Annual Statements Open main menu

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

form10-k.htm

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

FORM 10-K

    (Mark One)
 
T  
ANNUAL REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal ended December 31, 2009.
or
   *          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________.

Commission file number: 000-52748

Logo

 
       FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana
26-0513559
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)
   
400 East Thomas Street
 
Hammond, Louisiana
70401
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(985) 345-7685
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
   
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value per share
None
 

 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES *                                     NO T

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES *                                    NO T
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
        was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES T        NO *
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months.  YES* NO*
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.T
 
 
- 1 -

 
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer *                                                           Accelerated filer  *                                Non-accelerated filer  *                                                      Smaller reporting company  T


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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 was $49,077,538 based upon the price from the last trade which occurred on June 19, 2009 in which 1,184 shares were traded at a price of $17.00 per share.  The common stock is not quoted or traded on an exchange and there is no established or liquid market for the common stock.
 
As of March 30, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 5,559,644 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
(1)  Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant (Part III).
 
 
- 2 -

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS



   
Page
Part I.
   
Item 1
4
Item 1A
13
Item 1B
19
Item 2
20
Item 3
21
Item 4
21
     
Part II.
   
Item 5
 
 
21
Item 6
23
Item 7
 
 
25
Item 7A
49
Item 8
51
Item 9
 
 
78
Item 9a(T)
78
Item 9b
78
     
Part III.
   
Item 10
79
Item 11
79
Item 12
79
   
Item 13
79
Item 14
79
     
Part IV.
   
Item 15
80


 
 
 
 
- 3 -

PART 1

Item 1 – Business
Background
    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Hammond, Louisiana with one wholly owned subsidiary, First Guaranty Bank (the “Bank”). At December 31, 2009, the Company had consolidated assets of $930.8 million with $94.9 million in consolidated stockholders’ equity. The Company’s executive office is located at 400 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401. The telephone number is (985) 345-7685. The Company is subject to extensive regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”).
    First Guaranty Bank is a Louisiana state chartered commercial bank with 16 full-service banking facilities and one drive-up only facility located in southeast, southwest and north Louisiana. The Bank was organized under Louisiana law in 1934 and changed its name to First Guaranty Bank in 1971. Deposits are insured up to the maximum legal limits by the FDIC. The Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. As of December 31, 2009, the Bank was the ninth largest Louisiana-based bank and the fifth largest Louisiana bank not headquartered in New Orleans, as measured by total assets.

Business Objective
    The Company’s business objective is to be focused on providing value to customers by delivering products and services matched to customer needs. We emphasize personal relationships and localized decision making. The Board of Directors and senior Management have extensive experience and contacts in our marketplace and are an important source of new business opportunities.
    The Company’s business plan emphasizes both growth and profitability. From December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2009, assets have grown from $607.2 million to $930.8 million.

Market Areas
    Our focus is on the bedroom communities of metropolitan markets, small cities and rural areas in southeast, southwest and north Louisiana. In southeast Louisiana, seven branches are located in Tangipahoa Parish in the towns of Amite, Hammond (2), Independence, Kentwood and Ponchatoula (2). Two branches are located in Livingston Parish, one branch in Denham Springs and the other in Walker. In southwest Louisiana, we have branches in Abbeville and Jennings which are located in Vermillion Parish and Jefferson Davis Parish, respectively. The remaining six branches are located in north Louisiana, in Haynesville and Homer, which are both in Claiborne Parish; in Oil City and Vivian, both in Caddo Parish; in Dubach in Lincoln Parish and Benton, in Bossier Parish. Our core market remains in the home parish of Tangipahoa where approximately 60.7% of deposits and 74.7% of net loans were based in 2009.
    Our southeast Louisiana market is strategically located near the intersection of Interstates 12 and 55, which places it at a crossroads of commercial activity for the southeastern United States. In addition, this market area is largely populated by the work force of several nearby petrochemical refineries and other industrial plants and is a bedroom community for the urban centers of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which are approximately 45 miles and 60 miles, respectively, from Hammond, where the main office is located. Hammond is home to one of the largest medical centers in the state of Louisiana and the third largest state university in Louisiana.
    Our southwest Louisiana market benefits from a profitable casino gaming industry and substantial tourism revenue derived from the Louisiana Acadian culture. It also has a concentration of oilfield and oilfield services activity and is a thriving agricultural center for rice, sugarcane and crawfish.
    Timber cultivation and its related industries, including milling and logging, are key commercial activities in the north Louisiana market. It is also an agrarian center in which corn, cotton and soybeans are the primary crops. The poultry industry, including independent poultry grower farms that contract with national poultry processing companies, are also very important to the local economy.

Banking Products and Services
    The Company offers personalized commercial banking services to businesses, professionals and individuals. We offer a variety of deposit products including personal and business checking and savings accounts, time deposits, money market accounts and NOW accounts. Other services provided include personal and commercial credit cards, remote deposit capture, safe deposit boxes, official checks, travelers’ checks, internet banking, online bill pay, mobile banking and lockbox services. Also offered is 24-hour banking through internet banking, voice response and 25 automated teller machines. Although full trust powers have been granted, we do not actively operate or have any present intentions to activate a trust department.

Loans
    The Bank is engaged in a diversity of lending activities to serve the credit needs of its customer base including commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, real estate construction loans, residential mortgage loans, agricultural loans, home equity lines of credit, equipment loans, inventory financing and student loans. In addition, the Bank provides consumer loans for a variety of reasons such as the purchase of automobiles, recreational vehicles or boats, investments or other consumer needs. The Bank issues MasterCard and Visa credit cards and provides merchant processing services to commercial customers. The loan portfolio is divided, for regulatory purposes, into four broad classifications: (i) real estate loans, which include all loans secured in whole or part by real estate; (ii) agricultural loans, comprised of all farm loans; (iii) commercial and industrial loans, which include all commercial and industrial loans that are not secured by real estate; and (iv) consumer loans.

 
- 4 -

Competition
    The banking business in Louisiana is extremely competitive. We compete for deposits and loans with existing Louisiana and out-of-state financial institutions that have longer operating histories, larger capital reserves and more established customer bases. The competition includes large financial services companies and other entities in addition to traditional banking institutions such as savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions.
    Many of our larger competitors have a greater ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns through their greater capital resources. Marketing efforts depend heavily upon referrals from officers, directors and shareholders, selective advertising in local media and direct mail solicitations. We compete for business principally on the basis of personal service to customers, customer access to officers and directors and competitive interest rates and fees.
    In the financial services industry, intense market demands, technological and regulatory changes and economic pressures have eroded industry classifications in recent years that were once clearly defined. Financial institutions have been forced to diversify their services, increase rates paid on deposits and become more cost effective, as a result of competition with one another and with new types of financial services companies, including non-banking competitors. Some of the results of these market dynamics in the financial services industry have been a number of new bank and non-bank competitors, increased merger activity, and increased customer awareness of product and service differences among competitors. These factors could affect business prospects.

Employees
    At December 31, 2009, we had 212 full-time and 36 part-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining group. The Company has a good relationship with its employees.
 
Data Processing
    Since November 2001, customer information has been housed on equipment owned by Financial Information Service Corporation (FISC). FISC is a cooperative jointly owned by a number of Louisiana and Mississippi state banks that are currently serviced by FISC. The 2009 annual cost of this service was $596,000. The current arrangements are adequate and are expected to be able to accommodate our needs for the foreseeable future.

Information Technology Infrastructure
    Our wide area network links more than 25 remote sites using a fully meshed multiple protocol layered switch network with managed virtual private networking throughout. Authentication is based on a Novell-Citrix hybrid network ecosystem. We have over 400 secure networked devices on the First Guaranty Bank network. The employees are not limited to their branch location, but instead can access the network and authenticate securely from any branch. We have a redundant back-up site located at the far northwestern corner of the state in Homer, Louisiana.

Subsidiaries
    The Company is a one-bank holding company with First Guaranty Bank as its subsidiary.
 
Bank Regulatory Compliance
    First Guaranty Bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured, non-member Louisiana state bank. Regulation of financial institutions is intended primarily to protect depositors, the deposit insurance funds of the FDIC and the banking system as a whole, and generally is not intended to protect stockholders or other investors.
    The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by both the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions and the FDIC. In addition, the Bank is subject to various requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that are made and the interest that is charged on those loans, and limitations on the types of investments that are made and the types of services that are offered. Various consumer laws and regulations also affect operations. See “Bank Regulation and Supervision.”

Bank Regulation and Supervision
    Banking is a complex, highly regulated industry. Consequently, the growth and earnings performance of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary bank can be affected not only by Management decisions and general and local economic conditions, but also by the statutes administered by, and the regulations and policies of, various governmental regulatory authorities. These authorities include, but are not limited to, the FRB, the FDIC, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (“OFI”) the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. The effect of these statutes, regulations and policies and any changes to any of them can be significant and cannot be predicted.
    The primary goals of the regulatory scheme are to maintain a safe and sound banking system and to facilitate the conduct of sound monetary policy. In furtherance of these goals, Congress has created several largely autonomous regulatory agencies and enacted numerous laws that govern banks, bank holding companies and the banking industry. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. establishes a comprehensive framework for their respective operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s deposit insurance funds, depositors and the public, rather than the shareholders and creditors. The following is an attempt to summarize some of the relevant laws, rules and regulations governing banks and bank holding companies, but does not purport to be a complete summary of all such applicable laws, rules and regulations. The descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the specific statutes and regulations discussed.

 
- 5 -

First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
    General. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company registered with, and subject to regulation by, the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). The Bank Holding Company Act and other federal laws subject bank holding companies to particular restrictions on the types of activities in which they may engage, and to a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including regulatory enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations.
    In accordance with FRB policy, a bank holding company, such as First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks and commit resources to support its banks. This support may be required under circumstances when we might not be inclined to do so absent this FRB policy. The Company is required to obtain prior written approval before engaging in any of the following:
·  
    Incurring any indebtedness;
·  
    Declaring or paying any corporate dividend; and
·  
    Redeeming any corporate stock.

    Certain Acquisitions. Federal law requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before (i) acquiring more than five percent of the voting stock of any bank or other bank holding company, (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank or bank holding company or (iii) merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company.
    Additionally, federal law provides that the FRB may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly or substantially lessen competition or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The FRB is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. Further, the FRB is required to consider the record of a bank holding company and its subsidiary bank(s) in combating money laundering activities in its evaluation of bank holding company merger or acquisition transactions.
    Under the Bank Holding Company Act, if adequately capitalized and adequately managed, any bank holding company located in Louisiana may purchase a bank located outside of Louisiana. However, as discussed below, restrictions currently exist on the acquisition of a bank that has only been in existence for a limited amount of time or will result in specified concentrations of deposits.

    Change in Bank Control. The Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, generally require FRB approval prior to any person or company acquiring control of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities.

    Permitted Activities. Generally, bank holding companies are prohibited by federal law from engaging in or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in any activity other than (i) banking or managing or controlling banks or (ii) an activity that the FRB determines to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking.
    Activities that the FRB has found to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking include:
        ·  factoring accounts receivable;
        ·  making, acquiring, brokering or servicing loans and usual related activities;
        ·  leasing personal or real property;
        ·  operating a non-bank depository institution, such as a savings association;
        ·  trust company functions;
        ·  financial and investment advisory activities;
        ·  conducting discount securities brokerage activities;
        ·  underwriting and dealing in government obligations and money market instruments;
        ·  providing specified Management consulting and counseling activities;
        ·  performing selected data processing services and support services;
          ·  acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with credit transactions; and
        ·  performing selected insurance underwriting activities.

 
- 6 -

    Despite prior approval, the FRB has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate an activity or terminate control of or liquidate or divest certain subsidiaries or affiliates when the FRB believes the activity or the control of the subsidiary or affiliate constitutes a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of any of its banking subsidiaries. A bank holding company that qualifies and elects to become a financial holding company is permitted to engage in additional activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activity. The Bank Holding Company Act expressly lists the following activities as financial in nature:
        ·  lending, exchanging, transferring, investing for others, or safeguarding money or securities;
          ·  insuring, guaranteeing or indemnifying against loss or harm, or providing and issuing annuities, and acting as principal, agent or broker for these purposes, in any state;
        ·  providing financial, investment or advisory services;
        ·  issuing or selling instruments representing interests in pools of assets permissible for a bank to hold directly;
        ·  underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities;
          ·  other activities that the FRB may determine to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident to managing or controlling banks;
          ·  foreign activities permitted outside of the United States if the FRB has determined them to be usual in connection with banking operations abroad;
        ·  merchant banking through securities or insurance affiliates; and
        ·  insurance company portfolio investments.

    To qualify to become a financial holding company, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary bank must be well-capitalized and well managed and must have a Community Reinvestment Act rating of at least satisfactory. Additionally, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. would be required to file an election with the FRB to become a financial holding company and to provide the FRB with 30 days’ written notice prior to engaging in a permitted financial activity. A bank holding company that falls out of compliance with these requirements may be required to cease engaging in some of its activities. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. currently has no plans to make a financial holding company election.

    Anti-tying Restrictions. Bank holding companies and affiliates are prohibited from tying the provision of services, such as extensions of credit, to other services offered by a holding company or its affiliates.
 
     Insurance of Deposit Accounts. First Guaranty Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Deposit accounts at First Guaranty Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, generally up to a maximum of $100,000 for each separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of $250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts. However, on October 14, 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation increased the deposit insurance available on all deposit accounts to $250,000, effective until December 31, 2013.  In addition, certain noninterest-bearing transaction accounts maintained with financial institutions participating in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program are fully insured regardless of the dollar amount until June 30, 2010.  First Guaranty Bank has opted to participate in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  See “—Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.”
    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation imposes an assessment against institutions for deposit insurance.  This assessment is based on the risk category of the institution and, prior to 2009, ranged from 5 to 43 basis points of the institution’s deposits.  On December 22, 2008, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published a final rule that raised the current deposit insurance assessment rates uniformly for all institutions by 7 basis points (to a range from 12 to 50 basis points) effective for the first quarter of 2009. On February 27, 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a final rule that altered the way the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation calculates federal deposit insurance assessment rates beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and thereafter.
    Under the rule, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation first establishes an institution’s initial base assessment rate.  This initial base assessment rate ranges, depending on the risk category of the institution, from 12 to 45 basis points.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation then adjusts the initial base assessment (higher or lower) to obtain the total base assessment rate.  The adjustments to the initial base assessment rate are based upon an institution’s levels of unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and brokered deposits.  The total base assessment rate ranges from 7 to 77.5 basis points of the institution’s deposits. Additionally, on May 22, 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a final rule that imposed a special 5 basis points assessment on each FDIC-insured depository institution's assets, minus its Tier 1 capital on June 30, 2009, which was collected on September 30, 2009. The special assessment is capped at 10 basis points of an institution's domestic deposits. Future special assessments could also be assessed. First Guaranty Bank’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premium assessment for 2009 increased by approximately $1.2 million, including the special assessment.
   
 
- 7 -

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has adopted a final rule pursuant to which all insured depository institutions were required to prepay their estimated assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Under the rule, this pre-payment was due on December 30, 2009.  The assessment rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for 2010 was based on each institution’s total base assessment rate for the third quarter of 2009, modified to assume that the assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009 had been in effect for the entire third quarter, and the assessment rate for 2011 and 2012 was equal to the modified third quarter assessment rate plus an additional 3 basis points.  In addition, each institution’s base assessment rate for each period was calculated using its third quarter assessment base, adjusted quarterly for an estimated 5% annual growth rate in the assessment base through the end of 2012. Based on our deposits and assessment rate at September 30, 2009, our prepayment amount was approximately $4.5 million.
    Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.
    In addition to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019. For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the annualized FICO assessment was .000106 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution.

    Other Regulations. Interest and other charges collected or contracted is subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. Loan operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as:
·  
    the federal “Truth-In-Lending Act,” governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
·  
    the “Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975,” requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help
    meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
·  
    the “Equal Credit Opportunity Act,” prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
·  
    the “Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978,” governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;
·  
    the “Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act”
·  
    the “Fair Debt Collection Act,” governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies; and
·  
    the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws.

    The deposit operations are subject to:
·  
    the “Right to Financial Privacy Act,” which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
·  
    the “Electronic Funds Transfer Act” and Regulation E issued by the FRB to implement that act, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from
    the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;
·  
    the “Truth-In Savings Act” and
·  
    the “Expedited Funds Availability Act”.

    Dividends. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiary, First Guaranty Bank. The majority of the Company’s revenue is from dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. First Guaranty Bank may not pay dividends or distribute capital assets if it is in default on any assessment due to the FDIC. The FRB has indicated generally that it may be an unsafe or unsound practice for a bank holding company to pay dividends unless the bank holding company’s net income over the preceding year is sufficient to fund the dividends and the expected rate of earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.
    First Guaranty Bank is also subject to regulations that impose minimum regulatory capital and minimum state law earnings requirements that affect the amount of cash available for distribution. In addition, under the Louisiana Banking Law, dividends may not be paid if it would reduce the unimpaired surplus below 50% of outstanding capital stock in any year. If the Company does not comply with these laws, regulations or policies it may materially affect the ability of the Bank to pay dividends.
 
    Capital Adequacy. The FRB monitors the capital adequacy of bank holding companies, such as First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., and the OFI and FDIC monitor the capital adequacy of First Guaranty Bank. The federal bank regulators use a combination of risk-based guidelines and leverage ratios to evaluate capital adequacy and consider these capital levels when taking action on various types of applications and when conducting supervisory activities related to safety and soundness. The risk-based guidelines apply on a consolidated basis to bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $500 million or more and, generally, on a bank-only basis for bank holding companies with less than $500 million in consolidated assets. Each insured depository subsidiary of a bank holding company with less than $500 million in consolidated assets is expected to be “well-capitalized.”
   
 
- 8 -

    The risk-based capital standards are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and their holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure, and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit and unfunded loan commitments, are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate risk weights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items.
    The minimum guideline for the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets is 8%. Total capital consists of two components, Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital. Tier 1 Capital generally consists of common stock, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and a limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets. Tier 1 Capital must equal at least 4% of risk-weighted assets. Tier 2 Capital generally consists of subordinated debt, preferred stock (other than that which is included in Tier I Capital), and a limited amount of loan loss reserves. The total amount of Tier 2 Capital is limited to 100% of Tier 1 Capital.
    In addition, the FRB has established minimum leverage ratio guidelines for bank holding companies with assets of $500 million or more. These guidelines provide for a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to average assets, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets, of 3% for bank holding companies that meet specified criteria, including having the highest regulatory rating and implementing the FRB’s risk-based capital measure for market risk. All other bank holding companies with assets of $500 million or more generally are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 4%. The guidelines also provide that bank holding companies of such size experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without reliance on intangible assets. The FRB considers the leverage ratio and other indicators of capital strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities. The FRB and the FDIC recently adopted amendments to their risk-based capital regulations to provide for the consideration of interest rate risk in the agencies’ determination of a banking institution’s capital adequacy.
    Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of federal deposit insurance, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits and other restrictions on its business.
 
    Concentrated Commercial Real Estate Lending Regulations. The FRB and FDIC have recently promulgated guidance governing financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance provides that a company has a concentration in commercial real estate lending if (i) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of total capital or (ii) total reported loans secured by multifamily and non-farm residential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 300% or more of total capital and the outstanding balance of such loans has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. If a concentration is present, Management must employ heightened risk Management practices including board and Management oversight and strategic planning, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing, and increasing capital requirements. The Company is subject to these regulations.
 
    Prompt Corrective Action Regulations. Under the prompt corrective action regulations, bank regulators are required and authorized to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized banks. For this purpose, a bank is placed in one of the following five categories based on its capital:
        ·  well-capitalized (at least 5% leverage capital, 6% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 10% total risk-based capital);
        ·  adequately capitalized (at least 4% leverage capital, 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 8% total risk-based capital);
        ·  undercapitalized (less than 8% total risk-based capital, 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital or 3% leverage capital);
          ·  significantly undercapitalized (less than 6% total risk-based capital, 3% Tier 1 risk-based capital or 3% leverage capital); and
        ·  critically undercapitalized (less than 2% tangible capital).
 
    Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, banking regulators must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is “critically undercapitalized.” The federal banking agencies have specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category. An institution that is categorized as “undercapitalized”, “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized” is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal banking agency. A bank holding company must guarantee that a subsidiary depository institution meets its capital restoration plan, subject to various limitations. The controlling holding company’s obligation to fund a capital restoration plan is limited to the lesser of 5% of an “undercapitalized” subsidiary’s assets at the time it became “undercapitalized” or the amount required to meet regulatory capital requirements. An “undercapitalized” institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions, establishing any branches or engaging in any new line of business, except under an accepted capital restoration plan or with regulatory approval. The regulations also establish procedures for downgrading an institution to a lower capital category based on supervisory factors other than capital.
 
 
- 9 -

    Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates and Loans to Insiders.  First Guaranty Bank is subject to the provisions of Section 23A of the FRB Act and its implementing regulations. These provisions place limits on the amount of:
             ·  First Guaranty Bank’s loans or extensions of credit to affiliates;
                     ·  First Guaranty Bank’s  investment in affiliates;
                     ·  assets that First Guaranty Bank may purchase from affiliates, except for real and personal property exempted by the FRB;
                     ·  the amount of loans or extensions of credit to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates; and
                     ·  First Guaranty Bank’s guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate.
 
    The total amount of the above transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of First Guaranty Bank’s capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of its capital and surplus. In addition to the limitation on the amount of these transactions, each of the above transactions must also meet specified collateral requirements.
    First Guaranty Bank is also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the FRB Act and its implementing regulations, which, among other things, prohibit First Guaranty Bank from engaging in any transaction with an affiliate, such as First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., unless the transaction is on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to First Guaranty Bank as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.
    First Guaranty Bank is also subject to restrictions on extensions of credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests. These types of extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
 
    Anti-terrorism Legislation. Financial institutions are required to establish anti-money laundering programs. In 2001, the USA PATRIOT Act was enacted.  The USA PATRIOT Act significantly enhanced the powers of the federal government and law enforcement organizations to combat terrorism, organized crime and money laundering. While the USA PATRIOT Act imposed additional anti-money laundering requirements, these additional requirements are not material to our operations.
    Aside from the above, the USA PATRIOT Act also requires the federal banking regulators to assess the effectiveness of an institution’s anti-money laundering program in connection with merger and acquisition transactions.  Failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program is grounds for the denial of merger or acquisition transactions.

Federal Securities Laws
    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. will continue to be subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Non-Banking Activities
    The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 eliminated most of the barriers to affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance companies and other financial companies previously imposed under federal banking laws if certain criteria are satisfied. The financial subsidiaries of “well capitalized” banks are generally permitted to engage in activities that are financial in nature including securities underwriting, dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; insurance brokerage and underwriting activities; merchant banking activities; and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking.

Brokered Deposits and Pass-Through Insurance
    An FDIC-insured depository institution cannot accept, rollover or renew brokered deposits unless it is well capitalized or adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the FDIC. A depository institution that cannot receive brokered deposits also cannot offer “pass-through” insurance on certain employee benefit accounts. Whether or not it has obtained such a waiver, an adequately capitalized depository institution may not pay an interest rate on any deposits in excess of 75 basis points over certain prevailing market rates specified by regulation. As of December 31, 2009, the Bank had $10.1 million in brokered deposits through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS).

Interstate Branching
    Effective June 1, 1997, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 permits state and national banks with different home states to operate branches across state lines with approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, unless the home state of a participating bank passed legislation “opting out” of interstate banking. This federal law allows branching through acquisition only, which means a bank must acquire another bank and merge the two institutions in order to operate across state lines. If a state opted out of interstate branching within a specified time period, no bank in any other state may establish a branch in the state which has opted out, whether through an acquisition or de novo. Louisiana did not opt out of this law. The Company currently has no branches located outside of Louisiana.

 
- 10 -

Community Reinvestment Act
    Under the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, a financial institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The FDIC assigns banks a CRA rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance,” and the bank must publicly disclose its rating. The FDIC rated the Bank as “satisfactory” in meeting community credit needs under the CRA at its most recent CRA performance examination.

Privacy Provisions
    Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, federal banking regulators have adopted new rules requiring disclosure of privacy policies and information sharing practices to consumers. These rules prohibit depository institutions from sharing customer information with nonaffiliated parties without the customer’s consent, except in limited situations, and require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, enable consumers to prevent disclosure of personal information to nonaffiliated third parties. In addition, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 requires banks to notify their customers if they report negative information about them to a credit bureau or if they grant credit to them on terms less favorable than those generally available.
    The Company has instituted risk Management systems to comply with all required privacy provisions and believes that the new disclosure requirements and implementation of the privacy laws will not materially increase operating expenses.
 
