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FIRST KEYSTONE CORP - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

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

FORM 10-K

x  ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year 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:  2-88927

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 
Pennsylvania
 
23-2249083
 
         
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
         
 
111 West Front Street Berwick, Pennsylvania
 
18603
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (570) 752-3671

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨       No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes ¨       No x

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

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

Indicate by check mark if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will 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.
x

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 “small reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.          Large accelerated filer ¨                    Accelerated filer  x                   Non-accelerated filer ¨                   Smaller reporting company ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes ¨      No x

The aggregate market value of the registrants outstanding voting common stock held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2009 determined by using a per share closing price on that date of $16.15 as quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, was $79,988,721.

At March 8, 2010, there were 5,440,196 shares of Common Stock, $2.00 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's 2010 definitive Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Report.

 
 

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
FORM 10-K

Table of Contents

 
Page
Part I
   
     
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
8
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
11
Item 2.
Description of Properties
11
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
12
Item 4.
Reserved
12
     
Part II
   
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
12
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
15
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
32
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
33
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
75
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
75
Item 9B.
Other Information
76
     
Part III
   
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
76
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
76
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
77
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
77
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
77
     
Part IV
   
     
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
77
 
Signatures
79
 
Exhibit 21
 
 
Exhibit 23
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
 
Exhibit 31.2
 
 
Exhibit 32.1
 
 
Exhibit 32.2
 
 
 
iii

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
FORM 10-K

PART I

Forward Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (a) projections or statements regarding future earnings, expenses, net interest income, other income, earnings or loss per share, asset mix and quality, growth prospects, capital structure, and other financial terms, (b) statements of plans and objectives of management or the Board of Directors, and © statements of assumptions, such as economic conditions in the Corporations market areas.  Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, expects, may, intends, will, should, anticipates, or the negative of any of the foregoing or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy.

Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties such as local economic conditions, competitive factors, and regulatory limitations.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: ineffectiveness of the business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; the effects of economic deterioration on current customers, specifically the effect of the economy on loan customers ability to repay loans; the effects of competition, and of changes in laws and regulations on competition, including industry consolidation and development of competing financial products and services; interest rate movements; the inability to achieve merger-related synergies; difficulties in integrating distinct business operations, including information technology difficulties; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers and employees, and challenges in establishing and maintaining operations in new markets; volatilities in the securities markets; and deteriorating economic conditions.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  They only reflect managements analysis as of this date.  The Corporation does not revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or changed circumstances.  Please carefully review the risk factors described in this document and in other documents the Corporation files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and any Current Reports on Form 8-K.

ITEM 1.       BUSINESS

First Keystone Corporation is a Pennsylvania business corporation, and a bank holding company, registered with and supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  The Corporation was incorporated on July 6, 1983, and commenced operations on July 2, 1984, upon consummation of the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of First Keystone National Bank.  The Corporation has one wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank, which has a commercial banking operation and trust department as its major lines of business.  Since commencing operations, the Corporation's business has consisted primarily of managing and supervising the Bank, and its principle source of income has been dividends paid by the Bank.  Greater than 98% of the company's revenue and profit came from the commercial banking department for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, and was the only reportable segment.  At December 31, 2009, the Corporation had total consolidated assets, deposits and stockholders' equity of approximately $758 million, $581 million and $74 million, respectively.

The Bank was organized in 1864.  The Bank is a national banking association that is a member of the Federal Reserve System.  Its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to the maximum extent of the law regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  The Bank has fifteen branch locations (five branches within Columbia County, five branches within Luzerne County, one branch in Montour County, and four branches within Monroe County, Pennsylvania), and is a full service commercial bank providing a wide range of services to individuals and small to medium sized businesses in its Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania market area.  The Bank's commercial banking activities include accepting time, demand, and savings deposits and making secured and unsecured commercial, real estate and consumer loans.  Additionally, the Bank also provides personal and corporate trust and agency services to individuals, corporations, and others, including trust investment accounts, investment advisory services, mutual funds, estate planning, and management of pension and profit sharing plans.

 
1

 

Acquisition
 
Effective November 1, 2007, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Pocono Community Bank through the merger of Pocono with and into the Bank.  On the acquisition date, Pocono Community Bank had approximately $150 million in assets, $105 million in loans and $110 million in deposits.  Headquartered in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and organized in 1996, Pocono had 4 banking offices located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  The acquisition expands the branch network of the Corporation and provides Pocono customers with a broader array of products and services.  The Pocono branches continue to operate as a division of the Bank under the name Pocono Community Bank, a division of First Keystone National Bank.
 
Supervision and Regulation
 
The Corporation is subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC and of state securities laws for matters relating to the offering and sale of its securities.  The Corporation is currently subject to the SEC's rules and regulations relating to company's whose shares are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
The Corporation is also subject to the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended , and to supervision by the Federal Reserve Board.  The Bank Holding Company Act requires the Corporation to secure the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of substantially all of the assets of any institution, including another bank.
 
The Bank Holding Company Act also prohibits acquisition of control of a bank holding company, such as the Corporation, without prior notice to the Federal Reserve Board.  Control is defined for this purpose as the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of a bank holding company or to vote 25% (or 10%, if no other person or persons acting on concert, holds a greater percentage of the Common Stock) or more of the Corporation's Common Stock.
 
The Corporation is required to file an annual report with the Federal Reserve Board and any additional information that the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act.  The Federal Reserve Board may also make examinations of the Corporation and any or all of its subsidiaries.
 
The Bank is subject to federal and state statutes applicable to banks chartered under the banking laws of the United States, to members of the Federal Reserve System and to banks whose deposits are insured by the FDIC.  Bank operations are also subject to regulations of the OCC, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC.
 
The primary supervisory authority of the Bank is the OCC, which regulates and examines the Bank.  The OCC has the authority under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act to prevent a national bank from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business.
 
Federal and state banking laws and regulations govern, among other things, the scope of a bank's business, the investments a bank may make, the reserves against deposits a bank must maintain, loans a bank makes and collateral it takes, and the activities of a bank with respect to mergers and consolidations and the establishment of branches.
 
As a subsidiary of a bank holding company, the Bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on any extensions of credit to the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities of the bank holding company or its subsidiaries and on taking such stock or securities as collateral for loans.  The Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations also place certain limitations and reporting requirements on extensions of credit by a bank to principal shareholders of its parent holding company, among others, and to related interests of such principal shareholders.  In addition, such legislation and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person becoming a principal shareholder of a holding company may obtain credit from banks with which the subsidiary bank maintains a correspondent relationship.
 
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act , the OCC possesses the power to prohibit institutions regulated by it from engaging in any activity that would be an unsafe or unsound banking practice or would otherwise be in violation of the law.

 
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Permitted Non-Banking Activities
 
The Federal Reserve Board permits bank holding companies to engage in non-banking activities so closely related to banking, managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.  The Corporation does not at this time engage in any of these non-banking activities, nor does the Corporation have any current plans to engage in any other permissible activities in the foreseeable future.
 
Legislation and Regulatory Changes
 
From time to time, various types of federal and state legislation have been proposed that could result in additional regulations of, and restrictions on, the business of the Bank.  It cannot be predicted whether any such legislation will be adopted or how such legislation would affect the business of the Bank.  As a consequence of the extensive regulation of commercial banking activities in the United States, the Bank's business is particularly susceptible to being affected by federal legislation and regulations that may increase the costs of doing business.
 
From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions.  No prediction can be made as to the likelihood of any major changes or the impact such changes might have on the Corporation and the Bank.  Certain changes of potential significance to the Corporation which have been enacted recently and others which are currently under consideration by Congress or various regulatory agencies are discussed below.
 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
 
The FDICIA established five different levels of capitalization of financial institutions, with prompt corrective actions” and significant operational restrictions imposed on institutions that are capital deficient under the categories.  The five categories are:

·  well capitalized
·  adequately capitalized
·  undercapitalized
·  significantly undercapitalized, and
·  critically undercapitalized.

To be considered well capitalized, an institution must have a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6%, a leverage capital ratio of at least 5%, and must not be subject to any order or directive requiring the institution to improve its capital level.  An institution falls within the adequately capitalized category if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 4%, and a leverage capital ratio of at least 4%.  Institutions with lower capital levels are deemed to be undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, depending on their actual capital levels.  In addition, the appropriate federal regulatory agency may downgrade an institution to the next lower capital category upon a determination that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice.  Institutions are required under FDICIA to closely monitor their capital levels and to notify their appropriate regulatory agency of any basis for a change in capital category.  On December 31, 2009 the Corporation and the Bank exceeded the minimum capital levels of the well capitalized category.
 
Regulatory oversight of an institution becomes more stringent with each lower capital category, with certain prompt corrective actions” imposed depending on the level of capital deficiency.

 
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Other Provisions of FDICIA
 
Each depository institution must submit audited financial statements to its primary regulator and the FDIC, which reports are made publicly available.  In addition, the audit committee of each depository institution must consist of outside directors and the audit committee at large institutions” (as defined by FDIC regulation) must include members with banking or financial management expertise.  The audit committee at large institutions” must also have access to independent outside counsel.  In addition, an institution must notify the FDIC and the institution's primary regulator of any change in the institutions independent auditor, and annual management letters must be provided to the FDIC and the depository institution's primary regulator.  The regulations define a large institution” as one with over $500 million in assets, which does include the Bank.  Also, under the rule, an institution's independent auditor must examine the institution's internal controls over financial reporting and perform agreed-upon procedures to test compliance with laws and regulations concerning safety and soundness.
 
Under FDICIA, each federal banking agency must prescribe certain safety and soundness standards for depository institutions and their holding companies.  Three types of standards must be prescribed:

·  asset quality and earnings
·  operational and managerial, and
·  compensation

Such standards would include a ratio of classified assets to capital, minimum earnings, and, to the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly traded securities of such institutions and holding companies.  Operational and managerial standards must relate to:

·  internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems
·  loan documentation
·  credit underwriting
·  interest rate exposure
·  asset growth, and
·  compensation, fees and benefits

FDICIA also sets forth Truth in Savings disclosure and advertising requirements applicable to all depository institutions.
 
Real Estate Lending Standards.  Pursuant to the FDICIA, the OCC and other federal banking agencies adopted real estate lending guidelines which would set loan-to-value ratios for different types of real estate loans.  The LTV ratio is generally defined as the total loan amount divided by the appraised value of the property at the time the loan is originated.  If the institution does not hold a first lien position, the total loan amount would be combined with the amount of all senior liens when calculating the ratio.  In addition to establishing the LTV ratios, the guidelines require all real estate loans to be based upon proper loan documentation and a recent appraisal of the property.
 
Regulatory Capital Requirements
 
The federal banking regulators have adopted certain risk-based capital guidelines to assist in the assessment of the capital adequacy of a banking organization's operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and transactions, such as letters of credit, and recourse agreements, which are recorded as off balance sheet items.  Under these guidelines, nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit equivalent amounts of off balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as business loans.

 
4

 

The following table presents the Corporation's capital ratios at December 31, 2009.

   
(In Thousands)
 
Tier I Capital
  $ 55,785  
Tier II Capital
    5,323  
Total Capital
  $ 61,108  
         
Adjusted Total Average Assets
    749,798  
Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets1
    513,574  
         
Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio2
    10.86 %
Required Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    4.00 %
Excess Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    6.86 %
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio3
    11.90 %
Required Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    8.00 %
Excess Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
    3.90 %
Tier I Leverage Ratio4
    7.44 %
Required Tier I Leverage Ratio
    4.00 %
Excess Tier I Leverage Ratio
    3.44 %
 

1Includes off-balance sheet items at credit-equivalent values less intangible assets.
2Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I Capital to Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets.
3Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I and Tier II Capital to Total Adjusted Risk-Weighted Assets.
4Tier I Leverage Ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier I Capital to Adjusted Total Average Assets.

The Corporation's ability to maintain the required levels of capital is substantially dependent upon the success of the Corporation's capital and business plans; the impact of future economic events on the Corporation's loan customers; and the Corporation's ability to manage its interest rate risk and investment portfolio and control its growth and other operating expenses.  See also, the information under the caption Capital Strength” appearing on page 28 of this 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Effect of Government Monetary Policies

The earnings of the Corporation are and will be affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies.

The Federal Reserve Board has had, and will likely continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in order to, among other things, curb inflation or combat a recession.  The Federal Reserve Board has a major effect upon the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States government securities and through its regulations of, among other things, the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member bank deposits.  It is not possible to predict the nature and impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

Effects of Inflation

Inflation has some impact on the Bank's operating costs.  Unlike industrial companies, however, substantially all of the Bank's assets and liabilities are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on the Bank's performance than the general levels of inflation.  Over short periods of time, interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as prices of goods and services.

Environmental Regulation

There are several federal and state statutes that regulate the obligations and liabilities of financial institutions pertaining to environmental issues.  In addition to the potential for attachment of liability resulting from its own actions, a bank may be held liable, under certain circumstances, for the actions of its borrowers, or third parties, when such actions result in environmental problems on properties that collateralize loans held by the bank.  Further, the liability has the potential to far exceed the original amount of the loan issued by the Bank.  Currently, neither the Corporation nor the Bank is a party to any pending legal proceeding pursuant to any environmental statute, nor are the Corporation and the Bank aware of any circumstances that may give rise to liability under any such statute.

 
5

 

Interest Rate Risk

Federal banking agency regulations specify that the Bank's capital adequacy include an assessment of the Bank's interest rate risk  exposure.  The standards for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of a banking organization's Interest Rate Risk (IRR) management includes a measurement of Board of Directors and senior management oversight, and a determination of whether a banking organization's procedures for comprehensive risk management are appropriate to the circumstances of the specific banking organization.  First Keystone National Bank has internal IRR models that are used to measure and monitor IRR.  Additionally, the regulatory agencies have been assessing IRR on an informal basis for several years.  For these reasons, the Corporation does not expect the addition of IRR evaluation to the agencies' capital guidelines to result in significant changes in capital requirements for the Bank.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 2000

In 2000, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became law, which is also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act.  The act repealed some Depression-era banking laws and will permit banks, insurance companies and securities firms to engage in each others' businesses after complying with certain conditions and regulations.  The act grants to community banks the power to enter new financial markets as a matter of right that larger institutions have managed to do on an ad hoc basis.  At this time, our company has no plans to pursue these additional possibilities.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

In 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act became law.  The Act was in response to public concerns regarding corporate accountability in connection with recent high visibility accounting scandals.  The stated goals of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are:

 
·
to increase corporate responsibility;
 
·
to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies; and
 
·
to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file periodic reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The legislation includes provisions, among other things:

 
·
governing the services that can be provided by a public companys independent auditors and the procedures for approving such services;
 
·
requiring the chief executive officer and chief financial officer to certify certain matters relating to the companys periodic filings under the Exchange Act;
 
·
requiring expedited filings of reports by insiders of their securities transactions and containing other provisions relating to insider conflicts of interest;
 
·
increasing disclosure requirements relating to critical financial accounting policies and their application;
 
·
increasing penalties for securities law violations; and
 
·
creating a public accounting oversight board, a regulatory body subject to SEC jurisdiction with broad powers to set auditing, quality control and ethics standards for accounting firms.
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions, on October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the EESA”) was signed into law and subsequently amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009. Under the authority of the EESA, as amended, the United States Department of the Treasury (the Treasury”) created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP”) Capital Purchase Program and through this program invested in financial institutions by purchasing preferred stock and warrants to purchase either common stock or additional shares of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2009, the Treasury will not make additional investments under the TARP Capital Purchase Program but is considering continuing a similar program for banks under $10 billion in assets under a different program.

 
6

 

The EESA, as amended, also included a provision for a temporary increase in FDIC insurance coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2009. In May 2009, Congress extended the increased coverage until December 31, 2013. After that time, the per depositor coverage will return to $100,000.

History and Business - Bank

The Bank's legal headquarters are located at 111 West Front Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania.

As of December 31, 2009, the Bank had total assets of $758,330,000, total shareholders' equity of $74,167,000 and total deposits and other liabilities of $684,163,000.

The Bank engages in a full-service commercial banking business, including accepting time and demand deposits, and making secured and unsecured commercial and consumer loans.  The Bank's business is not seasonal in nature.  Its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law.  The Bank has no foreign loans or highly leveraged transaction loans, as defined by the Federal Reserve Board.  Substantially all of the loans in the Banks portfolio have been originated by the Bank.  Policies adopted by the Board of Directors are the basis by which the Bank conducts its lending activities.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Bank had 155 full-time employees and 33 part-time employees.  In the opinion of management, the Bank enjoys a satisfactory relationship with its employees.  The Bank is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement.

Competition - Bank

The Bank competes actively with other area commercial banks and savings and loan associations, many of which are larger than the Bank, as well as with major regional banking and financial institutions.  The Bank's major competitors in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, and Monroe counties are:

·    First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. of Bloomsburg
·    PNC Bank, N.A.
·    M & T Bank
·    FNB Bank, N.A.
·    Wachovia Bank
·    Sovereign Bank
·    Citizens Bank
·    ESSA Bank & Trust
·    First National Community Bank
·    North Penn Bank
·    Wayne Bank

Credit unions are also competitors, especially in Luzerne and Montour counties.  The Bank is generally competitive with all competing financial institutions in its service area with respect to interest rates paid on time and savings deposits, service charges on deposit accounts and interest rates charged on loans.

Concentration
 
The Corporation and the Bank are not dependent for deposits nor exposed by loan concentrations to a single customer or to a small group of customers, such that  the loss of any one or more would not have a materially adverse effect on the financial condition of the Corporation or the Bank.
 
Available Information
 
The Corporations common stock is registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the SEC are available for inspection and copying at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The Corporation is an electronic filer with the SEC.  The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The SECs internet site address is www.sec.gov.

 
7

 
 
A copy of the Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K may be obtained without charge at www.fkyscorp.com or via email at info@fknbank.com.  Information may also be obtained via written request to Investor Relations at First Keystone Corporation, Attention: Cheryl Wynings, 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603.
 
ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS
 
Investments in First Keystone Corporation common stock involve risk.  The market price of First Keystone common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, including:
 
The Corporation Is Subject To Interest Rate Risk
 
The Corporations earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income.  Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the Corporations control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest the Corporation receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) the Corporations ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of the Corporations financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of the Corporations mortgage-backed securities portfolio.  If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, the Corporations net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected.  Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.
 
Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on the Corporations results of operations, any substantial, unexpected, or prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Corporations Profitability Depends Significantly On Economic Conditions In The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 
The Corporations success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the specific local markets in which the Corporation operates.  Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, the Corporation provides banking and financial services to customers primarily in the Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, and Monroe Counties.  The local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on the demand for the Corporations products and services as well as the ability of the Corporations customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of the Corporations deposit funding sources.  Also a significant decline in general economic conditions could impact the local economic conditions and, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Corporation Operates In A Highly Competitive Industry
 
The Corporation faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources.  Such competitors primarily include national, regional, and community banks within the various markets in which the Corporation operates.  Additionally, various out-of-state banks have begun to enter or have announced plans to enter the market areas in which the Corporation currently operates.  The Corporation also faces competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries.  Also, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems.  Many of the Corporations competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures.

 
8

 
 
The Corporations ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:

 
·
The ability to develop, maintain and build upon long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets.
 
·
The ability to expand the Corporation’s market position.
 
·
The scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands.
 
·
The rate at which the Corporation introduces new products and services relative to its competitors.
 
·
Customer satisfaction with the Corporations level of service.
 
·
Industry and general economic trends.

           Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken the Corporations competitive position, which could adversely affect the Corporations growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Corporation Is Subject To Extensive Government Regulation and Supervision
 
The Corporation, primarily through the Bank, is subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not shareholders. These regulations affect the Corporations lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies could affect the Corporation in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject the Corporation to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products the Corporation may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Corporation Is Subject To Claims and Litigation Pertaining To Fiduciary Responsibility
 
From time to time, customers make claims and take legal action pertaining to the Corporations performance of its fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the Corporations performance of its fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Corporation they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Corporation and its products and services as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Trading Volume In The Corporations Common Stock Is Less Than That Of Other Larger Financial Services Companies
 
The Corporations common stock is currently not listed, but traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board.  As a result, trading volume is less than that of other larger financial services companies.  A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of the Corporations common stock at any given time.  This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which the Corporation has no control.  Given the lower trading volume of the Corporations common stock, significant sales of the Corporations common stock, or the expectation of these sales, could cause the Corporations stock price to fall.
 
The Corporation Is Subject To Lending Risk
 
As of December 31, 2009, approximately 60.5% of the Corporations loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans.  These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans or consumer loans.  These types of loans are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans.  Because the Corporations loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial and industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans.  An increase in non-performing loans could result in a net loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for possible loan losses and an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations financial condition and results of operations.

