UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
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x
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2008.
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¨
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TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _____ TO .
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Commission file number:
000-32987
UNITED SECURITY
BANCSHARES
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
CALIFORNIA
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91-2112732
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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2126 Inyo Street, Fresno,
California
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93721
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code (559)
248-4943
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Common
Stock, no par value on Nasdaq
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(Title
of Class)
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨ No x
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨ No x
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 for the past 90
days.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of the registrants knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. ¨
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.
Large
accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated
filer ¨ Small
reporting company ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
Aggregate
market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business
day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter - June 30,
2008: $121,168,727
Shares
outstanding as of February 28, 2008:
12,009,884
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain
portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Meeting
of Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
Shareholders
is incorporated by reference into Part III.
UNITED
SECURITY BANCSHARES
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PART
I:
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3
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Item
1 –
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Business
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3
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Item
1A –
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Risk
Factors
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16
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Item
1B –
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Unresolved
Staff Comments
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22
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Item
2 –
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Properties
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22
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Item
3 -
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Legal
Proceedings
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23
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Item
4 -
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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23
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PART
II:
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23
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Item
5 -
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Market
for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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23
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Item
6 -
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Selected
Financial Data
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27
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Item
7 -
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Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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28
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Item
7A -
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
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62
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Item
8 -
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
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66
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Item
9 -
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Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
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109
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Item
9A –
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Controls
and Procedures
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109
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Item
9B –
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Other
Information
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111
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PART
III:
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111
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Item
10 –
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Directors,
Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
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111
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Item
11 -
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Executive
Compensation
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111
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Item
12 -
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
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111
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Item
13 -
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
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111
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Item
14 –
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Principal
Accounting Fees and Services
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111
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PART
IV:
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112
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Item
15 –
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
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112
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2
PART
1
Certain
matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report of Form
10-K including, but not limited to, those described in "Item 7 - Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", are
forward-looking statements as defined under the Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, (1) competitive
pressure in the banking industry increases significantly; (2) changes in the
interest rate environment which may reduce margins and devalue assets; (3)
general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, are less favorable
than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit
quality; (4) changes in the regulatory environment; (5) changes in business
conditions and inflation; (6) changes in securities markets; (7) asset/liability
matching risks and liquidity risks; (8) loss of key personnel; and (9)
operational interruptions including data processing systems failure and
fraud. Therefore, the information set forth therein should be carefully
considered when evaluating the business prospects of the Company.
Item
1 - Business
General
United
Security Bancshares (the “Company”) is a California corporation incorporated
during March of 2001and is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended. The Company’s stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol
“UBFO”. United Security Bank (the “Bank”) is a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of
the Company and was formed in 1987. United Security Bancshares Capital Trust I
(the “Trust”) was formed during June of 2001 as a Delaware business trust for
the sole purpose of issuing Trust Preferred securities. The Trust was originally
formed as a subsidiary of the Company, but was deconsolidated during 2004
pursuant to the adoption of FIN 46 (as revised), “Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities”. During July 2007, the Trust Preferred Securities issued
under USB Capital Trust I were redeemed, and upon retirement, the USB Capital
Trust I was dissolved. During July the Company formed United Security Bancshares
Capital Trust II and issued $15.0 million in Trust Preferred Securities with
terms similar to those originally issued under USB Capital Trust I, except at a
lower interest rate. At present, the Company does not engage in any material
business activities other than ownership of the Bank.
United
Security Bank
On June
12, 2001, the Bank became the wholly owned subsidiary of United Security
Bancshares, through a tax-free holding company reorganization, accounted for on
a basis similar to the pooling of interest method. In the transaction, each
share of Bank stock was exchanged for a share of Company stock on a one-to-one
basis.
The Bank
is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Fresno, California. It is
also a member of the Federal Reserve System (“Fed member”). The Bank originally
commenced business on December 21, 1987 as a national bank and, during the
fourth quarter of 1998, filed an application with the California Department of
Financial Institutions and other regulatory authorities to become a
state-chartered bank. The shareholders approved the conversion in January of
1999, and the Bank was granted approval to operate as a state-chartered bank on
February 3, 1999. The Bank’s operations are currently subject to federal and
state laws applicable to state-chartered, Fed member banks and its deposits are
insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the "FDIC"). The Bank is also subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
regulatory reporting requirements of the FDIC. As a state-chartered bank and a
member of the Federal Reserve System, the Bank is subject to supervision and
regular examinations by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(the “FRB”) and the California Department of Financial Institutions (the “DFI”).
In addition, the Bank is required to file reports with the FRB and provide such
additional information as the FRB may require.
Effective
August 25, 1995, the Bank consummated a merger with Golden Oak Bank, a two
branch California state chartered bank located in Oakhurst, California, with
assets of approximately $45 million at the date of merger. The merger
was accounted for as a pooling of interests.
During
February of 1997, the Bank completed the purchase of the deposits and certain
assets of two branches of Wells Fargo Bank located in Caruthers and San Joaquin,
both located in Fresno County. This brought the total branches operated at that
time by the Bank to six and the total assets to approximately $190 million. The
Bank paid a premium of approximately $1.2 million to purchase deposit accounts
totaling approximately $33.4 million. The Bank also purchased cash balances as
well as certain fixed assets of the branch operations.
3
During
October of 1997, the Bank completed the purchase from Bank of America of two of
its branches located in Firebaugh and Coalinga, both located in Fresno County.
The acquisition brought the total branches operated by the Bank to eight at that
time and the total assets to approximately $238 million. The premium paid by the
Bank totaled approximately $3.0 million and the amount of deposits totaled
approximately $44.4 million. The transaction included the receipt of cash
balances of approximately $1.0 million and the purchase of premises and
equipment totaling approximately $600,000.
USB
Investment Trust Inc. was incorporated effective December 31, 2001 as a special
purpose real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Maryland law. The REIT is a
subsidiary of the Bank and was funded with $133.0 million in real estate-secured
loans contributed by the Bank. USB Investment Trust was originally formed to
give the Bank flexibility in raising capital, and reduce the expenses associated
with holding the assets contributed to USB Investment Trust. For further
discussion of the REIT, refer to Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Income Taxes.
Effective
April 23, 2004, the Company completed a merger with Taft National Bank
headquartered in Taft, California. Taft National Bank (“Taft”) was merged into
United Security Bank and Taft’s two branches operate as branches of United
Security Bank. The total consideration paid to Taft shareholders was 241,447
shares of the Company’s Common Stock valued at just over $6 million. In the
merger, the Company acquired $15.4 million in cash and short-term investments,
$23.3 million in loans, and $48.2 million in deposits. This transaction was
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and resulted in the
purchase price being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
from Taft based on the fair value of those assets and liabilities. The
consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2004 includes
the operations of Taft from the date of the acquisition to December 31,
2004.
On
February 16, 2007, the Company completed its merger with Legacy Bank, N.A.,
located in Campbell, California, with the acquisition of 100 percent of Legacy’s
outstanding common shares. At merger, Legacy Bank’s one branch was merged with
and into United Security Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The
total value of the merger transaction was $21.5 million, and the shareholders of
Legacy Bank received merger consideration consisting of 976,411 shares of common
stock of the Company. The merger transaction was accounted for as a purchase
transaction, and resulted in the purchase price being allocated to the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed from Legacy Bank based on the fair value of
those assets and liabilities. The net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
totaled approximately $8.6 million at the date of the merger. Fair value of
Legacy assets and liabilities acquired, and resultant goodwill, has been
determined and recorded as of the date of the merger and the resulting
operations thereafter have been included in the financial statements as of and
for the year ended December 31, 2007. (See Note 24 to the Company’s consolidated
financial statements contained herein for details of the merger).
During
November 2007, the Company purchased the recurring contractual revenue stream
and certain fixed assets from ICG Financial, LLC. Additionally, the Company
hired all but one of the former employees of ICG Financial, LLC and its
subsidiaries. The total purchase price was $414,000 including $378,000 for the
recurring revenue stream and $36,000 for the fixed assets. A newly formed
department of the Bank, USB Financial Services provides wealth management,
employee benefit, insurance and loan products, as well as consulting services
for a variety of clients, utilizing employees hired from ICG Financial LLC. The
Company believes the wealth management and related services provided by USB
Financial Services will enhance the products and services offered by the
Company, and increase noninterest income. The original capitalized cost of
$378,000 for the recurring revenue stream is being amortized over a period of
approximately three years. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company
determined that the purchased intangible asset associated with recurring
contractual revenue stream was impaired. As a result the Company recognized a
$24,000 impairment loss on the purchased intangible asset, reducing the carrying
value of the intangible asset to $206,000 at December 31, 2008.
At
December 31, 2008, the Bank operates three branches (including its main office),
one construction lending office, and one financial services office in Fresno and
one branch each, in Oakhurst, Caruthers, San Joaquin, Firebaugh, Coalinga,
Bakersfield, and Taft. In addition, the Company and Bank have administrative
headquarters located at 2126 Inyo Street, Fresno, California,
93721.
At
December 31, 2008, the consolidated Company had approximately $761.1 million in
total assets, $533.7 million in net loans, $508.5 million in deposits, and $79.6
million in shareholders' equity.
The
following discussion of the Company's services should be read in conjunction
with "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS."
4
Bank
Services
As a
state-chartered commercial bank, United Security Bank offers a full range of
commercial banking services primarily to the business and professional community
and individuals located in Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara
Counties.
The Bank
offers a wide range of deposit instruments including personal and business
checking accounts and savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of
withdrawal ("NOW") accounts, money market accounts and time certificates of
deposit. Most of the Bank's deposits are attracted from individuals and from
small and medium-sized business-related sources.
The Bank
also engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate
mortgage, commercial and industrial, real estate construction, as well as
agricultural, lease financing, and consumer loans, with particular emphasis on
short and medium-term obligations. The Bank's loan portfolio is not concentrated
in any one industry, although approximately 68% of the Bank's loans are secured
by real estate. A loan may be secured (in whole or in part) by real estate even
though the purpose of the loan is not to facilitate the purchase or development
of real estate. At December 31, 2008, the Bank had loans (net of unearned fees)
outstanding of $548.7 million, which represented approximately 108% of the
Bank's total deposits and approximately 72% of its total assets.
Real
estate mortgage loans are secured by deeds of trust primarily on commercial
property. Repayment of real estate mortgage loans is generally from the cash
flow of the borrower. Commercial and industrial loans have a high degree of
industry diversification. Loans may be originated in the Company’s market area,
or participated with other financial institutions outside the Company’s market
area. A substantial portion of commercial and industrial loans are secured by
accounts receivable, inventory, leases or other collateral. The remainder are
unsecured; however extensions of credit are predicated on the financial capacity
of the borrower to repay the extension of credit. Repayment of commercial loans
is generally from the cash flow of the borrower. Real estate construction loans
consist of loans to residential contractors, which are secured by single-family
residential properties. All real estate loans have established equity
requirements. Repayment of real estate construction loans is generally from
long-term mortgages with other lending institutions. Agricultural loans are
generally secured by land, equipment, inventory and receivables. Repayment of
agricultural loans is from the expected cash flow of the borrower.
In the
normal course of business, the Bank makes various loan commitments and incurs
certain contingent liabilities. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, loan commitments
of the Bank $112.3 million and $196.3 million, respectively, and letters of
credit totaled $7.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Of the $112.3
million in loan commitments outstanding at December 31, 2008, $84.6 million or
75.6% were for loans with maturities of one year or less. Due to the nature of
the business of the Bank's customers, there are no seasonal patterns or absolute
predictability to the utilization of unused loan commitments; therefore the Bank
is unable to forecast the extent to which these commitments will be exercised
within the current year. The Bank does not believe that any such utilization
will constitute a material liquidity demand. The Company does however have
collateralized and uncollateralized lines of credit which could be utilized if
such loan commitments were to be exercised in excess of normal
expectations.
In
addition to the loan and deposit services discussed above, the Bank also offers
a wide range of specialized services designed to attract and service the needs
of commercial customers and account holders. These services include online
banking, safe deposit boxes, ATM services, payroll direct deposit, cashier's
checks, traveler's checks, money orders, and foreign drafts. In addition, the
Bank offers a variety of specialized financial services, including wealth
management, employee benefit, insurance and loan products, as well as consulting
services for a variety of clients. The Bank does not operate a trust department;
however, it makes arrangements with its correspondent bank to offer trust
services to its customers on request. Most of the Bank's business originates
within Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara Counties. Neither the Bank’s
business or liquidity is seasonal, and there has been no material effect upon
the Bank's capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position as a result of
federal, state or local environmental regulation.
Competition
and Market Share
The
banking business in California generally, and in the market area served by the
Company specifically, is highly competitive with respect to both loans and
deposits. The Company competes for loans and deposits with other commercial
banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, money market funds,
credit unions and other financial institutions, including a number that are
substantially larger than the Company. Deregulation of the banking industry,
increased competition from non-bank entities for the cash balances of
individuals and businesses, and continuing developments in the computer and
communications industries have had, and most likely will continue to have, a
significant impact on the Company's competitive position. With the enactment of
interstate banking legislation in California, bank holding companies
headquartered outside of California will continue to enter the California market
and provide competition for the Company. Additionally, with the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, traditional competitive barriers between
insurance companies, securities underwriters, and commercial banks have been
eased, allowing a greater number of financial intermediaries to offer a wider
assortment of financial services. Many of the major commercial banks operating
in the Company's market areas offer certain services such as trust and
international banking services, which the Company does not offer directly. In
addition, banks with larger capitalization have larger lending limits and are
thereby able to serve larger customers.
5
The
Company’s primary market area at December 31, 2008 was located in Fresno,
Madera, and Kern Counties, in which approximately 34 FDIC-insured financial
institutions compete for business. Santa Clara County was added during February
2007 with the Legacy Bank acquisition, in which approximately 75 FDIC-insured
financial institutions compete for business. The following table sets forth
information regarding deposit market share and ranking by county as of June 30,
2008, which is the most current information available.
Rank
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Share
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|||||
Fresno
County
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8th
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4.70 | % | |||
Madera
County
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10th
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3.91 | % | |||
Kern
County
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13th
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1.26 | % | |||
Total
of Fresno, Madera, Kern Counties
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10th
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3.43 | % | |||
Santa
Clara County
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45th
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0.07 | % |
Supervision
and Regulation
The
Company
The
Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and is registered as such with the FRB.
A bank holding company is required to file with the FRB annual reports and other
information regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries and
is also subject to examination by the FRB.
The BHC
Act requires, among other things, prior approval before acquiring, directly or
indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if after such
acquisition it would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the
voting stock of that bank, unless it already owns a majority of the voting stock
of that bank. The BHC Act also provides that the FRB shall not approve any
acquisition that would result in or further the creation of a monopoly, or the
effect of which may be substantially to lessen competition, unless the
anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by
the probable effect in meeting the convenience and needs of the community
served.
Furthermore,
under the BHC Act, a bank holding company is, with limited exceptions,
prohibited from (i) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more
than 5% of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or (ii) engaging
in any activity other than managing or controlling banks. With the prior
approval of the FRB, however, a bank holding company may own shares of a company
engaged in activities which the FRB has determined to be so closely related to
banking or managing or controlling banks as to be proper incident
thereto.
The BHC
Act requires a bank holding company to serve as a source of financial and
managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. It is the FRB’s policy that a bank
holding company should stand ready to use available resources to provide
adequate capital funds to subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress
and should maintain the financial flexibility and capital raising capacity to
obtain additional resources for assisting a subsidiary bank. Under certain
conditions, the FRB may conclude that certain actions of a bank holding company,
such as payment of cash dividends, would constitute unsafe and unsound banking
practices because they violate the FRB’s “source of strength”
doctrine.
A bank
holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from certain tie-in
arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, sale or lease of
property or furnishing of services. For example, with certain exceptions, a bank
may not condition an extension of credit on a promise by its customer to obtain
other services by it, its holding company or other subsidiaries, or on a promise
by its customer not to obtain services from a competitor. In addition, federal
law imposes certain restrictions between the Company and its subsidiaries,
including the Bank. As an affiliate of the Bank, the Company is subject, with
certain exceptions, to provisions of federal law imposing limitations on, and
requiring collateral for, extensions of credit by the Bank to its
affiliates.
In 1999
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLBA”) was enacted. The GLBA became effective
in March of 2000 and is a financial services modernization law that, among other
things, facilitates broad new affiliations among securities firms, insurance
companies and bank holding companies by repealing the 66-year old provisions of
the Glass-Steagall Act. The GLBA allows the formation of financial holding
companies (“FHC’s”), which are bank holding companies with substantially
expanded powers. A bank holding company must acquire the approval of the FRB to
become a FHC. Under these expanded powers, affiliations may occur between bank
holding companies, securities firms and insurance companies, subject to a blend
of umbrella supervision and regulation of the newly formed consolidated entity
by the Federal Reserve, oversight of the FHC’s bank and thrift subsidiaries by
their primary federal and state banking regulators and financial regulation of
the FHC’s nonbank subsidiaries by their respective specialized regulators. The
Company has not applied to become a FHC.
6
As a
public company, United Security Bancshares is subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
and is intended to protect investors by, among other things, improving the
reliability of financial reporting, increasing management accountability, and
increasing the independence of Directors and the Company’s external
accountants.
The
Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which include but are not limited to the
filing of annual, quarterly and other current reports with the SEC.
The
Bank
The Bank
as a state-chartered bank is subject to regulation, supervision and regular
examination by the California Department of Financial Institutions. In addition,
The Bank is also a member of the Federal Reserve System and, as such, is subject
to applicable provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and regulations issued
thereunder and, is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by
the Federal Reserve Bank. The Bank is subject to California law, insofar as they
are not preempted by federal banking law. Deposits of the Bank are insured by
the FDIC up to the applicable limits in an amount up to $250,000 per customer,
and, as such, the Bank is subject to the regulations of the FDIC and the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act. As a consequence of the extensive regulation of
commercial banking activities in California and the United States, the Bank’s
business is particularly susceptible to changes in California and federal
legislation and regulation, which may have the effect of increasing the cost of
doing business, limiting permissible activities or increasing
competition.
The Bank
is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the
“FHLB-SF”). Among other benefits, each Federal Home Loan Bank
(“FHLB”) serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned
region. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated
obligations of the FHLB system. Each FHLB makes available loans or
advances to its members in compliance with the policies and procedures
established by the Board of Directors of the individual
FHLB. . The FHLB-SF utilizes a single class of stock with
a par value of $100 per share, which may be issued, exchanged, redeemed and
repurchased only at par value. As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to own
FHLB –SF capital stock in an amount equal to the greater of:
|
§
|
a membership stock requirement
with an initial cap of $25 million (100% of “membership asset value” as
defined), or
|
|
§
|
an activity based stock
requirement (based on percentage of outstanding
advances).
|
The FHLB
– SF capital stock is redeemable on five years written notice, subject to
certain conditions. At December 31, 2008 the Bank owned 41,595 shares of the
FHLB-SF capital stock.
The FRB
requires all depository institutions to maintain non-interest bearing reserves
at specified levels against their transaction accounts and non-personal time
deposits. At December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with these
requirements.
Various
other requirements and restrictions under the laws of the United States and the
State of California affect the operations of the Bank. Federal and California
statutes and regulations relate to many aspects of the Bank’s operations,
including capital requirements and disclosure requirements to depositors and
borrowers, requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, limitations on
interest rates payable on deposits, loans, investments, and restrictions on
borrowings and on payment of dividends. The DFI regulates the number and
location of branch offices of a state-chartered bank, and may permit a bank to
maintain branches only to the extent allowable under state law for state banks.
California law presently permits a bank to locate a branch in any locality in
the state. Additionally, California law exempts banks from California usury
laws.
Effect
of Governmental Policies and Recent Legislation
Banking
has traditionally been a business that depends on rate differentials. In
general, the difference between the interest rate paid by the Company on its
deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate received on loans extended
to its customers and securities held in the Company's portfolio comprise the
major portion of the Company's earnings. These rates are highly sensitive to
many factors which are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, the
earnings and growth of the Company are subject to the influence of domestic and
foreign economic conditions, including, but not limited to, inflation, recession
and unemployment.
7
The
earnings and growth of the Company are affected not only by general economic
conditions, both domestic and foreign, but also by the monetary and fiscal
policies of the United States government and its agencies, particularly the
Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”). The FRB implements national monetary
policies (with objectives such as to curb inflation and combat recession) by its
open market operations in United States Government securities, by adjusting the
required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to reserve
requirements, and by varying the discount rates applicable to borrowing by banks
which are members of the Federal Reserve System. The actions of the
FRB in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits
and also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits. The FRB’s
policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial
banks and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The nature
and timing of any future changes in monetary policies are not predictable. In
addition, adverse economic conditions could make a higher provision for loan
losses a prudent course and could cause higher loan charge-offs, thus adversely
affecting the Company’s net income.
The
deposit insurance fund or DIF of the FDIC insures our customer deposits up to
prescribed limits for each depositor. The Federal Deposit Insurance
Reform Act of 2005 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Conforming
Amendments Act of 2005 amended the insurance of deposits by the FDIC and
collection of assessments from insured depository institutions for deposit
insurance. The FDIC approved a final rule to determine risk-based
assessment rates on November 2, 2006, with rates effective on January 1, 2007,
however a new rules were proposed in 2008. An insured depository
institution’s assessment rate under the final rule is based on the new
assessment rate schedule, its long-term debt issuer ratings or recent financial
ratios and supervisory ratings. The proposed rule would also look at
other factors that increase risks to the FDIC’s insurance fund. Any
increase in assessments or the assessment rate could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash
flows, depending on the amount of the increase. Furthermore, the FDIC
is authorized to raise insurance premiums under certain
circumstances.
The FDIC
is authorized to terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a
finding by the FDIC that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or
unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or
has violated any applicable rule, regulation, order or condition enacted or
imposed by the institution’s regulatory agency. The termination of
deposit insurance for the bank would have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Federal Reserve Act and FRB
Regulation O place
limitations and conditions on loans or extensions of credit to:
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a bank’s or bank holding
company’s executive officers, directors and principal shareholders
(i.e., in most cases, those
persons who own, control or have
power to vote more than 10% of any class of voting
securities),
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any company controlled by any
such executive officer, director or shareholder,
or
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any political or campaign
committee controlled by such executive officer, director or principal
shareholder.
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Loans and
leases extended to any of the above persons must comply with
loan-to-one-borrower limits, require prior full board approval when aggregate
extensions of credit to the person exceed specified amounts, must be made on
substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as, and
follow credit-underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-insiders, and must
not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable
features. In addition, Regulation O provides that the aggregate limit
on extensions of credit to all insiders of a bank as a group cannot exceed the
bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Regulation O also
prohibits a bank from paying an overdraft on an account of an executive officer
or director, except pursuant to a written pre-authorized interest-bearing
extension of credit plan that specifies a method of repayment or a written
pre-authorized transfer of funds from another account of the officer or director
at the bank.
From time
to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of
doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the
competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. Proposals to
change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of banks
and other financial institutions are frequently made in Congress, in the
California legislature and before various bank regulatory agencies. The
likelihood of any major change and the impact such change may have on the
Company is impossible to predict. Certain of the potentially significant changes
which have been enacted recently and other which are currently under
consideration by Congress or various regulatory agencies or professional
agencies are discussed below.
Recent
Legislation and Other Changes
Federal
and state laws affecting banking are enacted from time to time, and similarly
federal and state regulations affecting banking are also adopted from time to
time. The following include some of the recent laws and regulations
affecting banking.
