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SMARTFINANCIAL INC. - Quarter Report: 2011 September (Form 10-Q)

Unassociated Document
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________to                       

Commission File Number: 000-30497

 
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

Tennessee
 
62-1173944
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
835 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, Tennessee
 
37402
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
423-385-3000
 
Not Applicable
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal
 
  
year, if changes 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  x    No  ¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  ¨     Accelerated filer  ¨     Non-accelerated filer  ¨     Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  ¨    No  x

As of November 1, 2011 there were 6,500,396 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, issued and outstanding.

 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I –FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)
4
   
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  30
   
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
  42
   
Item 4T.Controls and Procedures
  42
   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
  42
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors
  42
   
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  42
   
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
  42
   
Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]
  42
   
Item 5. Other Information
  42
   
Item 6. Exhibits
  42

 
2

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) may from time to time make written or oral statements, including statements contained in this report (including, without limitation, certain statements in “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 2), that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “consider,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “should,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but other statements may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements should be considered subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s belief as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Cornerstone’s actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. Such factors include, without limitation, those specifically described in Item 1A of Part I of Cornerstone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as the following:  (i) the ability of Cornerstone Community Bank (the “Bank”) to comply with the requirements of the consent order issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on April 2, 2010 or the written agreement entered with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions on April 8, 2010 (collectively, the “Action Plans”); (ii) the ability of Cornerstone to raise additional capital necessary to retire certain holding company loans and enable the Bank to achieve and maintain the elevated capital levels required under the Action Plans; (iii) unanticipated deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (iv) increased competition with other financial institutions; (v) changes in economic conditions in Cornerstone’s market area; (vi) rapid fluctuations or unanticipated changes in interest rates; (vii) the effect on Cornerstone and the financial institutions and banking industry from difficult market conditions, unprecedented volatility and the soundness of other financial institutions; (viii) the ability of Cornerstone to restructure its loan portfolio to acceptable levels and composition; (ix) the effect of recent legislative and regulatory initiatives; and (x) changes in the legislative and regulatory environment. Many of such factors are beyond Cornerstone’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Cornerstone does not intend to update or reissue any forward-looking statements contained in this report as a result of new information or other circumstances that may become known to Cornerstone.

 
3

 
 
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
   
Unaudited
       
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
ASSETS
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 1,084,209     $ 1,490,030  
Interest-bearing deposits at other financial institutions
    31,850,143       21,491,922  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    32,934,352       22,981,952  
                 
Securities available for sale
    93,666,153       108,250,434  
Securities held to maturity (fair value approximates of $78,053 and $98,388  at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)
    75,810       95,702  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    2,322,900       2,322,900  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $6,864,196 at September 30, 2011 and $9,132,171 at December 31, 2010
    263,536,587       276,114,617  
Bank premises and equipment, net
    5,676,290       8,047,370  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,337,407       1,326,480  
Foreclosed assets
    18,254,741       12,808,838  
Other assets
    8,560,558       9,551,121  
Total Assets
  $ 426,364,798     $ 441,499,414  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Deposits:
               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 40,115,385     $ 28,980,043  
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    22,773,718       24,834,214  
Savings deposits and money market accounts
    43,477,203       34,041,672  
Time deposits
    216,185,314       247,591,161  
Total deposits
    322,551,620       335,447,090  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    26,053,577       24,325,372  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    43,045,000       54,715,000  
Accrued interest payable
    90,706       176,761  
Other liabilities
    2,176,468       1,016,038  
Total Liabilities
    393,917,371       415,680,261  
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Preferred stock - no par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; 300,060 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 114,540 shares issued and outstanding in 2010
    7,300,221       2,727,424  
Common stock - $l.00 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,709,199 issued in 2011 and 2010; 6,500,396 outstanding in 2011 and 2010
    6,500,396       6,500,396  
Additional paid-in capital
    21,296,653       21,237,298  
Retained deficit
    (3,725,732 )     (4,317,130 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,075,889       (328,835 )
Total Stockholders' Equity
    32,447,427       25,819,153  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 426,364,798     $ 441,499,414  

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an intergral part of these statements.
 
 
4

 

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
INTEREST INCOME
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 4,531,390     $ 5,159,963     $ 13,691,565     $ 16,602,155  
Investment securities
    573,699       753,783       1,763,479       3,099,362  
Federal funds sold & other earning assets
    9,269       19,289       37,597       64,682  
Total interest income
    5,114,358       5,933,035       15,492,641       19,766,199  
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Time deposits
    899,554       1,385,938       2,963,779       4,689,208  
Other deposits
    111,985       92,437       304,533       289,766  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    33,135       31,649       97,850       99,206  
FHLB advances and other borrowings
    465,534       665,961       1,590,605       2,204,961  
Total interest expense
    1,510,208       2,175,985       4,956,767       7,283,141  
                                 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
    3,604,150       3,757,050       10,535,874       12,483,058  
Provision for loan losses
    115,000       681,000       145,000       3,161,000  
Net interest income after the provision for loan losses
    3,489,150       3,076,050       10,390,874       9,322,058  
                                 
NONINTEREST INCOME
                               
Customer service fee
    216,163       308,579       656,877       992,619  
Net gains from sale of securities
    59,671       1,058,549       107,413       1,698,136  
Net gains from sale of loans and other assets
    32,322       34,663       87,866       164,549  
Other noninterest income
    15,256       14,214       57,066       55,585  
Total noninterest income
    323,412       1,416,005       909,222       2,910,889  
                                 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    1,458,951       1,525,311       4,503,489       4,679,871  
Net occupancy and equipment expense
    361,513       397,461       1,118,127       1,121,150  
Depository insurance
    233,587       385,722       797,747       915,365  
Foreclosed assets, net
    306,860       905,504       1,384,935       1,898,022  
Other operating expense
    715,858       995,082       2,346,493       2,879,029  
Total noninterest expense
    3,076,769       4,209,080       10,150,791       11,493,437  
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    735,793       282,975       1,149,305       739,510  
Provision for income taxes
    212,125       69,301       232,075       163,903  
                                 
Net income
    523,668       213,674       917,230       575,607  
                                 
Preferred stock dividend requirements
    118,013       -       303,413       -  
Accretion on preferred stock discount
    13,419       -       22,419       -  
                                 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 392,236     $ 213,674     $ 591,398     $ 575,607  
                                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
                               
Basic net income per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.03     $ 0.09     $ 0.09  
Diluted net income per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.03     $ 0.09     $ 0.09  
                                 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an intergral part of these statements.
  
 
5

 
 
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Unaudited
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
                                 
Accumulated
       
                     
Additional
         
Other
   
Total
 
   
Comprehensive
   
Preferred
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                           
BALANCE, December 31, 2010
        $ 2,727,424     $ 6,500,396     $ 21,237,298     $ (4,317,130 )   $ (328,835 )   $ 25,819,153  
                                                       
Employee compensation stock option expense
          -       -       59,355       -       -       59,355  
                                                       
Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
          4,550,378       -       -       -       -       4,550,378  
                                                       
Preferred stock dividends
          -       -       -       (303,413 )     -       (303,413 )
                                                       
Accrection on preferred stock
          22,419       -       -       (22,419 )     -       -  
                                                       
Comprehensive income:
                                                     
Net income
  $ 917,230       -       -       -       917,230       -       917,230  
                                                         
                                                         
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                       
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale, net of reclassification adjusment
    1,404,724       -       -       -       -       1,404,724       1,404,724  
                                                         
Total comprehensive income
  $ 2,321,954                                                  
                                                         
BALANCE, September 30, 2011
          $ 7,300,221     $ 6,500,396     $ 21,296,653     $ (3,725,732 )   $ 1,075,889     $ 32,447,427  
 
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an intergral part of these statements.
 
 
6

 
  
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
   
Unaudited
 
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 917,230     $ 575,607  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    269,503       342,243  
Provision for loan losses
    145,000       3,161,000  
Stock compensation expense
    59,355       55,959  
Net (gains) losses on sales of loans and other assets
    870,978       (930,513 )
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
               
Net change in loans held for sale
    (501,300 )     (574,000 )
Accrued interest receivable
    (10,927 )     64,385  
Accrued interest payable
    (86,055 )     19,562  
Other assets and liabilities
    1,440,032       6,645,833  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    3,103,816       9,360,076  
                 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Proceeds from security transactions:
               
Securities available for sale
    34,307,143       105,149,214  
Securities held to maturity
    19,483       33,438  
Purchase of securities available for sale
    (17,325,386 )     (86,105,614 )
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    -       (93,700 )
Loan originations and principal collections, net
    3,205,690       33,136,548  
Purchase of bank premises and equipment
    -       (859,445 )
Proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment
    88,344       199,664  
Proceeds from sale of other real estate and other assets
    5,143,610       5,874,665  
Net cash provided by investing activities
    25,438,884       57,334,770  
                 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Net decrease in deposits
    (12,895,470 )     (53,375,285 )
Net increase  (decrease)  in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,728,205       10,859,712  
Net payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    (11,670,000 )     (10,585,000 )
Payment of dividends on preferred stock
    (303,413 )     -  
Issuance of preferred stock
    4,550,378       1,424,173  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (18,590,300 )     (51,676,400 )
                 
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    9,952,400       15,018,446  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,  beginning of period
    22,981,952       38,202,205  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
  $ 32,934,352     $ 53,220,651  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 5,042,822     $ 7,263,579  
Cash paid during the period for taxes
    -       500,000  
                 
                 
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Acquisition of real estate through foreclosure
  $ 9,808,944     $ 9,648,190  
 
The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
7

 
    
CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 
Note 1. Presentation of Financial Information

Nature of Business-Cornerstone is a bank holding company whose primary business is performed by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cornerstone Community Bank (the “Bank”).  The Bank provides a full range of banking services to the Chattanooga, Tennessee market.  The Bank has also established a loan production office (“LPO”) in Dalton, Georgia to further enhance the Bank’s lending markets.  The Bank specializes in small business and commercial lending.  The Bank has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Eagle Financial, Inc. (“Eagle”), which specializes in finance and accounts receivable factoring.