 
9

 

The Corporations Controls and Procedures May Fail or Be Circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates the Corporations internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the Corporations controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Corporations business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
The Corporation May Need or Be Compelled to Raise Additional Capital in the Future, but That Capital May Not Be Available When it Is Needed and on Terms Favorable to Current Shareholders.
 
Federal banking regulators require the Corporation and Bank to maintain adequate levels of capital to support their operations.  These capital levels are determined and dictated by law, regulation and banking regulatory agencies.  In addition, capital levels are also determined by the Corporations management and board of directors based on capital levels that they believe are necessary to support the Corporations business operations.  The Corporation is evaluating its present and future capital requirements and needs, is developing a comprehensive capital plan and is analyzing capital raising alternatives, methods and options.  Even if the Corporation succeeds in meeting the current regulatory capital requirements, the Corporation may need to raise additional capital in the near future to support possible loan losses during future periods or to meet future regulatory capital requirements.
 
Further, the Corporations regulators may require it to increase its capital levels. If the Corporation raises capital through the issuance of additional shares of its common stock or other securities, it would likely dilute the ownership interests of current investors and would likely dilute the per-share book value and earnings per share of its common stock.  Furthermore, it may have an adverse impact on the Corporations stock price.  New investors may also have rights, preferences and privileges senior to the Corporations current shareholders, which may adversely impact its current shareholders.  The Corporations ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside its control, and on its financial performance.  Accordingly, the Corporation cannot assure you of its ability to raise additional capital on terms and time frames acceptable to it or to raise additional capital at all.  If the Corporation cannot raise additional capital in sufficient amounts when needed, its ability to comply with regulatory capital requirements could be materially impaired.  Additionally, the inability to raise capital in sufficient amounts may adversely affect the Corporations operations, financial condition and results of operations.
 
If We Conclude That the Decline in Value of Any of Our Investment Securities Is Other than Temporary, We Will Be Required to Write Down the Credit-Related Portion of the Impairment of That Security Through a Charge to Earnings.
 
We review our investment securities portfolio at each quarter-end reporting period to determine whether the fair value is below the current carrying value.  When the fair value of any of our investment securities has declined below its carrying value, we are required to assess whether the decline is other than temporary.  If we conclude that the decline is other than temporary, we will be required to write down the credit-related portion of the impairment of that security through a charge to earnings.  Due to the complexity of the calculations and assumptions used in determining whether an asset is impaired, the impairment disclosed may not accurately reflect the actual impairment in the future.
 
If the Corporations Allowance For Loan Losses Is Not Sufficient To Cover Actual Loan Losses, Its Earnings Could Decrease
 
The Corporations 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.  The Corporation may experience significant credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on its operating results.  In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, the Corporation reviews its loans and its loss and delinquency experience, and the Corporation evaluates economic conditions.  If its assumptions prove to be incorrect, its allowance for loan losses may not cover inherent losses in its loan portfolio at the date of its financial statements.  Material additions to the Corporations allowance would materially decrease its net income. At December 31, 2009, its allowance for loan losses totaled $5.3 million, representing 1.30% of its average total loans.
 
Although the Corporation believes it has underwriting standards to manage normal lending risks, it is difficult to assess the future performance of its loan portfolio due to the relatively recent origination of many of these loans.  The Corporation cannot assure that its non-performing loans will not increase or that its non-performing or delinquent loans will not adversely affect its future performance.

 
10

 

In addition, federal regulators periodically review the Corporations allowance for loan losses and may require it to increase its allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.  Any increase in its allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.
 
The Corporations Ability To Pay Dividends Is Subject to Limitations
 
The Corporation is a bank holding company and its operations are conducted by First Keystone National Bank, which is a separate and distinct legal entity.  Substantially all of the Corporations assets are held by First Keystone National Bank.
 
The Corporations ability to pay dividends depends on its receipt of dividends from First Keystone National Bank, its primary source of dividends.  Dividend payments from First Keystone National Bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations, generally based on net profits and retained earnings, imposed by the various banking regulatory agencies.  The ability of banking subsidiaries to pay dividends is also subject to their profitability, financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements.  There is no assurance that First Keystone National Bank will be able to pay dividends in the future or that the Corporation will generate adequate cash flow to pay dividends in the future.  The Corporations failure to pay dividends on its common stock could have material adverse effect on the market price of its common stock.
 
ITEM 1B.     UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
ITEM 2.        DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
 
The Corporation and its subsidiary occupy sixteen properties in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania, which are used principally as banking offices.
 
Properties owned are:

 
·
Main Office located at 111 West Front Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603;
 
·
Salem Office located at 400 Fowler Avenue, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603;
 
·
Freas Avenue Office located at 701 Freas Avenue, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603;
 
·
Scott Township Office located at Central Road and Route 11, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815;
 
·
Mifflinville Office located at Third and Race Streets, Mifflinville, Pennsylvania 18631;
 
·
Hanover Township Office located at 1540 Sans Souci Highway, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18706;
 
·
Danville Office located at 1519 Bloom Road, Danville, Pennsylvania 17821;
 
·
Mountainhome Office located at Route 390 & Prices Drive, Mountainhome, Pennsylvania 18342;
 
·
Brodheadsville Office located at Route 209, Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania 18322;
 
·
Swiftwater Office located at Route 611, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania 18370;
 
·
Vacant lot held for expansion located at 117-119 West Front Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603;
 
·
Parking lot located at Second and Market Streets, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603; and
 
·
17 ATMs located in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, and Monroe counties.

Properties leased are:

 
·
Briar Creek Office located inside the Giant Market at 50 Briar Creek Plaza, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603;
 
·
Nescopeck Office located at 437 West Third Street, Nescopeck, Pennsylvania 18635;
 
·
Kingston Office located at 179 South Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704;
 
·
Stroudsburg Office located at 559 Main Street, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360;
 
·
Operations Center located at 105 Market Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603; and
 
·
Mountain Top Office located at 18 North Mountain Boulevard, Mountain Top, Pennsylvania 18707 (land only).

 
11

 

ITEM 3.            LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Corporation and/or the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their business.  However, in the opinion of management of the Corporation and the Bank, there are no proceedings pending to which the Corporation and the Bank is a party or to which their property is subject, which, if determined adversely to the Corporation and the Bank, would be material in relation to the Corporation's and Bank's individual profits or financial condition, nor are there any proceedings pending other than ordinary routine litigation incident to the business of the Corporation and the Bank.  In addition, no material proceedings are pending or are known to be threatened or contemplated against the Corporation and the Bank by government authorities or others.

ITEM 4.            RESERVED

PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Corporation's Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol FKYS.OB.  The following table sets forth:

 
·
The quarterly high and low prices for a share of the Corporation's Common Stock during the periods indicated as reported to the management of the Corporation and
 
·
Quarterly dividends on a share of the Common Stock with respect to each quarter since January 1, 2008.

MARKET VALUE OF COMMON STOCK

2009:
 
High
   
Low
   
Per Share
Dividend
 
                   
First quarter
  $ 17.50     $ 14.01     $ .23  
Second quarter
  $ 16.55     $ 15.25     $ .23  
Third quarter
  $ 16.55     $ 15.00     $ .23  
Fourth quarter
  $ 17.95     $ 14.55     $ .23  
                         
                         
2008:
                       
                         
First quarter
  $ 18.00     $ 15.25     $ .22  
Second quarter
  $ 18.00     $ 14.25     $ .22  
Third quarter
  $ 18.00     $ 15.50     $ .22  
Fourth quarter
  $ 16.00     $ 13.50     $ .23  

As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation had approximately 825 shareholders of record.

The Corporation has paid dividends since commencement of business in 1984.  It is the present intention of the Corporation's Board of Directors to continue the dividend payment policy; however, further dividends must necessarily depend upon earnings, financial condition, appropriate legal restrictions and other factors relevant at the time the Board of Directors of the Corporation considers dividend policy.  Cash available for dividend distributions to shareholders of the Corporation must initially come from dividends paid by the Bank to the Corporation.  Therefore, the restrictions on the Bank's dividend payments are directly applicable to the Corporation.

 
12

 

Transfer Agent:

Registrar and Transfer Company
(800) 368-5948
10 Commerce Drive
 
Cranford, NJ 07016-3752
 

The following brokerage firms make a market in First Keystone Corporation common stock:

RBC Dain Rauscher
(800) 223-4207
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
(800) 526-6397
Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc.
(800) 223-6807
Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.
(800) 883-8383

Dividend Restrictions on the Bank

The OCC rules govern the payment of dividends by national banks.  Consequently, the Bank, which is subject to these rules, may not pay dividends from capital (unimpaired common and preferred stock outstanding) but only from retained earnings after deducting losses and bad debts therefrom.  To the extent that (1) the Bank has capital surplus in an amount in excess of common capital and (2) the Bank can prove that such surplus resulted from prior period earnings, the Bank, upon approval of the OCC, may transfer earned surplus to retained earnings and thereby increase its dividend capacity.

The Bank may not pay any dividends on its capital stock during a period in which it may be in default in the payment of its assessment for a deposit insurance premium due to the FDIC, nor may it pay dividends on Common Stock until any cumulative dividends on the Bank's preferred stock (if any) have been paid in full. The Bank has never been in default in the payments of its assessments to the FDIC; and the Bank has no outstanding preferred stock. In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (912 U.S.C. Section 1818), dividends cannot be declared and paid if the OCC obtains a cease and desist order because, in the opinion of the OCC, such payment would constitute an unsafe and unsound banking practice. As of December 31, 2009, there was $271,000 in unrestricted retained earnings and net income available at the Bank that could be paid as a dividend to the Corporation under the current OCC regulations.

Dividend Restrictions on the Corporation

Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, the Corporation may not pay a dividend if, after giving effect thereto, either:

 
·
The Corporation would be unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or
·
The Corporation's total assets would be less than its total liabilities.

The determination of total assets and liabilities may be based upon:

 
·
Financial statements prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles,
 
·
Financial statements that are prepared on the basis of other accounting practices and principles that are reasonable under the circumstances, or
 
·
A fair valuation or other method that is reasonable under the circumstances.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Information regarding the Corporations equity compensation plan is incorporated herein by reference from the Equity Compensation Plan Information section of the Corporations 2010 definitive proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A.

 
13

 

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph and table compare the cumulative total shareholder return on the Corporation's common stock during the period December 31, 2004, through and including December 31, 2009, with

 
·
the cumulative total return on the SNL Securities Corporate Performance Index1 for banks with less than $500 million in total assets in the Middle Atlantic area2, and
 
·
the cumulative total return for all United States stocks traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2004, in the Corporations common stock and in each of the indices below and assumes further the reinvestment of dividends into the applicable securities.  The shareholder return shown on the graph and table below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.


FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
Total Return Performance


 
 
   
Period Ending
 
   
12/31/04
   
12/31/05
   
12/31/06
   
12/31/07
   
12/31/08
   
12/31/09
 
First Keystone Corporation
    100.00       92.90       90.80       83.63       81.13       100.77  
    100.00       101.37       111.03       121.92       72.49       104.31  
SNL <$500M Bank Index
    100.00       104.29       118.61       95.04       60.90       58.00  

1 SNL Securities is a research and publishing firm specializing in the collection and dissemination of data on the banking, thrift and financial services industries.
2 The Middle Atlantic area comprises the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

 
14

 
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(Amounts in thousands, except per share)

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
                               
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                               
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:
                             
Total Assets
  $ 758,330     $ 714,898     $ 681,207     $ 525,920     $ 512,399  
Total Investment securities
    282,798       243,165       246,059       243,938       251,536  
Net loans
    401,375       403,172       371,557       248,086       230,917  
Total Deposits
    580,569       504,633       493,041       384,020       362,796  
Stockholders' equity
    74,167       69,147       70,924       53,387       53,443  
                                         
SELECTED OPERATING DATA:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 37,726     $ 37,638     $ 31,899     $ 28,577     $ 26,382  
Interest expense
    15,565       18,116       17,785       14,972       11,621  
Net interest income
  $ 22,161     $ 19,522     $ 14,114     $ 13,605     $ 14,761  
Provision for loan losses
    800       700       150       500       750  
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
  $ 21,361     $ 18,822     $ 13,964     $ 13,105     $ 14,011  
Other income
    4,299       4,046       4,199       3,788       3,782  
Other expense
    16,444       13,923       10,645       9,515       9,583  
Income before income taxes
  $ 9,216     $ 8,945     $ 7,518     $ 7,378     $ 8,210  
Income tax expense
    1,279       1,394       1,391       1,188       1,363  
Net income
  $ 7,937     $ 7,551     $ 6,127     $ 6,190     $ 6,847  
                                         
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
                                       
Net income
  $ 1.46     $ 1.39     $ 1.31     $ 1.35     $ 1.48  
Cash dividends
    .92       .89       .88       .85       .78  
                                         
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
                                       
Return on average assets
    1.06 %     1.08 %     1.09 %     1.20 %     1.35 %
Return on average equity
    10.88 %     10.72 %     10.48 %     11.76 %     12.65 %
Dividend payout ratio
    63.06 %     64.12 %     68.25 %     62.63 %     52.61 %
Average equity to average assets ratio
    9.73 %     10.00 %     10.37 %     10.19 %     10.69 %

 
15

 

ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of Managements Discussion and Analysis of First Keystone Corporation, a bank holding company (the Corporation), and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Keystone National Bank (the Bank), is to assist the reader in reviewing the financial information presented and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other financial data contained herein. Refer to Forward Looking Statements on page 1 for detailed information.
 
ACQUISITION
On November 1, 2007, the Corporation acquired Pocono Community Bank (hereinafter referred to as Pocono) of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Pocono was a $120 million bank which operated four full-service banking offices in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Period-to-period comparisons and the Managements Discussion are impacted by this acquisition. The tables in Managements Discussion include contributions of this acquisition as well as internal changes. Refer to Note 2 on page 47 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2008
Net income increased to $7,937,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to $7,551,000 for the prior year, an increase of 5.1%. Earnings per share, both basic and diluted, for 2009 were $1.46 as compared to $1.39 in 2008, an increase of 5.0%. Cash dividends per share increased to $.92 in 2009 from $.89 in 2008, an increase of 3.4%. The Corporations return on average assets was 1.06% in 2009 as compared to 1.08% in 2008. Return on average equity increased to 10.88% in 2009 from 10.72% in 2008. An increase in earning asset levels resulted in an overall increase of interest income to $37,726,000, up $88,000 or 0.2% from 2008. There was the accompanying decrease in interest on deposits and borrowings as interest rates declined, which resulted in interest expense of $15,565,000 in 2009, a decrease of $2,551,000 or 14.1% from 2008.
 
Net interest income, as indicated below in Table 1, increased by $2,639,000 or 13.5% to $22,161,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Corporation's net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis increased by $2,763,000, or 12.9% to $24,173,000 in 2009 as compared to an increase of $5,917,000, or 38.2% to $21,410,000 in 2008.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2007
Net income increased to $7,551,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to $6,127,000 for the prior year, an increase of 23.2%. Earnings per share, both basic and diluted, for 2008 were $1.39 as compared to $1.31 in 2007. Cash dividends per share increased to $.89 in 2008 from $.88 in 2007, an increase of 1.1%. The Corporations return on average assets was 1.08% in 2008 as compared to 1.09% in 2007. Return on average equity increased to 10.72% in 2008 from 10.48% in 2007. An increase in earning asset levels resulted in an overall increase of interest income to $37,638,000, up $5,739,000 or 18.0% from 2007. Likewise, there was the accompanying increase in interest on deposits and borrowings which resulted in interest expense of $18,116,000 in 2008, an increase of $331,000 or 1.9% from 2007. Net interest income increased by $5,408,000 from 2007 to 2008 resulting in net interest income of $19,522,000 and $21,410,000 on a fully tax equivalent basis for 2008.
 
Table 1    Net Interest Income

(Amounts in thousands) 
       
2009/2008
   
2008/2007
 
         
Increase/(Decrease)
         
Increase/(Decrease)
       
   
2009
   
Amount
   
%
   
2008
   
Amount
   
%
   
2007
 
Interest Income
  $ 37,726     $ 88       0.2     $ 37,638     $ 5,739       18.0     $ 31,899  
Interest Expense
    15,565       (2,551 )     (14.1 )     18,116       331       1.9       17,785  
                                                         
Net Interest Income
    22,161       2,639       13.5       19,522       5,408       38.3       14,114  
Tax Equivalent Adjustment
    2,012       124       6.6       1,888       509       36.9       1,379  
                                                          
Net Interest Income (fully tax equivalent)
  $ 24,173     $ 2,763       12.9     $ 21,410     $ 5,917       38.2     $ 15,493  

 
16

 

Table 2      Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
   
Average
 
Revenue/
 
Yield/
 
Average
 
Revenue/
 
Yield/
 
Average
 
Revenue/
 
Yield/
 
   
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
 
Interest Earning Assets:
                                     
Loans:
                                     
Commercial, net1,2
  $ 48,286   $ 2,664     5.52 % $ 33,029   $ 2,822     8.54 % $ 21,054   $ 1,938     9.20 %
Real Estate1
    347,992     21,420     6.16 %   333,336     21,663     6.50 %   234,465     15,993     6.82 %
Consumer, Net1,2
    12,170     922     7.58 %   25,498     1,136     4.46 %   21,097     1,263     5.99 %
Fees on Loans
        149     %       62     %       (31 )   %
Total Loans (Including Fees)3
  $ 408,448   $ 25,155     6.16 % $ 391,863   $ 25,683     6.55 % $ 276,616   $ 19,163     6.93 %
                                                         
Investment Securities:
                                                       
Taxable
  $ 175,042   $ 9,347     5.34 % $ 156,011   $ 8,623     5.53 % $ 179,431   $ 9,894     5.51 %
Tax Exempt1
    78,277     5,227     6.68 %   78,902     5,128     6.50 %   66,844     4,124     6.17 %
Total Investment Securities
  $ 253,319   $ 14,574     5.75 % $ 234,913   $ 13,751     5.85 % $ 246,275   $ 14,018     5.69 %
Interest Bearing Deposits in Banks
    18,457     9     0.05 %   3,515     79     2.25 %   1,086     66     6.05 %
Federal Funds Sold
            %   436     13     2.98 %   688     31     4.56 %
Total Other Interest Earning Assets
    18,457     9     0.05 %   3,951     92     2.33 %   1,774     97     5.47 %
Total Interest Earning Assets
  $ 680,224   $ 39,738     5.84 % $ 630,727   $ 39,526     6.27 % $ 524,665   $ 33,278     6.34 %
                                                         
Non-Interest Earning Assets:
                                                       
Cash and Due From Banks
  $ 6,943               $ 9,876               $ 8,132              
Allowance for Loan Losses
    (5,221 )               (5,163 )               (3,960 )            
Premises and Equipment
    10,515                 8,427                 5,519              
Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale
    78                 109                              
Other Assets
    57,259                 56,635                 29,741              
Total Non-Interest Earning Assets
    69,574                 69,884                 39,432              
Total Assets
  $ 749,798               $ 700,611               $ 564,097              
                                                         
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                                       
Savings, NOW Accounts, and Money Markets
  $ 220,845   $ 2,491     1.13 % $ 198,916   $ 3,113     1.56 % $ 154,200   $ 3,681     2.39 %
Time Deposits
    280,005     8,873     3.17 %   259,480     10,795     4.16 %   214,232     9,876     4.61 %
Short-Term Borrowings
    4,918     31     0.63 %   11,883     191     1.61 %   14,551     735     5.05 %
Long-Term Borrowings
    79,899     3,830     4.79 %   71,221     3,539     4.97 %   58,345     2,901     4.97 %
Fed Funds Purchased
    118     2     1.55 %   351     15     4.27 %   11         4.65 %
Securities Sold U/A to Repurchase
    19,268     338     1.75 %   17,894     463     2.59 %   14,553     592     4.07 %
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities
  $ 605,053   $ 15,565     2.57 % $ 559,745   $ 18,116     3.24 % $ 455,892   $ 17,785     3.90 %
                                                         
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                                       
Demand Deposits
  $ 58,860               $ 57,102               $ 43,795              
Other Liabilities
    12,959                 13,315                 5,940              
Stockholders Equity
    72,926                 70,449                 58,470              
Total Liabilities/Stockholders' Equity
  $ 749,798               $ 700,611               $ 564,097              
                                                         
Net Interest Income Tax Equivalent
        $ 24,173               $ 21,410               $ 15,493        
                                                         
Net Interest Spread
                3.27 %               3.03 %               2.44 %
                                                         
Net Interest Margin
                3.55 %               3.39 %               2.95 %
 

1Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis using an incremental rate of 34%, and statutory interest expense disallowance.
2Installment loans are stated net of unearned interest.
3Average loan balances include non-accrual loans.  Interest income on non-accrual loans is not included.