Check 21
    The Check 21 Act facilitates check truncation and electronic check exchange by authorizing a new negotiable instrument called a “substitute check”. The Act provides that a properly prepared substitute check is the legal equivalent of the original check for all purposes. This law supercedes contradictory state laws (i.e., state laws that allow customers to demand the return of original checks).
    Although the Check 21 Act does not require any bank to create substitute checks or to accept checks electronically, it does require banks to accept a legally equivalent substitute check in place of an original check after the Check 21 Act’s effective date of October 28, 2004.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act
    The Company is also subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which has imposed corporate governance and accounting oversight restrictions and responsibilities on the board of directors, executive officers and independent auditors. The law has increased the time spent discharging responsibilities and costs for audit services. Beginning in 2007, Management was required to report on the effectiveness of internal controls and procedures. Beginning with the year ending December 31, 2010, the Company will be required to obtain an attestation report from our external auditor on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

Effect of Governmental Policies
    The difference between the interest rate paid on deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate received on loans and securities comprise most of a bank’s earnings.  In order to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in the industry, the banking business is becoming increasingly dependent on the generation of fee and service charge revenue.
    The earnings and growth of a bank will be affected by both general economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policy of the United States Government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve sets national monetary policy such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession.  This is accomplished by its open-market operations in Unites States government securities, adjustments to the discount rates on borrowings and target rates for federal funds transactions.  The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates on loans and deposits.  The nature and timing of any future changes in monetary policies and their potential impact on the Company cannot be predicted.
    Our noninterest income and expenses can be affected by increasing rates of inflation; however, unlike most industrial companies, the assets and liabilities of financial institutions such as the Banks are primarily monetary in nature.  Interest rates, therefore, have a more significant impact on the Bank’s performance than the effect of general levels of inflation on the price of goods and services.

Recent Developments
    Troubled Assets Relief Program. Under the TARP, the United States Department of the Treasury authorized a voluntary capital purchase program (the “CPP”) to purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares of qualifying financial institutions that elected to participate. Participating companies must adopt certain standards for executive compensation, including (a) prohibiting “golden parachute” payments as defined in the EESA to senior Executive Officers; (b) requiring recovery of any compensation paid to senior Executive Officers based on criteria that is later proven to be materially inaccurate; and (c) prohibiting incentive compensation that encourages unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution. The terms of the CPP also limit certain uses of capital by the issuer, including repurchases of company stock and increases in dividends.
 
 
- 11 -

    On August 28, 2009, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement, which includes a Securities Purchase Agreement and a Side Letter Agreement (together, the “Purchase Agreement”), with the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury Department”) pursuant to which the Company has issued and sold to the Treasury Department 2,069.9 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $1,000 per share for a total purchase price of $20.7 million. In addition to the issuance of the Series A Stock, as a part of the transaction, the Company issued to the Treasury Department a warrant to purchase 114.44444 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, and immediately following the issuance of the Series A stock, the Treasury Department exercised its rights and acquired 103 of the Series B shares through a cashless exercise. The newly issued Series A Stock, generally non-voting stock, pays cumulative dividends of 5% for five years, and a rate of 9% dividends, per annum, thereafter. The newly issued Series B Stock, generally non-voting, pays cumulative dividends at a rate of 9% per annum. Both the Series A Stock and the Series B Stock were issued in a private placement.

    FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and First Guaranty Bank have chosen to participate in the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (the “TLGP”), which applies to, among other, all U.S. depository institutions insured by the FDIC and all United States bank holding companies, unless they have opted out. Under the TLPG, the FDIC guarantees certain senior unsecured debt of the holding company and bank, as well as non-interest bearing transaction account deposits at First Guaranty Bank. Under the debt guarantee component of the TLGP, the FDIC will pay the unpaid principal and interest on an FDIC-guaranteed debt instrument upon the uncured failure of the participating entity to make a timely payment of principal or interest. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. nor First Guaranty Bank issued an debt under the TLGP.
     Under the transaction account guarantee component of the TLGP, all non-interest bearing transaction accounts maintained at First Guaranty Bank are insured in full by the FDIC until June 30, 2010, regardless of the standard maximum deposit insurance amounts. An annualized 10 basis point assessment on balances in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts that exceed the existing deposit insurance limit of $250,000 will be assessed on a quarterly basis to insured depository institutions participating in this component of the TLGP.  The Company has chosen to participate in this component of the TLGP.  The additional expense related to this coverage is not expected to be significant for the Bank. See the Deposit Insurance Assessments section above for more information.

    Financial Stability Plan. On February 10, 2009, the Financial Stability Plan (the “FSP”) was announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The FSP is a comprehensive set of measures intended to shore up the financial system. The core elements of the FSP include making bank capital injections, creating a public-private investment fund to buy troubled assets, establishing guidelines for loan modification programs and expanding the Federal Reserve lending program. The Treasury Department has indicated more details regarding the FSP are to be announced. We continue to monitor these developments and assess their potential impact on our business.
 
    American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”) was enacted. The ARRA is intended to provide a stimulus to the U.S. economy in the wake of the economic downturn brought about by the subprime mortgage crisis and the resulting credit crunch. The bill includes federal tax cuts, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions, and domestic spending in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, including the energy structure. The new law also includes numerous non-economic recovery related items, including a limitation on executive compensation in federally aided banks.
    Under the ARRA, an institution will be subject to the following restrictions and standards through out the period in which any obligation arising from financial assistance provided under the TARP remains outstanding:
·  
     Limits on compensation incentives for risk taking by senior executive officers.
·  
     Requirement of recovery of any compensation paid based on inaccurate financial information.
·  
     Prohibition on “Golden Parachute Payments”.
·  
     Prohibition on compensation plans that would encourage manipulation of reported earnings to enhance the compensation of employees.
·  
     Publicly registered TARP recipients must establish a board compensation committee comprised entirely of independent directors, for the purpose of reviewing employee compensation plans.
·  
     Prohibition on bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation, except for payments of long term restricted stock.
·  
     Limitation on luxury expenditures.
·  
     TARP recipients are required to permit a separate shareholder vote to approve the compensation of executives, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules.
 
    The foregoing is a summary of requirements to be included in standards to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury.
 
 
- 12 -

    The chief executive officer and chief financial officer of each TARP recipient will be required to provide a written certification of compliance with these standards to the SEC. The foregoing is a summary of requirements to be included in standards to be established by the Secretary of the Treasury.

    Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. On February 18, 2009, the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (the “HASP”) was announced by the President of the United States. The plan will help up to 7 to 9 million families restructure or refinance their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. HASP is intended to support a recovery in the housing market and ensure that workers can continue to pay off their mortgages through the following elements:
·  
     Provide access to low-cost refinancing for responsible homeowners suffering from falling home prices.
·  
     A $75 billion homeowner stability initiative to prevent foreclosure and help responsible families stay in their homes.
·  
     Support low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

    On March 4, 2009, the following programs were disclosed:

    The Home Affordable Refinance program probably is available to 4 to 5 million homeowners who have a solid payment history on an existing mortgage owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Normally, these borrowers would be unable to refinance because their homes have lost value, pushing their current loan-to-value ratios above 80%. Under the Home Affordable Refinance program, many of them will now be eligible to refinance their loan to take advantage of today’s lower mortgage rates or to refinance an adjustable-rate mortgage into a more stable mortgage, such as a 30-year fixed rate loan.
    GSE lenders and servicers already have much of the borrower’s information on file, so documentation requirements are not likely to be burdensome. In addition, in some cases an appraisal will not be necessary. This flexibility will make the refinance quicker and less costly for both borrowers and lenders. The Home Affordable Refinance program ends in June 2010.

    The Home Affordable Modification program will help up to 3 to 4 million at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing monthly mortgage payments. Working with the banking and credit union regulators, the FHA, the VA, the USDA and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Treasury Department announced program guidelines that are expected to become standard industry practice in pursuing affordable and sustainable mortgage modifications. This program will work in tandem with an expanded and improved Hope for Homeowners program.

Item 1A. – Risk Factors
(references to “our,” “we” or similar terms under this subheading refer to First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.)
    Various factors, such as general economic conditions in the U.S. and Louisiana, regulatory and legislative initiatives and increasing competition could impact our business. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks that may have a material adverse effect on us.  Additional risks and uncertainties also could adversely affect our business and results of operations.  If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be negatively affected, the market price for your securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.  Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

Risks Associated with our Business

We may be vulnerable to certain sectors of the economy.
          A portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate. If the economy deteriorated and depressed real estate values beyond a certain point, that collateral value of the portfolio and the revenue stream from those loans could come under stress and possibly require additional provision to the allowance for loan losses. Our ability to dispose of foreclosed real estate at prices above the respective carrying values could also be impinged, causing additional losses.
 
Disruptions in the global financial markets could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
        Since mid-2007, global financial markets have suffered substantial disruption, illiquidity and volatility. These circumstances resulted in significant government assistance to a number of major financial institutions. These events have significantly diminished overall confidence in the financial markets and in financial institutions and have increased the uncertainty we face in managing our business. If these disruptions continue or other disruptions in the financial markets or the global or our regional economic environment arise, they could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition, including our liquidity position, and may affect our ability to access capital.

 
- 13 -

Difficult market conditions have adversely affected the industry in which we operate.
          The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. The volatility and disruption has reached unprecedented levels. Dramatic declines in the housing market over the past year, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities as well as major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. We do not expect that the difficult conditions in the financial markets are likely to improve in the near future. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial institution industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:
     
 
We may expect to face increased regulation of our industry, including as a result of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA). Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.
     
 
Market developments and the resulting economic pressure on consumers may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause increases in delinquencies and default rates, which, among other effects, could affect our charge-offs and provision for loan losses.
     
 
Competition in the industry could intensify as a result of the increasing consolidation of financial services companies in connection with current market conditions.
     
 
The current market disruptions make valuation even more difficult and subjective, and our ability to measure the fair value of our assets could be adversely affected. If we determine that a significant portion of our assets have values that are significantly below their recorded carrying value, we could recognize a material charge to earnings in the quarter during which such determination was made, our capital ratios would be adversely affected and a rating agency might downgrade our credit rating or put us on credit watch.

There can be no assurance that the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will help stabilize the U.S. Financial System.
          On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) in response to the current crisis in the financial sector. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and banking regulators are implementing a number of programs under this legislation to address capital and liquidity issues in the banking system. There can be no assurance, however, as to the actual impact that the EESA will have on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced. The failure of the EESA to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of our common stock.

Certain changes in interest rates, inflation, deflation, or the financial markets could affect demand for our products and our ability to deliver products efficiently.
          Loan originations, and potentially loan revenues, could be adversely impacted by sharply rising interest rates. Conversely, sharply falling rates could increase prepayments within our securities portfolio lowering interest earnings from those investments. An underperforming stock market could reduce brokerage transactions, therefore reducing investment brokerage revenues; in addition, wealth management fees associated with managed securities portfolios could also be adversely affected. An unanticipated increase in inflation could cause our operating costs related to salaries & benefits, technology, and supplies to increase at a faster pace than revenues.
          The fair market value of our securities portfolio and the investment income from these securities also fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations.

 
- 14 -

Changes in the policies of monetary authorities and other government action could adversely affect our profitability.
          The results of operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve Board include open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate or the federal funds rate on bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, particularly in light of the continuing threat of terrorist attacks and the current military operations in the Middle East, we cannot predict possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or our business and earnings. Furthermore, the actions of the United States government and other governments in responding to such terrorist attacks or the military operations in the Middle East may result in currency fluctuations, exchange controls, market disruption and other adverse effects.

We engage in acquisitions of other businesses from time to time.
          On occasion, we will engage in acquisitions of other businesses. Inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses can pose varied risks to us, including customer and employee turnover, thus increasing the cost of operating the new businesses. The acquired companies may also have legal contingencies, beyond those that we are aware of, that could result in unexpected costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that acquired businesses will achieve prior or planned results of operations.

We may not be able to successfully maintain and manage our growth.
    Since December 31, 2004, assets have grown 53.3%, loan balances have grown 29.3% and deposits have grown 66.1%.  Continued growth depends, in part, upon the ability to expand market presence, to successfully attract core deposits, and to identify attractive commercial lending opportunities.
    Management cannot be certain as to its ability to manage increased levels of assets and liabilities. We may be required to make additional investments in equipment and personnel to manage higher asset levels and loans balances, which may adversely impact our efficiency ratio, earnings and shareholder returns.
    In addition, franchise growth may increase through acquisitions and de novo branching. The ability to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our consolidated operations will have a direct impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our loan portfolio consists of a high percentage of loans secured by non-farm non-residential real estate. These loans are riskier than loans secured by one- to four-family properties.
    At December 31, 2009, $300.7 million, or 51.0% of the loan portfolio consisted of non-farm non-residential real estate loans (primarily loans secured by commercial real estate such as office buildings, hotels and gaming facilities). These loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of nonpayment and loss than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation and income stream of the borrowers. Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to one- to four-family residential loans. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan.

Emphasis on the origination of short-term loans could expose us to increased lending risks.
    At December 31, 2009, $534.3 million, or 90.6% of our loan portfolio consisted of loans that mature within five years. These loans typically provide for payments based on a ten to twenty-year amortization schedule. This results in our borrowers having significantly higher final payments due at maturity, known as a “balloon payment”. In the event our borrowers are unable to make their balloon payments when they are due, we may incur significant losses in our loan portfolio. Moreover, while the shorter maturities of our loan portfolio help us to manage our interest rate risk, they also increase the reinvestment risk associated with new loan originations. To mitigate this risk, we generally will originate loans to existing customers. There can be no assurance that during an economic slow-down we might not incur significant losses as our loan portfolio matures.

Hurricane Activity in Louisiana can have an adverse impact on our market area.
    Our market area in Southeast Louisiana is close to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico, an area which is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms.
    Hurricane Katrina hit the greater New Orleans area in August 2005. The hurricane caused widespread property damage, required the relocation of an unprecedented number of residents and business operations, and severely disrupted normal economic activity in the impacted areas. The hurricane affected our loan originations and impacted our deposit base. While Hurricane Katrina did not affect our operations as adversely as other areas of Southeast Louisiana, future hurricane activity may have a severe and adverse affect on our operations. More generally, our ability to compete effectively with financial institutions whose operations are not concentrated in areas affected by hurricanes or whose resources are greater than ours, will depend primarily on our ability to continue normal business operations following a hurricane. The severity and duration of the effects of hurricanes will depend on a variety of factors that are beyond our control, including the amount and timing of government, private and philanthropic investments including deposits in the region, the pace of rebuilding and economic recovery in the region and the extent to which a hurricane’s property damage is covered by insurance.
    None of the effects described above can be accurately predicted or quantified at this time. As a result, significant uncertainty remains regarding the impact a hurricane may have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 
- 15 -

If the allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, earnings could decrease.
    Loan customers may not repay their loans according to the terms of their loans, and the collateral securing the payment of their loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. We may experience significant credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of the loan portfolio are made, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, Management reviews the loans and the loss and delinquency experience and evaluates economic conditions. If assumptions prove to be incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not cover inherent losses in the loan portfolio at the date of the financial statements. Material additions to the allowance would materially decrease net income. At December 31, 2009, our allowance for loan losses totaled $7.9 million, representing 1.34% of loans, net of unearned income.
    Management believes it has underwriting standards to manage normal lending risks, and at December 31, 2009, nonperforming loans consisted of $15.0 million, or 2.54% of loans, net of unearned income. We can give no assurance that the nonperforming loans will not increase or that nonperforming or delinquent loans will not adversely affect future performance.
    In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review the allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition.

Adverse events in Louisiana, where our business is concentrated, could adversely affect our results and future growth.
    Our business, the location of our branches and the real estate used as collateral on our real estate loans are primarily concentrated in Louisiana. As a result, we are exposed to geographic risks. The occurrence of an economic downturn in Louisiana, or adverse changes in laws or regulations in Louisiana could impact the credit quality of our assets, the business of our customers and our ability to expand our business.
    Our success significantly depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits and housing in our market area.  If the communities in which we operate do not grow or if prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are unfavorable, our business may be negatively affected.  In addition, the economies of the communities in which we operate are substantially dependent on the growth of the economy in the state of Louisiana.  To the extent that economic conditions in Louisiana are unfavorable or do not continue to grow as projected, the economy in our market area would be adversely affected.  Moreover, we cannot give any assurance that we will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in our market area if they do occur.
    In addition, the market value of the real estate securing loans as collateral could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 80.9% of our total loans were secured by real estate.  Adverse developments affecting commerce or real estate values in the local economies in our primary market areas could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. In addition, substantially all of our loans are to individuals and businesses in Louisiana.  Our business customers may not have customer bases that are as diverse as businesses serving regional or national markets. Consequently, any decline in the economy of our market area could have an adverse impact on our revenues and financial condition.  In particular, we may experience increased loan delinquencies, which could result in a higher provision for loan losses and increased charge-offs. Any sustained period of increased non-payment, delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by adverse market or economic conditions in our market area could adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition.

Our continued pace of growth may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed and could result in dilution of shareholders’ ownership.
    We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations.  We anticipate that our existing capital resources will satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We may, at some point, need to raise additional capital to support continued growth, both internally and for potential acquisitions. Such issuance of our securities will dilute the ownership interest of our shareholders.
    Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital if needed or that the terms acceptable to us will be available. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and potential acquisitions could be materially impaired.

We rely on our Management team for the successful implementation of our business strategy.
    Our success of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and First Guaranty Bank has been largely due to the efforts of our Executive Management team consisting of Alton B. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Michael R. Sharp, President, Larry A. Stark, Executive Vice President and Michele E. LoBianco, Chief Financial Officer. In addition, we substantially rely upon Marshall T. Reynolds, our Chairman of the Board of Directors.  The loss of services of one or more of these individuals may have a material adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan.

There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete with others for business.
    The area in which we operate is considered attractive from an economic and demographic viewpoint, and is a highly competitive banking market. We compete for loans and deposits with numerous regional and national banks and other community banking institutions, as well as other kinds of financial institutions and enterprises, such as securities firms, insurance companies, savings associations, credit unions, mortgage brokers and private lenders. Many competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and operate under less stringent regulatory environments. The differences in resources and regulations may make it harder for us to compete profitably, reduce the rates that we can earn on loans and investments, increase the rates we must offer on deposits and other funds, and adversely affect our overall financial condition and earnings.

 
- 16 -

We depend primarily on net interest income for our earnings rather than noninterest income.
    Net interest income is the most significant component of our operating income. We do not rely on nontraditional sources of fee income utilized by some community banks, such as fees from sales of insurance, securities or investment advisory products or services. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, our net interest income was $32.3 million and $31.8 million, respectively.  The amount of our net interest income is influenced by the overall interest rate environment, competition, and the amount of interest-earning assets relative to the amount of interest-bearing liabilities. In the event that one or more of these factors were to result in a decrease in our net interest income, we do not have significant sources of fee income to make up for decreases in net interest income.

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our profitability.
    We realize income primarily from the difference between the interest we earn on loans and investments and the interest we pay on deposits and borrowings. Unexpected movement in interest rates markedly changing the slope of the current yield curve could cause our net interest margins to decrease, subsequently decreasing net interest income.  In addition, such changes could adversely affect the valuation of our assets and liabilities.  The interest rates on our assets and liabilities respond differently to changes in market interest rates, which means our interest-bearing liabilities may be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates change, this “gap” between the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that reprice in response to these interest rate changes may work against us, and our earnings may be negatively affected.
    We are unable to predict fluctuations in market interest rates, which are affected by, among other factors, changes in the following:
        ·  inflation rates;
        ·  business activity levels;
        ·  money supply; and
        ·  domestic and foreign financial markets.
 
    The value of our investment portfolio and the composition of our deposit base are influenced by prevailing market conditions and interest rates. Our asset-liability Management strategy, which is designed to mitigate the risk to us from changes in market interest rates, may not prevent changes in interest rates or securities market downturns from reducing deposit outflow or from having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, our financial condition or the value of our investments.

We expect to incur additional expenses in connection with our compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.
    Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we were required to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the adequacy of our existing financial systems and controls beginning with the year ended December 31, 2007.  Future reviews of our financial systems and controls may uncover deficiencies in existing systems and controls. If that is the case, we would have to take the necessary steps to correct any deficiencies, which may be costly and may strain our Management resources and negatively impact earnings.  We also would be required to disclose any such deficiencies, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. At December 31, 2010, we will be required to obtain an attestation report from a registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.

The Company’s expenses may increase as a result of increases in FDIC insurance premiums.
    Market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. As a result, we may be required to pay significantly higher premiums or additional special assessments that could adversely affect our earnings. In the second quarter of 2009, the FDIC implemented a special assessment that resulted in approximately $444,000 million of additional expense during the quarter. It is possible that the FDIC may impose additional special assessments in the future as part of its restoration plan. In addition, on November 12, 2009, the FDIC adopted a rule requiring banks to prepay, on December 30, 2009, three years’ worth of premiums to replenish the depleted insurance fund. Based on our deposits and assessment rate at September 30, 2009, our prepayment amount was approximately $4.5 million. The FDIC is also considering other criteria to create a more risk-based assessment model that could increase respective assessment expenses of some depository institutions. We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that we are required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures, we may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. These announced increases and any future increases or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums may materially adversely affect our results of operations.
    Our regulatory capital ratios decreased during the second quarter 2009 below “well capitalized” status based on regulatory standards.  At June 30, 2009, we satisfied the minimum regulatory capital requirements and were “adequately capitalized” within the meaning of federal regulatory requirements. During the third quarter of 2009, our regulatory capital ratios increased back to “well capitalized” status and remained at that status for fourth quarter 2009. Changes in regulatory capital status will impact our FDIC assessments. For more information on FDIC assessments, see “Regulation and Supervision—FDIC Insurance on Deposits”.
 
 
- 17 -

Future legislative or regulatory actions responding to perceived financial and market problems could impair the Company’s rights against borrowers.
    There have been proposals made by members of Congress and others that would reduce the amount distressed borrowers are otherwise contractually obligated to pay under their mortgage loans and limit an institution’s ability to foreclose on mortgage collateral. Were proposals such as these, or other proposals limiting the Company’s rights as a creditor, to be implemented, the Company could experience increased credit losses or increased expense in pursuing its remedies as a creditor.

Continued or further declines in the value of certain investment securities could require write-downs, which would reduce the Company’s earnings.
    During 2009, the Company recorded losses from other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities totaling $0.8 million, net of the related tax benefits of $0.5 million. At December 31, 2009, gross unrealized losses in the Company’s investment portfolio equaled approximately $2.8 million relating to securities with an aggregate fair value of $85.3 million.  There can be no assurance that future factors or combinations of factors will not cause the Company to conclude in one or more future reporting periods that an unrealized loss that exists with respect to any of its securities constitutes an impairment that is other than temporary.

We operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations.
    We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by federal and state banking authorities. Any change in applicable regulations or federal, state or local legislation could have a substantial impact on us and our operations. Additional legislation and regulations that could significantly affect our powers, authority and operations may be enacted or adopted in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, regulators have significant discretion and authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of laws by banks and bank holding companies in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties. The exercise of regulatory authority may have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
    Like other bank holding companies and financial institutions, we must comply with significant anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws.  Under these laws, we are required, among other things, to enforce a customer identification program and file currency transaction and suspicious activity reports with the federal government. Government agencies have substantial discretion to impose significant monetary penalties on institutions which fail to comply with these laws or make required reports.

We hold certain intangible assets that could be classified as impaired in the future.  If these assets are considered to be either partially or fully impaired in the future, our earnings and the book values of these assets would decrease.
    Pursuant to FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (SFAS No. 142), we are required to test our goodwill and core deposit intangible assets for impairment on a periodic basis. The impairment testing process considers a variety of factors, including the current market price of our common shares, the estimated net present value of our assets and liabilities and information concerning the terminal valuation of similarly situated insured depository institutions. The market price for our common shares was above our tangible book value at October 1, 2009, the date of our impairment testing, and at December 31, 2009.  If there is a decline in the market value of our common shares and a decline in the market prices of the common shares of similarly situated insured depository institutions during future reporting periods it is possible that future impairment testing could result in a partial or full impairment of the value of our goodwill or core deposit intangible assets, or both. If an impairment determination is made in a future reporting period, our earnings and the book value of these intangible assets will be reduced by the amount of the impairment. If an impairment loss is recorded, it will have little or no impact on the tangible book value of our common shares or our regulatory capital levels.
 
If we were unable to borrow funds through access to capital markets, we may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers, or the operating cash needs to fund corporate expansion and other corporate activities.
    Liquidity is the ability to meet cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost. The liquidity of our Company is used to make loans and leases to repay deposit liabilities as they become due or are demanded by customers. Liquidity policies and limits are established by the board of directors. Management and the Investment Committee regularly monitor the overall liquidity position of the Company to ensure that various alternative strategies exist to cover unanticipated events that could affect liquidity. Management and the Investment Committee also establish policies and monitor guidelines to diversify the banks’ funding sources. Funding sources include Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, non-core deposits, and short- and long-term debt. We are also members of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System, which provides funding through advances to members that are collateralized with certain loans.
 
 
- 18 -

    We maintain a portfolio of securities that can be used as a secondary source of liquidity. There are other sources of liquidity available to us should they be needed. These sources include sales of loans, additional collateralized borrowings such as FHLB advances, unsecured borrowing lines with other financial institutions, the issuance and sale of debt securities, and the issuance and sale of preferred or common securities. We can also borrow from the Federal Reserve’s discount window.
    Amounts available under our existing credit facilities as of December 31, 2009, consist of $92.9 million available at the Federal Home Loan Bank and $63.2 million in the form of federal funds and/or other lines of credit.
    If we were unable to access any of these funding sources when needed, we might be unable to meet customers’ needs, which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and level of regulatory-qualifying capital.
 
Risk Associated with an Investment in our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock is established between a buyer and seller.
    First Guaranty Bank acts as the transfer agent for First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. All shares traded are agreed upon by mutual buyers and sellers. First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. is not traded on an exchange, therefore liquidation and/or purchases of stock may not be readily available.