Interim Financial Information (Unaudited)-The financial information in this report for September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 has not been audited. The information included herein should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders which was furnished to each shareholder of Cornerstone in April of 2011. The consolidated financial statements presented herein conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general industry practices.  In the opinion of Cornerstone’s management, the accompanying interim financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial condition, the results of operations, and cash flows for the interim period. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

Use of Estimates-The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the determination of the allowance for loan losses.

Consolidation-The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cornerstone, the Bank  and Eagle.   Substantially all intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated.

Reclassification-Certain amounts in the prior consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

Accounting Policies-During interim periods, Cornerstone follows the accounting policies set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Since December 31, 2010, there have been no significant changes in any accounting principles or practices, or in the method of applying any such principles or practices, except for the following:

In January 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-01, Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20 (ASU 2011-01).  The FASB determined that certain provisions relating to troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) should be deferred until additional guidance and clarification on the definition of TDRs is issued. 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring (ASU 2011-02). ASU 2011-02 amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 310, Receivables, by clarifying guidance for creditors in determining whether a concession has been granted and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  The amendments are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption.  ASU 2011-02 also makes disclosure requirements deferred under ASU 2011-01 effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-01 does not have a significant impact on Cornerstone’s financial statements.

 
8

 
 
 CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements (ASU 2011-03), intended to improve financial reporting of repurchase agreements and refocus the assessment of effective control on a transferor’s contractual rights and obligations rather than practical ability to perform those rights and obligations.  The guidance in ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, the adoption of ASU 2011-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) on fair value measurement.  A variety of measures are included in the update intended to either clarify existing fair value measurement requirements, change particular principles requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements.  For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend to change the application of existing requirements under the ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements.  ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and early application is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have on its financial statements.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), intended to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and to facilitate convergence of accounting guidance in this area with that of the IASB.  The amendments require that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  Amendments under ASU 2011-05 for public entities should be applied retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning December 15, 2011.  The Company is evaluating the impact adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have on its financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU 2011-08).  ASU 2011-08 amends Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, to give entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary.  However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2011, and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Allowance for loan losses — The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that management believes to be adequate to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when they are known. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the portfolio, current economic conditions, volume, growth, composition of the loan portfolio, homogeneous pools of loans, risk ratings of specific loans, historical loan loss factors, loss experience of various loan segments, identified impaired loans and other factors related to the portfolio. This evaluation is performed at least quarterly and is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that are susceptible to significant change including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on any impaired loans.

As part of management’s quarterly assessment of the allowance, management divides the loan portfolio into five segments:  commercial-real estate mortgage (includes owner-occupied and all other), consumer-real estate mortgage, construction and land development, commercial and industrial and consumer and other.  Each segment is then analyzed such that a specific and general allocation of the allowance is estimated for each loan segment.  

 
9

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The first general component of Cornerstone’s allowance for loan losses estimate involves the  use of a historic loss model to estimate future losses.  The model includes each of the five loan portfolio segments and records the incurred losses over the last twelve months.  The historic loss percentages derived from this model are then applied to the outstanding non-impaired loan balance for each loan category.  The amounts for each loan category are then summed to determine the amount of loan and lease loss allowance required.

The estimated general loan loss allocation for all five loan portfolio segments is then adjusted for management’s estimate of probable losses for several environmental factors. The allocation for environmental factors is particularly subjective. This amount represents estimated probable inherent credit losses which exist, but have not yet been identified, as of the balance sheet date, and is based upon quarterly trend assessments in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, unanticipated charge-offs, credit concentration changes, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending personnel experience, changes in lending policies or procedures and other influencing factors.  These environmental factors are considered for each of the loan segments, and the general allowance allocation, as determined by the processes noted above for each component, is increased or decreased based on the incremental assessment of these various environmental factors.  The assessment also includes an unallocated component.  Cornerstone believes that the unallocated amount is warranted for inherent factors that cannot be practically assigned to individual loan categories, such as the imprecision in the overall loss allocation measurement process, the volatility of the local economies in the markets the Bank serves and imprecision in the credit risk ratings process.

The final component is the specific reserve for loans classified as impaired.  In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, Cornerstone also considers the results of our ongoing independent loan review process.  Cornerstone undertakes this process both to ascertain whether there are loans in the portfolio whose credit quality has weakened over time and to assist in the overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio.  Cornerstone’s loan review process includes the judgment of management, independent loan reviewers, and reviews that may have been conducted by third-party reviewers. Cornerstone incorporates relevant loan review results in the loan impairment determination. For each impaired loan, management determines the impaired amount and assigns a specific reserve.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review Cornerstone’s allowance for loan losses, and may require the company to record adjustments to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Earnings per Common Share- Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period (denominator). Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator). The adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding reflects the potential dilution occurring if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock resulting in the issuance of common stock that share in the earnings of the entity.

 
10

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010.

   
Three Months Ended September30,
 
  
 
2011
   
2010
 
Basic earnings per common share calculation:
               
Numerator: Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 392,236     $ 213,674  
                 
Denominator: Weighted avg. common shares outstanding
    6,500,396       6,500,396  
Effect of dilutive stock options
    -       -  
Diluted shares
    6,500,396       6,500,396  
                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.03  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.03  
       
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2011     2010  
Basic earnings per common share calculation:
               
Numerator: Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 591,398     $ 575,607  
                 
Denominator: Weighted avg. common shares outstanding
    6,500,396       6,500,396  
Effect of dilutive stock options
    -       -  
Diluted shares
    6,500,396       6,500,396  
                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.09  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.09  

Note 2. Stock Based Compensation

Accounting Policies- Cornerstone, as required by FASB, applies the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Compensation –Stock Compensation.  As a result, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011, the compensation cost charged to earnings related to the vested incentive stock options was approximately $60,000, which had no material impact on earnings per share.

Officer and Employee Plans-Cornerstone has two stock option plans under which officers and employees can be granted incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options to purchase a total of up to 1,420,000 shares of Cornerstone’s common stock.  The exercise price for incentive stock options must be not less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.  The exercise price of the non-qualified stock options may be equal to or more or less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant.  The incentive stock options vest 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date, 60% on the third anniversary of the grant date and 100% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, and the non-qualified stock options vest 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 100% on the second anniversary of the grant date.  The options expire ten years from the grant date.  At September 30, 2011, the total remaining compensation cost to be recognized on non-vested options is approximately $330,000.  A summary of the status of these stock option plans is presented in the following table:

 
11

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

             
Weighted-
     
             
Average
     
         
Weighted
 
Contractual
     
         
Average
 
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
         
Exercisable
 
Term
 
Intrinsic
 
   
Number
   
Price
 
(in years)
 
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    520,900     $ 5.79  
4.0 Years
  $ -  
Granted
    216,000       1.70  
9.7 Years
    -  
Exercised
    -       -            
Forfeited
    149,300       4.59            
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    587,600     $ 4.63  
6.0 Years
    -  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011
    296,915     $ 6.66         -  

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $0.83.  This was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Dividend yield
    0.0 %
Expected life
 
7.0 Years
 
Expected volatility
    43.11 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.81 %

Board of Directors Plan-Cornerstone has a stock option plan under which members of the Board of Directors, at the formation of the Bank, were granted options to purchase a total of up to 600,000 shares of the Bank's common stock.  On October 15, 1997, the Bank stock options were converted to Cornerstone stock options.  Only non-qualified stock options may be granted under the plan.  The exercise price of each option equals the market price of Cornerstone’s stock on the date of grant and the maximum term is ten years.  Vesting is 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date and 100% on the second anniversary of the grant date.  At September 30, 2011, there was no remaining compensation cost to be recognized on non-vested options.  A summary of the status of this stock option plan is presented in the following table:

             
Weighted-
     
             
Average
     
         
Weighted
 
Contractual
     
         
Average
 
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
         
Exercisable
 
Term
 
Intrinsic
 
   
Number
   
Price
 
(in years)
 
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    100,250     $ 9.42  
5.7 Years
  $ -  
Granted
    -       -            
Exercised
    -       -            
Forfeited
    -       -            
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    100,250     $ 9.42  
5.0 Years
  $ -  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011
    100,250     $ 9.42         -  

 
12

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 3. Securities

 
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized as follows:

 
   
September 30, 2011
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Debt securities available-for-sale:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 4,249,722     $ 14,336     $ -     $ 4,264,058  
                                 
State and municipal securities
    20,877,531       1,387,658       -       22,265,189  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
    12,185,652       192,754       -       12,378,406  
                                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies
    54,599,710       168,517       (9,727 )     54,758,500  
                                 
    $ 91,912,615     $ 1,763,265     $ (9,727 )   $ 93,666,153  
                                 
Debt securities held to maturity:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
  $ 75,810     $ 2,243     $ -     $ 78,053  

 
13

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Debt securities available-for-sale:
                               
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 4,571,444     $ 15,635     $ -     $ 4,587,079  
                                 
State and municipal securities
    20,868,771       191,429       (323,988 )     20,736,212  
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
    18,747,272       130,609       (24,856 )     18,853,025  
                                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies
    64,575,092       135,479       (636,453 )     64,074,118  
                                 
    $ 108,762,579     $ 473,152     $ (985,297 )   $ 108,250,434  
                                 
Debt securities held to maturity:
                               
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
  $ 95,702     $ 2,686     $ -     $ 98,388  

At September 30, 2011, securities with a fair value totaling approximately $91 million were pledged to secure public funds, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the Federal Home Loan Bank (sometimes referred to herein as “FHLB”) as collateral for the Bank’s borrowings, as collateral for federal funds purchased from other financial institutions and serve as collateral at the Federal Reserve Discount Window.

