MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)
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United States SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington , D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2007
1934 for the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2007
Commission File Number: 33-23094
Middlefield Banc Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio | 34-1585111 | |
( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
( IRS Employer Identification No.) |
15985 East High Street, Middlefield, Ohio 44062-0035
(440) 632-1666
( Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices )
(440) 632-1666
( Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices )
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act : none
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act : common stock, without par value
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company þ | |||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). . Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value on June 30, 2007 of common stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was approximately $63.6 million. As of March 21, 2008, there were 1,707,015 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the registrants definitive proxy statements for the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report. Portions of the Annual
Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Part
I and Part II of this report.
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Item 1 Business
Middlefield Banc Corp . Incorporated in 1988 under the Ohio General Corporation Law,
Middlefield Banc Corp. (Company) is a two-bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956. The Companys two subsidiaries are:
1. | The Middlefield Banking Company (MBC), an Ohio-chartered commercial bank that began operations in 1901. MBC engages in a general commercial banking business in northeastern Ohio. The principal executive office is located at 15985 East High Street, Middlefield, Ohio 44062-0035, and its telephone number is (440) 632-1666. | ||
2. | Emerald Bank (EB), an Ohio-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. EB engages in a general commercial banking business in central Ohio. The principal executive office is located at 6215 Perimeter Drive, Dublin Ohio 43017, and its telephone number is (614) 793-4631. |
The Middlefield Banking Company . MBC was chartered under Ohio law in 1901. The Company became
the holding company for MBC in 1988. MBC offers its customers a broad range of banking services,
including checking, savings, and negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts; money market
accounts; time certificates of deposit, commercial loans, real estate loans, and various types of
consumer loans; safe deposit facilities, and travelers checks. MBC offers online banking and bill
payment services to individuals and online cash management services to business customers through
its website at www.middlefieldbank.com.
Engaged in a general commercial banking business in northeastern Ohio, MBC offers commercial
banking services principally to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals and small business
owners, and retail customers. MBC has developed and continues to monitor and update a marketing
program to attract and retain consumer accounts, and to offer banking services and facilities
compatible with the needs of its customers.
MBCs loan products include operational and working capital loans; loans to finance capital
purchases; term business loans; residential construction loans; selected guaranteed or subsidized
loan programs for small businesses; professional loans; residential mortgage and commercial
mortgage loans, and consumer installment loans to purchase automobiles, boats, and for home
improvement and other personal expenditures. Although the bank makes agricultural loans, it
currently has no significant agricultural loans.
Emerald Bank. The Company acquired Emerald Bank on April 19, 2007 for a combination of cash
and stock. Emerald Bank operates as a separate commercial bank subsidiary of Middlefield, offering
essentially the same range of products and services in central Ohio as MBC does in northeastern
Ohio.
Market Area. MBCs market area consists principally of Geauga, Portage, Trumbull, and
Ashtabula Counties. Benefiting from the areas proximity both to Cleveland and Warren, population
and income levels have maintained steady growth over the years. EBs sole office is located in
Dublin in Franklin County, serving the central Ohio market.
Competition . The banking industry has been changing for many reasons, including continued
consolidation within the banking industry, legislative and regulatory changes, and advances in
technology. To deliver banking products and services more effectively and efficiently, banking
institutions are opening in-store branches, installing more automated teller machines (ATMs) and
investing in technology to permit telephone, personal computer, and internet banking. While all
banks are experiencing the effects of the changing competitive and technological environment, the
manner in which banks choose to compete is increasing the gap between large national and
super-regional banks, on one hand, and community banks on the other. Large institutions are
committed to becoming national or regional brand names, providing a broad selection of products
at low cost and with advanced technology, while community banks provide
most of the same products but with a commitment to personal service and with local ties to the
customers and communities they serve. The Company seeks to take competitive advantage of its local
orientation and community banking profile. It competes for loans principally through responsiveness
to customers and its ability to communicate effectively with them and understand and address their
needs. The Company competes for deposits principally by offering customers personal attention, a
variety of banking services, attractive rates, and strategically located banking facilities. The
Company seeks to provide high quality banking service to professionals and small and mid-sized
businesses, as well as individuals, emphasizing quick and flexible responses to customer demands.
Forward-looking Statements . This document contains forward-looking statements (as defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about The Company and subsidiaries.
Information incorporated in this document by reference, future filings by the Company on Form 10-Q
and Form 8-K, and future oral and written statements by the Company and its management may also
contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about anticipated
operating and financial performance, such as loan originations, operating efficiencies, loan sales,
charge-offs and loan loss provisions, growth opportunities, interest rates, and deposit growth.
Words such as may, could, should, would, believe, anticipate, estimate, expect,
intend, project, plan, and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking
statements.
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Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to many risks and uncertainties. A number
of things could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the
forward-looking statements. These include the factors we discuss immediately below, those addressed
under the caption Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, other factors discussed elsewhere in this document or identified in our filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and those presented elsewhere by our management from time
to time. Many of the risks and uncertainties are beyond our control. The following factors could
cause our operating and financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives,
assumptions, expectations, estimates, and intentions expressed in forward-looking statements:
| the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct our operations; general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than we expect, resulting in a deterioration in the credit quality of our loan assets, among other things | |
| the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest-rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board | |
| inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations | |
| the development and acceptance of new products and services of the Company and subsidiaries and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users, including the features, pricing, and quality compared to competitors products and services | |
| the willingness of users to substitute our products and services for those of competitors | |
| the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities, and insurance) | |
| changes in consumer spending and saving habits |
Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, assumptions,
expectations, estimates, and intentions as of the date the statements are made. Investors should
exercise caution because the Company cannot give any assurance that its beliefs, plans, objectives,
goals, assumptions, expectations, estimates, and intentions will be realized. The Company disclaims
any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future
events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise.
Lending Loan Portfolio Composition and Activity . The Company makes residential mortgage
and commercial mortgage loans, home equity loans, secured and unsecured consumer installment loans,
commercial and industrial loans, and real estate construction loans for owner-occupied and rental
properties. The Companys loan policy aspires to a loan composition mix consisting of approximately
60% to 70% residential real estate loans, 35% to 40% commercial loans, consumer loans of 5% to 15%, and
credit card accounts of up to 5%.
Although Ohio bank law imposes no material restrictions on the kinds of loans the Company may
make, real estate-based lending has historically been the banks primary focus. For prudential
reasons, the bank avoids lending on the security of real estate located in regions with which the
bank is not familiar, and as a consequence almost all of the banks real-estate secured loans are
secured by real property in northeastern Ohio. Ohio bank law does restrict the amount of loans an
Ohio-chartered bank such as the banks may make, however, providing generally that loans and
extensions of credit to any one borrower may not exceed 15% of capital. An additional margin of 10%
of capital is allowed for loans fully secured by readily marketable collateral. This 15% legal
lending limit has not been a material restriction on the banks lending. The banks can accommodate
loan volumes exceeding the legal lending limit by selling loan participations to other banks. The
subsidiaries internal policy are to maintain its credit exposure to any one borrower at less than
$3.0 million, which is comfortably within the range of the banks legal lending limit. As of
December 31, 2007, the Companys 15%-of-capital limit on loans to a single borrower was
approximately $5.2 million.
The Company offers specialized loans for business and commercial customers, including
equipment and inventory financing, real estate construction loans and Small Business Administration
loans for qualified businesses. A substantial portion of the banks commercial loans are designated
as real estate loans for regulatory reporting purposes because they are secured by mortgages on
real property. Loans of that type may be made for purpose of financing commercial activities, such
as accounts receivable, equipment purchases and leasing, but they are secured by real estate to
provide the bank with an extra measure of security. Although these loans might be secured in whole
or in part by real estate, they are treated in the discussions to follow as commercial and
industrial loans. The Companys consumer installment loans include secured and unsecured loans to
individual borrowers for a variety of purposes, including personal, home improvements, revolving
credit lines, autos, boats, and recreational vehicles.
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The following table shows the composition of the loan portfolio in dollar amounts and in
percentages at December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, along with a reconciliation to loans
receivable, net.
Loan Portfolio Composition at December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type of loan: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
$ | 67,010 | 21.65 | $ | 68,496 | 27.49 | $ | 65,252 | 27.88 | % | $ | 52,148 | 24.18 | % | $ | 42,063 | 21.81 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate construction |
6,704 | 2.17 | 2,458 | 0.99 | 2,725 | 1.16 | 3,144 | 1.46 | 3,434 | 1.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential |
193,514 | 62.53 | 162,917 | 65.38 | 151,866 | 64.88 | 147,425 | 68.36 | 134,007 | 69.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial |
36,818 | 11.90 | 9,949 | 3.99 | 8,208 | 3.51 | 7,027 | 3.26 | 7,866 | 4.08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer installment |
5,400 | 1.75 | 5,371 | 2.16 | 6,004 | 2.57 | 5,909 | 2.74 | 5,510 | 2.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans |
309,446 | 100 | 249,191 | 100 | 234,055 | 100 | % | 215,653 | 100 | % | 192,880 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses |
3,299 | 2,849 | 2,841 | 2,623 | 2,521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loans |
$ | 306,147 | $ | 246,342 | $ | 231,214 | $ | 213,030 | $ | 190,359 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loans as a percent of total assets |
89.82 | % | 56.73 | % | 74.29 | % | 73.15 | % | 72.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents maturity information for the loan portfolio at December 31, 2007.
The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal repayments. All loans are shown as
maturing based on contractual maturities.
