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SIERRA BANCORP - Quarter Report: 2005 June (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2005

 

Commission file number: 000-33063

 

SIERRA BANCORP

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California   33-0937517
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No)

 

86 North Main Street, Porterville, California 93257

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(559) 782-4900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES þ    NO ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 

YES þ    NO ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Common stock, no par value, 9,808,105 shares outstanding as of August 1, 2005

 



Table of Contents

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Table of Contents

 

     Page

Part I - Financial Information

   3

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   3

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3

Consolidated Statements of Income & Comprehensive Income

   4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   5

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition & Results of Operations

   10

Forward-Looking Statements

   10

Critical Accounting Policies

   10

Overview of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition

   10

Earnings Performance

   13

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

   13

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

   18

Non-interest Income/Expense

   18

Provision for Income Taxes

   22

Balance Sheet Analysis

   23

Earning Assets

   23

Investments

   23

Loan Portfolio

   24

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

   25

Non-Performing Assets

   25

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

   27

Other Assets

   29

Deposits and Interest Bearing Liabilities

   29

Deposits

   29

Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   30

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities

   30

Liquidity and Market Risk Management

   30

Capital Resources

   33

Item 3. Qualitative & Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   35

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   35

Part II - Other Information

   36

Item 1. - Legal Proceedings

   36

Item 2. - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   36

Item 3. - Defaults upon Senior Securities

   36

Item 4. - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   36

Item 5. - Other Information

   36

Item 6. - Exhibits

   37

Signatures

   38

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1

 

SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
ASSETS                 

Cash and due from banks

   $ 37,335     $ 36,735  

Federal Funds Sold

     3,500       —    
    


 


Total Cash & Cash Equivalents

     40,835       36,735  

Securities available for sale

     207,143       198,024  

Loans and leases:

                

Gross loans and leases

     700,987       696,276  

Allowance for loan and lease losses

     (10,783 )     (8,842 )

Deferred loan and lease fees, net

     (1,306 )     (1,277 )
    


 


Net Loans and Leases

     688,898       686,157  

Other equity securities

     5,355       5,960  

Premises and equipment, net

     17,138       17,731  

Operating leases, net

     1,956       2,057  

Other real estate

     1,899       2,524  

Accrued interest receivable

     4,680       4,218  

Other assets

     42,782       44,077  
    


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,010,686     $ 997,483  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

LIABILITIES

                

Deposits:

                

Demand

   $ 256,478     $ 235,732  

Interest bearing demand

     67,820       62,887  

Savings

     74,316       68,192  

MMDA’s

     118,336       137,545  

TDOA’s, IRA’s & KEOGH’S

     21,852       22,195  

Time deposits < $100,000

     86,219       84,576  

Time deposits ³ $100,000

     158,669       131,576  
    


 


Total Deposits

     783,690       742,703  

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     27,083       24,187  

Short Term Borrowings

     17,000       43,800  

Long Term Borrowings

     65,000       75,000  

Accrued interest payable

     1,453       1,053  

Other liabilities

     8,953       8,677  

Junior subordinated debentures

     30,928       30,928  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES

     934,107       926,348  
    


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Common stock, no par value; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 9,817,505 and 9,649,258 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     11,257       8,829  

Retained earnings

     65,951       62,060  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (629 )     246  
    


 


TOTAL SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

     76,579       71,135  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,010,686     $ 997,483  
    


 


 

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Table of Contents

SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

     For the Three-Month Period
Ended June 30,


    For the Six-Month Period
Ended June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

INTEREST INCOME:

                                

Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits

   $ 48     $ 15     $ 74     $ 23  

US Treasury securities

     4       4       8       8  

US Gov’t agencies

     114       78       174       176  

State and political subdivisions

     363       329       697       670  

Mortgage-backed securities

     1,547       1,205       3,104       1,629  

Restricted Stock

     128       26       128       40  

Loans and leases, including fee income

     13,151       10,760       25,829       21,823  
    


 


 


 


Total interest income

     15,355       12,417       30,014       24,369  

INTEREST EXPENSE:

                                

Interest on deposits

     1,974       1,302       3,651       2,650  

Interest on borrowed funds

     1,104       800       2,258       1,061  
    


 


 


 


Total interest expense

     3,078       2,102       5,909       3,711  

Net Interest Income

     12,277       10,315       24,105       20,658  

Provision for loan losses

     900       773       1,900       1,673  
    


 


 


 


Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses

     11,377       9,542       22,205       18,985  

OTHER OPERATING INCOME:

                                

Service charges on deposit accounts

     1,357       1,575       2,668       3,079  

(Loss) Gain on sales of loans

     (8 )     87       518       203  

Gain (Loss) on investment securities

     66       —         (264 )     5  

Other

     1,072       1,057       2,223       2,041  
    


 


 


 


Total other operating income

     2,487       2,719       5,145       5,328  

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

     3,753       3,340       7,819       7,048  

Occupancy expense

     1,499       1,458       2,996       2,822  

Other

     3,255       2,549       6,427       5,012  
    


 


 


 


Total other operating expenses

     8,507       7,347       17,242       14,882  
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     5,357       4,914       10,108       9,431  

Provision for income taxes

     1,606       1,988       3,096       3,359  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 3,751     $ 2,926     $ 7,012     $ 6,072  
    


 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of income taxes

     533       (2,563 )     (875 )     (2,414 )

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   $ 4,284     $ 363     $ 6,137     $ 3,658  
    


 


 


 


PER SHARE DATA

                                

Book value

   $ 7.80     $ 6.68     $ 7.80     $ 6.68  

Cash dividends

   $ 0.11     $ 0.09     $ 0.22     $ 0.18  

Earnings per share basic

   $ 0.38     $ 0.31     $ 0.72     $ 0.65  

Earnings per share diluted

   $ 0.36     $ 0.29     $ 0.67     $ 0.60  

Average shares outstanding, basic

     9,813,400       9,409,414       9,768,676       9,383,088  

Average shares outstanding, diluted

     10,408,054       10,068,585       10,396,971       10,075,783  

 

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SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

                

Net income

   $ 7,012     $ 6,072  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Loss (Gain) on investments

     330       (5 )

Gain on sales of loans

     (518 )     (203 )

Gain on sale of other real estate

     (53 )     (59 )

Gain on sale of fixed assets

     (3 )     —    

Writedown to OREO

     266       —    

Provision for loan losses

     1,941       1,673  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,597       1,443  

Net amortization on securities premiums and discounts

     723       580  

Decrease (Increase) in unearned net loan fees

     29       (369 )

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     (309 )     (296 )

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

     32,936       11,757  

Originations of loans held for sale

     (32,098 )     (11,928 )

Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable and other assets

     2,698       (8,526 )

Increase (Decrease) in other liabilities

     676       (679 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     15,227       (540 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities

                

Maturities of securities available for sale

     1,985       5,647  

Proceeds from sales/calls of securities available for sale

     1,007       4,550  

Purchases of securities available for sale

     (32,877 )     (140,696 )

Principal paydowns on securities available for sale

     18,557       14,333  

Increase in loans receivable, net

     (5,031 )     (17,074 )

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (900 )     (2,629 )

Proceeds from sales of other real estate

     412       496  

Other

     —         —    
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (16,847 )     (135,373 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities

                

Increase in deposits

     40,987       16,540  

(Decrease) Increase in borrowed funds

     (36,800 )     90,792  

Increase in repurchase agreements

     2,896       7,845  

Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures

     —         15,464  

Cash dividends paid

     (2,151 )     (1,687 )

Stock repurchased

     (1,005 )     (405 )

Stock options exercised

     1,793       1,215  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     5,720       129,764  
    


 


Increase in cash and due from banks

     4,100       (6,149 )

Cash and Cash Equivalents

                

Beginning of period

     36,735       53,042  
    


 


End of period

   $ 40,835     $ 46,893  
    


 


 

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SIERRA BANCORP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2005

 

Note 1 – The Business of Sierra Bancorp

 

Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”) is a California corporation registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is headquartered in Porterville, California. The Company was incorporated in November 2000 and acquired all of the outstanding shares of Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”) in August 2001. The Company’s principal subsidiary is the Bank, and the Company exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and any other subsidiaries it may acquire or establish. The Company’s principal source of income is dividends from the Bank, but the Company intends to explore supplemental sources of income in the future. The expenditures of the Company, including (but not limited to) the payment of dividends to shareholders, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, and the cost of servicing debt, will generally be paid from cash raised via capital trust pass-through securities and retained at the holding company level, and dividends paid to the Company by the Bank.

 

At the present time, the Company’s only other direct subsidiaries are Sierra Capital Trust I, which was formed in November 2001 solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities, and Sierra Statutory Trust II, formed in March 2004 also for the purpose of issuing capital trust pass-through securities. Pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46), Sierra Capital Trust I and Sierra Statutory Trust II are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the financial statements of the Company. References herein to the “Company” include the Sierra Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiary, the Bank, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

The Bank is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Porterville, California. It was incorporated in September 1977, opened for business in January 1978, and has grown to be the largest independent bank headquartered in California’s South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a multi-community independent bank that offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services primarily in the central and southern sections of the San Joaquin Valley. The Bank operates eighteen full service branch offices throughout this geographic footprint, and has received regulatory approvals for an office in Reedley and a third Bakersfield location. We expect to open the Reedley office in September 2005, and the additional Bakersfield office either in the fourth quarter of 2005 or the first quarter of 2006. In addition to its full-service branches, the Bank has an agricultural credit unit with lending staff located at its corporate headquarters and in Fresno, and eight offsite ATMs. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to maximum insurable amounts.

 

Sierra Real Estate Investment Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”) which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in June 2002 and capitalized in August 2002 for the primary business purpose of investing in the Bank’s real-estate related assets, and enhancing and strengthening the Bank’s capital position and earnings. Management has considered using the REIT to issue additional preferred stock to enhance the Company’s capital, however based on current market conditions and pricing this is an expensive option in comparison to capital trust pass-through securities. Further, REIT-issued preferred stock would not receive the same preferential treatment as capital trust pass-through securities for regulatory risk-based capital purposes.

 

On December 31, 2003, the California Franchise Tax Board issued an opinion listing bank-owned REITs as potentially abusive tax shelters subject to possible penalties, and stating that REIT consent dividends are not deductible for California state income tax purposes. The Company has received advice from its REIT tax advisor (a national accounting firm) that the law has not changed, and the tax opinion it received on the validity of REIT benefits still stands as issued. The Company felt it prudent, however, to reverse REIT tax benefits accrued on its income statement, and the benefit accrued during 2003 was reversed at the end of 2003. During the second quarter of 2004, amended 2002 tax returns were filed eliminating the REIT benefit originally reflected for 2002. The difference plus interest was paid to the California Franchise Tax Board at that time. That amount was also included in the Company’s second quarter 2004 provision for income taxes, net of the associated contingent tax reserve. No assurance can be given that REIT benefits will be available in the future, or that the Company will not be assessed by

 

6


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the Franchise Tax Board for back penalties. It appears that many California banks with REITs, including Bank of the Sierra, have reserved the right to appeal the most recent interpretation of the California Franchise Tax Board, and some have recently initiated a defense of their position that the law was correctly interpreted when REIT tax benefits were initially recognized.

 

Management has recently re-evaluated the REIT and determined that is not fulfilling its original intended purposes, nor does it appear likely to do so in the near future. Further, because the REIT requires substantial internal time and effort to administrate and account for, the Board of Directors of Bank of the Sierra has voted to dissolve the REIT. It is likely that this dissolution will occur prior to the end of 2005.

