value
March
31, 2009
|
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level
1)
|
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level
3)
|
||||||||||||
Impaired
Loans
|
$ | 2,020 | $ | - | $ | 2,020 | $ | - | ||||||||
Other
Real Estate
|
4,990 | - | 4,990 | - | ||||||||||||
Total
Assets Measured at Fair Value On a Non-Recurring Basis
|
$ | 7,010 | $ | - | $ | 7,010 | $ | - |
Impaired
loans and ORE are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral
because the loans/ORE are considered to be collateral dependent. Impaired loans
were $2.98 million with an allowance for loan losses of $961,000 and ORE was
$7.5 million with a valuation allowance of $2.5 million.
In April
2009, the FASB issued the following three FSP’s intended to provide additional
guidance and enhance disclosures regarding fair value measurements and
impairment of securities:
FSP FAS
157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the
Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions
That Are Not Orderly,” provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in
accordance with SFAS No. 157 when the volume and level of activity for the
asset or liability have decreased significantly. FSP FAS 157-4 also
provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is
not orderly. The provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 are effective for the
Company’s interim period ending on June 30, 2009. Management is
currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of FSP FAS 157-4 may have on
the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
FSP FAS
107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial
Instruments,” requires disclosures
about fair value of financial instruments in interim reporting periods of
publicly traded companies that were previously only required to be disclosed in
annual financial statements. The provisions of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1
are effective for the Company’s interim period ending on June 30,
2009. As FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 amends only the disclosure
requirements about fair value of financial instruments in interim periods, the
adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 is not expected to affect the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
FSP FAS
115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary
Impairments,” amends current other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP
for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the
presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and
equity securities in the financial statements. This FSP does not amend
existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary
impairments of equity securities. The provisions of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS
124-2 are effective for the Company’s interim period ending on June 30,
2009. Management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 may have on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
3.
Dividends and Earnings Per Share
Farmers
& Merchants Bancorp common stock is not traded on any
exchange. The shares are primarily held by local residents and are
not actively traded. No cash dividends were declared during the first
quarter of 2009 or 2008.
Earnings
per share amounts are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding for the period. The table below calculates
the earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and
2008.
(net
income in thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 5,934 | $ | 5,764 | ||||
Average
Number of Common Shares Outstanding
|
785,655 | 798,982 | ||||||
Per
Share Amount
|
$ | 7.55 | $ | 7.21 |
4.
Recent Accounting Developments
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (SFAS
No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R broadens the guidance of SFAS No. 141,
extending its applicability to all transactions and other events in which one
entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. It broadens
the fair value measurement and recognition of assets acquired, liabilities
assumed, and interests transferred as a result of business
combinations. SFAS No. 141R expands on required disclosures to
improve the statement users’ abilities to evaluate the nature and financial
effects of business combinations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for the
first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The
adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on its financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures About Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No.
133” (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 requires qualitative
disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative
disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative
instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in
derivative agreements. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of this Statement did
not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, or
cash flows.
Item
2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition
And Results Of Operations
The
following is management’s discussion and analysis of the major factors that
influenced our financial performance for the three months ended March 31,
2009. This analysis should be read in conjunction with our 2008 Annual
Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K, and with the unaudited financial statements
and notes as set forth in this report.
Forward–Looking
Statements
This Form
10-Q contains various forward-looking statements, usually containing the words
“estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “objective,” “goal,” or similar expressions and
includes assumptions concerning the Company’s operations, future results, and
prospects. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations
and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In connection with the “safe-harbor”
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company
provides the following cautionary statement identifying important factors which
could cause the actual results of events to differ materially from those set
forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related
assumptions.
Such
factors include the following: (i) the current economic downturn and turmoil in
financial markets and the response of federal and state regulators thereto; (ii)
the effect of changing regional and national economic conditions including in
the housing market in the Central Valley of California; (iii) significant
changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds; (iv) credit risks of lending
and investment activities; (v) changes in federal and state banking laws or
regulations; (vi) competitive pressure in the banking industry; (vii) changes in
governmental fiscal or monetary policies; (viii) uncertainty regarding the
economic outlook resulting from the continuing war on terrorism, as well as
actions taken or to be taken by the U.S. or other governments as a result of
further acts or threats of terrorism; and (ix) other factors discussed in Item
1A. Risk Factors located in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements
which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising
after the date on which they are made.
Introduction
Farmers
& Merchants Bancorp, or the Company, is a bank holding company formed March
10, 1999. Its subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California, or
the Bank, is a California state-chartered bank formed in 1916. The Bank serves
the northern Central Valley of California through twenty-two banking offices and
two stand-alone ATM’s. The service area includes Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Stanislaus and Merced Counties with branches in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt,
Lodi, Stockton, Linden, Modesto, Turlock, Hilmar, and Merced. Substantially all
of the Company’s business activities are conducted within its market
area.
As a bank
holding company, the Company is subject to regulation and examination by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). As a California,
state-chartered, non-fed member bank, the Bank is subject to regulation and
examination by the California Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”) and
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
Overview
The
Company’s primary service area encompasses the northern Central Valley of
California, a region that can be significantly impacted by the seasonal needs of
the agricultural industry. Accordingly, discussion of the Company’s
Financial Condition and Results of Operations is influenced by the seasonal
banking needs of its agricultural customers (e.g., during the spring and summer
customers draw down their deposit balances and increase loan borrowing to fund
the purchase of equipment and planting of crops. Correspondingly, deposit
balances are replenished and loans repaid in fall and winter as crops are
harvested and sold).
For the
three months ended March 31, 2009, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp reported net
income of $5,934,000, earnings per share of $7.55 and return on average assets
of 1.42%. Return on average shareholders’ equity was 15.03% for the
three months ended March 31, 2009.
For the
three months ended March 31, 2008, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp reported net
income of $5,764,000, earnings per share of $7.21 and return on average assets
of 1.54%. Return on average shareholders’ equity was 15.88% for the
three months ended March 31, 2008.
Factors
resulting in the Company’s improved earnings performance in the first quarter of
2009 as compared to the same period last year were: (1) a $1.45 million increase
in net interest income due to a 12.4% increase in average earning assets; and
(2) a $1.16 million increase in gain on sale of investment
securities. These two positive factors were partially offset by: (3)
an $805,000 increase in loan loss provisions and ORE holding costs; and (4) a
$1.09 million increase in other non-interest expense primarily due to increased
FDIC deposit insurance costs.
The
following is a summary of the financial results for the three-month period ended
March 31, 2009 compared to March 31, 2008.
·
|
Net
income increased 2.9% to $5.9 million from $5.7
million.
|
·
|
Earnings
per share increased 4.7% to $7.55 from
$7.21.
|
·
|
Total
assets increased 10.4% to $1.7
billion.
|
·
|
Total
loans increased 5.2% to $1.2
billion.
|
·
|
Total
deposits increased 14.1% to $1.5
billion.
|
Results
of Operations
Net
Interest Income / Net Interest Margin
The
tables on the following pages reflect the Company's average balance sheets and
volume and rate analysis for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and
2008.
The
average yields on earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing
liabilities have been computed on an annualized basis for purposes of
comparability with full year data. Average balance amounts for assets
and liabilities are the computed average of daily balances.