8
On
February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”)
was enacted to provide stimulus to the struggling US economy. ARRA
authorizes spending of $787 billion, including about $288 billion for tax
relief, $144 billion for state and local relief aid, and $111 billion for
infrastructure and science. In addition, ARRA includes additional
executive compensation restrictions for recipients of funds from the US Treasury
under the Troubled Assets Relief Program of the Emergency Economic Stimulus Act
of 2008 (“EESA”). The provisions of EESA amended by the ARRA include
(i) expanding the coverage of the executive compensation limits to as many as
the 25 most highly compensated employees of a TARP funds recipient and its
affiliates for certain aspects of executive compensation limits and (ii)
specifically limiting incentive compensation of covered executives to one-third
of their annual compensation which is required to be paid in restricted stock
that does not vest until all of the TARP funds are no longer outstanding (note
that if TARP warrants remain outstanding and no other TARP instruments are
outstanding, then such warrants would not be considered outstanding for purposes
of this incentive compensation restriction. In addition, the board of
directors of any TARP recipient is required under EESA, as amended to have a
company-wide policy regarding excessive or luxury expenditures, as identified by
the Treasury, which may include excessive expenditures on entertainment or
events; office and facility renovations; aviation or other transportation
services; or other activities or events that are not reasonable expenditures for
staff development, reasonable performance incentives, or other similar measures
conducted in the normal course of the business operations of the TARP
recipient.
EESA, as
amended by ARRA, provides for a new incentive compensation restriction for
financial institutions receiving TARP funds. The number of executives
and employees covered by this new incentive compensation restriction depends on
the amount of TARP funds received by such entity. For community banks
that have or will receive less than $25 million, the new incentive compensation
restriction applies only to the highest paid employee. This new incentive
compensation restriction prohibits a TARP recipient from paying or accruing any
bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation during the period in which any
TARP obligation remains outstanding, except that such prohibition shall not
apply to the payment of long-term restricted stock by such TARP recipient,
provided that such long-term restricted stock (i) does not fully vest during the
period in which any TARP obligation remains outstanding, (ii) has a value in an
amount that is not greater than 1/3 of the total amount of annual compensation
of the employee receiving the stock; and (iii) is subject to such other terms
and conditions as the Secretary of the Treasury may determine is in the public
interest. In addition, this prohibition does not prohibit any bonus
payment required to be paid pursuant to a written employment contract executed
on or before February 11, 2009, as such valid employment contracts are
determined by the Treasury.
EESA was
amended by ARRA to also provide additional corporate governance provisions with
respect to executive compensation including the following:
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ESTABLISHMENT
OF STANDARDS - During the period in which any TARP obligation remains
outstanding, each TARP recipient shall be subject to the standards in the
regulations issued by the Treasury with respect to executive compensation
limitations for TARP recipients, and the provisions of section 162(m)(5)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as applicable (nondeductibility of
executive compensation in excess of
$500,000).
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COMPLIANCE
WITH STANDARDS - The Treasury is required to see that each TARP recipient
meet the required standards for executive compensation and corporate
governance.
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SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REQUIRED STANDARDS
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Limits
on compensation that exclude incentives for senior executive officers of
the TARP recipient to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten
the value of the financial institution during the period in which any TARP
obligation remains outstanding.
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A
clawback requirement by such TARP recipient of any bonus, retention award,
or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive officer and any of
the next 20 most highly-compensated employees of the TARP recipient based
on statements of earnings, revenues, gains, or other criteria that are
later found to be materially
inaccurate.
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A
prohibition on such TARP recipient making any golden parachute payment to
a senior executive officer or any of the next 5 most highly-compensated
employees of the TARP recipient during the period in which any TARP
obligation remains outstanding.
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A
prohibition on any compensation plan that would encourage manipulation of
the reported earnings of such TARP recipient to enhance the compensation
of any of its employees.
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A
requirement for the establishment of an independent Compensation Committee
that meets at least twice a year to discuss and evaluate employee
compensation plans in light of an assessment of any risk posed to the TARP
recipient from such plans. For a non SEC company that is a TARP
recipient that has received $25,000,000 or less of TARP assistance, the
duties of the compensation committee may be carried out by the board of
directors of such TARP recipient.
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In
addition, EESA as amended by ARRA provides that for any TARP recipient, its
annual meeting materials shall include a nonbinding shareholder approval
proposal of executive compensation for shareholders to vote. The SEC
is to establish regulations to implement this provision. While
nonpublic companies are required to include this proposal, it is not known what
the regulations will provide as to executive compensation disclosure
requirements of such TARP recipients, and whether they will be as extensive as
the existing SEC executive compensation requirements. In addition,
shareholders are allowed to present other nonbinding proposals with respect to
executive compensation.
On
February 10, 2009, the U. S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,
and the Office of Thrift Supervision are announced a comprehensive set of
measures to restore confidence in the strength of U.S. financial institutions
and restart the critical flow of credit to households and
businesses. This program is intended to restore the flows of credit
necessary to support recovery.
The core
program elements include:
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A
new Capital Assistance Program to help ensure that our banking
institutions have sufficient capital to withstand the challenges ahead,
paired with a supervisory process to produce a more consistent and
forward-looking assessment of the risks on banks' balance sheets and their
potential capital needs.
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A
new Public-Private Investment Fund on an initial scale of up to $500
billion, with the potential to expand up to $1 trillion, to catalyze the
removal of legacy assets from the balance sheets of financial
institutions. This fund will combine public and private capital with
government financing to help free up capital to support new
lending.
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A
new Treasury and Federal Reserve initiative to dramatically expand – up to
$1 trillion – the existing Term Asset-Backed Securities Lending Facility
(TALF) in order to reduce credit spreads and restart the securitized
credit markets that in recent years supported a substantial portion of
lending to households, students, small businesses, and
others.
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An
extension of the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program to October
31, 2009. A new framework of governance and oversight to help ensure that
banks receiving funds are held responsible for appropriate use of those
funds through stronger conditions on lending, dividends and executive
compensation along with enhanced reporting to the
public.
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In
October 2008, the President signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008 (“EESA”), commonly referred to as the bailout bill in response to the
global financial crisis of 2008 authorizing the United States Secretary of the
Treasury with authority to spend up to US$700 billion to purchase distressed
assets, especially mortgage-backed securities, under the Troubled Assets Relief
Program (“TARP”) and make capital injections into banks under the Capital
Purchase Program. EESA gives the government the unprecedented
authority to buy troubled assets on balance sheets of financial institutions
under the Troubled Assets Relief Program and increases the limit on insured
deposits from $100,000 to $250,000 until December 1, 2009. Some of
the other provisions of EESA are as follows:
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accelerated
from 2011 to 2008 the date that the Federal Reserve Bank could pay
interest on deposits of banks held with the Federal Reserve to meet
reserve requirements;
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to
the extent that the U. S. Treasury purchases mortgage securities as part
of TARP, the Treasury shall implement a plan to minimize foreclosures
including using guarantees and credit enhancements to support reasonable
loan modifications, and to the extent loans are owned by the government to
consent to the reasonable modification of such
loans;
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limits
executive compensation for executives for TARP participating financial
institutions including a maximum corporate tax deduction limit of $500,000
for each of the top five highest paid executives of such institution,
requiring clawbacks of incentive compensation that were paid based on
inaccurate or false information, limiting golden parachutes for
involuntary and certain voluntary terminations to 2.99x their average
annual salary and bonus for the last five years, and prohibiting the
payment of incentive compensation that encourages management to take
unnecessary and excessive risks with respect to the
institution;
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extends
the mortgage debt forgiveness provision of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt
Relief Act of 2007 by three years (2012) to ease the income tax burden on
those involved with certain foreclosures;
and
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qualified
financial institutions may count losses on FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock
against ordinary income, rather than capital gain
income.
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The
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program was implemented by the FDIC on October 14,
2008 to mitigate the lack of liquidity in the financial markets. The
Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program has two primary components: the Debt
Guarantee Program, by which the FDIC will guarantee the payment of certain
newly-issued senior unsecured debt, and the Transaction Account Guarantee
Program, by which the FDIC will guarantee certain noninterest-bearing
transaction accounts. The Debt Guarantee Program provides for an FDIC
guarantee as to the payment of all senior unsecured debt (with a term of more
than 30 days) issued by a qualified participating entity (insured depository
institutions, bank and financial holding companies, and certain savings and loan
holding companies) up to a limit of 125 percent of all senior unsecured debt
outstanding on September 30, 2008, and maturing by June 30, 2009. The
FDIC guarantee is until June 30, 2012, and the fee for such guarantee depends on
the term with a maximum of 100 basis points for terms in excess of 365
days. The Transaction Account Guarantee Program is the
second part of the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. The
FDIC provides for a temporary full guarantee held at a participating
FDIC-insured depository institution of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts
above the existing deposit insurance limit at the additional cost of 10 basis
points per annum. This coverage became effective on October 14, 2008,
and would continue through December 31, 2009.
On July
30, 2008, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act was was signed by President
Bush. It authorizes the Federal Housing Administration to guarantee
up to $300 billion in new 30-year fixed rate mortgages for subprime borrowers if
lenders write-down principal loan balances to 90 percent of current appraisal
value. It is also intended to restore confidence in Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac by strengthening regulations and injecting capital into
them. States will be authorized to refinance subprime loans using
mortgage revenue bonds. It also establishes the Federal Housing
Finance Agency (FHFA) out of the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB) and Office
of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO).
In 2008,
the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision amended
their regulatory capital rules to permit banks, bank holding companies, and
savings associations (as to any of these a “financial institution”) to reduce
the amount of goodwill that a banking organization must deduct from tier 1
capital by the amount of any deferred tax liability associated with that
goodwill. However, a financial institution that reduces the amount of
goodwill deducted from tier 1 capital by the amount of the deferred tax
liability is not permitted to net this deferred tax liability against deferred
tax assets when determining regulatory capital limitations on deferred tax
assets. For these financial institutions, the amount of goodwill
deducted from tier 1 capital will reflect each institution’s maximum exposure to
loss in the event that the entire amount of goodwill is impaired or
derecognized, an event which triggers the concurrent derecognition of the
related deferred tax liability for financial reporting purposes.
On
October 7, 2008 the FDIC adopted a restoration plan that would increase the
rates banks pay for deposit insurance, and proposed rules for adjusting the
system that determines what deposit insurance premium rate a bank pays the
FDIC. Currently, banks pay anywhere from five basis points to 43
basis points for deposit insurance. Under the proposal rule, the assessment rate
schedule would be raised uniformly by 7 basis points (annualized) beginning on
January 1, 2009. Beginning with the second quarter of 2009, changes
would be made to the deposit insurance assessment system to make the increase in
assessments fairer by requiring riskier institutions to pay a larger
share. Together, the proposed changes would improve the way the
system differentiates risk among insured institutions and help ensure that the
reserve ratio returns to at least 1.15 percent by the end of
2013. The proposed changes to the assessment system include assessing
higher rates to institutions with a significant reliance on secured liabilities,
which generally raises the FDIC's loss in the event of failure without providing
additional assessment revenue. The proposal also would assess higher
rates for institutions with a significant reliance on brokered deposits but, for
well-managed and well-capitalized institutions, only when accompanied by rapid
asset growth. Brokered deposits combined with rapid asset growth have
played a role in a number of costly failures, including some recent
ones. The proposal also would provide incentives in the form of a
reduction in assessment rates for institutions to hold long-term unsecured debt
and, for smaller institutions, high levels of Tier 1 capital. The
FDIC also voted to maintain the Designated Reserve Ratio at 1.25 percent as a
signal of its long term target for the fund.
The
Federal Reserve Board in October 2008 approved final amendments to Regulation C
that revise the rules for reporting price information on higher-priced mortgage
loans. The changes are intended to improve the accuracy and usefulness of
data reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Regulation C
currently requires lenders to collect and report the spread between the annual
percentage rate (APR) on a mortgage loan and the yield on a Treasury security of
comparable maturity if the spread is greater than 3.0 percentage points for a
first lien loan or greater than 5.0 percentage points for a subordinate lien
loan. This difference is known as a rate spread. Under the
final rule, a lender will report the spread between the loan's APR and a
survey-based estimate of APRs currently offered on prime mortgages of a
comparable type ("average prime offer rate") if the spread is equal to or
greater than 1.5 percentage points for a first lien loan or equal to or greater
than 3.5 percentage points for a subordinate-lien loan. The Board will
publish average prime offer rates based on the Primary Mortgage Market Survey®
currently published by Freddie Mac. In setting the rate spread reporting
threshold, the Board sought to cover subprime mortgages and generally avoid
covering prime mortgages. The changes to Regulation C conform the
threshold for rate spread reporting to the definition of higher-priced mortgage
loans adopted by the Board under Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) in July of
2008.
The
Federal Reserve Board in July 2008 approved a final rule for home mortgage loans
to better protect consumers and facilitate responsible lending. The rule
prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices and
restricts certain other mortgage practices. The final rule also
establishes advertising standards and requires certain mortgage disclosures to
be given to consumers earlier in the transaction. The final rule, which
amends Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) and was adopted under the Home Ownership
and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), largely follows a proposal released by the
Board in December 2007, with enhancements that address ensuing public comments,
consumer testing, and further analysis.
11
The final
rule adds four key protections for a newly defined category of "higher-priced
mortgage loans" secured by a consumer's principal dwelling. For loans in
this category, these protections will:
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Prohibit
a lender from making a loan without regard to borrowers' ability to repay
the loan from income and assets other than the home's value. A
lender complies, in part, by assessing repayment ability based on the
highest scheduled payment in the first seven years of the
loan. To show that a lender violated this prohibition, a
borrower does not need to demonstrate that it is part of a "pattern or
practice."
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Require
creditors to verify the income and assets they rely upon to determine
repayment ability.
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Ban
any prepayment penalty if the payment can change in the initial four
years. For other higher-priced loans, a prepayment penalty period
cannot last for more than two
years.
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Require
creditors to establish escrow accounts for property taxes and homeowner's
insurance for all first-lien mortgage
loans.
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In
addition to the rules governing higher-priced loans, the rules adopt the
following protections for loans secured by a consumer's principal dwelling,
regardless of whether the loan is higher-priced:
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Creditors
and mortgage brokers are prohibited from coercing a real estate appraiser
to misstate a home's value.
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Companies
that service mortgage loans are prohibited from engaging in certain
practices, such as pyramiding late fees. In addition, servicers are
required to credit consumers' loan payments as of the date of receipt and
provide a payoff statement within a reasonable time of
request.
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Creditors
must provide a good faith estimate of the loan costs, including a schedule
of payments, within three days after a consumer applies for any mortgage
loan secured by a consumer's principal dwelling, such as a home
improvement loan or a loan to refinance an existing loan. Currently,
early cost estimates are only required for home-purchase loans.
Consumers cannot be charged any fee until after they receive the early
disclosures, except a reasonable fee for obtaining the consumer's credit
history.
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For all
mortgages, the rule also sets additional advertising standards.
Advertising rules now require additional information about rates, monthly
payments, and other loan features. The final rule bans seven deceptive or
misleading advertising practices, including representing that a rate or payment
is "fixed" when it can change.
The
rule's definition of "higher-priced mortgage loans" will capture virtually all
loans in the subprime market, but generally exclude loans in the prime
market. To provide an index, the Federal Reserve Board will publish the
"average prime offer rate," based on a survey currently published by Freddie
Mac. A loan is higher-priced if it is a first-lien mortgage and has an
annual percentage rate that is 1.5 percentage points or more above this index,
or 3.5 percentage points if it is a subordinate-lien mortgage. The new
rules take effect on October 1, 2009. The single exception is the escrow
requirement, which will be phased in during 2010 to allow lenders to establish
new systems as needed.
In May
2008, the Federal Reserve Board proposed rules to prohibit unfair practices
regarding credit cards and overdraft services that would, among other
provisions, protect consumers from unexpected increases in the rate charged on
pre-existing credit card balances. The rules, proposed for
public comment under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), also would
forbid banks from imposing interest charges using the "two-cycle" billing
method, would require that consumers receive a reasonable amount of time to make
their credit card payments, and would prohibit the use of payment allocation
methods that unfairly maximize interest charges. They also include
protections for consumers that use overdraft services offered by their
bank. The proposed changes to the Board’s Regulation AA (Unfair or
Deceptive Acts or Practices) would be complemented by separate proposals that
the Board is issuing under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) and the Truth
in Savings Act (Regulation DD).
The
provisions addressing credit card practices are part of the Board’s ongoing
effort to enhance protections for consumers who use credit cards, and follow the
Board's 2007 proposal to improve the credit card disclosures under the Truth in
Lending Act. The FTC Act proposal includes five key protections for consumers
that use credit cards:
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Banks
would be prohibited from increasing the rate on a pre-existing credit card
balance (except under limited circumstances) and must allow the consumer
to pay off that balance over a reasonable period of
time.
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Banks
would be prohibited from applying payments in excess of the minimum in a
manner that maximizes interest
charges.
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Banks
would be required to give consumers the full benefit of discounted
promotional rates on credit cards by applying payments in excess of the
minimum to any higher-rate balances first, and by providing a grace period
for purchases where the consumer is otherwise
eligible.
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Banks
would be prohibited from imposing interest charges using the "two-cycle"
method, which computes interest on balances on days in billing cycles
preceding the most recent billing
cycle.
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Banks
would be required to provide consumers a reasonable amount of time to make
payments.
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The
proposal would also address subprime credit cards by limiting the fees that
reduce the available credit. In addition, banks that make firm offers
of credit advertising multiple rates or credit limits would be required to
disclose in the solicitation the factors that determine whether a consumer will
qualify for the lowest rate and highest credit limit. The Board's
proposal under the FTC Act also addresses acts or practices in connection with a
bank’s payment of overdrafts on a deposit account, whether the overdraft is
created by check, a withdrawal at an automated teller machine, a debit card
purchase, or other transactions. The proposal requires institutions
to provide consumers with notice and an opportunity to opt out of the payment of
overdrafts, before any overdraft fees or charges may be imposed on consumers'
accounts.
In
December 2007, the FDIC issued a proposed rule to improve the process for
determining uninsured depositors at larger institutions in the event of a
failure. The measure is intended to allow the FDIC to make funds
promptly available to insured deposit customers in the unlikely event that a
large financial institution is closed. The proposal is broken into
two parts. One section relates to so-called covered institutions, those that
have at least $2 billion in domestic deposits, have more than 250,000 deposit
accounts, or have total assets of more than $20 billion, regardless of the
number of deposits or accounts. A covered institution would be
required to adopt mechanisms that, in the event of a failure, would place
provisional holds on large deposit accounts in a percentage specified by the
FDIC; provide the FDIC with deposit account data in a standard format; and allow
automatic removal of provisional holds once the FDIC makes an insurance
determination. The second part applies to all FDIC-insured
institutions, regardless of size, and governs the specific time and circumstance
under which account balances will be determined in the event of a
failure. The FDIC is proposing to use the end-of-day ledger balance
as normally calculated by the institution. By using the end-of-day
ledger, the FDIC will be able to apply a single standard across all failed banks
in order to treat every transaction equally. This is also the same deposit
balance used for Call Report and assessment purposes. There would be
no requirements placed on open institutions as a result of this
provision. The FDIC places a high priority on providing access to
insured deposits promptly and, in the past, has usually been able to allow most
depositors access to their deposits on the next business day. If
adopted, the proposed rule would better enable the FDIC to continue this
practice, especially for the larger, more complex institutions it
insures.
The
Federal Reserve Board in November 2007 approved final rules to implement the
Basel II framework for large bank capital requirements. The new
risk-based capital requirements apply to large, internationally active banking
organizations in the United States. The new capital adequacy
requirements were designed to align regulatory capital requirements with actual
risks and are expected to strengthen banking organizations’ risk-management
practices. Basel II would replace the current U.S. rules implementing
the Basel Capital Accord of 1988 (Basel I) and be mandatory for large,
internationally active banking organizations (so-called “core” banking
organizations with at least $250 billion in total assets or at least $10 billion
in foreign exposure) and optional for others. Under Basel II, core banking
organizations would be required to enhance the measurement and management of
their risks, including credit risk and operational risk. Core banking
organizations will be required to have rigorous processes for assessing their
overall capital adequacy in relation to their total risk profile and to publicly
disclose information about their risk profile and capital adequacy.
The new
U.S. Basel II rule is technically consistent in most respects with international
approaches and includes a number of prudential safeguards as originally proposed
in September 2006. These safeguards include a requirement that banking
organizations satisfactorily complete a four-quarter parallel run period before
operating under the Basel II framework, a requirement that an institution
satisfactorily complete a series of transitional periods before operating under
Basel II without floors, and a commitment by the agencies to conduct
ongoing analysis of the framework to ensure Basel II is working as
intended. Basel II in the United States will be implemented
with retention of the leverage ratio and prompt corrective action (PCA)
requirements, which will continue to bolster capital and complement risk-based
measures. Following a successful parallel run period, a banking
organization would have to progress through three transitional periods (each
lasting at least one year), during which there would be floors on potential
declines in risk-based capital requirements. Those transitional
floors would limit maximum cumulative reductions of a banking organization’s
risk-based capital requirements to 5 percent during the first transitional
floor period, 10 percent during the second transitional floor period, and 15
percent during the third transitional floor period. A banking organization
would need approval from its primary federal regulator to move into each of the
transitional floor periods, and at the end of the third transitional floor
period to move to full Basel II.
In
September 2007, the SEC and Federal Reserve Board of Governors adopted final
rules to implement the bank “broker” provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act. The rules define the scope of securities activities that banks
may conduct without registering with the SEC as a securities broker and
implement the most important “broker” exceptions for banks adopted by the GLB
Act. Specifically, the rules implement the statutory exceptions that allow
a bank, subject to certain conditions, to continue to conduct securities
transactions for its customers as part of the bank’s trust and fiduciary,
custodial and deposit “sweep” functions, and to refer customers to a securities
broker-dealer pursuant to a networking arrangement with the broker-dealer.
The rules are designed to accommodate the business practices of banks and to
protect investors. The effective date for compliance is the first day of
the bank’s fiscal year commencing after September 30, 2008.
13
The
federal financial regulatory agencies in December 2006 issued a new interagency
policy statement on the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) along with
supplemental frequently asked questions. The policy statement revises
and replaces a 1993 policy statement on the ALLL. The agencies issued
the revised policy statement in view of today’s uncertain economic environment
and the presence of concentrations in untested loan products in the loan
portfolios of insured depository institutions. The policy statement
has also been revised to conform with generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) and post-1993 supervisory guidance. The 1993 policy statement
described the responsibilities of the boards of directors, management, and
banking examiners regarding the ALLL; factors to be considered in the estimation
of the ALLL; and the objectives and elements of an effective loan review system,
including a sound credit grading system. The policy statement
reiterates that each institution has a responsibility for developing,
maintaining and documenting a comprehensive, systematic, and consistently
applied process appropriate to its size and the nature, scope, and risk of its
lending activities for determining the amounts of the ALLL and the provision for
loan and lease losses and states that each institution should ensure controls
are in place to consistently determine the ALLL in accordance with GAAP, the
institution’s stated policies and procedures, management’s best judgment and
relevant supervisory guidance.
The
policy statement also restates that insured depository institutions must
maintain an ALLL at a level that is appropriate to cover estimated credit losses
on individually evaluated loans determined to be impaired as well as estimated
credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan and lease portfolio, and
that estimates of credit losses should reflect consideration of all significant
factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation
date. The policy statement states that prudent, conservative, but not
excessive, loan loss allowances that represent management’s best estimate from
within an acceptable range of estimated losses are appropriate.
The
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in December 2006
issued final guidance on sound risk management practices for concentrations in
commercial real estate lending. The agencies observed that the
commercial real estate is an area in which some banks are becoming increasingly
concentrated, especially with small- to medium- sized banks that face strong
competition in their other business lines. The agencies support banks
serving a vital role in their communities by supplying credit for business and
real estate development. However, the agencies are concerned that
rising commercial real estate loan concentrations may expose institutions to
unanticipated earnings and capital volatility in the event of adverse changes in
commercial real estate markets. The guidance provides supervisory
criteria, including numerical indicators to assist in identifying institutions
with potentially significant commercial real estate loan concentrations that may
warrant greater supervisory scrutiny, but such criteria are not limits on
commercial real estate lending.