The amortized cost and estimated market value of securities at September 30, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

   
Securities Available-for-Sale
   
Securities Held to Maturity
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 299,926     $ 300,794     $ -     $ -  
Due from one year to five years
    1,174,796       1,272,488       -       -  
Due from five years to ten years
    4,405,250       4,787,848       -       -  
Due after ten years
    19,247,281       20,168,117       -       -  
    $ 25,127,253     $ 26,529,247     $ -     $ -  
                                 
                                 
Mortgage-backed securities
    66,785,362       67,136,906       75,810       78,053  
                                 
    $ 91,912,615     $ 93,666,153     $ 75,810     $ 78,053  

 
14

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities available for sale have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 2011 and as of December 31, 2010:

   
As of September 30, 2011
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies
  $ 9,797,761     $ (9,727 )   $ -     $ -     $ 9,797,761     $ (9,727 )
    $ 9,797,761     $ (9,727 )   $ -     $ -     $ 9,797,761     $ (9,727 )

   
As of December 31, 2010
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
Debt securities available for sale:
                                   
State and municipal securities
  $ 6,110,458     $ (154,802 )   $ 6,440,892     $ (169,186 )   $ 12,551,350     $ (323,988 )
                                                 
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
    5,647,347       (24,856 )     -       -       5,647,347       (24,856 )
                                                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies
    34,694,782       (636,453 )     -       -       34,694,782       (636,453 )
    $ 46,452,587     $ (816,111 )   $ 6,440,892     $ (169,186 )   $ 52,893,479     $ (985,297 )

Upon acquisition of a security, the Bank determines the appropriate impairment model that is applicable.  If the security is a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets, the Bank uses the beneficial interests in securitized financial assets impairment model.  If the security is not a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets, the Bank uses the debt and equity securities impairment model.  The Bank conducts periodic reviews to evaluate each security to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  The Bank does not have any securities that have been classified as other-than-temporarily-impaired at September 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

 
15

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the significant categories of temporarily impaired securities, and management’s evaluation of those securities are as follows:

Mortgage-backed securities:  At September 30, 2011, 4 investments in residential mortgage-backed securities had unrealized losses.  This impairment is believed to be caused by the current interest rate environment.  The contractual cash flows of those investments are guaranteed or issued by an agency of the U.S. Government.  Because the decline in market value is attributable to the current interest rate environment and not credit quality, and because the Bank does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the Bank does not deem those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011.

Note 4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, loans are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Commercial real estate-mortgage:
           
Owner-occupied
  $ 63,405     $ 64,971  
All other
    62,009       64,060  
Consumer real estate-mortgage
    68,466       71,878  
Construction and land development
    32,808       29,848  
Commercial and industrial
    40,880       51,160  
Consumer and other
    2,833       3,330  
Total loans
    270,401       285,247  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (6,864 )     (9,132 )
                 
Loans, net
  $ 263,537     $ 276,115  

The composition of loans by primary loan classification as well as impaired and performing loan status at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is summarized in the tables below (amounts in thousands):

September 30, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Performing loans
  $ 113,077     $ 61,561     $ 31,131     $ 40,075     $ 2,833     $ 248,677  
Impaired loans
    12,337       6,905       1,677       805       -       21,724  
Total
  $ 125,414     $ 68,466     $ 32,808     $ 40,880     $ 2,833     $ 270,401  
                                                 
December 31, 2010
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
                 
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
         
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Performing loans
  $ 119,084     $ 61,455     $ 27,774     $ 50,492     $ 3,279     $ 262,084  
Impaired loans
    9,947       10,423       2,074       668       51       23,163  
Total
  $ 129,031     $ 71,878     $ 29,848     $ 51,160     $ 3,330     $ 285,247  

 
16

 
  
CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The following tables show the allowance allocation by loan classification for impaired and performing loans as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

September 30, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
Allowance related to:
 
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Performing loans
  $ 1,798     $ 993     $ 467     $ 596     $ 52     $ 3,906  
Impaired loans
    1,312       1,214       40       392       -       2,958  
Total
  $ 3,110     $ 2,207     $ 507     $ 988     $ 52     $ 6,864  

December 31, 2010
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
Allowance related to:
 
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Performing loans
  $ 887     $ 691     $ 3,178     $ 588     $ 48     $ 5,392  
Impaired loans
    906       2,420       60       337       17       3,740  
Total
  $ 1,793     $ 3,111     $ 3,238     $ 925     $ 65     $ 9,132  

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the nine month period ending September 30, 2011 and year ending December 31, 2010 by loan classification (amounts in thousands):

September 30, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Beginning balance
  $ 1,793     $ 3,111     $ 3,238     $ 925     $ 65     $ 9,132  
Charged-off loans
    (1,221 )     (1,509 )     (73 )     (28 )     (24 )     (2,855 )
Recovery of charge-offs
    250       33       58       72       29       442  
Provision for loan losses
    2,288       572       (2,716 )     19       (18 )     145  
Ending balance
  $ 3,110     $ 2,207     $ 507     $ 988     $ 52     $ 6,864  

December 31, 2010
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Beginning balance
  $ 1,189     $ 719     $ 3,179     $ 786     $ 32     $ 5,905  
Charged-off loans
    (2,309 )     (562 )     (1,260 )     (443 )     (114 )     (4,688 )
Recovery of charge-offs
    213       54       19       282       56       624  
Provision for loan losses
    2,700       2,900       1,300       300       91       7,291  
Ending balance
  $ 1,793     $ 3,111     $ 3,238     $ 925     $ 65     $ 9,132  

Credit quality indicators:

Federal regulations require the Bank to review and classify its assets on a regular basis.  To fulfill this requirement the Bank systematically reviews its loan portfolio to ensure the Bank’s large loan relationships are being maintained within its loan policy guidelines, remains properly underwritten and is properly classified by loan grade.  This review process is performed by the Bank's management, loan review, internal auditors, external auditors, and state and federal regulators.

 
17

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The Bank’s loan grading process is as follows:

 
§
All loans are assigned a loan grade at the time of origination by the relationship manager.  Typically, a loan is assigned a loan grade of “pass” at origination.

 
§
Loans greater than or equal to $500 thousand are reviewed by the Bank’s internal loan review department within 90 days of origination.

 
§
Loan relationships greater than or equal to $1 million are reviewed annually by the internal loan review department.

 
§
The Bank’s internal loan review department samples approximately 25 percent of all other loans less than $1 million on an annual basis for review.

 
§
If a loan is delinquent 60 days or more or a pattern of delinquency exists the loan will be selected for review.

 
§
Generally, all loans on the Bank’s internal watchlist are reviewed annually by internal loan review.

 
§
The Bank also contracts with an independent third party to perform loan reviews.  This external party reviews approximately 40 percent of the Bank’s loan portfolio annually.

If a loan is classified as a problem asset it will be assigned one of the following loan grades:  substandard, substandard-impaired, doubtful, and loss. “Substandard assets” must have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. “Doubtful assets” have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified “loss” is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. The regulations also provide for a “special mention” category, described as assets which do not currently expose an institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification but do possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving close attention. When the Bank classifies an asset as substandard, substandard-impaired or doubtful a specific allowance for loan losses may be established.

 
18

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The following table outlines the amount of each loan classification  and the amount categorized into each risk rating as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

September 30, 2011
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Pass
  $ 101,772     $ 52,582     $ 28,579     $ 34,363     $ 2,791     $ 220,087  
Special mention
    10,199       5,146       1,692       5,435       18       22,490  
Substandard
    1,106       3,833       860       277       24       6,100  
Substandard-impaired
    9,802       6,905       1,677       805       -       19,189  
Doubtful
    2,535       -       -       -       -       2,535  
    $ 125,414     $ 68,466     $ 32,808     $ 40,880     $ 2,833     $ 270,401  

December 31, 2010
 
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Construction
   
Commercial
             
   
Real Estate-
   
Real Estate-
   
and Land
   
and
   
Consumer
       
   
Mortgage
   
Mortgage
   
Development
   
Industrial
   
and Other
   
Total
 
Pass
  $ 97,692     $ 49,974     $ 24,401     $ 41,963     $ 3,215     $ 217,245  
Special mention
    19,289       3,786       2,121       7,405       54       32,655  
Substandard
    2,103       7,695       1,252       1,124       10       12,184  
Substandard-impaired
    9,947       10,423       2,074       668       51       23,163  
    $ 129,031     $ 71,878     $ 29,848     $ 51,160     $ 3,330     $ 285,247  

After the Bank’s independent loan review department completes the loan grade assignment, a loan impairment analysis is performed on loans graded substandard or worse. The following tables present summary information pertaining to impaired loans by loan classification as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

                     
For the nine months ended
 
   
At September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Income
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Recognized
 
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance:
                             
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 8,002     $ 8,005     $ -     $ 4,705     $ 434  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    2,864       2,996       -       3,758       54  
Construction and land development
    1,379       1,379       -       1,341       13  
Commercial and industrial
    282       282       -       552       32  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       -          
Total
  $ 12,527     $ 12,662     $ -     $ 10,356     $ 533  
                                         
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance:
                                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 4,335     $ 4,347     $ 1,312     $ 5,573     $ 131  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    4,041       4,203       1,214       6,141       125  
Construction and land development
    298       300       40       145       -  
Commercial and industrial
    523       523       392       807       55  
Consumer and other
    -       -       -       49       -  
Total
  $ 9,197     $ 9,373     $ 2,958     $ 12,715       311  
                                         
Total impaired loans
  $ 21,724     $ 22,035     $ 2,958     $ 23,071     $ 844  

 
19

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

                     
For the year ended
 
   
At December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
 
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance:
                       
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 1,663     $ 2,163     $ -     $ 2,747  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    998       998       -       776  
Construction and land development
    1,793       1,793       -       1,526  
Commercial and industrial
    70       70       -       782  
Consumer and other
    2       2       -       1  
Total
  $ 4,526     $ 5,026     $ -     $ 5,832  
                                 
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance:
                               
Commercial real estate – mortgage
  $ 8,284     $ 8,284     $ 906     $ 8,494  
Consumer real estate – mortgage
    9,425       9,425       2,420       8,968  
Construction and land development
    281       281       60       2,674  
Commercial and industrial
    598       598       337       1,060  
Consumer and other
    49       49       17       178  
Total
  $ 18,637     $ 18,637     $ 3,740     $ 21,374  
                                 
Total impaired loans
  $ 23,163     $ 23,663     $ 3,740     $ 27,206  

Interest income recognized on impaired loans was approximately $943,000 for the year ending December 31, 2010.