 
17

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

The major source of operating income for the Corporation is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense on liabilities used to fund those assets, including deposits and other borrowings. The amount of interest income is dependent upon both the volume of earning assets and the level of interest rates. In addition, the volume of non-performing loans affects interest income. The amount of interest expense varies with the amount of funds needed to support earning assets, interest rates paid on deposits and borrowed funds, and finally, the level of interest free deposits.

Table 2 on the preceding pages provides a summary of average outstanding balances of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities with the associated interest income and interest expense as well as average tax equivalent rates earned and paid as of year-end 2009, 2008 and 2007.

The yield on earning assets was 5.84% in 2009, 6.27% in 2008, and 6.34% in 2007. The rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 2.57% in 2009, 3.24% in 2008, and 3.90% in 2007. This resulted in an increase in our net interest spread to 3.27% in 2009, as compared to 3.03% in 2008 and 2.44% in 2007.

As Table 2 illustrates, the net interest margin, which is interest income less interest expense divided by average earnings assets, was 3.55% in 2009 as compared to 3.39% in 2008 and 2.95% in 2007. The net interest margins are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. The increase in net interest margin in 2009 and 2008 was due primarily to the decline in interest paid on interest bearing liabilities as interest rates in general declined, especially short-term interest rates. The decreases in net interest margin in 2007 was due primarily to the increased interest paid on  interest bearing liabilities.  This was a result of more interest bearing liabilities repricing than earning assets.

The improvement in our net interest margin came from relatively stable earning asset yields and lower funding costs in 2009 and 2008. The interest margin expansion was experienced as the yield curve returned to its more normal upward sloping environment in 2008 continuing into 2009 as compared to the previous years. Our improved net interest margin will be under pressure when interest rates start to rise since the Corporation continues to be liability sensitive and there will be more liabilities including deposits repricing than earning assets (loans and investments). To negate the potential impact of a lesser net interest margin, the Corporation has focused on attracting lower cost checking, savings and money market accounts and reduced somewhat its dependence on higher priced certificates of deposit.

Table 3 sets forth changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated for each category of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. Information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in volume (changes in average volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes in rate (changes in average rate multiplied by prior average volume); and, (iii) changes in rate and volume (changes in average volume multiplied by change in average rate).

Interest income exempt from federal tax was $4,261,000 in 2009, $4,112,000 in 2008, and $3,118,000 in 2007.  Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental rate of 34%.

In 2009, the increase in net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis of $2,763,000 resulted from an increase in volume of $894,000 and an increase of $1,869,000 due to changes in rate. In 2008, the increase in net interest income of $5,917,000 resulted from an increase in volume of $3,746,000 and an increase of $2,171,000 due to changes in rate.

 
18

 
 
Table 3  —  Changes in Income and Expense, 2009 and 2008

(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009 COMPARED TO 2008
   
2008 COMPARED TO 2007
 
   
VOLUME
   
RATE
   
NET
   
VOLUME
   
RATE
   
NET
 
Interest Income:
                                   
Loans, Net
  $ 1,087     $ (1,615 )   $ (528 )   $ 7,984     $ (1,464 )   $ 6,520  
Taxable Investment Securities
    1,052       (328 )     724       (1,291 )     20       (1,271 )
Tax-Exempt Investment Securities
    (41 )     140       99       744       260       1,004  
Other Short-Term Investments
    338       (421 )     (83 )     119       (124 )     (5 )
                                                 
Total Interest Income
  $ 2,436     $ (2,224 )   $ 212     $ 7,556     $ (1,308 )   $ 6,248  
                                                 
Interest Expense:
                                               
Savings, Now, and Money Markets
  $ 343     $ (965 )   $ (622 )   $ 1,067     $ (1,635 )   $ (568 )
Time Deposits
    854       (2,776 )     (1,922 )     2,086       (1,167 )     919  
Short-Term Borrowings
    (122 )     (51 )     (173 )     (119 )     (410 )     (529 )
Long-Term Borrowings
    431       (140 )     291       640       (2 )     638  
Securities Sold U/A to Repurchase
    36       (161 )     (125 )     136       (265 )     (129 )
                                                 
Total Interest Expense
  $ 1,542     $ (4,093 )   $ (2,551 )   $ 3,810     $ (3,479 )   $ 331  
                                                 
Net Interest Income
  $ 894     $ 1,869     $ 2,763     $ 3,746     $ 2,171     $ 5,917  


The change in interest due to both volume and yield/rate has been allocated to change due to volume and change due to yield/rate in proportion to the absolute value of the change in each.
Balance on non-accrual loans are included for computational purposes.  Interest income on non-accrual loans is not included.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the provision for loan losses was $800,000 as compared to $700,000 as of December 31, 2008 and $150,000 as of December 31, 2007. The provision in 2008, increased primarily because of the increase in net charge-offs. Net charge-offs by the Corporation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, were $673,000, $551,000, and $57,000, respectively.
 
The Corporation did not change the manner in which it determines charge-offs. Rather the challenges associated with the economy (higher unemployment and increased delinquencies) in the past two years have been largely responsible for the increase in charge-offs. While the Corporation cannot accurately predict future charge-offs, we anticipate the trend of increased charge-offs will continue into 2010 as higher than normal unemployment continues.
 
The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans, net of unearned interest, was 1.31% as of December 31, 2009, 1.27% as of December 31, 2008, 1.34% as of December 31, 2007.
 
On a quarterly basis, the Corporations Board of Directors and management perform a detailed analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. This analysis includes an evaluation of credit risk concentration, delinquency trends, past loss experience, current economic conditions, composition of the loan portfolio, classified loans and other relevant factors.
 
The Corporation will continue to monitor its allowance for loan losses and make future adjustments to the allowance through the provision for loan losses as conditions warrant. Although the Corporation believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to provide for losses inherent in the loan portfolio, there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed the estimated amounts or that additional provisions will not be required in the future.
 
The Bank is subject to periodic regulatory examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  As part of the examination, the OCC will assess the adequacy of the banks allowance for loan losses and may include factors not considered by the Bank. In the event that an OCC examination results in a conclusion that the Banks allowance for loan losses is not adequate, the Bank may be required to increase its provision for loan losses.
  
 
19

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Non-interest income is derived primarily from trust department revenue, service charges and fees, income on bank owned life insurance, other miscellaneous revenue and the gain on the sale of mortgage loans. In addition, investment securities gains or losses also impact total non-interest income.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, non-interest income amounted to $4,299,000, an increase of $253,000, or 6.3% as compared to a decrease of $153,000, or 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2008. Table 4 provides the major categories of non-interest income and each respective change comparing the past three years. Investment securities losses in 2009 and 2008 were primarily the result of the sale of equities securities at a loss. Also in 2008, there was an other than temporary impairment charge on several bank equities securities.
 
The Corporation does a quarterly impairment analysis. The analysis includes a review of investment securities owned by our subsidiary, First Keystone National Bank and a review of bank equities securities owned by the Corporation. With regards to the investment securities of First Keystone National Bank, all individual investment securities held at the end of each quarter are evaluated. The evaluation determines if unrealized holding losses represent credit losses which could require an other-than-temporary impairment charge through earnings. Generally, unrealized losses related to general market conditions and/or resultant lack of liquidity in the market do not require impairment charges. Similarly, all bank equities securities held at each quarter end are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment charges, primarily if the market value has declined significantly compared to the book value on an individual basis. Also, trends relating to overall credit quality of financial institution equities owned is considered in making an impairment charge decision.
 
Excluding investment securities gains, non-interest income in 2009 increased $243,000, or 5.8% to $4,437,000. This compares to a increase of $478,000, or 12.9% in 2008 before investment securities gains. Income from the trust department, which consists of fees generated from individual and corporate accounts, decreased in 2009 by $55,000, or 10.4% after decreasing by $51,000, or 8.8% in 2008.  Decreased income from the trust department in 2009 and 2008 was due primarily to the decrease in market values of assets under management, especially equities securities and a reduction in estate fee income.
 
Service charges and fees, consisting primarily of service charges on deposit accounts and ATM and debit card income, were the largest source of non-interest income in 2009 and 2008. Service charges and fees decreased by $104,000, or 4.2% in 2009 compared to an increase of $272,000, or 12.5% in 2008. A reduction in not sufficient fund (NSF) fees in 2009 accounts for the decline in service charges and fees during the past year.
 
Income on Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) increased $41,000 to $748,000 in 2009 as compared to an increase of $149,000 to $707,000 in 2008. The income from BOLI represents the increase in the cash surrender value of BOLI and is intended to partially cover the costs of the Banks employee benefit plan, including group life, disability, and health insurance.
 
The gain on sale of mortgages provided $300,000 in 2009 as compared to $136,000 in 2008. The increase in gains on sale of mortgages was a function of the increased originations largely due to customers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates and refinancing. Subsequently mortgages were sold into the secondary market during the past year. The Corporation continues to service the mortgages which are sold, this servicing income provides an additional source of non-interest income on an ongoing basis.
 
Other income, consisting primarily of safe deposit box rentals, income from the sale of non-deposit products, and miscellaneous fees amounted to $563,000 for 2009, an increase of $197,000 or 53.8% over the $366,000 other income reported in 2008. The increased sale of non-deposit products, especially annuities and the proceeds from a bank owned life insurance policy on a deceased employee account for the majority of the increase in 2009.

 
20

 

Table 4    Non-Interest Income
 
(Amounts in thousands)
       
2009/2008
   
2008/2007
 
         
Increase/(Decrease)
         
Increase/(Decrease)
       
   
2009
   
Amount
   
%
   
2008
   
Amount
   
%
   
2007
 
Trust Department
  $ 475     $ (55 )     (10.4 )   $ 530     $ (51 )     (8.8 )   $ 581  
Service Charges and Fees
    2,351       (104 )     (4.2 )     2,455       272       12.5       2,183  
Income on Bank Owned Life Insurance
    748       41       5.8       707       149       26.7       558  
Gain on Sale of Mortgages
    300       164       120.6       136       47       52.8       89  
Other
    563       197       53.8       366       61       20.0       305  
Subtotal
  $ 4,437     $ 243       5.8     $ 4,194     $ 478       12.9     $ 3,716  
Investment Securities Gains (Losses)
    (138 )     10       6.8       (148 )     (631 )     (130.6 )     483  
Total
  $ 4,299     $ 253       6.3     $ 4,046     $ (153 )     (3.6 )   $ 4,199  
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest expense consists of salaries and benefits, occupancy, furniture and equipment, and other miscellaneous expenses. Table 5 provides the yearly non-interest expense by category, along with the amount, dollar changes, and percentage of change.
 
Total non-interest expense amounted to $16,444,000, an increase of $2,521,000, or 18.1% in 2009 compared to an increase of $3,278,000, or 30.8% in 2008. Expenses associated with employees (salaries and employee benefits) continue to be the largest non-interest expenditure. Salaries and employee benefits amounted to 49.0% of total non-interest expense in 2009 and 52.8% in 2008. Salaries and employee benefits increased $706,000, or 9.6% in 2009 and $1,774,000, or 31.8% in 2008. The increases in 2009 largely reflects additional hires and normal salary adjustments along with increased benefit costs, especially health insurance. In 2008, salary and employee benefits increased dramatically since it was the first full year of the Pocono Community Bank acquisition with the commensurate additional personnel expenses. The number of full time equivalent employees was 172 as of December 31, 2009, and 163 as of December 31, 2008.
 
Net occupancy expense increased $106,000, or 10.0% in 2009 as compared to an increase of $306,000, or 40.4% in 2008. Furniture and equipment expense increased $210,000, or 22.4% in 2009 compared to a increase of $172,000, or 22.5% in 2008. The increases in occupancy and furniture and equipment expense in 2009 relates to the opening of our Mountain Top office and the purchase of a new core processing system. In 2008, the increase in occupancy and furniture and equipment expenses relate to the Pocono acquisition and to a combination of increases in rent and lease payments and new equipment purchases. FDIC insurance expense increased $965,000, or 440.6% in 2009 as compared to an increase of $178,000, or 434.1% in 2008. The increase in FDIC insurance for 2009 was a result of both a special assessment levied by the FDIC on all banks and increases in the annual insurance premiums in both 2009 and 2008. Other non-interest expenses, including shares tax and professional services, decreased $316,000, or 7.3% in 2009 after increasing $848,000 in 2008. The decline in other non-interest expenses in 2009 relates to a reduction in advertising/ marketing fees and professional services fees.
 
The loss due to defalcation negatively impacted total other expense in the pretax amount of $850,000. Management believes the defalcation will be a covered loss with insurance, less the deductible. Management of the Corporation believes that investors understanding of the Corporations performance is enhanced by disclosing non-GAAP financial measures without the effect of the loss as a reasonable basis for comparison of the Corporations ongoing results of operations. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP-basis measures and results. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures of other companies. The following Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule provides a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely analogous measure determined in accordance with GAAP.

 
21

 

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

   
For the Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2009
 
       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  $ 21,361  
Non-interest income
    4,299  
Non-interest expense
    (16,444 )
Income tax expense
    (1,279 )
Net Income
    7,937  
         
Adjustments
       
Other expense
       
Loss due to defalcation
    850  
Income tax expense
    (289 )
After tax adjustment to GAAP
    561  
Adjusted net income
  $ 8,498  

The overall level of non-interest expense remains low, relative to our peers (community banks from $500 million to $1 billion in assets). In fact, our total non-interest expense was less than 2% of average assets in both 2008 and 2007. Our non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets places us among the leaders in our peer financial institution categories in controlling non-interest expense.

The large increase in FDIC insurance expense and the loss from the defalcation resulted in non-interest expense being 2.19% of average assets in 2009.

Table 5    Non-Interest Expense

(Amounts in thousands)
       
2009/2008
   
2008/2007
 
         
Increase/(Decrease)
         
Increase/(Decrease)
       
   
2009
   
Amount
   
%
   
2008
   
Amount
   
%
   
2007
 
Salaries and Employee Benefits
  $ 8,056     $ 706       9.6     $ 7,350     $ 1,774       31.8     $ 5,576  
Occupancy, Net
    1,170       106       10.0       1,064       306       40.4       758  
Furniture and Equipment
    1,146       210       22.4       936       172       22.5       764  
FDIC Insurance
    1,184       965       440.6       219       178       434.1       41  
Loss due to defalcation
    850       850       N/A       0       0       0       0  
Other, shares tax and professional services
    4,038       (316 )     (7.3 )     4,354       848       24.2       3,506  
Total
  $ 16,444     $ 2,521       18.1     $ 13,923     $ 3,278       30.8     $ 10,645  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $1,279,000 as compared to $1,394,000 and $1,391,000  for the years ended December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively. In 2009, our income tax expense decreased even though income before taxes increased $271,000 to $9,216,000 from $8,945,000 in 2008. An increase in tax exempt income reduced our income tax liability in 2009. The corporation looks to maximize its tax-exempt interest derived from both tax-free loans and tax-free municipal investments without triggering alternative minimum tax. The effective income tax rate was 14.2% in 2009, 16.2% in 2008, and 18.0% in 2007. The limited availability of tax-free municipal investments at attractive interest rates may result in a higher effective tax rate in future years.

 
22

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

GENERAL

Total assets increased to $758,330,000 at year-end 2009, an increase of 6.1% from year-end 2008. As of December 31, 2009, total deposits amounted to $580,569,000, an increase of 15.0% over 2008. Assets as of December 31, 2008 were $714,898,000, an increase of 4.9% over 2007, while total deposits as of year-end 2008 amounted to $504,633,000, an increase of 2.4% from 2007.

In 2009, because of the economy and the lack of loan demand, deposit growth was used to fund the purchase of investment securities and to reduce short-term borrowings.

In both 2008 and 2007, deposit growth was used principally to fund loan growth. The Corporation continues to maintain and manage its asset growth. Our strong equity capital position provides us an opportunity to further leverage our asset growth. Borrowings decreased in 2009 by $36,956,000 after increasing by $23,870,000 in 2008. Increased borrowings in 2008 and 2007 helped fund loan growth and other asset growth on the balance sheet. Core deposits, which include demand deposits and interest bearing demand deposits (NOWs), money market accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits of individuals continues to be our most significant source of funds. In 2009 and 2008, several successful sales campaigns attracted new customers and  generated growth in retail certificates of deposit (time deposits of individuals) as well as checking, savings and money market accounts.

EARNING ASSETS

Earning assets are defined as those assets that produce interest income. By maintaining a healthy asset utilization rate, i.e., the volume of earning assets as a percentage of total assets, the Corporation maximizes income. The earning asset ratio (average interest earning assets divided by average total assets) equaled 90.7% for 2009, compared to 90.0% for 2008 and 93.0% for 2007. This indicates that the management of earning assets is a priority and non-earning assets, primarily cash and due from banks, fixed assets and other assets, are maintained  at minimal levels. The primary earning assets are loans and investment securities.

LOANS

Total loans, net of unearned income, decreased to $406,697,000 as of December 31, 2009, as compared to a balance of $408,367,000 as of December 31, 2008. Table 6 provides data relating to the composition of the Corporation's loan portfolio on the dates indicated. Total loans, net of unearned income, decreased $1,670,000, or 0.4% in 2009 compared to an increase of $31,764,000, or 8.4% in 2008. The economy and the resultant decline in loan demand account for the reduction in loans in 2009. Residential real estate loans increased only slightly in 2009 since the bulk of residential real estate loans originated were secondary market conforming and were sold. The Corporation did not change its underwriting standards in 2009, rather opportunities to originate commercial and consumer loans declined because of the economy and the increased unemployment.

The loan portfolio is well diversified. Increases in the portfolio in 2008 were primarily in commercial real estate loans and tax exempt loans. In 2007, the increase in loans was primarily from the Pocono Community Bank acquisition. The Corporation continues to originate and sell certain long-term fixed rate residential mortgage loans which conform to secondary market requirements. The Corporation derives ongoing income from the servicing of mortgages sold in the secondary market.

The Corporation continues to internally underwrite each of its loans to comply with prescribed policies and approval levels established by its Board of Directors.

 
23

 

Table 6    Loans Outstanding, Net of Unearned Income

(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural:
                             
Commercial secured by real estate
  $ 207,296     $ 206,095     $ 190,803     $ 123,673     $ 92,930  
Commercial - other
    38,932       33,104       29,129       22,169       29,284  
Tax exempt
    12,525       18,920       10,899       3,264       3,840  
Real estate (primarily residential mortgage loans)
    138,092       136,288       130,865       86,208       92,840  
Consumer loans
    10,802       15,291       16,712       18,728       18,467  
Total Gross Loans
  $ 407,647     $ 409,698     $ 378,408     $ 254,042     $ 237,361  
Less:  Unearned income and
                                       
                   unamortized loan fees net of costs
    950       1,331       1,805       2,285       2,768  
Total Loans, net of unearned income
  $ 406,697     $ 408,367     $ 376,603     $ 251,757     $ 234,593  

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The Corporation uses investment securities to not only generate interest and dividend revenue, but also to help manage interest rate risk and to provide liquidity to meet operating cash needs.
 
The investment portfolio has been allocated between securities available for sale, including restricted equity securities, and securities held to maturity. No investment securities were established in a trading account. Available for sale securities increased $37,649,000 or 15.7% to $277,824,000 in 2009 due to the substantial increase in deposits during the year and the lack of loan demand. Available for sale securities decreased $1,346,000, or 0.6% to $240,175,000 in 2008. At December 31, 2009 the net unrealized loss, net of the tax effect, on these securities was $2,583,000 and is included in stockholders equity as accumulated other comprehensive loss. At December 31, 2008, accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effect, amounted to a loss of $4,671,000. In 2009, held to maturity securities increased $1,984,000, or 66.4% to $4,974,000 after decreasing $1,548,000, or 34.1% in 2008. Table 7 provides data on the carrying value of our investment portfolio on the dates indicated. The vast majority of investment security purchases are allocated as available for sale. This provides the Corporation with increased flexibility should  there be a need or desire to liquidate an investment security.
 
The investment portfolio includes U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies, corporate obligations, mortgage backed securities, state and municipal securities, both tax-exempt and taxable. In addition, the investment portfolio includes restricted equity securities consisting primarily of common stock investments in the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Marketable equity securities consists of common stock investments in other commercial banks and bank holding companies. A quarterly impairment analysis is conducted as outlined under non-interest income on page 20 of this report.
 
Securities available for sale may be sold as part of the overall asset and liability management process. Realized gains and losses are reflected in the results of operations on our statements of income. The investment portfolio does not contain any structured notes, step-up bonds, off-balance sheet derivatives, or trust preferred investments.
 