Net
interest income is the amount by which the interest and fees on loans and other
interest earning assets exceed the interest paid on interest bearing sources of
funds. For the purpose of analysis, the interest earned on tax-exempt
investments and municipal loans is adjusted to an amount comparable to interest
subject to normal income taxes. This adjustment is referred to as
“taxable equivalent” and is noted wherever applicable.
The
Volume and Rate Analysis of Net Interest Income summarizes the changes in
interest income and interest expense based on changes in average asset and
liability balances (volume) and changes in average rates (rate). For each
category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities,
information is provided with respect to changes attributable to (1) changes
in volume (change in volume multiplied by initial rate), (2) changes in
rate (change in rate multiplied by initial volume) and (3) changes in
rate/volume (allocated in proportion to the respective volume and rate
components).
The
Company’s earning assets and rate sensitive liabilities are subject to repricing
at different times, which exposes the Company to income fluctuations when
interest rates change. In order to minimize income fluctuations, the
Company attempts to match asset and liability maturities. However,
some maturity mismatch is inherent in the asset and liability
mix. (See Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk – Interest Rate Risk”)
Net
interest income increased 8.7% to $18.0 million during the first quarter of 2009
compared to $16.6 million for the first quarter of 2008. On a fully tax
equivalent basis, net interest income increased 8.5% and totaled $18.4 million
at March 31, 2009, compared to $16.9 million at March 31, 2008. As more fully
discussed below, the increase in net interest income was due to a 12.4% increase
in average earning assets partially offset by a drop in the net interest
margin.
Net
interest income on a tax equivalent basis, expressed as a percentage of average
total earning assets, is referred to as the net interest margin. At March 31,
2009, the Company’s net interest margin was 4.82% compared to 4.94% at March 31,
2008. Recent trends in: (1) market interest rates; and (2) competitive pricing
of both loans and deposits will continue, in management’s opinion, to place
pressure on the Company’s net interest margin in future quarters.
Loans,
generally the Company’s highest earning assets, increased $57.4 million as of
March 31, 2009, compared to March 31, 2008. See “Financial Condition – Loans”
for further discussion of this increase. On an average balance basis, loans
increased by $49.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Loans decreased
from 80.7% of average earning assets at March 31, 2008 to 77.5% at March 31,
2009. As a result of decreases in market interest rates from September 2007
through December 2008 the year-to-date yield on the loan portfolio declined to
6.51% for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to 7.41% for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008. Even with the increase in loan balances, the decrease in
yield resulted in interest revenue from loans decreasing 9.2% to $18.7 million
for quarter ended March 31, 2009. The Company has been experiencing aggressive
competitor pricing for loans to which it may need to continue to respond in
order to retain key customers. This, in conjunction with recent decreases in
market interest rates by the FRB, could place even greater negative pressure on
future loan yields and net interest margin.
The
investment portfolio is the other main component of the Company’s earning
assets. The Company invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities issued by
government-sponsored entities, U.S. Government Agencies, and high-grade
municipals. Since the risk factor for these types of investments is
significantly lower than that of loans, the yield earned on investments is
generally less than that of loans. Importantly, the Company never invested in
the preferred stock or subordinated debt of Fannie Mae “FNMA” or Freddie Mac
“FHLMC,” securities that caused many banks to incur losses in
2008. In late 2008, the FRB began paying interest on the deposits
that banks maintained in their FRB accounts, whereas historically banks had to
“sell” these balances (called “Federal Funds Sold”) to other banks in order to
earn interest. Since balances at the FRB are effectively risk free,
the Company elected to maintain its excess cash at the FRB during the first
quarter of 2009. See “Financial Condition
– Investment Securities” for a discussion of the Company’s investment strategy
in the first quarter of 2009.
Average
Federal Funds Sold (including interest earning balances at the FRB) for the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, was $52.3 million an increase of $51.5 million
compared to the average balance for the quarter ended March 31,
2008. Interest income on Federal Funds Sold increased $27,000 to
$33,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $6,000 for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008. The average yield on Federal Funds Sold was 0.26% for the
quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to 2.93% for the quarter ended March 31,
2008.
Farmers
& Merchants Bancorp
Year-to-Date
Average Balances and Interest Rates
(Interest
and Rates on a Taxable Equivalent Basis)
(in
thousands)
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets
|
Balance
|
Interest
|
Rate
|
Balance
|
Interest
|
Rate
|
||||||||||||||||||
Federal
Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to
Resell
|
$ | 52,288 | $ | 33 | 0.26 | % | $ | 822 | $ | 6 | 2.93 | % | ||||||||||||
Investment
Securities Available-for-Sale
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipals
- Non-Taxable
|
10,210 | 190 | 7.45 | % | 9,458 | 176 | 7.45 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Mortgage
Backed Securities
|
249,499 | 3,427 | 5.49 | % | 146,766 | 1,952 | 5.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other
|
3,557 | 4 | 0.45 | % | 3,756 | 73 | 7.77 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
|
263,266 | 3,621 | 5.50 | % | 159,980 | 2,201 | 5.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Investment
Securities Held-to-Maturity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Agencies
|
- | - | 0.00 | % | 30,425 | 318 | 4.18 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Municipals
- Non-Taxable
|
64,588 | 921 | 5.71 | % | 66,101 | 969 | 5.87 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Mortgage
Backed Securities
|
4,963 | 48 | 3.87 | % | 6,545 | 63 | 3.85 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other
|
1,991 | 13 | 2.61 | % | 2,012 | 13 | 2.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity
|
71,542 | 982 | 5.49 | % | 105,083 | 1,363 | 5.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Loans
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real
Estate
|
676,045 | 11,242 | 6.74 | % | 649,343 | 11,855 | 7.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Home
Equity Line and Loans
|
66,473 | 1,006 | 6.14 | % | 65,070 | 1,153 | 7.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
201,587 | 3,108 | 6.25 | % | 184,112 | 3,578 | 7.79 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Commercial
|
205,603 | 3,104 | 6.12 | % | 194,950 | 3,569 | 7.34 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Consumer
|
11,193 | 197 | 7.14 | % | 12,646 | 261 | 8.28 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Credit
Card
|
- | - | 0.00 | % | 5,353 | 137 | 10.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Municipal
|
1,050 | 4 | 1.54 | % | 1,037 | 4 | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
1,161,951 | 18,661 | 6.51 | % | 1,112,511 | 20,557 | 7.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Earning Assets
|
1,549,047 | $ | 23,298 | 6.10 | % | 1,378,396 | $ | 24,128 | 7.02 | % | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on Securities Available-for-Sale
|
9,464 | 2,281 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance
for Loan Losses
|
(20,661 | ) | (18,639 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
and Due From Banks
|
33,376 | 37,543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All
Other Assets
|
105,148 | 94,858 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 1,676,374 | $ | 1,494,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities
& Shareholders' Equity
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
Bearing Deposits
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
Bearing DDA
|
$ | 140,585 | $ | 49 | 0.14 | % | $ | 130,230 | $ | 26 | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||||
Savings
|
365,794 | 756 | 0.84 | % | 313,601 | 1,076 | 1.38 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Time
Deposits
|
647,980 | 3,425 | 2.14 | % | 569,719 | 5,640 | 3.97 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Interest Bearing Deposits
|
1,154,359 | 4,230 | 1.49 | % | 1,013,550 | 6,742 | 2.67 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Securities
Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
|
60,000 | 530 | 3.58 | % | 8,352 | 68 | 3.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other
Borrowed Funds
|
699 | 10 | 5.80 | % | 21,534 | 163 | 3.04 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Subordinated
Debentures
|
10,310 | 119 | 4.68 | % | 10,310 | 195 | 7.59 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Interest Bearing Liabilities
|
1,225,368 | $ | 4,889 | 1.62 | % | 1,053,746 | $ | 7,168 | 2.73 | % | ||||||||||||||
Interest
Rate Spread
|
4.48 | % | 4.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Demand
Deposits (Non-Interest Bearing)
|
270,343 | 273,095 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All
Other Liabilities
|
22,693 | 22,413 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Liabilities
|
1,518,404 | 1,349,254 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders'
Equity
|
157,970 | 145,185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity
|
$ | 1,676,374 | $ | 1,494,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Impact
of Non-Interest Bearing Deposits and Other Liabilities
|
0.34 | % | 0.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net
Interest Income and Margin on Total Earning Assets
|
18,409 | 4.82 | % | 16,960 | 4.94 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax
Equivalent Adjustment
|
(370 | ) | (371 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net
Interest Income
|
$ | 18,039 | 4.72 | % | $ | 16,589 | 4.83 | % |
Notes: Yields
on municipal securities have been calculated on a fully taxable equivalent
basis. Loan interest income includes fee income and unearned discount
in the amount of $415,000 and $825,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively. Yields on securities available-for-sale are based on
historical cost.