The following tables present an aged analysis of past due loans as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (amounts in thousands):

September 30, 2011
 
30-89 Days
   
Past Due 90
                         
   
Past Due and
   
Days or More
         
Total
   
Current
   
Total
 
   
Accruing
   
and Accruing
   
Nonaccrual
   
Past Due
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
                               
Owner-occupied
  $ 124     $ -     $ 2,833     $ 2,957     $ 60,448     $ 63,405  
All other
    99       -       789       888       61,121       62,009  
Consumer real estate-mortgage
    1,528       -       3,244       4,772       63,694       68,466  
Construction and land development
    249       -       1,614       1,863       30,945       32,808  
Commercial and industrial
    67       -       65       132       40,748       40,880  
Consumer and other
    21       -       15       36       2,797       2,833  
Total
  $ 2,088     $ -     $ 8,560     $ 10,648     $ 259,753     $ 270,401  

 
20

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

December 31, 2010
 
30-89 Days
   
Past Due 90
                         
   
Past Due and
   
Days or More
         
Total
   
Current
   
Total
 
   
Accruing
   
and Accruing
   
Nonaccrual
   
Past Due
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
Commercial real estate:
 
 
                               
Owner-occupied
  $ 985     $ -     $ 618     $ 1,603     $ 63,368     $ 64,971  
All other
    203       -       7,808       8,011       56,049       64,060  
Consumer real estate-mortgage
    631       -       5,114       5,745       66,133       71,878  
Construction and land development
    317       -       -       317       29,531       29,848  
Commercial and industrial
    116       -       75       191       50,969       51,160  
Consumer and other
    54       -       18       72       3,258       3,330  
Total
  $ 2,306     $ -     $ 13,633     $ 15,939     $ 269,308     $ 285,247  

Impaired loans also include loans that the Bank has elected to formally restructure when, due to the weakening credit status of a borrower, the restructuring may facilitate a repayment plan that seeks to minimize the potential losses that the Bank may have to otherwise incur.  If on nonaccruing status as of the date of restructuring, the loans are included in nonperforming loans and are classified as impaired loans.  Loans that have been restructured that were performing as of the restructure date are reported as troubled debt restructurings.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were $2.5 million and $948 thousand, respectively, of troubled debt restructurings that were performing as of the restructure date.  Troubled commercial loans are restructured by specialists within our Special Asset department and all restructurings are approved by committees and credit officers separate and apart from the normal loan approval process.  These specialists are trained to reduce the Bank’s overall risk and exposure to loss in the event of a restructuring through obtaining either or all of the following:  improved documentation, additional guaranties, increase in curtailments, reduction in collateral terms, additional collateral or other similar strategies.
 
As a result of adopting the amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-02 in the third quarter of 2011, the Bank reassessed all restructurings that occurred on or after January 1, 2011 for identification as troubled debt restructurings.  The Bank's reassessment resulted in no additional restructurings than those previously identified.
 
The following table presents a summary of loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings during the period as of September 30, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

         
Pre-Modification
   
Post-Modification
 
         
Outstanding
Recorded
   
Outstanding
Recorded
 
   
Number of Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
                 
Consumer real estate-mortgage
  4     $ 790     $ 789  
Construction and land development
  2       748       748  
Commercial and industrial
  1       20       20  

The following table presents a summary of loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings during the past twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the period as of September 30, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
           
That Subsequently Defaulted
           
Consumer real estate-mortgage
  2     $ 92  

 
21

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 5. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements - In the normal course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments which include commitments to extend credit (i.e., including unfunded lines of credit) and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are usually the result of lines of credit granted to existing borrowers under agreements that the total outstanding indebtedness will not exceed a specific amount during the term of the indebtedness. Typical borrowers are commercial concerns that use lines of credit to supplement their treasury management functions; thus their total outstanding indebtedness may fluctuate during any time period based on the seasonality of their business and the resultant timing of their cash flows. Other typical lines of credit are related to home equity loans granted to consumers. Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.

Standby letters of credit are generally issued on behalf of an applicant (our customer) to a specifically named beneficiary and are the result of a particular business arrangement that exists between the applicant and the beneficiary. Standby letters of credit have fixed expiration dates and are usually for terms of two years or less unless terminated beforehand due to criteria specified in the standby letter of credit. A typical arrangement involves the applicant routinely being indebted to the beneficiary for such items as inventory purchases, insurance, utilities, lease guarantees or other third party commercial transactions. The standby letter of credit would permit the beneficiary to obtain payment from the  Bank under certain prescribed circumstances. Subsequently, the Bank would then seek reimbursement from the applicant pursuant to the terms of the standby letter of credit.
     
The Bank follows the same credit policies and underwriting practices when making these commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include cash, real estate and improvements, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and personal property.

The contractual amounts of these commitments are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements and would only be reflected if drawn upon. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. However, should the commitments be drawn upon and should customers default on their resulting obligation, the Bank’s maximum exposure to credit loss, without consideration of collateral, is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.

A summary of the Bank’s total contractual amount for all off-balance sheet commitments at September 30, 2011 is as follows:
 
Commitments to extend credit
  $ 27.7 million  
Standby letters of credit
  $ 2.6 million  

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of claims outstanding at September 30, 2011 will not have a material effect on Cornerstone’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 6. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Measurements:

Cornerstone uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  In accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ASC Topic 820, the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.  Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.  Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

 
22

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

ASC Topic 820 provides a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.  If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate.  In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment.  The fair value is a reasonable point within the range that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions.

ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that Cornerstone has the ability to access.

Level 2 - Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following methods and assumptions were used by Cornerstone in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments.  There have been no changes in the methodologies used at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Cash and cash equivalents:

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair values based on the short-term nature of the assets.

Securities:

Fair values are estimated using pricing models and discounted cash flows that consider standard input factors such as observable market data, benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, and credit spreads.  Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.

The carrying value of Federal Home Loan Bank stock approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Loans:

For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.  Fair values for fixed-rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using market interest rates for comparable loans.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 310, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using several methods including collateral value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows.

Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans.  At September 30, 2011, substantially all of the total impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of collateral.  In accordance with ASC Topic 820, impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, Cornerstone records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2.  When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, Cornerstone records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.
 
 
23

 
 
CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 
Cash surrender value of life insurance:

The carrying amounts of cash surrender value of life insurance approximate their fair value.  The carrying amount is based on information received from the insurance carriers indicating the financial performance of the policies and the amount Cornerstone would receive should the policies be surrendered.  Cornerstone reflects these assets within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Foreclosed assets:

Foreclosed assets, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans, is initially recorded at fair value, determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for estimated selling costs.  At the time of foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is treated as a charge against the allowance for loan losses.  Gains or losses on sale and any subsequent adjustment to the fair value are recorded as a component of foreclosed real estate expense.  Foreclosed assets are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Deposits:

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, savings deposits, and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The carrying amounts of variable-rate, fixed-term certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date.  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies market interest rates on comparable instruments to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

The estimated fair value of these liabilities approximates their carrying value.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings:

The carrying amounts of FHLB advances and other borrowings approximate their fair value.

Accrued interest:

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

Commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and lines of credit:

The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

 
24

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows.

         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
   
Significant
 
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Other
 
   
Balance as of
   
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
September 30,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
2011
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Debt securities available for sale:
                       
                         
U.S. Government agencies
  $ 4,264,058     $ -     $ 4,264,058     $ -  
State and municipal securities
    22,265,189       -       22,265,189       -  
Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
Residential mortgage guaranteed by GNMA
    12,378,406       -       12,378,406       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies
    54,758,500       -       54,758,500       -  
                                 
Total securities available for sale
  $ 93,666,153     $ -     $ 93,666,153     $ -  
                                 
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  $ 1,158,537     $ -     $ 1,158,537     $ -  

Cornerstone has no assets or liabilities whose fair values are measured on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, which means the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The tables below present information about assets and liabilities on the balance sheet at September 30, 2011 for which a nonrecurring change in fair value was recorded (amount in thousands).

         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
   
Significant
 
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Other
 
   
Balance as of
   
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
September 30,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
   
2011
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
                         
Impaired loans
  $ 6,239     $ -     $ 6,239     $ -  
Foreclosed assets (OREO & Repossessions)
    18,255       -       18,255       -  

Loans include impaired loans held for investment for which an allowance for loan losses has been calculated based upon the fair value of the loans at September 30, 2011.  Losses derived from Level 2 inputs were calculated by models incorporating significant observable market data.

 
25

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of Cornerstone's financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 32,934     $ 32,934     $ 22,982     $ 22,982  
Securities
    93,742       93,744       108,346       108,349  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    2,323       2,323       2,323       2,323  
Loans, net
    263,537       264,515       276,115       277,796  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    1,159       1,159       1,114       1,114  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,337       1,337       1,326       1,326  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    40,115       40,115       28,980       28,980  
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    22,774       22,774       24,834       24,834  
Savings deposits and money market accounts
    43,477       43,477       34,042       34,042  
Time deposits
    216,185       218,072       247,591       249,990  
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    26,054       26,054       24,325       24,325  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    43,045       43,045       54,715       54,715  
Accrued interest payable
    91       91       177       177  
                                 
Unrecognized financial instruments (net of contract amount):
                               
Commitments to extend credit
    -       -       -       -  
Letters of credit
    -       -       -       -  
Lines of credit
    -       -       -       -  

Note 7.  Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income consists of unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale.  The following is a summary of other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 523,668     $ 213,674  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities available for sale, net of reclassification
    509,154       (116,539 )
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 1,032,822     $ 97,135  

 
26

 

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 917,230     $ 575,607  
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale, net of reclassification
    1,404,724       1,071,412  
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,321,954     $ 1,647,019  

 
27

 
 
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Net Interest Margin Analysis
Taxable Equivalent Basis
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
September 30
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
 
Assets
                                   
Earning assets:
                                   