During 2009, interest bearing deposits in other banks increased to $7,227,000 from $6,000 in 2008. Interest bearing deposits in other banks increased in 2009 since deposit growth was substantial and the Corporation elected to take a defensive posture and increase its liquidity in the event customers elected to withdraw some deposits and also be prepared for possible increases in interest rates.

 
24

 

Table 7    Carrying Value of Investment Securities

(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Available
   
Held to
   
Available
   
Held to
   
Available
   
Held to
 
   
for Sale
   
Maturity
   
for Sale
   
Maturity
   
for Sale
   
Maturity
 
U. S. Government Corporations
                                   
and Agencies
  $ 59,422     $ 3,159     $ 78,344     $ 176     $ 149,607     $ 2,191  
State and Municipal
    162,600       1,815       133,461       2,814       74,359       2,347  
Corporate
    45,904             19,781             8,530        
Marketable Equity Securities
    1,759             1,911             2,916        
Restricted Equity Securities
    8,139             6,678             6,109        
Total Investment Securities
  $ 277,824     $ 4,974     $ 240,175     $ 2,990     $ 241,521     $ 4,538  

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The allowance for loan losses constitutes the amount available to absorb losses within the loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2009, the allowance for loan losses was $5,322,000 as compared to $5,195,000 and $5,046,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2007 included $1,282,000 acquired through the Pocono Community Bank acquisition. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expenses. Loans are charged against the allowance for possible loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely. The risk characteristics of the loan portfolio are managed through the various control processes, including credit evaluations of individual borrowers, periodic reviews, and diversification by industry. Risk is further mitigated through the application of lending procedures such as the holding of adequate collateral and the establishment of contractual guarantees.
 
Management performs a quarterly analysis to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The methodology in determining adequacy incorporates specific and general allocations together with a risk/loss analysis on various segments of the portfolio according to an internal loan review process. This assessment results in an allocated allowance. Management maintains its loan review and loan classification standards consistent with those of its regulatory supervisory authority.
 
Management feels, based upon its methodology, that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover foreseeable future losses. Table 8 contains an analysis of our Allowance for Loan Losses indicating charge-offs and recoveries by the year and annual additional provisions charged to operations. In 2009, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were .16%, in 2008 net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were .14% compared to .02% in  2007. Net charge-offs amounted to $673,000 in 2009, $551,000 in 2008 and $57,000 in 2007. The increase in net charge-offs in 2009 relate primarily to increased losses on commercial loans, real estate loans and consumer loans. In 2008, the increase in net charge-offs was directly related to real estate loans.

 
25

 

Table 8    Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses

(Amounts in thousands)
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,195     $ 5,046     $ 3,671     $ 3,676     $ 3,828  
Charge-offs:
                                       
Commercial, financial, and agricultural
    211       44       12       493       338  
Real estate
    354       633       138       183       497  
Consumer
    169       62       86       110       98  
      734       739       236       786       933  
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial, financial, and agricultural
    13       154       135       228        
Real estate
    25       6       11       4       1  
Consumer
    23       28       33       49       30  
      61       188       179       281       31  
                                         
Net charge-offs
    673       551       57       505       902  
Additions charged to operations
    800       700       150       500       750  
Allowance purchased
                1,282              
Balance at end of period
  $ 5,322     $ 5,195     $ 5,046     $ 3,671     $ 3,676  
                                         
Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to
                                       
average loans outstanding during the period
    .16 %     .14 %     .02 %     .21 %     .39 %
Allowance for loan losses to average loans
                                       
outstanding during the period
    1.30 %     1.33 %     1.82 %     1.50 %     1.58 %
 
It is the policy of management and the Corporations Board of Directors to provide for losses on both identified  and unidentified losses inherent in its loan portfolio. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based upon an evaluation of the potential losses in the loan portfolio. This evaluation takes into account such factors  as portfolio concentrations, delinquency, trends, trends of non-accrual and classified loans, economic conditions, and other relevant factors.
 
The loan review process which is conducted quarterly, is an integral part of our evaluation of the loan portfolio. A detailed quarterly analysis to determine the adequacy of the Corporations allowance for loan losses is reviewed by our Board of Directors.
 
With our manageable level of net charge-offs and the additions to the reserve from our provision out of operations, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of average loans amounted to 1.30% in 2009, 1.33% to 2008, and 1.82% in 2007.
 
Table 9 sets forth the allocation of the Banks allowance for loan losses by loan category and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans receivable at the dates indicated. The portion of the allowance for loan losses allocated to each loan category does not represent the total available for future losses that may occur within the loan category, since the total loan loss allowance is a valuation reserve applicable to the entire loan portfolio.

Table 9    Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
%*
   
2008
   
%*
   
2007
   
%*
   
2006
   
%*
   
2005
   
%*
 
Commercial, financial, and
                                                           
agricultural
  $ 740       14.5     $ 721       12.7     $ 1,116       22.8     $ 674       19.7     $ 906       25.2  
Real estate - mortgage
    4,177       81.6       3,641       84.1       3,680       75.1       2,613       76.1       2,521       70.2  
Consumer and other loans
    199       3.9       207       3.2       103       2.1       145       4.2       164       4.6  
Unallocated
    206       N/A       626       N/A       147       N/A       239       N/A       85       N/A  
    $ 5,322       100.0     $ 5,195       100.0     $ 5,046       100.0     $ 3,671       100.0     $ 3,676       100.0  
 

*Percentage of loans in each category to total loans in the Allowance for Loan Loss Analysis.
 
 
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NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

Table 10 details the Corporation's non-performing assets as of the dates indicated.  Non-accrual loans are generally delinquent and past-due approximately 90 days or more, depending upon the type of credit and the collateral. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any unpaid interest is charged against income. Restructured loans are loans where the borrower has been granted a concession in the interest rate or payment amount because of financial problems. Foreclosed assets held for sale represent property acquired through foreclosure, or considered to be an in-substance foreclosure.
 
The total of non-performing assets increased to $3,418,000 in 2009 after decreasing to $1,761,000 as of December 31, 2008 from $3,458,000 as of December 31, 2007. The economy, in particular increased unemployment, had a direct effect of increasing our non-performing assets. The Corporation is closely monitoring its commercial real estate portfolio because of the current economic environment. In particular, vacancy rates are rising as rents and property values in some markets have fallen. Losses on commercial real estate, which increased in 2009, are projected to continue higher than normal into 2010. Non-accrual and restructured loans increased to $2,948,000 in 2009 from $1,718,000 in 2008. Foreclosed assets increased to $330,000 in 2009 from $28,000 in 2008. Loans past-due 90 days or more and still accruing increased to $140,000 in 2009 from $15,000 in 2008. Non-performing assets to period end loans foreclosed assets was 0.84% in 2009, 0.43% in 2008, and 0.92% in 2007. Total non-performing assets to total assets also increased to 0.45% in 2009 from 0.25% and 0.51% in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our allowance for loan losses to total non-performing assets decreased to 155.7% in 2009 from 295.0% in 2008. While asset quality is a priority, the corporation retains a full-time loan review officer to closely track and monitor overall loan quality.
 
Improving loan quality is a priority, and we actively work with borrowers to resolve credit problems. In fact, we increased our efforts to assist borrowers in 2009 and will continue our increased work out efforts in 2010. As of year end 2009, the Corporation did not have any troubled debt restructures in its portfolio. Excluding the assets disclosed in Table 10, management is not aware of any information about borrowers' possible credit problems which cause serious doubt as to their ability to comply with present loan repayment terms.
 
Should the economic climate no longer continue to be stable or begin to deteriorate, borrowers may experience difficulty, and the level of non-performing loans and assets, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and possibly require additional increases in our allowance for loan losses.
 
In addition, regulatory authorities, as an integral part of their examinations, periodically review the allowance for possible loan and lease losses. They may require additions to allowances based upon their judgements about information available to them at the time of examination.
 
Interest income received on non-performing loans in 2009 and 2008 was $61,000 and $94,000, respectively. Interest income, which would have been recorded on these loans under the original terms in 2009 and 2008 was $242,000 and $145,000, respectively. At December 31, 2009, the Corporation had no outstanding commitments to advance additional funds with respect to these non-performing loans.
 
A concentration of credit exists when the total amount of loans to borrowers, who are engaged in similar activities that are similarly impacted by economic or other conditions, exceed 10% of total loans. As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, management is of the opinion that there were no loan concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans.
   
Table 10    Non-Performing Assets

(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Non-accrual and restructured loans
  $ 2,948     $ 1,718     $ 3,208     $ 1,704     $ 2,069  
Foreclosed assets
    330       28       65       41       397  
Loans past-due 90 days or more and still accruing
    140       15       185       1,135       64  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 3,418     $ 1,761     $ 3,458     $ 2,880     $ 2,530  
                                         
Non-performing assets to period-end loans and foreclosed assets
    0.84 %     0.43 %     0.92 %     1.14 %     1.08 %
Total non-performing assets to total assets
    0.45 %     0.25 %     0.51 %     0.55 %     0.49 %
Total allowance for loan losses to total non-performing assets
    155.7 %     295.0 %     145.9 %     127.5 %     145.3 %
 
 
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Real estate mortgages comprise 84.9% of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2009, as compared to 83.8% in 2008. Real estate mortgages consist of both residential and commercial real estate loans. The real estate loan portfolio is well diversified in terms of borrowers, collateral, interest rates, and maturities. Also, the residential real estate loan portfolio is largely fixed rate mortgages. The real estate loans are concentrated primarily in our marketing area and are subject to risks associated with the local economy. The commercial real estate loans typically reprise approximately each three to five years and are also concentrated in our marketing area.
 
DEPOSITS AND OTHER BORROWED FUNDS
 
Consumer and commercial retail deposits are attracted primarily by First Keystones subsidiary bank's fifteen full service office locations. The Bank offers a broad selection of deposit products and continually evaluates its interest rates and fees on deposit products. The Bank regularly reviews competing financial institutions interest rates along with prevailing market rates, especially when establishing interest rates on certificates of deposit.
 
Deposits increased by $75,936,000, or a 15.0% for the year ending December 31, 2009. This increase compares to a deposit increase of $11,592,000, or 2.4% in 2008. Much of the deposit increase in 2009 relates to the economy and the concerns on Wall Street. We believe customers sought the safety and stability of community banks, together with the increased FDIC insurance limits, which accounts for the rise in deposits during 2009.
 
During 2009, the Corporation experienced a deposit increase in both non-interest and interest bearing deposits. Non-interest bearing deposits amounted to $61,779,000 as of December 31, 2009, an increase of $3,601,000 or 6.2% from 2008. Interest bearing deposits amounted to $518,790,000 as of December 31, 2009, an increase of $72,335,000, or 16.2% over 2008.
 
The deposit growth in 2009 was not a function of First Keystone paying up with higher interest rates to spur deposit growth. In fact, our cost of interest bearing deposits declined in 2009 and our net-interest margin actually increased to 3.55% in 2009 from 3.39% in 2008.
 
During 2009, because of our deposit growth and weak loan demand, the Corporation reduced its reliance on borrowings. Short-term borrowings amounted to $17,462,000 as of year-end 2009, a decrease of $37,870,000 from 2008. Long-term borrowings remained stable at $82,976,000 in 2009 as compared to $82,062,000 as of December 31, 2008. Total borrowings were $100,438,000 as of December 31, 2009, compared to $137,394,000 on December 31, 2008. Short-term borrowings are comprised of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, U.S. Treasury demand notes, and short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).
 
Long-term borrowings are typically FHLB term borrowings with a maturity of one year or more. Short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank are commonly used to offset seasonal fluctuations in deposits. In connection with FHLB borrowings, US Treasury demand notes and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the Corporation maintains certain eligible assets as collateral.
 
CAPITAL STRENGTH
 
Normal increases in capital are generated by net income, less cash dividends paid out. Also, the net unrealized gains or losses on investment securities available-for-sale, net of taxes, referred to as accumulated other comprehensive income may increase or decrease total equity capital. The total net increase in capital was $5,020,000 in 2009 after a decrease of $1,777,000 in 2008. Much of the increase in equity capital in 2009 relates to an increase in retained earnings and a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive losses. The accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $(2,583,000) in 2009 and $(4,671,000) in 2008. One factor which also decreased total equity capital in 2009 and 2008 relates to stock repurchase. The Corporation had 247,641 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, at a cost of $6,240,000 as treasury stock.
 
Return on equity (ROE) is computed by dividing net income by average stockholders equity.  This ratio was 10.88% for 2009, 10.72% for 2008, and 10.48% for 2007. Refer to Performance Ratios on page 15  Selected Financial Data for a more expanded listing of the ROE.
 
Adequate capitalization of banks and bank holding companies is required and monitored by regulatory authorities. Table 11 reflects risk-based capital ratios and the leverage ratio for our Corporation and Bank. The Corporation's leverage ratio was 7.44% at December 31, 2009, and 7.59% at December 31, 2008.

 
28

 

The Corporation has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios at or above the well capitalized” standards. For additional information on capital ratios, see Note 17 on page 64 of this report. As Table 11 indicates, the risk-based capital ratios for both the Corporation and the Bank, although down slightly, remained strong. The risk-based capital calculation assigns various levels of risk to different categories of bank assets, requiring higher levels of capital for assets with more risk. Also measured in the risk-based capital ratio is credit risk exposure associated with off-balance sheet contracts and commitments.
Table 11    Capital Ratios

   
December 31, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
Corporation
   
Bank
   
Corporation
   
Bank
 
Risk-Based Capital:
                       
Tier I risk-based capital ratio
    10.86 %     11.85 %     10.95 %     11.97 %
Total risk-based capital ratio (Tier 1 and Tier 2)
    11.90 %     12.88 %     12.02 %     13.03 %
Leverage Ratio:
                               
Tier I capital to average assets
    7.44 %     8.21 %     7.59 %     8.45 %

LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT

Effective liquidity management ensures that the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, as well as the operating cash needs of the Corporation, are met.
 
Liquidity is needed to provide the funding requirements of depositors withdrawals, loan growth, and other operational needs. Asset liquidity is provided by investment securities maturing in one year or less, other short-term investments, federal funds sold, and cash and due from banks. At year-end 2009, cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other banks totaled $11,426,000 as compared to $9,951,000 at year-end 2008. Additionally, maturing loans and repayment of loans are another source of asset liquidity. Uncertain about the duration of some of our 2009 deposit growth, First Keystone chose to maintain more liquidity than normal in the event customers elected to withdraw some deposits.
 
Liability liquidity is accomplished by maintaining a core deposit base, acquired by attracting new deposits and retaining maturing deposits.  Also, short-term borrowings provide funds to meet liquidity.
 
Management feels its current liquidity position is satisfactory given the fact that the Corporation has a very stable core deposit base which has increased annually. Secondly, our loan payments and principal paydowns on our mortgage backed securities provide a steady source of funds. Also, short-term investments and maturing investments represent additional sources of liquidity.
 
Finally, the Corporations subsidiary bank does have access to funds on a short-term basis from the Federal Reserve Bank discount window. Also, Fed funds can be purchased by means of a borrowing line at the Atlantic Central Bankers Bank. The Corporation has indirect access to the capital markets through its membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank. Advances on borrowings, both short-term and long-term, are available to help address any liquidity needs.
      
MARKET RISK
 
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates and equity prices.  First Keystone Corporations market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The Corporations interest rate risk results from timing differences in the repricing of assets, liabilities, off-balance sheet instruments, and changes in relationships between ratio indices and the potential exercise of explicit or embedded options.
 
Increases in the level of interest rates also may adversely affect the fair value of the Corporations securities and other earning assets. Generally, the fair value of fixed-rate instruments fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates. As a result, increases in interest rates could result in decreases in the fair value of the Corporations interest-earning assets, which could adversely affect the Corporations results of operations if sold, or, in the case of interest earning assets classified as available for sale, the Corporations stockholders equity, if retained. Under the FASB ASC 320-10 Investment Debt and Equity Securities, changes in the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, on securities classified as available for sale will be reflected in the Corporations stockholders equity. The Corporation does not own any trading assets.
 
29

 
Asset/Liability Management

The principal objective of asset liability management is to manage the sensitivity of the net interest margin to potential movements in interest rates and to enhance profitability through returns from managed levels of interest rate risk. The Corporation actively manages the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities. Table 12 presents an interest sensitivity analysis of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009. Several techniques are used for measuring interest rate sensitivity. Interest rate risk arises from the mismatches in the repricing of assets and liabilities within a given time period, referred to as a rate sensitivity gap. If more assets than liabilities mature or reprice within the time frame, the Corporation is asset sensitive. This position would contribute positively to net interest income in a rising rate environment. Conversely, if more liabilities mature or reprice, the Corporation is liability sensitive. This position would contribute positively to net interest income in a falling rate environment.
 
Limitations of interest rate sensitivity gap analysis as illustrated in Table 12 include:  a) assets and liabilities which contractually reprice within the same period may not, in fact, reprice at the same time or to the same extent; b) changes in market interest rates do not affect all assets and liabilities to the same extent or at the same time, and c) interest rate sensitivity gaps reflect the Corporations position on a single day (December 31, 2009 in the case of the following schedule) while the Corporation continually adjusts its interest sensitivity throughout the year. The Corporations cumulative gap at one year indicates the Corporation is liability sensitive.
  
Table 12    Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

(Amounts in thousands)
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
One
   
1 - 5
   
Beyond
   
Not Rate
       
   
Year
   
Years
   
5 Years
   
Sensitive
   
Total
 
                                 
Assets
  $ 153,914     $ 298,281     $ 266,430     $ 39,705     $ 758,330  
                                         
Liabilities/Stockholders Equity
    251,170       282,390       149,362       75,408       758,330  
                                         
Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap
    (97,256 )     15,891       117,068       (35,703 )        
                                         
Cumulative Gap
    (97,256 )     (81,365 )     35,703                  

Earnings at Risk

The Banks Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to interest rate risk. The guidelines established by ALCO are reviewed by the Corporations Board of Directors. The Corporation recognizes that more sophisticated tools exist for measuring the interest rate risk in the balance sheet beyond interest rate sensitivity gap. Although the Corporation continues to measure its interest rate sensitivity gap, the Corporation utilizes additional modeling for interest rate risk in the overall balance sheet. Earnings at risk and economic values at risk are analyzed.
 
Earnings simulation modeling addresses earnings at risk and net present value estimation addresses economic value at risk. While each of these interest rate risk measurements has limitations, taken together they represent a reasonably comprehensive view of the magnitude of interest rate risk in the Corporation.
 
Earnings Simulation Modeling
 
The Corporations net income is affected by changes in the level of interest rates.  Net income is also subject to changes in the shape of the yield curve.  For example, a flattening of the yield curve would result in a decline in earnings due to the compression of earning asset yields and increased liability rates, while a steepening would result in increased earnings as earning asset yields widen.

 
30

 
 
Earnings simulation modeling is the primary mechanism used in assessing the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income. The model reflects management's assumptions related to asset yields and rates paid on liabilities, deposit sensitivity, size and composition of the balance sheet. The assumptions are based on what management believes at that time to be the most likely interest rate environment. Earnings at risk is the change in net interest income from a base case scenario under an increase and decrease of 200 basis points in the interest rate earnings simulation model.
 
Table 13 presents an analysis of the changes in net-interest income and net present value of the balance sheet resulting from an increase or decrease of two percentage points (200 basis points) in the level of interest rates. The calculated estimates of change in net interest income and net present value of the balance sheet are compared to current limits approved by ALCO and the Board of Directors. The earnings simulation model projects net-interest income would decrease by approximately 2.1% if rates fell by two percentage points over one year. The model projects a decrease of approximately 5.9% in net-interest income if rates rise by two percentage points over one year. Both of these forecasts are within the one year policy guidelines.
 
Net Present Value Estimation
 
The net present value measures economic value at risk and is used for helping to determine levels of risk at a point in time present in the balance sheet that might not be taken into account in the earnings simulation model. The net present value of the balance sheet is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash flows minus the discounted present value of liability cash flows. At year-end 2009, a 200 basis point immediate decrease in rates is estimated to increase net present value by 12%. Additionally, net present value is projected to decrease by 23.0% if rates increase immediately by 200 basis points. The 12.0% scenario is below our policy limits of 40%.
 
The computation of the effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on many assumptions. They should not be relied upon solely as being indicative of actual results, since the computations do not contemplate actions management could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

Table 13    Effect of Change in Interest Rates
   
Projected Change
 
Effect on Net Interest Income
     
1-year Net Income simulation Projection
     
200 bp Shock vs Stable Rate
    (2.1 )%
+200 bp Shock vs Stable Rate
    (5.9 ) %
         
Effect on Net Present Value of Balance Sheet
       
Static Net Present Value Change
       
200 bp Shock vs Stable Rate
    12.0 %
+200 bp Shock vs Stable Rate
    (23.0 )%

MARKET PRICE/DIVIDEND HISTORY

As of December 31, 2009, the corporation had 5,440,126 shares of $2.00 par value common stock outstanding held by shareholders of record. First Keystone Corporations common stock is quoted on the Over The Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board under the symbol FKYS.OB.
 