Our Management controls a substantial percentage of our common stock and therefore has the ability to exercise substantial control over our affairs.
    As of December 31, 2009, our directors and executive officers (and their affiliates) beneficially owned 2,348,110 shares or approximately 42.2% of our common stock. Because of the large percentage of common stock held by our directors and executive officers, such persons could significantly influence the outcome of any matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders even if other shareholders were in favor of a different result.

Our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program imposes restrictions on us that limit our ability to perform certain equity transactions, including the payment of dividends and common stock purchases.
    On August 28, 2009, we issued and sold $20.7 million in Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A and a warrant to purchase shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B to the Treasury Department as part of the Capital Purchase Program. The Series A preferred shares will pay a cumulative dividend rate of five percent (5%) per annum for the first five years and will reset to a rate of nine percent (9%) per annum after year five. Immediately following the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant, the Treasury Department exercised its rights under the Warrant to acquire shares of the Series B Preferred Stock through a cashless exercise. The Series B Preferred Stock pays cumulative dividends at a rate of nine percent (9%) per annum.  The Series B Preferred Stock generally has the same rights and privileges as the Series A Preferred Stock. The dividends and potential increase in dividends if we do not redeem the preferred stock may significantly impact our operating results, liquidity, and capital position.
    Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, prior to August 28, 2012, unless the Company has redeemed the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock or the Treasury Department has transferred the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock to a third party, the ability of the Company to declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on its capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company will be subject to restriction, including a restriction against (1) increasing the quarterly cash dividend per share to an amount larger than the last quarterly cash dividend paid on the common stock prior to November 17, 2008, $0.16 per share, or (2) redeeming, purchasing or acquiring any shares of its common stock or other equity or capital securities, other than in connection with benefit plans consistent with past practice and certain circumstances specified in the Purchase Agreement.  In addition, prior to August 28, 2012, the Company may not redeem any of the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock except with the proceeds of a qualified equity offering.
    Following August 28, 2012 and until August 28, 2019 (unless the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock has been redeemed or transferred to a third party), the Company may not, without the consent of the Treasury Department, pay any dividends on its capital stock that are in the aggregate greater than 103% of any dividends in the prior fiscal quarter.  In addition, prior to August 28, 2019 (unless the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock has been redeemed or transferred to a third party) the Company may not repurchase or acquire any equity security of the Company without the consent of the Treasury Department other than in certain circumstances specified in the Purchase Agreement.  Following August 28, 2019, the Company may not pay any dividend or repurchase any equity securities without the consent of the Treasury Department unless the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock have been redeemed or the United States Treasury has transferred the securities.  In addition, no shares of the Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed unless all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been redeemed.
    In addition, under the Articles of Amendment for the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends or repurchase its common stock or other equity or capital securities will be subject to restrictions in the event that it fails to declare and pay or set aside for payment full dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, respectively.
 
Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments
    None.

 
- 19 -


Item 2 - Properties
    The Company does not directly own any real estate, but it does own real estate indirectly through its subsidiary. The Bank operates 17 retail-banking centers. The following table sets forth certain information relating to each office. The net book value of our properties at December 31, 2009 was $9.0 million.
 
Location
 
 
Use of Facilities
 
 
Year Facility Opened or Acquired
 
 
 
Owned/
Leased
First Guaranty Square
400 East Thomas Street
Hammond, LA  70401
 
Bank’s Main Office
 
1975
 
Owned
2111 West Thomas Street
Hammond, LA  70401
 
Guaranty West Banking Center
 
1974
 
Owned
100 East Oak Street
Amite, LA  70422
 
Amite Banking Center
 
1970
 
Owned
455 Railroad Avenue
Independence, LA  70443
 
Independence Banking Center
 
1979
 
Owned
301 Avenue F
Kentwood, LA  70444
 
Kentwood Banking Center
 
1975
 
Owned
170 West Hickory
Ponchatoula, LA  70454
 
Ponchatoula Banking Center1
 
1960
 
Owned
196 Burt Blvd
Benton, LA  71006
 
Benton Banking Center2
 
1999
 
Owned
126 South Hwy. 1
Oil City, LA  71061
 
Oil City Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
401 North 2nd Street
Homer, LA  71040
 
Homer Main Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
10065 Hwy 79
Haynesville, LA  71038
 
Haynesville Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
117 East Hico Street
Dubach, LA 71235
 
Dubach Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
102 East Louisiana Avenue
Vivian, LA  71082
 
Vivian Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
500 North Cary
Jennings, LA  70546
 
Jennings Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
799 West Summers Drive
Abbeville, LA  70510
 
Abbeville Banking Center
 
1999
 
Owned
105 Berryland
Ponchatoula, LA  70454
 
Berryland Banking Center
 
2004
 
Leased
2231 S. Range Avenue
Denham Springs, LA 70726
 
Denham Springs Banking Center
 
2005
 
Owned
North 6th Street
Ponchatoula, LA  70454
 
Ponchatoula Banking Center
 
2007
 
Owned
29815 Walker Rd S
Walker, LA 70785
 
Walker Banking Center
 
2007
 
Owned
1 This banking facility was closed on March 14, 2008 and consolidated with the Ponchatoula Banking Center.
2 This banking facility was sold on January 27, 2010 and a new facility was opened at 189 Burt Boulevard, Benton, LA.

 
- 20 -


    The Bank also owns four additional properties which are currently not being used as banking facilities. One of the properties is a banking center location previously owned and operated by Homestead Bank in Amite, Louisiana but was closed at the time of the merger. The Bank also acquired, in the Homestead Bank merger, a banking facility located in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. This facility was closed in March 2008 and currently is vacant. Management’s intentions are to sell these two properties. In addition, the Bank owns two parcels of raw land, located in Amite and Bossier City Louisiana, on which it intends to build de nevo banking center locations. During 2009, the Bank opened a stand-alone ATM on the Amite parcel of land.
    On December 30, 2008, the Company purchased raw land located at 182 Burt Boulevard, Benton, Louisiana and began construction of a new banking facility. This purchase was to facilitate the sale of the existing Benton banking center, located at 196 Burt Boulevard, Benton, Louisiana, to the Law Enforcement District of Bossier. As of December 31, 2009, the Bank had a binding contract to sell the property located at 196 Burt Boulevard, Benton, Louisiana. The sale was consummated on January 27, 2010 and the new Benton banking center, located at 182 Burt Boulevard, Benton, Louisiana, was opened. The cost of the new Benton banking center, including land, building, furniture and equipment totaled approximately $1.5 million. See Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3 - Legal Proceedings
    The Company is subject to various legal proceedings in the normal course of its business. It is Management’s belief that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations. At December 31, 2009, we were not involved in any material legal proceedings.

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    [Reserved]

PART II

Item 5 - Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
    There is no liquid or active market for our common stock. The Company’s shares of common stock are not traded on a stock exchange or in any established over-the-counter market. Trades occur primarily between individuals at a price mutually agreed upon by the buyer and seller. Trading in the Company’s common stock has been infrequent and such trades cannot be characterized as constituting an active trading market.
    The following table sets forth the high and low bid quotations for First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.’s common stock for the periods indicated. These quotations represent trades of which we are aware and do not include retail markups, markdowns, or commissions and do not necessarily reflect actual transactions. As of December 31, 2009, there were 5,559,644 shares of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. common stock issued and outstanding. At December 31, 2009, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. had 1,356 shareholders of record.
 
    2009     2008  
Quarter Ended:
 
High
   
Low
   
Dividend
   
High
   
Low
   
Dividend
 
March
  $ 25.00     $ 17.00     $ 0.16     $ 25.00     $ 24.30     $ 0.16  
June
    17.00       17.00       0.16       25.00       25.00       0.16  
September
    17.00       15.00       0.16       25.00       25.00       0.16  
December
    17.00       12.00       0.16       25.00       25.00       0.16  
 
    Our stockholders are entitled to receive dividends when, and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for dividends. We have paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends on our common stock for each of the last ten years and the Board of Directors intends to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends. The ability to pay dividends in the future will depend on earnings and financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, regulatory restrictions, the general economic and regulatory climate and ability to service any equity or debt obligations senior to common stock.
    There are legal restrictions on the ability of First Guaranty Bank to pay cash dividends to First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.  Under federal and state law, we are required to maintain certain surplus and capital levels and may not distribute dividends in cash or in kind, if after such distribution we would fall below such levels.  Specifically, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making any capital distribution to its shareholders, including by way of dividend, if after making such distribution, the depository institution fails to meet the required minimum level for any relevant capital measure including the risk-based capital adequacy and leverage standards.
  
 
- 21 -

    Additionally, under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. is prohibited from paying any cash dividends to shareholders if, after the payment of such dividend, if its total assets would be less than its total liabilities or where net assets are less than the liquidation value of shares that have a preferential right to participate in First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.’s assets in the event First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. were to be liquidated.
    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. must seek prior approval from the Federal Reserve Bank before paying dividends to its shareholders.
    We have not repurchased any shares of our outstanding common stock during the past year.

 
- 22 -

Stock Performance Graph
    The line graph below compares the cumulative total return for the Company’s common stock with the cumulative total return of both the NASDAQ Stock Market Index for U.S. companies and the NASDAQ Index for bank stocks for the period December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009. The total return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and is based on a $100 investment on December 31, 2004. It also reflects the stock price on December 31st of each year shown, although this price reflects only a small number of transactions involving a small number of directors of the Company or affiliates or associates and cannot be taken as an accurate indicator of the market value of the Company’s common stock.

Performance Graph
Cumulative Total Return of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Compared to NASDAQ Bank Index
and NASDAQ Composite Index
Stock Performance Graph
 
 
 
Total Returns for the Year
 
 
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
 
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
$139
$168
$179
$189
$133
 
NASDAQ Index
$168
$186
$145
$110
$  90
 
NASDAQ Composite
$101
$110
$121
$ 72
$103
 

    We have no equity based benefit plans.

Item 6 - Selected Financial Data
    The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, including the related notes, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Except for the data under “Performance Ratios,” “Capital Ratios” and “Asset Quality Ratios,” the income statement data and share and per share data for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are derived from the audited financial statements and related notes which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, and the income statement data and share and per share data for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are derived from the audited financial statements and related notes that are not included in this Form 10-K.
 
 
- 23 -


   
At or For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                               
                               
Year End Balance Sheet Data:
                             
(dollars in thousands)
                             
 Securities
  $ 261,829     $ 139,162     $ 142,068     $ 158,352     $ 175,200  
 Federal funds sold
    13,279       838       35,869       6,793       1,786  
 Loans, net of unearned income
    589,902       606,369       575,256       507,195       491,582  
 Allowance for loan losses
    7,919       6,482       6,193       6,675       7,597  
 Total assets(1)
    930,847       871,233       807,994       715,216       713,544  
 Total deposits
    799,746       780,372       723,094       626,293       632,908  
 Borrowings
    31,929       18,122       13,494       24,568       22,132  
 Stockholders' equity(1)
    94,935       65,487       66,355       59,471       53,923  
 Common Stockholders' equity(1)
    74,165       65,487       66,355       59,471       53,923  
                                         
Average Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
(dollars in thousands)
                                       
 Securities
  $ 245,952     $ 127,586     $ 152,990     $ 178,419     $ 109,236  
 Federal funds sold
    24,662       17,247       8,083       3,115       6,028  
 Loans, net of unearned income
    599,609       600,854       543,946       505,623       476,144  
 Total earning assets
    906,158       752,093       712,212       690,057       595,141  
 Total assets
    948,556       797,024       751,237       726,593       631,554  
 Total deposits
    842,274       707,114       658,456       622,869       526,995  
 Borrowings
    22,907       16,287       23,450       42,435       45,732  
 Stockholders' equity
    77,135       67,769       63,564       56,640       54,901  
 Stockholders' common equity
    70,055       67,769       63,564       56,640       54,901  
                                         
Performance Ratios:
                                       
 Return on average assets
    0.80 %     0.69 %     1.30 %     1.16 %     0.95 %
 Return on average common equity
    10.84 %     8.13 %     15.37 %     14.88 %     10.89 %
 Return on average tangible assets(2)
    0.80 %     0.69 %     1.30 %     1.16 %     0.96 %
 Return on average tangible common equity(3)
    11.14 %     8.77 %     16.47 %     15.73 %     11.24 %
 Net interest margin
    3.57 %     4.25 %     4.79 %     4.60 %     4.71 %
 Average loans to average deposits
    71.19 %     84.97 %     82.61 %     81.18 %     90.35 %
 Efficiency ratio (1)
    60.80 %     70.73 %     55.80 %     51.80 %     55.44 %
Efficiency ratio (excluding amortization of
                         
   intangibles and securities transactions) (1)
    61.99 %     61.20 %     54.59 %     49.90 %     53.66 %
 Full time equivalent employees (year end)
    230       225       222       196       189  
 
         (1)   For the years ended 2006, 2007 and 2008 amounts have been restated to reflect prior period adjustments. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
         (2)   Average tangible assets represent average assets less average core deposit intangibles.
         (3)   Average tangible equity represents average equity less average core deposit intangibles.
       
 
- 24 -


   
At or For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                               
                               
Capital Ratios:
                             
 Average stockholders' equity to average assets
    8.13 %     8.50 %     8.46 %     7.80 %     8.69 %
 Average tangible equity to average tangible assets(1),(2)
    7.95 %     8.25 %     8.31 %     7.71 %     8.51 %
 Stockholders' equity to total assets(3)
    7.97 %     7.52 %     8.21 %     8.32 %     7.56 %
 Tier 1 leverage capital(3)
    9.58 %     7.88 %     7.38 %     8.11 %     7.67 %
 Tier 1 capital(3)
    11.90 %     9.19 %     10.13 %     9.85 %     8.80 %
 Total risk-based capital(3)
    12.97 %     10.11 %     11.09 %     10.96 %     10.05 %
                                         
Income Data:
                                       
(dollars in thousands)
                                       
Interest income
  $ 47,191     $ 47,661     $ 55,480     $ 50,937     $ 40,329  
Interest expense(3)
    14,844       15,881       21,934       19,769       12,435  
Net interest income(3)
    32,347       31,780       33,546       31,100       27,962  
Provision for loan losses
    4,155       1,634       1,918       4,419       5,621  
Noninterest income (excluding securities transactions)
    5,909       5,689       5,176       4,601       5,221  
Securities (losses) gains
    2,056       (1 )     (478 )     (234 )     7  
Loss on securities impairment
    (829 )     (4,611 )     -       -       -  
Noninterest expense(3)
    24,007       23,241       21,341       18,373       18,399  
Earnings before income taxes(3)
    11,321       7,982       14,985       12,676       9,170  
Net income(3)
    7,595       5,512       9,772       8,431       5,979  
Net income available to common shareholders(3)
    7,001       5,512       9,772       8,431       5,979  
                                         
Per Common Share Data:(4)
                                       
 Net earnings(3)
  $ 1.26     $ 0.99     $ 1.76     $ 1.52     $ 1.08  
 Cash dividends paid
    0.64       0.64       0.63       0.60       0.57  
 Book value(3)
    13.34       11.78       11.94       10.70       9.70  
 Dividend payout ratio(3)
    50.82 %     64.53 %     35.85 %     39.56 %     53.07 %
 Weighted average number of shares outstanding
    5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644  
 Number of shares outstanding (year end)
    5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644  
 Market data:
                                       
   High
  $ 25.00     $ 25.00     $ 24.30     $ 23.42     $ 20.00  
   Low
  $ 12.00     $ 24.30     $ 23.42     $ 18.57     $ 15.27  
   Trading Volume
    165,386       368,454       924,692       535,264       279,503  
   Stockholders of record
    1,356       1,343       1,293       1,181       1,141  
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
 Nonperforming assets to total assets
    1.68 %     1.14 %     1.39 %     1.86 %     3.08 %
 Nonperforming assets to loans
    2.65 %     1.63 %     1.95 %     2.62 %     4.48 %
 Loan loss reserve to nonperforming assets
    50.68 %     65.46 %     55.26 %     51.53 %     34.92 %
 Net charge-offs to average loans
    0.45 %     0.22 %     0.50 %     1.06 %     0.83 %
 Provision for loan loss to average loans
    0.69 %     0.27 %     0.35 %     0.87 %     1.18 %
 Allowance for loan loss to total loans
    1.34 %     1.07 %     1.08 %     1.32 %     1.55 %
     
            (1)   Average tangible assets represents average assets less average core deposit intangibles.
            (2)   Average tangible equity represents average equity less average core deposit intangibles.
        (3)  For the years ended 2006, 2007 and 2008 amounts have been restated to reflect prior period adjustments. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
        (4)  For the year ended 2005 amounts have been restated to reflect a stock dividend of one-third of a share of $1 par value common stock for each share of $1 and $5 par value common stock outstanding, accounted for as a four-
          for-three stock split, effective and payable to stockholders of record as of October 20, 2005.  
 
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. became the holding company for First Guaranty Bank on July 27, 2007 in a corporate reorganization. Prior to becoming the holding company of First Guaranty Bank, First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. had no assets, liabilities or operations.
    This discussion and analysis reflects our financial statements and other relevant statistical data, and is intended to enhance your understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. Reference should be made to those financial statements of this Form 10-K and the selected financial data (above) presented in this report in order to obtain a better understanding of the commentary which follows.
 
 
- 25 -

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    Congress passed the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 in an effort to encourage corporations to provide information about a company’s anticipated future financial performance. This act provides a safe harbor for such disclosure, which protects us from unwarranted litigation, if actual results are different from Management’s expectations. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and reflects Management’s current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated results and expectations, expressed in such forward-looking statements.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies
    The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and to predominant accounting practices within the banking industry. Certain critical accounting policies require judgment and estimates which are used in the preparation of the financial statements.
    Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities. Securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. Rather, it means that the prospects for near term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values equal to, or greater than, the carrying value of the investment. Management reviews criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, the reasons for the decline, and the performance and valuation of the underlying collateral, when applicable, to predict whether the loss in value is other-than-temporary. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the security is reduced to its fair value and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.
    Allowance for Loan Losses. The Company’s most critical accounting policy relates to its allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. The allowance, which is based on the evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loan loss experience, is an amount Management believes will be adequate to reflect the risks inherent in the existing loan portfolio and that exist at the reporting date. The evaluations take into consideration a number of subjective factors including changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to pay, adequacy of loan collateral and other relevant factors.
    Changes in such estimates may have a significant impact on the financial statements. For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses, see the “Allowance for Loan Losses” section of this analysis and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
    Valuation of Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other Purchase Accounting Adjustments. The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (SFAS No. 142).  Under FASB ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the provision of FASB ASC 350. The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. A goodwill impairment test includes two steps. Step one, used to identify potential impairment, compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step two of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied estimated fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Based on Management’s goodwill impairment tests, there was no impairment of goodwill at December 31, 2009.  For additional information on goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Condition
    Assets. Total assets at December 31, 2009 were $930.8 million, an increase of $59.6 million, or 6.8%, from $871.2 million at December 31, 2008. Federal funds sold increased $12.4 million from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009 and loans for the same period decreased $16.5 million. Cash and due from banks decreased $43.7 from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, total investment securities increased $122.7 million to $261.8 million from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009. Total deposits increased by $19.4 million or 2.5% from 2008 to 2009. At December 31, 2009, long-term borrowings were $20.0 million, an increase of $11.6 million or 139.4%, from $8.4 million at December 31, 2008.
 
    Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2009 totaled $46.7 million, a decrease of $31.3 million compared to $78.0 million at December 31, 2008. Cash and due from banks decreased $43.7 million, and federal funds sold increased $12.4 million.  The decrease in cash and cash equivalents reflects Management’s decision to increase its investment in higher yielding investment securities.

 
- 26 -

    Investment Securities. The securities portfolio consisted principally of U.S. Government agency securities, mortgage-backed obligations, asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities and mutual funds or other equity securities. The securities portfolio provides us with a relatively stable source of income and provides a balance to interest rate and credit risks as compared to other categories of assets.
    The securities portfolio totaled $261.8 million at December 31, 2009, representing an increase of $122.7 million from December 31, 2008. The primary changes in the portfolio consisted of $1.4 billion in purchases, sales totaling $21.8 million, calls and maturities of $1.3 billion. An other-than-temporary impairment charge totaling $0.8 million was taken on six securities during 2009. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    At December 31, 2009 approximately 3.5% of the securities portfolio (excluding Federal Home Loan Bank stock) matures in less than one year while securities with maturity dates over 10 years totaled 25.2% of the portfolio. At December 31, 2009, the average maturity of the securities portfolio was 6.3 years, compared to the average maturity at December 31, 2008 of 3.7 years.
    At December 31, 2009, securities totaling $249.5 million were classified as available for sale and $12.3 million were classified as held to maturity as compared to $114.4 million and $24.8 million, respectively at December 31, 2008.
    Securities classified as available for sale are measured at fair market value. 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, market yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit information and the instrument’s contractual terms and conditions, among other things. Securities classified as held to maturity are measured at book value. See Note 4 and Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    The book yields on securities available for sale ranged from 0.8% to 19.9% at December 31, 2009, exclusive of the effect of changes in fair value reflected as a component of stockholders’ equity. The book yields on held to maturity securities ranged from 3.6% to 5.3%.
    Securities classified as available for sale had gross unrealized losses totaling $2.8 million at December 31, 2009.  These losses include $1.6 million in unrealized losses on U.S. Government agency securities, which have been in a loss position for less than 12 months. The Company believes that it will collect all amounts contractually due and has the intent and the ability to hold these securities until the fair value is at least equal to the carrying value. At December 31, 2008, securities classified as available for sale had gross unrealized losses totaling $5.7 million. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    Average securities as a percentage of average interest-earning assets were 27.1% and 17.0% at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This increase reflected, in part, Management’s decision to display a certain amount of funds into investment securities, rather than loans, to manage out interest rate risk, in a low interest rate environment in 2009. At December 31, 2009, $163.6 million of the total securities portfolio did not qualify as pledgeable securities to collateralize repurchase agreements and public funds compared to $54.1 million in securities held at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, $154.5 million and $85.4 million in securities were pledged, respectively.

    Mortgage Loans Held for Sale. The Company did not hold any mortgage loans for sale at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
 
    Loans. The origination of loans is the primary use of our financial resources and represents the largest component of earning assets. At December 31, 2009, the loan portfolio (loans, net of unearned income) totaled $589.9 million, a decrease of approximately $16.5 million, or 2.7%, from the December 31, 2008 level of $606.4 million. The decrease in net loans primarily includes a reduction of $13.3 million in real estate construction and land development loans and a reduction of $23.2 million in commercial and industrial loans, partially offset with an increase of $38.9 million in non-farm non-residential loans secured by real estate.
    Loans to related parties are included in total loans. Related parties include the Company’s executive officers, directors and certain business organizations and individuals with which such persons are associated. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, loans to related parties totaled $23.3 million and $22.5 million, respectively. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    Loans represented 73.8% of deposits at December 31, 2009, compared to 77.7% of deposits at December 31, 2008. Loans secured by real estate increased $11.9 million to $477.1 million at December 31, 2009. Commercial and industrial loans decreased $23.2 million to $82.3 million at December 31, 2009. Real estate and related loans comprised 80.9% of the portfolio in 2009 as compared to 76.7% in 2008. Commercial and industrial loans comprised 14.0% of the portfolio in 2009 as compared to 17.4% in 2008.
    Loan charge-offs taken during 2009 totaled $2.9 million, compared to charge-offs of $1.6 million in 2008. Of the loan charge-offs in 2009, approximately $1.6 million were loans secured by real estate, $0.7 million were commercial and industrial loans and $0.6 million were consumer and other loans. In 2009, recoveries of $0.2 million were recognized on loans previously charged off as compared to $0.3 million in 2008.
 
    Nonperforming Assets. Nonperforming assets were $15.6 million, or 1.7% of total assets at December 31, 2009, compared to $9.9 million, or 1.1% of total assets at December 31, 2008. The increase resulted from a $5.1 million, or 55.4%, increase in nonaccrual loans, an increase of $0.6 million in 90 days past due loans and an increase of $0.1 million in other real estate. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily in construction and land development, one-to-four family residential, non-farm non-residential and commercial and industrial loans. The increase in other real estate was primarily the result of an increase in non-farm nonresidential properties.

 
- 27 -

 
 
    Deposits. Total deposits increased by $19.4 million or 2.5%, to $799.7 million at December 31, 2009 from $780.4 million at December 31, 2008. In 2009, noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $13.6 million, interest-bearing demand deposits increased $8.0 million and savings deposits decreased $1.1 million. Time deposits decreased $1.1 million, or 0.3% which includes brokered deposits totaling $10.1 million in reciprocal time deposits acquired from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS). The increase in deposits was due to a $23.3 million decrease in individual and business deposits offset with a $42.7 million increase in public fund deposits. The increase in public fund deposits was the primary result of three municipalities’ elevated deposit balances.
    Public fund deposits totaled $268.5 million or 33.6% of total deposits at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2008, public fund deposits represented 28.9% of total deposits with a balance of $225.8 million.
 