Farmers
& Merchants Bancorp
Volume
and Rate Analysis of Net Interest Revenue
(Rates on
a Taxable Equivalent Basis)
(in
thousands)
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||
Mar.
31, 2009 compared to Mar. 31, 2008
|
||||||||||||
Interest
Earning Assets
|
Volume
|
Rate
|
Net
Chg.
|
|||||||||
Federal
Funds Sold
|
$ | 37 | $ | (10 | ) | $ | 27 | |||||
Investment
Securities Available-for-Sale
|
||||||||||||
Municipals
- Non-Taxable
|
14 | - | 14 | |||||||||
Mortgage
Backed Securities
|
1,409 | 66 | 1,475 | |||||||||
Other
|
(3 | ) | (66 | ) | (69 | ) | ||||||
Total
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
|
1,420 | - | 1,420 | |||||||||
Investment
Securities Held-to-Maturity
|
||||||||||||
U.S.
Agencies
|
(318 | ) | - | (318 | ) | |||||||
Municipals
- Non-Taxable
|
(22 | ) | (26 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||
Mortgage
Backed Securities
|
(15 | ) | - | (15 | ) | |||||||
Total
Investment Securities Held-to-Maturity
|
(355 | ) | (26 | ) | (381 | ) | ||||||
Loans
|
||||||||||||
Real
Estate
|
434 | (1,047 | ) | (613 | ) | |||||||
Home
Equity
|
23 | (170 | ) | (147 | ) | |||||||
Agricultural
|
308 | (778 | ) | (470 | ) | |||||||
Commercial
|
180 | (645 | ) | (465 | ) | |||||||
Consumer
|
(29 | ) | (35 | ) | (64 | ) | ||||||
Credit
Card
|
(137 | ) | - | (137 | ) | |||||||
Total
Loans
|
779 | (2,675 | ) | (1,896 | ) | |||||||
Total
Earning Assets
|
1,881 | (2,711 | ) | (830 | ) | |||||||
Interest
Bearing Liabilities
|
||||||||||||
Interest
Bearing Deposits
|
||||||||||||
Transaction
|
2 | 21 | 23 | |||||||||
Savings
|
157 | (477 | ) | (320 | ) | |||||||
Time
Deposits
|
687 | (2,902 | ) | (2,215 | ) | |||||||
Total
Interest Bearing Deposits
|
846 | (3,358 | ) | (2,512 | ) | |||||||
Securities
Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
|
454 | 8 | 462 | |||||||||
Other
Borrowed Funds
|
(232 | ) | 79 | (153 | ) | |||||||
Subordinated
Debentures
|
- | (76 | ) | (76 | ) | |||||||
Total
Interest Bearing Liabilities
|
1,068 | (3,347 | ) | (2,279 | ) | |||||||
Total
Change
|
$ | 813 | $ | 636 | $ | 1,449 |
Notes: Rate/volume
variance is allocated based on the percentage relationship of changes in volume
and changes
in rate to the total "net change." The above figures have been
rounded to the nearest whole number.
Average
investment securities totaled $334.8 million for the quarter ended March 31,
2009, an increase of $69.7 million compared to the average balance for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008. See “Financial Condition – Investment
Securities” for a discussion of the Company’s investment strategy in
2009. Interest income on securities increased $1.0 million to
$4.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $3.6 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The average yield, on a tax equivalent basis,
in the investment portfolio was 5.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2009,
compared to 5.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. Net interest income on
the Schedule of Year-to-Date Average Balances and Interest Rates is shown on a
tax equivalent basis, which is higher than net interest income as reflected on
the Consolidated Statement of Income because of adjustments that relate to
income on securities that are exempt from federal income taxes.
Average
interest-bearing sources of funds increased $171.6 million or 16.3% during the
first quarter of 2009. Of that increase, securities sold under agreement to
repurchase, a new borrowing added during the first quarter of 2008 to manage the
Company’s interest rate risk, increased $51.6 million, and interest-bearing
deposits increased $140.8 million. Other borrowed funds, primarily borrowings
from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), decreased $20.8 million from the first
quarter of 2008. See “Financial Condition – Federal Home Loan Bank
Advances.”
During
the first quarter of 2009 the Company was able to grow average interest bearing
deposits by $140.8 million. The increase was primarily in time and savings
deposits, which grew $130.4 million, as lower cost interest bearing DDA
increased by $10.4 million. See “Financial Condition – Deposits” for a
discussion of trends in the Company’s deposit base. Total interest expense on
deposits was $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to $6.7
million at March 31, 2008. From September 2007 through December 2008, the FRB
lowered market rates by 5.00%. The Company has begun to feel this beneficial
impact as the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits declined to 1.49%
for the first quarter of 2009 from 2.67% for the first quarter of 2008. The
Company anticipates that this decline in deposit rates will continue in to the
second quarter of 2009.
Provision
and Allowance for Loan Losses
As a
financial institution that assumes lending and credit risks as a principal
element of its business, credit losses will be experienced in the normal course
of business. The allowance for loan losses is established to absorb
losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses
is maintained at a level considered by management to be adequate to provide for
risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is increased by
provisions charged to operating expense and reduced by net
charge-offs. In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan
losses, management takes into consideration examinations by the Company’s
supervisory authorities, results of internal credit reviews, financial condition
of borrowers, loan concentrations, prior loan loss experience, and general
economic conditions. The allowance is based on estimates and ultimate
losses may vary from the current estimates. Management reviews these
estimates periodically and, when adjustments are necessary, they are reported in
the period in which they become known.
The
Company has established credit management policies and procedures that govern
both the approval of new loans and the monitoring of the existing
portfolio. The Company manages and controls credit risk through
comprehensive underwriting and approval standards, dollar limits on loans to one
borrower and by restricting loans made primarily to its principal market area
where management believes it is better able to assess the applicable
risk. Additionally, management has established guidelines to ensure
the diversification of the Company’s credit portfolio such that even within key
portfolio sectors such as real estate or agriculture, the portfolio is
diversified across factors such as location, building type, crop type,
etc. Management reports regularly to the Board of Directors regarding
trends and conditions in the loan portfolio and regularly conducts credit
reviews of individual loans. Loans that are performing but have shown some signs
of weakness are subjected to more stringent reporting and
oversight.