Table 14 reports the highest and lowest per share prices known to the Corporation and the dividends paid during the periods indicated. These prices do not necessarily reflect any dealer or retail markup, markdown or commission.

 
31

 

Table 14    Market Price/Dividend History

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Common Stock
   
Dividends
   
Common Stock
   
Dividends
   
Common Stock
   
Dividends
 
   
High/Low
   
Paid
   
High/Low
   
Paid
   
High/Low
   
Paid
 
First Quarter
  $ 17.50/$14.01     $ .23     $ 18.00/$15.25     $ .22     $ 19.00/$17.50     $ .22  
Second Quarter
  $ 16.55/$15.25       .23     $ 18.00/$14.25       .22     $ 21.75/$17.90       .22  
Third Quarter
  $ 16.55/$15.00       .23     $ 18.00/$15.50       .22     $ 19.25/$17.00       .22  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 17.95/$14.55       .23     $ 16.00/$13.50       .23     $ 18.25/$15.80       .22  

Table 15    Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share)

   
Three Months Ended
 
2009
 
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
                         
Interest income
  $ 9,363     $ 9,406     $ 9,253     $ 9,524  
Interest expense
    4,035       3,950       3,898       3,682  
Net interest income
  $ 5,328     $ 5,456     $ 5,355     $ 5,842  
Provision for loan losses
    275       175       150       200  
Other non-interest income
    1,036       1,310       1,073       1,175  
Non-interest expense
    3,516       4,160       3,708       5,175  
Income before income taxes
  $ 2,573     $ 2,431     $ 2,570     $ 1,642  
Income taxes
    471       268       484       56  
Net income
  $ 2,102     $ 2,163     $ 2,086     $ 1,586  
                                 
Per share
  $ .39     $ .39     $ .39     $ .29  
                                 
2008
 
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
                                 
Interest income
  $ 9,351     $ 9,267     $ 9,491     $ 9,529  
Interest expense
    4,853       4,546       4,399       4,318  
Net interest income
  $ 4,498     $ 4,721     $ 5,092     $ 5,211  
Provision for loan losses
    50       75       75       500  
Other non-interest income
    1,105       998       1,130       813  
Non-interest expense
    3,450       3,348       3,446       3,679  
Income before income taxes
  $ 2,103     $ 2,296     $ 2,701     $ 1,845  
Income taxes
    381       410       474       129  
Net income
  $ 1,722     $ 1,886     $ 2,227     $ 1,716  
                                 
Per share
  $ .32     $ .34     $ .41     $ .32  

ITEM 7A.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information with respect to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included in the information under Managements Discussion and Analysis in Item 7 hereof.

 
32

 

ITEM 8.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiary 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 consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporations management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their 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.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) the effectiveness of First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiarys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 12, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 
/s/ J. H. Williams & Co., LLP
 
 
J. H. Williams & Co., LLP

Kingston, Pennsylvania
March 12, 2010

 
33

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
ASSETS
           
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 4,199     $ 9,945  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
    7,227       6  
Investment securities available-for-sale
    269,685       233,497  
Investment securities held-to-maturity (estimated fair value 2009 - $4,936; 2008 - $2,906)
    4,974       2,990  
Restricted securities at cost
    8,139       6,678  
Loans, net of unearned income
    406,697       408,367  
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,322 )     (5,195 )
Net loans
  $ 401,375     $ 403,172  
Premises and equipment, net
    11,465       9,169  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,213       4,228  
Cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    17,622       17,157  
Goodwill
    19,133       19,133  
Prepaid FDIC insurance
    2,780       0  
Other assets
    7,518       8,923  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 758,330     $ 714,898  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
                 
Deposits:
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 61,779     $ 58,178  
Interest bearing
    518,790       446,455  
Total Deposits
    580,569       504,633  
Short-term borrowings
    17,462       55,332  
Long-term borrowings
    82,976       82,062  
Accrued interest and other expenses
    3,101       3,488  
Other liabilities
    55       236  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  $ 684,163     $ 645,751  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share; authorized and unissued 500,000 shares
  $     $  
Common stock, par value $2.00 per share; authorized 10,000,00shares; issued 5,687,767 in 2009 and 2008
    11,375       11,375  
Surplus
    30,269       30,269  
Retained earnings
    41,346       38,414  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
    (2,583 )     (4,671 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 247,641 shares in 2009 and 2008
    (6,240 )     (6,240 )
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 74,167     $ 69,147  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 758,330     $ 714,898  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
34

 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
INTEREST INCOME
                 
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 24,819     $ 25,408     $ 19,049  
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
                       
Taxable
    9,218       8,367       9,484  
Tax-exempt
    3,550       3,514       2,860  
Dividends
    130       256       409  
Deposits in banks
    9       79       66  
Federal funds sold
          14       31  
Total interest income
  $ 37,726     $ 37,638     $ 31,899  
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Deposits
  $ 11,364     $ 13,908     $ 13,557  
Short-term borrowings
    371       669       1,327  
Long-term borrowings
    3,830       3,539       2,901  
Total interest expense
  $ 15,565     $ 18,116     $ 17,785  
Net interest income
  $ 22,161     $ 19,522     $ 14,114  
Provision for loan losses
    800       700       150  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  $ 21,361     $ 18,822     $ 13,964  
                         
NON-INTEREST INCOME
                       
Trust department
  $ 475     $ 530     $ 581  
Service charges and fees
    1,662       1,828       1,613  
Bank owned life insurance income
    748       707       558  
ATM fees and debit card income
    689       627       570  
Gain on sale of loans
    300       136       89  
Investment securities gains (losses) - net
    (138 )     (148 )     483  
Other
    563       366       305  
Total non-interest income
  $ 4,299     $ 4,046     $ 4,199  
                         
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 8,056     $ 7,350     $ 5,576  
Occupancy, net
    1,170       1,064       758  
Furniture and equipment
    1,146       936       764  
Professional services
    608       534       443  
State shares tax
    697       683       572  
FDIC insurance
    1,184       219       41  
Loss due to defalcation
    850              
Other
    2,733       3,137       2,491  
Total non-interest expense
  $ 16,444     $ 13,923     $ 10,645  
                         
Income before income taxes
  $ 9,216     $ 8,945     $ 7,518  
Income tax expense
    1,279       1,394       1,391  
NET INCOME
  $ 7,937     $ 7,551     $ 6,127  
                         
PER SHARE DATA
                       
Net income per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.46     $ 1.39     $ 1.31  
Diluted
  $ 1.46     $ 1.39     $ 1.31  
Cash dividends per share
  $ .92     $ .89     $ .88  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
35

 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                           
Accumulated
             
                           
Other
             
   
Common
         
Comprehensive
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
       
   
Stock
   
Surplus
   
Income
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Stock
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance At December 31, 2006
  $ 9,511     $ 16,119           $ 33,793     $ (126 )   $ (5,910 )   $ 53,387  
Comprehensive Income:
                                                     
Net Income
                  $ 6,127       6,127                       6,127  
Change in net unrealized (loss) on investment securities available-for- sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
                    (40 )             (40 )             (40 )
Total comprehensive income
                  $ 6,087                                  
Purchase of 18,791 shares of treasury stock
                                            (332 )     (332 )
Issuance of 932,203 shares pursuant to acquisition
    1,864       14,132                                       15,996  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for deferred compensation endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements
                            (36 )                     (36 )
Recognition of stock option expense
                    1                               1  
Cash dividends - $.88 per share
                            (4,179 )                     (4,179 )
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 11,375     $ 30,252             $ 35,705     $ (166 )   $ (6,242 )   $ 70,924  
Comprehensive Income:
                                                       
Net Income
                  $ 7,551       7,551                       7,551  
Change in net unrealized (loss) on investment securities available-for- sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
                    (4,505 )             (4,505 )             (4,505 )
Total comprehensive income
                  $ 3,046                                  
Issuance of 50 shares of treasury stock upon exercise of employee stock options
            (1 )                             2       1  
Recognition of stock option expense
                    18                               18  
Cash dividends - $.89 per share
                            (4,842 )                     (4,842 )
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 11,375     $ 30,269             $ 38,414     $ (4,671 )   $ (6,240 )   $ 69,147  
Comprehensive Income:
                                                       
Net Income
                  $ 7,937       7,937                       7,937  
Change in net unrealized (loss) on investment securities available-for- sale, net of reclassification adjustment and tax effects
                    2,088               2,088               2,088  
Total comprehensive income
                  $ 10,025                                  
Cash dividends - $.92 per share
                            (5,005 )                     (5,005 ) 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 11,375     $ 30,269             $ 41,346     $ (2,583 )   $ (6,240 )   $ 74,167  

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

 
36

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(Amounts in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income
  $ 7,937     $ 7,551     $ 6,127  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Provision for loan losses
    800       700       150  
Depreciation and amortization
    762       710       663  
Stock option expense
          18       1  
Premium amortization on investment securities
    322       95       120  
Discount accretion on investment securities
    (1,228 )     (677 )     (549 )
Impairment loss on investment securities
          437        
Core deposit discount amortization net of accretion
    269       181       (35 )
Deferred income tax benefit
    (166 )     (471 )     (104 )
Gain on sale of mortgage loans originated for resale
    (300 )     (136 )     (89 )
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans originated for resale
    20,130       8,992       7,467  
Originations of mortgage loans originated for resale
    (27,402 )     (12,218 )     (4,035 )
(Gain) loss on sales of investment securities
    138       (289 )     (483 )
Gain on sale of foreclosed real estate
    (9 )     (31 )      
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
    15       (987 )     41  
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
    (748 )     (707 )     (558 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets - net
    107       (104 )     (143 )
(Increase) in prepaid FDIC insurance
    (2,780 )            
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest and other expenses
    (387 )     32       734  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities - net
    (181 )     85       5  
Loss from sale of premises and equipment
                3  
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED IN) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (2,721 )   $ 3,181     $ 9,315  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale
  $ 82,407     $ 80,025     $ 79,828  
Proceeds from maturities and redemption of investment securities available-for-sale
    19,672       36,148       22,874  
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
    (134,338 )     (120,676 )     (93,968 )
Proceeds from maturities and redemption of investment securities held-to-maturity
    2,017       2,015       2,012  
Proceeds from sales of investment securities held-to-maturity
                375  
Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity
    (4,000 )     (467 )      
Proceeds from sales of restricted securities
          3,601       3,427  
Purchases of restricted securities
    (1,461 )     (4,171 )     (2,820 )
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance
    530              
Net (increase) decrease  in loans
    7,920       (29,184 )     (22,277 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (3,023 )     (1,476 )     (692 )
Purchase of investment in real estate venture
          (18 )     (485 )
Purchase of bank net of cash acquired
                (13,626 )
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
                2  
Purchase of bank owned life insurance
                (1,000 )
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate
    441       384       41  
Decrease in other liabilities related to acquisition
          (152 )      
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  $ (29,835 )   $ (33,971 )   $ (26,309 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
  $ 75,957     $ 11,701     $ (616 )
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
    (37,870 )     7,983       17,170  
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    13,000       25,000       15,000  
Repayment of long-term borrowings
    (12,051 )     (9,077 )     (10,262 )
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock
          1        
Acquisition of treasury stock
                (332 )
Cash dividends paid
    (5,005 )     (4,842 )     (4,179 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  $ 34,031     $ 30,766     $ 16,781  
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  $ 1,475     $ (24 )   $ (213 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
    9,951       9,975       10,188  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
  $ 11,426     $ 9,951     $ 9,975  

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

 
37

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 1    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies of First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiary (the Corporation) are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to common practices within the banking industry. The more significant policies follow:
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Keystone Corporation and its wholly-owned Subsidiary, First Keystone National Bank (the Bank). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Nature of Operations
 
The Corporation, headquartered in Berwick, Pennsylvania, provides a full range of banking, trust and related services through its wholly-owned Bank subsidiary and is subject to competition from other financial institutions in connection with these services. The Bank serves a customer base which includes individuals, businesses, public and institutional customers primarily located in the Northeast Region of Pennsylvania. The Bank has 15 full service offices and 17 ATMs located in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour and Monroe Counties. The Corporation and its subsidiary must also adhere to certain federal banking laws and regulations and are subject to periodic examinations made by various federal agencies.
 
Segment Reporting
 
The Corporation's banking subsidiary acts as an independent community financial services provider, and offers traditional banking and related financial services to individual, business and government customers. Through its branch and automated teller machine network, the Bank offers a full array of commercial and retail financial services, including the taking of time, savings and demand deposits; the making of commercial, consumer and mortgage loans; and the providing of other financial services. The Bank also performs personal, corporate, pension and fiduciary services through its Trust Department.
 
Management does not separately allocate expenses, including the cost of funding loan demand, between the commercial, retail, trust and mortgage banking operations of the Corporation. Currently, management measures the performance and allocates the resources of First Keystone Corporation as a single segment.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, 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 date of these consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Investment Securities
 
The Corporation classifies its investment securities as either Held-to-Maturity or Available-for-Sale at the time of purchase. Debt securities are classified as Held-to-Maturity when the Corporation has the ability and positive intent to hold the securities to maturity. Investment securities Held-to-Maturity are carried at cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount to maturity.
 
Debt securities not classified as Held-to-Maturity and equity securities are included in the Available-for-Sale category and are carried at fair value. The amount of any unrealized gain or loss, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reported as other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity. Management's decision to sell Available-for-Sale securities is based on changes in economic conditions controlling the sources and applications of funds, terms, availability of and yield of alternative investments, interest rate risk and the need for liquidity.

 
38

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
The cost of debt securities classified as Held-to-Maturity or Available-for-Sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to expected maturity. Such amortization and accretion, as well as interest and dividends is included in interest income from investments. Realized gains and losses are included in net investment securities gains and losses. The cost of investment securities sold, redeemed or matured is based on the specific identification method.
 
Restricted Securities
 
Restricted equity securities consist of stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB-Pittsburgh), Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (ACBB) and Federal Reserve Bank and do not have a readily determinable fair value because their ownership is restricted, and they can be sold back only to the FHLB-Pittsburgh, ACBB, the Federal Reserve Bank or to another member institution. Therefore, these securities are classified as restricted equity investment securities, carried at cost, and evaluated for impairment. At December 31, 2009, the Corporation held $6,661,000 in stock of FHLB-Pittsburgh, $35,000 in stock of ACBB and $1,443,000 in stock of Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2008, the Corporation held $5,868,000 in stock of the FHLB-Pittsburgh, $35,000 in stock of ACBB and $775,000 in stock of the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
The Corporation evaluated its holding of restricted stock for impairment and deemed the stock to not be impaired due to the expected recoverability of cost, which equals the value reflected within the Corporations consolidated financial statements. The decision was based on several items ranging from the estimated true economic losses embedded within FHLBs mortgage portfolio to the FHLBs liquidity position and credit rating. The Corporation utilizes the impairment framework outlined in GAAP to evaluate stock for impairment. The following factors were evaluated to determine the ultimate recoverability of the cost of the Corporations restricted stock holdings; (i) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted; (ii) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB; (iii) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB; (iv) the liquidity position of the FHLB; and (v) whether a decline is temporary or whether it affects the ultimate recoverability of the FHLB stock based on (a) the materiality of the carrying amount to the member institution and (b) whether an assessment of the institutions operational needs for the foreseeable future allow management to dispose of the stock. Based on the analysis of these factors, the Corporation determined that its holdings of restricted stock were not impaired at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Loans
 
Loans are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of deferred fees or costs, unearned income and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on installment loans is recognized as income over the term of each loan, generally, by the actuarial method. Interest on all other loans is primarily recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding on an actual day basis. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs have been deferred with the net amount amortized using the interest method over the contractual life of the related loans as an interest yield adjustment.
 
Mortgage loans held for resale are carried at the lower of cost or market on an aggregate basis. These loans are sold without recourse to the Corporation.
 
Past-Due Loans — Generally, a loan is considered to be past-due when scheduled loan payments are in arrears 15 days or more. Delinquent notices are generated automatically when a loan is 15 days past-due. Collection efforts continue on loans past-due beyond 60 days that have not been satisfied, when it is believed that some chance exists for improvement in the status of the loan. Past-due loans are continually evaluated with the determination for charge-off being made when no reasonable chance remains that the status of the loan can be improved.
 
Non-Accrual Loans — Generally, a loan is classified as non-accrual and the accrual of interest on such a loan is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectibility of principal or interest, even though the loan currently is performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses.

 
39

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Certain non-accrual loans may continue to perform, that is, payments are still being received. Generally, the payments are applied to principal. These loans remain under constant scrutiny and if performance continues, interest income may be recorded on a cash basis based on management's judgement as to collectibility of principal.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses  The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for loan losses charged against income. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
A principal factor in estimating the allowance for loan losses is the measurement of impaired loans. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Under current accounting standards, the allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans is based on discounted cash flows using the effective interest rate of the loan or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.
 
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to be adequate to absorb potential loan losses. Management's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on the Corporation's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change.
 
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises, improvements, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation computed principally utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recovered.  Maintenance and minor repairs are charged to operations as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of the premises and equipment retired or sold are eliminated from the property accounts at the time of retirement or sale, and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in current operations.
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
The Corporation originates and sells real estate loans to investors in the secondary mortgage market. After the sale, the Corporation may retain the right to service these loans. When originated mortgage loans are sold and servicing is retained, a servicing asset is capitalized based on relative fair value at the date of sale. Servicing assets are amortized as an offset to other fees in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. The unamortized cost is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The servicing rights are periodically evaluated for impairment based on their relative fair value.
 
Foreclosed Real Estate
 
Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value on the date of foreclosure establishing a new cost basis. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the real estate is carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and is included in other assets. Revenues derived from and costs to maintain the assets and subsequent gains and losses on sales are included in other non-interest income and expense.  The total of foreclosed real estate properties included in other assets amounted to $330,000 and $28,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance
 
The Corporation invests in Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) with split dollar life provisions.  Purchase of BOLI provides life insurance coverage on certain employees with the Corporation being owner and beneficiary of the policies.
 
40

 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Investments in Real Estate Ventures

The Bank is a limited partner in  real estate ventures that own and operate affordable residential low-income housing apartment buildings for elderly residents. The investments are accounted for under the effective yield method. Under the effective yield method, the Bank recognizes tax credits as they are allocated and amortizes the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that the tax credits are allocated to the Bank.  Under this method, the tax credits allocated, net of any amortization of the investment in the limited partnerships, are recognized in the consolidated statements of income as a component of income tax expense.  The amount of tax credits allocated to the Bank were $187,000 in 2009, $187,000 in 2008 and $151,000 in 2007, and the amortization of the investments in the limited partnerships were $154,000, $148,000 and $108,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The carrying value of the investments as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, were $690,000, $844,000 and $975,000, respectively, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes is based on the results of operations, adjusted primarily for tax-exempt income. Certain items of income and expense are reported in different periods for financial reporting and tax return purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities measured by using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the timing differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax expense or benefit is based on the difference between deferred tax asset or liability from period to period.
 
Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets, and Premium Discount
 
Goodwill resulted from the acquisition of the Pocono Community Bank in November 2007 (See Note 2) and of certain fixed and operating assets acquired and deposit liabilities assumed of the branch of another financial institution in Danville, Pennsylvania, in January 2004.  Such goodwill represents the excess cost of the acquired assets relative to the assets fair value at the dates of acquisition. During the first quarter of 2008, $152,000 of liabilities were recorded related to the Pocono acquisition as a purchase accounting adjustment resulting in an increase in the excess purchase price. The amount was comprised of the finalization of severance agreements and contract terminations related to the acquisition. In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill is not amortized. Management performs an annual evaluation for impairment. Any impairment of goodwill results in a charge to income. The Corporation periodically assesses whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of goodwill and other intangible assets may be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level and an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The Corporation has tested the goodwill included in its consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009, and has determined there was no impairment as of that date. No assurance can be given that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.
 
Intangible assets are comprised of core deposit intangibles and premium discount (negative premium) on certificates of deposit acquired.  The core deposit intangible is being amortized over the average life of the deposits acquired as determined by an independent third party.  Premium discount (negative premium) on acquired certificates of deposit resulted from the valuation of certificate of deposit accounts by an independent third party.  The book value of certificates of deposit acquired was greater than their fair value at the date of acquisition which resulted in a negative premium due to higher cost of the certificates of deposit compared to the cost of similar term financing.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
The Corporation sponsors a stock option plan (see Note 21). Compensation cost is recognized for stock options to employees based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period.