 

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in condensed format, and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for such period. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter, or for the full year. Certain amounts reported for 2004 have been reclassified to be consistent with the reporting for 2005. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Note 3 – Current Accounting Developments

 

On December 16, 2004, the FASB published Statement No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. Statement 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. It replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. This statement requires that stock-based compensation transactions be recognized as compensation expense in the income statement based on their fair values at the date of grant. Companies transitioning to fair value based accounting for stock-based compensation will be required to use the “modified prospective” method, whereby they must recognize equity compensation cost from the beginning of the period in which the recognition provisions are first applied as if the fair value method had been previously used to account for all equity compensation awards granted, modified, or settled in fiscal years beginning after December 31, 1994. For public companies, the effective date of this statement is for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005, which for the Company would be July 1, 2005. However, SEC release no. 33-8568 allows registrants that are non-small business issuers to delay implementation until the beginning of their first fiscal year after June 15, 2005, meaning January 1, 2006 for the Company. The Company has been disclosing the impact of this accounting methodology pursuant to previously accepted accounting principles, and expects that the impact upon implementation in 2006 will continue to be a similar level of reduction in net income.

 

Note 4 – Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, cash paid for interest due on interest-bearing liabilities was $3.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively. There was $65,000 in cash paid for income taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2005, and $4.7 million paid for income taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2004. There was $96,000 in real estate acquired in the settlement of loans for the six months ended June 30, 2005, and $259,000 acquired for the six months ended June 30, 2004. There were loans totaling $300,000 made to finance the sale of other real estate for the six months ended June 30, 2005, and none for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Note 5 – Stock Based Compensation

 

The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plan, the 1998 Stock Option Plan, was assumed from Bank of the Sierra in August 2001 in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of the Bank.

 

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Until January 1, 2006, when the Company will begin expensing stock options pursuant to FASB Statement 123(R), the 1998 Stock Option Plan will be accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost is currently reflected in net income, as all options granted under this plan had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

Pro forma adjustments to the Company’s consolidated net earnings and earnings per share are disclosed during the years in which the options become vested, as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation. The Company has been using the Black-Scholes model to value stock options, with the resulting valuation allocated to pro-forma expense for disclosure purposes using the “single option” approach. Under the single option approach, a single fair value is calculated for each individual for each grant and amortized equally over the entire vesting period. Commencing with the second quarter of 2005, and in preparation for the implementation of FASB Statement 123(R), the Company has changed its pro-forma expense allocation methodology to the “multiple option” approach. Using that approach, an employee’s options for each vesting period are separately valued and amortized. This appears to be the FASB-preferred method for option grants with multiple vesting periods, which is the case for most options granted by the Company. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share:

 

     For the 3-month period
ended:


    For the 6-month period
ended:


 
     June 30,
2005


    June 30,
2004


    June 30,
2005


    June 30,
2004


 

Net income, as reported (in $000’s)

   $ 3,751     $ 2,926     $ 7,012     $ 6,072  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects (in $000’s)

     46       28       92       81  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income (in $000’s)

   $ 3,705     $ 2,898     $ 6,920     $ 5,991  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share - as reported

   $ 0.38     $ 0.31     $ 0.72     $ 0.65  

Basic earnings per share - pro forma

   $ 0.38     $ 0.31     $ 0.71     $ 0.64  

Diluted earnings per share - as reported

   $ 0.36     $ 0.29     $ 0.67     $ 0.60  

Diluted earnings per share - pro forma

   $ 0.36     $ 0.29     $ 0.67     $ 0.59  

Weighted average fair value per share of options granted during period

   $ 6.66     $ 4.17     $ 6.43     $ 4.27  

Assumptions for determining fair values:

                                

Dividend yield

     1.8 %     2.4 %     1.9 %     2.3 %

Projected stock price volatility

     30.1 %     30.6 %     30.1 %     30.8 %

Risk-free interest rate

     4.04 %     3.65 %     3.92 %     3.52 %

Expected option term (from vesting date)

     2.8 years       2.8 years       2.8 years       2.8 years  

 

Note 6 – Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per share for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period, retroactively restated for stock splits and dividends. There were 9,813,400 weighted average shares outstanding during the second quarter of 2005, and 9,409,414 during the second quarter of 2004. There were 9,768,676 weighted average shares outstanding during the first six months of 2005, and 9,383,088 during the first six months of 2004.

 

Diluted earnings per share include the effect of the potential issuance of common shares, which for the Company is limited to shares that would be issued on the exercise of outstanding stock options. For the second quarter and first six months of 2005, the dilutive effect of options outstanding calculated under the treasury stock method totaled 594,654 and 628,295 shares, respectively, which were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding for

 

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purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Likewise, for the second quarter and first six months of 2004, shares totaling 659,171 and 692,695, respectively, were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding in order to calculate diluted earnings per share.

 

Note 7 – Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is derived from unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale. Reclassification adjustments, resulting from gains or losses on investment securities that were realized and included in net income of the current period that also had been included in other comprehensive income as unrealized holding gains or losses in the period in which they arose, are excluded from comprehensive income of the current period. The Company’s comprehensive income was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the 3-month
period ended:


    For the 6-month
period ended:


 
     June 30,
2005


   June 30,
2004


    June 30,
2005


    June 30,
2004


 

Net income

   $ 3,751    $ 2,926     $ 7,012     $ 6,072  

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

                               

Unrealized holding gain/(loss)

     970      (4,356 )     (1,752 )     (4,097 )

Less: reclassification adjustment

     66      0       (264 )     5  
    

  


 


 


Pre-tax other comprehensive income/(loss)

     904      (4,356 )     (1,488 )     (4,102 )

Less: tax impact of above

     371      (1,793 )     (613 )     (1,688 )
    

  


 


 


Net other comprehensive income/(loss)

     533      (2,563 )     (875 )     (2,414 )
    

  


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 4,284    $ 363     $ 6,137     $ 3,658  
    

  


 


 


 

Note 8 – Financial Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business, in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and letters of credit as it does for loans included on the balance sheet.

 

The following financial instruments represent off-balance-sheet credit risk (dollars in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Commitments to extend credit

   $ 224,602    $ 215,566

Standby letters of credit

   $ 16,309    $ 19,842

Credit card commitments

   $ 43,416    $ 41,880

 

Commitments to extend credit consist primarily of unfunded single-family residential construction loans and home equity lines of credit, and commercial real estate construction loans and commercial revolving lines of credit. Construction loans are established under standard underwriting guidelines and policies and are secured by deeds of trust, with disbursements made over the course of construction. Commercial revolving lines of credit have a high degree of industry diversification. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are generally secured and are issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Credit card commitments represent available balances on credit cards and are unsecured.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, and “estimates” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecast in, or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

A variety of factors could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, and should be considered when evaluating the potential future financial performance of the Company. These include but are not limited to the possibility of deterioration in economic conditions in the Company’s service areas; risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, including the related impact on our leverage strategy; liquidity risks; increases in non-performing assets and net credit losses that could occur, particularly in times of weak economic conditions or rising interest rates; the loss in market value of available-for-sale securities that could result if interest rates change substantially or an issuer has real or perceived financial difficulties; and risks associated with the multitude of current and future laws and regulations to which the Company is subject.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The financial information contained within these statements is, to a significant extent, based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments, and have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s stated results of operations. In Management’s opinion, the Company’s critical accounting policies deal with the following areas: the establishment of the Company’s allowance for loan losses, as explained in detail in the “Provision for Loan Losses” and “Allowance for Loan Losses” sections of this discussion and analysis; loan origination costs, which are estimated in aggregate by loan type based on an annual evaluation of expenses (primarily salaries and benefits) associated with successful loan originations and are allocated to individual loans as they are booked, but can actually vary significantly for individual loans depending on the characteristics of such loans; estimated residual values on leases, which have the potential to vary significantly from actual market values at lease termination; income taxes, especially with regard to the ability of the Company to recover deferred tax assets, as discussed in the “Provision for Income Taxes” and “Other Assets” sections of this discussion and analysis; goodwill, which is evaluated annually for impairment based on the market capitalization of the Company; and depreciation expense, especially on technology equipment due to the potential impact of unexpected changes in the useful life of such equipment.

 

OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

The Company implemented a leverage strategy in the second quarter of 2004, thus commencing with the second quarter of 2005 the comparison of financial results to the prior year quarter will appear less distorted than during the past year. However, for year-to-date comparisons, many of the differences in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition for the first half of 2005 relative to the first half of 2004 can still be explained by the leverage

 

10


Table of Contents

strategy. The leverage strategy entailed the purchase of approximately $100 million in mortgage-backed securities that were financed primarily with matched-duration collateralized borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The leverage strategy’s weighted average impact lowers the Company’s overall net interest margin and return on assets. However, it generates sufficient net income to have a substantial impact on the Company’s return on equity.

 

Based on the expected average life of the mortgage-backed securities, we anticipate the return of the majority of invested principal within five years of inception of the strategy and thus effectively view this as a five-year strategy. Further details of the impact of the leverage strategy on the Company’s performance are outlined in various sections below, including the section entitled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin”. It is possible that should interest rate conditions be conducive to a similar undertaking in the future, the Company could purchase additional securities to supplement the current strategy.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY

 

Second Quarter 2005 Compared to Second Quarter 2004

 

Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was $3.8 million compared with $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, an improvement of 28%. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2005 were $0.38 and $0.36, compared to $0.31 and $0.29 for the second quarter of 2004. The Company’s annualized return on average equity was 20.17% and annualized return on average assets was 1.50% for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, compared to a return on equity of 18.73% and return on assets of 1.30% for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. The primary drivers behind the variance in net income are as follows:

 

    Net interest income increased by $2.0 million, or 19%, due mainly to growth in average earning assets but also from net interest margin improvement.

 

    Despite the fact that the Company realized net recoveries of $232,000 on charged-off loans during the second quarter of 2005, which boosted the allowance for loan and lease losses, the provision for loan losses was increased by $127,000 compared to the same period in 2004 in order to provide adequate general reserves for loan growth and specific reserves on certain classified loans.

 

    Service charges on deposits declined by $218,000, or 14%, due to growth in free consumer demand deposit accounts, lower returned item and overdraft charges, and lower hard-dollar charges on business accounts on analysis.

 

    Salaries and benefits expense increased $413,000, or 12%, due primarily to normal annual increases and branch staff additions.

 

    Other non-interest expenses increased by $706,000, or 28%, due in large part to higher advertising and promotion costs, higher telecommunications expense, higher internal and external audit costs, and higher pass-through expenses on our partnership investments in low-income housing tax credit funds.

 

    The Company’s tax accrual rate was substantially lower in the second quarter of 2005 due to additional tax credits, and tax adjustments in the second quarters of both 2005 and 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

First Half of 2005 Compared to First Half of 2004

 

Net income for the first six months of 2005 was $7.0 million, which is $940,000 higher than net income for the first six months of 2004 and represents a 15% increase. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.72 and $0.67 for the first six months of 2005, compared to $0.65 and $0.60 for the first six months of the prior year. The Company realized an annualized return on average equity of 19.27% for the first half of 2005 and 19.68% for the first half of 2004, and its return on assets for the same periods was 1.41% and 1.43%, respectively. The principal reasons for the net income variance for the first half include the following:

 

    Net interest income increased by $3.4 million, or 17%, primarily because of a $75 million increase in average loans and leases, and a $71 million increase in average investment balances resulting from the leverage strategy.

 

    Also contributing to higher net interest income were relatively large increases in year-to-date average demand deposit and savings balances, which were up by $50 million and $17 million, or 25% and 31%, respectively, as compared to more costly time deposits and money market accounts, which declined by a combined $1 million.

 

    Similar to the quarterly results, the Company had net recoveries of $41,000 on charged-off loans during the half, however the provision for loan losses was increased by $227,000, or 14%, in order to provide adequate general reserves for loan growth and specific reserves for certain problem loans.

 

    Service charges on deposits declined by $411,000, or 13%, for the same reasons noted in the second quarter 2005 summary.

 

    Loan sale income is $315,000 higher, an increase of over 150%, due to the bulk sale of $21 million in mortgage loans at a gain of $500,000 in the first quarter of 2005.

 

    In the first quarter of 2005 the Company recorded a $330,000 charge to write down its investment in Diversified Holdings, a title insurance holding company; however, this was partially offset by a small gain on the disposition of certain equity securities in the second quarter resulting in a net year-to-date loss on securities of $264,000.