Changes
in the provision between the first quarter of 2009 and 2008 were the result of
management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
relative to factors such as the credit quality of the loan portfolio, loan
growth, current loan losses and the prevailing economic climate and its effect
on borrowers’ ability to repay loans in accordance with the terms of the notes.
The provision for loan losses during the first quarter of 2009 was $870,000 and
$570,000 for the first quarter of 2008. Net charge-offs during the first quarter
of 2009 were $404,000 and $21,000 during the first quarter of 2008. Net
charge-offs represented 0.03% of average loans, a level that is low compared to
the banking industry as a whole at the present time. See “Note 1. Significant
Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses” in the Company’s 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk-Credit Risk” and “Part II Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this
report.
The
allowance for loan losses was $20.5 million or 1.75% of total loan balances at
March 31, 2009 and $19.0 million or 1.71% of total loan balances at March 31,
2008. As of December 31, 2008, the allowance for loan losses was $20.0 million,
which represented 1.70% of the total loan balance. After reviewing all factors
above, management concluded that the allowance for loan losses as of March 31,
2009 was adequate. See
the following table for allowance for loan loss activity for the periods
indicated.
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
||||||||
Allowance
for Loan Losses (in thousands)
|
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Balance
at Beginning of Period
|
$ | 20,034 | $ | 18,483 | ||||
Provision
Charged to Expense
|
870 | 570 | ||||||
Recoveries
of Loans Previously Charged Off
|
83 | 92 | ||||||
Loans
Charged Off
|
(487 | ) | (113 | ) | ||||
Balance
at End of Period
|
$ | 20,500 | $ | 19,032 |
Non-Interest
Income
Non-interest
income includes: (1) service charges and fees from deposit accounts; (2) net
gains and losses from investment securities; (3) credit card merchant fees; (4)
ATM fees; (5) investment gains and losses on non-qualified deferred compensation
plans; (6) increases in the cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance;
(7) gains and losses on the sale of loans and/or other business assets; and (8)
fees from other miscellaneous business services.
Overall,
non-interest income increased $1.2 million or 39.7% for the three months ended
March 31, 2009, compared to the same period of 2008. This increase was primarily
comprised of: (1) $1.0 million gain on investment securities for the first
quarter of 2009 compared to a loss of $139,000 for the first quarter of 2008;
(2) no credit card merchant fees due to the sale of the merchant portfolio in
June 2008; and (3) losses of $51,000 on deferred
compensation investments during the first quarter of 2009 as compared
to losses of $632,000 during the first quarter of 2008. The Company allows
executives who participate in non-qualified deferred compensation plans to self
direct the investment of their vested balances. See “Note 12 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report
on Form 10-K. Market value gains/losses on these plan balances fluctuate
depending on the type of investments held and market trends in interest rates
and stock prices. Although Generally Accepted Accounting Principles require
these investment gains/losses be recorded in Non-Interest Income, an offsetting
entry is also required to be made to non-interest expense resulting in no effect
on the Company’s net income.
Non-Interest
Expense
Non-interest
expense for the Company includes expenses for: (1) salaries and employee
benefits; (2) occupancy; (3) equipment; (4) supplies; (5) legal fees; (6)
professional services; (7) data processing; (8) marketing; (9) deposit
insurance; (10) merchant bankcard operations; and (11) other miscellaneous
expenses.
The
Company allows executives who participate in non-qualified deferred compensation
plans to self-direct the investment of their vested balances. See “Note 12 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in the Company’s 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K. Market value gains/losses on these plan balances fluctuate
depending on the type of investments held and market trends in interest rates
and stock prices. Losses on deferred compensation investments were $51,000 in
the first quarter of 2009 compared to losses of $632,000 for the same period of
2008. Although Generally Accepted Accounting Principles require these investment
gains/losses be recorded in non-interest expense, an offsetting entry is also
required to be made to non-interest income resulting in no effect on the
Company’s net income.
Credit
Card Merchant Expense decreased $407,000 or 100% from March 31, 2008. This was
due to the sale of the merchant portfolio during the second quarter of
2008.
ORE
holding costs totaled $505,000 in 2009 compared to $0 in 2008. Due to the
current economic climate the Company has acquired $5.0 million of other real
estate, most of which is raw land. Included in the $5.0 million is $2.5 million
related to the establishment of a reserve for ORE valuation
adjustments.
Other
non-interest expense increased $1.1 million, or 63.4%, to $2.8 million in the
first quarter of 2009 compared to $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2008.
This increase was due to: (1) increased FDIC insurance premiums for the first
quarter of 2009 compared to 2008; (2) accruals for estimated 2009 increases in
FDIC premiums based upon recent proposals by the FDIC to levy a 10 basis point
special assessment on all banks; and (3) premiums associated with the Bank’s
participation in the FDIC’s newly created Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program
(TLGP). For a discussion of trends in FDIC insurance premiums see “Supervision
and Regulation – Deposit Insurance” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s
2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Income
Taxes
The
provision for income taxes decreased 1.4% to $3.4 million for the first quarter
of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. The effective tax rate for the
first quarter of 2009 was 36.5% compared to 37.6% for the first quarter of 2008.
The Company’s effective tax rate fluctuates from quarter to quarter due
primarily to changes in the mix of taxable and tax-exempt earning sources. The
effective rates were lower than the statutory rate of 42% due primarily to
benefits regarding the cash surrender value of life insurance; California
enterprise zone interest income exclusion; and tax-exempt interest income on
municipal securities and loans.
Current
tax law causes the Company’s current taxes payable to approximate or exceed the
current provision for taxes on the income statement. Three provisions have had a
significant effect on the Company’s current income tax liability: (1) the
restrictions on the deductibility of loan losses; (2) deductibility of
retirement and other long-term employee benefits only when paid; and (3) the
statutory deferral of deductibility of California franchise taxes on the
Company’s federal return.
Financial
Condition
This
section discusses material changes in the Company’s balance sheet for the
three-month period ending March 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December
31, 2008 and to the three-month period ending March 31, 2008. As previously
discussed (see “Overview”) the Company’s financial condition can be influenced
by the seasonal banking needs of its agricultural customers.
Investment
Securities
The
investment portfolio provides the Company with an income alternative to loans.
The debt securities in the Company’s investment portfolio have historically been
comprised primarily of Mortgage-backed securities issued by Federal
government-sponsored entities, U.S. Government Agencies and high grade
bank-qualified municipals. Importantly, the Company never invested in
the preferred stock or subordinated debt of Fannie Mae “FNMA” or Freddie Mac
“FHLMC”, classes of securities that resulted in losses for many banks during
2008. At the current time, the Company holds no U.S. Government Agency
securities. See “Financial Condition – Investment Securities” in the Company’s
2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The
Company’s investment portfolio at March 31, 2009 was $333.3 million compared to
$363.7 million at the end of 2008, a decrease of $30.5 million or 8.4%. At March
31, 2008, the investment portfolio totaled $331.1 million. During 2008, the
Company increased the available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities portfolio as
part of a leveraging strategy implemented to manage the Company’s interest rate
risk. However, in the first quarter of 2009, the Company sold $19.3 million of
those securities that were purchased at fairly high premiums, due to a concern
about increasing prepayment speeds as the Federal government implemented
policies designed to drive mortgage rates lower.
The
Company's total investment portfolio currently represents 19.2% of the Company’s
total assets as compared to 21.6% at December 31, 2008 and 21.1% at March 31,
2008.