 
41

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Per Share Data

FASB ASC 260-10 Earnings Per Share  ((SFAS) No. 128, Earnings Per Share), requires dual presentation of basic and fully diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding at the end of each period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by increasing the denominator for the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive securities. The Corporation's dilutive securities are limited to stock options.  The most recent options issued were in December 2007.
 
Per share data has been adjusted retroactively for stock splits and stock dividends.  The reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share follows:

   
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
         
Weighted Average
       
   
Net Income
   
Number of Shares
   
Per Share
 
   
Numerators
   
Denominators
   
Amount
 
                   
Net income
  $ 7,937              
Basic earnings per share:
                   
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 7,937       5,440     $ 1.46  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
            2          
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 7,937       5,442     $ 1.46  

   
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
         
Weighted Average
       
   
Net Income
   
Number of Shares
   
Per Share
 
   
Numerators
   
Denominators
   
Amount
 
                   
Net income
  $ 7,551              
Basic earnings per share:
                   
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 7,551       5,440     $ 1.39  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
            2          
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 7,551       5,442     $ 1.39  

 
42

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
   
Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
         
Weighted Average
       
   
Net Income
   
Number of Shares
   
Per Share
 
   
Numerators
   
Denominators
   
Amount
 
                   
Net income
  $ 6,127              
Basic earnings per share:
                   
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 6,127       4,674     $ 1.31  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
             6          
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
Income available to common stockholders
  $ 6,127       4,680     $ 1.31  

Cash Flow Information

For purposes of reporting consolidated cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and due from other banks and interest bearing deposits in other banks. The Corporation considers cash classified as interest bearing deposits with other banks as a cash equivalent since they are represented by cash accounts essentially on a demand basis.
 
Trust Assets and Income
 
Property held by the Corporation in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of the Corporation. Trust Department income is generally  recognized on a cash basis and is not materially different than if it were reported on an accrual basis.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
FASB ASC 820-10  In February 2008, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (FASB Staff Position No. 157-2). The staff position delays the effective date of FASB ASC 820-10 (SFAS No. 157) for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The delay expired January 1, 2009, and the expiration of the delay did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial positions or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 805 In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations (SFAS No 141®  Business Combinations). The new guidance establishes principles and requirements for how an acquiring company (1) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (2) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The new standard became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 810-10 In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB ASC 810-10, Consolidation (Statement No. 160  Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51). FASB ASC 810-10 requires the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled and presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, but separate from the parents equity. It also requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest to be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. The new standard became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 
43

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
FASB ASC 815-10 In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (Statement No. 161 Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities  an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133). FASB ASC 815-10 requires enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The new standard became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 855 In May 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events (Statement No. 165  Subsequent Events). FASB ASC 855 establishes the period after the balance sheet date during which management shall evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in financial statements and the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date. FASB ASC 855 also requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The Corporation adopted this standard for the interim reporting period ending June 30, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 860 In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing (Statement No. 166  Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets  an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140). The new guidance removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. The new standard will become effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2010. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on the consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 810-10 In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 810-10, Consolidation (Statement No. 167 Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46®). The new guidance amends tests for variable interest entities to determine whether a variable interest entity must be consolidated. FASB ASC 810-10 requires an entity to perform an analysis to determine whether an entitys variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This standard requires ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and enhanced disclosures that provide more transparent information about an entitys involvement with a variable interest entity. The new guidance will become effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2010 and the Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on the consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 105-10 In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Statement No. 168  The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). The new guidance replaces SFAS No. 162 and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Rules and interpretative releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The new standard became effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations. Technical references to generally accepted accounting principles included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are provided under the new FASB ASC structure with the prior terminology included parenthetically.
 
FASB ASC 715-20-50 In December 2008, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 715-20-50, Compensation Retirement Benefits  Defined Benefit Plans  General (FASB Staff Position No. 132®- 1, Employers Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets). This provides guidance on an employers disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The guidance requires disclosure of the fair value of each major category of plan assets for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. This standard becomes effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2010. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements, but it is not expected to have a material impact.

 
44

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
FASB ASC 825-10-50 In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 825-10-50, Financial Instruments (FASB Staff Position No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments). This guidance amends existing GAAP to require disclosures about fair values of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. The guidance also amends existing GAAP to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The Corporation adopted this standard for the interim reporting period ending March 31, 2009.
 
FASB ASC 320-10 In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 320-10, Investments  Debt and Equity Securities (FASB Staff Position No. FAS 115-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments). This guidance amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for debt securities. If an entity determines that it has an other-than-temporary impairment on a security, it must recognize the credit loss on the security in the income statement. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. FASB ASC 320-10 expands disclosures about other-than-temporary impairment and requires that the annual disclosures in existing generally accepted accounting principles be made for interim reporting periods. The Corporation adopted this guidance for the interim reporting period ending March 31, 2009.
 
FASB ASC 820 In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly). This provides additional guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity for the asset or liability. A significant decrease in the volume or level of activity for the asset or liability is an indication that transactions or quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value because transactions may not be orderly. In that circumstance, further analysis of transactions or quoted prices is needed, and an adjustment to the transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. The Corporation adopted this guidance for the interim reporting period ending March 31, 2009 and it did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
SAB 111 In April 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 111 (SAB 111”). SAB 111 amends Topic 5.M in the Staff Accounting Bulletin series entitled Other Than Temporary Impairment of Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 320-10, Investments  Debt and Equity Securities (FASB Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments). SAB 111 maintains the previous views related to equity securities and amends Topic 5.M to exclude debt securities from its scope. SAB 111 was effective for the Corporation as of March 31, 2009. There was no material impact to the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
 
SAB 112 In June 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 112 (SAB 112”). SAB 112 revises or rescinds portions of the interpretative guidance included in the Staff Accounting Bulletin series in order to make the interpretative guidance consistent with the recent pronouncements by the FASB, specifically FASB ASC 805 and FASB ASC 810-10 (SFAS No. 141® and SFAS No. 160). SAB 112 was effective for the Corporation as of June 30, 2009. There was no material impact to the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
 
FASB ASC 323 In November 2008, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on FASB ASC 323, Investments  Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Issue No. 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations). The new guidance clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. An equity investor shall not separately test an investees underlying assets for impairment but will recognize its share of any impairment charge recorded by an investee in earnings and consider the effect of the impairment on its investment. An equity investor shall account for a share issuance by an investee as if the investor had sold a proportionate share of its investment, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. The new guidance became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
 
45

 
   
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


FASB ASC 350 In November 2008, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on FASB ASC 350, Intangibles  Goodwill and Other (Issue No. 08-7, Accounting for Defensive Intangible Assets). The new guidance clarifies how to account for defensive intangible assets subsequent to initial measurement. The guidance applies to acquired intangible assets in situations in which an entity does not intend to actively use an asset but intends to hold the asset to prevent others from obtaining access to the asset. A defensive intangible asset should be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting with an expected life that reflects the consumption of the expected benefits related to the asset. The benefit from holding a defensive intangible asset is the direct and indirect cash flows resulting from the entity preventing others from using the asset. The new guidance was effective for intangible assets acquired on or after January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 260-10 In June 2008, the FASB issued new guidance impacting FASB ASC 260-10, Earnings Per Share (FSP No. EITF 03-06-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities). This new guidance concluded that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and therefore are considered participating securities for purposes of computing earnings per share. Entities that have participating securities that are not convertible into common stock are required to use the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. This new guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. This new guidance became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 820-10 In August 2009, the FASB issued an update (ASC No. 2009-05, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value) impacting FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The update provides clarification about measuring liabilities at fair value in circumstances where a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available and the valuation techniques that should be used. The update also clarifies that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. This update became effective for the Corporation for the reporting period ending September 30, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 820-10 In September 2009, the FASB issued an update (ASC No. 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its equivalent)) impacting FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The amendments in this update permit, as a practical expedient, a reporting entity to measure the fair value of an investment that is within the scope of the amendments in this update on the basis of the net asset value per share of the investment (or its equivalent) if the net asset value of the investment is calculated in a manner consistent with the measurement principles of Topic 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies. The amendments in this update also require disclosures by major category of investment about the attributes of investments within the scope of the amendments in this update, such as the nature of any restrictions on the ability to redeem an investment on the measurement date. This update becomes effective for the Corporation for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2009. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements, but it is not expected to have a material impact.
 
FASB ASC 505-20 In January 2010, the FASB issued an update (ASC No. 2010-01, Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash) impacting FASB ASC 505-20, Equity - Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. The amendments in this update clarify that the stock portion of a distribution to shareholders that allows them to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected in earnings per share and is not a stock dividend. This update became effective for the Corporation for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
FASB ASC 810-10 In January 2010, the FASB issued an update (ASC No. 2010-02, Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary - a Scope Clarification) impacting FASB ASC 810-10, Consolidation. The amendments in this update address implementation issues related to the changes of ownership provisions originally issued as FASB Statement 160. It also improves the disclosures related to retained investments in a deconsolidated subsidiary or a preexisting interest held by an acquirer in a business combination. This update became effective for the Corporation for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2009 and did not have a material impact on the Corporations consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 
46

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


FASB ASC 820-10 In January 2010, the FASB issued an update (ASC No. 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements) impacting FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The amendments in this update require new disclosures about significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. The amendments also require a reporting entity to provide information about activity for purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in level 3 fair value measurements and clarify disclosures about the Level of disaggregation and disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. This update becomes effective for the Corporation for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
 
Advertising Costs
 
It is the Corporations policy to expense advertising costs in the period in which they are incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, was approximately $267,000, $316,000 and $349,000, respectively.
 
Subsequent Events
 
Management has evaluated subsequent events for reporting and disclosure in these financial statements through March 12, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued. No material subsequent events have occurred since December 31, 2009 that require recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to conform with presentation used in the 2009 consolidated financial statements. Such reclassifications have no effect on the Corporations consolidated financial condition or net income.
 
NOTE 2     ACQUISITIONS
 
Effective November 1, 2007, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Pocono Community Bank. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 10, 2007, Pocono was acquired by First Keystone Corporation and merged with and into First Keystone National Bank, its wholly owned subsidiary. Headquartered and founded in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania in 1996, Pocono had 4 banking offices located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  The acquisition expands the branch network that the Corporation has and its opportunity to provide Pocono customers with a broader mix of products and services. As part of the merger agreement, Pocono continues to operate under the Pocono name and logo, and has become a division of the Bank. The Corporation acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Pocono for a total purchase price of $33.565 million. The transaction was accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations). In connection therewith, 1,042,266 Pocono shares were exchanged for 932,203 shares of the Corporations common stock and 703,684 Pocono shares were exchanged for cash consideration totaling $11.329 million. Pocono options of 63,785 and warrants of 396,134 were exchanged for cash consideration of $5.034 million. The allocation of the Corporations common stock and cash was such that the Pocono shareholders did not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on those Pocono shares that were exchanged for the Corporations common stock in the merger. Poconos results of operations are included in the Corporations results from the date of acquisition, November 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.
 
Assets and liabilities of Pocono are recorded at estimated fair values as of the acquisition date and the results of Poconos operations included in income from November 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007. The fair values of acquired assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets, are finalized as quickly as possible following an acquisition. The purchase price allocations are complete.

 
47

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


The following table shows the excess purchase price over carrying value of net assets acquired, purchase price allocation and resulting goodwill recorded for this acquisition:

(Amounts in thousands)

Purchase price
  $ 33,565  
Carrying value of net assets acquired
    (14,329 )
Excess of purchase price over carrying value of net assets acquired
    19,236  
Purchase accounting adjustments:
       
Investment securities
    182  
Loans
    1,101  
Premises and equipment
    (148 )
Deposits
    167  
Borrowings
    97  
Severance and related costs
    (877 )
Deferred taxes
    232  
Subtotal
    19,990  
Core deposit intangibles
    (2,081 )
Goodwill
  $ 17,909  

The following table summarized the estimated fair value of net assets acquired:

(Amounts in thousands)

Assets
     
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,387  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
    68  
Federal funds sold
    2,488  
Investment securities
    13,122  
Loans, net of allowances for loan losses
    104,752  
Premises and equipment-net
    3,292  
Accrued interest receivable
    596  
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
    2,950  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    19,838  
Other assets
    1,065  
Total Assets
  $ 149,558  
         
Liabilities
       
Deposits
  $ 109,672  
Borrowings
    5,908  
Other liabilities
    413  
Total Liabilities
  $ 115,993  
         
Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired
  $ 33,565  

48

 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presents the combined results of operations of the Corporation as if the Pocono acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2007 and 2006, respectively:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
For the Year Ended
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net interest income
  $ 17,100     $ 17,182  
Provision for loan losses
    206       580  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    16,894       16,602  
Noninterest income
    4,658       4,245  
Noninterest expense
    13,575       12,897  
Income before income tax expense
    7,977       7,950  
Income tax expense
    1,206       1,415  
Net Income
  $ 6,771     $ 6,535  
                 
Net Income Per Common Share
               
Basic
  $ 1.21     $ 1.19  
Diluted
  $ 1.21     $ 1.19  
                 
Average Common Shares Outstanding
               
Basic
    5,606,316       5,503,359  
Diluted
    5,611,990       5,509,996  

The pro forma results include amortization of fair value adjustments on loans, deposits, and debt, and amortization of newly acquired intangibles. The pro forma number of average common shares outstanding includes adjustments for shares issued for the acquisitions and the impact of additional dilutive securities but does not assume any incremental share repurchases. The pro forma results presented do not reflect cost savings or revenue enhancements anticipated from the acquisition and are not necessarily indicative of what actually would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.
 
NOTE 3     RESTRICTED CASH BALANCES
 
The Bank is required to maintain certain average reserve balances as established by the Federal Reserve Bank. The amount of those reserve balances for the reserve computation period which included December 31, 2009, was $1,505,000, which was satisfied through the restriction of vault cash. In addition, the Bank maintains a clearing balance at the Federal Reserve Bank to offset specific charges for services. At December 31, 2009, the amount of this balance was $5,185,000.

 
49

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


NOTE 4     INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost, related estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses for investment securities classified as Available-For-Sale or Held-to-Maturity were as follows at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
(Amounts in thousands)
       
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2009:
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Obligations of U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies:
                       
Mortgage-backed
  $ 52,730     $ 1,074     $ (575 )   $ 53,229  
Other
    6,044       155       (6 )     6,193  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    168,563       1,650       (7,613 )     162,600  
Corporate securities
    44,262       1,651       (9 )     45,904  
Marketable equity securities
    2,027       187       (455 )     1,759  
Restricted equity securities
    8,139        —        —       8,139  
Total
  $ 281,765     $ 4,717     $ (8,658 )   $ 277,824  

   
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
(Amounts in thousands)
       
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2009:
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Obligations of U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies:
                       
Mortgage-backed
  $ 159     $ 2     $     $ 161  
Other
    3,000       11       (34 )     2,977  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    1,815       2       (19 )     1,798  
Total
  $ 4,974     $ 15     $ (53 )   $ 4,936  

   
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
(Amounts in thousands)
       
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2008:
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Obligations of U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies:
                       
Mortgage-backed
  $ 64,966     $ 2,032     $     $ 66,998  
Other
    11,011       335             11,346  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    142,805       308       (9,652 )     133,461  
Corporate securities
    19,650       198       (67 )     19,781  
Marketable equity securities
    2,605       253       (947 )     1,911  
Restricted equity securities
    6,678                   6,678  
Total
  $ 247,715     $ 3,126     $ (10,666 )   $ 240,175  
 
 
50

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


   
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
(Amounts in thousands)
       
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2008:
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Obligations of U.S. Government Corporations and Agencies:
                       
Mortgage-backed
  $ 176     $     $ (3 )   $ 173  
Other
                       
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    2,814       4       (85 )     2,733  
Total
  $ 2,990     $ 4     $ (88 )   $ 2,906  

Securities Available-for-Sale with an aggregate fair value of $150,703,000 in 2009 and $140,811,000 in 2008; and securities Held-to-Maturity with an aggregate book value of $2,507,000 in 2009 and $2,523,000 in 2008, were pledged to secure public funds, trust funds, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and other balances of $76,257,000 in 2009 and $57,231,000 in 2008 as required by law.
 
The amortized cost, estimated fair value and weighted average yield of debt securities, by contractual maturity, are shown below at December 31, 2009. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

(Amounts in thousands)

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
U.S. Government
   
Obligations
                   
   
Agency &
   
of State
   
Marketable
   
Restricted
       
   
Corporation
   
& Political
   
Equity
   
Equity
   
Corporate
 
   
Obligations1
   
Subdivisions2
   
Securities3
   
Securities3
   
Securities
 
Available-For-Sale:
                             
Within 1 Year:
                             
Amortized cost
  $ 100     $     $     $     $ 6,123  
Estimated fair value
    103                         6,217  
Weighted average yield
    4.70 %                       4.46 %
1 - 5 Years:
                                       
Amortized cost
    2,000       454                   35,829  
Estimated fair value
    2,003       468                   37,363  
Weighted average yield
    2.20 %     4.02 %                 4.49 %
5 - 10 Years:
                                       
Amortized cost
    4,477       1,684                   2,310  
Estimated fair value
    4,638       1,727                   2,323  
Weighted average yield
    4.57 %     4.26 %                 1.79 %
After 10
                                       
Amortized cost
    52,197       166,425       2,027       8,139        
Estimated fair value
    52,678       160,406       1,759       8,139        
Weighted average yield
    4.68 %     5.20 %     2.65 %     .94 %      —  
Total:
                                       
Amortized cost
  $ 58,774     $ 168,563     $ 2,027     $ 8,139     $ 44,262  
Estimated fair value
    59,422       162,601       1,759       8,139       45,903  
Weighted average yield
    4.59 %     5.19 %     2.65 %     .94 %     4.34 %
_______________________

1Mortgage-backed securities are allocated for maturity reporting at their original maturity date.
2Average yields on tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a 34% tax rate.
3Marketable equity securities and restricted equity securities are not considered to have defined maturities and are included in the after ten year category.

 
51

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


(Amounts in thousands)

   
December 31, 2009
 
   
U.S. Government
   
Obligations
                   
   
Agency &
   
of State
   
Marketable
   
Restricted
       
   
Corporation
   
& Political
   
Equity
   
Equity
   
Corporate
 
   
Obligations1
   
Subdivisions2
   
Securities3
   
Securities3
   
Securities
 
Held-To-Maturity:
                             
Within 1 Year:
                             
Amortized cost
  $     $     $     $     $  
Estimated fair value
                             
Weighted average yield
                             
1 - 5 Years:
                                       
Amortized cost
    2,000       1,348                    
Estimated fair value
    1,966       1,339                    
Weighted average yield
    2.04 %     3.97 %                  
5 - 10 Years:
                                       
Amortized cost
    1,159                          
Estimated fair value
    1,172                          
Weighted average yield
    3.80 %                        
After 10 Years:
                                       
Amortized cost
          467                    
Estimated fair value
          459                    
Weighted average yield
          4.85 %                  
Total:
                                       
Amortized cost
  $ 3,159     $ 1,815     $     $     $  
Estimated fair value
    3,138       1,798                    
Weighted average yield
    2.69 %     4.20 %                  
_______________________

1Mortgage-backed securities are allocated for maturity reporting at their original maturity date.
2Average yields on tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a  34% tax rate.
3Marketable equity securities and restricted equity securities are not considered to have defined maturities and are included in the after ten year category.

There were no aggregate investments with a single issuer (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies) which exceeded ten percent of consolidated shareholders equity at December 31, 2009. The quality rating of the obligations of state and political subdivisions are generally investment grade, as rated by Moodys or Standard and Poors. The typical exceptions are local issues which are not rated, but are secured by the full faith and credit obligations of the communities that issued these securities. The state and political subdivision investments are actively traded in a liquid market.
 
Proceeds from sale of investments in Available-for-Sale debt and equity securities during 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $82,407,000, $83,626,000 and $83,255,000, respectively. Gross gains realized on these sales were $1,721,000, $737,000 and $1,117,000, respectively. Gross losses on these sales were $1,859,000, $885,000 and $631,000, respectively. Included in gross losses in 2008 is an impairment loss on certain equity securities in the amount of $437,000. There were no impairment losses in 2009.
 
Proceeds from sale of investments in Held-To-Maturity debt and equity securities during 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $0, $0 and $375,000, respectively.  Gross losses on these sales were $0, $0 and $3,000, respectively and there were no gains realized during these periods.

 
52

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity are generally evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC 320 (SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities). In determining OTTI under the FASB 320 (SFAS No. 115) model, management considers many factors, including (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) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions; and (4) whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgement and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.
 