    Borrowings. Short-term borrowings increased $2.2 million in 2009 to $11.9 million at December 31, 2009 from $9.8 million at December 31, 2008. Short-term borrowings are used to manage liquidity on a daily or otherwise short-term basis. The short-term borrowings at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively was solely comprised of repurchase agreements. Overnight repurchase agreement balances are monitored daily for sufficient collateralization.
    Long-term borrowings increased $11.6 million to $20.0 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $8.4 million at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2009, two long-term advances were outstanding at FHLB, one totaling $10.0 million with a rate of 0.9% and a maturity date of December 1, 2010 and the other totaling $10.0 million with a rate of 0.5% and a maturity date of December 20, 2010. At December 31, 2008, there was one long-term advance outstanding at FHLB totaling $8.4 million.
 
    Stockholders’ Equity. Total stockholders’ equity increased $29.4 million or 45.0% to $94.9 million at December 31, 2009 from $65.5 million at December 31, 2008. The increase in stockholders’ equity includes $19.6 million and $1.1 million of preferred stock, Series A and Series B respectively, issued in August 2009 to the Treasury Department. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. In addition, stockholders’ equity reflected consolidated net income of $7.6 million during 2009 and changes in unrealized losses on available for sale securities totaling $5.2 million, offset by common stock dividends paid totaling $3.6 million and preferred stock dividends paid totaling $0.6. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
 
 
- 28 -

    Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, by type of loan at the dates indicated.


    December 31,
   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
         
As % of
       
As % of
       
As % of
   
Balance
   
Category
 
Balance
   
Category
 
Balance
   
Category
   
(dollars in thousands)
Real estate
                                   
   Construction & land development
  $ 78,686       13.3 %   $ 92,029       15.2 %   $ 98,127       17.0 %
   Farmland
    11,352       1.9 %     16,403       2.7 %     23,065       4.0 %
   1-4 Family
    77,470       13.1 %     79,285       13.1 %     84,640       14.7 %
   Multifamily
    8,927       1.5 %     15,707       2.6 %     13,061       2.3 %
   Non-farm non-residential
    300,673       51.0 %     261,744       43.0 %     236,474       41.1 %
      Total real estate
    477,108       80.8 %     465,168       76.6 %     455,367       79.1 %
                                                 
Agricultural
    14,017       2.4 %     18,536       3.0 %     16,816       2.9 %
Commercial and industrial
    82,348       13.9 %     105,555       17.4 %     81,073       14.1 %
Consumer and other
    17,226       2.9 %     17,926       3.0 %     22,517       3.9 %
        Total loans before unearned income
    590,699       100.0 %     607,185       100.0 %     575,773       100.0 %
Less: unearned income
    (797 )             (816 )             (517 )        
        Total loans net of unearned income
  $ 589,902             $ 606,369             $ 575,256          
                                                 
                                                 
   
December 31,
               
     2006    2005                
           
As % of
         
As % of
               
   
Balance
   
Category
 
Balance
   
Category
               
   
(dollars in thousands)
               
Real estate
                                               
   Construction & land development
  $ 49,837       9.9 %   $ 67,099       13.6 %                
   Farmland
    25,582       5.0 %     24,903       5.1 %                
   1-4 Family
    67,022       13.2 %     78,789       16.0 %                
   Multifamily
    14,702       2.9 %     11,125       2.3 %                
   Non-farm non-residential
    256,176       50.5 %     223,622       45.5 %                
      Total real estate
    413,319       81.5 %     405,538       82.5 %                
                                                 
Agricultural
    16,359       3.2 %     11,490       2.3 %                
Commercial and industrial
    59,072       11.6 %     54,740       11.1 %                
Consumer and other
    18,880       3.7 %     20,078       4.1 %                
        Total loans before unearned income
    507,630       100.0 %     491,846       100.0 %                
Less: unearned income
    (435 )             (264 )                        
        Total loans net of unearned income
  $ 507,195             $ 491,582                          
                                                 
 
    The four most significant categories of our loan portfolio are construction and land development real estate loans, 1-4 family residential loans, non-farm non-residential real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans.
    The Company’s credit policy dictates specific loan-to-value and debt service coverage requirements. The Company generally requires a maximum loan-to-value of 85% and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25x to 1.0x for non-farm non-residential real estate loans. In addition, personal guarantees of borrowers are required as well as applicable hazard, title and flood insurance. Loans may have a maximum maturity of five years and a maximum amortization of 25 years. The Company may require additional real estate or non-real estate collateral when deemed appropriate to secure the loan.
    The Company generally requires all one- to four- family residential loans to be underwritten based on the Fannie Mae guidelines provided through Desktop Underwriter. These guidelines include the evaluation of risk and eligibility, verification and approval of conditions, credit and liabilities, employment and income, assets, property and appraisal information. It is required that all borrowers have proper hazard, flood and title insurance prior to a loan closing. Appraisals and Desktop Underwriter approvals are good for six months. The Company has an in-house underwriter review the final package for compliance to these guidelines.
    The Company generally requires a maximum loan-to value of 75% and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25x to 1.0x for construction land development loans. In addition, detailed construction cost breakdowns, personal guarantees of borrowers and applicable hazard, title and flood insurance are required. Loans may have a maximum maturity of 12 months for the construction phase and a maximum maturity of 24 months for the sell-out phase. The Company may require additional real estate or non-real estate collateral when deemed appropriate to secure the loan.
 
 
- 29 -

    The Company has specific guidelines for the underwriting of commercial and industrial loans that is specific for the collateral type and the business type.  Commercial and industrial loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as equipment, inventory or accounts receivable.  Each of these collateral types has maximum loan to value ratios.  Commercial and industrial loans have the same debt service coverage ratio requirements as other loans, which is 1.25x to 1.0x.
    The Company will allow exceptions to each of the above policies with appropriate mitigating circumstances and approvals. The Company has a defined credit underwriting process for all loan requests. The Company actively monitors loan concentrations by industry type and will make adjustments to underwriting standards as deemed necessary. The Company has a loan review department that monitors the performance and credit quality of loans. The Company has a special assets department that manages loans that have become delinquent or have serious credit issues associated with them.
    For new loan originations, appraisals and evaluations on all properties shall be valid for a period not to exceed two calendar years from the effective appraisal date for non-residential properties and one calendar year from the effective appraisal date for residential properties.  However, an appraisal may be valid longer if there has been no material decline in the property condition or market condition that would negatively affect the bank’s collateral position.  This must be supported with a Validity Check Memorandum”.
    For renewals with or without new money, any commercial appraisal greater than two years or greater than one year for residential appraisals must be updated with a Validity Check Memorandum.  Any renewal loan request, in which new money will be disbursed, whether commercial or residential, and the appraisal is older than five years a new appraisal must be obtained.
    The Company does not require new appraisals between renewals unless the loan becomes impaired and is considered collateral dependent. At this time, an appraisal may be ordered in accordance with the Company’s Allowance for Loan Losses policy.
    The Company does not mitigate risk using products such as credit default agreements and/or credit derivatives.  These, accordingly, have no impact on our financial statements.
    The Company does not offer loan products with established loan-funded interest reserves.
 
    Loan Maturities by Type. The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2009. Loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment date and do not reflect the effect of prepayments and scheduled principal amortization.

   
One Year
   
One Through
   
After
       
   
or Less
   
Five Years
   
Five Years
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Real estate:
                       
   Construction and land development
  $ 48,386     $ 30,233     $ 67     $ 78,686  
   Farmland
    8,038       1,370       1,944       11,352  
   1-4 Family
    26,479       23,465       27,526       77,470  
   Multifamily
    1,991       5,611       1,325       8,927  
   Non-farm non-residential
    167,092       126,397       7,184       300,673  
      Total real estate
    251,986       187,076       38,046       477,108  
                                 
Agricultural
    7,369       3,422       3,226       14,017  
Commercial and industrial
    48,169       34,144       35       82,348  
Consumer and other
    10,070       7,042       114       17,226  
        Total loans before unearned income
  $ 317,594     $ 231,684     $ 41,421     $ 590,699  
Less: unearned income
                            (797 )
Total loans net of unearned income
                    $ 589,902  
                                 


 
- 30 -


The following table sets forth the scheduled contractual maturities at December 31, 2009 of fixed- and floating-rate loans excluding non-accrual loans.

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Fixed
   
Floating
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
One year or less
  $ 224,963     $ 77,651     $ 302,614  
One to five years
    229,276       2,408       231,684  
Five to 15 years
    25,122       -       25,122  
Over 15 years
    16,299       -       16,299  
  Subtotal
    495,660       80,059       575,719  
Nonaccrual loans
                    14,183  
  Total loans net of unearned income
  $ 495,660     $ 80,059     $ 589,902  
                         
 
    At December 31, 2009, total loans include $273.1 million in loans maturing after December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2009, fixed rate loans totaled $495.7 million or 84.0% of total loans, an increase from 51.0% of total loans for the same period in 2008. Throughout 2009, Management added floors to floating rate loans, primarily tied to prime rate. If the floor is higher than the current indexed loan rate, then the loan is classified as a fixed rate loan until such time as the floor equals the indexed loan rate.

 
- 31 -


    Non-Performing Assets. The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

    At December 31,  
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Non-accrual loans:
                             
 Real estate loans:
                             
  Construction and land development
  $ 2,841     $ 1,644     $ 1,841     $ 2,676     $ 16,376  
  Farmland
    54       182       419       33       -  
  1 - 4 family residential
    2,814       1,445       1,819       3,202       3,548  
  Multifamily
    -       -       2       -       -  
  Non-farm non-residential
    7,439       5,263       4,950       3,882       153  
 Non-real estate loans:
                                       
  Agricultural
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Commercial and industrial
    830       275       978       267       358  
  Consumer and other
    205       320       279       302       655  
   Total non-accrual loans
    14,183       9,129       10,288       10,362       21,090  
                                         
Loans 90 days and greater delinquent
                                 
and still accruing:
                                       
 Real estate loans:
                                       
  Construction and land development
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Farmland
    -       -       -       -       -  
  1 - 4 family residential
    757       185       544       334       248  
  Multifamily
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Non-farm non-residential
    -       -       -       -       -  
 Non-real estate loans:
                                       
  Agricultural
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Commercial and industrial
    -       17       -       -       -  
  Consumer and other
    28       3       3       -       -  
   Total loans 90 days greater
                                       
    delinquent and still accruing
    785       205       547       334       248  
                                         
Restructured loans
    -       -       -       51       121  
                                         
Total non-performing loans
    14,968       9,334       10,835       10,747       21,459  
                                         
Real estate owned:
                                       
 Construction and land development
    -       89       84       2,217       -  
 Farmland
    -       -       -       -       144  
 1 - 4 family residential
    292       223       170       78       81  
 Multifamily
    -       -       -       -       -  
 Non-farm non-residential
    366       256       119       245       321  
Non-real estate loans:
                                       
 Agricultural
    -       -       -       -       -  
 Commercial and industrial
    -       -       -       -       -  
 Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Total real estate owned
    658       568       373       2,540       546  
                                         
Total non-performing assets
  $ 15,626     $ 9,902     $ 11,208     $ 13,287     $ 22,005  
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
 Non-performing assets to total loans
    2.65 %     1.63 %     1.95 %     2.62 %     4.48 %
 Non-performing assets to total assets
    1.68 %     1.14 %     1.39 %     1.86 %     3.08 %

 
- 32 -

    For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, gross interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms was $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Interest income recognized on such loans for 2009 was $1.1 million.
    Nonperforming assets totaled $15.6 million or 1.7% of total assets at December 31, 2009, an increase of $5.7 million from December 31, 2008.  Management has not identified additional information on any loans not already included in impaired loans or the nonperforming asset total that indicates possible credit problems that could cause doubt as to the ability of borrowers to comply with the loan repayment terms in the future.
    Nonaccrual loans increased $5.1 million from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009. There were increases in construction and land development nonaccrual loans, one- to four- family nonaccrual loans, nonfarm nonresidential nonaccrual loans and commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans.
    During 2009, there was a $1.2 million increase in construction and land development nonaccrual loans. The increase in nonaccrual construction and land development loans is partially related to one loan for $522,000 secured by a subdivision development consisting of 17 remaining lots and 6.32 acres of excess land. The loan to value is 58% and the property was appraised for $896,000 in February 2005. The Company is currently in foreclosure and Management does not anticipate any loss.  In addition, there is a townhome development in which the Company has four of the units financed totaling approximately $600,000.  This loan had a loan to value of 83%.  In the fourth quarter of 2007, the properties securing this loan were appraised at $180,000 each. The Company asked the borrower to pay the loans in full but the borrower was unable to do so.  The Company has filed suit to repossess the property and is currently awaiting the foreclosure sale. Also included in nonaccrual construction and land development loans are two loans which account for a significant portion of the total. One is in the amount of $1.7 million which we are the participant of approximately $800,000. The collateral is a subdivision development in a neighboring parish and the lead bank has filed suit to foreclose on the property.  Since the beginning of 2009, approximately $1.4 million in construction and land development nonaccrual loans have been removed through foreclosures and payoffs.
    There was a $1.4 million increase in one- to four- family residential nonaccrual loans during 2009. The increase in nonaccrual one- to four- family residential loans resulted from a loan in the amount of $578,000 secured by several rental houses in the Baton Rouge area.  The borrower has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the Company is waiting for a plan of repayment to be filed with the bankruptcy court.  The Company has not been able to determine the level of exposure, if any, it will experience as a result of the bankruptcy of the borrower. The Company is now receiving adequate protection payments from the bankruptcy court.  Also, we have added a loan in the amount of $800,000 which is secured by two townhomes and five lots in a golf course community.  One of the townhomes was sold in October 2009.  The borrower is continuing to attempt to liquidate the remaining collateral to pay down the loan.  Also included in this category are two loans in the amounts of $194,000 and $120,000 that are properties which were flooded during Hurricane Katrina. The borrowers have received commitments from the state to assist in funding the rebuilding of the properties.
    Non-farm non-residential nonaccrual loans increased $2.2 million from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009.  The increase is primarily from a $4.4 million loan secured by a hotel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We are currently negotiating with the borrower on a possible workout scenario. The primary cause of this loan moving into nonacccrual relates to the borrower’s health, which has resulted in poor management, as well as a decline in the hotel industry. The increase was primarily offset by a $2.6 million loan secured by a church and various other real estate properties, which began performing to its terms, therefore was removed from non-accrual loans.
    Non-real estate commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans increased $0.6 million during 2009. The largest loan in this category totals $454,000 and is unsecured.  The borrower is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has reflected a net worth in excess of $20 million on the bankruptcy schedules. A plan is being developed to allocate cash from one of the borrower’s partnerships to pay the unsecured creditors. Although this loan is unsecured, the Company currently anticipates receiving 100% payment. Another loan in this category totals $178,000 and is secured by dental equipment. We are in the process of obtaining a judgment on this credit. There are also some smaller loans included in this nonaccrual category. One is in the amount of $86,000 and the Company is in the process of taking a mortgage on the guarantor’s home to pay down a portion of the debt and renew the balance.
 
 
- 33 -

    Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered sufficient to absorb potential losses embedded in the loan portfolio. The allowance is increased by the provision for anticipated loan losses as well as recoveries of previously charged off loans and is decreased by loan charge-offs. The provision is the necessary charge to current expense to provide for current loan losses and to maintain the allowance at an adequate level commensurate with Management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Various factors are taken into consideration when determining the amount of the provision and the adequacy of the allowance. These factors include but are not limited to:
· past due and nonperforming assets;
· specific internal analysis of loans requiring special attention;
· the current level of regulatory classified and criticized assets and the associated risk factors with each;
· changes in underwriting standards or lending procedures and policies;
· charge-off and recovery practices;
· national and local economic and business conditions;
· nature and volume of loans;
· overall portfolio quality;
· adequacy of loan collateral;
· quality of loan review system and degree of oversight by its Board of Directors;
· competition and legal and regulatory requirements on borrowers;
· examinations and review by our internal loan review department and independent accountants; and
            · examinations of the loan portfolio by federal and state regulatory agencies.
 
    The data collected from all sources in determining the adequacy of the allowance is evaluated on a regular basis by Management with regard to current national and local economic trends, prior loss history, underlying collateral values, credit concentrations and industry risks. An estimate of potential loss on specific loans is developed in conjunction with an overall risk evaluation of the total loan portfolio. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as new information becomes available.
    The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect the estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
 
    Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. In prior years, the Company used an internal method to calculate the allowance for loan losses which categorized loans by risk rather than by type. We do not have the ability to accurately and efficiently provide the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan type for a five-year historical period. Beginning in 2008, the Company modified the allowance calculation to segregate loans by category and allocate the allowance for loan losses accordingly.
    The allowance for loan losses calculation considers both qualitative and quantitative risk factors. The quantitative risk factors include, but are not limited to, past due and nonperforming assets, adequacy of collateral, changes in underwriting standings or lending procedures and policies, specific internal analysis of loans requiring special attention and the nature and volume of loans. Qualitative risk factors include, but are not limited to, local and regional business conditions and other economic factors.









 
- 34 -

The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan type as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
Percent of
         
Percent of
 
   
Allowance
   
loans in each
   
Allowance
   
Loans in Each
 
   
for Loan
   
category to
   
for Loan
   
Category to
 
   
Losses
   
total loans
   
Losses
   
Total Loans
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Real estate loans:
                       
 Construction and land development
  $ 1,176       13.3 %   $ 315       15.2 %
 Farmland
    56       1.9 %     39       2.7 %
 1 - 4 family residential
    2,466       13.1 %     1,712       13.1 %
 Multifamily
    128       1.5 %     227       2.6 %
 Non-farm non-residential
    2,727       51.0 %     2,572       43.0 %
Non-real estate loans:
                               
 Agricultural
    82       2.4 %     92       3.0 %
 Commercial and industrial
    1,031       13.9 %     1,119       17.4 %
 Consumer and other
    246       2.9 %     355       3.0 %
Unallocated
    7       N/A       51       N/A  
 Total
  $ 7,919       100.0 %   $ 6,482       100.0 %
                                 

 








 
- 35 -

    The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

   
At or For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 6,482     $ 6,193     $ 6,675     $ 7,597     $ 5,910  
                                         
Charge-offs:
                                       
 Real estate loans:
                                       
  Construction and land development
    (448 )     (166 )     (386 )     (5,008 )     -  
  Farmland
    -       (10 )     (123 )     -       -  
  1 - 4 family residential
    (564 )     (260 )     (639 )     (59 )     (2,001 )
  Multifamily
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Non-farm non-residential
    (586 )     (256 )     (1,901 )     (208 )     -  
Commercial and industrial loans
    (678 )     (561 )     (273 )     (301 )     (1,649 )
Consumer and other
    (603 )     (360 )     (563 )     (312 )     (512 )
  Total charge-offs
    (2,879 )     (1,613 )     (3,885 )     (5,888 )     (4,162 )
                                         
Recoveries:
                                       
 Real estate loans:
                                       
  Construction and land development
    1       2       779       39       -  
  Farmland
    1       -       14       -       -  
  1 - 4 family residential
    15       10       14       25       5  
  Multifamily
    -       -       -       -       -  
  Non-farm non-residential
    -       57       4       40       -  
Commercial and industrial loans
    28       10       148       304       86  
Consumer and other
    116       189       201       139       137  
  Total recoveries
    161       268       1,160       547       228  
                                         
Net charge-offs
    (2,718 )     (1,345 )     (2,725 )     (5,341 )     (3,934 )
Provision for loan losses
    4,155       1,634       1,918       4,419       5,621  
Additional provision from acquisition
    -       -       325       -       -  
                                         
Balance at end of period
  $ 7,919     $ 6,482     $ 6,193     $ 6,675     $ 7,597  
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
 Net loan charge-offs to average loans
    0.45 %     0.22 %     0.50 %     1.06 %     0.83 %
 Net loan charge-offs to loans at end of period
    0.46 %     0.22 %     0.47 %     1.05 %     0.80 %
 Allowance for loan losses to loans at end of period
    1.34 %     1.07 %     1.08 %     1.32 %     1.55 %
 Net loan charge-offs to allowance for loan losses
    34.32 %     20.75 %     44.00 %     80.01 %     51.78 %
 Net loan charge-offs to provision charged to expense
    65.42 %     82.32 %     142.04 %     120.86 %     69.99 %
 
    Investment Securities Portfolio. The securities portfolio totaled $261.8 million at December 31, 2009 and consisted principally of U.S. Government agency securities, mortgage-backed obligations, asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, mutual funds or other equity securities and municipal bonds. The portfolio provides us with a relatively stable source of income and provides a balance to interest rate and credit risks as compared to other categories of the balance sheet.
    U.S. Government Agency, also known as Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), are privately owned but federally chartered companies. While they enjoy certain competitive advantages as a result of their government charters, their debt obligations are unsecured and are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government. However, debt securities issued by GSEs are considered to be of high credit quality and the senior debt of GSEs is AAA rated. GSEs raise funds through a variety of debt issuance programs, including:
    ·   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)
    ·   Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
    ·   Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
    ·   Federal Farm Credit Bank System (FFCB)
 

 
- 36 -

    With the variety of GSE-issued debt securities and programs available, investors may benefit from a unique combination of high credit quality, liquidity, pricing transparency and cash flows that can be customized to closely match their objectives.
    Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) represent an investment in mortgage loans. An MBS investor owns an interest in a pool of mortgages, which serves as the underlying assets and source of cash flow for the security. The loans backing the MBS are issued by a national network of lenders consisting of mortgage bankers, savings and loan associations, commercial banks and other lending institutions. MBS are issued by Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie MAC) and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae). Mortgage-backed securities typically carry some of the highest yields of any government or agency security. The secondary market is generally large and liquid, with active trading by dealers and investors.
    The risks associated with MBS include interest rate risk (refinancing risk), prepayment risk and extension risk.
    Asset-backed securities (ABS) are securities whose value and income payments are derived from and collateralized (or "backed") by a specified pool of underlying assets. The pool of assets is typically a group of small and illiquid assets that are unable to be sold individually. Pooling the assets allows them to be sold to general investors, a process called securitization, and allows the risk of investing in the underlying assets to be diversified because each security will represent a fraction of the total value of the diverse pool of underlying assets. The pools of underlying assets can include common payments from credit cards, auto loans, and mortgage loans, to esoteric cash flows from aircraft leases, royalty payments and movie revenues.
    As with all fixed-income securities, the prices of ABS fluctuate in response to changing interest rates in the general economy. When interest rates fall, prices rise, and vice versa. Prices of ABS with floating rates are much less affected because the index against which the ABS rate adjusts reflects external interest-rate changes. Some ABS are subject to another type of interest rate risk—the risk that a change in rates may influence the pace of prepayments of the underlying loans, which, in turn, affects yields. Most revolving ABS are also subject to early-amortization events—also known as payout events or early calls. Another risk, is the risk of default. This is most often thought of as a borrower’s failure to make timely interest and principal payments when due, but default may result from a borrower’s failure to meet other obligations as well.
    Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These bonds fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Corporate bond rates are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and the other terms of the bond, such as a call feature. Corporate bonds have historically been one of the highest yielding of all taxable debt securities. Interest can be paid monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. There are five main sectors of corporate bonds: industrials, banks/finance, public utilities, transportation, and Yankee and Canadian bonds.
    The secondary market for corporate bonds is fairly liquid. Therefore, an investor who wishes to sell a corporate bond will often be able to find a buyer for the security at market prices. However, the market price of a bond might be significantly higher or lower than its face value due to fluctuations in interest rates and other price determining factors. Other factors include credit risk, market risk, even risk, call risk, make-whole call risk and inflation risk.
    Mutual funds are a professionally managed type of collective investment scheme that pools money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities. The mutual fund will have a fund manager that trades the pooled money on a regular basis. Mutual funds allow investors spread their investment around widely. That makes it much less risky than investing in one or two stocks.
    An equity security is a share in the capital stock of a company (typically common stock, although preferred equity is also a form of capital stock). The holder of an equity security is a shareholder, owning a share, or fractional part of the issuer. Unlike debt securities, which typically require regular payments (interest) to the holder, equity securities are not entitled to any payment. In bankruptcy, they share only in the residual interest of the issuer after all obligations have been paid out to creditors. However, equity generally entitles the holder to a pro rata portion of control of the company, meaning that a holder of a majority of the equity is usually entitled to control the issuer. Equity also enjoys the right to profits and capital gain, whereas holders of debt securities receive only interest and repayment of principal regardless of how well the issuer performs financially. Furthermore, debt securities do not have voting rights outside of bankruptcy. In other words, equity holders are entitled to the "upside" of the business and to control the business.
    Equity securities may include, but not be limited to: bank stock, bank holding company stock, listed stock, savings and loan association stock, savings and loan association holding company stock, subsidiary structured as limited liability company, subsidiary structured as limited partnership, limited liability company and unlisted stock.
    Equity securities are generally traded on either one of the listed stock exchanges, including NASDAQ or an over-the-counter market. The market value of equity shares is influence by prevailing economic conditions such as the company’s performance (ie. earnings) supply and demand and interest rates.
    A municipal bond is a bond issued by a city or other local government, or their agencies. Potential issuers of municipal bonds include cities, counties, redevelopment agencies, special-purpose districts, school districts, public utility districts, publicly owned airports and seaports, and any other governmental entity (or group of governments) below the state level. Municipal bonds may be general obligations of the issuer or secured by specified revenues. Interest income received by holders of municipal bonds is often exempt from the federal income tax and from the income tax of the state in which they are issued, although municipal bonds issued for certain purposes may not be tax exempt.
 