Loan Portfolio Maturity at December 31,2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
and | Real Estate | Mortgage | Consumer | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Industrial | Construction | Residential | Commercial | Installment | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount due: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
In one year or less |
$ | 21,230 | $ | 3,338 | $ | 59,598 | $ | 4,353 | $ | 1,346 | $ | 89,865 | ||||||||||||
After one year through five years |
28,680 | 1,259 | 108,556 | 21,367 | 3,777 | 163,639 | ||||||||||||||||||
After five years |
17,100 | 2,107 | 25,360 | 11,098 | 277 | 55,942 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total amount due |
$ | 67,010 | $ | 6,704 | $ | 193,514 | $ | 36,818 | $ | 5,400 | $ | 309,446 | ||||||||||||
Loans due on demand and overdrafts are included in the amount due in one year or less. The Company
has no loans without a stated schedule of repayment or a stated maturity.
The following table shows the dollar amount of all loans due after December 31, 2007 that have
pre-determined interest rates and the dollar amount of all loans due after December 31, 2007 that
have floating or adjustable rates.
Fixed | Adjustable | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Rate | Rate | Total | |||||||||
Commercial and industrial |
$ | 27,819 | $ | 39,191 | $ | 67,010 | ||||||
Real estate construction |
2,618 | 4,086 | 6,704 | |||||||||
Mortgage: |
| | ||||||||||
Residential |
51,323 | 142,191 | 193,514 | |||||||||
Commercial |
14,764 | 22,054 | 36,818 | |||||||||
Consumer installment |
5,059 | 341 | 5,400 | |||||||||
$ | 101,583 | $ | 207,863 | $ | 309,446 | |||||||
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Residential Mortgage Loans. A significant portion of the Companys lending consists of origination
of conventional loans secured by 1-4 family real estate located in Franklin, Geauga, Portage,
Trumbull, and Ashtabula Counties. These loans approximated $194 million or 62.5% of the Companys
total loan portfolio at December 31, 2007.
The Company makes loans of up to 80% of the value of the real estate and improvements securing
a loan (the loan-to-value or LTV ratio) on 1-4 family real estate. The Company generally does
not lend in excess of 80% of the appraised value or sales price (whichever is less) of the property
unless additional collateral is obtained, thereby lowering the total LTV. The Company offers
residential real estate loans with terms of up to 30 years.
Before 1996, nearly all residential mortgage loans originated by the Company were written on a
balloon-note basis. During 1996, the Company began to originate fixed-rate mortgage loans for
maturities up to 20 years. In late 1998, the Company began originating adjustable-rate mortgage
loans and de-emphasized balloon-note mortgages. Approximately 73.5% of the portfolio of
conventional mortgage loans secured by 1-4 family real estate at December 31, 2007 was adjustable
rate. The Companys mortgage loans are ordinarily retained in the loan portfolio. The Companys
residential mortgage loans have not been originated with loan documentation that would permit their
sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The Companys home equity loan policy generally allows for a loan of up to 85% of a propertys
appraised value, less the principal balance of the outstanding first mortgage loan. The Companys
home equity loans generally have terms of 10 years.
At December 31, 2007, residential mortgage loans of approximately $3.2 million were over 90
days delinquent or non-accruing on that date, representing 1.63% of the residential mortgage loan
portfolio.
Commercial and Industrial Loans and Commercial Real Estate Loans . The Companys commercial
loan services include
| accounts receivable, inventory and working capital loans | |
| renewable operating lines of credit | |
| loans to finance capital equipment | |
| term business loans | |
| short-term notes | |
| selected guaranteed or subsidized loan programs for small businesses | |
| loans to professionals | |
| commercial real estate loans |
Commercial real estate loans include commercial properties occupied by the proprietor of the
business conducted on the premises, and income-producing or farm properties. Although the Company
makes agricultural loans, it currently does not have a significant amount of agricultural loans.
The primary risk of commercial real estate loans is loss of income of the owner or occupier of the
property and the inability of the market to sustain rent levels. Although commercial and commercial
real estate loans generally bear somewhat more risk than single-family residential mortgage loans,
commercial and commercial real estate loans tend to be higher yielding, tend to have shorter terms
and commonly provide for interest-rate adjustments as prevailing rates change. Accordingly,
commercial and commercial real estate loans enhance a lenders interest rate risk management and,
in managements opinion, promote more rapid asset and income growth than a loan portfolio comprised
strictly of residential real estate mortgage loans.
Although a risk of nonpayment exists for all loans, certain specific types of risks are
associated with various kinds of loans. One of the primary risks associated with commercial loans
is the possibility that the commercial borrower will not generate income sufficient to repay the
loan. The Companys loan policy provides that commercial loan applications must be supported by
documentation indicating that there will be cash flow sufficient for the borrower to service the
proposed loan. Financial statements or tax returns for at least three years must be submitted, and
annual reviews are undertaken for loans of $150,000 or more. The fair market value of collateral
for collateralized commercial loans must exceed the Companys loan exposure. For this purpose fair
market value is determined by independent appraisal or by the loan officers estimate employing
guidelines established by the loan policy. Term loans not secured by real estate generally have
terms of five years or less, unless guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration or other
governmental agency, and terms loans secured by collateral having a useful life exceeding five
years may have longer terms. The Companys loan policy allows for terms of up to 15 years for loans
secured by commercial real estate, and one year for business lines of credit. The maximum
loan-to-value ratio for commercial real estate loans is 75% of the appraised value or cost,
whichever is less.
Real estate is commonly a material component of collateral for the Companys loans, including
commercial loans. Although the expected source of repayment of these loans is generally the
operations of the borrowers business or personal income, real estate collateral provides an
additional measure of security. Risks associated with loans secured by real estate include
fluctuating land values, changing local economic conditions, changes in tax policies, and a
concentration of loans within a limited geographic area.
At December 31, 2007, commercial and commercial real estate loans totaled $103.8million, or
33.6% of the Companys total loan portfolio. At December 31, 2007, commercial and commercial real
estate loans of approximately $1.8 million were over 90 days delinquent or non-accruing on that
date, and represented 1.77% of the commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios.
Real Estate Construction . The Company originates several different types of loans that it
categorizes as construction loans, including
| residential construction loans to borrowers who will occupy the premises upon completion of construction, | ||
| residential construction loans to builders, | ||
| commercial construction loans, and | ||
| real estate acquisition and development loans. |
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Because of the complex nature of construction lending, these loans are generally recognized as
having a higher degree of risk than other forms of real estate lending. The Companys fixed-rate
and adjustable-rate construction loans do not provide for the same interest rate terms on the
construction loan and on the permanent mortgage loan that follows completion of the construction
phase of the loan. It is the norm for the Company to make residential construction loans without an
existing written commitment for permanent financing. The Companys loan policy provides that the
Company may make construction loans with terms of up to one year, with a maximum loan-to-value
ratio for residential construction of 80%.
At December 31, 2007, real estate construction loans totaled $6.7 million, or 2.2% of the
Companys total loan portfolio. At December 31, 2007, real estate-construction loans of
approximately $643,000 were over 90 days delinquent or non-accruing on that date, and represented
9.56% of the real estate-construction loan portfolios.
Consumer Installment Loans . The Companys consumer installment loans include secured and
unsecured loans to individual borrowers for a variety of purposes, including personal, home
improvement, revolving credit lines, autos, boats, and recreational vehicles. The Company does not
currently do any indirect lending. Unsecured consumer loans carry significantly higher interest
rates than secured loans. The Company maintains a higher loan loss allowance for consumer loans,
while maintaining strict credit guidelines when considering consumer loan applications.
According to the Companys loan policy, consumer loans secured by collateral other than real
estate generally may have terms of up to five years, and unsecured consumer loans may have terms up
to two and one-half years. Real estate security generally is required for consumer loans having
terms exceeding five years.
At December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $5.4 million in its consumer installment
loan portfolio, representing 1.8% of total loans. Consumer installment loans of approximately
$23,000 were over 90 days delinquent or non-accruing on that date, representing .43% of the
installment loan portfolio.
Loan Solicitation and Processing . Loan originations are developed from a number of sources,
including continuing business with depositors, other borrowers and real estate builders,
solicitations by Company personnel and walk-in customers.
When a loan request is made, the Company reviews the application, credit bureau reports,
property appraisals or evaluations, financial information, verifications of income, and other
documentation concerning the creditworthiness of the borrower, as applicable to each loan type. The
Companys underwriting guidelines are set by senior management and approved by the board. The loan
policy specifies each individual officers loan approval authority, loans exceeding an individual
officers approval authority are submitted to a committee consisting of loan officers, which has
authority to approve loans up to $500,000. The full board acts as a loan committee for loans
exceeding that amount.
Income from Lending Activities . The Company earns interest and fee income from its lending
activities. Net of origination costs, loan origination fees are amortized over the life of a loan.
The Company also receives loan fees related to existing loans, including late charges. Income from
loan origination and commitment fees and discounts varies with the volume and type of loans and
commitments made and with competitive and economic conditions. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included herein contains a discussion of the manner in which loan fees and income are
recognized for financial reporting purposes.
Nonperforming Loans . Late charges on residential mortgages and consumer loans are assessed if
a payment is not received by the due date plus a grace period. When an advanced stage of
delinquency appears on a single-family loan and if repayment cannot be expected within a reasonable
time or a repayment agreement is not entered into, a required notice of foreclosure or repossession
proceedings may be prepared by the Companys attorney and delivered to the borrower so that
foreclosure proceedings may be initiated promptly, if necessary. The Company also collects late
charges on commercial loans.