 

    Salaries and benefits expense increased $771,000, or 11%, due in large part to normal annual increases and branch staff additions.

 

    Other non-interest expenses were up by $1.4 million, or 28%, because of a $200,000 first-quarter charge to write down a foreclosed property in addition to the reasons discussed in the quarterly summary above.

 

    The tax accrual rate for the first half of 2005 was lower for the same reasons outlined in the quarterly summary.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION SUMMARY

 

The Company’s total assets were $1.01 billion at June 30, 2005, an increase of $13 million, or 1%, over total assets of $997 million at December 31, 2004. The most significant changes in the Company’s balance sheet during the first half of 2005 are outlined below:

 

    Gross loan and lease balances increased by $5 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2004, ending the half at $701 million. If not for the sale of $21 million in mortgage loans, loan balances would have increased by $26 million, or 4%.

 

    Non-performing assets include a $2.5 million loan added during the second quarter of 2005, and totaled $5.8 million at June 30, 2005, an increase of 866,000, or 17%, relative to year-end 2004.

 

    Demand, NOW, and savings account balances continue to show relatively strong growth, increasing by a combined $32 million, or 9%. Money market demand account balances dropped by $19 million, or 14%, although $13 million of that decrease is due to the transfer of a single customer account to time deposits over $100,000.

 

    The Company was able to reduce short-term borrowings from the FHLB by $27 million due to growth in deposits and customer repurchase agreements, and long-term borrowings from the FHLB by $10 million due to the run-off of borrowings related to the leverage strategy.

 

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Table of Contents

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

 

As discussed in the Results of Operations Summary and reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income, during the quarter and for the six months ended June 30, 2005 the Company generated net income of $3.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, as compared to $2.9 million and $6.1 million for the same periods in 2004. The Company earns income from two key sources: net interest income, which is the difference between interest income generated from earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities; and net non-interest income, which is primarily comprised of various sources of non-interest fee income less the operating costs associated with providing a full range of banking services to customers.

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN

 

The Company’s net interest income depends on the yields, volumes, and mix of earning asset components, as well as the rates, volumes, and mix associated with funding sources. The Company’s net interest margin is its net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The Average Balances and Rates table which immediately follows reflects the Company’s quarterly average balance sheet volumes, the interest income or interest expense and net interest income associated with earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the average yield or rate for each major account type, and the net interest margin for the periods noted.

 

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Table of Contents

Average Balances and Rates

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

    

For the Quarter

Ended June 30, 2005 (a) (b) (f)


   

For the Quarter

Ended June 30, 2004 (a) (b) (f)


 
     Average
Balance


   Income/
Expense


   Average
Rate/
Yield


    Average
Balance


   Income/
Expense


   Average
Rate/
Yield


 
Assets                                         

Investments:

                                        

Federal funds sold/Due from time

   $ 6,634    $ 48    2.90 %   $ 5,491    $ 15    1.10 %

Taxable

   $ 167,533    $ 1,665    3.99 %   $ 142,724    $ 1,287    3.63 %

Non-taxable

   $ 35,807    $ 363    6.16 %   $ 32,605    $ 329    6.15 %

Equity

   $ 7    $ —      0.00 %   $ 10    $ —      0.00 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Investments

   $ 209,981    $ 2,076    4.32 %   $ 180,830    $ 1,631    4.00 %
    

  

        

  

      

Loans and Leases:(c)

                                        

Agricultural

   $ 11,916    $ 218    7.34 %   $ 9,884    $ 149    6.06 %

Commercial

   $ 117,737    $ 2,212    7.54 %   $ 105,105    $ 1,683    6.44 %

Real Estate

   $ 492,844    $ 9,391    7.64 %   $ 448,499    $ 7,886    7.07 %

Consumer

   $ 49,756    $ 860    6.93 %   $ 41,422    $ 726    7.05 %

Credit Cards

   $ 10,707    $ 249    9.33 %   $ 10,601    $ 305    11.57 %

Direct Financing Leases

   $ 4,281    $ 78    7.31 %   $ 787    $ 11    5.62 %

Other

   $ 4,415    $ 143    12.99 %   $ 4,566    $ —      0.00 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Loans and Leases

   $ 691,656    $ 13,151    7.63 %   $ 620,864    $ 10,760    6.97 %
    

  

        

  

      

Other Earning Assets

   $ 6,259    $ 128    8.20 %   $ 6,096    $ 26    1.72 %

Total Earning Assets (e)

   $ 907,896    $ 15,355    6.87 %   $ 807,790    $ 12,417    6.27 %
    

  

        

  

      

Non-Earning Assets

   $ 95,673                 $ 99,153              
    

               

             

Total Assets

   $ 1,003,570                 $ 906,943              
    

               

             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                                        

Interest Bearing Deposits:

                                        

NOW

   $ 68,576    $ 16    0.09 %   $ 58,061    $ 13    0.09 %

Savings Accounts

   $ 73,043    $ 96    0.53 %   $ 56,304    $ 70    0.50 %

Money Market

   $ 112,089    $ 183    0.65 %   $ 128,758    $ 215    0.67 %

TDOA’s, IRA & KEOGH’s

   $ 21,742    $ 109    2.01 %   $ 21,962    $ 91    1.67 %

Certificates of Deposit<$100,000

   $ 85,236    $ 484    2.28 %   $ 94,713    $ 371    1.58 %

Certificates of Deposit³$100,000

   $ 159,912    $ 1,086    2.72 %   $ 131,448    $ 542    1.66 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Bearing Deposits

   $ 520,598    $ 1,974    1.52 %   $ 491,246    $ 1,302    1.07 %

Borrowed Funds:

                                        

Federal Funds Purchased

   $ 45    $ —      0.00 %   $ 1,659    $ 1    0.24 %

Repurchase Agreements

   $ 28,029    $ 25    0.36 %   $ 25,620    $ 17    0.27 %

Short Term Borrowings

   $ 16,316    $ 121    2.97 %   $ 22,724    $ 70    1.24 %

Long Term Borrowings

   $ 67,088    $ 441    2.64 %   $ 59,341    $ 367    2.49 %

TRUPS

   $ 30,928    $ 517    6.70 %   $ 30,928    $ 345    4.49 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Borrowed Funds

   $ 142,406    $ 1,104    3.11 %   $ 140,272    $ 800    2.29 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

   $ 663,004    $ 3,078    1.86 %   $ 631,518    $ 2,102    1.34 %
    

               

             

Demand Deposits

   $ 255,532                 $ 203,049              
    

               

             

Other Liabilities

   $ 10,458                 $ 9,533              
    

               

             

Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 74,576                 $ 62,843              

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,003,570                 $ 906,943              
    

               

             

Interest Income/Earning Assets

                 6.87 %                 6.27 %

Interest Expense/Earning Assets

                 1.36 %                 1.05 %
                  

               

Net Interest Income and Margin(d)

          $ 12,277    5.51 %          $ 10,315    5.22 %
           

  

        

  

 

(a) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

 

(b) Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

 

(c) Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Loan fees were approximately $470 thousand and $580 thousand for the quarters ended June, 2005 and 2004. Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.

 

(d) Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

(e) Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.

 

(f) Annualized

 

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Table of Contents

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2005 was $12.3 million, compared to $10.3 million in the second quarter of 2004, an increase of $2.0 million, or 19%. The Company’s tax-equivalent net interest margin for the second quarter of 2005 was 5.51%, or 29 basis points higher than the 5.22% margin realized in the second quarter of the previous year. Part of the positive differential in the net interest margin is due to the fact that deposit rates have not increased as rapidly as loan yields over the past year. Two other favorable factors include the implementation of a daily fee on overdrafts, which added $143,000 to interest income during the second quarter of 2005, and a shift toward lower-cost deposits. The quarterly average balances of demand deposits, NOW accounts, and savings accounts grew by 26%, 18%, and 30%, respectively, all well above the average 11% growth rate for the Company’s balance sheet.

 

The following Volume and Rate Variances table sets forth the dollar difference in interest earned and paid for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the noted periods, and the amount of such change attributable to changes in average balances (volume) or changes in average interest rates. Volume variances are equal to the increase or decrease in the average balance times the prior period rate, and rate variances are equal to the increase or decrease in the average rate times the current period balance. Variances attributable to both volume and rate changes and the variance created by the additional day in 2004 (a leap year) have been allocated to the change in rate.

 

15


Table of Contents

Volume & Rate Variances

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,
2005 over 2004


    Six Months Ended June 30,
2005 over 2004


 
     Increase(decrease) due to

    Increase(decrease) due to

 
     Volume

    Rate

    Net

    Volume

    Rate

    Net

 

Assets:

                                                

Investments:

                                                

Federal funds sold / Due from time

   $ 3       30     $ 33     $ 6       45     $ 51  

Taxable

   $ 224       154     $ 378     $ 1,268       205     $ 1,473  

Non-taxable(1)

   $ 32       2     $ 34     $ 18       9     $ 27  

Equity

   $ —         —       $ —       $ —         —       $ —    
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Investments

   $ 259     $ 186     $ 445     $ 1,292       259     $ 1,551  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Loans and Leases:

                                                

Agricultural

   $ 31       38     $ 69     $ 40       76     $ 116  

Commercial

   $ 202       327     $ 529     $ 407       289     $ 696  

Real Estate

   $ 780       725     $ 1,505     $ 1,822       813     $ 2,635  

Consumer

   $ 146       (12 )   $ 134     $ 318       (34 )   $ 284  

Credit Cards

   $ 3       (59 )   $ (56 )   $ 11       (118 )   $ (107 )

Direct Financing Leases

   $ 49       18     $ 67     $ 106       2     $ 108  

Other

   $ —         143     $ 143     $ —         274     $ 274  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Loans and Leases

   $ 1,211     $ 1,180     $ 2,391     $ 2,704     $ 1,302     $ 4,006  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Other Earning Assets

   $ 1       101     $ 102     $ 20       68     $ 88  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Earning Assets

   $ 1,471     $ 1,467     $ 2,938     $ 4,016     $ 1,629     $ 5,645  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Liabilities

                                                

Interest Bearing Deposits:

                                                

NOW

   $ 2       1     $ 3     $ 5       —       $ 5  

Savings Accounts

   $ 21       5     $ 26     $ 42       13     $ 55  

Money Market

   $ (28 )     (4 )   $ (32 )   $ (27 )     (38 )   $ (65 )

TDOA’s & IRA’s

   $ (1 )     19     $ 18     $ 1       23     $ 24  

Certificates of Deposit < $100,000

   $ (37 )     150     $ 113     $ (99 )     223     $ 124  

Certificates of Deposit > $100,000

   $ 117       427     $ 544     $ 158       700     $ 858  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Interest Bearing Deposits

   $ 74     $ 598     $ 672     $ 80     $ 921     $ 1,001  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Borrowed Funds:

                                                

Federal Funds Purchased

   $ (1 )     —       $ (1 )   $ (1 )     5     $ 4  

Repurchase Agreements

   $ 2       6     $ 8     $ 8       8     $ 16  

Short Term Borrowings

   $ (20 )     71     $ 51     $ 36       152     $ 188  

Long Term Borrowings

   $ 48       26     $ 74     $ 511       29     $ 540  

TRUPS

   $ —         172     $ 172     $ 150       299     $ 449  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Borrowed Funds

   $ 29     $ 275     $ 304     $ 704     $ 493     $ 1,197  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

   $ 103     $ 873     $ 976     $ 784     $ 1,414     $ 2,198  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net Interest Margin/Income

   $ 1,368     $ 594     $ 1,962     $ 3,232     $ 215     $ 3,447  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

(1) Yields on tax exempt income have not been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

 

Average loan balances increased by $71 million for the quarter, while average investment balances increased by $29 million. The average balance of non-earning assets declined by $3 million due to a drop in the quarterly average balance of cash and due from banks, and fell to 10% of average total assets as compared to 11% in the second quarter of the prior year. To fund the net growth in average assets, quarterly average deposit and customer repurchase agreement (“repo”) balances increased by a combined $84 million, while quarterly average shareholders’ equity and other liabilities increased by a combined $13 million. These volume variances increased second quarter net interest income by $1.4 million, while rate variances added $594,000.