Loans, net of unearned income
  $ 269,715     $ 4,531       6.67 %   $ 305,743     $ 5,160       6.70 %
Investment securities
    108,963       574       2.40 %     116,930       754       2.82 %
Other earning assets
    18,193       9       0.20 %     35,540       19       0.22 %
Total earning assets
    396,872     $ 5,114       5.20 %     458,213     $ 5,933       5.20 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (6,792 )                     (6,655 )                
Cash and other assets
    33,120                       37,213                  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 423,200                     $ 488,771                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 24,197     $ 20       0.33 %   $ 31,858     $ 25       0.31 %
Savings deposits
    9,772       13       0.51 %     9,547       12       0.50 %
MMDA's
    30,975       79       1.01 %     22,961       56       0.97 %
Time deposits
    218,622       900       1.63 %     270,204       1,386       2.04 %
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    23,250       33       0.57 %     23,256       32       0.55 %
Federal Home Loan Bank & other borrowings
    43,078       465       4.29 %     62,612       665       4.21 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    349,894       1,510       1.71 %     420,438       2,176       2.05 %
Net interest spread
          $ 3,604       3.49 %           $ 3,757       3.15 %
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    41,800                       36,875                  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (64 )                     1,103                  
Shareholders' equity
    31,569                       30,355                  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 423,200                     $ 488,771                  
Net yield on earning assets
                    3.69 %                     3.32 %
                                                 
Taxable equivalent adjustment:
                                               
Loans
            0                       0          
Investment securities
            85                       77          
Total adjustment
            85                       77          
 
 
28

 
 
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Net Interest Margin Analysis
Taxable Equivalent Basis
 
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
 
Assets
                                   
Earning assets:
                                   
Loans, net of unearned income
  $ 275,267     $ 13,692       6.65 %   $ 318,985     $ 16,602       6.96 %
Investment securities
    112,850       1,763       2.38 %     134,262       3,099       3.32 %
Other earning assets
    22,496       38       0.22 %     39,634       65       0.22 %
Total earning assets
    410,613     $ 15,493       5.12 %     492,881     $ 19,766       5.42 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (7,707 )                     (6,484 )                
Cash and other assets
    32,538                       31,015                  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 435,444                     $ 517,412                  
                                                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                                               
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing demand deposits
  $ 26,717     $ 65       0.33 %   $ 34,125     $ 91       0.36 %
Savings deposits
    9,737       37       0.51 %     9,124       35       0.51 %
MMDA's
    27,137       202       1.00 %     22,875       164       0.96 %
Time deposits
    233,079       2,964       1.70 %     292,184       4,689       2.15 %
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    23,391       98       0.56 %     23,565       99       0.56 %
Federal Home Loan Bank & other borrowings
    49,329       1,590       4.31 %     68,215       2,205       4.32 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    369,390       4,957       1.79 %     450,088       7,283       2.16 %
Net interest spread
          $ 10,536       3.33 %           $ 12,483       3.26 %
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    37,463                       41,341                  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (81 )                     (3,399 )                
Shareholders' equity
    28,672                       29,382                  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 435,444                     $ 517,412                  
Net yield on earning assets
                    3.51 %                     3.45 %
                                                 
Taxable equivalent adjustment:
                                               
Loans
            0                       0          
Investment securities
            246                       232          
Total adjustment
            246                       232          
 
 
29

 
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cornerstone is a bank holding company and the parent company of the Bank, a Tennessee banking corporation which operates primarily in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The Bank has one wholly owned subsidiary, Eagle, which is an accounts receivable financing company.  The Bank has five full-service banking offices located in Hamilton County, Tennessee, and one loan production office located in Dalton, Georgia.  The Bank’s business consists primarily of attracting deposits from the general public and, with these and other funds, originating real estate loans, consumer loans, business loans, and residential and commercial construction loans. The principal sources of income for the Bank are interest and fees collected on loans, fees collected on deposit accounts, and interest and dividends collected on other investments.  The principal expenses of the Bank are interest paid on deposits, employee compensation and benefits, office expenses, and other overhead expenses. Eagle’s principal source of income is revenue received from the purchase of receivables. Expenses are related to employee compensation and benefits, office and overhead expenses.

The following is a discussion of our financial condition at  September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations which is not otherwise apparent from the consolidated financial statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read along with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere herein.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Cornerstone’s accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the consolidated financial statements and are integral to understanding the MD&A. Critical accounting policies include the initial adoption of an accounting policy that has a material impact on our financial presentation as well as accounting estimates reflected in our financial statements that require us to make estimates and assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time. Disclosure about critical estimates is required if different estimates that Cornerstone reasonably could have used in the current period would have a material impact on the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations. The following is a description of our critical accounting policies.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The allowance for loan losses is established and maintained at levels management deems adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is increased through the provision for loan and lease losses and reduced through loan and lease charge-offs, net of recoveries. The level of the allowance is based on known and inherent risks in the portfolio, past loan loss experience, underlying estimated values of collateral securing loans, current economic conditions and other factors as well as the level of specific impairments associated with impaired loans. This process involves our analysis of complex internal and external variables and it requires that management exercise judgment to estimate an appropriate allowance.

Changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, economic conditions or changes to our estimated risks could require us to significantly decrease or increase the level of the allowance. Such a change could materially impact Cornerstone’s net income as a result of the change in the provision for loan losses. Refer to Note 1 and 4 in the notes to Cornerstone's consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Cornerstone's methodology of establishing the allowance.
 
Estimates of Fair Value
 
Fair value is used on a recurring basis for certain assets and liabilities in which fair value is the primary basis of accounting. Cornerstone’s available for sale securities and cash surrender value of life insurance are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, fair value is used to measure certain assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis. Cornerstone uses fair value on a nonrecurring basis for foreclosed assets and collateral associated with impaired collateral-dependent loans. Fair value is also used in certain impairment valuations, including assessments of goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets.

 
30

 
 
Fair value is the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Estimating fair value in accordance with applicable accounting guidance requires that Cornerstone make a number of significant judgments. Accounting guidance provides three levels of fair value. Level 1 fair value refers to observable market prices for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 fair value refers to similar assets or liabilities with observable market data. Level 3 fair value refers to assets and liabilities where market prices are unavailable or impracticable to obtain for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 valuations require modeling techniques, such as discounted cash flow analyses. These modeling techniques incorporate Cornerstone’s assessments regarding assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or the liability.
 
Changes in fair value could materially impact our financial results. Refer to Note 16, “Fair Value Disclosures,” in the notes to Cornerstone’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the methodology in calculating fair value.
 
Goodwill
 
Cornerstone’s policy is to assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or between annual assessments if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of goodwill below its carrying amount. Impairment is a condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. As more fully described in Note 7, “Goodwill,” in the notes to Cornerstone’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders, Cornerstone recorded a full goodwill impairment during 2010.
 
Income Taxes
 
Cornerstone is subject to various taxing jurisdictions where Cornerstone conducts business.  Cornerstone estimates income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to these jurisdictions. Cornerstone evaluates the reasonableness of our effective tax rate based on a current estimate of annual net income, tax credits, non-taxable income, non-deductible expenses and the applicable statutory tax rates. The estimated income tax expense or benefit is reported in the consolidated statements of income.
 
The accrued tax liability or receivable represents the net estimated amount due or to be received from tax jurisdictions either currently or in the future and are reported in other liabilities or other assets, respectively, in Cornerstone’s consolidated balance sheets. Cornerstone assesses the appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other pertinent information and maintains tax accruals consistent with management’s evaluation. Changes in the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations by tax authorities and newly enacted statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance that could impact the relative merits of tax positions. These changes, if or when they occur, could impact accrued taxes and future tax expense and could materially affect our financial results.
 
Cornerstone periodically evaluates uncertain tax positions and estimates the appropriate level of tax reserves related to each of these positions. Additionally, Cornerstone evaluates its deferred tax assets for possible valuation allowances based on the amounts expected to be realized. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions and deferred tax assets involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity. Changes in the results of these evaluations could have a material impact on our financial results. Refer to Note 9, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to Cornerstone’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders for more information.
 
Consent Order and Written Agreement
 
On April 2, 2010, Cornerstone Community Bank (the "Bank"), the wholly owned subsidiary bank of Cornerstone, entered into a Stipulation to the Issuance of a Consent Order (the "Stipulation") with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC").  Pursuant to the Stipulation, the Bank has consented, without admitting or denying any charges of unsafe or unsound banking practices or violations of law or regulations, to the issuance of a Consent Order (the "Order") by the FDIC, also effective as of April 2, 2010.  On April 8, 2010, the Bank also executed a written agreement (the "Agreement") with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions ("TDFI").
 
The Order and the Agreement (collectively, the "Action Plans") contain substantially similar terms and are based on the findings of the FDIC and TDFI during their joint examination of the Bank commenced on October 8, 2009 (the "Examination"), as disclosed in the Joint Report of Examination (the "Report").  The Order and the Agreement represent agreements between the Bank, on the one hand, and the FDIC and the TDFI, respectively, on the other hand, as to areas of the Bank's operations that warrant improvement and present plans for making those improvements.  The Action Plans impose no fines or penalties on the Bank.
 
 
31

 
Under the terms of each Action Plan, the Bank cannot declare or pay cash dividends without the prior written consent of certain officials of the FDIC and the TDFI (the "Joint Officials").  In addition, the Bank is restricted from extending additional credit to certain borrowers whose existing credit has been classified as "loss," "doubtful" or "substandard" or has been charged off the books of the Bank and, in each case, is uncollected.  The Action Plans further require, at varying times following their respective effective dates, the Bank (or its board of directors, as appropriate) to (i) establish a committee comprised of a majority of non-employee directors to oversee the Bank's compliance with the Action Plans; (ii) prepare and implement a written capital plan to increase the Bank's Tier I Capital and achieve and maintain specified capital ratios, containing a contingency plan (including a plan to sell or merge the Bank) for implementation upon written notice from the Joint Officials in certain events; (iii) retain a bank consultant to develop a written management and staffing plan for implementation by the Bank; (iv) develop and implement specified policies and/or procedures addressing interest rate risk, appraisal weaknesses and credit underwriting and loan administration deficiencies; (v) develop and implement a written plan addressing liquidity and related measures and objectives; (vi) eliminate certain assets classified as "loss" by the FDIC or the TDFI; (vii) formulate and implement certain written plans, including an annual profit plan and budget, a comprehensive strategic plan, a plan to reduce certain impaired assets identified during the Examination, and a plan for the reduction and collection of delinquent loans; (viii) implement a system of monitoring loan documentation exceptions on an ongoing basis and implement procedures designed to reduce their future occurrence; and (ix) eliminate and/or correct the deficiencies and technical exceptions, violations of law and regulation and contraventions of policy noted in the Report.  The Agreement would further require the Bank to develop and implement a written plan for the continued administration of its IT risk management practices and controls.
 