When the Company acquires real estate through foreclosure, voluntary deed, or similar means,
it is classified as other real estate owned until it is sold. When property is acquired in this
manner, it is recorded at the lower of cost (the unpaid principal balance at the date of
acquisition) or fair value. Any subsequent write-down is charged to expense. All costs incurred
from the date of acquisition to maintain the property are expensed. Other real estate owned is
appraised during the foreclosure process, before acquisition. Losses are recognized for the amount
by which the book value of the related mortgage loan exceeds the estimated net realizable value of
the property.
The Company undertakes regular review of the loan portfolio to assess its risks, particularly
the risks associated with the commercial loan portfolio. This includes annual review of every
commercial loan representing credit exposure of $150,000 or more. An independent firm performs
semi-annual loan reviews for the Company.
Classified Assets . FDIC regulations governing classification of assets require nonmember
commercial banks including the Company to classify their own assets and to establish
appropriate general and specific allowances for losses, subject to FDIC review. The regulations are
designed to encourage management to evaluate assets on a case-by-case basis, discouraging automatic
classifications. Under this classification system, problem assets of insured institutions are
classified as substandard, doubtful, or loss. An asset is considered substandard if it is
inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the
collateral pledged, if any. Substandard assets include those characterized by the distinct
possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not
corrected. Assets classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified
substandard, with the added characteristic that the
weaknesses make collection of principal in full on the basis of currently existing facts,
conditions, and values highly questionable and improbable. Assets classified as loss are those
considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the
establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. Assets that do not expose the Company to
risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the above categories, but that possess some
weakness, are required to be designated special mention by management.
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When an insured institution classifies assets as either substandard or doubtful, it may
establish allowances for loan losses in an amount deemed prudent by management. When an insured
institution classifies assets as loss, it is required either to establish an allowance for losses
equal to 100% of that portion of the assets so classified or to charge off that amount. An
FDIC-insured institutions determination about classification of its assets and the amount of its
allowances is subject to review by the FDIC, which may order the establishment of additional loss
allowances. Management also employs an independent third party to semi-annually review and validate
the internal loan review process and loan classifications. As of December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005,
2004 and 2003 classified assets were as follows:
Classified Assets at December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Amount | total loans | Amount | total loans | Amount | total loans | Amount | total loans | Amount | total loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classified loans: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special mention |
$ | 5,302 | 1.71 | % | $ | 7,394 | 2.97 | % | $ | 6,567 | 2.81 | % | $ | 4,094 | 1.90 | % | $ | 2,876 | 1.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard |
1,029 | 0.33 | % | 1,515 | 0.61 | % | 2,020 | 0.86 | % | 3,097 | 1.44 | % | 1,920 | 1.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Doubtful |
835 | 0.27 | % | | | | 0.00 | % | 163 | 0.08 | % | 199 | 0.10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss |
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total amount due |
$ | 7,166 | 2.31 | % | $ | 8,909 | 3.58 | % | $ | 8,587 | 3.67 | % | $ | 7,354 | 3.42 | % | $ | 4,995 | 3.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investments. Investment securities provide a return on residual funds after lending activities.
Investments may be in federal funds sold, corporate securities, U.S. Government and agency
obligations, state and local government obligations and government-guaranteed, mortgage-backed
securities. The Company generally does not invest in securities that are rated less than investment
grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Ohio bank law prescribes the
kinds of investments an Ohio-chartered bank may make. Permitted investments include local, state,
and federal government securities, mortgage-backed securities, and securities of federal government
agencies. An Ohio-chartered bank also may invest up to 10% of its assets in corporate debt and
equity securities, or a higher percentage in certain circumstances. Similar to the legal lending
limit on loans to any one borrower, Ohio bank law also limits to 15% of capital the amount an
Ohio-chartered bank may invest in the securities of any one issuer, other than local, state, and
federal government and federal government agency issuers and mortgage-backed securities issuers.
These Ohio bank law provisions have not been a material constraint upon the banks investment
activities.
All securities-related activity is reported to the Companys board of directors. General
changes in investment strategy are required to be reviewed and approved by the board. Senior
management can purchase and sell securities in accordance with the Companys stated investment
policy.
Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If
management has the intent and the Company has the ability at the time of purchase to hold a
security until maturity or on a long-term basis, the security is classified as held-to-maturity and
is reflected on the balance sheet at historical cost. Securities to be held for indefinite periods
and not intended to be held to maturity or on a long-term basis are classified as
available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reflected on the balance sheet at their
market value.
7
Table of Contents
The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of the Companys investment
portfolio at the dates indicated.
Investment Portfolio Amortized Cost and Fair Value at December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Gross | Gross | Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized | unrealized | unrealized | Fair | Amortized | unrealized | unrealized | Fair | Amortized | unrealized | unrealized | Fair | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | cost | gains | losses | value | cost | gains | losses | value | cost | gains | losses | value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available for Sale: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government agency securities |
$ | 7,873 | $ | 55 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 7,927 | $ | 7,253 | $ | 2 | $ | (110 | ) | $ | 7,145 | $ | 7,261 | $ | 10 | $ | (112 | ) | $ | 7,159 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable |
749 | | (7 | ) | 742 | 748 | | (21 | ) | 727 | 748 | | (23 | ) | 725 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt |
47,263 | 188 | (522 | ) | 46,929 | 38,182 | 140 | (354 | ) | 37,968 | 28,231 | 98 | (331 | ) | 27,998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate securities |
| | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
29,219 | 162 | (335 | ) | 29,046 | 16,959 | | (490 | ) | 16,469 | 22,229 | 16 | (640 | ) | 21,605 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
944 | 396 | (16 | ) | 1,324 | 694 | 48 | (3 | ) | 739 | 444 | 1 | (45 | ) | 400 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 86,048 | $ | 801 | $ | (881 | ) | $ | 85,968 | $ | 63,836 | $ | 190 | $ | (978 | ) | $ | 63,048 | $ | 58,913 | $ | 125 | $ | (1,151 | ) | $ | 57,887 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Held to Maturity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states and political subdivisions: |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 126 | $ | 8 | $ | | $ | 134 | $ | 221 | $ | 12 | $ | | $ | 233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 126 | $ | 8 | $ | | $ | 134 | $ | 221 | $ | 12 | $ | | $ | 233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Securities |
$ | 86,048 | $ | 801 | $ | (881 | ) | $ | 85,968 | $ | 63,962 | $ | 198 | $ | (978 | ) | $ | 63,182 | $ | 59,134 | $ | 137 | $ | (1,151 | ) | $ | 58,120 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The contractual maturity of investment securities at December 31, 2007 is shown below.
Total investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One year | More than one | More than five | More than | securities and mortgage- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
or less | to five years | to ten years | ten years | backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized | Average | Amortized | Average | Amortized | Average | Amortized | Average | Amortized | Average | Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
cost | yield | cost | yield | cost | yield | cost | yield | cost | yield | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government agency
securities |
$ | | | $ | 3,103 | 4.70 | $ | 2,994 | 4.70 | $ | 1,775 | 5.92 | $ | 7,873 | 4.98 | $ | 7,927 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable |
250 | 3.20 | 499 | 4.15 | | | | | 749 | 3.83 | 742 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt |
4,049 | 4.00 | 6,542 | 3.89 | 10,100 | 4.26 | 26,572 | 4.32 | 47,263 | 4.22 | 46,929 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
| | 137 | 5.18 | 1,220 | 4.47 | 27,863 | 5.13 | 29,219 | 5.10 | 29,046 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Securities |
944 | | | | | | | | 944 | | 1,324 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 5,243 | 3.24 | % | $ | 10,281 | 4.16 | % | $ | 14,314 | 4.37 | % | $ | 56,210 | 4.77 | % | $ | 86,048 | 4.54 | % | $ | 85,968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected maturities of investment securities could differ from contractual maturities because
the borrower, or issuer, could have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties. The average yields in the above table are not calculated on a tax equivalent
basis.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company also held 17,310 shares of $100 par value Federal Home
Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock, which is a restricted security. FHLB stock represents an equity
interest in the FHLB, but it does not have a readily determinable market value. The stock can be
sold at its par value only, and only to the FHLB or to another member institution. Member
institutions are required to maintain a minimum stock investment in the FHLB, based on total
assets, total mortgages, and total mortgage-backed securities. The Companys minimum investment in
FHLB stock at December 31, 2007 was approximately $1,731,000.
Sources of Funds Deposit Accounts . Deposit accounts are a major source of funds for the
Company. The Company offers a number of deposit products to attract both commercial and regular
consumer checking and savings customers, including regular and money market savings accounts, NOW
accounts, and a variety of fixed-maturity, fixed-rate certificates with maturities ranging from
seven days to 60 months. These accounts earn interest at rates established by management based on
competitive market factors and managements desire to increase certain types or maturities of
deposit liabilities. The Company also provides travelers checks, official checks, money orders,
ATM services, and IRA accounts.
8
Table of Contents
The following table shows the amount of time deposits of $100,000 or more as of December 31,
2007, including certificates of deposit, by time remaining until maturity.
Maturity of Time Deposits of | ||||||||
$100,000 or more at | ||||||||
December 31,2007 | ||||||||
Amount | Percent of Total | |||||||
Within three months |
$ | 8,431,158 | 16.53 | % | ||||
Beyond three but within six months |
8,615,730 | 16.89 | ||||||
Beyond six but within twelve months |
15,291,877 | 29.97 | ||||||
Beyond one year |
18,677,293 | 36.61 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 51,016,058 | 100.00 | |||||
Borrowings . Deposits and repayment of loan principal are the Companys primary sources of
funds for lending activities and other general business purposes. However, when the supply of
lendable funds or funds available for general business purposes cannot satisfy the demand for loans
or general business purposes, the Company can obtain funds from the FHLB of Cincinnati. Interest
and principal are payable monthly, and the line of credit is secured by a blanket pledge collateral
agreement. At December 31, 2007, the Company had $24.2 million of FHLB borrowings outstanding. The
Company also has access to credit through the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and other funding
sources.