California
Assembly Bill 1301 was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on July 16, 2008 and became
law on January 1, 2009. Among other things, the bill eliminated
unnecessary applications that consume time and resources of bank licensees and
which in many cases are now perfunctory. All of current Article 5 –
“Locations of Head Office” of Chapter 3, and all of Chapter 4 – “Branch Offices,
Other Places of Business and Automated Teller Machines” were
repealed. A new Chapter 4 – “Bank Offices” was added. The
new Chapter 4 requires notice to the California Department of Financial
Institutions (“CDFI”) the establishment of offices, rather than the current
application process. Many of the current branch applications are
perfunctory in nature and/or provide for a waiver of
application. Banks, on an exception basis, may be subject to more
stringent requirements as deemed necessary. As an example, new banks,
banks undergoing a change in ownership and banks in less than satisfactory
condition may be required to obtain prior approval from the CDFI before
establishing offices if such activity is deemed to create an issue of safety and
soundness. The bill eliminated unnecessary provisions in the Banking
Law that are either outdated or have become undue restrictions to bank
licensees. Chapter 6 – “Powers and Miscellaneous Provisions” was
repealed. A new Chapter 6 - “Restrictions and Prohibited Practices”
was added. This chapter brings together restrictions in bank
activities as formerly found in Chapter 18 – “Prohibited Practices and
Penalties.” However, in bringing the restrictions into the new
chapter, various provisions were updated to remove the need for prior approval
by the DFI Commissioner. The bill renumbered current Banking Law
sections to align like sections. Chapter 4.5 – “Authorizations for
Banks” was added. The purpose of the chapter is to provide exceptions to certain
activities that would otherwise be prohibited by other laws outside of the
Financial Code. The bill added Article 1.5 - “Loan and Investment
Limitations” to Chapter 10 – “Commercial Banks.” This article is new
in concept and acknowledges that investment decisions are business decisions –
so long as there is a diversification of the investments to spread any
risk. The risk is diversified in this article by placing a limitation
on the loans and investments that can be made to any one entity. This
section is a trade-off for elimination of applications to the DFI for approval
of investments in securities, which were repealed.
Other
changes AB 1301 made to the Banking Law:
|
•
Authorized a bank or trust acting in any capacity under a court or private
trust to arrange for the deposit of securities in a securities depository
or federal reserve bank, and provided how they may be held by the
securities depository;
|
14
|
•
Reduced from 5% to 1% the amount of eligible assets to be maintained at an
approved depository by an office of a foreign (other nation) bank for the
protection of the interests of creditors of the bank’s business in this
state or for the protection of the public
interest;
|
|
•
Enabled the CDFI to issue an order against a bank licensee parent or
subsidiary;
|
|
•
Provided that the examinations may be conducted in alternate examination
periods if the CDFI concludes that an examination of the state bank by the
appropriate federal regulator carries out the purpose of this section, but
the CDFI may not accept two consecutive examination reports made by
federal regulators;
|
|
•
Provided that the CDFI may examine subsidiaries of every California state
bank, state trust company, and foreign (other nation) bank to the extent
and whenever and as often as the CDFI shall deem
advisable;
|
|
•
Enabled the CDFI issue an order or a final order to now include any bank
holding company or subsidiary of the bank, trust company, or foreign
banking corporation that is violating or failing to comply with any
applicable law, or is conducting activities in an unsafe or injurious
manner;
|
|
•
Enabled the CDFI to take action against a person who has engaged in or
participated in any unsafe or unsound act with regard to a bank, including
a former employee who has left the
bank.
|
In 2007
California, a new Section 691.1 was added to the Financial Code that exempts
from a bank from obtaining a securities permit for the following
transactions:
|
·
|
any
offer (but not a sale) not involving a public offering by a bank organized
under the laws of this state of its
securities
|
|
·
|
the
execution and delivery of any agreement for the sale of the securities
pursuant to the offer if no part of the consideration for the securities
is paid to or received by the bank and none of the securities are issued
until the sale of the securities is authorized by the commissioner or
exempted from authorization.
|
|
·
|
any
stock split by a bank organized under the laws of this state that is
effected pursuant to an amendment to its articles, an agreement of merger,
or a certificate of ownership that has been approved by the commissioner,
unless this exemption is withheld by order of the
commissioner
|
|
·
|
any
offer or sale of securities by a bank organized under the laws of this
state that is either (1) to a person actually approved by the commissioner
pursuant to Section 702 of the Financial Code to acquire control of the
bank if all of the material terms and conditions of the offer and sale of
securities are disclosed in the application for approval specified in
Section 702 and the offer and sale of securities is in accordance with the
terms and subject to the conditions of the approval to acquire control or
(2) in a transaction exempted from the approval requirement of Section 701
by a regulation or an order of the commissioner, unless this exemption is
withheld by order of the
commissioner.
|
In
California, effective January 1, 2007, a new law Financial Code Section 854.1
recognizes the ability of mortgage brokers to obtain the benefit of non
interest-bearing accounts on trust funds deposited in a “commercial
bank.” The provision applies to real estate brokers who collect
payments or provide services in connection with a loan secured by a lien on real
property and permits a mortgage broker to earn interest on an interest-bearing
account at a financial institution. Interest on funds received by a
real estate broker who collects payments or provides services for an
“institutional investor” in connection with a loan secured by commercial real
property may inure to the broker, if agreed to in writing by the broker and the
institutional investor. For purposes of this law, commercial real
property means real estate improved with other than a one-to-four family
residence.
A 2007
California law makes it easier for California banks to accept deposits from
local government agencies. Under the old law, local agency deposits
over $100,000 had to be secured by collateral. Pursuant to the
enactment of Assembly Bill 2011, banks would be able to acquire surplus public
deposits exceeding $100,000 without pledging collateral if they participate in a
deposit placement service where excess amounts are placed in certificates of
deposit at other institutions within a network. Such a network (of
which currently there is only one available in the market) permits the entire
amount of a customer’s deposit to be FDIC-insured, and the bank taking the
original deposit retains the benefit of the full amount of the deposit for
lending or other purposes. AB 2011 clarifies that a local agency may
deposit up to 30% of its surplus funds in certificates of deposit at a bank,
savings association, savings bank, or credit union that participates in such a
deposit-sharing network. Since the entire amount of the deposits
would be FDIC-insured, a bank would not be required to pledge
collateral. The bill permits agencies to make these deposits until
January 1, 2012.
It is
impossible to predict what effect the enactment of certain of the
above-mentioned legislation will have on the Company. Moreover, it is
likely that other bills affecting the business of banks may be introduced in the
future by the United States Congress or California legislature.
15
Employees
At
December 31, 2008, the Company employed 138 persons on a full-time equivalent
basis. The Company believes its employee relations are excellent.
Available
Information
The
Company files period reports and other reports under the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These
reports, as well as the Company’s Code of Ethics, are posted and are available
at no cost on the Company’s website at http://www.unitedsecuritybank.com
as soon as reasonably practical after the Company files such reports with the
SEC. The Company’s periodic and other reports filed with the SEC are also
available at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
Item
1A. Risk Factors
There are
risk factors that may affect the Company’s business and impact the results of
operations, some of which are beyond the control of the Company.
Difficult market conditions
and economic trends have adversely affected the banking industry and could
adversely affect the Company’s business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The
Company is operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment,
including generally uncertain conditions nationally and locally in its markets.
Financial institutions continue to be affected by declines in the real estate
market that have negatively impacted the credit performance of construction,
commercial real estate loans, and residential mortgage loans and resulted in
significant write-downs of assets by many financial institutions. Concerns over
the stability of the financial markets and the economy have resulted in
decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each
other. The Company retains direct exposure to the residential and commercial
real estate markets, and it is affected by these events. Continued declines in
real estate values, home sales volumes and financial stress on borrowers as a
result of the uncertain economic environment, including job losses, could have
an adverse affect on the Company’s borrowers or their customers, which could
adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
The
Company’s ability to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate
the losses inherent in its credit portfolio is made more complex by these
difficult market and economic conditions. The Company also expects to face
increased regulation and government oversight as a result of these downward
trends. This increased government action may increase the Company’s costs and
limit its ability to pursue certain business opportunities. In addition, the
Company may be required to pay even higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums than
the recently increased level, because financial institution failures resulting
from the depressed market conditions and other factors have depleted and may
continue to deplete the deposit insurance fund and reduce its ratio of reserves
to insured deposits.
A
prolonged national economic recession or further deterioration of these
conditions in the Company’s markets could drive losses beyond that which is
provided for in its allowance for credit losses and result in the following
consequences:
|
•
|
increases
in loan delinquencies;
|
|
•
|
increases
in nonperforming assets and
foreclosures;
|
|
•
|
decreases
in demand for the Company’s products and services, which could adversely
affect its liquidity position; and
|
|
•
|
decreases
in the value of the collateral securing the Company’s loans, especially
real estate, which could reduce customers’ borrowing
power.
|
The
Company does not believe these difficult conditions are likely to improve in the
near future. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse
effects of these difficult economic conditions on the Company, its customers and
the other financial institutions in its market. As a result, the Company may
experience increases in foreclosures, delinquencies and customer bankruptcies,
as well as more restricted access to funds.
16
The U.S.
Treasury and the FDIC have initiated programs to address economic stabilization,
yet the efficacy of these programs in stabilizing the economy and the banking
system at large are uncertain.
Current levels of market
volatility are unprecedented and could adversely impact the Company’s results of
operations and access to capital.
The
capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for
more than a year. In recent months, the volatility and disruption has reached
unprecedented levels. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure
on stock prices and credit capacity for certain issuers without regard to those
issuers’ underlying financial strength. If the current levels of market
disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the
Company will not experience further adverse effects, which may be material, on
its ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Liquidity risk could impair
the Company’s ability to fund operations and jeopardize its financial
condition.
Liquidity
is essential to the Company’s business. An inability to raise funds through
deposits, borrowings, the sale of loans and other sources could have a
substantial negative effect on its liquidity. The Company’s access to funding
sources in amounts adequate to finance its activities or on terms which are
acceptable to it could be impaired by factors that affect the Company
specifically or the financial services industry or economy in general. Factors
that could detrimentally impact the Company’s access to liquidity sources
include a decrease in the level of its business activity as a result of a
downturn in the markets in which its loans are concentrated or adverse
regulatory action against it. The Company’s ability to borrow could also be
impaired by factors that are not specific to it, such as a disruption in the
financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the
financial services industry in light of the recent turmoil faced by banking
organizations and the continued deterioration in credit markets.
The Company’s financial
performance is subject to interest rate risk.
The
Company’s operations are greatly influenced by general economic conditions and
by related monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Deposit flows
and the funding costs are influenced by interest rates of competing investments
and general market rates of interest. Lending activities are affected
by the demand for loans, which in turn is affected by the interest rates at
which such financing may be offered and by other factors affecting the
availability of funds.
The
Company’s performance is substantially dependent on net interest income, which
is the difference between the interest income received from interest-earning
assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing
liabilities. To reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate
fluctuations, management seeks to manage the balances of interest sensitive
assets and liabilities, and maintain appropriate maturity and repricing
parameters for these assets and liabilities. A mismatch between the
amount of rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities in any time
period may expose the Company to interest rate risk. Generally, if rate
sensitive assets exceed rate sensitive liabilities, the net interest margin will
be positively impacted during a rising rate environment and negatively impacted
during a declining rate environment. When rate sensitive liabilities
exceed rate sensitive assets, the net interest margin will generally be
positively impacted during a declining rate environment and negatively impacted
during a rising rate environment.
Increases
in the level of interest rates may reduce the overall level of loans originated
by the Company, and, thus, the amount of loan and commitment fees earned, as
well as the market value of investment securities and other interest-earning
assets. Moreover, fluctuations in interest rates may also result in
disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from depository institutions
into direct investments, such as corporate securities and other investment
vehicles which, because of the absence of federal deposit insurance, generally
pay higher rates of return than depository institutions.
The
continued deterioration of local economic conditions in the Company’s market
area could hurt profitability.
The
Company’s operations are located primarily in Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa
Clara Counties, and are concentrated in Fresno County and surrounding
areas. As a result of this geographic concentration, the Company’s
financial results depend largely upon economic conditions in these
areas. The local economy in the Company’s market areas rely heavily
on agriculture, real estate, professional and business services, manufacturing,
trade and tourism. The significant economic downturn experienced in the
sub-prime lending and credit markets since the later part of 2007, has
negatively impacted the Company’s operations and financial condition to some
degree, and may further worsen with further deterioration of local and
state-wide economic conditions. Poor economic conditions could cause the Company
to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral
values in the loan portfolio.
17
Concentrations
in commercial and industrial loans, real estate-secured commercial loans, and
real estate construction loans, may expose the Company to increased lending
risks, especially in the event of a recession.
The
Company has significant concentrations in commercial real estate and real estate
construction loans. As of December 31, 2008, 14.9%, and 21.8% of the
Company’s loan portfolio was concentrated in these two categories, respectively.
In addition, the Company has many commercial loans to businesses in the
construction and real estate industry. There has been significant
volatility in real estate values in the Company’s market area in recent years,
and the occurrence of an extended real estate recession affecting
these market areas would likely reduce the security for many of the Company’s
loans and adversely affect the ability of many of borrowers to repay loan
balances due the Company and require increased provisions to the allowance for
loan losses. Therefore, the Company’s financial condition and results
of operations may be adversely affected by a decline in the value of the real
estate securing the Company’s loans.
The small to medium-sized
businesses that the Company lends to may have fewer resources to weather a
downturn in the economy, which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan
to the Company that could materially harm the Company’s operating results.
The
Company targets its business development and marketing strategy primarily to
serve the banking and financial services needs of small to medium-sized
businesses. These small to medium-sized businesses frequently have smaller
market share than their competition, may be more vulnerable to economic
downturns, often need substantial additional capital to expand or compete and
may experience significant volatility in operating results. Any one or more of
these factors may impair the borrower’s ability to repay a loan. In addition,
the success of a small to medium-sized business often depends on the management
talents and efforts of one or two persons or a small group of persons, and the
death, disability or resignation of one or more of these persons could have a
material adverse impact on the business and its ability to repay a loan.
Economic downturns and other events that negatively impact the Company’s market
areas could cause the Company to incur substantial credit losses that could
negatively affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and
cash flows.
The Company faces strong
competition, which may adversely affect its operating
results.
In recent
years, competition for bank customers, the source of deposits and loans for the
Company has greatly intensified. This competition includes:
·
|
larger
regional and national banks and other FDIC insured depository institutions
in many of the communities the Company
serves;
|
·
|
finance
companies, investment banking and brokerage firms, and insurance companies
that offer bank-like products;
|
·
|
credit
unions, which can offer highly competitive rates on loans and deposits
because they receive tax advantages not available to commercial banks;
and
|
·
|
technology-based
financial institutions including large national and super-regional banks
offering on-line deposit, bill payment, and mortgage loan application
services.
|
Some of
the financial services organizations with which the Company competes are not
subject to the same degree of regulation as is imposed on bank holding companies
and federally insured financial institutions. As a result, these
non-bank competitors have certain advantages over the Company in accessing
funding and in providing various banking-related services.
By virtue
of their larger capital position, regional and national banks have substantially
larger lending limits than the Company, and can provide certain services to
their customers which the Company is not able to offer directly, such as trust
and international services. Many of these larger banks also operate
with greater economies of scale which result in lower operating costs than the
Company on a per-unit basis.
Other
existing single or multi-branch community banks, or new community bank
start-ups, have marketing strategies similar to United Security Bancshares.
These other community banks can open new branches in the communities the Company
serves and compete directly for customers who want the high level of service
community banks offer. Other community banks also compete for the same
management personnel and the same potential acquisition and merger
candidates. Ultimately, competition can drive down the Company’s
interest margins and reduce profitability, as well as make it more difficult for
the Company to achieve its growth objectives.
18
The Company’s growth and
expansion strategy may not prove to be successful and as a result, its market
value and profitability may suffer.
The
Company plans to grow operations within its market area and expand into new
market areas when it makes strategic business sense, however the Company’s
capacity to manage any such growth will depend primarily on the ability to
attract and retain qualified personnel, monitor operations, maintain earnings
and control costs. The Company expects to continue to grow its assets and
deposits, the products and services which it offers and accordingly the scale of
its operations. The Company’s ability to manage growth successfully will depend
on the ability to maintain cost controls and asset quality while attracting
additional loans and deposits on favorable terms. If the Company
grows too quickly and is not able to control costs and maintain asset quality,
this rapid growth could materially adversely affect the financial performance of
the Company. The future successful growth of the Company will depend on the
ability of its officers and other key employees to continue to implement and
improve operational, credit, financial, management and other internal risk
controls and processes, reporting systems and procedures, and to manage a
growing number of customer relationships. The Company may not successfully
implement improvements to management information and control systems, and
control procedures and processes, in an efficient or timely manner and may
discover deficiencies in existing systems and controls. In
particular, the Company’s controls and procedures must be able to accommodate an
increase in expected loan volume and the infrastructure that comes with growth.
Thus, the Company’s growth strategy may divert management from existing
businesses and may require the Company to incur additional expenditures to
expand its administrative and operational infrastructure. If the Company is
unable to manage future expansion in its operations, it may experience
compliance and operational problems, need to slow the pace of growth, or need to
incur additional expenditures beyond current projections to support such growth,
any one of which could adversely affect the Company’s business and
profitability.
The Company may need to
raise additional capital in the future and such capital may not be available
when needed or at all.
The
Company may need to raise additional capital in the future to provide it with
sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet its commitments and business
needs. In addition, the Company may elect to raise additional capital to support
its business or to finance acquisitions, if any. The Company’s ability to raise
additional capital, if needed, will depend on, among other things, conditions in
the capital markets at that time, which are outside of its control, and its
financial performance. The ongoing liquidity crisis and the loss of confidence
in financial institutions may increase the Company’s cost of funding and limit
its access to some of its customary sources of capital, including, but not
limited to, inter-bank borrowings, repurchase agreements and borrowings from the
discount window of the Federal Reserve.
The
Company cannot assure you that such capital will be available to it on
acceptable terms or at all. Any occurrence that may limit its access to the
capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of investors, depositors of
the Banks or counterparties participating in the capital markets, may adversely
affect the Company’s capital costs and its ability to raise capital and, in
turn, its liquidity. An inability to raise additional capital on acceptable
terms when needed could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, financial condition and results of operations.
The loss of any of the
Company’s executive officers or key personnel could be damaging to the
business.
The
Company depends upon the skills and reputations of its executive officers and
key employees for its future success. The loss of any of these key
persons or the inability to attract and retain other key personnel could
adversely affect the Company’s business operations.
The Company could experience
loan losses, which exceed the overall allowance for loan
losses.
The risk
of credit losses on loans and leases varies with, among other things, general
economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the
borrower, and, in the case of collateralized loans, the value and marketability
of the collateral. The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses
based upon, among other things, historical experience, an evaluation of economic
conditions, and regular reviews of delinquencies and loan portfolio quality.
Based upon such factors, management makes various assumptions and determinations
about the ultimate collectibility of the loan portfolio and provides an
allowance for losses based upon a percentage of the outstanding balances and for
specific loans where their collectibility is considered to be
questionable.
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was approximately
$15.1 million representing 2.75% of gross outstanding loans. Although management
believes that the allowance is adequate, there can be no absolute assurance that
it will be sufficient to cover future loan losses. Although the Company uses the
best information available to make determinations with respect to adequacy of
the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments may be necessary if economic
conditions change substantially from the assumptions used or if negative
developments occur with respect to non-performing or performing loans. If
management’s assumptions or conclusions prove to be incorrect and the allowance
for loan losses is not adequate to absorb future losses, or if Company’s
regulatory agencies require an increase in the allowance for loan losses, the
Company’s earnings, and potentially its capital, could be significantly and
adversely impacted.
19
The Company may become
subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending
activities.
A
significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real property.
During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to
properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous
or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic
substances are found, the Company may be liable for remediation costs, as well
as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the
Company to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected
property’s value or limit the ability to use or sell the affected property. In
addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies
with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental
liability. Although the Company has policies and procedures to perform an
environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on nonresidential
real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential
environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities
associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on
the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The regulatory environment
under which the Company operates may have an adverse impact on the banking
industry.
The
Company is subject to extensive regulatory supervision and oversight from both
federal and state authorities. Regulatory oversight of the Company is provided
by the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and the California Department of Financial
Institutions (DFI). Future legislation and government may adversely impact the
Company and the commercial banking industry in general. Future regulatory
changes may also alter the structure and competitive relationship among
financial institutions.
The
Company may be exposed to compliance risk resulting from violations or
nonconformity with laws, rules, regulations, internal policies and procedures,
or ethical standards set forth by regulatory authorities. The Company may also
be subject to compliance risk in situations where laws or rules governing
certain products or activities of the Company’s customers may be uncertain or
untested. Compliance risk exposes the Company to fines, civil money penalties,
payment of damages, and the potential voiding of contracts. Compliance risk can
result in diminished reputation, reduced franchise value, limited business
opportunities, and reduced growth potential.
If the Company lost a
significant portion of its low-cost core deposits, it would negatively impact
profitability.
The
Company’s profitability depends in part on its success in attracting and
retaining a stable base of low-cost deposits. As of December 31, 2008,
noninterest-bearing checking accounts comprised 29.4% of the Company’s deposit
base, and interest-bearing checking and money market accounts comprised an
additional 8.0% and 18.8%, respectively. The Company considers these deposits to
be core deposits. If the Company lost a significant portion of these low-cost
deposits, it would negatively impact its profitability and long-term growth
objectives. While Management generally does not believe these deposits are
sensitive to interest-rate fluctuations, the competition for these deposits in
the Company’s market area is strong and if the Company were to lose a
significant portion of these low-cost deposits, it would negatively affect
business operations.
The Company’s Internal
controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Management
regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and
procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of
controls, however well designed and operated, is based, in part, on certain
assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the
objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the Company’s
controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to
controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s information
systems may experience an interruption or breach in
security.
The
Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its
business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could
result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management, general
ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and
procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption
or security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurance that we
can prevent any such failures, interruptions or security breaches or, if they do
occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures,
interruptions or security breaches of the Company’s information systems could
damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject the
Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose it to civil litigation and
possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
20
The Company continually
encounters technological change.
The
financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change
with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The
effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial
institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company’s future
success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers
by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer
demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s
operations. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater
resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to
effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be
successful in marketing these products and services to the company’s customers
and even if such products and services are implemented, the Company may incur
substantial costs in doing so. Failure to successfully keep pace with
technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a
material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and
results of operations
The Company is Subject to
Other-than-temporary Impairment Risk
The
Company recognizes an impairment charge when the decline in the fair value of
equity, debt securities and cost-method investments below their cost basis are
judged to be other-than-temporary. Significant judgment is used to identify
events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on
the future use of the investment. The Company considers various factors in
determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the
severity and duration of the impairment, forecasted recovery, the financial
condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and our ability and intent to
hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated
recovery in market value. Information about unrealized gains and losses is
subject to changing conditions. The values of securities with unrealized gains
and losses will fluctuate, as will the values of securities that we identify as
potentially distressed. Our current evaluation of other-than-temporary
impairments reflects our intent to hold securities for a reasonable period of
time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value. However, our intent to
hold certain of these securities may change in future periods as a result of
facts and circumstances impacting a specific security. If our intent to hold a
security with an unrealized loss changes, and we do not expect the security to
fully recover prior to the expected time of disposition, we will write down the
security to its fair value in the period that our intent to hold the security
changes.
The
process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and other intangibles
is highly subjective and requires significant judgment. The Company estimates
expected future cash flows of its various businesses and determines the carrying
value of these businesses. The Company exercises judgment in
assigning and allocating certain assets and liabilities to these businesses. The
Company then compares the carrying value, including goodwill and other
intangibles, to the discounted future cash flows. If the total of future cash
flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is
recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the
assets. Estimates of the future cash flows associated with the assets are
critical to these assessments. Changes in these estimates based on changed
economic conditions or business strategies could result in material impairment
charges in future periods.