The Bank is required to provide written progress reports to the Joint Officials on a quarterly basis until such time as the requirements of the Action Plans have been accomplished and the FDIC has released the Bank in writing from such obligation.  The Order and the Agreement will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC or the TDFI, respectively.
 
The Bank is in substantial compliance with the terms of the Action Plans.  The Bank has provided quarterly written progress reports to the Joint Officials.  The status of the Bank's compliance with the specific actions required by the Action Plans is discussed in further detail below.
 
The Bank's board of directors established a Consent Order Compliance Committee (the "Committee") comprised of a majority of non-employee directors to oversee the Bank's compliance with the Action Plans.  The Committee's first meeting was held in May, 2010.  The Committee has met monthly since that time and intends to meet monthly until the Bank's responsibilities and obligations under the Action Plans have been fulfilled.
 
The Bank has prepared and is implementing a capital plan.  In furtherance of such capital plan, Cornerstone commenced a public offering in June, 2010 of Cornerstone’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares").  Pursuant to the offering, Cornerstone is selling up to 600,000 Preferred Shares at a price of $25.00 per share.
 
Cornerstone anticipates that the offering will continue to be effective until December 31, 2011.  To date, Cornerstone has raised approximately $7.3 million.
 
The Bank engaged an outside consultant to perform a management and staffing plan.  The consultant submitted its findings and recommendations to the Bank's board of directors, the FDIC and the TDFI.  The Bank's board of directors submitted its management plan to the Joint Officials in April 2011.  After discussing the management plan with the Joint Officials the Bank began implementing its new management plan.  Highlights of the management plan include a reorganization of the Bank’s internal loan review and credit departments.  The Bank’s loan review department was assigned to the Bank’s risk management department to achieve greater independence.  The Bank also assigned additional responsibilities to the Bank’s new Chief Credit Officer with respect to the credit department and the organization’s underwriting process.  Next, the human resources assigned to the Bank’s collection department were reviewed.  After the review, management concluded that additional personnel were needed to assist the Bank in  collecting and resolving problem loans.
 
The Bank enhanced its liquidity policy to include additional liquidity measurements and a revised liquidity contingency funding plan.  In addition to the policy updates, the Bank engaged an outside consultant to perform quarterly liquidity analysis for the Bank's Asset–Liability Committee's ("ALCO") review.  The Bank's board of directors has established liquidity goals and is monitors these levels on a quarterly basis.  The June 30, 2011 report was received and reviewed during the August, 2011 ALCO meeting.
 
 
32

 

The Bank engaged an outside consultant to perform quarterly interest rate risk modeling for the Bank's ALCO committee's review.  The Bank's board of directors has established interest rate sensitivity goals and is monitoring these levels on a quarterly basis.  The June 30, 2011 report was received and reviewed during the August 2011 ALCO meeting.
 
The Bank prepared budgets for its 2011 and 2012 fiscal years and submitted the budgets to the FDIC for review.
 
The Bank prepared a strategic plan and submitted such strategic plan to the FDIC for review.  The primary thrust of the strategic plan is to reduce the Bank's assets to approximately $405 million by December 31, 2011.  The Bank intends to accomplish the reductions by disposing of securities and cash and reducing Federal Home Loan Bank funding and certificates of deposit.  The Bank intends to reduce its loan portfolio to $295 million during this same period.  The reduction in loans and securities will result in a decrease the Bank’s average assets.  A bank’s average assets are included in the calculation of its regulatory capital ratios.  A reduction in average assets will improve the regulatory capital ratios in accordance with the Action Plans.
 
The Bank has prepared a reduction of delinquencies action plan. The Bank has submitted this plan to the Joint Officials.  Important aspects of the delinquency action plan include a prohibition against an extension of credit for the payment of interest on delinquent loans, a requirement to establish specific collection procedures to be instituted at various stages of a borrower’s delinquency and specific reporting requirements informing members of management and the board of directors about existing past due levels.
 
In addition, the Bank has charged off all loans classified by the Joint Officials as "loss."  The Bank maintains a tracking report that it submits to the Joint Officials periodically.  Finally, the Bank's board of directors has created a Loan Review Committee to review the asset quality, concentrations and problem credits within the Bank's loan portfolio.
 
The Bank has addressed all violations and contraventions of policy and has either corrected or is in the process of correcting each such violation or contravention.
 
The Bank has implemented a technical exception tracking system in order to monitor technical exceptions.  In addition, the Bank has drafted and implemented new procedures aimed at reducing technical exceptions noted by regulators during their examinations of the Bank.
 
The Bank has not paid dividends since the inception of the Action Plans.  Cornerstone declared a dividend of $0.625 per share with respect to the Preferred Shares.  The dividend was paid on May 25, 2011 following the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's (the “FRBA”) approval of the dividend on May 23, 2011. Cornerstone also declared and paid a second dividend in 2011 in the amount of $0.625 per share with respect to the Preferred Shares.  The dividend was approved by the FRBA and had a record date of March 31, 2011 and a payment date of September 28, 2011.
 
The Bank is actively monitoring and is not aware of any new extensions of credit to prohibited classified borrowers as of September 30, 2011.
 
Management and the Board have carefully considered the impact of the Action Plans on the Bank’s current and future operations.  Areas that have received additional attention as a result of the Action Plans include the Bank’s liquidity position, overall balance sheet structure, capital and earnings.  The Bank has considered the impact of deposit interest rate restrictions that may impair the Bank’s ability to raise local certificates of deposit.  Management has placed an emphasis on increasing local deposits, reducing its non-core liabilities and establishing a liquidity contingency plan to address potential problems.  The Bank’s overall balance sheet structure has also been considered.  The reduction in assets has impacted the Bank’s earning assets and therefore the Bank’s net interest income.  To offset this reduction the Bank has reduced its cost of funds as well as its non-interest expense over the last two years.  One of the primary impacts of the Order and the Agreement is the need for additional capital.  Cornerstone has incurred additional time and expense to generate its Preferred Stock offering.  The Preferred Stock has an annual ten percent return which will require additional earnings from the Bank to meet the annual dividend requirement.  The Bank’s earnings have been impacted negatively due to the recent regulatory criticism.  One example of the negative impact on earnings is the increased FDIC insurance premiums have been incurred and will continue to be at an elevated level until the Bank’s overall condition improves.
 
 
33

 

Noncompliance with the Action Plans could subject the Bank to an array of penalties, ranging from civil money penalties to a termination of the Bank's deposit insurance for more egregious violations of applicable bank rules and regulations.
 
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (FRBA) Letter
 
Cornerstone received a letter dated March 30, 2010 from its primary banking regulator, the FRBA.  The letter directs Cornerstone to obtain the FRBA's written approval before Cornerstone (i) incurs any indebtedness; (ii) declares or pays any dividends; (iii) redeems any corporate stock; or (iv) makes any other payment representing a reduction in its capital, except for the payment of normal and routine operating expenses.  As noted above, Cornerstone has received FRBA's approval for dividends with respect to the Preferred Shares.  The letter notes that the condition of the Bank has caused Cornerstone to be in "troubled condition" under Regulation Y.  As a result, notice to the FRBA is required before Cornerstone undertakes any changes in senior executive management or directorships, and approval of the FRBA (with the written concurrence of the FDIC) must be obtained before Cornerstone grants or enters into any agreement to provide a golden parachute or severance payment.  To date, Cornerstone is in compliance with the requirements of the FRBA letter.
 
To date the most significant impact of the FRBA’s letter relates to the payment of dividends on the Preferred Shares.  However, Cornerstone has been able to consistently raise additional capital and the company has generated positive earnings during 2011.  These two elements coupled with the Bank’s stabilization of asset quality have, in Cornerstone’s estimation, led to the approval of the Preferred Shares dividend payments.
 
Review of Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2011, Cornerstone had total consolidated assets of $426.4 million, total loans of $270.4 million, total securities of $93.7 million, total deposits of $322.6 million and stockholders’ equity of $32.4 million. Net income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 totaled $523,668 and $917,230, respectively.

Results of Operations

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $523,668 or $0.06 basic earnings per common share, compared to a net income of $213,674 or $0.03 basic earnings per common share, for the same period in 2010.  Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $917,230 or $0.09 basic earnings per common share, compared to a net income of $575,607 or $0.09 basic earnings per common share, for the same period in 2010.

The following table presents our results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (amounts in thousands).

           2011-2010                        2011-2010        
   
Three months
   
Percent
   
Dollar
   
Nine months
   
Percent
   
Dollar
 
   
ended September 30,
   
Increase
   
Amount
   
ended September 30,
   
Increase
   
Amount
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
(Decrease)
   
Change
      2011       2010    
(Decrease)
   
Change
 
Interest income
  $ 5,114     $ 5,933       (13.80 )%   $ (819 )   $ 15,493     $ 19,766       (21.62 )%   $ (4,273 )
Interest expense
    1,510       2,176       (30.61 )%     (666 )     4,957       7,283       (31.94 )%     (2,326 )
Net interest income
                                                               
before provision for loss
    3,604       3,757       (4.07 )%     (153 )     10,536       12,483       (15.60 )%     (1,947 )
                                                                 
Provision for loan loss
    115       681       (83.11 )%     (566 )     145       3,161       (95.41 )%     (3,016 )
Net interest income after
                                                               
provision for loan loss
    3,489       3,076       13.43 %     413       10,391       9,322       11.47 %     1,069  
                                                                 
Total noninterest income
    323       1,416       (77.19 )%     (1,093 )     909       2,911       (68.77 )%     (2,002 )
Total noninterest expense
    3,076       4,209       (26.92 )%     (1,133 )     10,151       11,493       (11.68 )%     (1,342 )
                                                                 
Income before income taxes
    736       283       160.07 %     453       1,149       740       55.27 %     409  
                                                                 
Provision for income taxes
    212       69       207.25 %     143       232       164       41.46 %     68  
                                                                 
Net income
  $ 524     $ 214       144.86 %     310     $ 917     $ 576       59.20 %     341  
 
 
34

 

 
Net Interest Income-Net interest income represents the amount by which interest earned on various earning assets exceeds interest paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income is also the most significant component of our earnings.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, net interest income before the provision for loan loss, decreased $153 thousand or  4.07 percent over the same period of 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, net interest income before the provision for loan loss, decreased $1.9 million or 15.60 percent.