The outstanding balances and related information about short-term borrowings, which includes
securities sold under agreements to repurchase are summarized as follows:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||
Balance at year-end |
$ | 1,510,607 | $ | 1,609,738 | 6,710,914 | |||||||
Average balance outstanding |
2,383,902 | 3,281,340 | 1,844,018 | |||||||||
Maximum month-end balance |
5,768,057 | 8,245,406 | 6,710,914 | |||||||||
Weighted-average rate at year-end |
2.96 | % | 4.35 | % | 4.38 | % | ||||||
Weighted-average rate during the
year |
3.89 | % | 5.10 | % | 5.63 | % |
Personnel.
As of December 31, 2007 the Company had 91 full-time equivalent employees. None of the
employees is represented by a collective bargaining group. Management considers its relations with
employees to be excellent.
Supervision and Regulation
The following discussion of bank supervision and regulation is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed. Changes in applicable law or in the
policies of various regulatory authorities could affect materially the business and prospects of
the Company.
The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956. As such, the Company is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, acting primarily through the Federal
Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Middlefield is required to file annual reports and other information
with the Federal Reserve. Both subsidiaries are Ohio-chartered commercial banks. As a
state-chartered, nonmember banks, the banks are primarily regulated by the FDIC and by the Ohio
Division of Financial Institutions.
The Company and the banks are subject to federal banking laws, and the Company is subject also
to Ohio bank law. These federal and state laws are intended to protect depositors, not
stockholders. Federal and state laws applicable to holding companies and their financial
institution subsidiaries regulate the range of permissible business activities, investments,
reserves against deposits, capital levels, lending activities and practices, the nature and amount
of collateral for loans, establishment of branches, mergers, dividends, and a variety of other
important matters. The Company is subject to detailed, complex, and sometimes overlapping federal
and state statutes and regulations affecting routine banking operations. These statutes and
regulations include but are not limited to state usury and consumer credit laws, the
Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair
Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Savings Act, and the Community Reinvestment Act. The Company
must comply with Federal Reserve Board regulations requiring depository institutions to maintain
reserves against their transaction accounts (principally NOW and regular checking accounts).
Because required reserves are commonly maintained in the form of vault cash or in a
noninterest-bearing account (or pass-through account) at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of the
reserve requirement is to reduce an institutions earning assets.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 expanded significantly the
authority of federal agencies to regulate the activities of federally chartered and state-chartered
financial institutions and their holding companies. The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have
extensive authority to prevent and to remedy unsafe and unsound practices and violations of
applicable laws and regulations by institutions and holding companies. The agencies may assess
civil money penalties, issue cease-and-desist or removal orders, seek injunctions, and publicly
disclose those actions. In addition, the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions possesses
enforcement powers to address violations of Ohio banking law by Ohio-chartered banks.
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Table of Contents
Regulation of Bank Holding Companies Bank and Bank Holding Company Acquisitions . The Bank
Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain approval of the Federal Reserve
before
| directly or indirectly acquiring ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company, if after the acquisition the acquiring company would own or control more than 5% of the shares of the other bank or bank holding company (unless the acquiring company already owns or controls a majority of the shares), | ||
| acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank, or | ||
| merging or consolidating with another bank holding company. |
The Federal Reserve will not approve an acquisition, merger, or consolidation that would have
a substantially anticompetitive result, unless the anticompetitive effects of the proposed
transaction are clearly outweighed by a greater public interest in satisfying the convenience and
needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve also considers capital adequacy and other
financial and managerial factors in its review of acquisitions and mergers.
Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act, the Change in Bank Control Act and the Federal
Reserve Boards Regulation Y require advance approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire control
of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company
acquires 25% or more of a class of voting securities of the bank holding company. If the holding
company has securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
Middlefield does, or if no other person owns a greater percentage of the class of voting
securities, control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person acquires 10% or more, but less than
25%, of any class of voting securities. Approval of the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions is
also necessary to acquire control of an Ohio-chartered bank.
Nonbanking Activities . With some exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act has for many years
also prohibited a bank holding company from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or
control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank or bank holding
company, or from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking,
managing or controlling banks, or providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions
to these prohibitions involve non-bank activities that, by statute or by Federal Reserve Board
regulation or order, are held to be closely related to the business of banking or of managing or
controlling banks. In making its determination that a particular activity is closely related to the
business of banking, the Federal Reserve considers whether the performance of the activities by a
bank holding company can be expected to produce benefits to the public such as greater
convenience, increased competition, or gains in efficiency in resources that will outweigh the
risks of possible adverse effects such as decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest,
or unsound banking practices. Some of the activities determined by Federal Reserve Board regulation
to be closely related to the business of banking are: making or servicing loans or leases; engaging
in insurance and discount brokerage activities; owning thrift institutions; performing data
processing services; acting as a fiduciary or investment or financial advisor; and making
investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare.
Financial Holding Companies . On November 12, 1999 the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became law,
repealing much of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Acts separation of the commercial and investment banking
industries. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act expands the range of nonbanking activities a bank holding
company may engage in, while preserving existing authority for bank holding companies to engage in
activities that are closely related to banking. The new legislation creates a new category of
holding company called a financial holding company. Financial holding companies may engage in any
activity that is
| financial in nature or incidental to that financial activity, or | ||
| complementary to a financial activity and that does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. |
Activities that are financial in nature include
| acting as principal, agent, or broker for insurance, | ||
| underwriting, dealing in, or making a market in securities, and | ||
| providing financial and investment advice. |
The Federal Reserve Board and the Secretary of the Treasury have authority to decide that
other activities are also financial in nature or incidental to financial activity, taking into
account changes in technology, changes in the banking marketplace, competition for banking
services, and so on. The Company is engaged solely in activities that were permissible for a bank
holding company before enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Although the Company has become a
financial holding company, the Company has no immediate plans to use the expanded authority to
engage in activities other than those in which it is currently engaged. Federal Reserve Board
rules require that all of the depository institution subsidiaries of a financial holding company be
and remain well capitalized and well managed. If all depository institution subsidiaries of a
financial holding company do not remain well capitalized and well managed, the financial holding
company must enter into an agreement acceptable to the Federal Reserve Board, undertaking to comply
with all capital and management requirements within 180 days. In the meantime the financial
holding company may not use its expanded authority to engage in nonbanking activities without
Federal Reserve Board approval and the Federal Reserve may impose other limitations on the holding
companys or affiliates activities. If a financial holding company fails to restore the
well-capitalized and well-managed status of a depository institution subsidiary, the Federal
Reserve may order divestiture of the subsidiary.
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Table of Contents
Holding Company Capital and Source of Strength . The Federal Reserve considers the adequacy of
a bank holding companys capital on essentially the same risk-adjusted basis as capital adequacy is
determined by the FDIC at the bank subsidiary level. In general, bank holding companies are
required to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8% and Tier 1
capital consisting principally of stockholders equity of at least 4%. Bank holding companies
are also subject to a leverage ratio requirement. The minimum required leverage ratio for the very
highest rated companies is 3%, but as a practical matter the minimum required leverage ratio for
most bank holding companies is 4% or higher. It is also Federal Reserve Board policy that bank
holding companies serve as a source of strength for their subsidiary banking institutions.
Under Bank Holding Company Act section 5(e), the Federal Reserve Board may require a bank
holding company to terminate any activity or relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary if the
Federal Reserve Board determines that the activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the
financial safety, soundness or stability of a subsidiary bank. And with the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991s addition of the prompt corrective action provisions
to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, section 38(f)(2)(I) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act now
provides that a federal bank regulatory authority may require a bank holding company to divest
itself of an undercapitalized bank subsidiary if the agency determines that divestiture will
improve the banks financial condition and prospects.
Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions. Adding subsection (e) to section 5 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of
1989 allows the FDIC to demand from one institution payment for losses incurred or to be incurred
by the FDIC because of the default of another institution or because of assistance provided by the
FDIC to the other institution in danger of default, if the institutions are commonly controlled.
Federal Deposit Insurance . The FDIC insures deposits of banks, savings banks, and savings
associations, and it safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking industry. Two separate
insurance funds are maintained and administered by the FDIC. In general, bank deposits are insured
through the Bank Insurance Fund. Deposits in savings associations are insured through the Savings
Association Insurance Fund.
As an FDIC member institution, deposits in the bank are insured to a maximum of $100,000 per
depositor. The banks are required to pay semiannual deposit insurance premium assessments to the
FDIC. In general terms, each institution is assessed insurance premiums according to how much risk
to the insurance fund the institution represents. Well-capitalized institutions with few
supervisory concerns are assessed lower premiums than other institutions. The premium range is
currently from $0.00 for the highest-rated institutions to $0.27 per $100 of domestic deposits.
The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution if the FDIC
determines that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an
unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation,
order, or any condition imposed in writing by, or written agreement with, the FDIC. The FDIC also
may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for a permanent termination of
insurance if the institution has no tangible capital.