When other-than-temporary impairment occurs, the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings depends on whether an entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. If an entity intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the other-than-temporary impairment shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investments amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period loss, the other-than-temporary impairment shall be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings shall become the new amortized cost basis of the investment.
 
The fair market value of the equity securities tends to fluctuate with the overall equity markets as well as the trends specific to each institution. The equity securities portfolio is reviewed in a similar manner as that of the debt securities with greater emphasis placed on the length of time the market value has been less than the carrying value and the financial sector outlook. The Corporation also reviews dividend payment activities, levels of non-performing assets and loan loss reserves, and whether or not the issuer is participating in the TARP Capital Purchase Program. The starting point for the equity analysis is the length and severity of market value decline. The Corporation and an independent consultant monitor the entire portfolio monthly with particular attention given to securities in a continuous loss position of at least ten percent for over twelve months. During 2008, impairment was recognized on several securities which management believed that a sufficient amount of credit damage had occurred relative to the issuers capital position to render the security unlikely to recover to our cost within the near term. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Corporation recorded an other-than-temporary loss totaling $437,000 related to the investment in equity securities. Securities with an unrealized loss that were determined to be other-than-temporary were written down to fair value, with the write-down recorded as a realized loss included in security (losses) gains. The Corporation evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuer in relation the severity and duration of the market value decline as well as the other attributes listed above. Based on that evaluation and the Corporations ability and intent to hold these equity securities for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, the Corporation does not consider these equity securities to be other-than-temporary impaired at December 31, 2008. Based on the factors described above, management did not consider any equity securities to be other-than-temporary impaired at December 31, 2009.
 
In accordance with disclosures required by FASB ASC 320-10-50 Investments-Debt and Equity Securities Disclosures (EITF No. 03-1), the summary below shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Banks investments, aggregated by investment category, that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months or more than 12 months as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 
53

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


December 31, 2009
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
 
                                     
Direct obligations of the
                                   
U.S. Government
  $ 2,961     $ 39     $     $     $ 2,961     $ 39  
Federal Agency
                                               
Backed Securities
    31,545       575                   31,545       575  
Municipal Bonds
    48,858       1,483       37,530       6,150       86,388       7,633  
Corporate Securities
    1,062       9                   1,062       9  
Equities
    148       19       1,111       436       1,259       455  
    $ 84,574     $ 2,125     $ 38,641     $ 6,586     $ 123,215     $ 8,711  

December 31, 2008
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
 
                                     
Direct obligations of the
                                   
U.S. Government
  $     $     $     $     $     $  
Federal Agency
                                               
Backed Securities
                173       2       173       2  
Municipal Bonds
    104,558       7,963       6,512       1,774       111,070       9,737  
Corporate Securities
    7,039       68                   7,039       68  
Equities
    428       119       728       828       1,156       947  
    $ 112,025     $ 8,150     $ 7,413     $ 2,604     $ 119,438     $ 10,754  

The Corporation invests in various forms of agency debt including mortgage backed securities and callable debt. The mortgage backed securities are issued by FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) of FNMA (Federal National Mortgage Association). The municipal securities consist of general obligations and revenue bonds. The equity securities consist of stocks in other bank holding companies.  The fair market value of the above securities is influenced by market interest rates, prepayment speeds on mortgage securities, bid to offer spreads in the market place and credit premiums for various types of agency debt. These factors change continuously and therefore the market value of these securities may be higher or lower that the Corporations carrying value at any measurement date. Management does not believe any of their 157 securities in an unrealized position as of December 31, 2009 represents an other-than-temporary impairment. The Corporation has the ability to hold the remaining securities contained in the above table for a time necessary to recover the cost.
 
Securities with an unrealized loss that are determined to be other-than-temporary are written down to fair value, with the write-down recorded as a realized loss included in securities gains (losses).  During 2008, the Corporation recorded an other-than-temporary impairment loss totaling $437,000 related to investments in certain equity securities.
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
The Corporation measures certain assets at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as a price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in determining valuations into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 
54

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


 
A.
Level 1: Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Bank for identical assets. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available.
 
B.
Level 2: Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset through corroboration with observable market date. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, quoted market prices that are not active for identical or similar assets and other observable inputs.
 
C.
Level 3: Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs. Examples of valuation methodologies that would result in Level 3 classification include option pricing models, discounted cash flows and other similar techniques.

At December 31, 2009 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the valuation methods used are as follows:
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Available for Sale Securities
                       
Obligations of US Government Agencies
                       
Mortgaged-backed
 
$
   
$
53,229
   
$
   
$
53,229
 
Other
   
     
6,193
     
     
6,193
 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
   
     
162,600
     
     
162,600
 
Corporate securities
   
     
45,904
     
     
45,904
 
Equity securities
   
1,759
     
     
     
1,759
 
Restricted equity securities
   
     
8,139
     
     
8,139
 
   
$
1,759
   
$
 276,065
   
$
 —
   
 277,824
 
 
The estimated fair values of equity securities classified as Level 1 are derived from quoted market prices in active markets; these assets consist mainly of stocks held in other banks. The estimated fair values of all debt securities classified as Level 2 are obtained from nationally-recognized third-party pricing agencies. The estimated fair values are derived primarily from cash flow models, which include assumptions for interest rates, credit losses, and prepayment speeds. The significant inputs utilized in the cash flow models are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Bank (observable inputs), and are therefore classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE 5  —   LOANS

Major classifications of loans at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consisted of:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
 
Commercial, Financial, and Agricultural
  $ 38,932     $ 33,104  
Tax-exempt
    12,525       18,920  
Real estate mortgages - Held-for-sale
    10,429       3,613  
Real estate mortgages - Consumer
    127,663       132,675  
Real estate mortgages - Commercial
    207,296       206,095  
Consumer
    10,802       15,291  
Gross loans
  $ 407,647     $ 409,698  
Add (deduct):  Unearned discount
    (1,273 )     (1,711 )
   Net deferred loan fees and costs
    323       380  
Loans, net of unearned income
  $ 406,697     $ 408,367  

 
55

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, were as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance, January 1
  $ 5,195     $ 5,046     $ 3,671  
Provision charged to operations
    800       700       150  
Loans charged off
    (734 )     (739 )     (236 )
Recoveries
    61       188       179  
Allowance purchased
                1,282  
Balance, December 31
  $ 5,322     $ 5,195     $ 5,046  

Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $2,948,000, $1,718,000 and $3,208,000, respectively. The gross interest that would have been recorded if these loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and the amounts actually recorded in income were as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Gross interest due under terms
  $ 242     $ 145     $ 258  
Amount included in income
    (61 )     (94 )     (144 )
Interest income not recognized
  $ 181     $ 51     $ 114  

At December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 the recorded investment in impaired loans as defined by FASB ASC 310-10-35 Receivables Subsequent Measurements (SFAS 114) was $2,948,000, $1,718,000 and $3,208,000 and the impaired loans allowances were $834,000, $417,000 and $492,000, respectively at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The average recorded balance in impaired loans during the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $2,803,000, $4,246,000 and $1,837,000, respectively.
 
Loans past-due 90 days or more and still accruing interest were $140,000 at December 31, 2009 and $15,000 at
December 31, 2008.
 
At December 31, 2009, there were no significant commitments to lend additional funds with respect to non-accrual and restructured loans.
 
From time to time, the Bank may agree to modify the contractual terms of a borrowers loan. In cases where such modifications represent a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring. Loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring are placed on non-accrual status until the Bank determines the future collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured, which generally requires that the borrower demonstrate a period of performance according to the restructured terms of six months. At December 31, 2009, there were no loans classified as troubled debt restructurings.
 
NOTE 6     MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS
 
The mortgage loans sold serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others were $56,965,000 and $47,303,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The balances of amortized capitalized mortgage servicing rights, included in other assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008, were $346,000 and $277,000, respectively.

 
56

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


The following summarizes mortgage servicing rights capitalized and amortized along with the aggregate activity in the related valuation allowances:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance, January 1
  $ 277     $ 297     $ 254  
Servicing asset additions
    148       63       103  
Amortization
    (79 )     (83 )     (60 )
Balance, December 31
  $ 346     $ 277     $ 297  

Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the foregoing loan servicing, and included in demand deposits, were approximately $24,000 and $32,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

NOTE 7  —   PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
 
Land
  $ 1,746     $ 1,746  
Buildings
    9,815       8,822  
Leasehold improvements
    390       391  
Equipment
    8,153       6,146  
      20,104       17,105  
Less:  Accumulated depreciation
    8,639       7,936  
Total
  $ 11,465     $ 9,169  

Depreciation amounted to $727,000 for 2009, $681,000 for 2008 and $472,000 for 2007.

The banking subsidiary leases land and a bank building in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, under a lease expiring in 2017 (See Note 15). Included in buildings above is the bank building held under a capital lease with a cost of $953,000 and accumulated amortization of $576,000 and $528,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization on the bank building held under the capital lease was $47,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

NOTE 8  —   GOODWILL, OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, AND PREMIUM DISCOUNTS

Goodwill, other intangible assets, and premium discounts were comprised of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
Gross
   
Accumulated
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Amortization/(Accretion)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Unamortized intangible asset:
                       
Goodwill
  $ 19,133     $ 19,133     $     $  
                                 
Core deposit intangibles
  $ 2,218     $ 2,218     $ 688     $ 399  
Premium discount (negative premium) on acquired certificates of deposit
  $ (385 )   $ (385 )   $ (383 )   $ (362 )
 
 
57

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


Amortization expense of the core deposit intangibles was $289,000, $289,000 and $61,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accretion of the premium discount (negative premium) of the acquired certificates of deposit was $21,000, $109,000 and $36,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Estimated amortization/accretion is as follows for the years ending December 31:

(Amounts in thousands)
 
   
Amortization
   
Accretion of Premium Discount
 
   
of Core
   
(Negative Premium)
 
   
Deposit Intangible
   
on Certificates of Deposit
 
2010
   
289
     
(2)
 
2011
   
289
     
 
2012
   
283
     
 
2013
   
273
     
 
2014
    273      
 

NOTE 9  —   DEPOSITS

Major classifications of deposits at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consisted of:

(Amounts in thousands)
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Demand - non-interest bearing
  $ 61,779     $ 58,178  
Demand - interest bearing
    117,229       83,912  
Savings
    116,857       94,700  
Time, $100,000 and over
    96,335       87,259  
Other time
    188,369       180,584  
Total deposits
  $ 580,569     $ 504,633  

The following is a schedule reflecting classification and remaining maturities of time deposits of $100,000 and over at December 31, 2009:

(Amounts in thousands)
2010
  $ 65,866  
2011
    15,567  
2012
    8,139  
2013
    5,120  
2014
    1,643  
    $ 96,335  

Interest expense related to time deposits of $100,000 or more was $2,741,000 in 2009, $3,408,000 in 2008 and $2,520,000 in 2007.

In November 2007, approximately $109,672,000 of deposit accounts were assumed through the acquisition of Pocono Community Bank (See Notes 2 and 13).

 
58

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 10  —   SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Federal Home Loan Bank advances generally represent overnight or less than 30-day borrowings. U.S. Treasury tax and loan notes for collections made by the Bank are payable on demand. Short-term borrowings consisted of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:

(Amounts in thousands)   
2009
 
               
Maximum
       
   
Ending
   
Average
   
Month End
   
Average
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Rate
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 17,024     $ 19,385     $ 23,000       1.75 %
Federal Home Loan Bank
          4,479       31,350       .72 %
U.S. Treasury tax and loan notes
    438       440       907       %
Total
  $ 17,462     $ 24,304     $ 55,257       1.53 %

(Amounts in thousands)   
2008
 
               
Maximum
       
   
Ending
   
Average
   
Month End
   
Average
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Rate
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 20,572     $ 18,245     $ 26,279       2.62 %
Federal Home Loan Bank
    32,200       11,265       32,500       1.59 %
U.S. Treasury tax and loan notes
    2,560       618       2,559       1.82 %
Total
  $ 55,332     $ 30,128     $ 61,338       1.84 %

NOTE 11  —   LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

Long-term borrowings are comprised of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and a capital lease assumed as a result of the acquisition of Pocono Community Bank in the amount of $811,000. Long term capital lease scheduled maturities as of December 31, 2009 are: $54,000 in 2010, $60,000 in 2011, $67,000 in 2012, and $524,000 thereafter for a total balance of $705,000 as of December 31, 2009.

Under terms of a blanket agreement, collateral for the loans is secured by certain qualifying assets of the Corporation's banking subsidiary with FHLB.  The principal assets are real estate mortgages with a carrying value of $330,498,000.

A schedule of long-term borrowings by maturity as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
 
Due 2009, 3.87% to 5.01%
  $       12,000  
Due 2010, 4.95% to 6.76%
    23,520       23,556  
Due 2011, 2.73% to 5.03%
    12,000       12,000  
Due 2012, 1.44% to 4.93%
    16,000       10,000  
Due 2013, 2.48% to 4.60%
    17,000       10,000  
Due 2014, 5.41%
    3,750       3,750  
Due 2018, 3.91% to 4.86%
    8,000       8,000  
Due 2028, 5.14%
    2,000       2,000  
    $ 82,270     $ 81,306  
 
 
59

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 12  —   INCOME TAXES

The current and deferred components of the income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Federal
                 
Current
  $ 1,484     $ 1,865     $ 1,456  
Deferred (benefit)
    (177 )     (419 )     (104 )
    $ 1,307     $ 1,446     $ 1,352  
State
                       
Current
    (40 )           39  
Deferred
    12       (52 )      
    $ (28 )   $ (52 )   $ 39  
                         
Total provision for income taxes
  $ 1,279     $ 1,394     $ 1,391  

The following is a reconciliation between the actual provision for federal income taxes and the amount of federal income taxes which would have been provided at the statutory rate of 34%:

(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
Provision at statutory rate
  $ 3,133       34.0     $ 3,041       34.0 %   $ 2,556       34.0 %
Tax-exempt income
    (1,463 )     (15.9 )     (1,397 )     (15.6 )     (1,060 )     (14.1 )
Non-deductible expenses
    147       1.6       177       2.0       165       2.2  
Tax credit from limited partnership
                                               
Less amortization - net
    (134 )     (1.5 )     (136 )     (1.5 )     (79 )     (1.1 )
Bank owned life insurance income - net
    (337 )     (3.7 )     (240 )     (2.7 )     (190 )     (2.5 )
Other-net
    (39 )     (.3 )     1             (40 )     (.5 )
Applicable federal income tax and rate
  $ 1,307       14.2 %   $ 1,446       16.2 %   $ 1,352       18.0 %

Total federal income tax attributable to realized security gains and losses was $(47,000) in 2009, $98,000 in 2008 and $164,000 in 2007.

 
60

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
The deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary timing differences have been netted to reflect a net deferred tax asset (liability) included in other assets or other liabilities in these consolidated financial statements. The components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) at December 31, 2009 and 2008, are as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred Tax Assets:
           
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 1,791     $ 1,742  
Deferred compensation
    435       412  
Mortgage servicing rights
    2        
Contributions
    6       5  
Non-accrual interest
    5       30  
Leases
    112       114  
Limited partnership
    100       70  
Alternative minimum tax credits
    356       84  
Tax credits from limited partnerships
    531       300  
Unrealized investment securities losses-net
    1,358       2,429  
Impairment loss on investment securities
    129       177  
Capital and net operating loss carry forwards
    8       23  
Total
  $ 4,833     $ 5,386  
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
               
Loan fees and costs
  $ 205     $ 211  
Depreciation
    550       271  
Accretion
    173       26  
Mortgage servicing rights
          4  
Intangibles
    392       452  
Total
  $ 1,320     $ 964  
Net Deferred Tax Asset
  $ 3,513     $ 4,422  

It is anticipated that all deferred tax assets are to be realized and accordingly, no valuation allowance has been provided.

The Corporation and its subsidiary file a consolidated federal income tax return.

NOTE 13  —   SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, cash payments for interest expense and income taxes were as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Interest paid on deposits and other borrowings
  $ 15,874     $ 18,268     $ 17,448  
                         
Income taxes paid
  $ 1,650     $ 1,598     $ 1,752  

The Corporation transferred loans to foreclosed assets held-for-sale in amounts of $762,000, $342,000 and $624,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 
61

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities

On November 1, 2007 First Keystone Corporation completed its acquisition of Pocono Community Bank (See Note 2). A summary of the estimated fair value of the non-cash assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition were as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)

Assets Acquired:
     
Investment securities
  $ 13,122  
Loan, net of allowances for loan losses
    104,752  
Premises and equipment-net
    3,292  
Accrued interest receivable
    596  
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
    2,950  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    19,838  
Other assets
    1,065  
Total Assets Acquired
  $ 145,615  
         
Liabilities Assumed:
       
Deposits
  $ 109,672  
Borrowings
    5,908  
Other liabilities
    413  
Total Liabilities Assumed
  $ 115,993  
         
Net Non-Cash Assets Acquired
  $ 29,622  

The Corporation issued 932,203 shares of common stock to the shareholders of Pocono Community for a total of $15,996,000. The company paid $17,569,000 for the acquisition less cash acquired from Pocono Community Bank in the amount of $3,943,000 or a net cash expenditure of $13,626,000.
 
NOTE 14     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
 
The Corporation maintains a 401K Plan which has a combined tax qualified savings feature and profit sharing feature for the benefit of its employees. Under the savings feature, the Corporation matches 100% of the employee contribution up to 3% of compensation which amounted to $156,000, $145,000 and $111,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Under the profit sharing feature, contributions, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, are funded currently and amounted to $399,000, $353,000 and $273,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
The Bank also has non-qualified deferred compensation agreements with four of its officers and three retired officers. These agreements are essentially unsecured promises by the Bank to make monthly payments to the officers over a twenty year period. Payments begin based upon specific criteria — generally, when the officer retires. To account for the cost of payments yet to be made in the future, the Bank recognizes an accrued liability in years prior to when payments begin based on the present value of those future payments. The Banks accrued liability for these deferred compensation agreements as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, was $1,231,000 and $1,173,000, respectively.  The related expense for these plans amounted to $112,000, $155,000 and $125,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
The Bank entered into agreements to provide post-retirement benefits to a retired employee in the form of life insurance payable to the employees estate upon their death through endorsement split dollar life insurance arrangements. The Banks accrued liabilities for these benefit agreements as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $48,000 and $38,000, respectively. The related expense for these benefit agreements amounted to $10,000 and $2,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
62

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 15  —  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Corporations banking subsidiary currently leases four branch banking facilities and one parcel of land, as well as two operation centers, under operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $283,000, $274,000 and $216,000, respectively.  Minimum rental payments required under these operating leases are:  2010 - $380,000, 2011 - $381,000, 2012 - $292,000, 2013 - $233,000, 2014 - $216,000 and thereafter $2,632,000.
 
The banking subsidiary leases land and a bank building in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, under a lease expiring in 2017. This lease has an operating lease commitment and a capital lease component.  Minimum future rental payments as of December 31, 2009 under this noncancelable operating lease component for land are due as follows and are included in the amounts of operating lease payments above,  2010 - $36,000, 2011 - $36,000, 2012 - $36,000, 2013 - $36,000, 2014 - $36,000 and thereafter $109,000.
 
Minimum future lease payments under the capital lease component for the bank building as of December 31, 2009 for each of the next five years and in the aggregate are:

Year Ending December 31
     
2010
    113,000  
2011
    113,000  
2012
    115,000  
2013
    132,000  
2014
    132,000  
Thereafter
    384,000  
         
Total minimum lease payments
    989,000  
Less amounts representing interest
    279,000  
Present value of net minus lease payments
  $ 710,000  

In the normal course of business, there are various pending legal actions and proceedings that are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management does not believe the outcome of these actions and proceedings will have a material effect on the consolidated financial position of the Corporation.
 
NOTE 16    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Certain directors and executive officers of First Keystone Corporation and its Subsidiary and companies in which they are principal owners (i.e., at least 10%) were indebted to the Corporation at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. These loans were made on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated parties. The loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility nor present other unfavorable features.
 
A summary of the activity on the related party loans, comprised of 8 directors and 4 executive officers and their related companies consists of the following:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance at January 1
  $ 3,542     $ 3,650     $ 939  
Additions
    3,881       1,779       4,074  
Deductions
    (2,972 )     (1,887 )     (1,363 )
Balance at December 31
  $ 4,451     $ 3,542     $ 3,650  
 
 
63

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
The above loans represent funds drawn and outstanding at the date of the accompanying consolidated financial statement. Commitments by the Bank to related parties on lines of credit and letters of credit for 2009, 2008 and 2007,  presented an additional off-balance sheet risk to the extent of undisbursed funds in the amounts of $2,653,000, $2,889,000 and $2,574,000, respectively, on the above loans.
 