Cornerstone’s interest rate spread on a tax equivalent basis (which is the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities) was 3.49 percent compared to 3.15 percent for the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cornerstone’s interest rate spread for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 was 3.33 percent compared to 3.26 percent for the same time period in 2010.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.69 percent and 3.32 percent for the three month periods ended  September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Cornerstone’s net interest margin for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 was 3.51 percent compared to 3.45 percent for the same period in 2010.

Significant items related to the changes in net interest income, net interest yields and rates, and net interest margin are presented below:
 
Cornerstone’s net interest income has been negatively impacted by a reduction in the Bank’s earning assets.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, Cornerstone had approximately $397 million in average earning assets.  The decrease is approximately $61 million or 13.3 percent.  As a direct result, Cornerstone’s net interest income decreased approximately $153 thousand or 4.1 percent.  Cornerstone was, however, able to improve its net interest margin from 3.32 percent in the third quarter of 2010 to 3.69 for the third quarter of 2011 primarily by reducing its most expensive liabilities.

As of September 30, 2011, the Bank’s total loans equaled approximately $270.4 million compared to approximately $285.2 million as of December 31, 2010.  The reduction in loans is a result of increased loan competition in the Bank’s local market resulting in refinances and loans that have been transferred into the Bank’s other real estate owned asset category as a result of foreclosure.  In response to the decrease in loans, the Bank’s Asset-Liability Committee is proactively managing the Bank’s interest-bearing liabilities which enabled the Bank to reduce its interest expense during the third quarter by approximately $666 thousand or 30.61% when comparing the three months ended September 30, 2011 to September 30, 2010.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Bank was able to reduce its interest expense by approximately $2.3 million or 31.94 percent compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Currently, the Bank is attempting to increase its loan portfolio and thereby improve its net interest income.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2011, the Bank’s investment portfolio yielded 2.38 percent compared to 3.32 percent for the same time period in 2010.  The Bank decreased the amount of its average investment portfolio from approximately $134 million as of September 30, 2010 to approximately $113 million as of September 30, 2011.  The reduction in investments is due in part to a decrease in pledging requirements as the Bank has repaid $27 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances since March 31, 2010.  The Bank currently is invested in GNMA securities and municipal general obligations.  Further, the Bank intends to increase its loan portfolio over the remainder of 2011 and 2012 and plans to fund the loan growth with cash and the liquidation of floating rate securities.

Provision for Loan Losses-The provision for loan losses represents a charge to earnings necessary to establish an allowance for loan losses that, in management’s evaluation, should be adequate to provide coverage for the inherent losses on outstanding loans.  The provision for loan losses amounted to $115 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and $145 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Noninterest Income-Items reported as noninterest income include service charges on checking accounts, insufficient funds charges, automated clearing house (“ACH”) processing fees and the Bank’s secondary mortgage department earnings.  Increases in income derived from service charges and ACH fees are primarily a function of the Bank’s growth while fees from the origination of mortgage loans will often reflect market conditions and fluctuate from period to period.
 
 
35

 

 
The following table presents the components of noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands):
 
           2011-2010            2011-2010  
   
Three months ended
   
Percent
   
Nine months ended
   
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase
   
September 30,
   
Increase
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
(Decrease)
      2011       2010    
(Decrease)
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 216     $ 309       (30.10 )%   $ 657     $ 993       (33.84 )%
Realized gains on sale of securities
    60       1,059       (94.33 )%     107       1,698       (93.70 )%
Net gains / (losses) on sale of loans and other assets
    32       34       (5.88 )%     88       165       (46.67 )%
Other noninterest income
    15       14       7.14 %     57       55       3.64 %
Total noninterest income
  $ 323     $ 1,416       (77.19 )%   $ 909     $ 2,911       (68.77 )%

 
Significant matters relating to the changes in noninterest income are presented below:

The Bank has experienced a decrease in its service charges on deposit accounts during 2011 due to a continued reduction in customer overdraft charges.

The Bank exited the ACH payroll processing business during 2010 due to increased regulatory requirements and expects service charges on deposit accounts to drop approximately $20 thousand a month as a result.

The Bank expects to originate Small Business Administration (“SBA”) qualifying loans and sell the SBA qualified portion of the loans to third parties.  The origination and sale of these loans would increase the Bank’s net gain on sale of loans and other assets.

During 2010, the Bank elected to convert a significant amount of its security portfolio from a fixed interest rate position to a variable interest rate position.  This change negatively impacted the Bank’s investment yield in the short-term.  For example, the yield on investment securities for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was 2.38 percent compared to a nine month yield of 3.32 percent as of September 30, 2010.  The Bank’s Investment Committee and Asset-Liability Committees elected to make this adjustment to provide an interest rate hedge in anticipation of interest rates increasing in the future.  The adjustment of the portfolio also allowed the Bank to realize approximately $1.7 million in gains on the sale of securities during the first nine months of 2010.  The Bank’s Investment Committee has elected to sell a small number of securities in 2011 resulting in a gain of approximately $107 thousand.

Noninterest Expense-Items reported as noninterest expense include salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, depository insurance, net foreclosed assets expense and other operating expense.

 
The following table presents the components of noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands).

           2011-2010            2011-2010  
   
Three months ended
   
Percent
   
Nine months ended
   
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase /
   
September 30,
   
Increase /
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
(Decrease)
      2011       2010    
(Decrease)
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 1,459     $ 1,525       (4.33 )%   $ 4,504     $ 4,680       (3.78 )%
Occupancy and equipment expense
    362       397       (8.82 )%     1,118       1,121       (0.27 )%
Foreclosed asset expense, net
    307       906       (66.11 )%     1,385       1,898       (27.03 )%
FDIC depository insurance
    234       386       (39.38 )%     798       915       (12.79 )%
Other operating expense
    715       995       (28.14 )%     2,346       2,879       (18.51 )%
Total noninterest expense
  $ 3,077     $ 4,209       (26.89 )%   $ 10,151     $ 11,493       (11.69 )%
 
 
36

 

 
Significant matters relating to the changes to noninterest expense are presented below:

Cornerstone reduced its employee expense by controlling cost of living adjustment raises over the last three years and through an overall reduction in employees.  The Bank anticipates employee expense will increase slightly as Cornerstone adds additional talent to handle the increasing regulatory requirements.  The Bank expects employee expense to continue to climb into 2012 as employee benefits are resumed as the Bank’s performance improves.

As of September 30, 2011, the Bank had incurred approximately $1.2 million in write-down of other real estate and repossessed assets.  The write-downs were the result of required annual appraisal updates.  The largest write-down involved a Chattanooga, Tennessee subdivision which declined in value by approximately 25% from the previous appraisal performed in 2010.  The Bank anticipates additional other real estate write-downs during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 due to a declining trend in real estate values.  Finally, during the second quarter, and continuing into the third quarter of 2011, the Bank was able to increase its revenue from its other real estate owned to fully cover the non-write-down expense of the properties.

Depository insurance during the third quarter decreased from approximately $386 thousand as of September 30, 2010 to approximately $234 thousand as of September 30, 2011.  The decrease in insurance assessment was the result of a revision in the FDIC’s assessment methodology.
  
Financial Condition

 
Overview-Cornerstone’s consolidated assets totaled approximately $426.4 million as of September 30, 2011 compared to $441.5 million as of December 31, 2010.

Liabilities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 totaled approximately $393.9 million and $415.7 million, respectively.

Stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 totaled approximately $32.4 million and $25.8 million, respectively.
 
Securities-The Bank’s investment portfolio, primarily consisting of Ginnie Mae Agency, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities, amounted to approximately $93.7 million as of September 30, 2011 compared to approximately $108.3 million as of December 31, 2010. The primary purposes of the Bank’s investment portfolio are to provide liquidity, satisfy pledging requirements, collateralize the Bank’s repurchase accounts and secure the Bank’s FHLB borrowings.

Loans-The composition of loans at September 30, 2011 and at December 31, 2010 and the percentage (%) of each classification to total loans are summarized in the following table (amounts in thousands):

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Commercial real estate-mortgage
                       
Owner-occupied
  $ 63,405       23.45 %   $ 64,971       22.78 %
All other
    62,009       22.93 %     64,060       22.46 %
Consumer real estate-mortgage
    68,466       25.32 %     71,878       25.20 %
Construction and land development
    32,808       12.13 %     29,848       10.46 %
Commercial and industrial
    40,880       15.12 %     51,160       17.94 %
Consumer and other
    2,833       1.05 %     3,330       1.16 %
Total loans
    270,401       100.00 %     285,247       100.00 %
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
    (6,864 )             (9,132 )        
                                 
Loans, net
  $ 263,537             $ 276,115          
 
 
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Allowance for Loan Losses-The allowance for loan losses represents Cornerstone’s assessment of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio. Management analyzes the loan portfolio to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the appropriate provisions required to maintain a level considered adequate to absorb anticipated loan losses.  The Bank uses a risk based approach to calculate the appropriate loan loss allowance in accordance with guidance issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.  Although the Bank performs prudent credit underwriting, no assurances can be given that adverse economic circumstances will not result in increased losses in the loan portfolio and require greater provisions for possible loan losses in the future.
 
During 2011, the Bank added minimal provision to the loan loss allowance. Management believes that it has established an allowance for loan losses that adequately accounts for the Bank’s identified loan impairment.  However, additional provision to the loan loss allowance may be needed in future quarters as the Bank works its problem assets through the collection cycle.
 