 
- 37 -

    At December 31, 2009, $9.1 million or 3.5% of our securities (excluding Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas stock) were scheduled to mature in less than one year and securities with maturity dates 10 years and over totaled 24.5% of the total portfolio. The average maturity of the securities portfolio was 6.3 years.
    At December 31, 2009, securities totaling $249.5 million were classified as available for sale and $12.3 million were classified as held to maturity, compared to $114.4 million classified as available for sale and $24.8 million classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2008.
    During the fourth quarter of 2009, three agency securities with a par value of $10.0 million were transferred from available for sale to held to maturity. These three securities had a fair market value totaling $9.8 and an average maturity of approximately 14 years. The unrealized loss of $224,000 was recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss and will be amortized over the life of the securities or until the security is called.
    Securities classified as available for sale are measured at fair market value and securities classified as held to maturity are measured at book value. The Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service to value securities classified as available for sale. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, market yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit information and the instrument’s contractual terms and conditions, among other things. For more information on securities and fair market value see Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
    Total net securities gains were $3.5 million of which net AFS gains totaled $3.4 million and net HTM gains totaled $0.1 million at December 31, 2009. Securities classified as available for sale had gross unrealized gains totaling $6.2 million at December 31, 2009, which includes $0.4 million in unrealized gains on agency securities, $104,000 in unrealized gains on mortgage-backed securities, $8,000 in unrealized gains on asset-backed securities, $5.6 million in unrealized gains on corporate bonds and $82,000 in unrealized gains on mutual funds or other equity securities. Securities classified as available for sale had gross unrealized losses totaling $2.8 million at December 31, 2009, which includes $1.6 million in unrealized losses on agency securities, $0.8 million in unrealized losses on corporate bonds and $0.5 million in unrealized losses on mutual funds or other equity securities. Securities classified as held to maturity for sale had gross unrealized gains totaling $113,000 at December 31, 2009, of which unrealized gains on agency securities and unrealized gains on mortgage-backed securities totaled $52,000 and $61,000, respectively. There were no held to maturity securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2009.
    All agency securities have been in a loss position for less than 12 months. The majority of the corporate debt securities and mutual funds or other equity securities with unrealized losses have been in a loss position for more than 12 months. The Company believes that it will collect all amounts contractually due and has the intent and the ability to hold these securities until the fair value is at least equal to the carrying value. At December 31, 2008, securities classified as available for sale had gross unrealized losses totaling $5.7 million. Management periodically assesses the quality of our investment holdings using procedures similar to those used in assessing the credit risks inherent in the loan portfolio. During the third quarter 2008, Management identified 12 securities that were other-than-temporarily impaired.
    At December 31, 2009, it is Management’s opinion that we held no investment securities which bear a greater than the normal amount of credit risk as compared to similar investments and that no securities had an amortized cost greater than their recoverable value. See Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    Average securities as a percentage of average interest-earning assets were 27.1% for the year December 31, 2009 and 17.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008. All securities held at December 31, 2009 qualified as pledgeable securities, except $92.1 million of debt securities and $6.1 million of equity securities. Securities pledged at December 31, 2009 totaled $154.5 million.
    The following tables set forth the composition of our investment securities portfolio (excluding Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas stock) at the dates indicated.


   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
               
Gross
   
Gross
               
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available for sale:
                                                                       
U.S. Government Agencies
  $ 140,843     $ 382     $ (1,562 )   $ 139,663     $ 58,389     $ 132     $ -     $ 58,521     $ 92,962     $ 26     $ (25 )   $ 92,963  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,472       104       -       1,576       1,701       82       (5 )     1,778       2,016       43       (23 )     2,036  
Asset-backed securities
    -       8       -       8       532       -       (439 )     93       1,340       -       (95 )     1,245  
Corporate debt securities
    87,238       5,627       (776 )     92,089       57,773       644       (5,077 )     53,340       5,954       50       (214 )     5,790  
Mutual funds or other equity securities
    6,556       83       (495 )     6,144       795       26       (147 )     674       3,805       22       (291 )     3,536  
Municipal bonds
    10,000       -       -       10,000       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
 Total available for sale securities
  $ 246,109     $ 6,204     $ (2,833 )   $ 249,480     $ 119,190     $ 884     $ (5,668 )   $ 114,406     $ 106,077     $ 141     $ (648 )   $ 105,570  
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Held to maturity:
                                                                                               
U.S. Government Agencies
  $ 10,721     $ 52     $ -     $ 10,773     $ 22,680     $ 160     $ -     $ 22,840     $ 33,984     $ 24     $ (281 )   $ 33,727  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,628       61       -       1,689       2,076       21       (1 )     2,096       2,514       -       (35 )     2,479  
  Total held to maturity securities
  $ 12,349     $ 113     $ -     $ 12,462     $ 24,756     $ 181     $ (1 )   $ 24,936     $ 36,498     $ 24     $ (316 )   $ 36,206  
                                                                                                 

 
- 38 -

    During 2009, the evaluation of securities with continuous unrealized losses indicated that there was a credit loss evident on one corporate bond and it was determined that this investment was other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, three asset-backed securities were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges on these securities totaling $829,000 before tax, $547,000 after tax, for the year ended December 31, 2009. An other-than-temporary impairment charge was taken on these 12 securities totaling $4.6 million in 2008.
    The Company did not recognize any other impairment charges in 2009 other than those stated above.
    In 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on certain investments totaling $4,611,000. The impairment writedown consisted of three preferred stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac totaling $1,991,000 and $1,010,000, respectively, debt securities totaling $873,000 and asset-backed securities totaling $753,000.

    Investment Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The composition and maturities of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur.

           More than One Year     More than Five Years         
   
One Year or Less
   
through Five Years
   
through Ten Years
   
More than Ten Years
 
           Weighted           Weighted             Weighted            Weighted  
     Amortized      Average     Amortized       Average     Amortized      Average      Amortized      Average   
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Held to maturity:
                                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ -       -     $ -       -     $ 946       4.79 %   $ 9,775       5.30 %
Mortgage-backed obligations
    -       -       171       3.61 %     574       4.41 %     883       4.77 %
      Total held to maturity securities
  $ -       -     $ 171       3.61 %   $ 1,520       4.65 %   $ 10,658       5.25 %
                                                                 
Available for sale:
                                                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ -       -     $ 9,996       3.27 %   $ 94,599       4.01 %   $ 36,248       4.58 %
Mortgage-backed obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,472       5.34 %
Asset-backed securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Corporate debt securities
    8,924       6.88 %     62,129       6.64 %     15,963       7.00 %     222       6.43 %
Mutual funds or other equity securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       6,556       6.78 %
Municipal bonds
    -       -       -       -       -       -       10,000       1.40 %
      Total available for sale securities
  $ 8,924       6.88 %   $ 72,125       6.17 %   $ 110,562       4.44 %   $ 54,498       4.29 %
                                                                 
                                                                 
   
Total Securities
                                         
               Weighted                                          
     Amortized         Average                                           
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Yield
                                         
   
(dollars in thousands)
                                         
Held to maturity:
                                                         
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 10,721     $ 10,773       5.25 %                                        
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,628       1,689       4.52 %                                        
Total held to maturity securities
  $ 12,349     $ 12,462       5.15 %                                        
                                                                 
Available for sale:
                                                         
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 140,843     $ 139,663       4.10 %                                        
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,472       1,576       5.34 %                                        
Asset-backed securities
    -       8       0.00 %                                        
Corporate debt securities
    87,238       92,089       6.73 %                                        
Mutual funds or other equity securities
    6,556       6,144       6.78 %                                        
Municipal bonds
    10,000       10,000       1.40 %                                        
Total available for sale securities
  $ 246,109     $ 249,480       5.00 %                                        
                                                                 


 
- 39 -

    Deposits. The following table sets forth the distribution of our total deposit accounts, by account type, for the periods indicated.

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                                                       
   
Balance
   
As % of Total
   
Wtd Avg Rate
 
Balance
   
As % of Total
   
Wtd Avg Rate
 
Balance
   
As % of Total
   
Wtd Avg Rate
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
  $ 131,818       16.5 %     0.0 %   $ 118,255       15.2 %     0.0 %   $ 120,740       16.7 %     0.0 %
Interest-bearing demand
    188,252       23.5 %     0.6 %     180,230       23.1 %     1.4 %     223,142       30.9 %     3.4 %
Savings
    40,272       5.0 %     0.2 %     41,357       5.3 %     0.4 %     45,044       6.2 %     0.5 %
Time
    439,404       55.0 %     2.8 %     440,530       56.4 %     3.6 %     334,168       46.2 %     4.6 %
  Total deposits
  $ 799,746       100.0 %           $ 780,372       100.0 %           $ 723,094       100.0 %        
                                                                         

    As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 was approximately $271.2 million. The following table sets forth the maturity of those certificates as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
 
   
Balance
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Rate
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Due in one year or less
  $ 234,685       1.71 %   $ 163,375       2.10 %   $ 140,052       4.43 %
Due after one year through three years
    19,930       3.89 %     57,431       4.04 %     20,207       4.39 %
Due after three years
    16,577       4.91 %     26,944       4.19 %     7,083       5.14 %
          Total
  $ 271,192       2.06 %   $ 247,750       2.78 %   $ 167,342       4.46 %
                                                 

    Borrowings. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on all of our short-term borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated.

    December 31,  
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Outstanding at year end
  $ 11,929     $ 9,767     $ 10,401  
Maximum month-end outstanding
    26,372       41,321       45,766  
Average daily outstanding
    18,233       11,379       16,655  
Weighted average rate during the year
    0.81 %     2.16 %     5.18 %
Average rate at year end
    0.23 %     0.19 %     3.50 %

    At December 31, 2009, long-term debt consisted of two advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. In November 2009, the Company recorded an original $10.0 million amortizing one year advance at a rate of 0.861%. The Company makes monthly principal and interest payments. In December 2009, the Company recorded a $10.0 million interest only bullet advance with a one year maturity at a rate of 0.480%. The Company makes monthly interest payments with the balloon note due in December 2010. The outstanding balance on the long-term debt was $20.0 million at December 31, 2009.
    At December 31, 2008, the Company had $8.4 million in long-term borrowings that consisted of an amortizing one year advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank at a rate of 3.140%. The Company made monthly principal and interest payments until this advance matured in October 2009.
    During the first quarter of 2009, the Company borrowed $6.0 million on its available line of credit with JP Morgan Chase at a variable interest rate of prime less 100 basis points. The Company injected the cash into the Bank to strengthen its capital. This debt was repaid in 2009.

 
- 40 -

    Stockholders’ Equity and Return on Equity and Assets. Stockholders’ equity provides a source of permanent funding, allows for future growth and the ability to absorb unforeseen adverse developments. At December 31, 2009, stockholders’ equity totaled $94.9 million compared to $65.5 million at December 31, 2008.
    Information regarding performance and equity ratios is as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
2009
2008
2007
       
Return on average assets
0.80%
0.69%
1.30%
Return on average common equity
10.84%
8.13%
15.37%
Dividend payout ratio
50.82%
64.53%
35.85%

    On August 28, 2009, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement, which includes a Securities Purchase Agreement and a Side Letter Agreement (together, the “Purchase Agreement”), with the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury Department”) pursuant to which the Company has issued and sold to the Treasury Department 2,069.9 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $1,000 per share for a total purchase price of $20.7 million. In addition to the issuance of the Series A Stock, as a part of the transaction, the Company issued to the Treasury Department a warrant to purchase 114.44444 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, and immediately following the issuance of the Series A stock, the Treasury Department exercised its rights and acquired 103 of the Series B shares through a cashless exercise. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    On July 8, 2009, the Company committed to the Federal Reserve Bank (the “FRB”) and the Louisiana Office of Financial Institution (the “OFI”) to inject $10 million in capital by September 15, 2009. The issuance of preferred stock to the Treasury Department satisfied the $10 million capital injection commitment made to the FRB and OFI.
    The Company anticipates First Guaranty Bank maintaining a well capitalized status as defined by regulatory standards.

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
    Net Income. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $7.6 million, an increase of $2.1 million or 37.8%, from $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $7.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million from the $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The largest increase in net income resulted from an increase in securities interest income due to an increase in volume of securities owned. The second largest increase resulted from a $3.8 million decline in the amount of other-than-temporary impairment charges recorded on the securities portfolio. The 2009 other-than-temporary impairment charge was $0.8 million compared to a $4.6 million other-than-temporary impairment charge in 2008 (see Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). In addition, net gains on sales of securities totaled $2.1 million for the period ended December 31, 2009 compared to net losses of $1,000 realized during the same period in 2008. Net interest income increased by $0.6 million and the provision for loan losses increased $2.5 million. Noninterest expense increased $0.8 million primarily from increased regulatory assessments but was offset by reduced legal and marketing expenses.
    Earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1.26 per common share, an increase of 27.0% or $0.27 per common share from $0.99 per common share for the year ended December 31, 2008.
    Net Interest Income. Net interest income is the largest component of our earnings. It is calculated by subtracting the cost of interest-bearing liabilities from the income earned on interest-earning assets and represents the earnings from our primary business of gathering deposits and making loans and investments. Our long-term objective is to manage this income to provide the largest possible amount of income while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks.
    A financial institution’s asset and liability structure is substantially different from that of an industrial company, in that virtually all assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Accordingly, changes in interest rates, which are generally impacted by inflation rates, may have a significant impact on a financial institution’s performance. The impact of interest rate changes depends on the sensitivity to change of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The effects of the changing interest rate environment in recent years and our interest sensitivity position are discussed below.
    Net interest income in 2009 was $32.3 million, an increase of $0.6 million or 1.8%, when compared to $31.8 million in 2008.  Although the net interest margin declined from 2008 to 2009, increased volumes in interest-earning assets offset the decline in margins therefore increasing net interest income. Loans are our largest interest-earning asset, and 53.7% of our total loans are floating rate loans which are primarily tied to the prime lending rate. After the prime rate dropped 400 basis points in 2008, Management began adding floors to floating rate loans. Loans which have floors greater than the rate due under the variable rate provision are considered fixed rate loans until such time that the floors equals the rate due under the variable rate provision. The loan floors were the first step to managing the net interest income. Although the yield on securities also declined from 2008 to 2009, interest income was enhanced by increased volumes of securities. Management’s next focus was on the cost of funds. The cost of our interest-bearing liabilities was positively impacted by the reduction all cost of funds paid on interest-bearing liabilities. As of December 31, 2009, time deposits represented 54.9% of our total deposits, which is a decrease from 56.5% of total deposits at December 31, 2008.
   
 
- 41 -

    Comparing 2009 to 2008, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased by 110 basis points and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 60 basis points. The net yield on interest-earning assets was 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to 4.2% for 2008.
    During the first quarter of 2009, the Company borrowed $6.0 million on its available line of credit at a variable interest rate of prime less 100 basis points. This debt was paid in its entirety during 2009.
    The net interest income yield shown below in the average balance sheet is calculated by dividing net interest income by average interest-earning assets and is a measure of the efficiency of the earnings from balance sheet activities. It is affected by changes in the difference between interest on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the percentage of interest-earning assets funded by interest-bearing liabilities (leverage). The leverage for the year ending December 31, 2009 and 2008 was 82.5% and 80.3%, respectively.
    The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as the effect thereof was not material. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.

  Years Ended December 31,
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Average
  Yield/   Average   Yield/   Average   Yield/
 
Balance
Interest
Rate
 
Balance
Interest
Rate
 
Balance
Interest
Rate
      (dollars in thousands)
Assets
                     
Interest-earning assets:
                     
  Interest-bearing deposits with banks
   $      35,800
 $       388
1.1%
 
   $       5,725
 $       224
3.9%
 
   $        1,977
 $          87
4.4%
  Securities (including FHLB stock)
245,952
11,085
4.5%
 
127,586
6,594
5.2%
 
152,990
8,381
5.5%
  Federal funds sold
           24,662
34
0.1%
 
            17,247
392
2.3%
 
          8,083
        400
4.9%
  Loans held for sale
                135
7
5.1%
 
                 681
45
6.6%
 
          5,216
        142
2.7%
  Loans, net of unearned income
599,609
35,677
6.0%
 
600,854
40,406
6.7%
 
543,946
46,470
8.5%
    Total interest-earning assets
906,158
47,191
5.2%
 
752,093
47,661
6.3%
 
712,212
55,480
7.8%
                       
Noninterest-earning assets:
                   
  Cash and due from banks
17,775
     
22,468
     
19,569
   
  Premises and equipment, net
16,175
     
15,960
     
14,812
   
  Other assets
8,448
     
6,503
     
4,644
   
    Total
$     948,556
$    47,191
   
$     797,024
$    47,661
   
$     751,237
$    55,480
 
                       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                   
  Demand deposits
 $     203,467
 $      1,179
0.6%
 
 $     197,822
 $      2,798
1.4%
 
 $     196,805
 $      6,688
3.4%
  Savings deposits
41,747
98
0.2%
 
43,631
193
0.4%
 
42,564
228
0.5%
  Time deposits
479,255
13,310
2.8%
 
346,282
12,432
3.6%
 
297,193
13,673
4.6%
  Borrowings
22,907
257
1.1%
 
16,287
458
2.8%
 
23,450
1,345
5.7%
    Total interest-bearing liabilities
747,376
14,844
2.0%
 
604,022
15,881
2.6%
 
560,012
21,934
3.9%
                       
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                   
  Demand deposits
117,805
     
119,379
     
121,894
   
  Other
6,240
     
5,854
     
5,767
   
    Total liabilities
871,421
14,844
   
729,255
15,881
   
687,673
21,934
 
  Stockholders' equity
77,135
     
67,769
     
63,564
   
    Total
$     948,556
14,844
   
$     797,024
15,881
   
$     751,237
21,934
 
Net interest income
 
$     32,347
     
$     31,780
     
$    33,546
 
Net interest rate spread (1)
 
3.2%
     
3.7%
     
3.9%
Net interest-earning assets (2)
 $     158,782
     
 $     148,071
     
 $     152,200
   
Net interest margin (3)
   
3.6%
     
4.2%
     
4.7%
                       
Average interest-earning assets to
                 
     interest-bearing liabilities
 
121.2%
     
124.5%
     
127.2%

    (1) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
 
    Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated. The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to rate (change in rate multiplied by the prior period’s volume), (ii) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period’s rate), (iii) mixed changes (changes that are not attributable to either rate of volume) and (iv) total increase (decrease) (the sum of the previous columns).
 
 
- 42 -

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2009 Compared to 2008
 
2008 Compared to 2007
 
Increase (Decrease) Due To
 
Increase (Decrease) Due To
     
Rate/
Increase/
   
Rate/
Increase/
 
Volume
Rate
Volume
Decrease
Volume
Rate
Volume
Decrease
       
(in thousands)
     
Interest earned on:
                 
 Interest-bearing deposits with banks
 $    1,177
 $     (162)
 $      (851)
 $        164
 
 $       165
 $       (10)
 $       (18)
 $       137
 Securities (including FHLB stock)
       6,118
        (844)
         (783)
        4,491
 
     (1,392)
        (474)
            79
     (1,787)
 Federal funds sold
          169
        (368)
         (159)
          (358)
 
          453
        (216)
        (245)
            (8)
 Loans held for sale
          (36)
          (10)
              8
            (38)
 
        (123)
          204
        (178)
          (97)
 Loans, net of unearned income
          (84)
     (4,655)
            10
       (4,729)
 
       4,862
     (9,892)
     (1,034)
     (6,064)
   Total interest income
       7,344
     (6,039)
      (1,775)
          (470)
 
       3,965
   (10,388)
     (1,396)
     (7,819)
 
                 
Interest paid on:
                 
 Demand deposits
            80
     (1,652)
           (47)
       (1,619)
 
            32
     (3,904)
          (18)
     (3,890)
 Savings deposits
            (8)
          (91)
              4
            (95)
 
              6
          (40)
            (1)
          (35)
 Time deposits
       4,774
     (2,816)
      (1,080)
           878
 
       2,258
     (3,003)
        (496)
     (1,241)
 Borrowings
          186
        (275)
         (112)
          (201)
 
        (411)
        (685)
          209
        (887)
   Total interest expense
       5,032
     (4,834)
      (1,235)
       (1,037)
 
       1,885
     (7,632)
        (306)
     (6,053)
     Change in net interest income
 $    2,312
 $  (1,205)
 $      (540)
 $        567
 
 $    2,080
 $  (2,756)
 $  (1,090)
 $  (1,766)
                   

    Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $4.2 million and $1.6 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increased 2009 provisions were attributable to $2.7 million in net loan charge-offs during 2009 compared to $1.3 million in net loan charge-offs during 2008. Of the loan charge-offs in 2009, approximately $1.6 million were loans secured by real estate of which $0.4 million were construction and land development, $0.6 million were commercial real estate and approximately $0.6 million were residential properties. In 2009, recoveries of $0.2 million were recognized on loans previously charged off as compared to $0.3 million in 2008. Of the loan charge-offs during 2008, approximately $0.7 million were loans secured by real estate of which $0.3 million were commercial real estate and approximately $0.4 million were residential properties. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2009 was $7.9 million, compared to $6.5 million at December 31, 2008, and was 1.34% and 1.07% of total loans, respectively. Management believes that the current level of the allowance is adequate to cover losses in the loan portfolio given the current economic conditions, expected net charge-offs and nonperforming asset levels.
    Noninterest Income. Noninterest income totaled $7.1 million in 2009, an increase of $6.1 million when compared to $1.1 million in 2008. Service charges, commissions and fees totaled $4.1 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net securities gain were $2.1 million in 2009 compared to $1,000 in net securities losses in 2008. Other-than-temporary impairment charges totaling $0.8 million were taken on securities in 2009 compared to a charge of $4.6 million in 2008 (see Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Net gains on sale of loans were $422,000 in 2009 and $210,000 in 2008. Other noninterest income decreased $148,000 to $1.3 million in 2009 from $1.5 million in 2008.
    Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense totaled $24.0 million in 2009 and $23.2 million in 2008. Salaries and benefits remained relatively flat at $10.8 million in 2009 compared to $10.7 million in 2008. At December 31, 2009, 248 employees represented 230 full-time equivalent staff members as compared to 224.5 full-time equivalent staff members in 2008. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $2.9 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Regulatory assessment expense totaled $2.0 million in 2009 compared to $0.8 million in 2008. During the second quarter of 2009, a special assessment was imposed on all financial institutions. The 2009 special assessment for the Company totaled $444,000. The net cost of other real estate and repossessions increased $150,000 in 2009 to $399,000, when compared to $249,000 in 2008. Other noninterest expense totaled $7.9 million in 2009, a decrease of $0.7 million or 8.1% when compared to $8.6 million in 2008.

 
- 43 -

    The following is a summary of the significant components of other noninterest expense:

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Other noninterest expense:
                 
Legal and professional fees
  $ 1,254     $ 1,496     $ 1,610  
Operating supplies
    537       572       615  
Marketing and public relations
    809       1,131       842  
Data processing
    1,067       1,063       955  
Travel and lodging
    398       416       439  
Taxes - sales and capital
    529       571       628  
Telephone
    192       185       211  
Amortization of core deposit intangibles
    291       311       203  
Other
    2,839       2,864       2,826  
  Total other expense
  $ 7,916     $ 8,609     $ 8,329  
                         
 
    Total noninterest expense includes expenses paid to related parties. Related parties include the Company’s executive officers, directors and certain business organizations and individuals with which such persons are associated. During the years ended 2008 and 2009, the Company paid approximately $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for goods and services from related parties. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $3.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The increased provision for income taxes in 2009 resulted from higher income recognized during 2009 when compared to 2008, which resulted from various tax credit taken. The Company’s effective tax rate amounted to 32.9% and 30.9% during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate primarily relates to variances in items that are non-taxable or non-deductible and various tax credits.

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007

    Net Income. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $5.5 million, a decrease of $4.3 million or 43.6%, from $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The largest decrease in net income resulted from a $4.6 million other-than-temporary impairment charge recorded on the securities portfolio in the third quarter of 2008, resulting in a $3.0 million net of tax decrease in net income (see Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Net interest income decreased by $1.8 million due to market pressure placed on our net interest margin with the decline in market interest rates. In addition, noninterest expense increased due to additional costs related to enhancement of the internal audit and control process, costs associated with education and training of existing and new personnel, and the addition of staff.
    Earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $.99 per share, a decrease of 43.6% or $0.77 per share from $1.76 per share for the year ended December 31, 2007.
    Net Interest Income. Net interest income is the largest component of our earnings. It is calculated by subtracting the cost of interest-bearing liabilities from the income earned on interest-earning assets and represents the earnings from our primary business of gathering deposits and making loans and investments. Our long-term objective is to manage this income to provide the largest possible amount of income while balancing interest rate, credit and liquidity risks.
    A financial institution’s asset and liability structure is substantially different from that of an industrial company, in that virtually all assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Accordingly, changes in interest rates, which are generally impacted by inflation rates, may have a significant impact on a financial institution’s performance. The impact of interest rate changes depends on the sensitivity to change of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The effects of the changing interest rate environment in recent years and our interest sensitivity position are discussed below.
    Net interest income in 2008 was $31.8 million, a decrease of $1.8 million or 5.3%, when compared to $33.6 million in 2007.  The decrease in net interest income reflected a decrease in net interest spread and net interest margin as the yield on our interest-earning assets decreased more than the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities. Loans are our largest interest-earning asset, and 47.4% of our total loans are floating rate loans which are primarily tied to the prime lending rate. During 2008, the prime lending rate decreased 400 basis points which adversely impacted the yield on our interest-earning assets. The cost of our interest-bearing liabilities was adversely impacted by the $106.4 million increase in time deposits, which is currently our most costly interest-bearing liability. As of December 31, 2008, time deposits represented 56.5% of our total deposits, which is an increase from 46.2% of total deposits at December 31, 2007.
 