Interstate Banking and Branching . In 1994 the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching
Efficiency Act eased restrictions on interstate banking. The Riegle-Neal Act allows the Federal
Reserve to approve an application by an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding
company to acquire a bank located in a state other than the acquiring companys home state, without
regard to whether
the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. The Federal Reserve may not approve
acquisition of a bank that has not been in existence for the minimum time period (up to five years)
specified by the statutory law of the acquired, or target, banks state. The Riegle-Neal Act also
prohibits the Federal Reserve from approving an application if the applicant (and its depository
institution affiliates) controls or would control more than 10% of the insured deposits in the
United States or 30% or more of the deposits in the target banks home state or in any state in
which the target bank maintains a branch. The Riegle-Neal Act does not affect the authority of
states to limit the percentage of total insured deposits in the state that may be held or
controlled by a bank or bank holding company if the limitation does not discriminate against
out-of-state banks or bank holding companies. Individual states may also waive the 30% statewide
concentration limit contained in the Riegle-Neal Act.
Branching between states may be accomplished by merging commonly controlled banks located in
different states into one legal entity. Branching may also be accomplished by establishing de novo
branches or acquiring branches in another state. Under section 24(j) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, a branch of a bank operating out-of-state in a host state is subject to the
law of the host state regarding community reinvestment, fair lending, consumer protection, and
establishment of branches. The Riegle-Neal Act authorizes the FDIC to approve interstate branching
de novo by state-chartered banks solely in states that specifically allow it. Ohio bank law allows
de novo branching in Ohio by an out-of-state bank. The FDIC has adopted regulations under the
Riegle-Neal Act to prohibit an out-of-state bank from using the new interstate branching authority
primarily for the purpose of deposit production. These regulations include guidelines to ensure
that interstate branches operated by an out-of-state bank in a host state are reasonably helping to
satisfy the credit needs of the communities served by the out-of-state bank.
11
Table of Contents
Capital Risk-Based Capital Requirements . The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC employ
similar risk-based capital guidelines in their examination and regulation of bank holding companies
and financial institutions. If capital falls below the minimum levels established by the
guidelines, the bank holding company or bank may be denied approval to acquire or establish
additional banks or non-bank businesses or to open new facilities. Failure to satisfy capital
guidelines could subject a banking institution to a variety of enforcement actions by federal bank
regulatory authorities, including the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC and a
prohibition on the acceptance of brokered deposits.
In the calculation of risk-based capital, assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to
broad risk categories, each with an assigned weighting (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%). Most loans are
assigned to the 100% risk category, except for first mortgage loans fully secured by residential
property, which carry a 50% rating. Most investment securities are assigned to the 20% category,
except for municipal or state revenue bonds, which have a 50% risk-weight, and direct obligations
of or obligations guaranteed by the United States Treasury or United States Government agencies,
which have a 0% risk-weight. Off-balance sheet items are also taken into account in the calculation
of risk-based capital, with each class of off-balance sheet item being converted to a balance sheet
equivalent according to established conversion factors. From these computations, the total of
risk-weighted assets is derived. Risk-based capital ratios therefore state capital as a percentage
of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items. The ratios established by guideline are
minimums only.
Current risk-based capital guidelines require bank holding companies and banks to maintain a
minimum risk-based total capital ratio equal to 8% and a Tier 1 capital ratio of 4%. Intangibles
other than readily marketable mortgage servicing rights are generally deducted from capital. Tier 1
capital includes stockholders equity, qualifying perpetual preferred stock (within limits and
subject to conditions, particularly if the preferred stock is cumulative preferred stock), and
minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles, identified
losses, investments in securities subsidiaries, and certain other assets. Tier 2 capital includes
| the allowance for loan losses, up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, | ||
| any qualifying perpetual preferred stock exceeding the amount includable in Tier 1 capital, | ||
| mandatory convertible securities, and | ||
| subordinated debt and intermediate term preferred stock, up to 50% of Tier 1 capital. |
The FDIC also employs a market risk component in its calculation of capital requirements for
nonmember banks. The market risk component could require additional capital for general or specific
market risk of trading portfolios of debt and equity securities and other investments or assets.
The FDICs evaluation of an institutions capital adequacy takes account of a variety of other
factors as well, including interest rate risks to which the institution is subject, the level and
quality of an institutions earnings, loan and investment portfolio characteristics and risks,
risks arising from the conduct of nontraditional activities, and a variety of other factors.
Accordingly, the FDICs final supervisory judgment concerning an institutions capital
adequacy could differ significantly from the conclusions that might be derived from the absolute
level of an institutions risk-based capital ratios. Therefore, institutions generally are expected
to maintain risk-based capital ratios that exceed the minimum ratios discussed above. This is
particularly true for institutions contemplating significant expansion plans and institutions that
are subject to high or inordinate levels of risk. Moreover, although the FDIC does not impose
explicit capital requirements on holding companies of institutions regulated by the FDIC, the FDIC
can take account of the degree of leverage and risks at the holding company level. If the FDIC
determines that the holding company (or another affiliate of the institution regulated by the FDIC)
has an excessive degree of leverage or is subject to inordinate risks, the FDIC may require the
subsidiary institution(s) to maintain additional capital or the FDIC may impose limitations on the
subsidiary institutions ability to support its weaker affiliates or holding company.
The banking agencies have also established a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, which represents
Tier 1 capital as a percentage of total assets, less intangibles. However, for bank holding
companies and financial institutions seeking to expand and for all but the most highly rated banks
and bank holding companies, the banking agencies expect an additional cushion of at least 100 to
200 basis points. At December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all regulatory capital
requirements.
Prompt Corrective Action . To resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions and to
prevent a recurrence of the banking crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 established a system known as prompt corrective
action. Under the prompt corrective action provisions and implementing regulations, every
institution is classified into one of five categories, depending on its total risk-based capital
ratio, its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, its leverage ratio, and subjective factors. The
categories are well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly
undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A financial institutions operations can be
significantly affected by its capital classification. For example, an institution that is not well
capitalized generally is prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates
on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market, and the holding company of any
undercapitalized institution must guarantee, in part, aspects of the institutions capital plan.
Financial institution regulatory agencies generally are required to appoint a receiver or
conservator shortly after an institution enters the category of weakest capitalization. The Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 also authorizes the regulatory agencies to
reclassify an institution from one category into a lower category if the institution is in an
unsafe or unsound condition or engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. Undercapitalized
institutions are required to take specified actions to increase their capital or otherwise decrease
the risks to the federal deposit insurance funds.
12
Table of Contents
The following table illustrates the capital and prompt corrective action guidelines applicable
to the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as its total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 capital
ratio and leverage ratio as of December 31, 2007.
2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||||
Amount | Ratio | Amount | Ratio | |||||||||||||
Total Capital
(to Risk-Weighted Assets) |
||||||||||||||||
Actual |
$ | 42,664,943 | 14.56 | % | $ | 41,978,838 | 18.05 | % | ||||||||
For Capital Adequacy Purposes |
23,441,926 | 8.00 | 18,605,783 | 8.00 | ||||||||||||
To Be Well Capitalized |
29,302,408 | 10.00 | 23,257,229 | 10.00 | ||||||||||||
Tier I Capital
(to Risk-Weighted Assets) |
||||||||||||||||
Actual |
$ | 39,194,767 | 13.38 | % | $ | 39,109,743 | 16.82 | % | ||||||||
For Capital Adequacy Purposes |
11,720,963 | 4.00 | 9,302,892 | 4.00 | ||||||||||||
To Be Well Capitalized |
17,581,445 | 6.00 | 13,954,337 | 6.00 | ||||||||||||
Tier I Capital
(to Average Assets) |
||||||||||||||||
Actual |
$ | 39,194,767 | 9.23 | % | $ | 39,109,743 | 11.82 | % | ||||||||
For Capital Adequacy Purposes |
16,990,099 | 4.00 | 13,236,186 | 4.00 | ||||||||||||
To Be Well Capitalized |
21,237,623 | 5.00 | 16,545,233 | 5.00 |
Limits on Dividends and Other Payments . The Companys ability to obtain funds for the payment
of dividends and for other cash requirements depends on the amount of dividends that may be paid to
it by the banks. Under Ohio bank law, an Ohio-chartered bank may not pay a cash dividend if the
amount of the dividend exceeds undivided profits, which is defined in Ohio bank law to mean the
cumulative undistributed amount of the banks net income. But with the approval of two thirds of
the outstanding shares and approval of the superintendent of the Division of Financial
Institutions, an Ohio-chartered bank may pay cash dividends from surplus. Lastly, approval of the
superintendent is also required if the total of all dividends and distributions declared on the
banks shares in any year exceeds the total of the banks net income for the year plus retained net
income for the two preceding years.
State-chartered banks ability to pay dividends may be affected by capital maintenance
requirements of their primary federal bank regulatory agency as well. Moreover, regulatory
authorities may prohibit banks and bank holding companies from paying dividends if payment of
dividends would constitute an unsafe and unsound banking practice.
A 1985 policy statement of the Federal Reserve Board declares that a bank holding company
should not pay cash dividends on common stock unless the organizations net income for the past
year is sufficient to fully fund the dividends and the prospective rate of earnings retention
appears consistent with the organizations capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial
condition.
Recent Legislation . On July 30, 2002 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 became law. The 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 made under the securities laws. The
proposed changes are intended to allow shareholders to monitor the performance of companies and
directors more easily and efficiently.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally applies to all companies that file or are required to file
periodic reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Act includes very
specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules, requires the SEC,
securities exchanges, and Nasdaq to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance,
and other related rules. The final scope of all of these new requirements is not yet clear. Some of
the changes are effective already, but others will become effective in the future.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has an impact on a wide variety of corporate governance and disclosure
issues, including the composition of audit committees, certification of financial statements by the
chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, forfeiture of bonuses and profits made by
directors and senior officers in the 12-month period covered by restated financial statements, a
prohibition on insider trading during pension plan black-out periods, disclosure of off-balance
sheet transactions, a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers (excluding Federally
insured financial institutions), expedited filing requirements for stock transaction reports by
officers and directors, the formation of a public accounting oversight board, auditor independence,
and various increased criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.