 

16


Table of Contents

The Average Balances and Rates table which immediately follows presents the Company’s average balance sheet volumes, the interest income or interest expense and net interest income associated with earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the average yield or rate for each category of interest bearing asset or liability, and the net interest margin for the first six months of 2005 and 2004.

 

Average Balances and Rates

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Six Months Ended
Ended June 30, 2005 (a) (b) (f)


    Six Months Ended
Ended June 30, 2004 (a) (b) (f)


 
     Average
Balance


   Income/
Expense


   Average
Rate/
Yield


    Average
Balance


   Income/
Expense


   Average
Rate/
Yield


 
Assets                                         

Investments:

                                        

Federal funds sold/Due from time

   $ 5,397    $ 74    2.76 %   $ 4,301    $ 23    1.08 %

Taxable

   $ 166,777    $ 3,286    3.97 %   $ 98,127    $ 1,813    3.72 %

Non-taxable

   $ 34,471    $ 697    6.18 %   $ 33,567    $ 670    6.08 %

Equity

   $ 8    $ —      0.00 %   $ 10    $ —      0.00 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Investments

   $ 206,653    $ 4,057    4.31 %   $ 136,005    $ 2,506    4.22 %
    

  

        

  

      

Loans and Leases:(c)

                                        

Agricultural

   $ 11,745    $ 416    7.14 %   $ 10,351    $ 300    5.83 %

Commercial

   $ 118,447    $ 4,363    7.43 %   $ 106,603    $ 3,667    6.92 %

Real Estate

   $ 494,857    $ 18,429    7.51 %   $ 443,676    $ 15,794    7.16 %

Consumer

   $ 49,270    $ 1,707    6.99 %   $ 40,269    $ 1,423    7.11 %

Credit Cards

   $ 10,804    $ 507    9.46 %   $ 10,615    $ 614    11.63 %

Direct Financing Leases

   $ 3,747    $ 133    7.16 %   $ 715    $ 25    7.03 %

Other

   $ 3,346    $ 274    16.51 %   $ 5,472    $ —      0.00 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Loans and Leases

   $ 692,216    $ 25,829    7.52 %   $ 617,701    $ 21,823    7.10 %
    

  

        

  

      

Other Earning Assets

   $ 6,651    $ 128    3.88 %   $ 4,461    $ 40    1.80 %

Total Earning Assets (e)

   $ 905,520    $ 30,014    6.76 %   $ 758,167    $ 24,369    6.56 %
    

  

        

  

      

Non-Earning Assets

   $ 95,724                 $ 95,346              
    

               

             

Total Assets

   $ 1,001,244                 $ 853,513              
    

               

             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                                        

Interest Bearing Deposits:

                                        

NOW

   $ 67,208    $ 31    0.09 %   $ 56,830    $ 26    0.09 %

Savings Accounts

   $ 71,422    $ 187    0.53 %   $ 54,316    $ 132    0.49 %

Money Market

   $ 121,790    $ 396    0.66 %   $ 129,305    $ 461    0.72 %

TDOA’s, IRA & KEOGH’s

   $ 21,966    $ 208    1.91 %   $ 21,806    $ 184    1.70 %

Certificates of Deposit<$100,000

   $ 84,649    $ 886    2.11 %   $ 97,245    $ 762    1.58 %

Certificates of Deposit>$100,000

   $ 150,866    $ 1,943    2.60 %   $ 131,709    $ 1,085    1.66 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Bearing Deposits

   $ 517,901    $ 3,651    1.42 %   $ 491,211    $ 2,650    1.08 %

Borrowed Funds:

                                        

Federal Funds Purchased

   $ 368    $ 5    2.74 %   $ 797    $ 1    0.25 %

Repurchase Agreements

   $ 27,793    $ 48    0.35 %   $ 22,143    $ 32    0.29 %

Short Term Borrowings

   $ 21,275    $ 281    2.66 %   $ 15,356    $ 93    1.22 %

Long Term Borrowings

   $ 71,022    $ 907    2.58 %   $ 29,670    $ 367    2.49 %

TRUPS

   $ 30,928    $ 1,017    6.63 %   $ 24,471    $ 568    4.67 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Borrowed Funds

   $ 151,386    $ 2,258    3.01 %   $ 92,437    $ 1,061    2.31 %
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities

   $ 669,287    $ 5,909    1.78 %   $ 583,648    $ 3,711    1.28 %
    

               

             

Demand Deposits

   $ 247,744                 $ 198,089              
    

               

             

Other Liabilities

   $ 10,830                 $ 9,727              
    

               

             

Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 73,383                 $ 62,049              

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,001,244                 $ 853,513              
    

               

             

Interest Income/Earning Assets

                 6.76 %                 6.56 %

Interest Expense/Earning Assets

                 1.32 %                 0.98 %
                  

               

Net Interest Income and Margin(d)

          $ 24,105    5.45 %          $ 20,658    5.58 %
           

  

        

  

 

(a) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

 

(b) Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

 

(c) Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Loan fees were approximately $936 thousand and $1.13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004. Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.

 

(d) Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

(e) Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.

 

(f) Annualized

 

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For the first half of 2005 relative to the first half of 2004, net interest income increased by $3 million, or 17%, although the tax-equivalent net interest margin fell by 13 basis points, to 5.45% from 5.58%. Approximately 5 basis points of the difference was the result of $190,000 in interest recovered on a non-accruing loan that paid off in the first quarter of 2004, but the chief explanation for the drop in the net interest margin for the half was the leverage strategy. The leverage strategy had an average balance of $90 million during the first half of 2005, but due to the timing of implementation averaged only $41 million during the first half of 2004. Without the leverage strategy, the Company’s net interest margin for the first half of 2005 would have been 11 basis points higher than in the first half of the prior year.

 

Volume and rate variances for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004 were presented side by side with the quarterly variances in the Volume & Rate Variances table shown previously. Volume changes added about $3.2 million to net interest income, which was supplemented by the favorable impact of rate changes. Because of an additional $75 million in average loans and a $71 million increase in average investments, earning asset balances were $147 million higher in the first half of 2005 than in the first half of 2004. The dollar volume of average non-earning assets stayed about the same, although due to overall asset growth they declined to 10% of average assets for the first half of 2005 from 11% in the previous year. Average shareholders’ equity and other liabilities were about $12 million higher.

 

As already noted, leverage-related increases in relatively lower-yielding investments and higher-cost borrowings had a negative impact on the rate variance. The rate variance also factors in the aforementioned $190,000 interest recovery in commercial loans in 2004, and was negatively impacted by about $135,000 due to one less day in the first half of 2005 than in the first half of 2004. Furthermore, the differential between the Company’s prime rate and the Wall Street Journal prime rate has gradually been reduced which has caused the yield on some commercial and real estate loans to increase at a slower rate, and yields on consumer and credit card loans declined due to lower promotional rates offered on those products during much of 2004. Despite all of the negatives, however, the year-to-date results reflect the same phenomena as the quarterly results, namely that overall loan rates increased more rapidly than deposit costs, and average interest-bearing deposit balances shifted toward lower-cost accounts. Thus, the net year-to-date rate variance was still favorable.

 

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

 

Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. The Company sets aside an allowance for loan and lease losses through periodic charges to earnings, which are reflected in the income statement as the provision for loan and lease losses. Specifically, the provision for loan and lease losses represents the amount charged against current period earnings to achieve an allowance for loan and lease losses that in management’s judgment is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio.

 

For the quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2005, the Company’s provisions for loan and lease losses were $900,000 and $1.9 million, respectively. For the quarter, that is $127,000, or 16% higher than the $773,000 provided in the second quarter of 2004, and for the first half, the amount is $227,000, or 14% higher than provided in the first half of 2004. The loan loss provision was higher despite net recoveries of $232,000 for the quarter which boosted the allowance, due mainly to an increase in loan balances and increased specific reserves for certain loans. The procedures for monitoring the adequacy of the allowance, and detailed information on the allowance, are included below in “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.”

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE

 

The Company’s results reflect declining non-interest income. Non-interest income was $232,000 lower in the quarter ended June 30, 2005 than in the quarter ended June 30, 2004, and $183,000 lower in the first half of 2005 than the first half of 2004. Due in part to the impact of the leverage strategy on average earning assets, total non-interest income declined to 1.15% from 1.41% of average earning assets for the half. However, because of the negative trend in non-interest income the ratio also declined for the quarter, dropping to 1.10% from 1.35% in the second quarter of the previous year.

 

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Total non-interest expense was $8.5 million and $17.2 million, respectively, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, and $7.3 million and $14.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. Non-interest expense increased by 16% for both the second quarter and the first half of 2005, relative to the same periods in the previous year. As with non-interest income, non-interest expense experienced a drop relative to average earning assets for the half due to the leverage-related increase in the denominator of the ratio, however for the quarter the ratio increased to 3.76% from 3.66% in the second quarter of the prior year.

 

Because the percentage increase in non-interest expense was larger than the percentage increase in net interest plus other income, the Company’s tax-equivalent overhead efficiency ratio increased to 57.0% from 55.2% for the second quarter of 2005 relative to 2004, and to 57.5% from 56.0% for the first half of 2005 relative to 2004. The overhead efficiency ratio represents total non-interest expense divided by the sum of fully tax-equivalent net interest and non-interest income, with the provision for loan losses, investment gains and losses, and other extraordinary income and expenses excluded from the equation. The following table provides details on changes in the Company’s non-interest income and non-interest expenses for the second quarter and first half of 2005 relative to 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

Non Interest Income/Expense

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     For the Quarter
Ended June 30,


    For the Six-Month Period
Ended June 30,


 
     2005

    % of
Total


    2004

    % of
Total


    2005

    % of
Total


    2004

    % of
Total


 

OTHER OPERATING INCOME:

                                                        

Service charges on deposit accounts

   $ 1,357     54.57 %   $ 1,575     57.93 %   $ 2,668     51.86 %   $ 3,079     57.79 %

Other service charges, commissions & fees

   $ 826     33.21 %   $ 695     25.56 %   $ 1,590     30.90 %   $ 1,329     24.94 %

Gains on sales of loans

   $ (8 )   -0.32 %   $ 87     3.20 %   $ 518     10.07 %   $ 203     3.81 %

Loan servicing income

   $ 17     0.68 %   $ 25     0.92 %   $ 49     0.95 %   $ 71     1.33 %

Bank owned life insurance

   $ 108     4.34 %   $ 200     7.35 %   $ 361     7.02 %   $ 446     8.37 %

Other

   $ 187     7.52 %   $ 137     5.04 %   $ (41 )   -0.80 %   $ 200     3.76 %
    


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Total non-interest income

   $ 2,487     100.00 %   $ 2,719     100.00 %   $ 5,145     100.00 %   $ 5,328     100.00 %

As a % of average earning assets (2)

           1.10 %           1.35 %           1.15 %           1.41 %

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                                        

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 3,753     44.12 %   $ 3,340     45.46 %   $ 7,819     45.35 %   $ 7,048     47.36 %

Occupancy costs

                                                        

Furniture & equipment

   $ 832     9.78 %   $ 837     11.39 %   $ 1,638     9.50 %   $ 1,613     10.84 %

Premises

   $ 667     7.84 %   $ 621     8.45 %   $ 1,358     7.88 %   $ 1,209     8.12 %

Advertising and marketing costs

   $ 458     5.38 %   $ 346     4.71 %   $ 954     5.53 %   $ 584     3.92 %

Data processing costs

   $ 313     3.68 %   $ 302     4.11 %   $ 611     3.54 %   $ 602     4.05 %

Deposit services costs

   $ 337     3.96 %   $ 270     3.68 %   $ 641     3.71 %   $ 576     3.87 %

Loan services costs

                                                        

Loan processing

   $ 89     1.05 %   $ 173     2.36 %   $ 177     1.03 %   $ 247     1.66 %

ORE owned

   $ 10     0.12 %   $ 34     0.46 %   $ 231     1.34 %   $ 70     0.47 %

Credit card

   $ 152     1.79 %   $ 145     1.98 %   $ 298     1.73 %   $ 280     1.88 %

Other operating costs

                                                        