If the goodwill that the
Company recorded in connection with a business acquisition becomes impaired, it
could require charges to earnings, which would have a negative impact on the
Company’s financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
Goodwill
represents the amount of acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets the
Company acquired in the purchase of another financial institution. The Company
reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events
or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset might be
impaired.
The
Company determines impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the
reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the
carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of
that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that
excess. Any such adjustments are reflected in the Company’s results of
operations in the periods in which they become known. At December 31, 2008, the
Company’s goodwill totaled $10.4 million. While the Company has not recorded any
such impairment charges since it initially recorded the goodwill, there can be
no assurance that the Company’s future evaluations of goodwill will not result
in findings of impairment and related write-downs, which may have a material
adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.
The Company relies on
dividends from its subsidiaries for most of its revenue.
United
Security Bancshares is a separate and distinct legal entity from its
subsidiaries. The Company receives substantially all of its revenue from
dividends from its subsidiary, United Security Bank. These dividends are the
principal source of funds to pay dividends on common stock and interest on the
Company’s junior subordinated debt. Various federal and/or state laws and
regulations limit the amount of dividends that United Security Bank and certain
non-bank subsidiaries may pay to United Security Bancshares. Also, United
Security Bancshares’ right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a
subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the
subsidiary’s creditors. In the event United Security Bank is unable to pay
dividends to United Security Bancshares, the Company may not be able to service
debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on common stock. The inability to receive
dividends from United Security Bank could have a material adverse effect on
United Security Bancshares’ business, financial condition and results of
operations.
21
The holders of the Company’s
junior subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of the
Company’s shareholders.
On July
25, 2007 the Company issued $15.5 million of floating rate junior subordinated
debentures in connection with a $15.0 million trust preferred securities
issuance by its subsidiary, United Security Bancshares Capital Trust II. The
junior subordinated debentures mature in July 2037.
The
Company conditionally guarantees payments of the principal and interest on the
trust preferred securities. The Company’s junior subordinated debentures are
senior to holders of common stock. As a result, the Company must make payments
on the junior subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred
securities) before any dividends can be paid on our common stock and, in the
event of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, the holders of the debentures
must be satisfied before any distributions can be made to the holders of common
stock. The Company has the right to defer distributions on our junior
subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred securities) for up to
five years, during which time no dividends may be paid to holders of common
stock.
Severe weather, natural
disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could
significantly impact the Company’s business.
Severe
weather, natural disasters, including but not limited to earthquakes and
droughts, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have
a significant impact on the Company’s ability to conduct business. Such events
could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers
to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause
significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause the Company
to incur additional expenses. Severe weather or natural disasters, acts of war
or terrorism or other adverse external events may occur in the future. Although
management has established disaster recovery policies and procedures, there can
be no assurance of the effectiveness of such policies and procedures, and the
occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item
1B. - Unresolved Staff Comments
The
Company had no unresolved staff comments at December 31, 2008.
Item 2 - Properties
The
Bank’s Main bank branch is located at 2151 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California.
The Company owns the building and leases the land under a sublease dated
December 1, 1986 between Central Bank and USB. The current sublessor under the
master ground lease is Bank of the West, which acquired the position through the
purchase of Central Bank. The lessor under the ground lease (Master Lease) is
Thomas F. Hinds. The lease expires on December 31, 2015 and the Company has
options to extend the term for four (4) ten-year periods and one seven (7) year
period.
The
Company leases the banking premises of approximately 6,450 square feet for its
second of three Fresno branches at 7088 N. First Ave, Fresno, California., under
a lease which commenced August 2005 for a term of ten years expiring in July
2015. The branch was previously located at 1041 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno,
California, under a lease extension expiring February 28, 2005. The lease was
renewed until August 2005. The 7088 N. First location provides space for the
relocated branch as well as the Real Estate Construction Department and the
Indirect Consumer Lending Department.
The
Company leases the Oakhurst bank branch located at the Old Mill Village Shopping
Center, 40074 Highway 49, Oakhurst, California. The branch facility consists of
approximately 5,000 square feet with a lease term of 15 years ending April 2014,
and has two five-year options to extend the lease term after that
date.
The
Company owns the Caruthers bank branch located at 13356 South Henderson,
Caruthers, California, which consists of approximately 5,000 square feet of
floor space.
22
The
Company owns the San Joaquin branch facilities located at 21574 Manning Avenue,
San Joaquin, California. The bank branch is approximately 2,500 square
feet.
The
Company owns the Firebaugh bank branch located at 1067 O Street, Firebaugh,
California. The premises are comprised of approximately 4,666 square feet of
office space situated on land totaling approximately one-third of an
acre.
The
Company owns the Coalinga bank branch located at 145 East Durian, Coalinga,
California. The office building has a total of 6,184 square feet of interior
floor space situated on approximately 0.45 acres of land.
The
Company leases the Convention Center branch located at 855 “M” Street, Suite
130, Fresno, California. Total space leased is approximately 4,520 square feet,
and was occupied during March 2004. The fifteen-year lease expires in March
2019. There are no extension provisions.
The
Company owns the Taft branch office premises located at 523 Cascade Place, Taft,
California. The branch facilities consist of approximately 9,200 square feet of
office space.
The
Company owns the branch facilities located at 3404 Coffee Road, Bakersfield,
California, which has approximately 6,130 square feet of office space located on
1.15 acres.
The
Company leases the Campbell branch located at 125 E. Campbell Ave, Campbell,
California, which has approximately 6,995 square feet which it occupied after
the merger completed in February 2007. The lease expires on December 31,
2010.
The
Company subleases the space for its USB Financial Services offices at 855 “M”
Street, Suite 1120, Fresno, California from Centex Homes, Inc. The subleased
facility totals 3,656 square feet and the lease expires on March 31,
2009.
The
Company owns its administrative headquarters at 2126 Inyo Street, Fresno,
California. The facility consists of approximately 21,400 square feet. A portion
of the premises has been subleased to a third-party under a lease term of
approximately seven years.
Item
3 - Legal Proceedings
From time
to time, the Company is party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of business. At this time, the management of the Company is not
aware of any material pending litigation proceedings to which it is a party or
has recently been party to, which will have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
Item
4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a
vote of shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
PART
II
Item
5 - Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Trading
History
The
Company became a NASDAQ National Market listed company on May 31, 2001, then
became a Global Select listed company during 2006, and trades under the symbol
UBFO.
The
Company currently has four market makers for its common stock. These include,
Stone & Youngberg, LLC, Howe Barnes Hoeffer & Arnett, Sandler O’Neill
& Partners, and Hill Thompson, Magid & Company. The Company is aware of
two other securities dealers: Smith Barney and Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., which
periodically act as brokers in the Company's stock.
23
On March
28, 2006, the Company announced a 2-for-1 stock split of the Company’s no-par
common stock payable May 1, 2006 effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend.
Share information for all periods presented in this 10-K have been restated to
reflect the effect of the stock split.
During
the third quarter ended September 30, 2008 and the fourth quarter ended December
31, 2008, the Company declared 1% stock dividends. Share information for all
periods presented in this 10-K has been restated to reflect the effect of the 1%
stock dividends.
The
Company has been included in the Russell 2000 Stock Index since June 2006. The
inclusion of the Company’s stock in the index has provided additional exposure
for the Company in equity markets, and increased the transaction
volume.
The
following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices by quarter for
the Company's common stock, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2007.
Closing
Prices
|
Volume
|
|||||||||||
Quarter
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||||||
4th
Quarter 2008
|
$ | 16.06 | $ | 7.17 | 913,800 | |||||||
3rd
Quarter 2008
|
$ | 17.70 | $ | 13.59 | 1,004,500 | |||||||
2nd
Quarter 2008
|
$ | 17.33 | $ | 13.38 | 1,260,000 | |||||||
1st
Quarter 2008
|
$ | 17.82 | $ | 12.52 | 1,623,900 | |||||||
4th
Quarter 2007
|
$ | 20.00 | $ | 14.34 | 1,505,900 | |||||||
3rd
Quarter 2007
|
$ | 21.00 | $ | 13.99 | 1,167,700 | |||||||
2nd
Quarter 2007
|
$ | 22.63 | $ | 17.14 | 2,083,400 | |||||||
1st
Quarter 2007
|
$ | 25.00 | $ | 19.07 | 1,649,400 |
At
January 31, 2008, there were approximately 864 record holders of common stock of
the Company. This does not reflect the number of persons or entities who hold
their stock in nominee or street name through various brokerage
firms.
Dividends
The
Company's shareholders are entitled to cash dividends when and as declared by
the Company’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefore.
Dividends paid to shareholders by the Company are subject to restrictions set
forth in California General Corporation Law, which provides that a corporation
may make a distribution to its shareholders if retained earnings immediately
prior to the dividend payout are at least equal the amount of the proposed
distribution. As a bank holding company without significant assets other than
its equity position in the Bank, the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its
shareholders depends primarily upon dividends it receives from the Bank. Such
dividends paid by the Bank to the Company are subject to certain limitations.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial and Results of Operations
– Regulatory Matters”.
The
Company paid cash dividends to shareholders of $0.13 per share on January 23,
2008, and April 23, 2008. The Company distributed a 1% stock dividend to
shareholders on July 23, 2008, and then again on October 22, 2008. During the
previous year, the Company paid cash dividends to shareholders of $0.125 per
share on January 25, 2007, April 18, 2007, July 18, 2007 and October 24,
2007.
The
amount and payment of dividends by the Company to shareholders are set by the
Company's Board of Directors with numerous factors involved including the
Company's earnings, financial condition and the need for capital for expanded
growth and general economic conditions. No assurance can be given that cash or
stock dividends will be paid in the future.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The
following table sets forth securities authorized for issuance under equity
compensation plans as for December 31, 2008.
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to
be
issued upon exercise
of
outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
(column
a)
|
Weighted-average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
|
Number
of securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance under
equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected
in
column (a))
|
|||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
175,967 | $ | 15.74 | 311,335 | ||||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||
Total
|
175,967 | $ | 15.74 | 311,335 |
24
A
complete description of the above plans is included in Note 12 of the Company’s
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10K, and is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Purchases
of Equity Securities by Affiliates and Associated Purchasers
Total
Number of
|
Maximum
Number
|
|||||||||||||||
Weighted
|
Shares
Purchased
|
of
Shares That May
|
||||||||||||||
Total
Number
|
Average
|
as
Part of Publicly
|
Yet
be Purchased
|
|||||||||||||
Of
Shares
|
Price
Paid
|
Announced
Plan
|
Under
the Plans
|
|||||||||||||
Period
|
Purchased
|
per
Share
|
or
Program
|
or
Programs
|
||||||||||||
10/01/08
to 10/31/08
|
249 | $ | 12.09 | 249 | 197,993 | |||||||||||
11/01/08
to 11/30/08
|
16,773 | $ | 8.89 | 16,773 | 181,220 | |||||||||||
12/01/08
to 12/31/08
|
5,893 | $ | 10.38 | 5,893 | 175,327 | |||||||||||
Total
fourth quarter 2008
|
22,915 | $ | 9.31 | 22,915 |
On August
30, 2001 the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a plan to
repurchase, as conditions warrant, up to 280,000 shares (560,000 shares adjusted
for May 2006 stock split) of the Company's common stock on the open market or in
privately negotiated transactions. The duration of the program was open-ended
and the timing of purchases was dependent on market conditions. A total of
215,423 shares (430,846 shares adjusted for May 2006 stock split) had been
repurchased under that plan as of December 31, 2003, at a total cost of $3.7
million.
On
February 25, 2004 the Company announced a second stock repurchase plan under
which the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase, as conditions
warrant, up to 276,500 shares (553,000 shares adjusted for May 2006 stock split)
of the Company's common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions. As with the first plan, the duration of the new program is
open-ended and the timing of purchases will depend on market conditions.
Concurrent with the approval of the new repurchase plan, the Board terminated
the 2001 repurchase plan and canceled the remaining 64,577 shares (129,154
shares adjusted for May 2006 stock split) yet to be purchased under the earlier
plan.
On May
16, 2007, the Company announced another stock repurchase plan to repurchase, as
conditions warrant, up to 610,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the
open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase plan
represents approximately 5.00% of the Company's currently outstanding common
stock. The duration of the program is open-ended and the timing of purchases
will depend on market conditions. Concurrent with the approval of the new
repurchase plan, the Company canceled the remaining 75,733 shares available
under the 2004 repurchase plan.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, 89,001 shares were repurchased at a total cost
of $1.21 million and an average per share price of $13.70.
Financial
Performance
The
following performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should
not be deemed filed incorporated by reference into any other Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the
extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference
therein.
25
Period
Ending
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Index
|
12/31/03
|
12/31/04
|
12/31/05
|
12/31/06
|
12/31/07
|
12/31/08
|
||||||||||||||||||
United
Security Bancshares
|
100.00 | 95.89 | 117.85 | 190.21 | 122.88 | 96.96 | ||||||||||||||||||
Russell
2000
|
100.00 | 118.33 | 123.72 | 146.44 | 144.15 | 95.44 | ||||||||||||||||||
Russell
3000
|
100.00 | 111.95 | 118.80 | 137.47 | 144.54 | 90.61 | ||||||||||||||||||
SNL
Bank $500M-$1B Index
|
100.00 | 113.32 | 118.18 | 134.41 | 107.71 | 69.02 |
26
Item
6 - Selected Financial Data
The
following table sets forth certain selected financial data for the Bank for each
of the years in the five-year periods ended December 31, 2008 and should be read
in conjunction with the more detailed information and financial statements
contained elsewhere herein (in thousands except per share data and
ratios).
December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands except per share data and ratios)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||
Summary
of Year-to-Date Earnings:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
income and loan fees
|
$ | 45,147 | $ | 57,156 | $ | 47,356 | $ | 38,898 | $ | 30,874 | ||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
14,938 | 20,573 | 14,175 | 9,658 | 6,433 | |||||||||||||||
Net
interest income
|
30,209 | 36,583 | 33,181 | 29,240 | 24,441 | |||||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
9,598 | 5,697 | 880 | 1,140 | 1,145 | |||||||||||||||
Net
interest income after
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
20,611 | 30,886 | 32,301 | 28,100 | 23,296 | |||||||||||||||
Noninterest
income
|
8,343 | 9,664 | 9,031 | 6,280 | 4,742 | |||||||||||||||
Noninterest
expense
|
23,279 | 22,732 | 19,937 | 16,982 | 14,667 | |||||||||||||||
Income
before taxes on income
|
5,675 | 17,818 | 21,395 | 17,398 | 13,371 | |||||||||||||||
Taxes
on income
|
1,605 | 6,561 | 8,035 | 6,390 | 4,966 | |||||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 | $ | 11,008 | $ | 8,405 | ||||||||||
Per
Share Data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net
Income – Basic
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 0.95 | $ | 0.73 | ||||||||||
Net
Income – Diluted
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.94 | $ | 0.73 | ||||||||||
Average
shares outstanding – Basic
|
12,048,728 | 12,165,475 | 11,572,407 | 11,598,382 | 11,486,848 | |||||||||||||||
Average
shares outstanding - Diluted
|
12,052,150 | 12,200,920 | 11,692,705 | 11,683,360 | 11,562,309 | |||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends paid
|
$ | 0.26 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.325 | ||||||||||
Financial
Position at Period-end:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 761,077 | $ | 771,715 | $ | 678,314 | $ | 628,859 | $ | 611,696 | ||||||||||
Total
net loans and leases
|
533,671 | 585,580 | 491,204 | 409,409 | 390,334 | |||||||||||||||
Total
deposits
|
508,486 | 634,617 | 587,127 | 546,460 | 536,672 | |||||||||||||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
79,610 | 82,431 | 66,042 | 59,014 | 53,236 | |||||||||||||||
Book
value per share
|
$ | 6.63 | $ | 6.95 | $ | 5.84 | $ | 5.19 | $ | 4.69 | ||||||||||
Selected
Financial Ratios:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Return
on average assets
|
0.52 | % | 1.47 | % | 2.04 | % | 1.76 | % | 1.52 | % | ||||||||||
Return
on average shareholders' equity
|
4.93 | % | 13.73 | % | 20.99 | % | 19.46 | % | 16.81 | % | ||||||||||
Average
shareholders' equity to average assets
|
10.60 | % | 10.73 | % | 9.70 | % | 9.02 | % | 9.01 | % | ||||||||||
Allowance
for credit losses as a percentage of total nonperforming
loans
|
29.50 | % | 50.45 | % | 64.13 | % | 55.62 | % | 42.51 | % | ||||||||||
Net
charge-offs to average loans
|
0.92 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||
Allowance
for credit losses as a percentage of period-end loans
|
2.75 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.67 | % | 1.86 | % | 1.82 | % | ||||||||||
Dividend
payout ratio
|
76.47 | % | 53.12 | % | 38.18 | % | 38.50 | % | 43.16 | % |
27
Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Overview
Certain
matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, those described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, the following factors: i) competitive pressures in the
banking industry and changes in the regulatory environment; ii) exposure to
changes in the interest rate environment and the resulting impact on the
Company’s interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities; iii) decline in the
health of the economy nationally or regionally which could reduce the demand for
loans or reduce the value of real estate collateral securing most of the
Company’s loans; iv) credit quality deterioration that could cause an increase
in the provision for loan losses; v) Asset/Liability matching risks and
liquidity risks; volatility and devaluation in the securities markets, and vi)
expected cost savings from recent acquisitions are not realized. Therefore, the
information set forth therein should be carefully considered when evaluating the
business prospects of the Company.
The
Company
On June
12, 2001, the United Security Bank (the “Bank”) became the wholly owned
subsidiary of United Security Bancshares (the “Company”) through a tax-free
holding company reorganization, accounted for on a basis similar to the pooling
of interest method. In the transaction, each share of Bank stock was exchanged
for a share of Company stock on a one-to-one basis. No additional equity was
issued as part of this transaction. In the following discussion, references to
the Bank are references to United Security Bank. References to the Company are
references to United Security Bancshares (including the Bank).
On June
28, 2001, United Security Bancshares Capital Trust I (the “Trust”) was formed as
a Delaware business trust for the sole purpose of issuing Trust Preferred
securities. On July 16, 2001, the Trust completed the issuance of $15 million in
Trust Preferred securities, and concurrently, the Trust used the proceeds from
that offering to purchase Junior Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The
Company contributed $13.7 million of the $14.5 million in net proceeds received
from the Trust to the Bank to increase its regulatory capital and used the rest
for the Company’s business. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the
fair value provisions of SFAS No. 159 for its junior subordinated debt issued by
the Trust. As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 159, the Company recorded a
fair value adjustment of $1.3 million, reflected as an adjustment to beginning
retained earnings. On July 25, 2007, the Company redeemed the $15.0 million in
subordinated debentures plus accrued interest of $690,000 and a 6.15% prepayment
penalty totaling $922,500. Concurrently, the Trust Preferred securities issued
by Capital Trust I were redeemed. The prepayment penalty of $922,500 had
previously been a component of the fair value adjustment for the junior
subordinated debt at the initial adoption of SFAS No. 159.
Effective
December 31, 2001, United Security Bank formed a subsidiary Real Estate
Investment Trust (“REIT”) through which preferred stock was offered to private
investors, to raise capital for the bank in accordance with the laws and
regulations in effect at the time. The principal business purpose of the REIT
was to provide an efficient and economical means to raise capital. The REIT also
provided state tax benefits beginning in 2002. On December 31, 2003 the
California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced certain tax transactions related
to real estate investment trusts (REITs) and regulated investment companies
(RICs) will be disallowed pursuant to Senate Bill 614 and Assembly Bill 1601,
which were signed into law in the 4th quarter of 2003 (For further discussion see Income
Taxes section of Results of Operations contained in this Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations).
Effective
April 23, 2004, the Company completed its merger with Taft National Bank
headquartered in Taft, California. Taft National Bank (“Taft”) was merged into
United Security Bank and Taft’s two branches began operating as branches of
United Security Bank. The total consideration paid to Taft shareholders was
241,447 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at just over approximately
$6.0 million. As a result of the merger, the Company acquired $15.4 million in
cash and short-term investments, $23.3 million in loans, and $48.2 million in
deposits. This transaction was accounted for using the purchase accounting
method, and resulted in the purchase price being allocated to the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed from Taft based on the fair value of those
assets and liabilities. The consolidated statements of income include the
operations of Taft from the date of the acquisition forward.
28
During
August 2005, the Bank formed a new subsidiary named United Security Emerging
Capital Fund (the Fund) for the purpose of providing investment capital for
Low-Income Communities (LIC’s). The new subsidiary was formed as a Community
Development Entity (CDE) and as such, must be certified by the Community
Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of the
Treasury in order to apply for New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). The Fund submitted
an application to the Department of the Treasury to become certified as a CDE in
August 2005 and was approved in February 2006. Subsequent to that application,
the Fund submitted an application to apply for an allocation of New Market Tax
Credits in September 2005. The Fund was not awarded funding from the Department
of Treasury during the 2006 allocation process, but applied for the 2007
allocation of New Market Tax Credits in August 2006. The Fund was not awarded
funding during the 2007 allocation process. The Fund did not apply for
allocations of New Market Credits during 2007 or 2008. If the Fund’s NMTC is
ever approved for the allocation of New Market Credits, the Fund can attract
investments and make loans and investments in LIC’s and thereby qualify its
investors to receive Federal Income Tax Credits. The maximum that can be applied
for under the New Markets Tax Credit program by any one CDE is $150 million, and
the Bank is subject to an investment limitation of 10% of its risk-based
capital. Federal new market tax credits would be applied over a seven-year
period, 5% for the first three years, and 6% for the next four years for a total
of 39%.
On
February 16, 2007, the Company completed its merger of Legacy Bank, N.A. with
and into United Security Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Legacy
Bank which began operations in 2003 operated one banking office in Campbell,
California serving small business and retail banking clients. With its small
business and retail banking focus, Legacy Bank provides a unique opportunity for
United Security Bank to serve a loyal and growing small business niche and
individual client base in the San Jose area. Upon completion of the merger,
Legacy Bank's branch office began operating as a branch office of United
Security Bank. As of February 16, 2007 Legacy Bank had net assets of
approximately of $8.6 million, including net loans of approximately $62.4
million and deposits of approximately $69.6 million.
In the
merger with Legacy Bank, the Company issued 976,411 shares of its stock in a tax
free exchange for all of the Legacy Bank common shares. The total value of the
transaction was approximately $21.7 million. The merger transaction was
accounted for using the purchase accounting method, and resulted in the purchase
price being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Legacy
based on the fair value of those assets and liabilities. Fair-market-value
adjustments and intangible assets totaled approximately $12.9 million, including
$8.8 million in goodwill. The allocations of purchase price based upon the fair
market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were finalized during
the fourth quarter of 2007.
During
July 2007, the Company formed USB Capital Trust II, a wholly-owned special
purpose entity, for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities. Like USB
Capital Trust I formed in July 2001, USB Capital Trust II is a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE) and a deconsolidated entity pursuant to FIN 46. On July 23, 2007
USB Capital Trust II issued $15 million in Trust Preferred securities. The
securities have a thirty-year maturity and bear a floating rate of interest
(repricing quarterly) of 1.29% over the three-month LIBOR rate (initial coupon
rate of 6.65%). Interest will be paid quarterly. Concurrent with the issuance of
the Trust Preferred securities, USB Capital Trust II used the proceeds of the
Trust Preferred securities offering to purchase a like amount of junior
subordinated debentures of the Company. The Company will pay interest on the
junior subordinated debentures to USB Capital Trust II, which represents the
sole source of dividend distributions to the holders of the Trust Preferred
securities. The Company may redeem the junior subordinated debentures at anytime
before October 2008 at a redemption price of 103.3, and thereafter each October
as follows: 2008 at 102.64, 2009 at 101.98, 2010 at 101.32, 2011 at 100.66, and
at par anytime after October 2012.
The Bank
currently has eleven banking branches, one construction lending office, and one
financial services office, which provide banking and financial services in
Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara counties. As a community-oriented bank
holding company, the Company continues to seek ways to better meet its
customers' needs for financial services, and to expand its business
opportunities in today's ever-changing financial services environment. The
Company's strategy is to be a better low-cost provider of services to its
customer base while enlarging its market area and corresponding customer base to
further its ability to provide those services.