13
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Transactions with Affiliates . Although the banks are not member banks of the Federal Reserve
System, they required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to comply with section 23A and section
23B of the Federal Reserve Act pertaining to transactions with affiliates as if they were
member banks. These statutes are intended to protect banks from abuse in financial transactions
with affiliates, preventing federally insured deposits from being diverted to support the
activities of unregulated entities engaged in nonbanking businesses. An affiliate of a bank
includes any company or entity that controls or is under common control with the bank. Generally, section 23A
and section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act
| limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may lend to or engage in various other kinds of transactions with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of the institutions capital and surplus, limiting the aggregate of covered transactions with all affiliates to 20% of capital and surplus, | ||
| impose restrictions on investments by a subsidiary bank in the stock or securities of its holding company, | ||
| impose restrictions on the use of a holding companys stock as collateral for loans by the subsidiary bank, and | ||
| require that affiliate transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or subsidiary, as those provided to a non-affiliate. |
The Companys authority to extend credit to insiders meaning executive officers, directors
and greater than 10% stockholders or to entities those persons control, is subject to section
22(g) and section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board.
Among other things, these laws require insider loans to be made on terms substantially similar to
those offered to unaffiliated individuals, place limits on the amount of loans a bank may make to
insiders based in part on the Companys capital position, and require that specified approval
procedures be followed. Loans to an individual insider may not exceed the legal limit on loans to
any one borrower, which in general terms is 15% of capital but can be higher in some circumstances.
And the aggregate of all loans to all insiders may not exceed the Companys unimpaired capital and
surplus. Insider loans exceeding the greater of 5% of capital or $25,000 must be approved in
advance by a majority of the board, with any interested director not participating in the voting.
Lastly, loans to executive officers are subject to special limitations. Executive officers may
borrow in unlimited amounts to finance their childrens education or to finance the purchase or
improvement of their residence, and they may borrow no more than $100,000 for most other purposes.
Loans to executive officers exceeding $100,000 may be allowed if the loan is fully secured by
government securities or a segregated deposit account. A violation of these restrictions could
result in the assessment of substantial civil monetary penalties, the imposition of a
cease-and-desist order or other regulatory sanctions.
Community Reinvestment Act . Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and implementing
regulations of the banking agencies, a financial institution has a continuing and affirmative
obligation consistent with safe and sound operation to address the credit needs of its entire
community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific
lending requirements or programs for financial institutions, nor does it limit an institutions
discretion to develop the types of products and services it believes are best suited to its
particular community. The CRA requires that bank regulatory agencies conduct regular CRA
examinations and provide written evaluations of institutions CRA performance. The CRA also
requires that an institutions CRA performance rating be made public. CRA performance evaluations
are based on a four-tiered rating system: Outstanding, Satisfactory, Needs to Improve and
Substantial Noncompliance.
Although CRA examinations occur on a regular basis, CRA performance evaluations have been used
principally in the evaluation of regulatory applications submitted by an institution. CRA
performance evaluations are considered in evaluating applications for such things as mergers,
acquisitions, and applications to open branches. Over the 25 years that the CRA has existed, and
particularly in the last decade, institutions have faced increasingly difficult regulatory
obstacles and public interest group objections in connection with their regulatory applications,
including institutions that have received the highest possible CRA ratings.
A bank holding company cannot elect to be a financial holding company with the expanded
securities, insurance and other powers that designation entails unless all of the depository
institutions owned by the holding company have a CRA rating of satisfactory or better. The
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also provides that a financial institution with total assets of $250 million
or greater will be subject to CRA examinations no more frequently than every 2 years. Following a
CRA examination as of September 19, 2005, the MBC received a rating of Outstanding. Lastly, the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires public disclosure of private CRA agreements entered into between
banking organizations and other parties, and annual reporting by banking organizations of actions
taken under the private CRA agreements. This last provision of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act addresses
the increasingly common practice whereby a bank or holding company undertaking acquisition of
another bank or holding company enters into an agreement with parties who might otherwise file with
bank regulators a CRA protest of the acquisition. The details of these agreements have not been
universally disclosed by acquiring institutions in the past.
Federal Home Loan Bank. The Federal Home Loan Bank serves as a credit source for their
members. As a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati, the Company is required to maintain an investment
in the capital stock of the FHLB of Cincinnati in an amount calculated by reference to its amount
of loans, and or advances, from the FHLB. The Company is in compliance with this requirement,
with an investment in FHLB stock of $1,731,300 at December 31, 2007.
Each FHLB is required to establish standards of community investment or service that its
members must maintain for continued access to long-term advances from the FHLB. The standards take
into account a members performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and its record of lending
to first-time home buyers.
State Banking Regulation . As Ohio-chartered banks, the banks are subject to regular
examination by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. State banking regulation affects the
internal organization of the banks as well as their savings, lending, investment, and other
activities. State banking regulation may contain limitations on an institutions activities that
are in addition to limitations imposed under federal banking law. The Ohio Division of Financial
Institutions may initiate supervisory measures or formal enforcement actions, and if the grounds
provided by law exist it may take possession and control of an Ohio-chartered bank.
14
Table of Contents
Monetary Policy . The earnings of financial institutions are affected by the policies of
regulatory authorities, including monetary policy of the Federal Reserve Board. An important
function of the Federal Reserve System is regulation of aggregate national credit and money supply.
The Federal Reserve Board accomplishes these goals with measures such as open market transactions
in securities, establishment of the discount rate on bank borrowings, and changes in reserve
requirements against bank deposits. These methods are used in varying combinations to influence
overall growth and distribution of financial institutions loans, investments and deposits, and
they also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. Monetary policy is influenced
by many factors, including inflation, unemployment, short-term and long-term changes in the
international trade balance, and fiscal policies of the United States government. Federal Reserve
Board monetary policy has had a significant effect on the operating results of financial
institutions in the past, and it can be expected to influence operating results in the future.
Item 1.A Risk Factors
Our market is very competitive . We face competition both in making loans and in attracting
deposits. Competition is based on interest rates and other credit and service charges, the quality
of services rendered, the convenience of banking facilities, the range and type of products offered
and, in the case of loans to larger commercial borrowers, lending limits, among other factors.
Competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan
associations, credit unions, mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, and other financial
service companies. Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from commercial
banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations. We face additional competition for
deposits from non-depository institutions such as mutual funds, securities and brokerage firms, and
insurance companies.
Competition among financial institutions and other financial service organizations is
increasing with the continuing consolidation of the financial services industry. Additionally,
legislative and regulatory changes could affect competition. Congress elimination in 1994 of many
restrictions on interstate branching could increase competition from large banks headquartered
outside of northeastern Ohio. Congress repeal in late 1999 of much of the Glass-Steagall Act
(which had separated the commercial and investment banking industries) and elimination of the
barriers between the banking and insurance industries might make competition even more intense.
Because of our smaller size, we may have less opportunity to take advantage of the flexibility
offered by that new legislation.
The Company does not have the financial and other resources that larger competitors have; this
could affect its ability to compete for large commercial loan originations and its ability to offer
products and services competitors provide to customers. The northeastern Ohio and central Ohio
markets in which the Company operates have high concentrations of financial institutions. Many of
the financial institutions operating in our markets are branches of significantly larger
institutions headquartered in Cleveland or in other major metropolitan areas, with significantly
greater financial resources and higher lending limits. More geographically diversified than the
Company, they are therefore less vulnerable to adverse changes in our local economy. And many of
these institutions offer services that we do not or cannot provide. For example, the larger
competitors greater resources offer advantages such as the ability to price services at lower,
more attractive levels, and the ability to provide larger credit facilities than the Company can
provide. Likewise, some of the competitors are not subject to the same kind and amount of
regulatory restrictions and supervision to which the Company is subject. Because the Company is
smaller than many commercial lenders in its market, it is on occasion prevented from making
commercial loans in amounts competitors can offer. The Company accommodates loan volumes in excess
of its lending limits from time to time through the sale of loan participations to other banks.
The business of banking is changing rapidly with changes in technology, which poses financial
and technological challenges to small and mid-sized institutions . With frequent introductions of
new technology-driven products and services, the banking industry is undergoing rapid technological
changes. In addition to enhancing customer service, the effective use of technology increases
efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Financial institutions success is
increasingly dependent upon use of technology to provide products and services that satisfy
customer demands and to create additional operating efficiencies. Many of the Companys competitors
have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements, which could enable
them to perform various banking functions at lower costs than the Company, or to provide products
and services that the Company is not able to provide economically. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to develop and implement new technology-driven products or services or that we will be
successful in marketing these products or services to customers.
Because of the demand for technology-driven products, banks rely increasingly on unaffiliated
vendors to provide data processing services and other core banking functions. The use of
technology-related products, services, delivery channels, and processes exposes banks to various
risks, particularly transaction, strategic, reputation, and compliance risk. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to successfully manage the risks associated with our dependence on technology.
The banking industry is heavily regulated; the compliance burden to the industry is
considerable; the principal beneficiary of federal and state regulation is the public at large and
depositors, not stockholders . The Company and its subsidiaries are and will remain subject to
extensive state and federal government supervision and regulation. Affecting many aspects of the
banking business, including permissible activities, lending, investments, payment of dividends, the
geographic locations in which our services can be offered, and numerous other matters, state and
federal supervision and regulation are intended principally to protect depositors, the public, and
the deposit insurance funds administered by the FDIC. Protection of stockholders is not a goal of
banking regulation.