Deposits from certain officers and directors and/or their affiliated companies held by the Bank amounted to $8,137,000 and $6,603,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
NOTE 17    REGULATORY MATTERS
 
Dividends are paid by the Corporation to shareholders which are mainly provided by dividends from the Bank. However, national banking laws place certain restrictions on the amount of cash dividends allowed to be paid by the Bank to the Corporation. Generally, the limitation provides that dividend payments may not exceed the Bank's current year's retained income plus retained net income for the preceding two years. During 2009, the Bank paid dividends to the Corporation in the amount of $5,427,000 and the Banks net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $8,147,000. During 2007 and 2008, the Bank paid dividends to the Corporation in the amounts of $10,459,000 and $5,662,000 respectively, and the Banks net income for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 was $5,817,000 and $7,855,000, respectively. The amount of dividends paid in 2007 was utilized, in part, to fund the Pocono Community Bank acquisition. Accordingly, in 2010, without prior regulatory approval, the Bank may pay dividends to the Corporation in the amount of $271,000, plus additional amounts equal to the net income earned in 2010 for the period January 1, 2010 through the date of declaration less any dividends which may have already been paid in 2010. Regulations also limit the amount of loans and advances from the Bank to the Corporation to 10% of consolidated net assets.
 
The Corporation is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory  and possibly additional discretionary  actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporations financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Corporation must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Corporations assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Corporations capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Management believes, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, that the Corporation and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set fourth in the table below) of Total and Tier I Capital (as defined in the regulations) to Risk-Weighted Assets (as defined), and of Tier I Capital (as defined) to Average Assets (as defined).
 
As of December 31, 2009, the most recent notification from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency categorized the Bank as Well Capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as Well Capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum Total Risk-Based, Tier I Risked-Based and Tier I Leverage Ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since the notification that management believes have changed the Bank's category.

(Amounts in thousands)
             
To Be Well
 
               
Capitalized Under
 
         
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
As of December 31, 2009:
                                   
Total Capital
                                   
(to Risk Weighted Assets)
  $ 66,666       12.88 %   $ 41,421       8.00 %   $ 51,777       10.00 %
Tier I Capital
                                               
(to Risk Weighted Assets)
    61,344       11.85 %     20,711       4.00 %     31,066       6.00 %
Tier I Capital
                                               
(to Average Assets)
    61,344       8.21 %     29,884       4.00 %     37,355       5.00 %
 
 
64

 
  
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
As of December 31, 2008:
                                   
Total Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets)
  $ 63,694       13.03 %   $ 39,245       8.00 %   $ 49,057       10.00 %
Tier I Capital
(to Risk Weighted Assets)
    58,499       11.97 %     19,623       4.00 %     29,434       6.00 %
Tier I Capital
(to Average Assets)
    58,499       8.45 %     27,706       4.00 %     34,633       5.00 %

The Corporations capital ratios are not materially different from those of the Bank.

NOTE 18  —  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby 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 involvement the Corporation has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Corporation does not engage in trading activities with respect to any of its financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk.
 
The Corporations exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.
 
The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
 
The Corporation may require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk.
 
The contract or notional amounts at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
   
2009
   
2008
 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
           
Commitments to extend credit
  $ 63,247     $ 52,762  
Financial standby letters of credit
  $ 843     $ 904  
Performance standby letters of credit
  $ 5,806     $ 6,936  

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 that may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Corporation evaluates each customers creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Corporation upon extension of credit, is based on managements credit evaluation of the counter-party. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.

 
65

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Corporation to guarantee payment to a third party when a customer either fails to repay an obligation or fails to perform some non-financial obligation. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Corporation may hold collateral to support standby letters of credit for which collateral is deemed necessary.
 
The Corporation grants commercial, agricultural, real estate mortgage and consumer loans to customers primarily in the counties of Columbia, Luzerne, Montour and Monroe, Pennsylvania. The concentrations of credit by type of loan are set forth in Note 5, Loans. It is managements opinion that the loan portfolio was well balanced and diversified at December 31, 2009, to the extent necessary to avoid any significant concentration of credit risk. However, its debtors ability to honor their contracts may be influenced by the regions economy.
 
NOTE 19    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects are as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Unrealized holding (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities arising during the period
  $ (3,301 )   $ (7,000 )   $ 330  
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains and losses realized in income
    (138 )     (148 )     483  
Change in unrealized (losses) before tax effect
  $ (3,163 )   $ (6,852 )   $ (153 )
Tax effects
    1,075       2,347       (113 )
Net change in unrealized (losses)
  $ (2,088 )   $ (4,505 )   $ (40 )

NOTE 20  —  STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

On November 1, 2007 First Keystone Corporation completed its acquisition of Pocono Community Bank (See Note 2) and in connection therewith, issued 932,203 shares of First Keystone common stock for a total of $15,996,000.
 
The Corporation also offers to its shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. First Keystone Corporation is authorized to issue up to 200,000 shares of its common stock under the plan. The plan provides First Keystone shareholders a convenient and economical way to purchase additional shares of common stock by reinvesting dividends. A plan participant can elect full dividend reinvestment or partial dividend reinvestment provided at least 25 shares are enrolled in the plan. In addition, plan participants may make additional voluntary cash purchases of common stock under the plan of not less than $100 per calendar quarter or more than $2,500 in any calendar quarter.
 
Shares of First Keystone common stock are purchased for the plan either in the open market by an independent broker on behalf of the plan, directly from First Keystone as original issue shares, or through negotiated transactions. A combination of the previous methods could also occur.
   
 
66

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


Participation in this plan by shareholders began in 2001. Shares transferred under this dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan were as follows:

Year
 
Number of Shares
 
2001
   
  3,260
 
2002
   
  7,747
 
2003
   
  8,000
 
2004
   
13,932
 
2005
   
21,491
 
2006
   
22,964
 
2007
   
25,900
 
2008
   
34,389
 
2009
   
39,772
 

NOTE 21  —  STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN

On February 10, 1998, the Board of Directors adopted a stock option incentive plan and initially reserved 100,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the plan for certain employees of the Bank. After adjustments for the effects of stock dividends, options exercised and options forfeited there remains 68,104 options for possible issuance.  Under the Plan, options are granted at fair market value and the time period during which any option granted may be exercised may not commence before six months or continue beyond the expiration of ten years after the option is awarded.  Upon exercise of the stock options, shares of the Corporations stock are issued from Treasury Stock.
 
On December 27, 2007, the Board of Directors issued 6,250 stock options.
 
The fair value of stock options issued to employees is measured on the date of the grant and is recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.  Expected volatility and dividend yield are based on historical stock prices and dividend amounts over past time periods equal in length to the life of the options.  The risk-free interest rate is determined using the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of the grant.  The expected life of the options is calculated using the average term of the vesting period and the maximum term.
 
Stock based compensation expense was $18,000 and $1,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, attributable to stock options granted in 2007.  Stock based compensation expense was $8,000 for the year ended  December 31, 2006 attributable to stock options granted in 2005.
 
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Binomial Option Pricing Model derived from the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for options granted in 2007 and 2005, respectively: dividend yield of 5.25% and 4.05%; expected volatility of 26.17% and 23.04%; risk-free interest rate of 3.64% and 4.39%; and an expected life of 5.25 years and 10 years.
   
 
67

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

Information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009, is summarized as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
         
Average
         
Average
 
   
Stock
   
Exercise
   
Stock
   
Exercise
   
Stock
   
Exercise
 
   
Options
   
Price
   
Options
   
Price
   
Options
   
Price
 
Balance at January 1
    41,695     $ 16.86       54,562     $ 17.65       51,383     $ 17.55  
Granted
                            6,250       16.75  
Granted due to stock dividend
                                   
Exercised
                (50 )     15.88              
Forfeited
    (9,972 )     15.85       (12,817 )     19.80       (3,071 )     15.95  
Balance at December 31
    31,723       17.17       41,695       16.86       54,562       17.55  
                                                 
Exercisable at December 31
    31,723     $ 17.17       41,695     $ 16.86       48,312     $ 17.65  
                                                 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
                          $ 2.98                  

Under the terms of the stock option incentive plan, the stock options including amendments as to price and terms were adjusted for the stock dividend in 2006.

Exercise prices of options outstanding as of December 31, 2009, ranged from $10.28 to $21.11 per share. The weighted average remaining contracted life is approximately 4.03 years.

The 31,723 options outstanding as December 31, 2009 have an intrinsic value, which is the amount that the value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the options of $49,000. The total intrinsic value of the options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0 for each year. Cash received from stock options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0, $1,000 and $0, respectively.

The following table summarizes information concerning the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan at December 31, 2009.

   
Options Outstanding
   
Options Exercisable
 
         
Weighted
   
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
         
Average
   
Average
         
Average
 
   
Number
   
Remaining
   
Exercise
   
Number
   
Exercise
 
Year
 
Outstanding*
   
Contractual Life
   
Price
   
Exercisable
   
Price
 
                               
2000
    4,950       .75       10.28       4,950       10.28  
2002
    7,394       2.75       15.08       7,394       15.08  
2003
    10,231       3.75       21.11       10,231       21.11  
2005
    3,148       5.75       20.95       3,148       20.95  
2007
    6,000       8.00       16.75       6,000       16.75  
                                             
       31,723                17.17       31,723       17.17   

*As adjusted for stock dividend noted above.

 
68

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 22  —   FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FASB ASC 825-10-50 Financial Instruments-Disclosure ((SFAS) 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments), requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not required to be recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Fair value estimates derived through these techniques cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. FASB ASC 825-10-50 (SFAS 107) excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Corporation.
 
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
 
Cash and Due From Banks, Short-Term Investments, Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable
 
The fair values are equal to the current carrying values.
 
Investment Securities
 
Fair values have been individually determined based on currently quoted market prices. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.
 
Loans
 
Fair values are estimated for categories of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans were segregated by type such as commercial, tax-exempt, real estate mortgages and consumer. For estimation purposes each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and also into performing and non-performing classifications.
 
The fair value of each category of performing loans is calculated by discounting future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.
 
Fair value for non-performing loans is based on managements estimate of future cash flows discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated future cash flows. The assumptions used by management are judgmentally determined using specific borrower information.
 
Cash Surrender Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance
 
Fair value is equal to the cash surrender value of life insurance policies.
 
Deposits
 
Under FASB ASC 825-10-50 (SFAS 107), the fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as Demand Deposits, Savings Accounts and Money Market Accounts is equal to the amount payable on demand at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on similar term borrowings, to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

 
69

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
Short-Term and Long-Term Borrowings

The fair values of short-term and long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Corporation's incremental borrowing rate for similar instruments.
 
Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit
 
Management estimates that there are no material differences between the notional amount and the estimated fair value of those off-balance sheet items since they are primarily composed of unfunded loan commitments which are generally priced at market at the time of funding.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments of the Corporation are presented in the table below:
  
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 4,199     $ 4,199     $ 9,945     $ 9,945  
Short-term investments
    7,227       7,227       6       6  
Investment securities - available for sale
    277,824       277,824       240,175       240,175  
Investment securities - held to maturity
    4,974       4,936       2,990       2,906  
Net loans
    401,375       415,261       403,172       413,226  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,213       4,213       4,228       4,228  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    17,622       17,622       17,157       17,157  
                                 
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
                               
Deposits
    580,569       558,389       504,633       499,922  
Short-term borrowings
    17,462       17,462       55,332       55,332  
Long-term borrowings
    82,976       86,771       82,062       87,555  
Accrued interest and other expenses
    3,101       3,101       3,488       3,488  
                                 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
                               
Commitments to extend credit
            63,247               52,762  
Financial standby letters of credit
            843               904  
Performance standby letters of credit
            5,806               6,936  

 
70

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
NOTE 23  —  PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Condensed financial information for First Keystone Corporation (parent company only) was as follows:

BALANCE SHEETS
           
(Amounts in thousands)
 
December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
ASSETS
           
Cash in subsidiary bank
  $ 1,899     $ 1,380  
Investment in subsidiary bank
    79,618       74,804  
Investment in other equity securities
    1,759       1,911  
Prepayments and other assets
    683       650  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 83,959     $ 78,745  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Advance from subsidiary bank
  $ 9,792     $ 9,598  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  $ 9,792     $ 9,598  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
               
Preferred stock
  $     $  
Common stock
    11,375       11,375  
Surplus
    30,269       30,269  
Retained earnings
    41,346       38,414  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (2,583 )     (4,671 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (6,240 )     (6,240 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
  $ 74,167     $ 69,147  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
  $ 83,959     $ 78,745  

STATEMENTS OF INCOME
     
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
INCOME
                       
Dividends from Subsidiary Bank
  $ 5,427     $ 5,662     $ 10,459  
Dividends - other
    57       100       107  
Securities gains (losses)
    (295 )     (542 )     420  
Interest
    14       11       32  
TOTAL INCOME
  $ 5,203     $ 5,231     $ 11,018  
                         
Operating Expenses
    67       86       89  
Income Before Taxes and Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiary
  $ 5,136     $ 5,145     $ 10,929  
Income tax expense
    (81 )     (213 )     160  
Income Before Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiary
  $ 5,217     $ 5,358     $ 10,769  
Equity in (excess of) Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiary
    2,720       2,193       (4,642 )
                         
NET INCOME
  $ 7,937     $ 7,551     $ 6,127  

 
71

 
 
FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
Net income
  $ 7,937     $ 7,551     $ 6,127  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Securities (gains) losses
    295       105       (420 )
Deferred income tax benefit
    59       (196 )      
Impairment loss on investment securities
          437        
Equity in (excess of) undistributed net income of subsidiary
    (2,720 )     (2,193 )     4,642  
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets
    (86 )     (18 )     (56 )
Increase (decrease) in advances payable to subsidiary bank - net operating
    193       117       71  
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
          (102 )     38  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ 5,678     $ 5,701     $ 10,402  
                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Purchase of equity securities
  $ (237 )   $     $ (765 )
Proceeds from sale of equity securities
    83       204       1,052  
Purchase of bank
                (16,539 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  $ (154 )   $ 204     $ (16,252 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock
  $     $ 1     $  
Acquisition of treasury stock
                (332 )
Cash dividends paid
    (5,005 )     (4,842 )     (4,179 )
Advances from subsidiary bank
                9,029  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
                       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  $ (5,005 )   $ (4,841 )   $ 4,518  
                         
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
  $ 519     $ 1,064     $ (1,332 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
    1,380       316       1,648  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
  $ 1,899     $ 1,380     $ 316  

NOTE 24  — LOSS DUE TO DEFALCATION

The Corporation recorded a loss in the amount of $850,000, or $561,000 net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2009. It was determined by management through an internal investigation that the defalcation was the result of unauthorized activities of an employee (non-officer) of the Bank who has been terminated. Management believes the defalcation will be a covered loss with insurance, less the deductible. At the financial statement date, management is unable to estimate the amount of recovery, if any, from an insurance policy that contains coverage for this type of risk.

 
72

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION

We have audited First Keystone Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control  Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Corporations management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on of the Corporations internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, First Keystone Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiary 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 and our report dated March 12, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 
/s/ J. H. Williams & Co., LLP
 
 
J. H. Williams & Co., LLP
 

Kingston, Pennsylvania
March 12, 2010

 
73

 
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not Applicable.

ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Management of First Keystone Corporation (the Corporation), with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) or 15(d)-15(e)), as of December 31, 2009. Based upon such evaluation, the Corporations Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Corporations disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Corporation required to be included in our periodic SEC filings.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2009, management uncovered a defalcation in the pre-tax amount of $850,000. The Corporation determined the defalcation was the result of unauthorized activities by an employee of the Bank who was immediately terminated. The Corporation expects insurance to cover the defalcation amount less a $50,000 deductible.
 
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The management of First Keystone Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  The Corporations internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Corporations management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
The Corporations internal control over financial reporting are supported by written policies that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipt and expenditures of the Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorization of the Corporations management and Board of Directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporations assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
The management of First Keystone Corporation assessed the effectiveness of the Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.  In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in  Internal Control — Integrated Framework.  Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2009, the Corporations internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
First Keystone Corporations independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements has issued an audit report on our assessment of, and the effective operation of, the Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.  This report appears on page 73.

 
74

 

Changes in Internal Controls

In response to the defalcation discussed above, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors has approved and management has implemented certain changes to the Corporations internal control over financial reporting which include: broadened segregation and rotation of duties; intensified management oversight and analysis of general ledger accounts; expanded documentation and approval procedures for certain general ledger entries; and instituted an online, real-time core banking system. In addition, management has instituted a program to require periodic testing of these changes. The Corporation made no other changes in its internal controls or in other factors that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation of the controls by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers.

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information under the captions Information As To Directors and Nominees,Principal Officers of the Bank and the Corporation and Committees of the Board of Directors are incorporated here by reference from First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for May 4, 2010.  The information under the caption Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance and Code of Ethics are as follows:
 
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Corporations directors, executive officers and shareholders who own more than 10% of the Corporations outstanding equity stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Based solely on its review of copies of Section 16(a) forms received by it, or written representations from reporting persons that no Form 5's were required for those persons, the corporation believes that during the period January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, its officers, directors and reporting shareholders were in compliance with all filing requirements applicable to them.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Corporation has adopted a Directors and Senior Management Code of Ethical Conduct, which applies to all members of the Board of Directors and to senior officers of the Corporation.  It can be found on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.firstkeystonecorporation.com.

ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under the captions Executive Compensation (pages 22 through 31), Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A), Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, and Compensation Committee Report are incorporated here by reference from First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for May 4, 2010.

 
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ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information under the caption Share Ownership and Equity Compensation Plan Information are incorporated here by reference from First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for May 4, 2010.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information under the captions Related Person Transactions and Governance Of The Company are incorporated here by reference from First Keystone Corporation's proxy statement for its 2009 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for
May 4, 2010.

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information under the caption Report of the Audit Committee is incorporated here by reference from First Keystone Corporations proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for May 4, 2010.

PART IV

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)           1.   Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8, of this Report:

First Keystone Corporation and Subsidiary.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    33  
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    34  
Consolidated Statements of Income
    35  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity
    36  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    37  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    38  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    73  

2.   Financial Statement Schedules

Financial statements schedules are omitted because the required information is either not applicable, not required,  or is shown in the financial statements or in their notes.

 
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3.  Exhibits

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S:

Exhibit Number Referred to
   
Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
Description of Exhibit
     
3i
 
Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(I) to the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).
     
3ii
 
By-Laws, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009).
     
10.1
 
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 31, 2005).
     
10.2
 
Management Incentive Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006).
     
10.3
 
Profit Sharing Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006).
     
10.4
 
First Keystone Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006).
     
10.5
 
Employment Agreement between First Keystone Corporation, First Keystone National Bank and John G. Gerlach dated May 10, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Annex B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-145658)).
     
10.6
 
Consulting Agreement between Keystone Corporation, First Keystone National Bank and John G. Gerlach dated May 10, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Annex C to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-145658)).
     
10.7
 
Form of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement by and between First Keystone Corporation and the Pocono Community Bank directors (Incorporated by reference to Annex F to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-145658)).
     
14
 
Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Registrants Report on Form 8-K dated January 9, 2007).
     
21
 
List of Subsidiaries of the Corporation.
     
23
 
Consent of Independent Auditors.
     
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
     
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
     
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
     
32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 
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SIGNATURES

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

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION
 
/s/ J. Gerald Bazewicz
J. Gerald Bazewicz
President/Chief Executive Officer
 
Date:  
March 12, 2010

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

/s/ John Arndt
 
March 12, 2010
John Arndt, Secretary/Director
 
Date
     
/s/ J. Gerald Bazewicz
 
March 12, 2010
J. Gerald Bazewicz, President/
 
Date
Chief Executive Officer/Director
   
     
/s/ Don E. Bower
 
March 12, 2010
Don E. Bower, Director
 
Date
     
/s/ Robert A. Bull
 
March 12, 2010
Robert A. Bull, Director
 
Date
     
/s/ Robert E. Bull
 
March 12, 2010
Robert E. Bull, Chairman/Director
 
Date
     
/s/ Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.
 
March 12, 2010
Joseph B. Conahan, Jr., Director
 
Date
     
/s/ Jerome F. Fabian
 
March 12, 2010
Jerome F. Fabian, Director
 
Date
     
/s/ John G. Gerlach
 
March 12, 2010
John G. Gerlach, Director
 
Date
     
/s/ Diane C. A. Rosler
 
March 12, 2010
Diane C.A. Rosler, Chief Financial Officer
 
Date
     
/s/ David R. Saracino
 
March 12, 2010
David R. Saracino, Director
 
Date

 
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