Current
Trends Affecting Results of Operations and Financial Position
The
Company’s overall operations are impacted by a number of factors, including not
only interest rates and margin spreads, which impact results of operations, but
also the composition of the Company’s balance sheet. One of the primary
strategic goals of the Company is to maintain a mix of assets that will generate
a reasonable rate of return without undue risk, and to finance those assets with
a low-cost and stable source of funds. Liquidity and capital resources must also
be considered in the planning process to mitigate risk and allow for
growth.
The
following table summarizes the year-to-date averages of the components of
interest-bearing assets as a percentage of total interest bearing assets, and
the components of interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of total
interest-bearing liabilities:
YTD
Average
|
YTD
Average
|
YTD
Average
|
||||||||||
12/31/08
|
12/31/07
|
12/31/06
|
||||||||||
Loans
|
84.23 | % | 85.00 | % | 80.26 | % | ||||||
Investment
securities
|
14.30 | % | 13.46 | % | 15.65 | % | ||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits in other banks
|
1.39 | % | 1.02 | % | 1.33 | % | ||||||
Federal
funds sold
|
0.08 | % | 0.52 | % | 2.76 | % | ||||||
Total
earning assets
|
100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | ||||||
NOW
accounts
|
7.92 | % | 8.82 | % | 11.21 | % | ||||||
Money
market accounts
|
22.89 | % | 25.99 | % | 31.56 | % | ||||||
Savings
accounts
|
7.50 | % | 8.79 | % | 8.02 | % | ||||||
Time
deposits
|
42.51 | % | 50.05 | % | 44.72 | % | ||||||
Other
borrowings
|
16.84 | % | 3.40 | % | 0.96 | % | ||||||
Trust
Preferred Securities
|
2.34 | % | 2.95 | % | 3.53 | % | ||||||
Total
interest-bearing liabilities
|
100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
29
Continued
deterioration in the real estate markets and the economy in general have
impacted the Company’s operations during 2008 although, the Company continues
its business development and expansion efforts throughout a diverse market
area.
With
market rates of interest declining 100 basis points during the fourth quarter of
2007, another 400 basis points during the year ended December 31, 2008, the
Company has experienced significant declines in its net interest margin. The
Company’s net interest margin was 4.33% for the year ended December 31, 2008, as
compared to 5.35% and 5.67% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December
31, 2006, respectively. With approximately 64.0% of the loan portfolio in
floating rate instruments at December 31, 2008, the effects of market rates
continue to be realized almost immediately on loan yields. Loans yielded 6.75%
during the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to 9.07% and 9.13% for the
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. With a
significant increase in nonaccrual loans during 2008, and specifically during
the second half of 2008, the Company reversed approximately $1.0 million in
interest income during the year, reducing the loan yield by approximately 17
basis points during the year ended December 31, 2008. Loan yield was enhanced
during 2007, as a nonperforming loan was paid off during the first quarter of
2007, providing an additional $902,000 in previously unrecognized interest
income that would not have otherwise been recognized during 2007, and an
enhancement to loan yield of approximately 15 basis points for the year ended
December 31, 2007. Although market rates of interest declined so rapidly during
2008, deposit repricing was slow to follow the decline in loan rates during the
second half of 2008. However, with the recent stock market declines, combined
with more substantial FDIC insurance coverage, deposit rates have begun to
decline as investors have sought safety in bank deposits. Borrowing rates have
declined significantly during the fourth quarter of 2008, resulting in overnight
and short-term borrowing rates of less than 0.50% at December 31, 2008. The
Company has benefited from these rate declines, as it has utilized overnight and
short-term borrowing lines through the Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan
Bank to a greater degree during 2008. The Company’s average cost of funds was
2.75% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 3.91% and 3.24% for
the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Total
noninterest income of $8.3 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2008
decreased $1.3 million or 13.7% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007,
primarily as the result of reductions of approximately $1.1 million in SFAS No.
159 fair market value gains between the two twelve-month periods on the
Company’s junior subordinated debt. Noninterest income continues to be driven by
customer service fees, which totaled $4.7 million for the year ended December
31, 2008, representing a modest decline of $134,000 or 2.8% over the $4.8
million in customer service fees reported for the year ended December 31, 2007,
but an increase of $877,000 or 23.2% over the noninterest income of $3.8 million
reported for the year ended December 31, 2006. Customer service fees represented
55.8%, 49.6%, and 41.8% of total noninterest income for the years ended December
31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Shared appreciation income on lending
activities, while not a consistent income stream, did increase approximately
$223,000 between the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31,
2007.
Noninterest
expense increased approximately $547,000 or 2.4% between the years ended
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, and increased $3.3 million or 16.8%
between the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2008. Reductions in
salary expense, data processing, and professional fees, were more than offset by
impairment losses on other real estate owned through foreclosure (OREO) and
intangible assets. Impairment losses on the Company’s intangible assets totaled
$648,000 and impairment charges on OREO properties totaled another $887,000
during the year ended December 31, 2008. Salary expense decreased $220,000 or
2.0% between the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 due in
large part to significant decreases in bonus and incentive expenses during 2008.
Professional fees declined $329,000 or 18.2% between the years ended December
31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 as the result of reductions in corporate legal
fees between the two periods.
30
During
both the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors
declared a one-percent (1%) stock dividend on the Company’s outstanding common
stock. The stock dividends for the third and fourth quarters of 2008 replace the
normal quarterly cash dividends and reflect a similar value. Although the
Company's capital position remains strong, the change in the dividend from cash
to stock was employed as a precaution against uncertainties in the current
economic environment, and specifically the real estate1-4 family residential
real estate market which has had an impact on the Company's construction and
related land and lot loan portfolio. The Company believes, given the current
uncertainties in the economy and unprecedented declines in real estate
valuations in our markets, it is prudent to retain capital in this environment,
and better position the Company for future growth opportunities. Based upon the
number of outstanding common shares on the respective record dates, an
additional 117,732 and 118,449 shares were issued to shareholders during October
2008 and January 2009, respectively. For purposes of earnings per share
calculations, the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding and potentially
dilutive shares used in the computation of earnings per share have been restated
after giving retroactive effect to the 1% stock dividends to shareholders for
all periods presented.
The
Company has sought to maintain a strong, yet conservative balance sheet during
the year ended December 31, 2008. Total assets of $761.1 million at December 31,
2008 decreased approximately $10.6 million during the year ended December 31,
2008, with decreases of $48.2 million in gross loans, offset by increases of
$23.5 million other real estate owned through foreclosure, and increases of
$20.9 million in investments and interest-bearing deposits in other banks.
Approximately half of the decline in loans experienced during 2008 was the
result of OREO properties that were transferred from the loan portfolio in
settlement of loan obligations, the majority of which were transferred during
the fourth quarter of 2008. The most significant declines in loan balances
experienced during 2008 were in construction loans which decreased $58.4 million
or 32.8% and in real estate mortgage loans which decreased $15.9 million or
11.1% between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. On average, loan volume
remained stable between 2008 and 2007, with loans averaging $587.9 million or
89.7% of average earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared
to $580.9 million or 89.4% of average earning assets for the year ended December
31, 2007.
Deposits
of $508.5 million at December 31, 2008 declined $126.1 million or 19.9% during
the year ended December 31, 2008 primarily as the result of a decline in
brokered time deposits, and deposits obtained from the State of California. As
part of its asset/liability strategy, the Company chose to let brokered time
deposits mature during 2008, and to use alternative lower-cost funding sources
including FHLB term advances and overnight borrowings from the Federal Reserve.
This strategy has worked well for the Company during 2008 and helped to reduce
funding costs significantly, although the Company will seek to attract
additional deposits during 2009 as they continue to become less expensive,
relative to wholesale funding sources. Wholesale borrowings, including FHLB
advances and Federal Reserve overnight borrowings, increased $122.8 million
during 2008 to a balance of $155.0 million at December 31, 2008. The average
cost of those wholesale borrowings was 2.32% and 5.17% for the years ended
December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, representing a cost reduction of 285
basis points between the two twelve-month periods. Although the Company has
realized significant interest expense reductions by utilizing these borrowing
lines, the use of such lines are monitored closely to ensure sound balance sheet
management in light of the current economic and credit environment.
The cost
of the Company’s subordinated debentures issued by USB Capital Trust II has
declined significantly as market rates of interest have fallen during the year
ended December 31, 2008. With pricing at 3-month-LIBOR plus 129 basis points,
the effective cost of the subordinated debt was 2.73% at December 31, 2008,
representing a rate reduction of 326 basis points between December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2008. As a result of interest rate changes experienced during 2008
in relation to market spreads for junior subordinated debentures, the Company
recorded an additional $1.4 million pretax fair value gain on its junior
subordinated debt bringing the total cumulative gain recorded on the debt to
$3.7 million at December 31, 2008.
Nonperforming
assets increased significantly during the second half of 2008 as real estate
markets continue to suffer from the mortgage crisis which began during mid-2007.
Nonaccrual loans totaled $51.1 million at December 31, 2008, representing an
increase of $29.5 million as compared to the balance of $21.6 million reported
at December 31, 2007. The increase in nonaccrual loans experienced during 2008
is comprised largely of construction and real estate development loans. In
determining the adequacy of the underlying collateral related to theses loans,
management monitors trends within specific geographical areas, loan-to-value
ratios, appraisals, and other credit issues related to the specific loans.
During the later part of 2008, the Company successfully worked with many of its
borrowers to re-margin loans as collateral values declined, then weakening
the Company’s credit position and increasing the potential for losses. Impaired
loans of $54.4 million at December 31, 2008 increased $33.7 million during the
year ended December 31, 2008 and increased $716,000 during the fourth quarter of
2008. Classified loans (comprised of the total of nonaccrual, impaired, and
substandard loans) totaled $88.1 million at December 31, 2008, representing an
increase of $36.4 million from the balance of $51.8 million reported at December
31, 2007, but a decrease of $17.0 million from the balance of $105.1 million
reported at September 30, 2008. The decrease in classified loans experienced
during the fourth quarter of 2008 is primarily the result of more than $23.0 in
nonaccrual loans that were transferred to OREO during that quarter. Other real
estate owned through foreclosure increased $23.5 million between December 31,
2007 and December 31, 2008, as five properties were moved through foreclosure
proceedings during the first nine months of 2008, and an additional nine
properties were moved during the fourth quarter of 2008, when all other means of
collection failed. One of those foreclosed properties totaling $1.6 million was
subsequently sold during the second quarter of 2008. As a result of these
events, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets increased from
3.66% at December 31, 2007 to 10.68% at December 31, 2008.
31
Management
continues to monitor economic conditions in the real estate market for signs of
further deterioration or improvement which may impact the level of the allowance
for loan losses required to cover identified losses in the loan portfolio.
Increased charge-offs and additional loan loss provisions made during the year
ended December 31, 2008 impacted earnings during much of 2008, but the
provisions made to the allowance for credit loses, totaling $265,000, $548,000,
$6.4 million, and $2.4 million during the first, second, third, and fourth
quarters of 2008, respectively, are adequate to cover inherent losses in the
loan portfolio. Loan and lease net charge-offs totaled $5.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2008 as compared to net charge-offs of $4.4 million and
$263,000 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
respectively.
The
Company continues to emphasize relationship banking and core deposit growth, and
has focused greater attention on its market area of Fresno, Madera, and Kern
Counties, as well as Campbell, in Santa Clara County. The San Joaquin Valley and
other California markets have shown weaker demand for construction lending and
commercial lending from small and medium size businesses, as commercial and
residential real estate markets declined during 2007 and throughout 2008. The
year ended December 31, 2008 has presented significant challenges for the
banking industry with tightening credit markets, weakening real estate markets,
and increased loan losses adversely affecting the industry.
The
Company continually evaluates its strategic business plan as economic and market
factors change in its market area. Growth and increasing market share will be of
primary importance during 2009 and beyond. The banking industry is currently
experiencing continued pressure on net margins as well as asset quality
resulting from conditions in the sub-prime real estate market, and a general
deterioration in credit markets. As a result, market rates of interest and asset
quality will continue be an important factor in the Company’s ongoing strategic
planning process.
Application of Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and follow general practices within the
industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires
management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates,
assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of
the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the
financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and
judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of
estimates, assumptions, and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of
producing results that could be materially different than originally reported.
Estimates, assumptions, and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities
are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an
asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an
impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset
or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying
assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial
statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record
valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on
quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when
available. When third-party information is not available, valuation adjustments
are estimated using the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The most
significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1
to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included herein. These
policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement
notes and in this financial review, provide information on how significant
assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those
values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the
sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and
estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination
of the allowance for loan losses, other real estate owned through foreclosure,
impairment of collateralized mortgage obligations and other investment
securities, and fair value estimates on junior subordinated debt to be
accounting areas that require the most subjective or complex judgments, and as
such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes
available.
Allowance
for Credit Losses
The
allowance for credit losses represents management's estimate of probable credit
losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance
for credit losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it
requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and
timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on
pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and
consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be
susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the
largest asset type on the consolidated balance sheet. Note 1 to the consolidated
financial statements describes the methodology used to determine the allowance
for credit losses and a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount
of the allowance for credit losses is included in the Asset Quality and
Allowance for Credit Losses section of this financial review.
32
If the
loan portfolio were to increase by 10% proportionally throughout all loan
classifications, the additional estimated provision to the allowance that would
be required, based on the percentage loss allocations utilized at December 31,
2008, would be approximately $1.5 million pretax ($865,000 net of tax, or $0.07
per share basic and diluted). This estimate is comprised of an additional $1.1
million ($660,000 net of tax, or $0.05 per share basic and diluted) for
criticized loans (those classified as special mention or worse and excluding
those considered impaired under SFAS No. 114), and an additional $355,000
($206,000 net of tax, or $0.02 per share basic and diluted) for the remainder of
the loan portfolio that is performing.
Other Real Estate
Owned
Real
estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are to be
sold and are initially recorded at fair value of the property, less estimated
costs to sell. The excess, if any, of the loan amount over the fair value of the
collateral is charged to the allowance for credit losses. The determination of
fair value is generally based upon pre-approved, external appraisals. As real
estate markets declined during 2008 and essentially became illiquid in many
areas, Management was required to use additional judgment in determining the
factors associated with fair value of the real estate, including the term over
which the properties could be disposed in an orderly liquidation. This became
necessary as many appraisals were based upon comparable sales which were deeply
discounted forced liquidations or bulk sales caused by the severity of the
housing crises. Subsequent declines in the fair value of other real estate
owned, along with related revenue and expenses from operations, are charged to
noninterest expense. The fair market valuation of such properties is based upon
estimates, and as such, is subject to change as circumstances in the Company’s
market area, or general economic trends, change.
Impairment of Investment
Securities
Investment
securities classified as available for sale (“AFS”) are carried at fair value
and the impact of changes in fair value are recorded on the Company’s
consolidated balance sheet as an unrealized gain or loss in “Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Securities classified as AFS or held to maturity (“HTM”) are subject to review
to identify when a decline in value is other than temporary. Factors considered
in determining whether a decline in value is other than temporary include:
whether the decline is substantial; the duration of the decline; the reasons for
the decline in value; whether the decline is related to a credit event or to a
change in interest rate; our ability and intent to hold the investment for a
period of time that will allow for a recovery of value; and the financial
condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. When it is determined that a
decline in value is other than temporary, the carrying value of the security is
reduced to its estimated fair value, with a corresponding charge to earnings. At
December 31, 2008, the Company held three private-label collateralized mortgage
obligations (CMO’s) with an amortized cost of $17.6 million and carrying value
of $12.8 million. Impairment analysis on these three CMO’s was performed
utilizing the services of a third-party investment broker specializing in
private-label CMO’s, and was based upon estimated cash flows. Estimated cash
flows were based upon assumptions of future prepayments and default rates, and
thus may be subject to revision as events change in the future. At December 31,
2008, the Company did not have any investment securities considered other than
temporarily impaired.
Fair
Value
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities, and SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements,
choosing to apply the pronouncement to its junior subordinated debt. SFAS
No 157 defines how applicable assets and liabilities are to be valued, and
requires expanded disclosures about financial instruments carried at fair value.
SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework associated
with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring financial
instruments at fair value. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair
value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing
observability. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices
or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally
will have a higher degree of pricing observability and a lesser degree of
judgment utilized in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments
infrequently traded or not quoted in an active market will generally have little
or no pricing observability and a higher degree of judgment utilized in
measuring fair value. Pricing observability is impacted by a number of factors,
including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is
new to the market and not yet established and the characteristics specific to
the transaction. Determining fair values under SFAS No. 157 may include
judgments related to measurement factors that may vary from actual transactions
executed in the marketplace. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company
recorded fair value gains related to its junior subordinated debt totaling $1.4
million. (See Notes 10 an 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information about financial instruments carried
at fair value.)
33
Goodwill
Business
combinations involving the Company’s acquisition of the equity interests or net
assets of another enterprise or the assumption of net liabilities in an
acquisition of branches constituting a business may give rise to goodwill. The
acquisition of Taft National Bank during April 2004 gave rise to goodwill
totaling approximately $1.6 million, and the recent acquisition of Legacy Bank
resulted in goodwill of approximately $8.8 million. Goodwill represents the
excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in transactions accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting. The value of goodwill is ultimately derived from
the Company’s ability to generate net earnings after the acquisition. A decline
in net earnings could be indicative of a decline in the fair value of goodwill
and result in impairment. For that reason, goodwill is assessed for impairment
at a reporting unit level at least annually using an internal cash flow
model. While the Company believes all assumptions utilized in its
assessment of goodwill for impairment are reasonable and appropriate, changes in
earnings, the effective tax rate, historical earnings multiples and the cost of
capital could all cause different results for the calculation of the present
value of future cash flows.
Income
Taxes
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial
reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities.
Deferred taxes are measured using current tax rates applied to such taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered. If the Company’s future income is not sufficient to apply the
deferred tax assets within the tax years to which they may be applied, the
deferred tax asset may not be realized and the Company’s income will be
reduced.
On
January 1, 2007 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Interpretation 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes: an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FIN 48 clarifies SFAS No.
109, “Accounting for
Income Taxes”, to
indicate a criterion that an individual tax position would have to meet for some
or all of the income tax benefit to be recognized in a taxable entity’s
financial statements. Under the guidelines of FIN48, an entity should recognize
the financial statement benefit of a tax position if it determines that it is
more likely than not
that the position will be sustained on examination. The term “more likely
than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent.” In assessing whether the
more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should assume that the tax
position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing authority.
The
Company reviewed its various tax positions, including its ongoing REIT case with
the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), as of January 1, 2007 (adoption date),
and then again each subsequent quarter thereafter in light of the adoption
of FIN48. The Bank, with guidance from advisors believes the case related to
consent dividends taken by the Bank’s REIT during 2002 has merit with regard to
points of law, and that the tax law at the time allowed for the deduction of the
consent dividend. However, the Bank, with the concurrence of advisors, cannot
conclude that it is “more than likely” (as defined in FIN48) that the Bank will
prevail in its case with the FTB. As a result of this determination, effective
January 1, 2007 the Company recorded an adjustment of $1,298,470 to beginning
retained earnings upon adoption of FIN48 to recognize the potential tax
liability under the guidelines of the interpretation. The adjustment includes
amounts for assessed taxes, penalties, and interest. During the years ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company increased the unrecognized tax liability
by an additional $87,421 and $87,091, respectively, in interest for the period,
bringing the total recorded tax liability under FIN48 to $1,472,992 and
$1,385,561 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. It is the
Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties under FIN48 as a component
of income tax expense.
Pursuant
to FIN 48, the Company will continue to re-evaluate existing tax positions, as
well as new positions as they arise. If the Company determines in the future
that its tax positions are not “more likely than not” to be sustained (as
defined) by taxing authorities, the Company may need to recognize additional tax
liabilities.
Revenue
recognition
The
Company’s primary sources of revenue are interest income from loans and
investment securities. Interest income is generally recorded on an accrual
basis, unless the collection of such income is not reasonably assured or cannot
be reasonably estimated. Pursuant to SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable
Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct
Costs of Leases”, nonrefundable fees and costs associated with originating or
acquiring loans are recognized as a yield adjustment to the related loans by
amortizing them into income over the term of the loan using a method which
approximates the interest method. Other credit-related fees, such as
standby letter of credit fees, loan placement fees and annual credit card fees
are recognized as noninterest income during the period the related service is
performed.
For loans
placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable may be
reversed at management's discretion based upon management's assessment of
collectibility, and interest is thereafter credited to principal to the extent
necessary to eliminate doubt as to the collectibility of the net carrying amount
of the loan.
34
Results of
Operations
For the
year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported net income of $4.1 million or
$0.34 per share ($0.34 diluted) as compared to $11.3 million or $0.93 per share
($0.92 diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2007, and $13.4 million or $1.15
per share ($1.14 diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2006. Net income
decreased $7.2 million between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 as the
result of increased provisions for credit losses taken during the third and
fourth quarters, combined with significant declines in market rates of interest.
Net income for 2007 decreased $2.1 million from the previous year as the result
of additional loan loss provisions taken during the fourth quarter, which more
than offset increased net interest income realized from increased volume in
earning assets.
The
Company’s return on average assets was 0.52 % for the year ended December 31,
2008 as compared to 1.47 % and 2.04 % for the same twelve-month periods of 2007
and 2006, respectively. The Company’s return on average equity was 4.93% for the
year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 13.73 % and 20.99 % for the same
twelve-month periods of 2007 and 2006, respectively. Declines in the return on
average assets and average equity experienced by the Company during 2008 were
primarily the result of decreasing net interest margins, and additional loan
loss provisions taken during the year.
Net
Interest Income
Net
interest income, the most significant component of earnings, is the difference
between the interest and fees received on earning assets and the interest paid
on interest-bearing liabilities. Earning assets consist primarily of loans, and
to a lesser extent, investments in securities issued by federal, state and local
authorities, and corporations, as well as interest-bearing deposits and
overnight funds with other financial institutions. These earning assets are
funded by a combination of interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing liabilities,
primarily customer deposits and short-term and long-term
borrowings.
Net
interest income before provision for credit losses totaled $30.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $36.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007, and $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This
represents a decrease of $6.4 million or 17.4 % between the years ended December
31, 2007 and 2008, as compared to an increase of $3.4 million or 10.3% between
2006 and 2007. The decrease in net interest income between 2007 and 2008 is
primarily the result of decreased yields on interest-earning assets, which more
than offset the decreased yields on interest-bearing liabilities. The increase
in net interest income between 2006 and 2007 is the result of increased volume
in earning assets which more than outweighed rate and volume increases
experienced in interest-bearing liabilities.