Applicable statutes, regulations, agency and court interpretations, and agency enforcement
policies have undergone significant changes, some retroactively applied, and could change
significantly again. Changes in applicable laws and regulatory policies could adversely affect the
banking industry generally or the Company and the banks in particular. The burdens of federal and
state banking regulation could place banks
in general at a competitive disadvantage compared to less regulated competitors. We give you no
assurance that we will be able to adapt successfully to industry changes caused by governmental
actions.
15
Table of Contents
Federal and state banking agencies require banks and bank holding companies to maintain
capital. Failure to maintain adequate capital or to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and
supervisory agreements could subject a bank or bank holding company to federal or state enforcement
actions, including termination of deposit insurance, imposition of fines and civil penalties, and,
in the most severe cases, appointment of a conservator or receiver for a depositary institution.
Success in the banking industry requires disciplined management of lending risks . There are
many risks in the business of lending, including risks associated with the duration over which
loans may be repaid, risks resulting from changes in economic conditions, risks inherent in dealing
with individual borrowers, and risks resulting from changes in the value of loan collateral. We
maintain an allowance for loan losses based on historical experience, an evaluation of economic
conditions, and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality, among other things.
Our judgment about the adequacy of the loan loss allowance is based on assumptions that we believe
are reasonable but that might nevertheless prove to be incorrect. We can give you no assurance that
the allowance will be sufficient to absorb future charge-offs. Additions to the loan loss allowance
could occur, which would decrease net income and capital.
Changing interest rates have a direct and immediate impact on financial institutions . The
risk of nonpayment of loans or credit risk is not the only lending risk. Lenders are subject
also to interest rate risk. Fluctuating rates of interest prevailing in the market affect a banks
net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from loans and investments, on
one hand, and interest paid on deposits and borrowings, on the other. In the early 1990s, many
banking organizations experienced historically high interest rate spreads, meaning the difference
between the interest rates earned on loans and investments and the interest rates paid on deposits
and borrowings. Since then, however, interest rate spreads have generally narrowed due to changing
market conditions and competitive pricing pressures. It has become increasingly difficult for
depository institutions to maintain deposit growth at the same rate as loan growth. Under these
circumstances, to maintain deposit growth an institution might have to offer more attractive
deposit terms, further narrowing the institutions interest rate spread. The Company cannot assure
you that interest rate spreads will not narrow even more or that higher interest rate spreads will
return.
Banks manage interest rate risk exposure by closely monitoring assets and liabilities,
altering from time to time the mix and maturity of loans, investments, and funding sources. Changes
in interest rates could result in an increase in higher-cost deposit products within a banks
existing portfolio, as well as a flow of funds away from bank accounts into direct investments
(such as U.S. Government and corporate securities, and other investment instruments such as mutual
funds) if the bank does not pay competitive interest rates. The percentage of household financial
assets held in the form of deposits is shrinking. Banking customers are investing a growing portion
of their financial assets in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement accounts. Changes in
interest rates also affect the volume of loans originated, as well as the value of loans and other
interest-earning assets, including investment securities.
An economic downturn in our market area would adversely affect our loan portfolio and our
growth prospects . Our lending market area is concentrated in northeastern and central Ohio,
particularly Franklin, Geauga, Portage, Trumbull and Ashtabula Counties. A high percentage of our
loan portfolio is secured by real estate collateral, primarily residential mortgage loans.
Commercial and industrial loans to small and medium-sized businesses also represent a significant
percentage of our loan portfolio. The asset quality of our loan portfolio is largely dependent upon
the areas economy and real estate markets. A downturn in the economy in our primary lending area
would adversely affect our operations and limit our future growth potential.
The Companys common stock is very thinly traded, and it is therefore susceptible to wide
price swings . The Companys common stock is not traded or authorized for quotation on any
exchanges or on Nasdaq. However, bid prices for the Company common stock appear from time to time
in the pink sheets under the symbol MBCN. The pink sheets is a quotation servive for
over-the-counter securities that is maintained by Pink Sheets LLC, a private company. Thinly
traded, illiquid stocks are more susceptible to significant and sudden price changes than stocks
that are widely followed by the investment community and actively traded on an exchange or Nasdaq.
The liquidity of the common stock depends upon the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers
and sellers. We cannot assure you that you will be able to find a buyer for your shares. Two
regional broker/dealers facilitate trades of Middlefield common stock, matching interested buyers
and sellers.
We currently do not intend to seek listing of the common stock on a securities exchange and we
do not intend to seek authorization for trading of the shares on Nasdaq. Even if we successfully
list the common stock on a securities exchange or obtain Nasdaq trading authorization, we
nevertheless could not assure you that an organized public market for the securities will develop
or that there will be any private demand for the common stock. We could also fail subsequently to
satisfy the standards for continued exchange listing or Nasdaq trading, such as standards having to
do with the minimum number of public shareholders or the aggregate market value of publicly held
shares.
A stock that is not listed on a securities exchange or authorized for Nasdaq trading might not
be accepted as collateral for loans. If accepted as collateral, the stocks value could
nevertheless be substantially discounted. Consequently, investors should regard the common stock as
a long-term investment and should be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in the
common stock for an indefinite period. Investors who need or desire to dispose of all or a part of
their investments in the common stock might not be able to do so except by private, direct
negotiations with third parties.
Government regulation could restrict our ability to pay cash dividends . Dividends from the
banks are the only significant source of cash for the Company. Statutory and regulatory limits
could prevent the banks from paying dividends or transferring funds to the Company. As of December
31, 2007 the banks could have declared dividends of approximately $4.5 million to Company without
having to obtain advance regulatory approval. We cannot assure you that the banks profitability
will continue to allow it to pay dividends to the Company, and we therefore cannot assure you that
the Company will be able to continue paying regular, quarterly cash dividends.
We could incur liabilities under federal and state environmental laws if we foreclose on
commercial properties . A high percentage of the Companys loans are secured by real estate.
Although the vast majority of these loans are residential mortgage loans with little associated
environmental risk, some are commercial loans secured by property on which manufacturing and other
commercial enterprises are carried on.
16
Table of Contents
The Company currently does not own any property acquired by
foreclosure. However, the Company has in the past and could again acquire property by foreclosing
on loans in default. Under federal and state environmental laws, the banks could face liability for
some or all of the costs of removing hazardous substances, contaminants, or pollutants from
properties acquired in this fashion. Although other persons might be primarily responsible for
these costs, they might not be financially solvent or they might be unable to bear the full cost of
clean up. Regardless of whether it forecloses on property, it is also possible that a lender
exercising unusual influence over a borrowers commercial activities could be required to bear a
portion of the clean-up costs under federal or state environmental laws.
Item 2 Properties
The Companys offices are:
Location | County | Owned/Leased | Other Information | |||
Main Office: |
||||||
15985 East High Street
|
Geauga | Owned | ||||
Middlefield, Ohio 44062-1666 |
||||||
Branches : |
||||||
West Branch
|
Geauga | Owned | ||||
15545 West High Street |
||||||
Middlefield, Ohio |
||||||
Garrettsville Branch
|
Portage | Owned | ||||
8058 State Street |
||||||
Garrettsville, Ohio |
||||||
Mantua Branch 10519 South Main Street Mantua, Ohio |
Portage | Leased | three-year lease renewed in November 2004, with option to renew for six additional consecutive three-year terms | |||
Chardon Branch
|
Geauga | Owned | opened in September, 2001 | |||
348 Center Street |
||||||
Chardon, Ohio |
||||||
Orwell Branch
|
Ashtabula | Owned | opened in April, 2003 | |||
30 South Maple Avenue |
||||||
Orwell, Ohio |
||||||
Newbury Branch 11110 Kinsman Road Newbury, Ohio |
Geauga | Leased | ten-year lease dated December 2006, with option to renew for four additional consecutive five-year terms | |||
Cortland Loan Production 130 Windsor Drive |
Trumbull | Leased | one-year lease dated November 2006, with option to renew | |||
Cortland, Ohio |
||||||
Emerald Bank 6215 Perimeter Drive Dublin, OH 43017 |
Franklin | Leased | twenty-year lease dated Febuary 2004, with the option to purchase after the tenth year |
At December 31, 2007 the net book value of the Companys investment in premises and equipment
totaled $7.0 million.
The Companys electronic data processing functions are performed under contract with an
electronic data processing services firm that performs services for financial institutions
throughout the Midwest.
17
Table of Contents
Item 3 Legal Proceedings
From time to time the Company and the banks are involved in various legal proceedings that are
incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, no current legal proceedings are material
to the financial condition of Company or the banks, either individually or in the aggregate.
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of The Companys security holders during the fourth
quarter of 2007.
Part II
Item 5 Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Information relating to the market for Middlefields common equity and related shareholder
matters appears under Market for Middlefields Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters in
Middlefields 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders on page 56 and is incorporated herein by
reference. Information relating to dividend restrictions for Registrants common stock appears
under Supervision and Regulation.
Equity Compensation Plan information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2007 with respect to shares of common
stock that may be issued under the Companys existing equity plan which has been previously
approved by the stockholders.