Telephone & data communications

   $ 310     3.64 %   $ 150     2.04 %   $ 513     2.97 %   $ 343     2.30 %

Postage & mail

   $ 129     1.52 %   $ 106     1.44 %   $ 257     1.49 %   $ 216     1.45 %

Other

   $ 470     5.52 %   $ 299     4.07 %   $ 879     5.10 %   $ 629     4.23 %

Professional services costs

                                                        

Legal & accounting

   $ 506     5.95 %   $ 177     2.41 %   $ 857     4.97 %   $ 386     2.59 %

Other professional service

   $ 280     3.29 %   $ 274     3.73 %   $ 608     3.53 %   $ 620     4.17 %

Stationery & supply costs

   $ 182     2.14 %   $ 156     2.12 %   $ 327     1.90 %   $ 299     2.01 %

Sundry & tellers

   $ 19     0.22 %   $ 117     1.59 %   $ 74     0.43 %   $ 160     1.08 %
    


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Total non-interest Expense

   $ 8,507     100.00 %   $ 7,347     100.00 %   $ 17,242     100.00 %   $ 14,882     100.00 %
    


       


       


       


     

As a % of average earning assets (2)

           3.76 %           3.66 %           3.84 %           3.95 %

Efficiency Ratio (1)

     57.00 %           55.21 %           57.47 %           56.03 %      

 

(1) Tax Equivalent

 

(2) Annualized

 

Included in non-interest income for the first half is a $500,000 gain resulting from the bulk sale of $21 million in mortgage loans in the first quarter. Because of this, gains on sales of loans were $315,000 higher than in the first half of 2004, an increase of more than 150%. For the quarter, gains on loan sales were down by $95,000. Other service charges, commissions, and fees were $131,000 higher for the quarter and $261,000 higher for the half, due mainly to additional rental income from equipment leased to others and an increase in credit card and check card interchange fees from a higher level of activity. The increases in non-interest income in the referenced categories were more than offset by declining service charges on deposit accounts, a decline in other non-interest income for the half, and lower income from loan servicing and bank-owned life insurance. Despite fairly significant increases in average transaction account balances, service charges on deposit accounts fell by 14% for the quarter and 13% for the half due to four key factors: 1) A higher proportion of transaction accounts in 2005 are “free” accounts that are initially free of service charges; 2) overdraft activity has declined, thus returned item and overdraft charges are down; 3) starting in 2005, returned item and overdraft charges that are deemed to be uncollectible are being reversed against service charges on deposits rather than reflected in sundry and teller expenses as had previously been done;

 

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Table of Contents

and, 4) hard-dollar charges for business accounts on “analysis” have declined as the earnings credit rate for those accounts has increased. Management views free accounts as a defensive product, and the negative service charge impact is overcome by the fact that they provide interest-free funding, expand the Company’s customer base, and increase cross-sell opportunities for other Bank products such as consumer loans and relatively low-cost savings accounts.

 

Other non-interest income includes gains and losses on investments, gains on the disposition of fixed assets and real properties, and rental income generated by the Company’s alliance with Investment Centers of America. Other non-interest income declined for the first half of 2005 due to an investment loss in the first quarter resulting from a $330,000 write-down of the Company’s $1 million investment in Diversified Holdings Corporation, a title insurance holding company. The primary operating subsidiaries of that company were recently sold, and while there are some contingencies related to the ultimate sale proceeds, it appears that the net proceeds could equate to approximately 70% of the book value of the investment. The negative year-to-date variance caused by this loss was partially offset by a $66,000 gain from the second quarter liquidation of a small equity position in a mutual insurance company that converted to stock a few years ago. Further, income received from Investment Centers of America, which is in the form of percentage rents based on gross commissions generated, was up about $29,000 for the quarter and $34,000 year-to-date, increases of about 38% and 25%, respectively.

 

Loan servicing income fell slightly, going down by $8,000 for the quarter and $22,000 for the half. Most of the Company’s servicing consists of agricultural mortgage loans, although a small number of SBA loans are also included. The Company is no longer significantly engaged in the servicing of residential real estate loans and does not contemplate a return to that service in the foreseeable future. Management expects to sell a limited number of such loans on a servicing-released basis in the future, but will continue to refer, for a fee, the majority of its residential mortgage loan applications to MoneyLine Lending Services for origination.

 

Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) income decreased by $92,000 for the quarter and $85,000 year-to-date, representing declines of 46% and 19%, respectively. The decline was due in part to slightly lower rates on the Company’s general account BOLI, but was mainly the result of negative returns on BOLI linked to deferred compensation balances. The majority of the Company’s BOLI is single-premium general account BOLI, with an interest credit rate that does not change frequently and is floored at no less than 4%. Income from this BOLI is used to fund expenses associated with executive salary continuation plans and a directors’ retirement plan. In addition, however, at June 30, 2005 the Company had approximately $1 million invested in BOLI used to hedge deferred compensation arrangements for certain directors and senior officers. These BOLI accounts have returns pegged to investment allocations specified by deferred compensation participants, and are thus subject to loss of principal depending on equity market movements.

 

Aggregate salaries and benefits fell slightly as a percentage of total non-interest expense, dropping to 44.1% from 45.5% for the quarter and to 45.4% from 47.4% for the half. As the largest component of non-interest expense, however, salaries and employee benefits experienced the most significant dollar increase of all expense categories. They increased by $413,000, or 12%, for the second quarter of 2005 relative to the second quarter of 2004, and by $771,000, or 11%, for the first half of 2005 relative to the first half of the prior year. Salaries increased due to the following: Regular annual increases; salaries for the Clovis branch staff added in June 2004; the salaries for the new manager and selective staff for the Dinuba/Reedley service area; the salaries of staff added to enable compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and SOX 404; and selective staff additions and hours increased for part-time workers in certain other branches to enable us to capitalize on the growth potential in those areas. The cost of benefits kept pace with the increase in salaries. The Company had 344 full-time equivalent employees at June 30, 2005, and 335 full-time equivalents at June 30, 2004.

 

Occupancy expense was 17.6% of total non-interest expense for the second quarter and 17.4% for the first half of 2005, down from 19.8% and 19.0% for the respective periods in 2004. Occupancy expense, including furniture and equipment maintenance and depreciation, increased $41,000, or 3%, for the quarter, and $174,000, or 6%, for the first half. The increases were due to a combination of regular annual increases, the branch in Clovis, the enhancement of physical and information security, and depreciation on equipment and software associated with the Company’s migration to VOIP telecommunications technology.

 

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Table of Contents

Other notable increases in expenses occurred in advertising and marketing, OREO, telecommunications, legal and accounting, and other miscellaneous costs. Marketing costs increased by 32% for the quarter and 63% for the half due to certain marketing campaigns that commenced in the first half of the year, and management expects that these costs will decline somewhat in the last half of the year. OREO expenses were higher for the half due to a $200,000 one-time charge in the first quarter to write down an OREO property, subsequent to our receipt of an updated appraisal. Telecommunications costs increased by $160,000, or over 100%, for the quarter, and by $170,000, or 50%, for the half. These costs were higher due to overlapping expenses associated with our conversion to VOIP technology, as well as increased usage charges. They are expected to decline in the latter half of the year.

 

Legal and accounting costs were up by $329,000, or 186%, for the quarter, and by $471,000, or 122%, for the half. Included in those numbers are legal costs related to collections, which increased by $90,000 for the quarter and $110,000 for the half, and a $357,000 increase in first-half audit and review costs related to SOX 404. Accounting expenses for the first quarter of 2005, in particular, include unanticipated charges from our principal accountant for their testing and evaluation work related to their 2004 SOX 404 assessment of our internal controls. Not including internal staff time and expenses, consulting and audit expenses related to our 2004 SOX 404 assessment totaled approximately $500,000. We are projecting that the cost of SOX 404 compliance will be lower in 2005, and are thus accruing slightly less than that at the present time.

 

The increase in the “other” category in other operating costs is primarily due to an increase in pass-through expenses related to our limited partnership investments in low-income housing tax credit funds. Most other expense categories either declined or experienced fairly minimal increases.

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

The Company sets aside a provision for income taxes on a monthly basis. The amount of the tax provision is determined by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to pre-tax book income, adjusted for permanent differences between pre-tax book income and actual taxable income. Such permanent differences include but are not limited to tax-exempt interest income, increases in the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance, California Enterprise Zone deductions, certain expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions, and tax credits.

 

The Company’s tax provision was $1.6 million and $3.1 million for the second quarter and first half of 2005, respectively, representing 30% and 31% of pre-tax income for those periods. The lower percentage in the second quarter is because of a year-to-date adjustment in that quarter to reflect the proper amount of interest earned from loans to businesses in state-designated enterprise zones, which is partially excluded from taxable income for state tax purposes. The provision was $2.0 million and $3.4 million for the second quarter and first half of 2004, respectively, which equates to 40% and 36% of pre-tax income for those periods. The Company’s 2005 tax accrual rate is relatively low in comparison to 2004, due in part to more low-income housing tax credits but mainly because of a $400,000 charge to the provision in the second quarter of 2004 related to the Company’s real estate investment trust (“REIT”).

 

When the REIT began operations in August 2002, the Company adjusted its tax accrual to allow for the year-to-date impact of the REIT and our 2002 income tax returns were filed to include the REIT benefit. The REIT-related tax benefit was also reflected in the Company’s tax provision for the first three quarters of 2003, but was reversed at the end of 2003 subsequent to a last-minute legal opinion rendered by the California Franchise Tax Board. That opinion designated bank-owned REITs as potentially abusive tax shelters, and stated that the California law dealing with the taxability of REIT consent dividends has been misinterpreted. The Company’s 2003 income tax returns were ultimately filed sans any REIT benefits. Furthermore, in order to stop the accrual of potential interest and penalties, in April 2004 the Company filed an amended 2002 state income tax return and paid 2002 taxes in accordance with the Franchise Tax Board’s recent interpretation, while reserving the right to appeal and later claim REIT-related benefits. That payment resulted in the aforementioned increase in the Company’s second quarter 2004 tax provision. No assurance can be given that the tax benefits from the REIT will ultimately be validated, however if they are the Company will then reflect the cumulative benefit on its income statement.

 

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Table of Contents

 

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

 

EARNING ASSETS

 

INVESTMENTS

 

The major components of the Company’s earning asset base are its investments and loans, and the detailed composition and growth characteristics of both are significant determinants of the financial condition of the Company. The Company’s investments are analyzed in this section, while the loan and lease portfolio is discussed in a later section of this Form 10-Q.

 

The Company’s investments consist of debt and marketable equity securities (together, the “investment portfolio”), investments in the time deposits of other banks, overnight fed funds sold, and other equity securities. These serve several purposes: 1) they provide liquidity to even out cash flows from the loan and deposit activities of customers; 2) they provide a source of pledged assets for securing public deposits, bankruptcy deposits and certain borrowed funds which require collateral; 3) they constitute a large base of assets with maturity and interest rate characteristics that can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio, to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources of the Company; 4) they are an alternative interest-earning use of funds when loan demand is light; and 5) they can provide partially tax exempt income.