Not
included in the investment portfolio are overnight investments in Federal Funds
Sold. In late 2008, the FRB began paying interest on the deposits that banks
maintained in their FRB accounts, whereas historically banks had to sell these
Federal Funds to other banks in order to earn interest. Since
balances at the FRB are effectively risk free, the Company elected to maintain
its excess cash at the FRB during the first quarter of 2009. Average Federal Funds
Sold (including interest earning balances at the FRB) for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009, was $52.3 million compared to $822,000 thousand for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008. This large increase in Federal Funds Sold was due to the
significant deposit growth the Company experienced year-over-year and
management’s decision at the current time not to invest these funds longer-term
in the investment portfolio given the historically low level of current
long-term interest rates.
The
Company classifies its investments as held-to-maturity, trading or
available-for-sale. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity and are
carried at amortized cost when the Company has the intent and ability to hold
the securities to maturity. Trading securities are securities acquired for
short-term appreciation and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and
losses recorded in non-interest income. As of March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008
and March 31, 2008 there were no securities in the trading portfolio. Securities
classified as available-for-sale include securities which may be sold to
effectively manage interest rate risk exposure, prepayment risk, satisfy
liquidity demands and other factors. These securities are reported at fair value
with aggregate, unrealized gains or losses excluded from income and included as
a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of related income
taxes.
The debt
securities in the Company’s investment portfolio are comprised primarily of
Mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government Agencies and high grade municipals.
All of the Mortgage-backed securities are issued by federal government-sponsored
entities.
Loans
The
Company's loan portfolio at March 31, 2009 decreased $8.6 million or 0.7% from
December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the normal seasonal paydowns of
loans made to the Company’s dairy customers in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Compared to March 31, 2008, loans have increased $57.4 million or 5.2%. Most of
the current year’s growth occurred in Commercial, Agricultural, and Agricultural
Real Estate Loans, market segments where the Company believes that current
market rates and/or credit risks are more reasonable than in other loan
segments.
On an
average balance basis, loans have increased $49.4 million or 4.4% since the
first quarter of 2008. The following table sets forth the distribution of the
loan portfolio by type and percent as of the periods indicated.
Loan
Portfolio
|
March
31, 2009
|
December
31, 2008
|
March
31, 2008
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
$
|
%
|
$
|
%
|
$
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||||
Commercial
Real Estate
|
$ | 272,749 | 23.3 | % | $ | 271,856 | 23.0 | % | $ | 288,666 | 25.9 | % | ||||||||||||
Agricultural
Real Estate
|
228,512 | 19.5 | % | 227,166 | 19.3 | % | 180,352 | 16.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Real
Estate Construction
|
80,697 | 6.9 | % | 75,472 | 6.4 | % | 84,779 | 7.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Residential
1st Mortgages
|
104,412 | 8.9 | % | 105,980 | 9.0 | % | 108,635 | 9.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
Home
Equity Lines and Loans
|
64,776 | 5.5 | % | 66,159 | 5.6 | % | 63,957 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
205,564 | 17.6 | % | 216,610 | 18.4 | % | 177,066 | 15.9 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
|
201,946 | 17.2 | % | 202,636 | 17.2 | % | 191,841 | 17.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Consumer
|
12,087 | 1.0 | % | 13,612 | 1.2 | % | 18,191 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
1,170,743 | 100.0 | % | 1,179,491 | 100.0 | % | 1,113,487 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Less:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unearned
Income
|
2,005 | 2,127 | 2,202 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance
for Loan Losses
|
20,500 | 20,034 | 19,032 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net
Loans
|
$ | 1,148,238 | $ | 1,157,330 | $ | 1,092,253 |
Non-Performing
Assets
Loans on
which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as
non-accrual loans. Accrual of interest on loans is generally discontinued either
when: (1) a loan becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect
to interest or principal; or (2) the loan is considered by management to be
impaired because it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all
amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When loans
are 90 days past due, but in Management's judgment are well secured and in the
process of collection, they may not be classified as non-accrual. When a loan is
placed on non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected
is reversed. Income on such loans is then recognized only to the extent that
cash is received and where the future collection of principal is probable. Loans
where the collateral has been repossessed are classified as other real estate
("ORE") or, if the collateral is personal property, the loan is classified as
other assets on the Company's financial statements.
The
following table sets forth the amount of the Company's non-performing assets as
of the dates indicated. Non-performing loan balances (defined as non-accrual
loans plus accruing loans past due 90 days or more) are reported net of
guarantees of the U.S. Government, including its agencies and its
government-sponsored agencies, in the amounts of $0, $473,000, and $133,000,
respectively. ORE balances are net of reserve for ORE valuation
adjustments in the amounts of $2.5 million, $2.1 million, and $0,
respectively.
Non-Performing
Assets
(in
thousands)
|
March
31, 2009
|
Dec.
31, 2008
|
March
31, 2008
|
|||||||||
Non-Performing
Loans
|
$ | 2,981 | $ | 5,267 | $ | 994 | ||||||
Other
Real Estate
|
4,990 | 4,817 | 251 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 7,971 | $ | 10,084 | $ | 1,245 | ||||||
Non-Performing
Loans as a % of Total Loans
|
0.25 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.09 | % | ||||||
Allowance
for Loan Losses as a % of Non-Performing Loans
|
687.7 | % | 380.4 | % | 1,914.7 | % |
In
addition to the preceding non-performing loans, the Company had outstanding as
of March 31, 2009, $7.8 million in loans past due 15 days which at some future
date could become impaired if the borrower’s ability to service the loans in
accordance with the contract terms becomes uncertain and current collateral
values decline due to the weak economy.
Interest
income on non-accrual loans which would have been recognized during the period,
if all such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms,
totaled $286,000 at March 31, 2009, $261,000 at December 31, 2008, and $61,000
at March 31, 2008.
Except
for those loans discussed above, the Company’s management is not aware of any
loans as of March 31, 2009, for which known financial problems of the borrower
would cause serious doubts as to the ability of these borrowers to materially
comply with their present loan repayment terms, or any known events that would
result in the loan being designated as non-performing at some future
date. However, a combination of the following economic conditions in
the Company’s markets has the potential to create a situation where any
borrower’s status can quickly change: (1) real estate values declined
significantly throughout 2008 and the situation remains volatile; and (2) more
recently, general economic conditions have deteriorated and unemployment and
business failures are increasing. As a result, borrowers who are
current in their payments may experience deterioration in the value of their
collateral below the amount outstanding on the loan, significantly increasing
the potential of default if their income levels decline. See “Part II, Item 1A.
Risk Factors.”
Deposits
One of
the key sources of funds to support earning assets (loans and investments) is
the generation of deposits from the Company’s customer base. The
ability to grow the customer base and subsequently deposits is a significant
element in the performance of the Company.
The
Company's deposit balances at March 31, 2009 increased $43.7 million or 3.1%
from December 31, 2008, and have increased $182.3 million or 14.1% compared to
March 31, 2008. In addition to the Company’s ongoing business development
activities for deposits, the following factors positively impacted this strong
year-over-year deposit growth: (1) the Federal government’s decision to increase
FDIC deposit insurance limits to $250,000 (unlimited for non-interest bearing
transaction accounts); and (2) the Company’s strong financial results and
position and F&M Bank’s reputation as one of the most safe and sound banks
in its market territory.