 
- 44 -

    Comparing 2008 to 2007, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased by 150 basis points and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 130 basis points. The net yield on interest-earning assets was 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 4.7% for 2007.
    The net interest income yield shown below in the average balance sheet is calculated by dividing net interest income by average interest-earning assets and is a measure of the efficiency of the earnings from balance sheet activities. It is affected by changes in the difference between interest on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the percentage of interest-earning assets funded by interest-bearing liabilities (leverage). The leverage for the year ending December 31, 2008 and 2007 was 80.3% and 78.6%, respectively.
    Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $1.6 million and $1.9 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decreased 2008 provisions were attributable to $1.3 million in net loan charge-offs during 2008 compared to $2.7 million in net loan charge-offs during 2007. Of the loan charge-offs in 2008, approximately $0.7 million were loans secured by real estate of which $0.3 million were commercial real estate and approximately $0.4 million were residential properties. In 2008, recoveries of $0.3 million were recognized on loans previously charged off as compared to $1.2 million in 2007. Of the loan charge-offs during 2007, approximately $3.0 million were loans secured by real estate of which $2.2 million were commercial real estate and approximately $0.8 million were residential properties. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2008 was $6.5 million, compared to $6.2 million at December 31, 2007, and was 1.07% and 1.08% of total loans, respectively. Management believes that the current level of the allowance is adequate to cover losses in the loan portfolio given the current economic conditions, expected net charge-offs and nonperforming asset levels.
    Noninterest Income. Noninterest income totaled $1.1 million in 2008, a decrease of $3.6 million when compared to $4.7 million in 2007. Service charges, commissions and fees totaled $4.0 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net securities losses were $1,000 in 2008, compared to $478,000 in 2007. Other-than-temporary impairment charges totaling $4.6 million were taken on securities in 2008 (see Notes 4 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Net gains on sale of loans were $210,000 in 2008 and $272,000 in 2007. Other noninterest income increased $407,000 to $1.5 million in 2008 from $1.1 million in 2007.
    Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense totaled $23.2 million in 2008 and $21.3 million in 2007. Salaries and benefits increased $1.0 million in 2008 to $10.7 million from $9.7 million in 2007. The increase in salaries resulted from the additional key management personnel including an Internal Audit manager and a chief credit officer. At December 31, 2008, 241 employees represented 224.5 full-time equivalent staff members as compared to 222 full-time equivalent staff members in 2007. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $2.9 million in 2008 and $2.6 million in 2007. Regulatory assessment expense in 2008 totaled $0.8 million compared to $381,000 in 2007. The net cost of other real estate and repossessions decreased $147,000 in 2008 to $249,000, when compared to $396,000 in 2007. Other noninterest expense totaled $8.6 million in 2008, an increase of $281,000 or 3.4% when compared to $8.3 million in 2007.
    Total noninterest expense includes expenses paid to related parties. Related parties include the Company’s executive officers, directors and certain business organizations and individuals with which such persons are associated. During the years ended 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Company paid approximately $2.0 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for goods and services from related parties. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
    Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $2.5 million and $5.2 million, respectively. The decreased provision for income taxes in 2008 resulted from lower income recognized during 2008 when compared to 2007, which resulted from decreases in net interest income, decreases in noninterest income and increases in noninterest expense. The Company’s effective tax rate amounted to 30.9% and 34.8% during 2008 and 2007, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate primarily relates to variances in items that are non-taxable or non-deductible and various tax credits.
 
 
- 45 -

Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk
    Asset/LiabilityManagement. Our asset/liability management (ALM) process consists of quantifying, analyzing and controlling interest rate risk (IRR) to maintain reasonably stable net interest income levels under various interest rate environments. The principal objective of ALM is to maximize net interest income while operating within acceptable limits established for interest rate risk and maintain adequate levels of liquidity.
    The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, one of our most significant forms of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of loans secured by real estate, have longer maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established an Asset/Liability Committee which is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Senior Management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the Asset/Liability Committee, which consists of executive Management and other bank personnel operating under a policy adopted by the Board of Directors, meets as needed to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.
    The interest spread and liability funding discussed below are directly related to changes in asset and liability mixes, volumes, maturities and repricing opportunities for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Interest-sensitive assets and liabilities are those which are subject to being repriced in the near term, including both floating or adjustable rate instruments and instruments approaching maturity. The interest sensitivity gap is the difference between total interest-sensitive assets and total interest-sensitive liabilities. Interest rates on our various asset and liability categories do not respond uniformly to changing market conditions. Interest rate risk is the degree to which interest rate fluctuations in the marketplace can affect net interest income.
    To maximize our margin, we attempt to be somewhat more asset sensitive during periods of rising rates and more liability sensitive during periods of falling rates. The need for interest sensitivity gap Management is most critical in times of rapid changes in overall interest rates. We generally seek to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations by maintaining a relatively balanced mix of rate sensitive assets and liabilities on a one-year time horizon. The mix is relatively difficult to manage. Because of the significant impact on net interest margin from mismatches in repricing opportunities, the asset-liability mix is monitored periodically depending upon Management’s assessment of current business conditions and the interest rate outlook. Exposure to interest rate fluctuations is maintained within prudent levels by the use of varying investment strategies.
    We monitor interest rate risk using an interest sensitivity analysis set forth on the following table. This analysis, which we prepare monthly, reflects the maturity and repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities over various time periods. The gap indicates whether more assets or liabilities are subject to repricing over a given time period. The interest sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2009 shown below reflects a liability-sensitive position with a negative cumulative gap on a one-year basis.

 
- 46 -


   
Interest Sensitivity Within
 
   
3 Months
   
Over 3 Months
   
Total
   
Over
       
   
Or Less
   
thru 12 Months
   
One Year
   
One Year
   
Total
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Earning Assets:
                             
  Loans (including loans held for sale)
  $ 198,160     $ 118,637     $ 316,797     $ 273,105     $ 589,902  
  Securities (including FHLB stock)
    3,927       7,703       11,630       252,746       264,376  
  Federal Funds Sold
    13,279       -       13,279       -       13,279  
  Other earning assets
    14       -       14       -       14  
    Total earning assets
    215,380       126,340       341,720       525,851     $ 867,571  
                                         
Source of Funds:
                                       
Interest-bearing accounts:
                                       
    Demand deposits
    138,774       -       138,774       49,478       188,252  
    Savings deposits
    10,067       -       10,067       30,205       40,272  
    Time deposits
    159,239       190,480       349,719       89,685       439,404  
    Short-term borrowings
    11,929       -       11,929       -       11,929  
    Long-term borrowings
    -       20,000       20,000       -       20,000  
Noninterest-bearing, net
    -               -       167,714       167,714  
    Total source of funds
    320,009       210,480       530,489       337,082     $ 867,571  
Period gap
    (104,629 )     (84,140 )     (188,769 )     188,769          
Cumulative gap
  $ (104,629 )   $ (188,769 )   $ (188,769 )   $ -          
                                         
Cumulative gap as a
                                       
  percent of earning assets
    -12.06 %     -21.76 %     -21.76 %                
                                         
 
    Net Interest Income at Risk. Net interest income (NII) at risk measures the risk of a decline in earnings due to changes in interest rates. The table below presents an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated changes in net interest income resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve at December 31, 2009. Shifts are measured in 100 basis point increments (+ 200 through - 200 basis points,) from base case. Base case encompasses key assumptions for asset/liability mix, loan and deposit growth, pricing, prepayment speeds, deposit decay rates, securities portfolio cash flows and reinvestment strategy and the market value of certain assets under the various interest rate scenarios. The base case scenario assumes that the current interest rate environment is held constant throughout the forecast period; the instantaneous shocks are performed against that yield curve.

Change in
Interest
Rates
 
Estimated Increase
(Decrease) in NII
December 31, 2009
   
  (basis points)          
           
  -200    
-17.18%
   
  -100    
-7.47%
   
  Stable    
  0.0%
   
  +100    
3.41%
   
  +200    
6.19%
   
 
    The increasing rate scenarios shows higher levels of net interest income while the decreasing scenarios show higher levels of volatility and subsequently lower levels of NII. These scenarios are instantaneous shocks that assume balance sheet Management will mirror base case. Should the yield curve begin to rise or fall, Management has several strategies available to maximize earnings opportunities or offset the negative impact to earnings. For example, in a falling rate environment, deposit pricing strategies could be adjusted to further sway customer behavior to non-contractual or short-term (less than 12 months) contractual deposit products which would reset downward with the changes in the yield curve and prevailing market rates. Another opportunity at the start of such a cycle would be reinvesting the securities portfolio cash flows into longer term, non-callable bonds that would lock in higher yields.
 
 
- 47 -

    Even if interest rates change in the designated amounts, there can be no assurance that our assets and liabilities would perform as anticipated. Additionally, a change in the U.S. Treasury rates in the designated amounts accompanied by a change in the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve would cause significantly different changes to NII than indicated above. Strategic management of our balance sheet and earnings would be adjusted to accommodate these movements. As with any method of measuring IRR, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methods of analysis presented above. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Also, the ability of many borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase. We consider all of these factors in monitoring its exposure to interest rate risk.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
    Liquidity and Capital Resources. Liquidity refers to the ability or flexibility to manage future cash flows to meet the needs of depositors and borrowers and fund operations. Maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity allows us to have sufficient funds available to meet customer demand for loans, withdrawal of deposit balances and maturities of deposits and other liabilities. Liquid assets include cash and due from banks, interest-earning demand deposits with banks, federal funds sold and available for sale investment securities. Including securities pledged to collateralize public fund deposits, these assets represent 31.8%, 22.1% and 20.3% of the total liquidity base at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, we maintained borrowing availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, or FHLB, approximating $92.9 million and $63.1 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  We also maintain federal funds lines of credit totaling $63.2 million at three other correspondent banks, of which $63.2 was available at December 31, 2009, and $63.2 million was available at December 31, 2008. Management believes there is sufficient liquidity to satisfy current operating needs.
    Regulatory Capital. Risk-based capital regulations adopted by the FDIC require banks to achieve and maintain specified ratios of capital to risk-weighted assets. Similar capital regulations apply to bank holding companies. The risk-based capital rules are designed to measure “Tier 1” capital (consisting of common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of qualifying perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities, net of goodwill and other intangible assets and accumulated other comprehensive income) and total capital in relation to the credit risk of both on- and off- balance sheet items. Under the guidelines, one of its risk weights is applied to the different on balance sheet items. Off-balance sheet items, such as loan commitments, are also subject to risk weighting. All bank holding companies and banks must maintain a minimum total capital to total risk weighted assets ratio of 8.00%, at least half of which must be in the form of core or Tier 1 capital. These guidelines also specify that bank holding companies that are experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels.
    At December 31, 2009, we satisfied the minimum regulatory capital requirements and were well capitalized within the meaning of federal regulatory requirements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
    We had $140.0 million, $155.0 million and $105.0 million in letters of credit issued by the FHLB of Dallas at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, which was used as collateral for public fund deposits.

Contractual Obligations
    The following table summarizes our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations and other funding needs by payment date at December 31, 2009. The payment amounts represent those amounts due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying amount adjustments.
    At of December 31, 2009, our contractual obligations were as follows:

   
Payments Due by Period
 
   
One Year
   
One Through
   
Over Three
       
   
or Less
   
Three Years
   
Years
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Operating leases
  $ 11     $ 21     $ 74     $ 106  
Time deposits
    349,719       50,529       39,156       439,404  
Short-term borrowings
    11,929       -       -       11,929  
Long-term borrowings
    20,000       -       -       20,000  
 Total
  $ 381,659     $ 50,550     $ 39,230     $ 471,439  
                                 

 
- 48 -

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
    The consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which generally require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in relative purchasing power over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, the majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates generally have a more significant impact on the Company’s performance than does the effect of inflation. Although fluctuations in interest rates are neither completely predictable or controllable, the Company regularly monitors its interest rate position and oversees its financial risk Management by establishing policies and operating limits (see “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” section). Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services, since such prices are affected by inflation to a larger extent than interest rates. Although not as critical to the banking industry as to other industries, inflationary factors may have some impact on the Company’s growth, earnings, total assets and capital levels. Management does not expect inflation to be a significant factor in 2010.

Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
    For discussion on this matter, see the “Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk” section of this analysis.

 
- 49 -



Report of Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC
Independent Registered Accounting Firm


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

   
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.



/s/ Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC

Castaing, Hussey & Lolan, LLC
New Iberia, Louisiana
March 31, 2010



 
- 50 -

Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
             
             
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents:
           
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 33,425     $ 77,159  
  Interest-earning demand deposits with banks
    14       20  
  Federal funds sold
    13,279       838  
    Cash and cash equivalents
    46,718       78,017  
                 
Interest-earning time deposits with banks
    -       21,481  
                 
Investment securities:
               
 Available for sale, at fair value
    249,480       114,406  
 Held to maturity, at cost (estimated fair value of
               
   $12,462 and $24,936, respectively)
    12,349       24,756  
    Investment securities
    261,829       139,162  
                 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    2,547       944  
Loans held for sale
    -       -  
                 
Loans, net of unearned income
    589,902       606,369  
Less: allowance for loan losses
    7,919       6,482  
  Net loans
    581,983       599,887  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
    16,704       16,141  
Goodwill
    1,999       1,980  
Intangible assets, net
    1,893       2,078  
Other real estate, net
    658       568  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,807       4,611  
Other assets
    10,709       6,364  
  Total Assets
  $ 930,847     $ 871,233  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Deposits:
               
  Noninterest-bearing demand
  $ 131,818     $ 118,255  
  Interest-bearing demand
    188,252       180,230  
  Savings
    40,272       41,357  
  Time
    439,404       440,530  
    Total deposits
    799,746       780,372  
                 
Short-term borrowings
    11,929       9,767  
Accrued interest payable
    2,519       3,033  
Long-term borrowings
    20,000       8,355  
Other liabilities
    1,718       4,219  
  Total Liabilities
    835,912       805,746  
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Preferred stock:
               
Series A - $1,000 par value - authorized 5,000 shares; issued
         
   and outstanding 2,069.9 shares
    19,630       -  
Series B - $1,000 par value - authorized 5,000 shares; issued
         
   and outstanding 103 shares
    1,140       -  
Common stock:
               
$1 par value - authorized 100,600,000 shares; issued and
         
    outstanding 5,559,644 shares
    5,560       5,560  
Surplus
    26,459       26,459  
Retained earnings
    40,069       36,626  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    2,077       (3,158 )
  Total Stockholders' Equity
    94,935       65,487  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 930,847     $ 871,233  
                 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
- 51 -


FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
                   
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest Income:
                 
  Loans (including fees)
  $ 35,677     $ 40,406     $ 46,470  
  Loans held for sale
    7       45       142  
  Deposits with other banks
    388       224       87  
  Securities (including FHLB stock)
    11,085       6,594       8,381  
  Federal funds sold
    34       392       400  
    Total Interest Income
    47,191       47,661       55,480  
                         
Interest Expense:
                       
  Demand deposits
    1,179       2,798       6,688  
  Savings deposits
    98       193       228  
  Time deposits
    13,310       12,432       13,673  
  Borrowings
    257       458       1,345  
    Total Interest Expense
    14,844       15,881       21,934  
                         
Net Interest Income
    32,347       31,780       33,546  
Provision for loan losses
    4,155       1,634       1,918  
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
    28,192       30,146       31,628  
                         
Noninterest Income:
                 
  Service charges, commissions and fees
    4,146       3,990       3,822  
  Net gains (losses) on sale of securities
    2,056       (1 )     (478 )
  Loss on securities impairment
    (829 )     (4,611 )     -  
  Net gains on sale of loans
    422       210       272  
  Other
    1,341       1,489       1,082  
    Total Noninterest Income
    7,136       1,077       4,698  
                         
Noninterest Expense:
                 
  Salaries and employee benefits
    10,752       10,653       9,662  
  Occupancy and equipment expense
    2,891       2,903       2,573  
  Regulatory assessment expense
    2,049       827       381  
  Net cost of other real estate and repossessions
    399       249       396  
  Other
    7,916       8,609       8,329  
    Total Noninterest Expense
    24,007       23,241       21,341  
                         
Income Before Income Taxes
    11,321       7,982       14,985  
Provision for income taxes
    3,726       2,470       5,213  
Net Income
    7,595       5,512       9,772  
Preferred Stock Dividends
    (594 )     -       -  
Income Available to Common Shareholders
  $ 7,001     $ 5,512     $ 9,772  
                         
Per Common Share:
                 
  Earnings
  $ 1.26     $ 0.99     $ 1.76  
  Cash dividends paid
  $ 0.64     $ 0.64     $ 0.63  
                         
Average Common Shares Outstanding
    5,559,644       5,559,644       5,559,644  
                         

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
- 52 -


FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(in thousands)
 
                                           
   
Series A
   
Series B
                     
Accumulated
       
   
Preferred
   
Preferred
   
Common
               
Other
       
    Stock     Stock    
Stock
          Retained     Comprehensive         
   
$1,000 Par
   
$1,000 Par
   
$1 Par
   
Surplus
   
Earnings
   
Income/(Loss)
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance December 31, 2006 as previously reported
  -     -     5,560     26,459     28,818     (905 )   59,932  
Correction of an error
    -       -       -       -       (416 )     -       (416 )
Balance December 31, 2006 as restated
    -       -       5,560       26,459       28,402       (905 )     59,516  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       9,772       -       9,772  
Change in unrealized loss on
                                                       
  available for sale securities,
                                                       
  net of reclassification adjustments, and taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       570       570  
Comprehensive income
                                                    10,342  
Cash dividends on common stock ($0.63 per share)                                      (3,503             (3,503
Balance December 31, 2007
    -       -       5,560       26,459       34,671       (335 )     66,355  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       5,512       -       5,512  
Change in unrealized loss on
                                                       
  available for sale securities,
                                                       
  net of reclassification adjustments, and taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       (2,823 )     (2,823 )
Comprehensive income
                                                    2,689  
Cash dividends on common stock ($0.64 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (3,557 )     -       (3,557 )
Balance December 31, 2008
    -       -       5,560       26,459       36,626       (3,158 )     65,487  
Preferred stock issued
    19,551       1,148                                       20,699  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       7,595       -       7,595  
Change in unrealized loss on
                                                       
  available for sale securities,
                                                       
  net of reclassification adjustments, and taxes
    -       -       -       -       -       5,235       5,235  
Comprehensive income
                                                    12,830  
Cash dividends on common stock ($0.64 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (3,558 )     -       (3,558 )
Preferred stock dividend, amortization and accretion
    79       (8 )     -       -       (594 )     -       (523 )
Balance December 31, 2009
  19,630     1,140     5,560     26,459     $ 40,069     $ 2,077     $ 94,935  
                                                         







 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
- 53 -

 

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(in thousands)
 
                   
                   
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
                 
Net income
  $ 7,595     $ 5,512     $ 9,772  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
                       
  provided by operating activities:
                       
    Provision for loan losses
    4,155       1,634       1,918  
    Depreciation and amortization
    1,413       1,451       1,238  
    Amortization of premium/discount on investments
    (768 )     (807 )     (1,011 )
   (Gain) Loss on call / sale of securities
    (2,066 )     1       478  
    Gain on sale of assets
    (385 )     (211 )     (272 )
    Other than temporary impairment charge on securities
    829       4,611       -  
    ORE writedowns and loss on disposition
    270       113       180  
    FHLB stock dividends
    (3 )     (32 )     (134 )
    Net decrease in loans held for sale
    -       3,959       31,090  
    Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    (8,514 )     3,326       (779 )
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
    2,526       19,557       42,480  
                         
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
                       
Proceeds from maturities and calls of HTM securities
    22,187       11,740       10,493  
Proceeds from maturities, calls and sales of AFS securities
    1,281,594       756,642       627,001  
Funds invested in AFS securities
    (1,419,358 )     (773,772 )     (575,534 )
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    -       1,900       4,175  
Funds invested in Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (1,599 )     (1,857 )     (639 )
Proceeds from maturities of time deposits with banks
    35,094       2,923       -  
Funds invested in time deposits with banks
    (13,613 )     (22,216 )     -  
Net decrease (increase) in loans
    12,620       (33,196 )     (31,222 )
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights
    -       -       583  
Purchase of premises and equipment
    (1,631 )     (1,017 )     (801 )
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
    24       -       -  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
    768       443       3,103  
Cash paid in excess of cash received in acquisition
    -       (72 )     (10,646 )
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities
    (83,914 )     (58,482 )     26,513  
                         
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
                       
Net increase in deposits
    19,382       57,194       29,355  
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and short-term borrowings
    2,162       (634 )     3,817  
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    20,000       10,000       -  
Repayment of long-term borrowings
    (8,355 )     (4,738 )     (64,802 )
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
    20,699       -       -  
Dividends paid
    (3,799 )     (3,557 )     (3,503 )
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities
    50,089       58,265       (35,133 )
                         
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (31,299 )     19,340       33,860  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of the Period
    78,017       58,677       24,817  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Period
  $ 46,718     $ 78,017     $ 58,677  
                         
Noncash Activities:
                       
  Loans transferred to foreclosed assets
  $ 1,129     $ 751     $ 1,118  
Cash Paid During The Period:
                       
  Interest on deposits and borrowed funds
  $ 15,357     $ 15,804     $ 22,048  
  Income taxes
  $ 4,300     $ 1,200     $ 6,015  
                         
 
        See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
- 54 -

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.  Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business
    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Louisiana corporation. On July 27, 2007 the Company became the parent of First Guaranty Bank. The Company owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock of First Guaranty Bank. First Guaranty Bank (the “Bank”) is a Louisiana state-chartered commercial bank that provides a diversified range of financial services to consumers and businesses in the communities in which it operates. These services include consumer and commercial lending, mortgage loan origination, the issuance of credit cards and retail banking services. The Bank has 17 banking offices and 25 automated teller machines (ATMs) in northern and southern of Louisiana.

Summary of significant accounting policies
    The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to predominant accounting practices within the banking industry. The more significant accounting and reporting policies are as follows:

Consolidation
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Guaranty Bank (the “Bank”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
    Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term economic environment and market conditions relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and real estate owned, the Company obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.
    Available for sale investment securities are stated at estimated fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses determined on a specific identification basis. Such unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and included in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company utilizes an independent third party as its principal pricing source for determining fair value. For investment securities traded in an active market, fair values are measured on a recurring basis obtained from an independent pricing service and based on quoted market prices if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable securities, broker quotes or comprehensive interest rate tables and pricing matrices. For investment securities traded in a market that is not active, fair value is determined using unobservable inputs or value drivers and is generally determined using expected cash flows and appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates. Expected cash flows are based primarily on the contractual cash flows of the instrument.
    Any security that has experienced a decline in value, which Management believes is deemed other than temporary, is reduced to its estimated fair value by a charge to operations.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, Management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  Realized gains and losses on security transactions are computed using the specific identification method.  Amortization of premiums and discounts is included in interest and dividend income.  Discounts and premiums related to debt securities are amortized using the effective interest rate method.  The Company did not have any derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2009 or 2008.

Cash and cash equivalents
    For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash, due from banks, interest-bearing demand deposits with banks and federal funds sold with maturities of three months or less.

Securities
    The Company reviews its financial position, liquidity and future plans in evaluating the criteria for classifying investment securities. At December 31, 2009, the securities portfolio contained two classifications of securities - held to maturity and available for sale. At December 31, 2009, $249.5 million were classified as available for sale and $12.3 million were classified as held to maturity.
    Debt securities that Management has the ability and intent to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using methods approximating the interest method. Securities available for sale are stated at fair value. The unrealized difference, if any, between amortized cost and fair value of these securities is excluded from income and is reported, net of deferred taxes, as a component of stockholders' equity. Realized gains and losses on securities are computed based on the specific identification method and are reported as a separate component of other income.
 
 
- 55 -

    Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least quarterly and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer (3) the recovery of contractual principal and interest and (4) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
    The Company has a required investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock that is carried at cost that approximates fair value. This stock must be maintained by the Company.

Loans held for sale
    Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Loans held for sale have primarily been fixed rate single-family residential mortgage loans under contract to be sold in the secondary market. In most cases, loans in this category are sold within thirty days. Buyers generally have recourse to return a purchased loan under limited circumstances. Recourse conditions may include early payment default, breach of representations or warranties and documentation deficiencies.
    Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with the mortgage servicing rights released. Gains or losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized based on the differences between the selling price and the carrying value of the related mortgage loans sold.

Loans
    Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. In addition to loans issued in the normal course of business, overdrafts on customer deposit accounts are considered to be loans and reclassified as such. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, $116,000 and $161,000, respectively, in overdrafts have been reclassified to loans. Interest income on all classifications of loans is calculated using the simple interest method on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding.
    Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when Management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, the borrower’s financial condition is such that reasonable doubt exists as to the full and timely collection of principal and interest. This evaluation is made for all loans that are 90 days or more contractually past due. When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Income on such loans is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received and where the future collection of interest and principal is probable. Loans are returned to accrual status when, in the judgment of Management, all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable time frame and when the borrower has demonstrated payment performance of cash or cash equivalents for a minimum of six months.
    All loans, except mortgage loans, are considered past due if it is past due 30 days. Mortgage loans are considered past due when two consecutive payments have been missed. Loans that are past due 90-120 days and deemed uncollectible are charged off. The loan charge off is a reduction of the allowance for loan losses.