The following is a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans as of the end of each period (amounts in thousands):

 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 9,132     $ 5,905  
Loans charged-off
    (2,855 )     (4,688 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
    442       624  
Provision for loan losses
    145       7,291  
Balance, end of period
  $ 6,864     $ 9,132  
                 
Total loans
  $ 270,401     $ 285,247  
                 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding at the end of the period
    2.54 %     3.20 %
                 
Ratio of net charge-offs to total loans outstanding for the period
    0.89 %     1.42 %
  
Non-Performing Assets-The specific economic and credit risks associated with the Bank’s loan portfolio include, but are not limited to, a general downturn in the economy which could affect employment rates in our market area, general real estate market deterioration, interest rate fluctuations, deteriorated or non-existent collateral, title defects, inaccurate appraisals, financial deterioration of borrowers, fraud, and violation of laws and regulations.

The Bank attempts to reduce these economic and credit risks by adherence to a lending policy approved by the Bank’s board of directors.  The Bank’s lending policy establishes loan to value limits, collateral perfection, credit underwriting criteria and other acceptable lending standards.  The Bank classifies loans that are ninety (90) days past due and still accruing interest, renegotiated loans, non-accrual loans, foreclosures and repossessed property as non-performing assets. The Bank’s policy is to categorize a loan on non-accrual status when payment of principal or interest is contractually ninety (90) or more days past due.  At the time the loan is categorized as non-accrual the interest previously accrued but not collected may be reversed and charged against current earnings.

The Bank has experienced a stabilization in its loan quality as the Chattanooga, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area begins to recover from a long economic downturn.  The number and dollar amount of impaired loans remained consistent during 2011 as the Bank continued to systematically review its loan portfolio to proactively identify possible impaired loans.  Management anticipates that its loan asset quality will improve as the economy recovers from the current economic downturn.

 
 
38

 

The following table summarizes Cornerstone’s non-performing assets at each quarter end from December 31, 2010 to September 30, 2011 (amounts in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
Non-accrual loans
  $ 8,560     $ 7,233     $ 6,271     $ 13,633  
Foreclosed assets
    18,255       20,058       20,464       12,809  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 26,815     $ 27,291     $ 26,735     $ 26,442  
                                 
30-89 days past due loans
  $ 2,088     $ 2,046     $ 8,438     $ 2,306  
                                 
Total loans outstanding
  $ 270,401     $ 270,171     $ 273,750     $ 285,247  
                                 
Allowance for loan losses
    6,864       6,814       7,914       9,132  
 
                               
Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans outstanding at the end of the period
    3.17 %     2.68 %     2.29 %     4.78 %
 
                               
Ratio of non-performing assets to total allowance for loan losses at the end of the period
    390.66 %     400.51 %     337.82 %     289.55 %
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Bank continued to experience a reduction in 30-89 days past due loans when compared to the first quarter of 2011.   The decrease is primarily attributable to two relationships.  One of the relationships has moved to the Bank’s other real estate owned and is producing rental income for the Bank.  The second relationship is currently on non-accrual.  However, the borrower is in active negotiations to sell the property and is fully cooperating with the Bank.
 
Non-accrual loans increased during 2011 to approximately $8.6 million as of September 30, 2011.  The slight increase was due to the above mentioned relationship which should be resolved prior to year end 2011.  The non-accrual loan total has another large relationship of approximately $3 million. The relationship is in bankruptcy and the courts are presently making payments on several income producing parcels of commercial real estate.  The two relationships represent approximately 64 percent of the total non-accrual amount.
 
During the third quarter of 2011, the Bank’s foreclosed assets reduced by approximately $1.8 million, of which approximately $1.5 million resulted from sale proceeds.  Management will continue its efforts to liquidate all foreclosed assets, especially non-income producing properties that have a negative impact on earnings.
 
The Bank is experiencing increasing interest in its properties and expects a decrease in the amount of foreclosed assets.  The Bank currently has approximately $500 thousand under contract to sell during the fourth quarter of 2011.  Management expects further sales to finalize during the remainder of 2011 as well.
  
Deposits and Other Borrowings-The Bank’s deposits consist of non-interest bearing demand deposits, interest- bearing demand accounts, savings and money market accounts, and time deposits.  The Bank has agreements with some customers to sell certain of its securities under agreements to repurchase the security the following day.  The Bank has also obtained advances from the FHLB.

 
39

 

 
The following table presents the Bank’s deposits and other borrowings as either core funding or non-core funding.  Core funding consists of all deposits except for time deposits issued in denominations of $100,000 or greater.  All other funding is classified as non-core (amounts in thousands).
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
  
 
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
Core funding:
                               
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
  $ 40,115       10.32 %   $ 28,980       7.07 %
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    22,774       5.86 %     24,834       6.06 %
Savings & money market accounts
    43,477       11.19 %     34,042       8.31 %
Time deposits under $100,000
    115,411       29.70 %     133,626       32.61 %
Total core funding
    221,777       57.07 %     221,482       54.05 %
                                 
Non-core funding:
                               
Time deposit of $100,000 or more
  $ 100,775       25.93 %   $ 113,965       27.81 %
Fed funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    26,054       6.70 %     24,325       5.94 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    40,000       10.30 %     50,000       12.20 %
Total non-core funding
    166,829       42.93 %     188,290       45.95 %
                                 
Total
  $ 388,606       100.00 %   $ 409,772       100.00 %

The Bank has seen relative stability in its core deposit base but has purposely reduced its certificates of deposit as the loan portfolio decreased.  The Bank will continue to reduce its assets but will see future reduction primarily in cash and security balances.  To offset these future reductions the Bank expects continued reductions in certificates of deposit accounts and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.

Capital Resources-At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Cornerstone’s stockholders’ equity amounted to approximately $32.4 million and approximately $25.8 million, respectively.

Cornerstone’s stockholders’ equity increased approximately $6.6 million during the first nine months of 2011.  The increase in equity can be attributed to Cornerstone’s 2011 earnings of approximately $917 thousand, additional capital from Cornerstone’s preferred stock offering of approximately $4.6 million and an increase in unrealized gain on securities available for sale of approximately $1.4 million.  Following is a summary of the Bank’s capital ratios as of September 30, 2011:

Tier 1 leverage ratio of 6.65% to average assets.
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 9.86% to risk weighted assets.
Total risk-based capital ratio of 11.12% to risk weighted assets.

Cornerstone has requested permission from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (the “Federal Reserve”) to pay its   scheduled second quarter 2011 dividend on its series A convertible preferred stock in the amount of $0.625 per share. Cornerstone is waiting for a final decision from the Federal Reserve authorizing the payment of the dividend.
 
Cornerstone had total outstanding borrowings of approximately $3 million as of September 30, 2011 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Silverton Bank, N.A.
 
 
40

 

 
Market and Liquidity Risk Management

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The Bank’s Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for making decisions regarding liquidity and funding solutions based upon approved liquidity, loan, capital and investment policies.  The ALCO must consider interest rate sensitivity and liquidity risk management when rendering a decision on funding solutions and loan pricing.  To assist in this process the Bank has contracted with an independent third party to prepare quarterly reports that summarize several key asset-liability measurements.  In addition, the third party will also provide recommendations to the Bank’s ALCO regarding future balance sheet structure, earnings and liquidity strategies.  The following is a brief discussion of the primary tools used by the ALCO to perform its responsibilities:

  Earnings at Risk Model
The Bank uses an earnings at risk model to analyze interest rate risk.  Forecasted levels of earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, and off-balance sheet financial instruments are combined with ALCO forecasts of interest rates for the next 12 months and are combined with other factors in order to produce various earnings simulations.

  Economic Value of Equity
The Bank’s economic value of equity model measures the extent that estimated economic values of the Bank’s assets and liabilities will change as a result of interest rate changes. Economic values are determined by discounting expected cash flows from assets and liabilities, which establishes a base case economic value of equity.

  Liquidity Analysis
The Bank uses a liquidity analysis model to examine the current liquidity position and analyze the potential sources of coverage in the event of a liquidity crisis.  The following is a brief description of the key measurements contained in the analysis:

Regular Liquidity Position-This is a measurement used to capture the ability of an institution to cover its current debt obligations.

Basic Surplus-The basic surplus ratio is used to determine the number of times non-obligated assets could be used to meet immediate liquidity needs.

Dependency Ratio-The dependency ratio determines the reliance on short-term liabilities.

  Leverage Analysis
The leverage analysis examines the potential of the institution to absorb additional debt.  The key measurements included in this analysis are the Bank’s tier 1 capital, leverage and total capital ratios.

  Balance Sheet Analytics
Balance sheet analytics involve an in depth examination of the balance sheet structure, including diversification of structure and most recent pricing practices. This review uses trend analysis to compare previous balance sheet positions.  The analysis enables the ALCO to review significant changes in the Bank’s loan and security portfolios as well as the Bank’s deposit composition.

Liquidity Risk Management

Liquidity is measured by the Bank's ability to raise cash at a reasonable cost or with a minimum of loss.  These funds are used primarily to fund loans and satisfy deposit withdrawals.  Several factors must be considered by management when attempting to minimize liquidity risk.  Examples include changes in interest rates, competition, loan demand, and general economic conditions.  Minimizing liquidity risk is a responsibility of the ALCO and is reviewed by the Bank’s regulatory agencies on a regular basis.
 
 
41

 

 
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis regarding market risk was disclosed in Cornerstone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. No material changes in the assumptions used in preparing, or results obtained from, the model have occurred since December 31, 2010.

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including Cornerstone’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Cornerstone has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of September 30, 2011 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, Cornerstone’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to Cornerstone (including its consolidated subsidiary) required to be included in Cornerstone’s periodic filings under the Exchange Act.

There were no changes in Cornerstone’s internal control over financial reporting during Cornerstone’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Cornerstone’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There are various claims and lawsuits in which the Bank is periodically involved incidental to the Bank’s business. In the opinion of management, no material loss is expected from any of such pending claims or lawsuits.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Cornerstone, as a smaller reporting company, is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

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

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.  [Removed and Reserved]
 
Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
31
 
Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
 
Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
42

 

 
SIGNATURES

 
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc.
 
     
Date:  November 10, 2011
/s/ Nathaniel F. Hughes
 
 
Nathaniel F. Hughes,
 
President
 
(principal executive officer)
     
Date:  November 10, 2011
/s/ Gary W. Petty, Jr.
 
 
Gary W. Petty, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(principal financial officer and accounting officer)
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
31
 
Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
  
Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
43