Table 1. – Distribution of
Average Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest
rates and interest differentials
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average
|
Yield/
|
Average
|
Yield/
|
Average
|
Yield/
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
Balance
|
Interest
|
Rate
|
Balance
|
Interest
|
Rate
|
Balance
|
Interest
|
Rate
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-earning
assets:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans
(1)
|
$ | 587,925 | $ | 39,669 | 6.75 | % | $ | 580,873 | $ | 52,690 | 9.07 | % | $ | 469,959 | $ | 42,902 | 9.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment
Securities – taxable
|
98,330 | 5,170 | 5.26 | % | 89,765 | 3,896 | 4.34 | % | 89,378 | 3,254 | 3.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment
Securities – nontaxable (2)
|
1,452 | 68 | 4.68 | % | 2,227 | 108 | 4.85 | % | 2,226 | 108 | 4.85 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
on deposits in other banks
|
9,680 | 222 | 2.29 | % | 7,001 | 271 | 3.87 | % | 7,771 | 324 | 4.17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal
funds sold and reverse repos
|
549 | 18 | 3.28 | % | 3,527 | 191 | 5.42 | % | 16,166 | 768 | 4.75 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
interest-earning assets
|
697,936 | $ | 45,147 | 6.47 | % | 683,393 | $ | 57,156 | 8.36 | % | 585,500 | $ | 47,356 | 8.09 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance
for possible credit losses
|
(12,269 | ) | (9,787 | ) | (8,067 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing
assets:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
and due from banks
|
20,785 | 25,255 | 26,426 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premises
and equipment, net
|
14,981 | 15,899 | 12,706 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued
interest receivable
|
2,779 | 4,061 | 3,597 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
real estate owned
|
9,434 | 3,187 | 3,354 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
assets
|
44,237 | 42,326 | 32,570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
average assets
|
$ | 777,883 | $ | 764,334 | $ | 656,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities
and Shareholders' Equity:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing
liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOW
accounts
|
$ | 42,988 | $ | 223 | 0.52 | % | $ | 46,382 | $ | 292 | 0.63 | % | $ | 49,118 | $ | 286 | 0.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Money
market accounts
|
124,202 | 2,963 | 2.39 | % | 136,720 | 4,246 | 3.11 | % | 138,242 | 3,701 | 2.68 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Savings
accounts
|
40,699 | 482 | 1.18 | % | 46,225 | 883 | 1.91 | % | 35,135 | 198 | 0.56 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Time
deposits
|
230,746 | 8,420 | 3.65 | % | 263,196 | 12,993 | 4.94 | % | 195,922 | 8,412 | 4.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
borrowings
|
91,368 | 2,116 | 2.32 | % | 17,891 | 925 | 5.17 | % | 4,209 | 223 | 5.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trust
Preferred securities
|
12,710 | 734 | 5.77 | % | 15,537 | 1,234 | 7.94 | % | 15,464 | 1,355 | 8.76 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
interest-bearing liabilities
|
542,713 | $ | 14,938 | 2.75 | % | 525,951 | $ | 20,573 | 3.91 | % | 438,090 | $ | 14,175 | 3.24 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing
liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing
checking
|
144,772 | 146,954 | 146,722 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued
interest payable
|
1,131 | 2,207 | 2,021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
liabilities
|
6,782 | 7,221 | 5,615 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
average liabilities
|
695,398 | 682,333 | 592,448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
average shareholders' equity
|
82,485 | 82,001 | 63,638 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
average liabilities and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders'
equity
|
$ | 777,883 | $ | 764,334 | $ | 656,086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
income as a percentage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of
average earning assets
|
6.47 | % | 8.36 | % | 8.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense as a percentage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of
average earning assets
|
2.14 | % | 3.01 | % | 2.42 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
interest margin
|
4.33 | % | 5.35 | % | 5.67 | % |
35
(1)
|
Loan
amounts include nonaccrual loans, but the related interest income has been
included only if collected for the period prior to the loan being placed
on a nonaccrual basis. Loan interest income includes loan fees of
approximately $3,074,000, $3,076,000, and $3,536,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively.
|
(2)
|
Applicable nontaxable securities
yields have not been calculated on a tax-equivalent basis because they are
not material to the Company’s results of
operations.
|
As
summarized in Table 2, the increase in net interest income between the two
twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is comprised of a decrease
in total interest income of approximately $12.0 million, which was only
partially offset by a decrease in total interest expense of approximately $5.6
million. The Bank's net interest margin, as shown in Table 1, decreased to 4.33%
at December 31, 2008 from 5.35% at December 31, 2007, a decrease of 102 basis
points (100 basis points = 1%) between the two periods. The net margin of 5.35%
reported during 2007 represents a decrease of 32 basis points from the 5.67% net
margin realized by the Company during 2006. While average assets have grown over
the past three years and the balance sheet mix has changed, interest rate
movements over those three years have played a significant role in net interest
income trends. As a result of changes in market rates of interest, the prime
rate averaged 5.09% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 8.05%
and 7.96% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Both the
Company's net interest income and net interest margin are affected by changes in
the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities,
referred to as "volume change." Both are also affected by changes in yields on
interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, referred
to as "rate change." The following table sets forth the changes in interest
income and interest expense for each major category of interest-earning asset
and interest-bearing liability, and the amount of change attributable to volume
and rate changes for the years indicated. Changes in interest income and
expense, which are not attributable specifically to either rate or volume, are
allocated proportionately between the two variances based on the absolute dollar
amounts of the change in each.
Table 2. Rate and
Volume Analysis
2008
compared to 2007
|
2007
compared to 2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Total
|
Rate
|
Volume
|
Total
|
Rate
|
Volume
|
||||||||||||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in interest income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans
|
$ | (13,021 | ) | $ | (13,660 | ) | $ | 639 | $ | 9,788 | $ | (275 | ) | $ | 10,063 | |||||||||
Investment
securities
|
1 ,234 | 906 | 328 | 642 | 628 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits in other banks
|
(49 | ) | (84 | ) | 35 | (53 | ) | (25 | ) | (28 | ) | |||||||||||||
Federal
funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
resell
|
(173 | ) | (36 | ) | (137 | ) | (577 | ) | 95 | (672 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total
interest income
|
$ | (12,009 | ) | (12,874 | ) | 865 | 9,800 | 423 | 9,377 | |||||||||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in interest expense:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing
demand accounts
|
(1,352 | ) | (909 | ) | (443 | ) | 551 | 643 | (92 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Savings
accounts
|
(401 | ) | (290 | ) | (111 | ) | 685 | 605 | 80 | |||||||||||||||
Time
deposits
|
(4,573 | ) | (3,598 | ) | (975 | ) | 4,581 | 1,391 | 3,190 | |||||||||||||||
Other
borrowings
|
1,191 | (826 | ) | 2,017 | 702 | (6 | ) | 708 | ||||||||||||||||
Trust
Preferred securities
|
(500 | ) | (262 | ) | (238 | ) | (121 | ) | (127 | ) | 6 | |||||||||||||
Total
interest expense
|
(5,635 | ) | (5,885 | ) | 250 | 6,398 | 2,506 | 3,892 | ||||||||||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in net interest income
|
$ | (6,374 | ) | $ | (6,989 | ) | $ | 615 | $ | 3,402 | $ | (2,083 | ) | $ | 5,485 |
36
Total interest income
decreased approximately $12.0 million or 21.0% between the years ended December
31, 2007 and 2008, and is attributable primarily to significant declines in
market rates of interest resulting in decreased net interest margins, which
outweighed minor increases experienced in average earning assets. Loans were
most adversely impacted by yield declines as approximately two-thirds of the
loan portfolio is comprised of floating rate instruments.
Total interest expense
decreased approximately $5.6 million between the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2008, primarily as a result of decreased rates paid on deposit accounts and
other borrowings as market rates of interest continued to decline throughout
most of 2008. Rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased in all
categories, with the greatest decreases experienced in time deposits, borrowings
through the FHLB and the FRB, and the Company’s junior subordinated debt. The
Company’s interest-bearing liability mix changed during 2008 with declines in
average deposit accounts, especially time deposits, which was more than offset
by increases in the average volume of other borrowings including FHLB advances
and overnight borrowings from the Federal Reserve. On average, time deposits
decreased $32.5 million, interest-bearing demand accounts decreased by $15.9
million, and savings accounts decreased by $5.5 million between the years ended
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The decrease in average deposits was
more than offset by increases of more than $73.5 million in other borrowings
between the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31,
2008.
Total interest income
increased approximately $9.8 million or 20.7% between the years ended December
31, 2006 and 2007, and was attributable primarily to increase in earning asset
volume, as well as the yields on those earning assets to a lesser degree.
Earning asset growth was almost exclusively in loans, with minimal growth in
investments. On average, loans grew by approximately $111.0 million between 2006
and 2007. The Company continues to maintain a high percentage of loans in its
earning asset mix with loans averaging 85.0% of total earning assets for the
year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to 80.3% and 72.5% for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Total interest expense
increased approximately $6.4 million between the years ended December 31, 2006
and 2007, both as a result of increased volumes in time deposits and other
borrowings, as well as increased rates paid on deposit accounts as
deposit rates continued to rise throughout much of 2007. Deposit rates began to
decline during the fourth quarter of 2007 as market rates of interest declined
as a result of the Federal Reserves’ actions to protect a faltering
economy. Between the
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, rates paid on
interest-bearing liabilities increased in all categories except other borrowing
and junior subordinated debt, with the greatest increases experienced in time
deposits, money market deposits, and savings accounts. The increases experienced
in savings account rates during 2007 were largely the result of more than $25.0
million in savings accounts purchased with Legacy Bank during February 2007,
many of which carried high preferential interest rates. Some of those savings
accounts have been closed, and the Company has been able to reduce the cost of
the remaining accounts as the preferential rate terms of the savings accounts
expired.
Provision
for Credit Losses
Provisions
for credit losses and the amount added to the allowance for credit losses is
determined on the basis of management's continuous credit review of the loan
portfolio, consideration of past loan loss experience, current and future
economic conditions, and other pertinent factors. Such factors consider the
allowance for credit losses to be adequate when it covers estimated losses
inherent in the loan portfolio. Based on the condition of the loan portfolio,
management believes the allowance is sufficient to cover risk elements in the
loan portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2008 the provision to the
allowance for credit losses amounted to $9.6 million as compared to $5.7 million
and $880,000 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
37
Increases
in the provision to the allowance for credit losses during 2008, including
provisions of $6.4 million and $2.4 million in the third and fourth quarters of
2008, respectively, were the result of higher levels of nonperforming loans
during the year, and general deterioration in the housing and credit markets
which began during the later part of 2007, and continued throughout
2008.
As with
2008, increases in the provision to the allowance for credit losses during 2007
included larger provisions during the third and fourth quarters of the year as
the economy and the banking industry began to realize the full impact of the
weakened housing and credit markets during the later part of 2007. Provisions of
$2.0 million and $3.3 million were made in the third and fourth quarters of
2007. The amount provided to the allowance for credit losses during 2008 brought
the allowance to 2.75% of net outstanding loan balances at December 31, 2008, as
compared to 1.83% of net outstanding loan balances at December 31, 2007, and
1.68% at December 31, 2006.
Noninterest
Income
The
following table summarizes significant components of noninterest income for the
years indicated and the net changes between those years:
Years
Ended December 31,
|
Increase
(decrease)
during
Year
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Customer
service fees
|
$ | 4,656 | $ | 4,790 | $ | 3,779 | $ | (134 | ) | $ | 1,011 | |||||||||
Gain
on disposition of securities
|
24 | 0 | 27 | 24 | (27 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on sale of OREO
|
67 | 209 | 50 | (142 | ) | 159 | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds
from life insurance
|
0 | 483 | 482 | (483 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on swap ineffectiveness
|
9 | 66 | (75 | ) | (57 | ) | 141 | |||||||||||||
Gain
on fair value option of financial liabilities
|
1,363 | 2,504 | 0 | (1,141 | ) | 2,504 | ||||||||||||||
Gain
on sale of investment
|
0 | 0 | 1,877 | — | (1,877 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on sale of fixed assets
|
(4 | ) | 2 | 1,018 | (6 | ) | (1,016 | ) | ||||||||||||
Shared
appreciation income
|
265 | 42 | 567 | 223 | (525 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other
|
1,963 | 1,568 | 1,306 | 395 | 262 | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 8,343 | $ | 9,664 | $ | 9,031 | $ | (1,321 | ) | $ | 633 |
Noninterest
income consists primarily of fees and commissions earned on services that are
provided to the Company’s banking customers and, to a lesser extent, gains on
sales of Company assets and other miscellaneous income. Noninterest income for
the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased $1.3 million or 13.7% when compared
to the previous year, and decreased $688,000 or 7.6% when compared to the year
ended December 31, 2006. Decreases in noninterest income experienced during 2008
were primarily the result of a decrease SFAS No. 157 fair value gains recorded
on the Company’s junior subordinated debt, as well as an employee death-benefit
payment received during 2007 that did not occur again during 2008. The gain on
disposition of securities totaling $24,000 during 2008 was the result of an
early call on municipal bonds with an amortized cost of approximately $940,000.
The municipal bonds were redeemed at face value, resulting in a recognized gain
on the remaining unaccreted discount.
Customer
service fees continue to provide a substantial part of noninterest income over
the three years presented. Customer service fees decreased $134,000 between the
years ended December 2007 and December 31, 2008, which is attributable almost
exclusively to decreases in ATM fee income. Increases of $1.0 million in
customer service fees between 2006 and 2007 were comprised of increases in ATM
and overdraft charges, as well as additional fee revenue generated by the
Campbell branch acquired during February 2007.
Increases
in noninterest income experienced during 2007 were primarily the result of a
$2.5 million gain recognized on the change in fair value to the Company’s junior
subordinated debt. With the deterioration in credit markets during the second
half of 2007, the rate on the Company’s junior subordinated debt was far below
current market rates of interest on similar instruments, resulting in the
significant gains recorded during the third and fourth quarters of 2007. This
was offset during 2007 by a decline in gain on sale of investments, and gain on
sale of fixed assets. Declines in gain on sale of investments resulted from a
$1.8 million gain on the sale of an investment in correspondent bank during the
first quarter of 2006, which was not again experienced during 2007. Declines in
gain on sale of fixed assets resulted from a $1.0 million gain on the sale of
the Company’s administrative headquarters during the third quarter of 2006,
which was not again experienced during 2007. Noninterest income was
further enhanced during the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
from death-benefit proceeds realized from the Company’s bank owned life
insurance totaling $483,000 and $482,000 during those two years,
respectively.
38
Shared
appreciation income has fluctuated over the three years presented, with
increases of $223,000 between 2007 and 2008, as compared to decreases of
$525,000 between 2006 and 2007. Shared appreciation income results from
agreements between the Company and the borrower on certain construction loans
where the Company agrees to receive interest on the loan at maturity rather than
monthly and the borrower agrees to share in the profits of the project. The
profit is determined by the appraised value of the completed project and
subsequent refinancing or sale of the project. Due to the difficulty in
calculating future values, shared appreciation income is recognized when
received. The Company does not participate in a significant number of shared
appreciation projects, and as a result, does not anticipate large amounts of
shared appreciation income on an ongoing basis.
Noninterest
Expense
The
following table sets forth the components of total noninterest expense in
dollars and as a percentage of average earning assets for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
%
of
|
%
of
|
%
of
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
Average
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Earning
|
Earning
|
Earning
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
Amount
|
Assets
|
Amount
|
Assets
|
Amount
|
Assets
|
||||||||||||||||||
Salaries
and employee benefits
|
$ | 10,610 | 1.52 | % | $ | 10,830 | 1.58 | % | $ | 9,915 | 1.69 | % | ||||||||||||
Occupancy
expense
|
3,954 | 0.57 | % | 3,787 | 0.55 | % | 2,556 | 0.44 | % | |||||||||||||||
Data
processing
|
279 | 0.04 | % | 420 | 0.06 | % | 470 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||
Professional
fees
|
1,482 | 0.21 | % | 1,811 | 0.27 | % | 998 | 0.17 | % | |||||||||||||||
Directors
fees
|
262 | 0.04 | % | 268 | 0.04 | % | 222 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||||||
Amortization
of intangibles
|
972 | 0.14 | % | 1,021 | 0.15 | % | 537 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||||||||
Correspondent
bank service charges
|
427 | 0.06 | % | 476 | 0.07 | % | 204 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
Impairment
loss on other investments
|
23 | 0.00 | % | 17 | 0.00 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Impairment
loss on OREO
|
887 | 0.13 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Impairment
loss on intangible assets
|
648 | 0.09 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Loss
on lease assets held for sale
|
0 | 0.00 | % | 820 | 0.12 | % | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Loss
on CA Tax Credit Partnership
|
432 | 0.06 | % | 430 | 0.06 | % | 440 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||
OREO
expense
|
418 | 0.06 | % | 209 | 0.03 | % | 2,193 | 0.37 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other
|
2,885 | 0.41 | % | 2,643 | 0.39 | % | 2,402 | 0.41 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 23,279 | 3.34 | % | $ | 22,732 | 3.33 | % | $ | 19,937 | 3.41 | % |
Noninterest
expense, excluding provision for credit losses and income tax expense, totaled
$23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $22.7 million
and $19.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
These figures represent an increase of $547,000 or 2.4% between the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2008 and an increase of $2.8 million or 14.0% between the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007. As a percentage of average earning
assets, total noninterest expense has remained relatively stable over the past
three years as the Company has successfully controlled overhead expenses while
experiencing profitable growth. Noninterest expense amounted to 3.34% of average
earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 3.33% at
December 31, 2007 and 3.41% at December 31, 2006
Increases
in noninterest expense between the years ended December 31, 2007 and December
31, 2008 include impairment losses of $887,000 on OREO, and $648,000 on
intangible assets. With economic conditions deteriorating during 2008, increased
emphasis has been placed on impairment review, as the values on many assets have
declined. Impairment losses on OREO properties are also a function of an
increase in the volume of OREO acquired during 2008, which is also reflected in
the increase of $209,000 in OREO expense during 2008. Decreases in noninterest
expense have been realized in many categories during 2008 including a decrease
of $220,000 in salary expense, $141,000 in data processing expense, and $329,000
in professional fees. The decrease in salary expense between the years ended
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 is primarily the result of a reduction
in bonuses and incentives paid during 2008, many of which are based upon the
Company’s net income.
39
Increases
in noninterest expense during 2007 included costs associated with the new branch
operations in Campbell, California, resulting from the merger with Legacy Bank,
additional employee costs associated with the new financial services department
acquired during November 2007, increased professional fees associated with the
resolution of impaired loans, losses on lease assets held for sale, and
increased amortization costs for intangible assets. Losses on lease assets held
for sale totaled $820,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and are the
result of charge-offs of foreclosed lease assets, mainly equipment and
furniture, which the Company has determined have no value or cannot be located.
Decreases in OREO expense during 2007 were the primarily result of additional
disposal and clean-up costs, incurred during 2006 on a single OREO property,
which was in the process of liquidation. These additional OREO costs were not
incurred again during 2007.
During
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company recognized
stock-based compensation expense of $110,000 ($0.01 per share basic and
diluted), $187,000 ($0.02 per share basic and diluted), and $248,000 ($0.02 per
share basic and diluted), respectively. This expense is included in noninterest
expense under salaries and employee benefits. Under the current pool of stock
options, the Company expects stock-based compensation expense to be about
$13,000 per quarter during 2009, then to $6,000 per quarter for 2010, and
decline after that through 2011. If new stock options are issued, or existing
options fail to vest due, for example, to forfeiture, actual stock-based
compensation expense in future periods will change.
Income
Taxes
On
December 31, 2003 the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced certain tax
transactions related to real estate investment trusts (REITs) and regulated
investment companies (RICs) will be disallowed pursuant to Senate Bill 614 and
Assembly Bill 1601, which were signed into law in the 4th quarter of
2003. As a result, the Company reversed related net state tax
benefits recorded in the first three quarters of 2003 and has taken no related
tax benefits since that time. The Company continues to review the information
available from the FTB and its financial advisors and believes that the
Company's position has merit. The Company will pursue its tax claims and defend
its use of these entities and transactions. At this time, the Company
cannot predict the ultimate outcome.
During
the first quarter of 2005, the FTB notified the Company of its intent to audit
the REIT for the tax years ended December 2001 and 2002. The Company has
retained legal counsel to represent it in the tax audit, and counsel has
provided the FTB with documentation supporting the Company's position. The FTB
concluded its audit during January 2006. During April 2006, the FTB issued a
Notice of Proposed Assessment to the Company, which included proposed tax and
penalty assessments related to the tax benefits taken for the REIT during 2002.
The Company still believes the case has merit based upon the fact that the FTB
is ignoring certain facts of law in the case. The issuance of the
Notice of Proposed Assessment by the FTB will not end the administrative
processing of the REIT issue because the Company has asserted its administrative
protest and appeal rights pending the outcome of litigation by another taxpayer
presently in process on the REIT issue in the Los Angeles Superior Court (City
National v. Franchise Tax Board). The case is ongoing and may take several years
to complete.
On
January 1, 2007 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Interpretation 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes: an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FIN 48 clarifies SFAS No.
109, “Accounting for
Income Taxes”, to
indicate a criterion that an individual tax position would have to meet for some
or all of the income tax benefit to be recognized in a taxable entity’s
financial statements. Under the guidelines of FIN48, an entity should recognize
the financial statement benefit of a tax position if it determines that it is
more likely than not
that the position will be sustained on examination. The term “more likely
than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent.” In assessing whether the
more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should assume that the tax
position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing authority.
The
Company has reviewed its REIT tax position as of January 1, 2007 (adoption
date), and then again each subsequent quarter thereafter in light of the
adoption of FIN48. The Bank, with guidance from advisors believes that the case
has merit with regard to points of law, and that the tax law at the time allowed
for the deduction of the consent dividend. However, the Bank, with the
concurrence of advisors, cannot conclude that it is “more than likely” (as
defined in FIN48) that the Bank will prevail in its case with the FTB. As a
result of this determination, effective January 1, 2007 the Company recorded an
adjustment of $1.3 million to beginning retained earnings upon adoption of FIN48
to recognize the potential tax liability under the guidelines of the
interpretation. The adjustment includes amounts for assessed taxes, penalties,
and interest. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company
increased the unrecognized tax liability by an additional $87,000 in interest
for each of the two years, bringing the total recorded tax liability under FIN48
to $1.5 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007,
respectively. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties
under FIN48 as a component of income tax expense. The Company has reviewed all
of its tax positions as of December 31, 2008, and has determined that, other
than the REIT, there are no other material amounts that should be recorded under
the guidelines of FIN48.
Financial
Condition
Total
assets decreased by $10.6 million or 1.4% during the year to $761.1 million at
December 31, 2008, but increased $82.8 million or 12.2% from the balance of
$678.3 million at December 31, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2008,
decreases were experienced in loans as construction and real estate lending
slowed and approximately $23.0 million in. problem loans were transferred to
OREO. Interest-bearing deposits in other banks and investment securities
increased by $17.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, during the year ended
December 31, 2008. During 2007, net loans increased $94.4 million, while federal
funds sold decreased $14.3 million, and investment securities increased $6.0
million between the two period-ends. The Legacy Bank acquisition completed
during February 2007 added $62.4 million in net loans, $7.4 in investments, and
$69.6 in deposits to the Company’s balance sheet during 2007.
40
Total
deposits of $508.5 million at December 31, 2008 decreased $126.1 million or
19.9% from the balance reported at December 31, 2007, and decreased $78.6
million or 13.4% from the balance of $587.1 million reported at December 31,
2006. During 2008, growth of $10.5 million and $13.4 million was experienced in
noninterest-bearing deposits and time deposits of less than $100,000,
respectively, which was more than offset by substantial declines in time
deposits of $100,000 or more, and to a lesser degree interest-bearing checking
and savings accounts. The decrease of $130.9 million in time deposits of
$100,000 or more experienced during 2008 was primarily the result of brokered
time deposits and deposits from the State of California, which were not renewed
as they matured during 2008. The brokered time deposits were replaced with less
expensive borrowings including FHLB advances and overnight borrowings from the
Federal Reserve Discount Window.
Earning
assets averaged approximately $697.9 million during the year ended December 31,
2008, as compared to $683.4 million and $585.5 million for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Average interest-bearing liabilities
increased to $542.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to
$526.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, and increased from the
balance of $438.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Loans
The
Company's primary business is that of acquiring deposits and making loans, with
the loan portfolio representing the largest and most important component of its
earning assets. Loans totaled $550.0 million at December 31, 2008, representing
a decrease of $48.2 million or 8.1% when compared to the balance of $598.2
million at December 31, 2007, and an increase of $49.4 million or 9.9% when
compared to the balance of $500.6 million reported at December 31, 2006. Total
loans decreased approximately $57.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2008,
about half of which was the result of transfers of nonperforming loans to OREO.
Average loans totaled $587.9 million, $580.9 million, and $470.0 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During 2008 average
loans increased 1.2% when compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 and
increased 25.1% compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.