Core
deposits (exclusive of Public Time Deposits) increased $40.6 million or 3.2%
from December 31, 2008 and have increased $176.4 million or 15.5% since March
31, 2008. Public Time Deposits have increased $5.9 million since
March 31, 2008.
Demand
and Interest-Bearing transaction accounts decreased $54.6 million or 11.7% since
December 31, 2008 but increased $7.2 million or 1.8% since March 31, 2008, while
savings and time deposit accounts have increased $98.2 million or 10.2% since
December 31, 2008, and $175.1 million or 19.7% since March 31,
2008. Demand and Interest bearing transaction accounts have declined
as customers have transferred their funds to higher yielding savings and time
deposit accounts with the Bank.
In
December 2008, the Bank elected to participate in the provisions of the FDIC’s
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program that provides full FDIC deposit insurance
on all non-interest bearing transaction accounts even if they exceed the deposit
insurance limit of $250,000 on other types of deposit accounts.
Federal
Home Loan Bank Advances and Federal Reserve Bank Borrowings
Lines of
credit with the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank are other
key sources of funds to support earning assets (see “Item 3. Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and Liquidity Risk”). These sources of
funds are also used to manage the Company’s interest rate risk exposure, and as
opportunities arise, to borrow and invest the proceeds at a positive spread
through the investment portfolio.
FHLB
Advances as of March 31, 2009 were $690,000 compared to $703,000 at December 31,
2008 and $49.4 million at March 31, 2008. This decrease of $48.7 million in
borrowings since March 31, 2008, was partially due to the Company’s management
of its liquidity needs using State of California Time deposits (a strategy which
it first implemented in 2006 since this source of funds generally has rates
lower than FHLB advances) and repurchase agreements. The average rate on FHLB
advances during the first quarter of 2009 was 5.8% compared to 3.0% during the
first quarter of 2008. This rate increase occurred because the Company paid off
all of its short-term, lower cost FHLB advances that were outstanding at March
31, 2008. The small advance of $690,000 remaining at March 31, 2009, was a
long-term advance taken out several years ago when interest rates were
higher.
The
Company has never had any borrowings outstanding from the FRB since its line was
established in August 2008.
As of
March 31, 2009 the Company has additional borrowing capacity of $177.9 million
with the Federal Home Loan Bank and $333.9 million with the Federal Reserve
Bank. Any borrowings under these lines would be collateralized with
loans that have been accepted for pledging at the FHLB and FRB.
Securities
Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
Securities
Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase totaled $60 million at March 31, 2009, $60
million at December 31, 2008, and $40 million at March 31, 2008.
On March
13, 2008, the Bank entered into a $40 million medium term repurchase agreement
with Citigroup as part of a leveraging strategy (see “Investment Securities”) in
response to the FRB’s continued interest rate cuts. The repurchase
agreement pricing rate is 3.20% with an embedded 3 year cap tied to 3 month
Libor with a strike price of 3.3675%. The repurchase agreement matures
March 13, 2013, putable only on March 13, 2011, and is secured by investments in
Agency pass through securities.
On May
30, 2008, the Company entered into a $20 million medium term repurchase
agreement with Citigroup as part of a leveraging strategy (see “Investment
Securities”). The repurchase agreement pricing rate is 4.19% with an
embedded 3 year cap tied to 3 month Libor with a strike price of 3.17%.
The repurchase agreement matures June 5, 2013, putable only on June 5, 2011, and
is secured by investments in Agency pass through
securities.
Subordinated
Debentures
On
December 17, 2003, the Company raised $10 million through an offering of
trust-preferred securities. Although this amount is reflected as
subordinated debt on the Company’s balance sheet, under applicable regulatory
guidelines, trust preferred securities qualify as regulatory capital (see
“Capital”). These securities accrue interest at a variable rate based
upon 3-month Libor plus 2.85%. Interest rates reset quarterly and
were 4.16% as of March 31, 2009, 4.72% at December 31, 2008 and 5.65% at March
31, 2008. The average rate paid for these securities for the first quarter of
2009 was 4.68% compared to 7.59% for the first quarter of 2008. Additionally, if
the Company decided to defer interest on the subordinated debentures, the
Company would be prohibited from paying cash dividends on the Company’s common
stock.
Capital
The
Company relies primarily on capital generated through the retention of earnings
to satisfy its capital requirements. The Company engages in an
ongoing assessment of its capital needs in order to support business growth and
to insure depositor protection. Shareholders’ Equity totaled $161.5
million at March 31, 2009, $156.5 million at December 31, 2008, and $149.2
million at March 31, 2008.
The
Company 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 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
the Company’s and the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet
items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the
Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative
judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other
factors.
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 to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1
capital to average assets (all terms as defined in the regulations). Management
believes, as of March 31, 2009, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital
adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
In its
most recent notification from the FDIC the Bank was categorized as “well
capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be
categorized as “well capitalized”, the Bank must maintain minimum Total
risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the
following table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that
management believes have changed the institution’s categories.
(in
thousands)
|
Actual
|
Regulatory
Capital
Requirements
|
To
Be Well
Capitalized
Under
Prompt
Corrective
Action
Provisions
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
The
Company:
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
||||||||||||||||||
As
of March 31, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
|
$ | 182,558 | 13.13 | % | $ | 111,273 | 8.0 | % |
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
|
165,131 | 11.87 | % | 55,636 | 4.0 | % |
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital to Average Assets
|
165,131 | 9.83 | % | 67,189 | 4.0 | % |
N/A
|
N/A
|
(in
thousands)
|
Actual
|
Regulatory
Capital
Requirements
|
To
Be Well
Capitalized
Under
Prompt
Corrective
Action
Provisions
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
The
Bank:
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
||||||||||||||||||
As
of March 31, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
|
$ | 181,911 | 13.08 | % | $ | 111,263 | 8.0 | % | $ | 139,079 | 10.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
|
164,485 | 11.83 | % | 55,631 | 4.0 | % | 83,447 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital to Average Assets
|
164,485 | 9.80 | % | 67,148 | 4.0 | % | 83,935 | 5.0 | % |
As
previously discussed (see “Subordinated Debentures”), in order to supplement its
regulatory capital base, during December 2003 the Company issued $10 million of
trust preferred securities. On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve
Board issued its final rule effective April 11, 2005, concerning the regulatory
capital treatment of trust preferred securities (“TPS”) by bank holding
companies (“BHCs”). Under the final rule BHCs may include TPS in Tier
1 capital in an amount equal to 25% of the sum of core capital net of
goodwill. The quantitative limitation concerning goodwill will not be
effective until March 31, 2009. Any portion of trust-preferred securities not
qualifying as Tier 1 capital would qualify as Tier 2 capital subject to certain
limitations. The Company has received notification from the Federal
Reserve Bank of San Francisco that all of the Company’s trust preferred
securities currently qualify as Tier 1 capital.
In
accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standard Board
Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities” (“FIN 46”), the Company does not consolidate the subsidiary
trust which has issued the trust-preferred securities.
In 1998,
the Board approved the Company’s first stock repurchase program. This
program was extended and expanded in both 2004 and 2006. Most recently, on
November 12, 2008, the Board of Directors approved increasing the funds
available for the Company’s Common Stock Repurchase Program. The Board’s
resolution authorized up to $20 million in repurchases over the four year period
ending October 31, 2012.