 

Although the Company currently has the intent and the ability to hold the securities in its investment portfolio to maturity, the securities are all marketable and are classified as “available for sale” to allow maximum flexibility with regard to interest rate risk and liquidity management. Pursuant to SFAS 115, the balance of available for sale securities is carried on the Company’s financial statements at its estimated fair market value, with monthly tax-effected “mark-to-market” adjustments made vis-à-vis the accumulated other comprehensive income account in shareholders’ equity. The following table sets forth the Company’s investment portfolio by investment type as of the dates noted:

 

Investment Portfolio

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     June 30, 2005

   December 31, 2004

     Amortized
Cost


   Fair
Market
Value


   Amortized
Cost


   Fair
Market
Value


Available for Sale

                           

US Treasury securities

   $ 505    $ 500    $ 506    $ 506

US Gov’t agencies

     15,417      15,395      6,013      6,004

Mortgage-backed securities

     154,301      152,469      159,576      158,722

State & political subdivisions

     37,983      38,772      31,504      32,783

Other equity securities

     6      7      6      9
    

  

  

  

Total Investment Securities

   $ 208,212    $ 207,143    $ 197,605    $ 198,024
    

  

  

  

 

The carrying value of the investment portfolio was $207 million at June 30, 2005 and $198 million at December 31, 2004, an increase of $9 million, or 5%. The balance of mortgage-backed securities declined due to prepayments. The balance of municipal bonds has increased as the Company has taken advantage of relative value in that sector, and additional government agency securities were purchased for pledging purposes. Securities pledged as collateral for FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements, public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law totaled $176 million at June 30, 2005, and $177 million at December 31, 2004.

 

There were $3.5 million in fed funds sold at June 30, 2005, and none at December 31, 2004. Because the Company was a net borrower of overnight funds at June 30, 2005, the balance of fed funds sold on that date simply represents the investment of funds received too late in the day to adjust our borrowing position. The Company’s investment in the time deposits of other banks totaled $702,000 at June 30, 2005 and $535,000 at December 31, 2004. Non-marketable equity securities, consisting primarily of FHLB stock, totaled $5.4 million at the end of the first half of

 

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Table of Contents

2005 and $6.0 million at the end of 2004. Total investments increased to 21% of assets at June 30, 2005 from 20% at December 31, 2004.

 

LOAN PORTFOLIO

 

The Company’s loans and leases, gross of the associated allowance for losses and deferred fees and origination costs, totaled $701 million at the end of June 2005. This represents an increase of only $5 million since the end of 2004 due to the sale of $21 million in mortgage loans in the first quarter, but since the end of March 2005 gross loans have increased by $18 million. Based on the current level of loans in process of approval, management anticipates growth sufficient to bring the Company back to its original targeted average increase of approximately $6 million per month for the year, although no assurance can be given that this loan growth will materialize.

 

A comparative schedule of the distribution of the Company’s loans at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, by outstanding balance as well as by percentage of total loans, is presented in the following Loan Distribution table. The balances shown for each loan type are before deferred or unamortized loan origination, extension, or commitment fees, and deferred origination costs for loans in that category.

 

Loan and Lease Distribution

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     June 30
2005


    December 31
2004


 

Agricultural

   $ 13,200     $ 13,146  

Commercial and industrial

   $ 100,899     $ 97,810  

Real Estate:

                

Secured by commercial/professional office Properties including construction and development

   $ 329,665     $ 336,065  

Secured by residential properties

   $ 128,083     $ 126,241  

Secured by farmland

   $ 40,380     $ 37,648  

Held for sale

   $ 119     $ 440  
    


 


Total Real Estate

   $ 498,247     $ 500,394  

Small Business Administration loans

   $ 21,991     $ 21,547  

Consumer loans

   $ 50,314     $ 48,992  

Credit cards

   $ 10,449     $ 10,897  

Direct Financing Leases

   $ 5,887     $ 3,490  
    


 


Total Loans and Leases

   $ 700,987     $ 696,276  
    


 


Percentage of Total Loans and Leases

                

Agricultural

     1.88 %     1.89 %

Commercial and industrial

     14.39 %     14.05 %

Real Estate:

                

Secured by commercial/professional office Properties including construction and development

     47.03 %     48.27 %

Secured by residential properties

     18.27 %     18.13 %

Secured by farmland

     5.76 %     5.41 %

Held for sale

     0.02 %     0.06 %
    


 


Total Real Estate

     71.08 %     71.87 %

Small Business Administration loans

     3.14 %     3.09 %

Consumer loans

     7.18 %     7.04 %

Credit cards

     1.49 %     1.57 %

Direct Financing Leases

     0.84 %     0.49 %
    


 


Total

     100.00 %     100.00 %
    


 


 

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Commercial real estate loans fell by $6 million, or 2%, during the first half of 2005. The Company has recently added a long-term fixed-rate loan to its line-up of commercial real estate lending products, which is expected to spur demand. Credit cards have also experienced declining balances, dropping by $448,000, or 4%, from the end of 2004 through the end of June. We have not been actively promoting credit cards during 2005, although we expect to sell more business credit cards, including SBA-backed cards, in the future. Real estate loans secured by residential properties grew by nearly $2 million, or 1%, despite the sale of $21 million in mortgage loans in the first quarter, primarily due to strong demand for home equity lines, residential construction loans, and single-close loans for construction through permanent financing. All other loan categories are showing consistent growth, and as noted previously loan demand appears to be strong in the Company’s market areas and we expect to end the year with growth of approximately 10% in outstanding loan balances. Loan growth cannot be forecast with any degree of certainty, however, due to the many variables that ultimately impact such growth.

 

Although not reflected in the loan totals above, the Company also originates and sells agricultural and residential mortgage loans to certain other investors and provides servicing for a small number of SBA loans and a certain number of agricultural mortgage loans. The balance of loans serviced for others was $20 million as of June 30, 2005, compared to $25 million at December 31, 2004.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit as long as there are no violations of any conditions established in the outstanding contractual arrangement. Unused commitments to extend credit, including credit card lines, totaled $268 million at June 30, 2005 as compared to $257 million at December 31, 2004, although it is expected that not all of these commitments will ultimately be drawn down. Unused commitments represented approximately 38% of gross loans outstanding at June 30, 2005, and 37% as of December 31, 2004. In addition to unused loan commitments, the Company had stand-by letters of credit totaling $16 million at June 30, 2005 and $20 million at December 31, 2004. This represents 6% of total commitments as of June 30, 2005, and 7% at December 31 2004.

 

The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will ever be used. For more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 8 to the financial statements located elsewhere herein.

 

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

 

Non-performing assets are comprised of the following: loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest; loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest (although loans are generally placed on non-accrual when they become 90 days past due, whether or not interest is still being collected); loans restructured where the terms of repayment have been renegotiated resulting in a deferral of interest or principal; and other real estate owned (“OREO”). Management’s classification of a loan as non-accrual or restructured is an indication that there is reasonable doubt as to the Company’s ability to collect principal or interest on the loan. At that point, the Company stops accruing income from the interest on the loan, reverses any interest that has been accrued but is not yet collected, and recognizes interest income only as cash interest payments are received and as long as the collection of all outstanding principal is not in doubt. These loans may or may not be collateralized, but in all cases collection efforts are continuously pursued. The following table presents comparative data for the Company’s non-performing assets.

 

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Table of Contents

Non-performing Assets

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     June 30
2005


    December 31
2004


    June 30
2004


 

NON-ACCRUAL LOANS:

                        

Agricultural

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Commercial and industrial

   $ 2,500     $ 393     $ 1,402  

Real Estate

                        

Secured by commercial/professional office properties including construction and development

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,660  

Secured by residential properties

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Secured by farmland

   $ 1,289     $ 1,313     $ 1,729  

Held for sale

   $ —       $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


TOTAL REAL ESTATE

   $ 1,289     $ 1,313     $ 3,389  

Small Business Administration loans

   $ 86     $ 255     $ 438  

Consumer loans

   $ 50     $ 168     $ 189  

Credit cards

   $ 13     $ 19     $ 13  

Direct Financing Leases

   $ —       $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


SUBTOTAL

   $ 3,938     $ 2,148     $ 5,431  
    


 


 


LOANS 90 DAYS OR MORE PAST DUE & STILL ACCRUING:

                        

(as to principal OR interest)

                        

Agricultural

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Commercial and Industrial

   $ —       $ —       $ 35  

Real Estate

                        

Secured by commercial/professional office Properties including construction and development

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Secured by residential properties

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Secured by farmland

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Held for sale

   $ —       $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


TOTAL REAL ESTATE

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Small Business Administration loans

   $ —       $ 280     $ —    

Consumer loans

   $ 1     $ 20     $ 51  

Credit cards

   $ —       $ —       $ —    

Direct Financing Leases

   $ —       $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


SUBTOTAL

   $ 1     $ 300     $ 86  
    


 


 


TOTAL NONPERFORMING LOANS

   $ 3,939     $ 2,448     $ 5,517  

Other real estate

   $ 1,899     $ 2,524     $ 2,606  
    


 


 


Total nonperforming assets

   $ 5,838     $ 4,972     $ 8,123  
    


 


 


Restructured loans

     N/A       N/A       N/A  

Nonperforming loans as a % of total gross loans and leases

     0.56 %     0.35 %     0.88 %

Nonperforming assets as a % of total gross loans and leases and other real estate

     0.83 %     0.71 %     1.29 %

 

Total non-performing assets were $5.8 million at June 30, 2005 compared to $5.0 million at December 31, 2004, representing an increase of $866,000, or 17%. A $2.5 million unsecured commercial loan was placed on non-accrual status in the second quarter of 2005, creating a corresponding increase in non-performing assets. At the end of January 2005, we were advised by the borrowers on that loan that they will be unable to comply with current repayment terms because of a dispute over payments due to them under a construction contract with the University of California. The principal came due in April 2005, and as expected the borrowers do not have the means to repay the loan. The Company has been assured in writing that the borrowers intend to repay all principal and interest upon the successful conclusion of litigation, but attempts to restructure the loan and bring interest current have been unsuccessful to date. This increase in non-performing assets was partially offset by a $625,000 reduction in other real estate owned due to the sale and write-down of certain properties, and by various non-performing loan balances that paid off or were reduced in principal. Approximately $70,000 of the total non-performing balance at June 30, 2005 is guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and with the exception of the recently-added $2.5 million unsecured commercial credit, most of the remaining total is either secured by real estate or is in the form of repossessed real estate. Based on current appraised values minimal losses are anticipated on real-estate secured balances, although no assurance can be given that losses will not exceed expectations. We recognize that an increase in the dollar amount

 

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of non-accrual loans and leases is possible in the normal course of business as we expand our lending activities, and we also expect occasional foreclosures as a last resort in the resolution of some problem credits.

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

 

The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision for loan and lease losses based on management’s evaluation of known and inherent risks in the Company’s loan portfolio. At June 30, 2005 the allowance for loan and lease losses was $10.8 million, or 1.54% of gross loans, an increase of $1.9 million relative to the $8.8 million allowance at December 31, 2004 that was 1.27% of gross loans. The allowance at June 30, 2005 includes a full reserve for the aforementioned $2.5 million unsecured loan that was placed on non-accrual in the second quarter of 2005. Since non-performing loans increased in greater proportion than the allowance, the allowance fell to 274% of non-performing loans at June 30, 2005 from 361% at December 31, 2004. An additional allowance for potential losses inherent in unused commitments is included in other liabilities, and totaled $136,000 at June 30, 2005.

 

We employ a systematic methodology for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan and lease losses and adjusting it on at least a quarterly basis. Our process includes a periodic review of individual loans that have been specifically identified as problem loans or have characteristics that could lead to impairment, as well as detailed reviews of other loans either individually or in pools. While this methodology utilizes historical data and other objective information, the classification of loans and the establishment of the allowance for loan and lease losses are both to some extent based on management’s judgment and experience.

 

Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan and lease losses that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in non-performing loans, the rate of loan portfolio growth, and other factors. Quantitative factors also incorporate known information about individual loans, including a borrower’s sensitivity to interest rate movements or other quantifiable external factors such as commodity prices or acts of nature (freezes, earthquakes, fires, etc.).

 

Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in our markets and, in particular, the state of the agriculture industry and other key industries in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The way a particular loan might be structured, the extent and nature of waivers of existing loan policies, the results of bank regulatory examinations, and model imprecision are additional qualitative factors that are considered.