The
following table sets forth the amounts of loans outstanding by category and the
category percentages as of the year-end dates indicated:
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dollar
|
%
of
|
Dollar
|
%
of
|
Dollar
|
%
of
|
Dollar
|
%
of
|
Dollar
|
%
of
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Amount
|
Loans
|
Amount
|
Loans
|
Amount
|
Loans
|
Amount
|
Loans
|
Amount
|
Loans
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 223,581 | 40.7 | % | $ | 204,385 | 34.2 | % | $ | 155,811 | 31.1 | % | $ | 113,263 | 27.1 | % | $ | 123,720 | 31.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
126,689 | 23.0 | 142,565 | 23.8 | 113,613 | 22.7 | 89,503 | 21.4 | 88,187 | 22.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate – construction
|
119,885 | 21.7 | 178,296 | 29.8 | 168,378 | 33.7 | 162,873 | 38.9 | 137,523 | 34.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
52,020 | 9.5 | 46,055 | 7.7 | 35,102 | 7.0 | 24,935 | 6.0 | 23,416 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Installment/other
|
20,782 | 3.8 | 18,171 | 3.0 | 16,712 | 3.3 | 15,002 | 3.6 | 13,257 | 3.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
7,020 | 1.3 | 8,748 | 1.5 | 10,952 | 2.2 | 12,334 | 3.0 | 12,581 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
$ | 549,977 | 100.0 | % | $ | 598,220 | 100.0 | % | $ | 500,568 | 100.0 | % | $ | 417,910 | 100.0 | % | $ | 398,684 | 100.0 | % |
Loan
volume continues to be greatest in what has historically been the Bank’s primary
lending emphasis: commercial, real estate mortgage, and construction lending.
With the continued deterioration of real estate markets during 2008, the Company
experienced a decrease of $58.4 million or 32.8 % in construction loans, and a
decrease of $15.9 million in real estate mortgage loans. Lease financing
decreased $1.7 million during 2008, as the Company is no longer originating
commercial leases. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases of $19.2
million in commercial loans, $6.0 million in agricultural loans, and $2.6
million in consumer installment loans. Part of the decrease in construction and
real estate loans experienced during 2008 is the result of transfers of
approximately $28.5 million ($26.0 million net of charge-offs) in nonperforming
loans to OREO.
During
2007 loan growth occurred in all categories except lease financing. During 2007,
significant increases occurred in commercial and industrial loans, as well as
real estate mortgage loans, with increases of $48.6 million or 31.2% and $29.0
million or 25.5% in those two categories, respectively. Agricultural loans
increased $11.0 million or 31.2% during 2007, and real estate construction loans
increased $9.9 million or 5.9% during 2007. The acquisition of Legacy Bank
during February 2007 contributed approximately $63.9 million to the loan growth
experienced during 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2007 loan volume declined
approximately $27.7 million or 4.4% as the Company slowed additional loan growth
as part of its asset/liability management and liquidity plan.
41
During
2006, loan growth occurred in all categories except lease financing. The most
significant loan increases during 2006 occurred in commercial and industrial
loans, real estate mortgage loans, and agricultural loans, with increases of
$42.5 million, $24.1 million, and $10.2 million experienced in those three
categories, respectively. Real estate construction loans increased a modest $5.5
million or 3.4% during 2006 as the real estate construction market remained
stable within the San Joaquin Valley.
At
December 31, 2008, approximately 78% of commercial and industrial loans have
floating rates and, although some may be secured by real estate, many are
secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and other business assets.
Residential housing markets have suffered considerably since the later half of
2007, and as a result, residential construction loans decreased during 2008.
Real estate construction loans decreased $58.4 million or 32.8% during 2008, as
compared to an increase of $9.9 million or 5.9 % during 2007, and an increase of
$5.5 million or 3.4% during 2006. Construction loans are generally short-term,
floating-rate obligations, which consist of both residential and commercial
projects. Agricultural loans consisting of mostly short-term, floating rate
loans for crop financing, increased $6.0 million or 13.0% between December 31,
2007 and December 31, 2008, while installment loans increased $2.6 million or
14.4% during that same period.
The real
estate mortgage loan portfolio totaling $126.7 million at December 31, 2008
consists of commercial real estate, residential mortgages, and home equity
loans. Commercial real estate is the core of this segment of the portfolio, with
balances of $81.8 million, $102.4 million, and $71.7 million at December 31,
2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Commercial real estate loans are generally a
mix of short to medium-term, fixed and floating rate instruments and, are mainly
tied to commercial income and multi-family residential properties. The Company does not
currently offer traditional residential mortgage loans, but may purchase
mortgage portfolios. As a result of real estate mortgage purchases over the past
several years, that portion of the portfolio has remained stable with balances
of $41.6 million, $37.2 million, and $39.2 million at December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company also offers short to
medium-term, fixed-rate, home equity loans, which totaled $3.2 million at
December 31, 2008, $3.0 million at December 31, 2007, and $2.7 million at
December 31, 2006.
The
following table sets forth the maturities of the Bank's loan portfolio at
December 31, 2008. Amounts presented are shown by maturity dates rather than
repricing periods:
Due
after one
|
||||||||||||||||
Due
in one
|
Year
through
|
Due
after
|
||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
year
or less
|
Five
years
|
Five
years
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Commercial
and agricultural
|
$ | 174,972 | $ | 78,307 | $ | 22,321 | $ | 275,600 | ||||||||
Real
estate – construction
|
116,856 | 3,028 | 0 | 119,884 | ||||||||||||
291,828 | 81,335 | 22,321 | 395,484 | |||||||||||||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
13,968 | 59,703 | 53,018 | 126,689 | ||||||||||||
All
other loans
|
13,383 | 11,649 | 2,771 | 27,803 | ||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
$ | 319,179 | $ | 152,687 | $ | 78,110 | $ | 549,976 |
The
average yield on loans was 6.75% for the year ended December 31, 2008,
representing a decrease of 232 basis points when compared to the year ended
December 31, 2007 and was a result of a significant decrease in market rates of
interest during 2008. The average loan yield for 2008 was also impacted by the
reversal of approximately $1.0 million in interest on nonaccrual loans, reducing
the average loan yield by 17 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2008.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the average yield on loans was 9.07%,
representing a decrease of 6 basis points when compared to the year ended
December 31, 2006 and was a result of increased loan pricing pressures
experienced during 2007 which more than outweighed an average increase of 9
basis point in the prime rate between the year ended December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2007. The Bank’s loan portfolio is generally comprised of
short-term or floating rate loans and is therefore susceptible to fluctuations
in market rates of interest. At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, approximately
64.0%, 62.3% and 59.5% of the Bank's loan portfolio consisted of floating rate
instruments, with the majority of those tied to the prime rate.
The
following table sets forth the contractual maturities of the Bank's fixed and
floating rate loans at December 31, 2008. Amounts presented are shown by
maturity dates rather than repricing periods, and do not consider renewals or
prepayments of loans:
Due
after one
|
||||||||||||||||
Due
in one
|
Year
through
|
Due
after
|
||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
year
or less
|
Five
years
|
Five
years
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Accruing
loans:
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
rate loans
|
$ | 42,582 | $ | 75,327 | $ | 65,020 | $ | 182,929 | ||||||||
Floating
rate loans
|
231,533 | 72,300 | 12,118 | 315,951 | ||||||||||||
Total
accruing loans
|
274,115 | 147,627 | 77,138 | 498,880 | ||||||||||||
Nonaccrual
loans:
|
||||||||||||||||
Fixed
rate loans
|
7,783 | 5,060 | 591 | 13,434 | ||||||||||||
Floating
rate loans
|
37,281 | 0 | 381 | 37,662 | ||||||||||||
Total
nonaccrual loans
|
45,064 | 5,060 | 972 | 51,096 | ||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
$ | 319,179 | $ | 152,687 | $ | 78,110 | $ | 549,976 |
42
Securities
Following
is a comparison of the amortized cost and approximate fair value of
available-for-sale for the three years indicated:
December
31, 2008
|
December
31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
|
Gross
|
Fair
Value
|
Gross
|
Gross
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Cost
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Cost
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 43,110 | $ | 1,280 | $ | (204 | ) | $ | 44,186 | $ | 65,764 | $ | 524 | $ | (302 | ) | $ | 65,986 | ||||||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
obligations
|
39,068 | 189 | (4,991 | ) | 34,266 | 7,782 | 44 | (4 | ) | 7,822 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
1,252 | 28 | 0 | 1,280 | 2,227 | 54 | 0 | 2,281 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
13,880 | 0 | (863 | ) | 13,017 | 13,752 | 0 | (426 | ) | 13,326 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
available-for-sale
|
$ | 97,310 | $ | 1,497 | $ | (6,058 | ) | $ | 92,749 | $ | 89,525 | $ | 622 | $ | (732 | ) | $ | 89,415 |
December
31, 2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Gross
|
Gross
|
|||||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Unrealized
|
Fair
|
|||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Cost
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Value
|
||||||||||||
Available-for-sale:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 69,746 | $ | 51 | $ | (1,293 | ) | $ | 68,504 | |||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
17 | 0 | (1 | ) | 16 | |||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
2,226 | 65 | (1 | ) | 2,290 | |||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
13,000 | 0 | (444 | ) | 12,556 | |||||||||||
Total
available-for-sale
|
$ | 84,989 | $ | 116 | $ | (1,739 | ) | $ | 83,366 |
Included
in other investment securities at December 31, 2008, is a short-term government
securities mutual fund totaling $7.2 million, a CRA-qualified mortgage fund
totaling $4.9 million, and an overnight money-market mutual fund totaling
$880,000. Included in other investment securities at December 31, 2007, is a
short-term government securities mutual fund totaling $7.7 million, a
CRA-qualified mortgage fund totaling $4.9 million, and an overnight money-market
mutual fund totaling $752,000. Included in other investment securities at
December 31, 2006, is a short-term government securities mutual fund totaling
$7.7 million, and a CRA-qualified mortgage fund totaling $4.8 million. The
commercial asset-backed trust consists of fixed and floating rate commercial and
multifamily mortgage loans. The short-term government securities mutual fund
invests in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities, with a maximum duration equal to that of a 3-year
U.S. Treasury Note.
There
were realized gains on available-for-sale securities totaling $24,000 and
$27,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2006, respectively. There were
no realized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale during 2007. There
were no realized losses on securities available-for-sale during 2008 or
2006.
Investment
securities increased $3.3 million between December 2007 and December 2008, as
U.S. government agencies and municipal bonds were either paid down or matured,
and additional funds from maturing loans were utilized to purchase additional
investment securities or interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Investment
securities increased $6.0 million between December 2006 and December 2007
primarily as the result of the Legacy merger during February 2007 in which
approximately $6.8 million in U.S Agency securities and $625,000 in other
investment securities were added to the Company’s portfolio.
43
Securities
that have been temporarily impaired less than 12 months at December 31, 2008 are
comprised of four collateralized mortgage obligations with a weighted average
life of 3.66 years, and seven U.S. agency bonds with a weighted average life of
3.18 years. As of December 31, 2008, there were two other investment securities
with a total weighted average life of 0.50 years that have been temporarily
impaired for twelve months or more. The unrealized losses are due in most part
to interest rate changes, as well as credit downgrades in some of the portfolio
including three collateralized mortgage obligations. The Company has the ability
and intent to hold all investment securities with identified impairments
resulting from interest rate changes and credit downgrades to the earlier of the
forecasted recovery or the maturity of the underlying investment security. The
Company believes that credit downgrades on securities within the portfolio are a
result of the severity of the current economic downturn and does not believe the
downgrades will result in other-than-temporary impairment of those securities.
As a result, the Company does not consider these investments to be
other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008
The
following summarizes temporarily impaired investment securities at December 31,
2008
Less
than 12 Months
|
12
Months or More
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 6,471 | $ | (204 | ) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 6,471 | $ | (204 | ) | ||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
obligations
|
17,568 | (4,991 | ) | 0 | 0 | 17,568 | (4,991 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
0 | 0 | 12,137 | (863 | ) | 12,137 | (863 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
impaired securities
|
$ | 24,039 | $ | (5,195 | ) | $ | 12,137 | $ | (863 | ) | $ | 36,176 | $ | (6,058 | ) |
Securities
that have been temporarily impaired less than 12 months at December 31, 2007 are
comprised of one U.S. government agency collateralized mortgage obligation with
a weighted average life of 1.19 years. As of December 31, 2007, there were nine
U.S. government agency securities, and two other investment securities with a
total weighted average life of 0.97 years that have been temporarily impaired
for twelve months or more. Because the decline in market value is attributable
to changes in market rates of interest rather than credit quality, and because
the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a
recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider
these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31,
2007.
The
following summarizes temporarily impaired investment securities at December 31,
2007
Less
than 12 Months
|
12
Months or More
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,241 | $ | (302 | ) | $ | 30,241 | $ | (302 | ) | ||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
obligations
|
4,129 | (4 | ) | 0 | 0 | 4,129 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
0 | 0 | 12,574 | (426 | ) | 12,574 | (426 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
impaired securities
|
$ | 4,129 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 42,815 | $ | (728 | ) | $ | 46,944 | $ | (732 | ) |
Securities
that have been temporarily impaired less than 12 months at December 31, 2006 are
comprised of one U.S. government agency security with a weighted average life of
13.2 years. As of December 31, 2006, there were nineteen U.S. government agency
securities, one collateralized mortgage obligation, one municipal security, and
two other investment securities with a total weighted average life of 2.29 years
that have been temporarily impaired for twelve months or more. Because the
decline in market value is attributable to changes in market rates of interest
rather than credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent
to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity,
the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily
impaired at December 31, 2006.
44
The
following summarizes temporarily impaired investment securities at December 31,
2006
Less
than 12 Months
|
12
Months or More
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 506 | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 65,626 | $ | (1,287 | ) | $ | 66,132 | $ | (1,293 | ) | |||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
obligations
|
0 | 0 | 12 | (1 | ) | 12 | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
0 | 0 | 34 | (1 | ) | 34 | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
0 | 0 | 12,556 | (444 | ) | 12,556 | (444 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
impaired securities
|
$ | 506 | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 78,228 | $ | (1,733 | ) | $ | 78,734 | $ | (1,739 | ) |
The
contractual maturities of investment securities as well as yields based on
amortized cost of those securities at December 31, 2008 are
shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities
because issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without
call or prepayment penalties.
One
year or less
|
After
one year to
five
years
|
After
five years to
ten years |
After
ten years
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands)
|
Amount
|
Yield
(1)
|
Amount
|
Yield
(1)
|
Amount
|
Yield
(1)
|
Amount
|
Yield
(1)
|
Amount
|
Yield
(1)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 700 | 3.78 | % | $ | 3,642 | 3.65 | % | $ | 8,601 | 5.29 | % | $ | 31,243 | 4.58 | % | $ | 44,186 | 4.70 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
obligations
|
— | — | 3,104 | 4.73 | % | 5,826 | 4.57 | % | 25,336 | 6.05 | % | 34,266 | 5.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
political
subdivisions
|
— | — | 352 | 4.37 | % | 928 | 4.64 | % | — | — | 1,280 | 4.57 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
13,017 | 5.11 | % | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13,017 | 5.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
estimated fair value
|
$ | 13,717 | 5.05 | % | $ | 7,098 | 4.16 | % | $ | 15,355 | 4.98 | % | $ | 56,579 | 5.24 | % | $ | 92,749 | 5.40 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Weighted average yields are not computed on a tax equivalent basis |
At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, available-for-sale securities with an amortized cost
of approximately $81.4 million and $71.0 million, respectively (fair value of
$79.6 million and $71.3 million, respectively) were pledged as collateral for
public funds, FHLB borrowings, and treasury tax and loan balances.
Deposits
The Bank
attracts commercial deposits primarily from local businesses and professionals,
as well as retail checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits. Total
deposits decreased $126.1 million or 19.9% during the year to a balance of
$508.5 million at December 31, 2008 and increased $47.5 million or 8.1% between
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007. Core deposits, consisting of all
deposits other than time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits,
continue to provide the foundation for the Bank's principal sources of funding
and liquidity. These core deposits amounted to 71.9%, 59.9% and 71.0% of the
total deposit portfolio at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
The
following table sets forth the year-end amounts of deposits by category for the
years indicated, and the dollar change in each category during the
year:
December
31,
|
Change
during Year
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing
deposits
|
$ | 149,529 | $ | 139,066 | $ | 159,002 | $ | 10,463 | $ | (19,936 | ) | |||||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
NOW
and money market accounts
|
136,612 | 153,717 | 184,384 | (17,105 | ) | (30,667 | ) | |||||||||||||
Savings
accounts
|
37,586 | 40,012 | 31,933 | (2,426 | ) | 8,079 | ||||||||||||||
Time
deposits:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Under
$100,000
|
66,128 | 52,297 | 42,428 | 13,831 | 9,869 | |||||||||||||||
$100,000
and over
|
118,631 | 249,525 | 169,380 | (130,894 | ) | 80,145 | ||||||||||||||
Total
interest-bearing deposits
|
358,957 | 495,551 | 428,125 | (136,594 | ) | 67,426 | ||||||||||||||
Total
deposits
|
$ | 508,486 | $ | 634,617 | $ | 587,127 | $ | (126,131 | ) | $ | 47,490 |
45
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, decreases were experienced primarily in time
deposits, and to a lesser degree in interest-bearing checking accounts and
saving accounts. Brokered and other time deposits were allowed to runoff as they
matured during 2008, as the Company sought other less-expensive funding sources
including FHLB advances and overnight borrowings from the Federal Reserve. In
addition, time deposits from the State of California, which totaled $45.0
million at both December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, were not renewed by the
State of California during 2008. The Company had increased brokered deposits
throughout 2007 as part of its liquidity strategy begun during 2006 to fund loan
growth as core deposits became increasingly difficult to obtain and pricing
became more competitive. As market rates of interest declined during 2008,
brokered deposit pricing did not decline to the same degree, due largely to
liquidity and credit issues in the market place. As a result, brokered deposits
and other time deposits became less attractive as a funding source. Brokered
deposits totaled $93.4 million, $139.3 million, and $67.7 million at December
31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company will continue to use pricing
strategies to control the overall level of time deposits and other borrowings as
part of its growth and liquidity planning process. NOW and money market
accounts, as well as savings accounts declined $17.1 million and $2.4 million,
respectively, between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 as these deposits
remain competitive. The Company continues to emphasize core deposits as part of
its relationship banking strategy. As a result, core deposits, including NOW and
money market accounts, and savings accounts, as well as noninterest-bearing
checking accounts, continue to provide the Company’s primary funding
source.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007 increases were experienced primarily in time
deposits, and to a lesser degree in saving accounts. Increases in time deposits
during 2007 were largely the result brokered time deposits obtained by the
Company as part of its liquidity strategy begun during 2006 to fund loan growth
as core deposits became increasingly difficult to obtain and pricing became more
competitive. This liquidity strategy allowed the Company to obtain the
additional funding sources needed during 2007 to fund loan growth without
adversely impacting the cost of its core deposit base. NOW and money market
accounts, as well as noninterest-bearing deposits declined $30.7 million and
$19.9 million, respectively, between December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007 as
these deposits became increasingly competitive.
During
the year ended December 31, 2006 increases were experienced in all deposit
categories, except in time deposits under $100,000 and savings deposits.
Increases experienced during 2006 in money market accounts and time deposits in
excess of $100,000 are primarily the result of depositors seeking higher yields
during the year as competitors such as brokerage firms and credit unions have
drove up rates to attract deposits. Increases in time deposits of $100,000 and
over experienced during 2006 were largely the result of brokered time deposits
obtained by the Company as part of its liquidity strategy to fund loan growth
during the year.
The
Company's deposit base consists of two major components represented by
noninterest-bearing (demand) deposits and interest-bearing deposits.
Interest-bearing deposits consist of time certificates, NOW and money market
accounts and savings deposits. Total noninterest-bearing deposits increased
$10.5 million or 7.5% between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, while
interest-bearing deposits decreased $136.6 million or 27.6% between the same two
periods presented. Between December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, total
interest-bearing deposits increased $67.4 million or 15.6%, while
noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $19.9 million or 12.5%. Deposit balances
acquired in the acquisition of Legacy Bank duiring February 2007 totaled
approximately $69.6 million. Exclusive of the deposits acquired from Legacy Bank
during the first quarter of 2007, deposit balances attributable to the Company’s
previously existing deposit base decreased approximately $22.1 million during
the year ended December 31, 2007.
On a
year-to-date average basis, total deposits decreased $56.1 million or 8.8%
between the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Of that total,
interest-bearing deposits decreased by $53.9 million or 10.9%, while
noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $2.2 million or 1.5% during 2008. On
average, the Company experienced decreases in all deposit categories between the
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008.
On a
year-to-date average, the Company experienced an increase of $74.3 million or
3.2 % in total deposits between the years ended December 31, 2006 and December
31, 2007. Between these two periods, average interest-bearing deposits increased
$74.1 million or 17.7%, while total noninterest-bearing checking increased
$232,000 or 0.16% on a year-to-date average basis. On average, the Company
experienced increases in savings accounts and time deposits between the years
ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, while other deposit categories
experienced moderate declines on average during 2007.
46
The
following table sets forth the average deposits and average rates paid on those
deposits for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Average
|
Average
|
Average
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
Balance
|
Rate
%
|
Balance
|
Rate
%
|
Balance
|
Rate
%
|
||||||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Checking
accounts
|
$ | 167,190 | 1.91 | % | $ | 183,102 | 2.48 | % | $ | 187,360 | 2.10 | % | ||||||||||||
Savings
|
40,699 | 1.18 | % | 46,225 | 1.91 | % | 35,135 | 0.56 | % | |||||||||||||||
Time
deposits (1)
|
230,746 | 3.65 | % | 263,196 | 4.94 | % | 195,922 | 4.32 | % | |||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing
deposits
|
144,772 | 146,954 | 146,722 |
|
(1)
|
Included
at December 31, 2008, are $118.6 million in time certificates of deposit
of $100,000 or more, of which $48.0 million matures in three
months or less, $48.3 million matures in 3 to 6 months, $14.2 million
matures in 6 to 12 months, and $8.1 million matures in more than 12
months.
|
Short-term
Borrowings
The
Company has the ability to obtain borrowed funds consisting of federal funds
purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase
agreements”) and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances as alternatives to
retail deposit funds. The Company has established collateralized and
uncollateralized lines of credit with several correspondent banks, as well as a
securities dealer, for the purpose of obtaining borrowed funds as needed. The
Company may continue to borrow funds in the future as part of its
asset/liability strategy, and may use these funds to acquire certain other
assets as deemed appropriate by management for investment purposes and to better
utilize the capital resources of the Bank. Federal funds purchased represent
temporary overnight borrowings from correspondent banks and are generally
unsecured. Repurchase agreements are collateralized by mortgage backed
securities and securities of U.S. Government agencies, and generally have
maturities of one to six months, but may have longer maturities if deemed
appropriate as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. FHLB
advances are collateralized by the Company’s investment in FHLB stock,
securities, and certain qualifying mortgage loans. In addition, the Company has
the ability to obtain borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco,
which would be collateralized by certain pledged loans in the Company’s loan
portfolio. The lines of credit are subject to periodic review of the Company’s
financial statements by the grantors of the credit lines. Lines of credit may be
modified or revoked at any time if the grantors feel there are adverse trends in
the Company’s financial position.
The
Company had collateralized and uncollateralized lines of credit aggregating
$242.7 million and $386.7 million, as well as FHLB lines of credit totaling
$97.1 million and $22.0 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. At
December 31, 2008, the Company had total outstanding balances of $88.5 million
drawn against its FHLB line of credit. Of the $88.5 million in FHLB borrowings
outstanding at December 31, 2008, $77.5 million was in borrowings with
maturities of one year or less with an average rate of 1.05%, and the other
$11.0 million consists of a two-year FHLB advance, with an average fixed rate of
2.67%. These lines of credit generally have interest rates tied to the Federal
Funds rate or are indexed to short-term U.S. Treasury rates or
LIBOR.