During
the first quarter of 2009 the Company repurchased 4,395 shares at an average
share price of $384 per share. During the first quarter of 2008 the Company
repurchased 3,422 shares at an average share price of $460. Since the second
share repurchase program was expanded in 2006 the Company has repurchased over
37,000 shares for total consideration of $17.3 million.
On August
5, 2008, the Board of Directors approved a Share Purchase Rights Plan (the
“Rights Plan”), pursuant to which the Company entered into a Rights Agreement
dated August 5, 2008 with Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent, and
the Company declared a dividend of a right to acquire one preferred share
purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s Common
Stock, $0.01 par value per share, to stockholders of record at the close of
business on August 15, 2008. Generally, the Rights only are triggered and become
exercisable if a person or group (the “Acquiring Person”) acquires beneficial
ownership of 10 percent or more of the Company’s common stock or announces a
tender offer for 10 percent or more of the Company’s common stock.
The
Rights Plan is similar to plans adopted by many other publicly-traded companies.
The effect of the Rights Plan is to discourage any potential acquirer from
triggering the Rights without first convincing Farmers & Merchants Bancorp’s
Board of Directors that the proposed acquisition is fair to, and in the best
interest of, all of the shareholders of the Company. The provisions of the Plan
will substantially dilute the equity and voting interest of any potential
acquirer unless the Board of Directors approves of the proposed acquisition.
Each Right, if and when exercisable, will entitle the registered holder to
purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, at a purchase price of $1,200 for
each one one-hundredth of a share, subject to adjustment. Each holder of a Right
(except for the Acquiring Person, whose Rights will be null and void upon such
event) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, that number of
Common Shares of the Company having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right. At any time before a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the
Rights can be redeemed, in whole, but not in part, by Farmers and Merchants
Bancorp’s Board of Directors at a price of $0.001 per Right. The Rights Plan
will expire on August 5, 2018.
Based
upon the Company’s strong capital position and continued earnings strength, the
Company elected not to participate in the Federal Government’s 2008 TARP capital
purchase program. See “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2008
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
This
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements,
which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. In preparing the Company’s financial
statements management makes estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These
judgments govern areas such as the allowance for loan losses, the fair value of
financial instruments and accounting for income taxes.
For a
full discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates see
“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2008.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations and
Commitments
Off-balance
sheet arrangements are any contractual arrangement to which an unconsolidated
entity is a party, under which the Company has: (1) any obligation under a
guarantee contract; (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred
to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit,
liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets; (3) any
obligation under certain derivative instruments; or (4) any obligation under a
material variable interest held by the Company in an unconsolidated entity that
provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the
Company, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services
with the Company.
In the
ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend
credit to its customers. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had entered into
commitments with certain customers amounting to $354.6 million compared to
$355.2 million at December 31, 2008 and $453.0 million at March 31,
2008. Letters of credit at March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and
March 31, 2008, were $7.9 million, $7.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively.
These commitments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements and do not significantly impact operating results.
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
Risk
Management
The
Company has adopted a Risk Management Plan, which aims to ensure the proper
control and management of all risk factors inherent in the operation of the
Company. Specifically, credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk,
compliance risk, strategic risk, reputation risk, and price risk can all affect
the market risk of the Company. These specific risk factors are not mutually
exclusive. It is recognized that any product or service offered by the Company
may expose the Company to one or more of these risk factors.
Credit
Risk
Credit
risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from an obligor’s failure to
meet the terms of any contract or otherwise fail to perform as agreed. Credit
risk is found in all activities where success depends on counterparty, issuer,
or borrower performance.
Credit
risk in the investment portfolio and correspondent bank accounts is addressed
through defined limits in the Company’s policy statements. In addition, certain
securities carry insurance to enhance credit quality of the bond.
Credit
risk in the loan portfolio is controlled by limits on industry concentration,
aggregate customer borrowings, and geographic boundaries. Standards on loan
quality also are designed to reduce loan credit risk. Senior Management,
Directors’ Committees, and the Board of Directors are regularly provided with
information intended to identify, measure, control, and monitor the credit risk
of the Company.
The
Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance is
applied on a regular basis and considers all loans. The systematic methodology
consists of two major elements. The first major element includes a detailed
analysis of the loan portfolio in two phases. The first phase is conducted in
accordance with SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors for the
Impairment of a Loan” as amended by SFAS No. 118, “Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan — Income Recognition and Disclosures.” Individual
loans are reviewed to identify loans for impairment. A loan is impaired when
principal and interest are deemed uncollectible in accordance with the original
contractual terms of the loan. Impairment is measured as either the expected
future cash flows discounted at each loan’s effective interest rate, the fair
value of the loan’s collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, or an
observable market price of the loan, if one exists. Upon measuring the
impairment, the Company will ensure an appropriate level of allowance is present
or established.
Central
to the first phase of the analysis of the loan portfolio is the loan risk rating
system. The originating credit officer assigns borrowers an initial risk rating,
which is based primarily on a thorough analysis of each borrower’s financial
position in conjunction with industry and economic trends. Approvals are made
based upon the amount of inherent credit risk specific to the transaction and
are reviewed for appropriateness by senior credit administration personnel.
Credits are monitored by credit administration personnel for deterioration in a
borrower’s financial condition, which would impact the ability of the borrower
to perform under the contract. Risk ratings are adjusted as
necessary.
Based on
the risk rating system, specific allowances are established in cases where
management has identified significant conditions or circumstances related to a
credit that management believes indicates the possibility of loss. Management
performs a detailed analysis of these loans, including, but not limited to, cash
flows, appraisals of the collateral, conditions of the marketplace for
liquidating the collateral, and assessment of the guarantors. Management then
determines the inherent loss potential and allocates a portion of the allowance
for losses as a specific allowance for each of these credits.
The
second phase is conducted by segmenting the loan portfolio by risk rating and
into groups of loans with similar characteristics in accordance with SFAS No. 5,
“Accounting for
Contingencies.” In this second phase, groups of loans with
similar characteristics are reviewed and the appropriate allowance factor is
applied based on the five-year average charge-off rate for each particular group
of loans.
The
second major element of the analysis, which considers qualitative internal and
external factors that may affect a loan’s collectibility, is based upon
management’s evaluation of various conditions, the effects of which are not
directly measured in the determination of the historical and specific
allowances. The evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these conditions
is subject to a higher degree of uncertainty because they are not identified
with specific problem credits or portfolio segments. The conditions evaluated in
connection with the second element of the analysis of the allowance include, but
are not limited to the following conditions that existed as of the balance sheet
date:
§
|
then-existing
general economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas
of the Company;
|
§
|
credit
quality trends (including trends in non-performing loans expected to
result from existing conditions);
|
§
|
collateral
values;
|
§
|
loan
volumes and concentrations;
|
§
|
seasoning
of the loan portfolio;
|
§
|
specific
industry conditions within portfolio
segments;
|
§
|
recent
loss experience within portfolio
segments;
|
§
|
duration
of the current business cycle;
|
§
|
bank
regulatory examination results; and
|
§
|
findings
of the Company’s internal credit
examiners.
|
Management
reviews these conditions in discussion with the Company’s senior credit
officers. To the extent that any of these conditions is evidenced by a
specifically identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the
evaluation date, management’s estimate of the effect of such condition may be
reflected as a specific allowance applicable to such credit or portfolio
segment. Where any of these conditions is not evidenced by a specifically
identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the evaluation date,
management’s evaluation of the inherent loss related to such condition is
reflected in the second major element of the allowance.