 

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Table of Contents

The table that follows summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the periods indicated:

 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     For the Quarter Ended
June 30,


    For the Six-Month
Period Ended June 30,


    For the Year Ended
December 31,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

    2004

 

Balances:

                                        

Average gross loans and leases outstanding during period

   $ 691,656     $ 620,864     $ 692,216     $ 617,701     $ 636,598  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross loans and leases outstanding at end of period

   $ 700,987     $ 627,176     $ 700,987     $ 627,176     $ 696,276  
    


 


 


 


 


Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:

                                        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 9,651     $ 7,286     $ 8,842     $ 6,701     $ 6,701  

Provision charged to expense

   $ 900     $ 773     $ 1,900     $ 1,673     $ 3,473  

Charge-offs

                                        

Agricultural

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 60     $ 60  

Commercial & industrial loans(1)

   $ 11     $ 252     $ 95     $ 356     $ 459  

Real estate loans

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Consumer loans

   $ 76     $ 104     $ 147     $ 248     $ 596  

Credit card loans

   $ 176     $ 81     $ 242     $ 246     $ 402  

Leases

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Overdrafts

   $ 69     $ —       $ 129     $ —       $ 254  
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ 332     $ 437     $ 613     $ 910     $ 1,771  
    


 


 


 


 


Recoveries

                                        

Agricultural

   $ 215     $ 1     $ 219     $ 12     $ 143  

Commercial & industrial loans(1)

   $ 271     $ 12     $ 298     $ 81     $ 95  

Real estate loans

   $ —       $ —       $ 2     $ —       $ —    

Consumer loans

   $ 30     $ 23     $ 45     $ 76     $ 120  

Credit card loans

   $ 34     $ 22     $ 57     $ 47     $ 71  

Leases

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Overdrafts

   $ 14     $ —       $ 33     $ —       $ 10  
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ 564     $ 58     $ 654     $ 216     $ 439  
    


 


 


 


 


Net loan recoveries (charge offs)

   $ 232     $ (379 )   $ 41     $ (694 )   $ (1,332 )
    


 


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 10,783     $ 7,680     $ 10,783     $ 7,680     $ 8,842  
    


 


 


 


 


RATIOS

                                        

Net Charge-offs to Average Loans and Leases (annualized)

     -0.13 %     0.25 %     -0.01 %     0.23 %     0.21 %

Allowance for Loan Losses to Gross Loans and Leases at End of Period

     1.54 %     1.22 %     1.54 %     1.22 %     1.27 %

Allowance for Loan Losses to Non-Performing Loans

     273.75 %     139.21 %     273.75 %     139.21 %     361.19 %

Net Loan Charge-offs to Allowance for Loan Losses at End of Period

     -2.15 %     4.93 %     -0.38 %     9.04 %     15.06 %

Net Loan Charge-offs to Provision for Loan Losses

     -25.78 %     49.03 %     -2.16 %     41.48 %     38.35 %

 

(1) Includes Small Business Administration Loans

 

The allowance is increased by a provision for possible loan and lease losses charged against current earnings, and reduced by actual net charge-offs. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when cash payments are received subsequent to the charge off. The Company’s provision for loan and lease losses was $900,000 in the second quarter of 2005, a $127,000 increase relative to the $773,000 provision in the second quarter of 2004. The Company’s collection of previously charged-off balances resulted in net recoveries of $232,000 for the quarter and $41,000 for the half, which added to the allowance, versus net charge-offs against the allowance of $379,000 and $694,000 for the second quarter and first half of 2004.

 

The Company considers its allowance for loan and lease losses of $10.8 million at June 30, 2005 to be adequate to cover specifically identified losses and other losses inherent in its loan portfolio. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will not sustain losses in any given period that could be substantial in relation to the size of the allowance.

 

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Table of Contents

OTHER ASSETS

 

The balance of cash and due from banks was $37 million at June 30, 2005, approximately the same as the balance at December 31, 2004. Since the actual balance of cash and due from banks depends on the timing of collection of outstanding cash items, it is subject to significant fluctuation in the normal course of business. While cash flows are normally predictable within limits, those limits are fairly broad and the Company manages its cash position through the utilization of overnight loans to and borrowings from correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Should a large “short” overnight position persist for any length of time, the Company typically raises money through focused retail deposit gathering efforts or by adding brokered time deposits. If a “long” position is prevalent, the Company will, to the extent possible, let brokered deposits roll off as they mature.

 

Because of frequent balance fluctuations, a more accurate gauge of cash management efficiency is the average balance for the period. The $36 million average of cash and due from banks for the first half of 2005 is about $3 million less than the $39 million average for the first half of 2004. Average cash balances have declined due to in part to closer monitoring and more efficient management of branch cash levels. The Company also enrolled in the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s “explicit float” program during 2004, which provides immediate credit for most items presented for collection. It is expected that as additional branches commence operations, the Company’s balance of cash will increase to meet the needs of those branches.

 

Net premises and equipment decreased by $593,000, or 3%, since the end of 2004, to its balance of $17.1 million at June 30, 2005. The decrease can be explained by depreciation on the Company’s fixed assets. Other assets were $43 million at June 30, 2005, a decrease of about $1 million, or 3%, relative to December 31, 2004.

 

At June 30, 2005, the Company’s other assets included a $2.4 million net deferred tax asset. Most of the Company’s temporary differences between book and taxable income and expenses involve recognizing more expense in its financial statements than it has been allowed to deduct for taxes, therefore the Company’s deferred tax assets typically exceed its deferred tax liabilities. The net deferred tax asset is primarily due to temporary book/tax differences in the reported allowance for loan losses plus deferred compensation, net of deferred liabilities comprised mainly of fixed asset depreciation differences and deferred loan origination costs. Management has evaluated all deferred tax assets, and has no reason to believe that either the quality of the deferred tax assets or the Company’s future taxable income potential would preclude full realization of all amounts in future years.

 

DEPOSITS AND INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

DEPOSITS

 

Another important balance sheet component impacting the Company’s net interest margin is its deposit base. The Company’s net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits can be concentrated in less volatile and typically less costly core deposits, which include demand deposit accounts, interest-bearing demand accounts (NOW accounts), savings accounts, money market demand accounts (MMDA’s), and time deposits under $100,000.

 

Overall, deposits increased by $41 million, or 6%, to $784 million at June 30, 2005 from $743 million at December 31, 2004. Demand deposits grew by $21 million, or 9%, largely because of new business account offerings and a new direct mail marketing campaign targeting retail checking accounts. NOW accounts grew by $5 million, or 8%, and savings account balances increased $6 million, or 9%, primarily due to cross-sell efforts on new demand deposit accounts. Money market accounts declined by $19 million, or 14%, due in large part to a $13 million account that moved to time deposits over $100,000. It is management’s opinion that aggressive deposit retention efforts for more rate-sensitive money market accounts and time deposits may become increasingly necessary as alternative investment products regain popularity.

 

Including the aforementioned $13 million transfer, total time deposits over $100,000 increased by $27 million. The increase is net of a $4 million decrease in brokered time deposits. The Company had a total of $49 million in brokered deposits over $100,000 on its books at June 30, 2005 and $53 million at year-end 2004. Maturities of these

 

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Table of Contents

deposits are staggered over the next 12 months, and it is expected that they will continue to be replaced with internally-generated branch deposits when possible.

 

Information concerning average balances and rates paid on deposits by deposit type for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 is contained in the “Average Rates and Balances” tables appearing above in the section entitled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.”

 

OTHER INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

 

The Company’s other interest-bearing liabilities include overnight borrowings from other banks (“fed funds purchased”), short-term and long-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, securities sold under agreement to repurchase (customer “repos”), and junior subordinated debentures issued in consideration for cash raised by wholly-owned trust subsidiaries via the sale of trust-preferred securities (see Capital Resources section for more detailed explanation of trust-preferred securities).

 

In order to borrow money from the FHLB to finance the leverage strategy, the Company simultaneously pledged as collateral the investment securities acquired in connection with the transaction. These collateralized FHLB borrowings range in remaining maturity from overnight to about four years. As of June 30, 2005, FHLB borrowings specifically linked to the leverage strategy comprised all of the Company’s $65 million in long-term borrowings, as well as $17 million in the form of an overnight advance. Long-term borrowings have declined by $10 million since year-end 2004, while short-term borrowings specifically related to the leverage strategy are about $3 million lower. The remainder of the total $27 million reduction in short-term borrowings was enabled by growth in customer deposits and customer repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements represent “sweep accounts,” or non-deposit investment accounts secured by pledged investment securities, and totaled approximately $27 million at June 30, 2005. While this was up by about $3 million relative to the $24 million balance at the end of December 2004, the nature of this product lends itself to frequent fluctuations in balances.

 

The Company also uses fed funds purchased and short-term FHLB borrowings to support liquidity needs created by seasonal deposit flows, to temporarily satisfy funding needs from increased loan demand, and for other short-term purposes. Uncommitted lines are available from several correspondent banks. The FHLB line is committed, but the amount of available credit is dependent on the level of pledged collateral. There was $17 million in the form of an overnight FHLB advance on the Company’s books at June 30, 2005, but no overnight fed funds purchased.

 

OTHER NON-INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 

Other non-interest bearing liabilities are primarily comprised of accrued interest payable, accrued current income taxes payable, other expenses accrued but unpaid, and certain clearing amounts. The aggregate balance of other liabilities increased by about $700,000 during the first six months of 2005, due mainly to an increase in accrued interest payable.

 

LIQUIDITY AND MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT

 

INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

 

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company’s market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk, and it has established policies and procedures to monitor and limit earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does the Company have exposure to currency exchange rates.

 

The principal objective of interest rate risk management (often referred to as “asset/liability management”) is to manage the financial components of the Company in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital in relation to changing interest rates. To identify areas of potential exposure to rate changes, the Company performs an earnings simulation analysis and a market value of portfolio equity calculation on a monthly basis.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company uses Sendero modeling software for asset/liability management in order to simulate the effects of potential interest rate changes on the Company’s net interest margin, and to calculate the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments under different interest rate scenarios. The program imports current balances, interest rates, maturity dates and repricing information for individual financial instruments, and incorporates assumptions on the characteristics of embedded options along with pricing and duration for new volumes to project the effects of a given interest rate change on the Company’s interest income and interest expense. Rate scenarios consisting of key rate and yield curve projections are run against the Company’s investment, loan, deposit and borrowed funds portfolios. These rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), economic (based on current trends and econometric models) or stable (unchanged from current actual levels). The Company typically uses seven standard interest rate scenarios in conducting its simulations, namely “stable”, upward shocks of 100, 200 and 300 basis points, and downward shocks of 100, 200, and 300 basis points.

 

The Company’s policy guidelines suggest the following limits for a decline in the Company’s simulated 12-month net interest income, relative to a stable rate scenario: For 100 basis point (b.p.) interest rate shocks, 5% or less; for 200 b.p. shocks, 10% or less; and, for 300 b.p. shocks, 15% or less. As of June 30, 2005, the Company had the following estimated net interest income sensitivity profile:

 

Immediate Change in Rate

 

     -300 b.p.

    -200 b.p.

    -100 b.p.

    +100 b.p.

    +200 b.p.

    +300 b.p.

 

Change in Net Int. Inc. (in $000’s)

   -$ 8,086     -$ 5,065     -$ 2,033     $ 1,259     $ 2,148     $ 3,284  

% Change

     -15.17 %     -9.50 %     -3.81 %     2.36 %     4.03 %     6.16 %

 

The above profile illustrates that if there were an immediate and sustained downward adjustment of 200 basis points in the interest rate curve and the Company did nothing further with regard to the active management of its assets or liabilities, net interest income would likely decline by $5.1 million, or 9.5%, over the next twelve months. By the same token, if there were an immediate increase of 200 basis points in interest rates, the Company’s net interest income would likely increase by $2.1 million, or 4.0%, over the next year. According to net interest income simulations the Company is asset sensitive, which is supported by fact the Company has, in the past, seen erosion in its interest margin as rates are declining while benefiting in a rising rate environment. The exposure to declining rates appears disproportionate in these simulations because many of the Company’s deposit rates are close to a floor of zero. As rates on interest-bearing liabilities hit this floor the Company’s yields on earning assets continue to fall, creating compression in the Company’s net interest margin.