Loan fees and costs
    Nonrefundable loan origination and commitment fees and direct costs associated with originating loans are deferred and recognized over the lives of the related loans as an adjustment to the loans' yield using the level yield method.

Allowance for loan losses
    The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. The allowance, which is based on evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loan loss experience, is an amount that Management believes will be adequate to reflect the risks inherent in the existing loan portfolio and exist at the reporting date. The evaluations take into consideration a number of subjective factors including changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to pay, adequacy of loan collateral and other relevant factors. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require additional recognition of losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
    Although Management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, because of uncertainties associated with local economic conditions, collateral values and future cash flows on impaired loans, it is reasonably possible that a material change could occur in the allowance for loan losses in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.
    The evaluation of the adequacy of loan collateral is often based upon estimates and appraisals. Because of changing economic conditions, the valuations determined from such estimates and appraisals may also change. Accordingly, the Company may ultimately incur losses that vary from Management's current estimates. Adjustments to the allowance for loan losses will be reported in the period such adjustments become known or can be reasonably estimated. All loan losses are charged to the allowance for loan losses when the loss actually occurs or when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries are credited to the allowance at the time of recovery.
 
 
- 56 -

    The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect Management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
    A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by Management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
    Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, individual consumer and residential loans are not separately identified for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement.

Goodwill and Intangible assets
    Intangible assets are comprised of goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Goodwill is accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (SFAS No. 142).  Under FASB ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the provision of FASB ASC 350. The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. Adverse changes in the economic environment, declining operations, or other factors could result in a decline in the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value is less than the carrying amount, a loss would be recognized in other non-interest expense to reduce the carrying amount to implied fair value of goodwill. A goodwill impairment test includes two steps. Step one, used to identify potential impairment, compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step two of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied estimated fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill for that reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company did not record goodwill impairment charges in 2009 or 2008.
    Identifiable intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or legal rights or because the assets are capable of being sold or exchanged either on their own on in combination with related contract, asset or liability. The Company’s intangible assets primarily relate to core deposits.  These core deposit intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over terms ranging from seven to 15 years. Management periodically evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that would result in impairment of value.

Premises and equipment
    Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
 
    Buildings and improvements                     10-40 years
    Equipment, fixtures and automobiles          3-10 years
 
    Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Repairs, maintenance and minor improvements are charged to operating expense as incurred. Gains or losses on disposition, if any, are recorded in the Statements of Income.

 
- 57 -

Other real estate
    Other real estate includes properties acquired through foreclosure or acceptance of deeds in lieu of foreclosure. These properties are recorded at the lower of the recorded investment in the property or its fair value less the estimated cost of disposition. Any valuation adjustments required prior to foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, losses on the periodic revaluation of the property are charged to current period earnings as other real estate expense. Costs of operating and maintaining the properties are charged to other real estate expense as incurred. Any subsequent gains or losses on dispositions are credited or charged to income in the period of disposition.

Off-balance sheet financial instruments
    The Company accounts for its guarantees in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 460 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees). In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commitments to fund commercial real estate, construction and land development loans secured by real estate, and performance standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Income taxes
    The Company and all subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return on a calendar year basis. In lieu of Louisiana state income tax, the Bank is subject to the Louisiana bank shares tax, which is included in noninterest expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations for years before 2006.
    Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be utilized.

Comprehensive income
    Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects are presented in the Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Note 17 of the Consolidated Notes to the Financial Statements.

Earnings per common share
    Earnings per share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. No convertible shares or other agreements to issue common stock are outstanding.

Transfers of Financial Assets
    Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (i) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (ii) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (iii) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update to ASC Topic 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Statement No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification” and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162).  ASC 105 states that the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) will become the source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP).  The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place.  All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered nonauthoritative.  The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Codification became effective for the Company during its interim period ending September 30, 2009 and did not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations.  
    On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued updates to ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets), and FASB ASC 810, (SFAS No.167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)), which change the way entities account for securitizations and special-purpose entities.
    The update to ASC Topic 860 will require more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where companies have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. The update also eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets and requires additional disclosures.
 
 
- 58 -

    The update to FASB ASC Topic 810 changes how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.
    The update to both ASC Topic 860 and ASC Topic 810 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. The recognition and measurement provisions of ASC Topic 860 shall be applied to transfers that occur on or after the effective date. Management has not determined the impact adoption may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
    In May 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events). ASC Topic 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  It requires entities to disclose the date through which it has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date.  ASC Topic 855 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  ASC Topic 855 was effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009.  The adoption of ASC Topic 855 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or disclosures.
    In May 2009, FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events with the objective to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  ASC Topic 855 sets forth: (i) the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; (ii) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; and (iii) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. ASC Topic 855 is effective for interim and annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC Topic 855 on June 30, 2009, did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
    In April 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 820-10-65-4, Transition Related to FASB Staff Position FAS 157-4. This ASC update affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction; includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market is inactive; eliminates the presumption that all transactions are distressed unless proven otherwise requiring an entity to base its conclusion on the weight of evidence; and requires an entity to disclose a change in valuation technique resulting from application of the FSP and to quantify its effects, if practicable. ASC Topic 820-10-65-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted this ASC in the second quarter. The adoption had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position.
    In April 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 320-10-65-1, Transition Related to FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. This ASC update changes existing guidance for determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary to debt securities; replaces the existing requirement that the entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired security until recovery with a requirement that management assert: (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis; requires that an entity recognize noncredit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities in other comprehensive income and amortize the amount over the remaining life of the security in a prospective manner by offsetting the recorded value of the asset unless the security is subsequently sold or there are credit losses; requires an entity to present the total other-than-temporary impairment in the statement of earnings with an offset for the amount recognized in other comprehensive income; and at adoption, requires an entity to record a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income if the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery. ASC Topic 320-10-65-1 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted this ASC in the second quarter.  The adoption had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position.
    In April 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 825-10-65-1, Transition Related to FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1.FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1. Under this updated ASC, a publicly traded company shall include disclosures about the fair value of its financial instruments whenever it issues summarized financial information for interim reporting periods. In addition, an entity shall disclose in the body or in the accompanying notes of its summarized financial information for interim reporting periods and in its financial statements for annual reporting periods the fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value, whether recognized or not recognized in the statement of financial position. FASB ASC 825-10-65-1 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted this ASC in the second quarter.  The adoption had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position.
   
 
- 59 -

    In December 2007, the FASB issued an update to ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141). ASC Topic 805 establishes principles and requirements for recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities and any noncontrolling interest acquired due to a business combination. This update expands the definitions of a business and a business combination, resulting in an increased number of transactions or other events that will qualify as business combinations. Under ASC Topic 805 the entity that acquires the business (the “acquirer”) will record 100 percent of all assets and liabilities of the acquired business, including goodwill, generally at their fair values. As such, an acquirer will not be permitted to recognize the allowance for loan losses of the acquiree. ASC Topic 805 requires the acquirer to recognize goodwill as of the acquisition date, measured as a residual. In most business combinations, goodwill will be recognized to the extent that the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree at the acquisition date exceeds the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Under ASC Topic 805, acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs will be expensed as incurred rather than treated as part of the cost of the acquisition and included in the amount recorded for assets acquired. ASC Topic 805 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations is dependent on the extent of future business combinations.

Reclassifications
    Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements in order to conform to the classification adopted for reporting in 2009.

Note 2.  Correction of an Error
    During 2009, the Company discovered errors related to the calculation of interest expense and prepaid assets for the years ending 2008, 2007 and 2006. As a result, the 2008 adjustments include a reduction of $199,000 in other assets, an increase of $944,000 in other liabilities and a reduction of retained earnings totaling $1,143,000. The 2007 adjustments include a reduction of other assets totaling $66,000, an increase of $842,000 in other liabilities and a reduction of retained earnings totaling $907,000. The portion of the error attributable to years prior to December 31, 2007, was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings at December 31, 2006, of $416,000.
    Net income previously reported for 2008 totaled $5.7 million compared to restated net income which totaled $5.5 million, a net decrease of $0.2 million. Net income previously reported for 2007 totaled $10.3 million compared to restated net income which totaled $9.8 million, a net decrease of $0.5 million. 
    Below depicts changes as currently reported (restated) compared to information previously reported.
 
   
Restated
   
Previously Reported
   
Changes
 
   
For the Years Ended
   
For the Years Ended
   
For the Years Ended
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands except per share data)
 
                                     
Other assets
  $ 6,364     $ 5,051     $ 6,563     $ 5,117     $ (199 )   $ (66 )
Total assets
    871,233       807,994       871,432       808,060       (199 )     (66 )
Other liabilities
    4,219       2,096       3,275       1,254       944       842  
Total liabilities
    805,746       741,640       804,802       740,798       944       842  
Retained earnings
    36,626       34,671       37,769       35,578       (1,143 )     (907 )
Total stockholders' equity
    65,487       66,355       66,630       67,262       (1,143 )     (907 )
                                                 
Interest expense
  $ 15,881     $ 21,934     $ 15,733     $ 21,398     $ 148     $ 536  
Noninterest expense
    23,241       21,341       23,032       21,133       209       208  
Provision for income taxes
    2,470       5,213       2,591       5,466       (121 )     (253 )
Net income
    5,512       9,772       5,748       10,263       (236 )     (491 )
                                                 
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.99     $ 1.76     $ 1.03     $ 1.85     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.09 )

Note 3. Cash and Due from Banks
    Certain reserves are required to be maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank. The requirement as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $13.7 million and $14.1 million, respectively. The Company has accounts at various correspondent banks, excluding the Federal Reserve Bank, which exceeded the FDIC insured limit of $250,000 by $9.0 million at December 31, 2009.  This balance was held at JPMorgan Chase, the correspondent bank which is used to clear cash letters.
 
 
- 60 -


Note 4.  Securities
    A summary comparison of securities by type at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is shown below.

   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
               
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available for sale:
                                               
U.S. Government Agencies
  $ 140,843     $ 382     $ (1,562 )   $ 139,663     $ 58,389     $ 132     $ -     $ 58,521  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,472       104       -       1,576       1,701       82       (5 )     1,778  
Asset-backed securities
    -       8       -       8       532       -       (439 )     93  
Corporate debt securities
    87,238       5,627       (776 )     92,089       57,773       644       (5,077 )     53,340  
Mutual funds or other equity securities
    6,556       83       (495 )     6,144       795       26       (147 )     674  
Municipal bonds
    10,000       -       -       10,000       -       -       -       -  
 Total available for sale securities
  $ 246,109     $ 6,204     $ (2,833 )   $ 249,480     $ 119,190     $ 884     $ (5,668 )   $ 114,406  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Held to maturity:
                                                               
U.S. Government Agencies
  $ 10,721     $ 52     $ -     $ 10,773     $ 22,680     $ 160     $ -     $ 22,840  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    1,628       61       -       1,689       2,076       21       (1 )     2,096  
  Total held to maturity securities
  $ 12,349     $ 113     $ -     $ 12,462     $ 24,756     $ 181     $ (1 )   $ 24,936  
                                                                 
 
    The scheduled maturities of securities at December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
 
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available For Sale:
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 8,924     $ 9,083  
Due after one year through five years
    72,125       76,441  
Due after five years through 10 years
    110,562       110,415  
Over 10 years
    54,498       53,541  
  Total available for sale securities
  $ 246,109     $ 249,480  
                 
Held to Maturity:
               
Due in one year or less
  $ -     $ -  
Due after one year through five years
    171       174  
Due after five years through 10 years
    1,520       1,597  
Over 10 years
    10,658       10,691  
  Total held to maturity securities
  $ 12,349     $ 12,462  
                 
 
    At December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately $154.5 million and $85.4 million, respectively, in securities were pledged to secure public fund deposits, and for other purposes required or permitted by law. Gross realized gains were $2.1 million, $4,000 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Gross realized losses were $61,000, $5,000 and $478,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The tax (benefit) provision applicable to these realized net (losses)/gains amounted to $0.7 million, $0, and $(163,000), respectively. Proceeds from sales of securities classified as available for sale amounted to $22.1 million, $0.2 million and $65.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 
- 61 -

    The following is a summary of the fair value of securities with gross unrealized losses and an aging of those gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2009.
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
          Unrealized            Unrealized           Unrealized   
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available for sale:
                                   
U.S. Treasury and U.S.
                                   
Government agencies
  $ 74,460     $ 1,562     $ 0     $ 0     $ 74,460     $ 1,562  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Asset-backed securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Corporate debt securities
    1,874       55       4,735       721       6,609       776  
Mutual funds or other equity securites
    498       2       3,724       493       4,222       495  
  Total available for sale securities
  $ 76,832     $ 1,619     $ 8,459     $ 1,214     $ 85,291     $ 2,833  
                                                 
                                                 
Held to maturity:
                                               
U.S. Treasury and U.S.
                                               
Government agencies
  $ 9,776     $ 224     $ -     $ -     $ 9,776     $ 224  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
      Total held to maturity securities
  $ 9,776     $ 224     $ -     $ -     $ 9,776     $ 224  
                                                 
 
    At December 31, 2009, 59 debt securities and 17 equity securities have unrealized losses of $3.1 million or 3.1% of amortized cost. The gross unrealized losses in the portfolio resulted from increases in market interest rates, illiquidity, and declines in net income and other financial indicators caused by the national economy in the market and not from deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The Company believes that it will collect all amounts contractually due and has the intent and the ability to hold these securities until the fair value is at least equal to the carrying value. The Company had 30 U.S. Government agency securities and nine debt securities that had gross unrealized losses for less than 12 months. The Company had 20 corporate debt securities and 17 equity securities which have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer. All securities with unrealized losses, greater than 12 months, were classified as available for sale. All securities with unrealized losses, less than 12 months, were classified as available for sale except $9.8 million in agency securities. These securities with unrealized losses resulted from increases in interest rates and illiquidity in the market and not from deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.
    During the fourth quarter of 2009, three agency securities with a par value of $10.0 million were transferred from available for sale to held to maturity. These three securities had a fair market value totaling $9.8 and an average maturity of approximately 14 years. The unrealized loss of $224,000 was recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss and will be amortized over the life of the securities or until the security is called.
    Irrespective of the classification, accounting and reporting treatment as AFS or HTM securities, if any decline in the market value of a security is deemed to be other than temporary, then the security’s carrying value shall be written down to fair value and the amount of the write down reflected in earnings. Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least quarterly and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (iii) the recovery of contractual principal and interest and (iv) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, Management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred and industry reports.
    The amount of investment securities issued by government agencies, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities with unrealized losses and the amount of unrealized losses on those investment securities are primarily the result of market interest rates and illiquidity in the market. The company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until recovery, which may be until maturity.
    The corporate debt securities consist primarily of corporate bonds issued by financial institutions, insurance and real estate companies. Also included in corporate debt securities are trust preferred capital securities, many issued by national and global financial services firms. The market values of corporate bonds have declined over the last several months due to larger credit spreads on financial sector debt as well as the real estate markets. The Company believes that the each of the issuers will be able to fulfill the obligations of these securities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until they recover, which could be at their maturity dates.
 
 
- 62 -

    Other than the corporate debt securities, the Company attributes the unrealized losses mainly to increases in market interest rates over the yield available at the time the underlying securities were purchased and does not expect to incur a loss unless the securities are sold prior to maturity.
    Overall market declines, particularly in the banking and financial institutions, as well as the real estate market, are a result of significant stress throughout the regional and national economy. Securities with unrealized losses, in which the Company has not already taken an OTTI charge, are currently performing according to their contractual terms. Management has the intent and ability to hold these securities for the foreseeable future. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. As a result of uncertainties in the market place affecting companies in the financial services industry, it is at least reasonably possible that a change in the estimate will occur in the near term.
    Securities that are other-than-temporarily impaired are evaluated at least quarterly. The evaluation includes performance indications of the underlying assets in the security, loan to collateral value, third-party guarantees, current levels of subordination, geographic concentrations, industry analysts reports, sector credit ratings, volatility of the securities fair value, liquidity, leverage and capital ratios, the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If the company is in bankruptcy, the status and potential out come is also considered.
    The Company believes that the securities with unrealized losses reflect impairment that is temporary and that there are currently no securities with other-than-temporary impairment.
    During 2009, the Company recorded an impairment writedown totaling $829,000. The impairment writedown consisted of one corporate debt security totaling $243,000 issued by Colonial Bank which had an unrealized loss of $233,000, three asset backed securities totaling $381,000 issued by ALESCO which had unrealized losses of $377,000 and two asset backed securities totaling $205,000 issued by TRAPEZA which had unrealized losses of $200,000.
    During 2008 the Company recorded an impairment writedown totaling $4,611,000. The impairment writedown consisted of three preferred stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac totaling $3,046,000, on a cost basis, which had unrealized losses of $1,991,000 and $1,010,000, respectively, debt securities totaling $727,000 and $240,000 issued by Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual which had unrealized losses of $634,000 and $239,000, respectively.  The Company also recorded an impairment writedown on $510,000 and $739,000 in asset backed securities issued by TRAPEZA and ALESCO (CDOs) which had unrealized losses of $344,000 and $409,000, respectively. 
    At December 31, 2009, the Company’s exposure to four investment security issuers exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
  $ 52,513     $ 52,021  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)
    35,017       34,981  
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
    48,849       48,359  
Federal Farm Credit Bank (FFCB)
    18,230       18,050  
 Total
  $ 154,609     $ 153,411  
                 

Note 5.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
    The following table summarizes the components of the Company's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
 
- 63 -


   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
As % of
         
As % of
 
   
Balance
   
Category
   
Balance
   
Category
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Real estate
                       
   Construction & land development
  $ 78,686       13.3 %   $ 92,029       15.2 %
   Farmland
    11,352       1.9 %     16,403       2.7 %
   1-4 Family
    77,470       13.1 %     79,285       13.1 %
   Multifamily
    8,927       1.5 %     15,707       2.6 %
   Non-farm non-residential
    300,673       51.0 %     261,744       43.0 %
      Total real estate
    477,108       80.8 %     465,168       76.6 %
                                 
Agricultural
    14,017       2.4 %     18,536       3.0 %
Commercial and industrial
    82,348       13.9 %     105,555       17.4 %
Consumer and other
    17,226       2.9 %     17,926       3.0 %
        Total loans before unearned income
    590,699       100.0 %     607,185       100.0 %
Less: unearned income
    (797 )             (816 )        
        Total loans net of unearned income
  $ 589,902             $ 606,369          
                                 

 
 

 

 
- 64 -

    The following table summarizes fixed and floating rate loans by maturity and repricing frequencies as of December 31, 2009:

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Fixed
   
Floating
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
One year or less
  $ 224,963     $ 77,651     $ 302,614  
One to five years
    229,276       2,408       231,684  
Five to 15 years
    25,122       -       25,122  
Over 15 years
    16,299       -       16,299  
  Subtotal
    495,660       80,059       575,719  
Nonaccrual loans
                    14,183  
  Total loans net of unearned income
  $ 495,660     $ 80,059     $ 589,902  
                         
 
    Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 6,482     $ 6,193     $ 6,675  
Additional provision from acquisition
    -       -       325  
Provision charged to expense
    4,155       1,634       1,918  
Loans charged off
    (2,879 )     (1,613 )     (3,885 )
Recoveries
    161       268       1,160  
  Balance, end of year
  $ 7,919     $ 6,482     $ 6,193  
                         

    The allowance for loan losses is reviewed by Management on a monthly basis and additions thereto are recorded in order to maintain the allowance at an adequate level. In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, Management considers a variety of internal and external factors that might impact the performance of individual loans. These factors include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and their impact upon borrowers' ability to repay loans, respective industry trends, borrower estimates and independent appraisals. Periodic changes in these factors impact Management's assessment of each loan and its overall impact on the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
    As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had loans totaling $14.2 million, $9.1 million and $10.3 million, respectively, on which the accrual of interest had been discontinued. As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaling $0.8 million, $205,000 and $547,000, respectively.
    The average amount of non-accrual loans in 2009 was $10.6 million compared to $9.9 million in 2008. Had these loans performed in accordance with their original terms, the Company's interest income would have been increased by approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impaired loans at December 31, 2009 and 2008, including non-accrual loans, amounted to $33.4 million and $11.4 million, respectively. The portion of the allowance for loan losses allocated to all impaired loans amounted to $2.7 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, the Company has no outstanding commitments to advance additional funds in connection with impaired loans.


 
- 65 -

    The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans as of December 31:

   
2009
   
2008
       
   
(in thousands)
       
                   
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
  $ 5,853     $ 6,084        
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
    28,080       5,267        
 Total impaired loans
  $ 33,933     $ 11,351        
                       
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 2,967     $ 1,353        
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 14,183     $ 9,129        
Total loans past due ninety days and still accruing
  $ 785     $ 205        
                       
      2009       2008       2007  
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Average investment in impaired loans
  $ 8,979     $ 9,027     $ 7,571  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
  $ 184     $ 1,049     $ 764  
Interest income recognized on a cash basis on  impaired loans
  $ 565     $ 283     $ 182  
 
Note 6.  Premises and Equipment
    The major categories comprising premises and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Land
  $ 4,514     $ 4,693  
Bank premises
    16,608       15,333  
Furniture and equipment
    14,264       13,763  
 Acquired value
    35,386       33,789  
Less: accumulated depreciation
    18,682       17,648  
 Net book value
  $ 16,704     $ 16,141  
                 
 
    Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Note 7.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
    The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (SFAS No. 142).  Under FASB ASC 350, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the provision of FASB ASC 350. Other intangible assets continue to be amortized over their useful lives. Goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $2.0 million and was acquired in the Homestead acquisition in 2007. No impairment charges were recognized during 2009.
    Mortgage servicing rights totaled $136,000 at December 31, 2009 and $29,000 at December 31, 2008.
    Other intangible assets recorded include core deposit intangibles, which are subject to amortization. The core deposits reflect the value of deposit relationships, including the beneficial rates, which arose from the purchase of other financial institutions and the purchase of various banking center locations from one single financial institution. The following table summarizes the Company’s purchased accounting intangible assets subject to amortization.

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Gross Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Net Carrying
   
Gross Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Net Carrying
 
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Amount
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Amount
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                                     
Core deposit intangibles
  $ 7,997     $ 6,240     $ 1,757     $ 7,997     $ 5,948     $ 2,049  
Mortgage Servicing Rights
    157       21       136       32       3       29  
  Total
  $ 8,154     $ 6,261     $ 1,893     $ 8,029     $ 5,951     $ 2,078  
                                                 
 
 
- 66 -

    Amortization expense relating to purchase accounting intangibles totaled $291,000, $311,000, and $203,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The weighted average amortization period of these assets is 9.3 years. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

 For the Years Ended
December 31,
   
 Estimated 
Amortization Expense
(in thousands)
2010
    $
218
 
2011
     
218
 
2012
     
216
 
2013
     
185
 
2014
     
185
 
 
    These estimates do not assume the addition of any new intangible assets that may be acquired in the future nor any writedowns resulting from impairment.

Note 8. Other Real Estate
    As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 other real estate, net, (ORE) totaled $0.7 million and $0.6 million. ORE consisted of $292,000 of 1-4 family residential properties and $366,000 non-farm non-residential properties at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2008, ORE consisted of $89,000 of construction, land development and other loans, $223,000 of 1-4 family residential properties and $256,000 of non-farm nonresidential properties.

Note 9.  Deposits
    The aggregate amount of jumbo time deposits, each with a minimum denomination of $100,000, was approximately $271.2 million and $247.8 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
    At December 31, 2009, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
Due in one year or less
  $ 349,719  
Due after one year through three years
    50,529  
Due after three years
    39,156  
  Total
  $ 439,404  
         
 
    The table above includes brokered deposits totaling $10.1 million in reciprocal time deposits acquired from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS). At December 31, 2008, the Company had $13.0 million in brokered deposits.

Note 10.  Borrowings
    Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 11,929     $ 9,767  
 Total short-term borrowings
  $ 11,929     $ 9,767  
                 

    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are classified as secured borrowings, generally mature daily. Interest rates on repurchase agreements are set by Management and are generally based on the 91-day Treasury bill rate. Repurchase agreement deposits are fully collateralized and monitored daily.
    The Company’s available lines of credit with correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank, totaled $156.1 million at December 31, 2009 and $140.4 million at December 31, 2008.
    At December 31, 2009, the Company had $142.6 million in blanket lien availability (primarily secured by commercial real estate loans) and $110.3 million in custody status availability (primarily secured by commercial real estate loans and 1-4 family mortgage loans). Total gross availability at the FHLB was $252.9 million at December 31, 2009 but was reduced by its outstanding long-term advance totaling $20.0 million and letters of credit totaling $140.0 million. Net availability with the FHLB at December 31, 2009 was $92.9 million. The Company also had lines available with other correspondent banks totaling $63.2 million at December 31, 2009.
    With the exception of the FHLB, no other lines were outstanding with any other correspondent bank at December 31, 2009.
 