Implicit
in lending activities is the risk that losses will and do occur and that the
amount of such losses will vary over time. Consequently, the Company
maintains an allowance for loan losses by charging a provision for loan losses
to earnings. Loans determined to be losses are charged against the
allowance for loan losses. The Company’s allowance for loan losses is
maintained at a level considered by management to be adequate to provide for
estimated losses inherent in the existing portfolio.
Management
believes that the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2009, was adequate to
provide for both recognized probable losses and estimated inherent losses in the
portfolio. No assurances can be given that future events may not
result in increases in delinquencies, non-performing loans, or net loan
charge-offs that would increase the provision for loan losses and thereby
adversely affect the results of operations.
Interest
Rate Risk
The
mismatch between maturities of interest sensitive assets and liabilities results
in uncertainty in the Company’s earnings and economic value and is referred to
as interest rate risk. The Company does not attempt to predict interest rates
and positions the balance sheet in a manner which seeks to minimize, to the
extent possible, the effects of changing interest rates.
The
Company measures interest rate risk in terms of potential impact on both its
economic value and earnings. The methods for governing the amount of interest
rate risk include: (1) analysis of asset and liability mismatches (GAP
analysis); (2) the utilization of a simulation model; and (3) limits on
maturities of investment, loan, and deposit products which reduces the market
volatility of those instruments.
The Gap
analysis measures, at specific time intervals, the divergence between earning
assets and interest bearing liabilities for which repricing opportunities will
occur. A positive difference, or Gap, indicates that earning assets will reprice
faster than interest-bearing liabilities. This will generally produce a greater
net interest margin during periods of rising interest rates and a lower net
interest margin during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, a
negative Gap will generally produce a lower net interest margin during periods
of rising interest rates and a greater net interest margin during periods of
decreasing interest rates.
The
interest rates paid on deposit accounts do not always move in unison with the
rates charged on loans. In addition, the magnitude of changes in the rates
charged on loans is not always proportionate to the magnitude of changes in the
rate paid for deposits. Consequently, changes in interest rates do not
necessarily result in an increase or decrease in the net interest margin solely
as a result of the differences between repricing opportunities of earning assets
or interest bearing liabilities.
The
Company also utilizes the results of a dynamic simulation model to quantify the
estimated exposure of net interest income to sustained interest rate changes.
The sensitivity of the Company’s net interest income is measured over a rolling
one-year horizon.
The
simulation model estimates the impact of changing interest rates on interest
income from all interest earning assets and the interest expense paid on all
interest bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet. This
sensitivity analysis is compared to policy limits, which specify a maximum
tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one-year horizon
assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point upward and a 100 basis
point downward shift in interest rates. A shift in rates over a 12-month period
is assumed. Results that exceed policy limits, if any, are analyzed for risk
tolerance and reported to the Board with appropriate recommendations. At March
31, 2009, the Company’s estimated net interest income sensitivity to changes in
interest rates, as a percent of net interest income was a decrease in net
interest income of 1.64% if rates increase by 200 basis points and an increase
in net interest income of 1.55% if rates decline 100 basis points.
Comparatively, at December 31, 2008, the Company’s estimated net interest income
sensitivity to changes in interest rates, as a percent of net interest income
was a decrease in net interest income of 2.17% if rates increase by 200 basis
points and an increase in net interest income of 1.38% if rates decline 100
basis points. All results are within the Company’s policy limits.
The
estimated sensitivity does not necessarily represent a Company forecast and the
results may not be indicative of actual changes to the Company’s net interest
income. These estimates are based upon a number of assumptions including: the
nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape;
prepayments on loans and securities; pricing strategies on loans and deposits;
replacement of asset and liability cash flows; and other assumptions. While the
assumptions used are based on current economic and local market conditions,
there is no assurance as to the predictive nature of these conditions including
how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.
Liquidity
Risk
Liquidity
risk is the risk to earnings or capital resulting from the Company’s inability
to meet its obligations when they come due without incurring unacceptable
losses. It includes the ability to manage unplanned decreases or changes in
funding sources and to recognize or address changes in market conditions that
affect the Company’s ability to liquidate assets or acquire funds quickly and
with minimum loss of value. The Company endeavors to maintain a cash flow
adequate to fund operations, handle fluctuations in deposit levels, respond to
the credit needs of borrowers, and to take advantage of investment opportunities
as they arise.
The
Company’s principal operating sources of liquidity include (see “Item 1.
Financial Statements – Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”) cash and cash
equivalents, cash provided by operating activities, principal payments on loans,
proceeds from the maturity or sale of investments, and growth in
deposits. To supplement these operating sources of funds the Company
maintains Federal Funds credit lines of $71 million and repurchase lines of $50
million with major banks. In addition, as of March 31, 2009 the
Company has available borrowing capacity of $177.9 million at the Federal Home
Loan Bank and $333.9 million at the Federal Reserve Bank.
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The
Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that
information is recorded and reported in all filings of financial reports. Such
information is reported to the Company’s management, including its Chief
Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer to allow timely and accurate
disclosure based on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in
Rule 13a-15(e). In designing these controls and procedures, management
recognizes that they can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the
desired control objectives. Management also evaluated the cost-benefit
relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As of the
end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation
of the effectiveness of Company’s disclosure controls and procedures under the
supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer and other senior management of the Company. The evaluation was
based, in part, upon reports and affidavits provided by a number of executives.
Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures were effective.
There
have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect the internal controls over financial
reporting subsequent to the date the Company completed its
evaluation.
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
Certain
lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed
or are pending against the Company or its subsidiaries. Based upon
information available to the Company, its review of such lawsuits and claims and
consultation with its counsel, the Company believes the liability relating to
these actions, if any, would not have a material adverse effect on its
consolidated financial statements.
There are
no material proceedings adverse to the Company to which any director, officer or
affiliate of the Company is a party.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
See “Item
1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form
10-K. In management’s opinion, there have been no material changes in risk
factors since the filing of the 2008 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
The
following table indicates the number of shares repurchased by Farmers &
Merchants Bancorp during the first quarter of 2009.
First
Quarter 2007
|
Number
of Shares
|
Average
Price per Share
|
Number
of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan or
Program
|
Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or
Program
|
||||||||||||
01/01/2009
- 01/31/2009
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | 18,953,150 | ||||||||||
02/01/2009
- 02/28/2009
|
723 | 420.00 | 723 | 18,649,490 | ||||||||||||
03/01/2009
- 03/31/2009
|
3,672 | 377.00 | 3,672 | 17,264,910 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
4,395 | $ | 384.00 | 4,395 | $ | 17,264,910 |
All of
the above shares were repurchased in private transactions.
The
common stock of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is not widely held nor listed on
any exchange. However, trades may be reported on the OTC Bulletin Board under
the symbol “FMCB.OB”. Additionally, management is aware that there are private
transactions in the Company’s common stock.
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not
applicable
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
None
ITEM 5. Other Information
None
ITEM 6. Exhibits
See
Exhibit Index shown on page 30.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirement 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.
FARMERS
& MERCHANTS BANCORP
|
||
Date: May
5, 2009
|
||
/s/ Kent A. Steinwert | ||
Kent
A. Steinwert
|
||
President
and
|
||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
||
Date: May
5, 2009
|
||
/s/ Stephen W. Haley | ||
Stephen
W. Haley
|
||
Executive
Vice President and
|
||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
||
(Principal
Financial & Accounting
Officer)
|
Index to Exhibits
|
||
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
||
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
||
Certifications
of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
30