 

In reality, management does not expect current rates to fall significantly. If they do, the Company would likely limit movement in the Bank of the Sierra Prime Rate as it has done in the past, although no assurance can be given that this would indeed occur. Approximately $200 million of the Company’s variable-rate loan balances are tied to that rate. If the Bank of the Sierra Prime Rate is effectively floored at 4.75%, the Company’s interest rate risk profile changes significantly:

 

Immediate Change in Rate

 

     -300 b.p.

    -200 b.p.

    -100 b.p.

    +100 b.p.

    +200 b.p.

    +300 b.p.

 

Change in Net Int. Inc. (in $000’s)

   -$ 5,176     -$ 4,485     -$ 2,033     $ 1,259     $ 2,148     $ 3,284  

% Change

     -9.71 %     -8.41 %     -3.81 %     2.36 %     4.03 %     6.16 %

 

The economic value of the Company’s balance sheet will also vary under the different interest rate scenarios previously discussed. The amount of change is dependent upon the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including the stated interest rate relative to current market rates, the likelihood of prepayment, whether the rate is fixed or floating, the maturity date of the instrument and the particular circumstances of the Company’s customers. An economic value simulation is a static measure for balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, but

 

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this measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of the Company’s balance sheet evolve and as interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

 

The economic value of equity (EVE) is calculated by subtracting the estimated fair value of liabilities from the estimated fair value of assets. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at estimated current replacement rates for each account type, while the fair value of non-financial accounts is assumed to equal book value and does not vary with interest rate fluctuations. Runoff is factored in for accounts with stated maturity dates, but decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on management’s best estimates. We have found that model results are highly sensitive to changes in the decay rate for non-maturity deposits. The table below shows estimated changes in the Company’s EVE under different interest rate scenarios relative to a base case of current interest rates, assuming changes in the Bank of the Sierra prime rate are restricted under declining rate scenarios:

 

Immediate Change in Rate

 

     -300 b.p.

    -200 b.p.

    -100 b.p.

    +100 b.p.

    +200 b.p.

    +300 b.p.

 

Change in EVE (in $000’s)

   -$ 34,713     -$ 24,322     -$ 9,199     $ 1,791     $ 1,255     $ 1,113  

% Change

     -18.53 %     -12.98 %     -4.91 %     0.96 %     0.67 %     0.59 %

 

If there were no options embedded in the Company’s balance sheet, EVE would decline slightly as rates increase. This effect can be seen in rising rate scenarios. It is the reverse of the positive slope apparent in the Company’s net interest income simulations, due primarily to the fact that over $500 million in non-maturity deposits are assumed to run off at the rate of 10% per year. Our net interest income simulations, on the other hand, are dynamic rather than static and incorporate growth rather than run-off for non-maturity deposits. If a higher deposit decay rate is used for EVE simulations the decline becomes more severe, while the slope conforms more closely to that of our net interest income simulations if non-maturity deposits do not run off. Under declining rates, the presumed floor on the Bank of the Sierra prime effectively turns loans linked to that rate into fixed rate loans that increase in value as rates decline. One might thus expect to see the Company’s EVE increase as rates decline, however embedded options kick in under declining rates. A floor of zero (or slightly above zero) for the discount rate on variable rate deposits and other liabilities and increased principal pre-payments and calls on investment securities and fixed rate loans more than offset the value increase from the prime rate floor.

 

LIQUIDITY

 

Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows that are adequate to fund its operations and meet other obligations and commitments in a timely and cost-effective fashion. The Company also, on occasion, experiences short-term cash needs as the result of loan growth or deposit outflows, or other asset purchases or liability repayments. To meet short-term needs, the Company can borrow overnight funds from other financial institutions or solicit brokered deposits if deposits are not immediately obtainable from local sources. Further, funds can be obtained by drawing down the Company’s correspondent bank deposit accounts, or by liquidating investments or other assets. In addition, the Company can raise immediate cash for temporary needs by selling under agreement to repurchase those investments in its portfolio which are not pledged as collateral.

 

As of June 30, 2005, non-pledged securities comprised $31 million of the Company’s investment portfolio balances. Other forms of balance sheet liquidity include but are not necessarily limited to vault cash and balances due from banks, immediately marketable loan balances in the amount of $17 million, and the $17 million net cash surrender value of BOLI on the Company’s books at June 30, 2005. In addition to the liquidity inherent in its balance sheet, the Company has off-balance-sheet liquidity in the form of lines of credit from correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank. Availability on these lines totaled $96 million at June 30, 2005. An additional $168 million in credit is available from the Federal Home Loan Bank if the Company increases its pledged real-estate related collateral in a like amount and purchases the required amount of FHLB stock. The Company is also eligible to borrow up to $1.3 million at the Federal Reserve Discount Window if necessary, based on current pledged amounts. The Company manages its liquidity in such a fashion as to be able to meet any unexpected change in levels of assets or liabilities.

 

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The Company’s liquidity ratio and average net loans to assets ratio were 19.2% and 69%, respectively, at June 30, 2005, as compared to internal policy guidelines of greater than 10% and less than 78%. The liquidity ratio is calculated with marketable and otherwise liquid assets as the numerator and non-collateralized deposits and short-term liabilities as the denominator. While these ratios are merely indicators and are not measures of actual liquidity, they are monitored closely and we are focused on maintaining adequate liquidity resources to draw upon should the need arise. Other liquidity ratios reviewed by management and the Board on a regular basis include average loans to core deposits, net non-core funding dependence, and reliance on wholesale funding. All of these ratios were within policy guidelines as of June 30, 2005.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At June 30, 2005, the Company had total shareholders’ equity of $77 million, comprised of $11 million in common stock, $66 million in retained earnings, and a $629,000 accumulated other comprehensive loss. Total shareholders’ equity at the end of 2004 was $71 million. The $5.4 million increase in shareholders’ equity from December 31, 2004 to June 30, 2005 was due primarily to the addition of net earnings less $2.2 million in dividends paid. However, it also includes a $2.5 million increase due to the issuance of shares from exercised stock options, including the tax effect of such exercised options, a $1 million decrease due to the repurchase and retirement of shares pursuant to the Company’s stock repurchase plan, and an $875,000 decrease in other comprehensive income resulting from a decrease in the market value of investment securities (net of the tax impact).

 

The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate its capital adequacy, with risk-based capital ratios calculated separately for the Company and the Bank. Management reviews these capital measurements on a quarterly basis and takes appropriate action to ensure that they are within established internal and external guidelines. The Company’s current capital position exceeds minimum thresholds established by industry regulators, and by current regulatory definitions the Bank is well capitalized, the highest rating of the categories defined under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) of 1991. The FDIC has promulgated risk-based capital guidelines for all state non-member banks such as the Bank. These guidelines establish a risk-adjusted ratio relating capital to different categories of assets and off balance sheet exposures. There are two categories of capital under the guidelines: Tier 1 capital includes common stockholders’ equity, qualifying minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, and qualifying trust-preferred securities (including notes payable to unconsolidated special purpose entities that issue trust-preferred securities), less goodwill and certain other deductions, notably the unrealized net gains or losses (after tax adjustments) on available for sale investment securities carried at fair market value; Tier 2 capital can include qualifying subordinated debt and redeemable preferred stock, qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations.

 

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As noted previously, the Company’s junior subordinated debentures represent borrowings from its unconsolidated subsidiaries that have issued an aggregate $30 million in trust-preferred securities. These debentures currently qualify for inclusion as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes to the extent that they do not exceed 25% of total Tier 1 capital, but are classified as long-term debt in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. On March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule that allows the continued inclusion of trust-preferred securities (and/or related subordinated debentures) in the Tier I capital of bank holding companies. However, under the final rule, after a five-year transition period goodwill must be deducted from Tier I capital prior to calculating the 25% limitation. Generally, the amount of junior subordinated debentures in excess of the 25% Tier 1 limitation is included in Tier 2 capital. Of the Company’s Tier 1 capital at June 30, 2005, $25.7 million consisted of junior subordinated debentures. Its Tier 2 capital includes junior subordinated debentures totaling $4.3 million. The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated:

 

Risk Based Ratios

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


    Minimum Requirement
for Well Capitalized Bank


 

Sierra Bancorp

                  

Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets

   14.04 %   13.30 %   10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets

   12.26 %   11.34 %   6.00 %

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

   9.76 %   9.20 %   5.00 %

Bank of the Sierra

                  

Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets

   12.37 %   11.63 %   10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets

   11.11 %   10.48 %   6.00 %

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

   8.84 %   8.48 %   5.00 %

 

At the current time, there are no commitments that would necessitate the use of material amounts of the Company’s capital.

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 3

 

QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES

ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included as part of Part I, Item 2 above. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Market Risk Management”.

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 4

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”) have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report was being prepared.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred in the second quarter of 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operation.

 

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

(c) Stock Repurchases

 

The following table provides information concerning the Company’s repurchases of its Common Stock during the second quarter of 2005:

 

     April

   May

   June

Total shares purchased

   None      25,000      11,400

Average per share price

   N/A    $ 21.37    $ 22.54

Number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan or program

   None      25,000      11,400

Maximum number of shares remaining for purchase under a plan or program (1)

   65,100      290,100      278,700

 

(1) The current stock repurchase plan became effective July 1, 2003 and has no expiration date. The plan initially allowed for the repurchase of up to 250,000 shares, although that number was supplemented by an additional 250,000 shares on May 19, 2005 by the Board of Directors.

 

ITEM 3 : DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 4 : SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

The Company’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 25, 2005. Proxies were solicited by the Company’s management pursuant to Regulation 14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There was no solicitation in opposition to Management’s nominees for directorship as listed in the proxy statement, and all of such nominees were elected pursuant to the vote of shareholders. The directors noted below were elected to two-year terms. The votes tabulated were:

 

     Authority
Given


   Authority
Withheld


Albert L. Berra

   7,401,714    11,055

Vincent L. Jurkovich

   7,402,914    9,855

Robert H. Tienken

   7,400,341    12,428

Gordon T. Woods

   7,400,114    12,655

 

There were no broker non-votes received with respect to this item.

 

The terms of the following directors elected in 2004 continued after the shareholders’ meeting: Gregory A. Childress, Robert L. Fields, James C. Holly, Howard H. Smith, and Morris A. Tharp.

 

ITEM 5 : OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable

 

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ITEM 6 : EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


2    Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger dated December 14, 2000 by and among Bank of the Sierra, Sierra Bancorp, Sierra Merger Corporation (effective August 10, 2001) (1)
3.1    Articles of Incorporation of Sierra Bancorp (1)
3.2    Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Sierra Bancorp (1)
3.3    By-laws of Sierra Bancorp (1)
10.1    1998 Stock Option Plan (1)
10.2    Indenture dated as of November 28, 2001 between Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (2)
10.3    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Capital Trust I, dated as of November 28, 2001 (2)
10.4    Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of November 28, 2001 (2)
10.5    Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (3)
10.6    Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth E. Goodwin (3)
10.7    Salary Continuation Agreement for James C. Holly (3)
10.8    Salary Continuation Agreement for Charlie C. Glenn (3)
10.9    Indenture dated as of March 17, 2004 between U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (4)
10.10    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Statutory Trust II, dated as of March 17, 2004 (4)
10.11    Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of March 17, 2004 (4)
11    Statement of Computation of Per Share Earnings (5)
14    Code of Ethics (6)
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Section 302 Certification)
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Section 302 Certification)
32    Certification of Periodic Financial Report (Section 906 Certification)

(1) Filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of Sierra Bancorp on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (Registration No. 333-53178) on January 4, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(2) Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(3) Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(4) Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 14, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(5) Computation of earnings per share is incorporated herein by reference to Note 6 of the Financial Statements included herein.

 

(6) Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:

 

August 8, 2005

      /s/ James C. Holly

Date

     

SIERRA BANCORP

       

James C. Holly

       

President &

Chief Executive Officer

August 8, 2005

      /s/ Kenneth R. Taylor

Date

     

SIERRA BANCORP

       

Kenneth R. Taylor

       

Senior Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer

 

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