 
- 67 -

    The following schedule provides certain information about the Company’s short-term borrowings during the periods indicated:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Outstanding at year end
  $ 11,929     $ 9,767     $ 10,401  
Maximum month-end outstanding
    26,372       41,321       45,766  
Average daily outstanding
    18,233       11,379       16,655  
Weighted average rate during the year
    0.81 %     2.16 %     5.18 %
Average rate at year end
    0.23 %     0.19 %     3.50 %
 
    At December 31, 2009, long-term debt consisted of two advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. In November 2009, the Company obtained an original $10.0 million amortizing one year advance at a rate of 0.861%. The Company makes monthly principal and interest payments. In December 2009, the Company obtained a $10.0 million interest only advance with a one year maturity at a rate of 0.480%. The Company makes monthly interest payments with the balloon note due in December 2010. The outstanding balance on the long-term debt was $20.0 million at December 31, 2009.
    At December 31, 2008, one long-term advance was outstanding at the FHLB totaling $8.4 million with a rate of 3.14% and a maturity date of October 1, 2009.
    At December 31, 2009, letters of credit issued by the FHLB totaling $140.0 million were outstanding and carried as off-balance sheet items, all of which expire in 2010. At December 31, 2008, letters of credit issued by the FHLB totaling $155.0 million were outstanding and carried as off-balance sheet items, all of which expire in 2009. The letters of credit are solely used for pledging towards public fund deposits. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Note 11.  Issuance of Preferred Stock
    On August 28, 2009, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement, which includes a Securities Purchase Agreement and a Side Letter Agreement (together, the “Purchase Agreement”), with the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury Department”) pursuant to which the Company has issued and sold to the Treasury Department 2,069.9 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $1,000 per share for a total purchase price of $20.7 million. In addition to the issuance of the Series A Stock, as a part of the transaction, the Company issued to the Treasury Department a warrant to purchase 114.44444 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, and immediately following the issuance of the Series A stock, the Treasury Department exercised its rights and acquired 103 of the Series B shares through a cashless exercise. The newly issued Series A Stock, generally non-voting stock, pays cumulative dividends of 5% for five years, and a rate of 9% dividends, per annum, thereafter. The newly issued Series B Stock, generally non-voting, pays cumulative dividends at a rate of 9% per annum. Both the Series A Stock and the Series B Stock were issued in a private placement.

Note 12.  Minimum Capital Requirements
    The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
    Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, that the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.
    As of December 31, 2009, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution 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 the notification that Management believes have changed the Bank’s category. The Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the following table.

 
- 68 -


             
Minimum
             
To Be Well
             
Capitalized Under
       
Minimum Capital
 
Prompt Corrective
 
Actual
 
Requirements
 
Action Provisions
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2009
               
Total risk-based capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
$96,514
12.97%
 
$59,536
8.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      91,388
12.22%
 
      59,834
8.00%
 
      74,793
10.00%
Tier 1 capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
      88,595
11.90%
 
      29,768
4.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      83,469
11.16%
 
      29,917
4.00%
 
      44,876
6.00%
Tier 1 leverage capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
      88,595
9.58%
 
      36,979
4.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      83,469
9.03%
 
      36,985
4.00%
 
      46,231
5.00%
                 
December 31, 2008
               
Total risk-based capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
$71,097
10.11%
 
$56,242
8.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      70,441
9.87%
 
      56,190
8.00%
 
      70,237
10.00%
Tier 1 capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
      64,606
9.19%
 
      28,121
4.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      63,950
8.96%
 
      28,095
4.00%
 
      42,142
6.00%
Tier 1 leverage capital:
               
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
      64,606
7.88%
 
      32,783
4.00%
 
N/A
N/A
 First Guaranty Bank
      63,950
7.81%
 
      32,754
4.00%
 
      40,942
5.00%

Note 13.  Dividend Restrictions
    The Federal Reserve Bank has stated that generally, a bank holding company, should not maintain a rate of distributions to shareholders unless its available net income has been sufficient to fully fund the distributions, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. As a Louisiana corporation, the Company is restricted under the Louisiana corporate law from paying dividends under certain conditions. The Company is currently required to obtain prior written approval from the FRB before declaring or paying any corporate dividend.
    First Guaranty Bank may not pay dividends or distribute capital assets if it is in default on any assessment due to the FDIC.  First Guaranty Bank is also subject to regulations that impose minimum regulatory capital and minimum state law earnings requirements that affect the amount of cash available for distribution. In addition, under the Louisiana Banking Law, dividends may not be paid if it would reduce the unimpaired surplus below 50% of outstanding capital stock in any year.
    The Bank is restricted under applicable laws in the payment of dividends to an amount equal to current year earnings plus undistributed earnings for the immediately preceding year, unless prior permission is received from the Commissioner of Financial Institutions for the State of Louisiana. Dividends payable by the Bank in 2010 without permission will be limited to 2010 earnings.
    Accordingly, at January 1, 2010, $89,399,000 of the Company’s equity in the net assets of the Bank was restricted. Funds available for loans or advances by the Bank to the Company amounted to $9,139,000. In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.

 
- 69 -

Note 14.  Related Party Transactions
    In the normal course of business, the Company has loans, deposits and other transactions with its executive officers, directors and certain business organizations and individuals with which such persons are associated. An analysis of the activity of loans made to such borrowers during the year ended December 31, 2009 follows:


   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 22,457     $ 19,120  
New loans
    16,098       18,947  
Repayments
    (15,215 )     (15,610 )
  Balance, end of year
  $ 23,340     $ 22,457  
                 
 
    Unfunded commitments to the Company’s directors and executive officers totaled $7.7 million and $12.4 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2009 there were no participations in loans purchased from affiliated financial institutions included in the Company’s loan portfolio. During 2008, there were no participations in loans purchased from affiliated financial institutions. Participations sold to affiliated financial institutions totaled $2.4 million and $10.4 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
    During the years ended 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid approximately $551,000, $504,000 and $715,000, respectively, for printing services and supplies and office furniture and equipment to Champion Graphic Communications (or subsidiary companies of Champion Industries, Inc.), of which Mr. Marshall T. Reynolds, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, is President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors and holder of 41.8% of the capital stock as of January 15, 2010; approximately $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to participate in the Champion Industries, Inc. employee medical benefit plan; and approximately $154,000, $183,000 and $245,000, respectively, to Sabre Transportation, Inc. for travel expenses of the Chairman and other directors. These expenses include, but are not limited to, the utilization of an aircraft, fuel, air crew, ramp fees and other expenses attendant to the Company’s use. The Harrah and Reynolds Corporation, of which Mr. Reynolds is President and Chief Executive Officer and sole shareholder, has controlling interest in Sabre Transportation, Inc.
    During the years ended 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid approximately $66,000, $30,000 and $3,000, respectively, to subsidiaries of Hood Automotive Group, of which Mr. Hood is the President. Expenses include the purchases of new Company vehicles and services on Company owned vehicles.
    During the year ended 2009, 2008 and 2007 the Company engaged the services of Cashe, Lewis, Coudrain and Sandage, attorneys-at-law, of which Mr. Alton Lewis, a director of the Company, was a partner, to represent the Company with certain legal matters. Mr. Lewis had a 25% ownership interest in the law firm. In October 2009, Mr. Lewis joined the Company as the Chief Executive Officer. As of that date, Mr. Lewis was no longer a partner in the law firm Cashe, Lewis, Coudrain and Sandage. The fees paid to Cashe, Lewis, Coudrain and Sandage for legal services totaled $114,000 for the year period ended September 30, 2009. The fees paid for these legal services totaled $162,000 and $178,000 for the years ended 2008 and 2007.

Note 15.  Employee Benefit Plans
    The Company has an employee savings plan to which employees, who meet certain service requirements, may defer one to 20 percent of their base salaries, six percent of which may be matched up to 100%, at its sole discretion. Contributions to the savings plan were $64,000, $64,000 and $115,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
    An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) benefits all eligible employees. Full-time employees who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service during a 12 consecutive month period and who have attained age 21 are eligible to participate in the ESOP. The plan document has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions to the ESOP are at the sole discretion of the Company.
    Voluntary contributions of $100,000 to the ESOP were made in 2009, 2008, and 2007 for the purchase of shares from third parties at market value. As of December 31, 2009, the ESOP held 21,652 shares.
 
 
- 70 -


Note 16.  Income Taxes                                             
    The following is a summary of the provision for income taxes included in the Statements of Income:
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Current
  $ 3,705     $ 5,423     $ 4,632  
Deferred
    67       (2,848 )     (40 )
Tax credits
    (46 )     (105 )     (81 )
Tax benefits attributable to items charged to goodwill
    -       -       726  
Benefit of operating loss carryforward
    -       -       (24 )
  Total
  $ 3,726     $ 2,470     $ 5,213  
                         
 
    The difference between income taxes computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate and the provision for income taxes in the financial statements is reconciled as follows:

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Statutory tax rate
    34.0 %     34.3 %     34.2 %
Federal income taxes at statutory rate
  $ 3,854     $ 2,739     $ 5,126  
Tax credits
    (46 )     (105 )     (81 )
Other
    (82 )     (164 )     168  
  Total
  $ 3,726     $ 2,470     $ 5,213  
                         
 
    Deferred taxes are recorded based upon differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and available tax credit carryforwards. Temporary differences between the financial statement and tax values of assets and liabilities give rise to deferred tax assets (liabilities). The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 2,692     $ 2,204  
Other real estate owned
    36       45  
Impairment writedown on securities
    1,236       1,568  
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities
    -       1,627  
Other
    145       91  
  Gross deferred tax assets
  $ 4,109     $ 5,535  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    (1,238 )     (1,018 )
Unrealized gains on avalable for sale securities
    (1,070 )     -  
Other
    (817 )     (754 )
  Gross deferred tax liabilities
    (3,125 )     (1,772 )
    Net deferred tax assets
  $ 984     $ 3,763  
                 

    As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, there were no net operating loss carry forwards for income tax purposes.
   
 
- 71 -

    The FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes (FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the consolidated financial statements recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The company does not believe it has any unrecognized tax benefits included in its consolidated financial statements. The Company has not had any settlements in the current period with taxing authorities, nor has it recognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statue of limitations.
    The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, if applicable, in noninterest expense. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company did not recognize any interest or penalties in its consolidated financial statements, nor has it recorded an accrued liability for interest or penalty payments.

 Note 17.  Comprehensive Income
    The following is a summary of the components of other comprehensive income as presented in the Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net
  $ 9,382     $ (8,889 )   $ 387  
Unrealized loss on held to maturity securities, net
    (224 )     -       -  
Reclassification for OTTI losses
    829       4,612       -  
Reclassification adjustments for net losses, realized net income
    (2,056 )     1       478  
  Other comprehensive income (loss)
    7,931       (4,277 )     865  
Income tax (provision) benefit related to other comprehensive income
    (2,696 )     1,454       (295 )
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
  $ 5,235     $ (2,823 )   $ 570  
                         

Note 18.  Off-Balance Sheet Items
    The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of the involvement in particular classes of financial instruments.
    The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. The same credit policies are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
    Unless otherwise noted, collateral or other security is not required to support financial instruments with credit risk.
    Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on Management's credit evaluation of the counterpart. Collateral requirements vary but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and commercial properties.
    Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. The majority of these guarantees are short-term, one year or less; however, some guarantees extend for up to three years. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Collateral requirements are the same as on-balance sheet instruments and commitments to extend credit.
    There were no losses incurred on any commitments in 2009 or 2008.
    A summary of the notional amounts of the financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Financial instruments whose contract
           
 amounts represent credit risk:
           
    Commitments to extend credit
  $ 51,132     $ 90,938  
    Standby letters of credit
    7,091       7,647  

 
- 72 -

Note 19.  Fair Value Measurements
    Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-65, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (SFAS No. 157), for financial assets and liabilities. FASB ASC 820-1-65 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Valuation techniques use certain inputs to arrive at fair value. Inputs to valuation techniques are the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. They may be observable or unobservable. FASB ASC 820-1-65 establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

    Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting 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 or liabilities in active markets,
    quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds or credit
    risks) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

    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.

    The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:


     
Fair Value Measurements at
     
December 31, 2009, Using
     
Quoted
   
     
Prices In
   
     
Active
   
     
Markets
Significant
 
 
Assets/Liabilities
 
For
Other
Significant
 
Measured at Fair
 
Identical
Observable
Unobservable
 
Value
 
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
(in thousands)
December 31, 2009
 
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
           
Securities available for sale
 $                   249,480
 
 $           16,943
 $         223,537
 $             9,000


    Securities Available for Sale.  Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 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, market yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit information and the instrument’s contractual terms and conditions, among other things. Cash flow valuations were performed on Level 3 securities. Level 3 securities consist of 2 municipal bonds from the same issuer that were purchased in 2009 for $9.0 million. There has been no gain or loss recognized in 2009 on the securitites valued utilizing Level 3 inputs. Cash flow valuations were done on these securities to facilitate in the calculation of the other-than-temporary impairment charge taken on those securities in 2008 (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
    Impaired Loans.  Certain financial assets such as impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment. The fair value of impaired loans was $31.3 million at December 31, 2009. The fair value of impaired loans is measured by either the fair value of the collateral as determined by appraisals or independent valuation (Level 2), or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the loan (Level 3).
    Certain non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis including assets and liabilities related to reporting units measured at fair value in the testing of goodwill impairment, as well as intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment.

 
- 73 -

Note 20.  Financial Instruments
    Fair value estimates are generally subjective in nature and are dependent upon a number of significant assumptions associated with each instrument or group of similar instruments, including estimates of discount rates, risks associated with specific financial instruments, estimates of future cash flows and relevant available market information. Fair value information is intended to represent an estimate of an amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between a willing buyer and seller engaging in an exchange transaction. However, since there are no established trading markets for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, the Company may not be able to immediately settle financial instruments; as such, the fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized through immediate settlement. In addition, the majority of the financial instruments, such as loans and deposits, are held to maturity and are realized or paid according to the contractual agreement with the customer.
    Quoted market prices are used to estimate fair values when available. However, due to the nature of the financial instruments, in many instances quoted market prices are not available. Accordingly, estimated fair values have been estimated based on other valuation techniques, such as discounting estimated future cash flows using a rate commensurate with the risks involved or other acceptable methods. Fair values are estimated without regard to any premium or discount that may result from concentrations of ownership of financial instruments, possible income tax ramifications or estimated transaction costs. The fair value estimates are subjective in nature and involve matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Fair values are also estimated at a specific point in time and are based on interest rates and other assumptions at that date. As events change the assumptions underlying these estimates, the fair values of financial instruments will change.
    Disclosure of fair values is not required for certain items such as lease financing, investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, obligations of pension and other postretirement benefits, premises and equipment, other real estate, prepaid expenses, the value of long-term relationships with depositors (core deposit intangibles) and other customer relationships, other intangible assets and income tax assets and liabilities. Fair value estimates are presented for existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses have not been considered in the estimates. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not purport to represent and should not be considered representative of the underlying market or franchise value of the Company.
    Because the standard permits many alternative calculation techniques and because numerous assumptions have been used to estimate the fair values, reasonable comparison of the fair value information with other financial institutions' fair value information cannot necessarily be made.
    The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values of each class of financial instruments, that are not disclosed above, are as follows:
Cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks, federal funds sold and federal funds purchased. These items are generally short-term in nature and, accordingly, the carrying amounts reported in the Statements of Condition are reasonable approximations of their fair values.
Interest-bearing time deposits with banks. Time deposits are purchased from other financial institutions for investment purposes. Time deposits with banks do not have a balance greater than $250,000. Interest earned is paid monthly and not reinvested as principal. The carrying amount of interest-bearing time deposits with banks approximates its fair value.
Investment Securities. Fair values are principally based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments or the use of discounted cash flow analyses.
Loans Held for Sale. Fair values of mortgage loans held for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors or prevailing market prices.
Loans, net. Market values are computed present values using net present value formulas. The present value is the sum of the present value of all projected cash flows on an item at a specified discount rate. The discount rate is set as an appropriate rate index, plus or minus an appropriate spread.
Accrued interest receivable. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value.
Deposits. Market values are actually computed present values using net present value formulas. The present value is the sum of the present value of all projected cash flows on an item at a specified discount rate. The discount rate is set as an appropriate rate index, plus or minus an appropriate spread.
Accrued interest payable. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.
Borrowings. The carrying amount of federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values. The fair value of the Company’s long-term borrowings is actually computed present values using net present value formulas. The present value is the sum of the present value of all projected cash flows on a item at a specified discount rate. The discount rate is set as an appropriate rate index, plus or minus an appropriate spread.
Other unrecognized financial instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees charged to enter into similar legally binding agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and customers' credit ratings. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair values of letters of credit are based on fees charged for similar agreements or on estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. At December 31, 2009 and 2008 the fair value of guarantees under commercial and standby letters of credit was immaterial.
 
 
- 74 -

 
    The estimated fair values and carrying values of the financial instruments at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the following table:

   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
Estimated
         
Estimated
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Assets
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 46,718     $ 46,718     $ 78,017     $ 78,017  
Interest-bearing time deposits with banks
    -       -       21,481       21,578  
Securities, available for sale
    249,480       249,480       114,406       114,406  
Securities, held to maturity
    12,349       12,462       24,756       24,936  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    2,547       2,547       944       944  
Loans, net
    581,983       584,248       599,887       606,486  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,807       5,807       4,611       4,611  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Deposits
  $ 799,746     $ 802,183     $ 780,372     $ 786,928  
Borrowings
    31,929       31,918       18,122       18,224  
Accrued interest payable
    2,519       2,519       3,033       3,033  
 
    There is no material difference between the contract amount and the estimated fair value of off-balance sheet items that are primarily comprised of short-term unfunded loan commitments that are generally priced at market.

Note 21.  Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks
    Personal, commercial and residential loans are granted to customers, most of who reside in northern and southern areas of Louisiana. Although we have a diversified loan portfolio, significant portions of the loans are collateralized by real estate located in Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding parishes in southeast Louisiana. Declines in the Louisiana economy could result in lower real estate values which could, under certain circumstances, result in losses to the Company.
    The distribution of commitments to extend credit approximates the distribution of loans outstanding. Commercial and standby letters of credit were granted primarily to commercial borrowers. Generally, credit is not extended in excess of $8.0 million to any single borrower or group of related borrowers.
    Approximately 33.6% of the Company’s deposits are derived from local governmental agencies. These governmental depositing authorities are generally long-term customers. A number of the depositing authorities are under contractual obligation to maintain their operating funds exclusively with us. In most cases, the Company is required to pledge securities or letters of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank to the depositing authorities to collateralize their deposits. Under certain circumstances, the withdrawal of all of, or a significant portion of, the deposits of one or more of the depositing authorities may result in a temporary reduction in liquidity, depending primarily on the maturities and/or classifications of the securities pledged against such deposits and the ability to replace such deposits with either new deposits or other borrowings.

Note 22.  Litigation
    The Company is subject to various legal proceedings in the normal course of its business. It is Management’s belief that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 23.  Commitments and Contingencies
    In the ordinary course of business, various outstanding commitments and contingent liabilities arise that are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements. Included among these contingent liabilities are certain provisions in agreements, entered into with outside third parties, to sell loans that may require the Company to repurchase if it becomes delinquent within a specified period of time.

 
- 75 -

Note 24.  Subsequent Events
    On January 27, 2010, the Company sold its Benton banking center located at 196 Burt Boulevard to the Law Enforcement District of Bossier for a sale price of $1.8 million. The Law Enforcement District of Bossier paid $1.1 million and the remainder was donated by the Company. A new Benton banking center was opened at 189 Burt Boulevard, Benton, Louisiana. The cost of the new banking center, including land, building, furniture and equipment totaled approximately $1.5 million.

Note 25.  Condensed Parent Company Information
    The following condensed financial information reflects the accounts and transactions of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (parent company only) for the dates indicated:

 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
 
Condensed Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
 
             
   
December 31,
 
Assets
 
2009
   
2008
 
  Cash
  $ 5,547     $ 93  
  Investment in bank subsidiary
    89,363       64,917  
  Other assets
    409       662  
    Total Assets
  $ 95,319     $ 65,672  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
  Junior subordinated debentures
    -       -  
  Other liabilities
    384       185  
  Stockholders' Equity
    94,935       65,487  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 95,319     $ 65,672  
                 

 
 First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
 
Condensed Statement of Income
 
(in thousands)
 
                   
                   
   
Years ended December 31,
 
Operating Income
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   Dividends received from bank subsidiary
  $ 5,109     $ 7,200     $ 19,630  
   Other income
    4       143       4  
     Total operating income
    5,113       7,343       19,634  
                         
Operating Expenses
                       
  Interest expense
    114       152       233  
  Other expenses
    501       703       448  
     Total operating expenses
    615       855       681  
                         
Income before income tax expense and increase in equity in undistributed
       
  earnings of subsidiary
    4,498       6,488       18,953  
Income tax benefit
    214       289       220  
    Income before increase in equity in undistributed earnings of subdisiary
    4,712       6,777       19,173  
Decrease in equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary
    2,883       (1,265 )     (15,713 )
    Net Income
  $ 7,595     $ 5,512     $ 3,460  
Less preferred stock dividends
    (594 )     -       -  
    Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 7,001     $ 5,512     $ 3,460  
                         


 
- 76 -


                   
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
 
Condensed Statement of Cash Flow
 
                   
   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
                 
Net income
  $ 7,595     $ 5,512     $ 3,460  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
                       
  provided by operating activities:
                       
    Provision for deferred income taxes
    -       (16 )     -  
    (Increase) Decrease in equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary
    (2,883 )     1,265       15,713  
    Net change in other liabilities
    (83 )     65       (17 )
    Net change in other assets
    275       (132 )     (49 )
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
    4,904       6,694       19,107  
                         
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
                       
Payments for investments in and advances to subsidiary
    (16,350 )     -       (5,489 )
Cash paid in excess of cash received in acquisition
    -       -       (11,790 )
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (16,350 )     -       (17,279 )
                         
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
                       
Proceeds from purchased funds and other short-term borrowings
    -       -       17,640  
Repayments of purchased funds and other short-term borrowings
    -       -       (17,640 )
Repayment of long-term debt
    -       (3,093 )     -  
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
    20,699       -       -  
Dividends paid
    (3,799 )     (3,557 )     (1,779 )
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities
    16,900       (6,650 )     (1,779 )
                         
Net Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents
    5,454       44       49  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of the Period
    93       49       -  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Period
  $ 5,547     $ 93     $ 49  
                         

 

 
- 77 -


Item 9 - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
    As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c), a company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company maintains such controls designed to ensure this material information is communicated to Management, including the Chief Executive officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure.
    Management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report are effective. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter in the period covered by this annual report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
    This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only Management’s report in this annual report.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
    The Management of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. has prepared the consolidated financial statements and other information in our Annual Report in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is responsible for its accuracy. The financial statements necessarily include amounts that are based on Management’s best estimates and judgments. In meeting its responsibility, Management relies on internal accounting and related control systems. The internal control systems are designed to ensure that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in our financial records and to safeguard our assets from material loss or misuse. Such assurance cannot be absolute because of inherent limitations in any internal control system.
    Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13 – 15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This section relates to Management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting including controls over the preparation of the schedules equivalent to the basic financial statements and compliance with laws and regulations. Our evaluation included a review of the documentation of controls, evaluations of the design of the internal control system and tests of the effectiveness of internal controls.
    Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, Management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

9b - Other Information
    None

 
- 78 -


Part III

Item 10Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
    Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement.

Item 11 - Executive Compensation
    Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement.

Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Management and Related Stockholder Matters
    Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement.

Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
    Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement.

Item 14 - Principal Accountant Fees and Services
    Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement.


 
- 79 -

Part IV

Item 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
1
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
       
   
Item
Page
   
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
   
Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm
  50
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2009 and 2008
  51
   
Consolidated Statements of Income – Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  52
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity -  December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  53
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  54
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  55
       
 
2
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules
 
   
All schedules to the consolidated financial statements of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary have been omitted because they are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, or because the required information has been provided in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
 
       
 
3
Exhibits
 
       
   
The exhibits required by Regulation S-K are set forth in the following list and are filed either by incorporation by reference from previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or by attachment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K as indicated below.
 
Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit
 
3.1
 
 
Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of First Guaranty Banchshares, Inc. dated July 27, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 on Form 8-K12G3 dated August 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. dated January 4, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 on Form 8-K12G3 dated August 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.3
 
Amendment to Bylaws of First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., dated May 17, 2007 (filed as exhibit 3.3 on Form 8-K12G3 dated August 2, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
11
 
Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings Per Share
 
12
 
Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios
 
14.1
 
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers and Directors adopted March 20, 2009 (filed at Exhibit 14.3 on the Company’s Form 10-K dated March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference)
 
14.2
 
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers adopted March 20, 2009 (filed at Exhibit 14.4 on the Company’s Form 10-K dated March 31, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
14.3
 
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers and Directors adopted March 18, 2010.
 
14.4
 
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers adopted March 18, 2010.
 
21
 
Subsidiaries of the First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 21 on the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 8, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
24
 
Power of attorney
 
31.1
 
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2
 
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1
 
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2
 
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
99.1   Chief Executive Officer TARP Certification   
99.2    Chief Financial Officer TARP Certification   

 
- 80 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Bank has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

Dated: March 31, 2010


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


 /s/ Alton B. Lewis
Alton B. Lewis
Chief Executive Officer and
Director
March 31, 2010
     
     
/s/ Michele E. LoBianco
Michele E. LoBianco
Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
March 31, 2010
     
     
*___________________________
Marshall T. Reynolds
Chairman of the Board
March 31, 2010
 
     
     
*___________________________
William K. Hood
Director
March 31, 2010
     
       





*By: /s/ Alton B. Lewis
         Alton B. Lewis
         Under Power of Attorney

 
- 81 -