Number of Securities | ||||||||||||
Number of | Remaining Available | |||||||||||
Securities | for Future Issuance | |||||||||||
to be Issued Upon | Weighted-Average | Under Equity | ||||||||||
Exercise of | Exercise Price of | Compensation Plans | ||||||||||
Outstanding | Outstanding | (Excluding Securities | ||||||||||
Plan Category | Options or Rights | Options or Rights | Reflected in Column A) | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders: |
||||||||||||
1999 Stock Option Plan |
88,211 | 27.86 | 153,932 |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On April 19, 2007, the Corporation announced the adoption of a stock repurchase program that
authorizes the repurchase of up to 4.99% or approximately 76,114 shares of its outstanding common
stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. This program expires in April
2008.
The following table summarizes the treasury stock purchased by the issuer during the fourth quarter
of 2007:
Total Number of | Maximum Number of | |||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | Shares that May Yet | |||||||||||||||
Total Number of | Average Price Paid | Part of Publicly | Be Purchased Under | |||||||||||||
Date | Shares Purchased | Per Share | Announced Program | the Program | ||||||||||||
30-Oct-07
|
1,100 | 38.00 | 1,100 | 46,988 | ||||||||||||
31-Oct-07
|
11,500 | 38.65 | 11,500 | 35,488 | ||||||||||||
21-Nov-07
|
1,027 | 38.65 | 1,027 | 34,461 | ||||||||||||
22-Nov-07
|
1,000 | 38.50 | 1,000 | 33,461 | ||||||||||||
23-Nov-07
|
7,612 | 38.00 | 7,612 | 25,849 | ||||||||||||
4-Dec-07
|
1,000 | 37.00 | 1,000 | 24,849 | ||||||||||||
11-Dec-07
|
3,900 | 37.00 | 3,900 | 20,949 | ||||||||||||
17-Dec-07
|
1,500 | 37.00 | 1,500 | 19,449 |
18
Table of Contents
Item 6 Selected Financial Data
The above-captioned information appears under Selected Financial Data in Middlefields 2007
Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The above-captioned information appears under the heading Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Middlefields 2007 Annual Report to
Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The above-captioned information appears under the heading Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the section Interest Rate
Sensitivity Simulation Analysis in Middlefields 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Consolidated Financial Statements of The Company and its subsidiaries, together with the
report thereon by S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. appears in the Middlefields 2007 Annual Report to
Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
None
Item 9a(T) Controls and Procedures
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Companys management, including the Companys principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e)
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the Exchange
Act). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report,
the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of
ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company
files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the SECs rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the
Companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial
officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Managements annual report on internal control over financial reporting is
incorporated herein by reference to Item 8 the Companys audited Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(c) Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting during
the three months ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are
reasonable likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial
reporting.
Item 9b Other Information
None
Part III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120
days after December 31, 2007.
Item 11 Executive Compensation
Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120
days after December 31, 2007.
19
Table of Contents
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120
days after December 31, 2007. The information required by this item concerning Equity Compensation
Plan information is presented under the caption EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION contained in
Part II, Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120
days after December 31, 2007.
Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of
shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120
days after December 31, 2007.
Part IV
Item 15 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements :
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the
required information is shown elsewhere in the document in the Financial Statements or Notes
thereto, or in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
(a)(3) Exhibits
See the list of exhibits below
(b) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
exhibit | ||||
number | description | location | ||
2
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger among Middlefield Banc Corp., EB Interim Bank, and Emerald Bank, dated as of November 15, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 | Incorporated by reference to the prospectus/proxy statement, Appendix A, contained in Part I of Form S-4 Registration Statement Amendment No. 1 filed on February 9, 2007. Disclosure schedules referred to in the Agreement and Plan of Merger are omitted in reliance on Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Upon request of the SEC, Middlefield Banc Corp. will furnish supplementally to the SEC a copy of the disclosure schedules | ||
3.1
|
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Middlefield Banc Corp., as amended | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005, filed on March 29, 2006 | ||
3.2
|
Regulations of Middlefield Banc Corp. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Middlefield Banc |
20
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exhibit | ||||
number | description | location | ||
Corp.s registration statement on Form 10 filed on April 17, 2001 | ||||
4
|
Specimen stock certificate | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s registration statement on Form 10 filed on April 17, 2001 | ||
4.1
|
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2006, between Middlefield Banc Corp., as Depositor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee, and Administrative Trustees | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 27, 2006 | ||
4.2
|
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2006, between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 27, 2006 | ||
4.3
|
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2006, between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 27, 2006 | ||
10.1*
|
1999 Stock Option Plan of Middlefield Banc Corp. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s registration statement on Form 10 filed on April 17, 2001 | ||
10.2*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Thomas G. Caldwell | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.3*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and James R. Heslop II | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.40*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Jay P. Giles | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.4.1*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Teresa M. Hetrick | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.1 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.4.2*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Jack L. Lester | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.2 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.4.3*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Donald L. Stacy | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.3 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 | ||
10.4.4*
|
Severance Agreement dated July 11, 2006 between Middlefield Banc Corp. and Alfred F. Thompson Jr. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4.4 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on July 12, 2006 |
21
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exhibit | ||||
number | description | location | ||
10.50*
|
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Agreement for Advances and Security Agreement dated September 14, 2000 | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s registration statement on Form 10 filed on April 17, 2001 | ||
10.60*
|
Amended Director Retirement Agreement with Richard T. Coyne | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 9, 2008 | ||
10.70*
|
Amended Director Retirement Agreement with Frances H. Frank | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 9, 2008 | ||
10.80*
|
Amended Director Retirement Agreement with Thomas C. Halstead | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 9, 2008 | ||
10.90*
|
Director Retirement Agreement with George F. Hasman | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 28, 2002 | ||
10.10*
|
Director Retirement Agreement with Donald D. Hunter | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 28, 2002 | ||
10.11*
|
Director Retirement Agreement with Martin S. Paul | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2001, filed on March 28, 2002 | ||
10.12*
|
Amended Director Retirement Agreement with Donald E. Villers | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 9, 2008 | ||
10.13*
|
Executive Survivor Income Agreement (aka DBO agreement [death benefit only]) with Donald L. Stacy | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.14*
|
DBO Agreement with Jay P. Giles | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.15*
|
DBO Agreement with Alfred F. Thompson Jr. | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on |
22
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exhibit | ||||
number | description | location | ||
Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||||
10.16*
|
DBO Agreement with Nancy C. Snow | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.17*
|
DBO Agreement with Theresa M. Hetrick | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.18*
|
DBO Agreement with Jack L. Lester | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.19*
|
DBO Agreement with James R. Heslop II | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.20*
|
DBO Agreement with Thomas G. Caldwell | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 | ||
10.21*
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement with directors of Middlefield Banc Corp. and executive officers of Middlefield Banc Corp. and The Middlefield Banking Company | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s registration statement on Form 10, Amendment No. 1, filed on June 14, 2001 | ||
10.22*
|
Annual Incentive Plan Summary | Incorporated by reference to the summary description of the annual incentive plan included as Exhibit 10.22 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on December 16, 2005 | ||
10.23*
|
Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement with Thomas G. Caldwell | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 4, 2007 | ||
10.24*
|
Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement with James R. Heslop II | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 4, 2007 | ||
10.25*
|
Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement with Donald L. Stacy | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of Middlefield Banc Corp.s Form 8-K Current Report filed on January 4, 2007 |
23
Table of Contents
exhibit | ||||
number | description | location | ||
13
|
Portions of the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006 incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K | filed herewith | ||
21
|
Subsidiaries of Middlefield Banc Corp. | filed herewith | ||
23
|
Consent of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C., independent auditors of Middlefield Banc Corp. | filed herewith | ||
31.10
|
Rule 13a-14(a) certification of Chief Executive Officer | filed herewith | ||
31.20
|
Rule 13a-14(a) certification of Chief Financial Officer | filed herewith | ||
32
|
Rule 13a-14(b) certification | filed herewith |
* | management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
24
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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.
Middlefield Banc Corp. |
||||
By: | /s/ Thomas G. Caldwell | |||
Thomas G. Caldwell | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
March 21, 2008 | ||||
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/ Thomas G. Caldwell
|
March 21, 2008 | |
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
||
/s/ Donald L. Stacy
|
March 21, 2008 | |
Principal Financial & Accounting Officer |
||
/s/ Richard T. Coyne
|
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ Frances H. Frank
|
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ Thomas C. Halstead
|
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ James R. Heslop, II
|
March 21, 2008 | |
Chief Operating Officer, and Director |
||
/s/ Kenneth E. Jones
|
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ James McCaskey |
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ Carolyn Turk |
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ William J. Skidmore
|
March 21, 2008 | |
/s/ Donald E. Villers
|
March 21, 2008 |
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Table of Contents
REPORT OF REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Middlefield Banc Corp.
Middlefield Banc Corp.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Middlefield Banc Corp. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income,
changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Middlefield Banc Corp. and subsidiaries as of December
31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ending December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
We were not engaged to examine managements assertion about the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, included in the accompanying
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and, accordingly, we do not
express an opinion thereon.
/s/ S. R. Snodgrass, A.C. | ||||
S. R. Snodgrass, A.C. | ||||
Wexford, PA
March 14, 2008
March 14, 2008
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Table of Contents
MANAGEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Companys internal control over financial
reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
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.
A material weakness is a significant deficiency (as defined in Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 2), or a
combination of significant deficiencies, that results in there being more than a remote likelihood
that a material misstatement of the annual or
interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by management or
employees in the normal course by
management or employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this
assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission (COSO) in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of
December 31, 2007, the Companys
internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Companys registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by the Companys registered
public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only
managements report in this annual report.
/s/ Thomas G. Caldwell | |||||
By: | Thomas G. Caldwell | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: March 21, 2008
/s/ Donald L. Stacy | |||||
By: | Donald L. Stacy | ||||
Treasurer (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer) |
Date: March 21, 2008
27