The
table below provides further detail of the Company’s federal funds purchased,
repurchase agreements and FHLB advances for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006:
December
31,
|
||||||||||||
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
At
period end:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
funds purchased
|
$ | 66,545 | $ | 10,380 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Repurchase
agreements
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
FHLB
advances
|
88,500 | 21,900 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
at period end
|
$ | 155,045 | $ | 32,280 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Average
ending interest rate – total
|
0.93 | % | 4.10 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||
Average
for the year:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
funds purchased
|
$ | 58,432 | $ | 4,660 | $ | 4,209 | ||||||
Repurchase
agreements
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
FHLB
advances
|
32,937 | 13,231 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
average for the year
|
$ | 91,369 | $ | 17,891 | $ | 4,209 | ||||||
Average
interest rate – total
|
2.32 | % | 5.17 | % | 5.30 | % | ||||||
Maximum
total borrowings outstanding at
|
||||||||||||
any
month-end during the year:
|
||||||||||||
Federal
funds purchased
|
$ | 160,083 | $ | 16,400 | $ | 17,100 | ||||||
Repurchase
agreements/FHLB advances
|
28,000 | 20,000 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
|
$ | 188,083 | $ | 36,400 | $ | 17,100 |
47
Asset
Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses
Lending
money is the Company's principal business activity, and ensuring appropriate
evaluation, diversification, and control of credit risks is a primary management
responsibility. Implicit in lending activities is the fact that losses will be
experienced and that the amount of such losses will vary from time to time,
depending on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio as affected by local
economic conditions and the financial experience of borrowers.
The
allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by
management to provide for known and inherent risks in existing loans and
commitments to extend credit. The adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is
based upon management's continuing assessment of various factors affecting the
collectibility of loans and commitments to extend credit; including current
economic conditions, past credit experience, collateral, and concentrations of
credit. There is no precise method of predicting specific losses or amounts
which may ultimately be charged off on particular segments of the loan
portfolio. The collectibility of a loan is subjective to some degree, but must
relate to the borrower’s financial condition, cash flow, quality of the
borrower’s management expertise, collateral and guarantees, and the state of the
local economy. When determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses,
the Company follows, in accordance with GAAP, the guidelines set forth in the
Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
(“Statement”) issued jointly by banking regulators during 2003, and updated and
revised in 2006. The Statement outlines characteristics that should be used in
segmentation of the loan portfolio for purposes of the analysis including risk
classification, past due status, type of loan, industry or collateral. It also
outlines factors to consider when adjusting the loss factors for various
segments of the loan portfolio. Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 102 was also released at this time which represents the
SEC staff’s view relating to methodologies and supporting documentation for the
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses that should be observed by all public
companies in complying with the federal securities laws and the Commission’s
interpretations. It is also generally consistent with the guidance
published by the banking regulators.
The
Company segments the loan and lease portfolio into eleven (11) segments,
primarily by loan class and type, that have homogeneity and commonality of
purpose and terms for analysis under SFAS No. 5. Those loans which are
determined to be impaired under SFAS No. 114 are not subject to the general
reserve analysis under SFAS No. 5, and evaluated individually for specific
impairment. The eleven segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are as follows
(subtotals are provided as needed to allow the reader to reconcile the amounts
to the Company’s loan classification reported elsewhere in these financial
statements):
Loan
Segments for Loan Loss Reserve Analysis
|
Loan
Balance at December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars
in 000's)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||||
1
|
Commercial
and Business Loans
|
$ | 216,552 | $ | 196,682 | $ | 152,070 | $ | 109,783 | $ | 115,831 | |||||||||||
2
|
Government
Program Loans
|
7,029 | 7,703 | 3,741 | 3,480 | 7,889 | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Commercial and Industrial
|
223,581 | 204,385 | 155,811 | 113,263 | 123,720 | |||||||||||||||||
3
|
Commercial
Real Estate Term Loans
|
81,840 | 102,399 | 71,697 | 43,644 | 62,501 | ||||||||||||||||
4
|
Single
Family Residential Loans
|
41,608 | 37,194 | 39,184 | 43,308 | 21,567 | ||||||||||||||||
5
|
Home
Improvement/Home Equity Loans
|
3,241 | 2,972 | 2,732 | 2,551 | 4,119 | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Real Estate Mortgage
|
126,689 | 142,565 | 113,613 | 89,503 | 88,187 | |||||||||||||||||
6
|
Total
Real Estate Construction Loans
|
119,885 | 178,296 | 168,378 | 162,873 | 137,523 | ||||||||||||||||
7
|
Total
Agricultural Loans
|
52,020 | 46,055 | 35,102 | 24,935 | 23,416 | ||||||||||||||||
8
|
Consumer
Loans
|
20,370 | 17,521 | 16,327 | 14,373 | 12,476 | ||||||||||||||||
9
|
Overdraft
protection Lines
|
80 | 85 | 82 | 102 | 117 | ||||||||||||||||
10
|
Overdrafts
|
332 | 565 | 303 | 527 | 664 | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Installment/other
|
20,782 | 18,171 | 16,712 | 15,002 | 13,257 | |||||||||||||||||
11
|
Total
Lease Financing
|
7,020 | 8,748 | 10,952 | 12,334 | 12,581 | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Loans
|
$ | 549,977 | $ | 598,220 | $ | 500,568 | $ | 417,910 | $ | 398,684 |
48
The
Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit
losses consists of several key elements, which include:
- the formula allowance,
- specific allowances for problem
graded loans (“classified loans”)
- and the unallocated
allowance
In
addition, the allowance analysis also incorporates the results of measuring
impaired loans as provided in:
-
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114, “Accounting by
Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” and
- SFAS 118, “Accounting by Creditors
for Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures.”
The
formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans
and certain unfunded loan commitments. Loss factors are based on the Company’s
historical loss experience and on the internal risk grade of those loans and,
may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect
the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. Factors that may
affect collectibility of the loan portfolio include:
|
·
|
Levels
of, and trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual
loans;
|
|
·
|
Trends
in volumes and term of loans;
|
|
·
|
Effects
of any changes in lending policies and procedures including those for
underwriting, collection, charge-off, and
recovery;
|
|
·
|
Experience,
ability, and depth of lending management and
staff;
|
|
·
|
National
and local economic trends and conditions
and;
|
|
·
|
Concentrations
of credit that might affect loss experience across one or more components
of the portfolio, including high-balance loan concentrations and
participations.
|
Management
determines the loss factors for problem-graded loans (substandard, doubtful, and
loss), special mention loans, and pass graded loans, based on a loss migration
model. The migration analysis incorporates loan losses over the past twelve
quarters (three years) and loss factors are adjusted to recognize and quantify
the loss exposure from changes in market conditions and trends in the Company’s
loan portfolio. For purposes of this analysis, loans are grouped by internal
risk classifications, which are “pass”, “special mention”, “substandard”,
“doubtful”, and “loss.” Certain loans are homogenous in nature and are therefore
pooled by risk grade. These homogenous loans include consumer installment and
home equity loans. Special mention loans are currently performing but are
potentially weak, as the borrower has begun to exhibit deteriorating trends,
which if not corrected, could jeopardize repayment of the loan and result in
further downgrade. Substandard loans have well-defined weaknesses which, if not
corrected, could jeopardize the full satisfaction of the debt. A loan classified
as “doubtful” has critical weaknesses that make full collection of the
obligation improbable. Classified loans, as defined by the Company, include
loans categorized as substandard, doubtful, and loss. At December 31, 2008
problem graded or “classified” loans totaled $88.1 million or 16.0% of gross
loans, as compared to $105.1 million or 17.3% of gross loans at September 30,
2008, and $51.8 million or 8.7% of gross loans at December 31,
2007.
Loan
participations are reviewed for allowance adequacy under the same guidelines as
other loans in the Company’s portfolio, with an additional participation factor
added, if required, for specific risks associated with participations. In
general, participations are subject to certain thresholds set by the Company,
and are reviewed for geographic location as well as the well-being of the
underlying agent bank.
The
formula allowance includes reserves for certain off-balance sheet risks
including letters of credit, unfunded loan commitments, and lines of credit.
Reserves for undisbursed commitments are generally formula allocations based on
the Company’s historical loss experience and other loss factors, rather than
specific loss contingencies. At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the formula
reserve allocated to undisbursed commitments totaled $313,000, $548,000 and
$526,000, respectively.
49
Specific
allowances are established based on management’s periodic evaluation of loss
exposure inherent in classified loans, impaired loans, and other loans in which
management believes there is a probability that a loss has been incurred in
excess of the amount determined by the application of the formula allowance.
Specific allowance amounts include those calculated under SFAS No. 114. Under
SFAS No. 114, for impaired loans, specific allowances are determined based on
the collateralized value of the underlying properties, the net present value of
the anticipated cash flows, or the market value of the underlying assets. Under
SFAS No. 5, for classified loans excluding impaired loans, specific allowances,
where required, are determined on the basis of additional risks involved with
individual loans that may be in excess of risk factors associated with the loan
portfolio as a whole. The specific allowance is different from the formula
allowance in that the specific allowance is determined on a loan-by-loan basis
based on risk factors directly related to a particular loan, as opposed to the
formula allowance which is determined for a pool of loans with similar
characteristics, based on past historical trends and other risk factors which
may be relevant on an ongoing basis.
The
unallocated portion of the allowance is the result of both expected and
unanticipated changes in various conditions that are not directly measured in
the determination of the formula and specific allowances. The conditions may
include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions
affecting the key lending areas of the Company, credit quality trends,
collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, and other business
conditions.
The
following table summarizes the specific allowance, formula allowance, and
unallocated allowance at December 31, 2008, September 30, 2008 and December 31,
2007.
Balance
|
Balance
|
Balance
|
||||||||||
(in
000's)
|
December
31,
2008
|
September
30,
2008
|
December
31,
2007
|
|||||||||
Specific
allowance – impaired loans
|
$ | 8,514 | $ | 7,953 | $ | 4,452 | ||||||
Formula
allowance – special mention and classified loans
|
2,865 | 3,860 | $ | 2,459 | ||||||||
Total
allowance for special mention and classified loans
|
11,379 | 11,813 | 6,911 | |||||||||
Formula
allowance for pass loans
|
3,550 | 3,973 | 3,990 | |||||||||
Unallocated
allowance
|
142 | 320 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
allowance
|
$ | 15,071 | $ | 16,106 | $ | 10,901 |
Impaired
loans increased approximately $33.7 million between December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2008, and increased approximately $717,000 million during the
quarter ended December 31, 2008. The specific allowance related to impaired
loans increased $4.1 million and $561,000 for the year ended and quarter ended
December 31, 2008, respectively. The formula allowance related to loans that are
not impaired (including special mention and substandard) increased approximately
$407,000 between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, but decreased $995,000
during the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Increases for the year ended
December 31, 2008 were the result of increases in the volume of substandard and
special mention loans, as well as minor increases in adjusting factors for
current economic trends and conditions, and trends in delinquent and nonaccrual
loans. Even though the level of “pass” loans decreased approximately $104.2
million during the year ended December 31, 2008, the related formula allowance
decreased only $441,000 during 2008 as a result of an increase in commercial and
industrial loans which have a higher percentage loss allocation, as well as
factor allocation increases due to current economic conditions.
At
December 31, 2008, the Company segregated approximately $26.3 million of the
total $33.8 million in substandard classified loans for purposes of the
quarterly analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses under SFAS
No. 5. Many of these loans had been downgraded to substandard because the
borrowers had other direct or indirect lending relationships which were
classified as substandard or impaired. The $26.3 million in substandard loans
consists of ten borrowing relationships, which although classified as
substandard, the Company believes are performing and therefore do not warrant
the same loss factors as other substandard loans in the portfolio. The adequacy
of the allowance for credit losses related to this $26.3 million pool of
substandard loans was based upon current payment history, loan-to-value ratios,
future anticipated performance, and other various factors. The formula allowance
for credit losses related to these substandard loans totaled $1.2 million at
December 31, 2008. This formula reserve is included in the formula allowance for
special mention and classified loans totaling $2.9 million in the table
above.
The
Company’s methodology includes features that are intended to reduce the
difference between estimated and actual losses. The specific allowance portion
of the analysis is designed to be self-correcting by taking into account the
current loan loss experience based on that portion of the portfolio. By
analyzing the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio on a
quarterly basis, management is able to adjust specific and inherent loss
estimates using the most recent information available. In performing the
periodic migration analysis, management believes that historical loss factors
used in the computation of the formula allowance need to be adjusted to reflect
current changes in market conditions and trends in the Company’s loan portfolio.
There are a number of other factors, which are reviewed when determining
adjustments in the historical loss factors. They include 1) trends in delinquent
and nonaccrual loans, 2) trends in loan volume and terms, 3) effects of changes
in lending policies, 4) concentrations of credit, 5) competition, 6) national
and local economic trends and conditions, 7) experience of lending staff, 8)
loan review and Board of Directors oversight, 9) high balance loan
concentration, and 10) other business conditions. Other than the segregation of
approximately $26.3 million in substandard loans at December 31, 2008 discussed
above, there were no changes in estimation methods or assumptions during 2008
that affected the methodology for assessing the overall adequacy of the
allowance for credit losses.
50
Management
and the Company’s lending officers evaluate the loss exposure of classified and
impaired loans on a weekly and monthly basis, and through discussions and
officer meetings as conditions change. The Company’s Loan Committee meets weekly
and serves as a forum to discuss specific problem assets that pose significant
concerns to the Company, and to keep the Board of Directors informed through
committee minutes. All special mention and classified loans are reported
quarterly on Criticized Asset Reports, which are reviewed by senior management.
With this information, the migration analysis and the impaired loan analysis are
performed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are made to the allowance as
deemed necessary. As the real estate market and economic crisis became more
severe during the later part of 2008, the Company successfully worked with many
of its borrowers to re-margin loans as collateral values declined, weakening the
Company’s credit position and increasing the potential for losses. This process
of working with potentially troubled borrowers was monitored closely through the
loan review process.
Impaired
loans are calculated under SFAS No. 114, and are measured based on the present
value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral
dependent. The amount of impaired loans is not directly comparable to the amount
of nonperforming loans disclosed later in this section. The primary differences
between impaired loans and nonperforming loans are: i) all loan categories are
considered in determining nonperforming loans while impaired loan recognition is
limited to commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real
estate loans, construction loans, and agricultural loans, and ii) impaired loan
recognition considers not only loans 90 days or more past due, restructured
loans and nonaccrual loans but also may include problem loans other than
delinquent loans.
The
Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and
events, it believes it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all
amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan
agreement. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans, restructured
debt, and performing loans in which full payment of principal or interest is not
expected. Management bases the measurement of these impaired loans on the fair
value of the loan's collateral or the expected cash flows on the loans
discounted at the loan's stated interest rates. Cash receipts on impaired loans
not performing to contractual terms and that are on nonaccrual status are used
to reduce principal balances. Impairment losses are included in the allowance
for credit losses through a charge to the provision, if applicable.
At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company's recorded investment in loans for which
impairment has been recognized totaled $54.4 million and $20.6 million,
respectively. Included in total impaired loans at December 31, 2008, are $31.0
million of impaired loans for which the related specific allowance is $8.5
million, as well as $23.4 million of impaired loans that as a result of
write-downs or the fair value of the collateral, did not have a specific
allowance. Total impaired loans at December 31, 2007 included $10.7 million of
impaired loans for which the related specific allowance is $4.5 million, as well
as $9.9 million of impaired loans that as a result of write-downs or the fair
value of the collateral, did not have a specific allowance. The average recorded
investment in impaired loans was $37.1 million, $15.9 million and $10.1 million
during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In most
cases, the Company uses the cash basis method of income recognition for impaired
loans. In the case of certain troubled debt restructuring for which the loan is
performing under the current contractual terms, income is recognized under the
accrual method. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company
recognized no income on such loans. For the year ended December 31, 2006 the
Company recognized income of $65,000 on such loans.
The
greatest increase in impaired loans during the year ended December 31, 2008 has
been in real estate construction loans, with that loan category comprising more
than 53% of total impaired loans at December 31, 2008. Impaired construction
loans decreased $10.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2008, partially as
the result of the transfer of approximately $23.2 million in construction loans
from impaired status to OREO during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Although
construction loans are generally collateral dependent and the related collateral
is considered adequate to cover the loan’s carrying value in many cases, the
specific reserve related to impaired construction loans has increased
approximately $1.7 million since December 31, 2007 as property valuations have
declined. Specific collateral related to impaired loans is reviewed for current
appraisal information, economic trends within geographic markets, loan-to-value
ratios, and other factors that may impact the value of the loan collateral.
Adjustments are made to collateral values as needed for these factors. Of total
impaired loans, approximately $39.5 million or 72.7% are secured by real estate,
and $34.0 million of total impaired loans are for the purpose of residential
construction, residential and commercial acquisition and development, and land
development. Residential construction loans are made for the purpose of building
residential 1-4 single family homes. Residential and commercial acquisition and
development loans are made for the purpose of purchasing land, and developing
that land if required, and to develop real estate or commercial construction
projects on those properties. Land development loans are made for the purpose of
converting raw land into construction-ready building sites. The following table
summarizes the components of impaired loans and their related specific reserves
at December 31, 2008, September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
51
Balance
|
Reserve
|
Balance
|
Reserve
|
Balance
|
Reserve
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(in 000’s)
|
December
31,
2008
|
December
31,
2008
|
Sept
30,
2008
|
Sept
30,
2008
|
December
31,
2007
|
December
31,
2007
|
||||||||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 12,244 | $ | 2,340 | $ | 7,831 | $ | 294 | $ | 7,617 | $ | 339 | ||||||||||||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
3,689 | 226 | 600 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate – construction
|
28,927 | 2,338 | 39,799 | 4,133 | 7,474 | 598 | ||||||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
4,086 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Installment/other
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
5,425 | 3,542 | 5,425 | 3,526 | 5,536 | 3,516 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 54,371 | $ | 8,514 | $ | 53,655 | $ | 7,953 | $ | 20,627 | $ | 4,453 |
Of the
$28.9 million in impaired construction loans shown above at December 31, 2008,
approximately $13.6 million or 25.1% are for residential construction $15.3
million or 28.1 % are for land development. Of the $12.2 million in impaired
commercial and industrial loans at December 31, 2008, more than $1.8 million or
14.7% are for residential construction. Geographically, the $34.0 million in
impaired loans made for the purpose of residential construction, residential and
commercial acquisition and development, and land development, are disbursed
throughout a wide area of California, with approximately 27.4% of those loans
within Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara Counties. The following table
summarizes the impaired loan balances by county of loans made for the purpose of
residential construction, residential and commercial acquisition and
development, and land development as of December 31, 2008.
Impaired
|
||||||||
County:
|
Balance
(000's)
|
Percentage
|
||||||
Fresno
|
$ | 229 | 0.67 | % | ||||
Madera
|
2,923 | 8.61 | % | |||||
Kern
|
4,991 | 14.70 | % | |||||
Santa
Clara
|
1,161 | 3.42 | % | |||||
Alpine
|
7,973 | 23.49 | % | |||||
San
Mateo
|
2,103 | 6.19 | % | |||||
Mariposa
|
1,084 | 3.19 | % | |||||
Merced
|
2,524 | 7.43 | % | |||||
Monterey
|
7,781 | 22.92 | % | |||||
Sacramento
|
1,425 | 4.20 | % | |||||
Sonoma
|
1,156 | 3.41 | % | |||||
Other
counties
|
600 | 1.77 | % | |||||
Total
R.E. related impaired
|
$ | 33,950 | 100.00 | % |
The
Company focuses on competition and other economic conditions within its market
area and other geographical areas in which it does business, which may
ultimately affect the risk assessment of the portfolio. The Company continues to
experience increased competition from major banks, local independents and
non-bank institutions creating pressure on loan pricing. With interest rates
decreasing 100 basis points during the fourth quarter of 2007, another 400 basis
points during 2008, indications are that the economy will continue to suffer in
the near future as a result of sub-prime lending problems, a weakened real
estate market, and tight credit markets. Both business and consumer spending
have slowed during the past several quarters, and current GDP projections for
the next year have softened significantly. It is difficult to determine to what
degree the Federal Reserve will adjust short-term interest rates in its efforts
to influence the economy, or what magnitude government economic support programs
will reach. It is likely that the business environment in California will
continue to be influenced by these domestic as well as global events. The local
market has remained relatively more stable economically during the past several
years than other areas of the state and the nation, which have experienced more
volatile economic trends, including significant deterioration of residential
real estate markets. Although the local area residential housing markets have
been hit hard, they continue to perform better than other parts of the state,
which should bode well for sustained, but slower growth in the Company’s market
areas of Fresno and Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara Counties. Local unemployment
rates in the San Joaquin Valley remain high primarily as a result of the areas’
agricultural dynamics, however unemployment rates have increased recently as the
national economy has declined. It is difficult to predict what impact this will
have on the local economy. The Company believes that the Central San Joaquin
Valley will continue to grow and diversify as property and housing costs remain
reasonable relative to other areas of the state. Management
recognizes increased risk of loss due to the Company's exposure from local and
worldwide economic conditions, as well as potentially volatile real estate
markets, and takes these factors into consideration when analyzing the adequacy
of the allowance for credit losses.
52
The
following table provides a summary of the Company's allowance for credit losses,
provisions made to that allowance, and charge-off and recovery activity
affecting the allowance for the years indicated.
December
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
loans outstanding at end of period before
|
||||||||||||||||||||
deducting
allowances for credit losses
|
$ | 548,742 | $ | 596,480 | $ | 499,570 | $ | 417,156 | $ | 397,584 | ||||||||||
Average
net loans outstanding during period
|
$ | 587,925 | $ | 580,873 | $ | 469,959 | $ | 402,820 | $ | 374,748 | ||||||||||
Balance
of allowance at beginning of period
|
$ | 10,901 | $ | 8,365 | $ | 7,748 | $ | 7,251 | $ | 6,081 | ||||||||||
Loans
charged off:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate
|
(3,103 | ) | (22 | ) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
(1,890 | ) | (4,286 | ) | (290 | ) | (323 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
(281 | ) | (8 | ) | (164 | ) | (364 | ) | (496 | ) | ||||||||||
Installment
and other
|
(271 | ) | (177 | ) | (48 | ) | (86 | ) | (80 | ) | ||||||||||
Total
loans charged off
|
(5,545 | ) | (4,493 | ) | (502 | ) | (773 | ) | (590 | ) | ||||||||||
Recoveries
of loans previously charged off:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
92 | 46 | 195 | 108 | 82 | |||||||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
14 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 29 | |||||||||||||||
Installment
and other
|
11 | 18 | 43 | 54 | 25 | |||||||||||||||
Total
loan recoveries
|
117 | 64 | 239 | 165 | 136 | |||||||||||||||
Net
loans charged off
|
(5,428 | ) | (4,429 | ) | (263 | ) | (608 | ) | (454 | ) | ||||||||||
Reclassification
of off-balance sheet reserve
|
0 | 0 | 0 | (35 | ) | (507 | ) | |||||||||||||
Reserve
acquired in business acquisition
|
0 | 1,268 | 0 | 0 | 986 | |||||||||||||||
Provision
charged to operating expense
|
9,598 | 5,697 | 880 | 1,140 | 1,145 | |||||||||||||||
Balance
of allowance for credit losses
|
||||||||||||||||||||
at
end of period
|
$ | 15,071 | $ | 10,901 | $ | 8,365 | $ | 7,748 | $ | 7,251 | ||||||||||
Net
loan charge-offs to total average loans
|
0.92 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||
Net
loan charge-offs to loans at end of period
|
0.99 | % | 0.74 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.11 | % | ||||||||||
Allowance
for credit losses to total loans at end of period
|
2.75 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.67 | % | 1.86 | % | 1.82 | % | ||||||||||
Net
loan charge-offs to allowance for credit losses
|
36.02 | % | 40.63 | % | 3.14 | % | 7.85 | % | 6.26 | % | ||||||||||
Net
loan charge-offs to provision for credit losses
|
56.55 | % | 77.74 | % | 29.89 | % | 53.33 | % | 39.65 | % |
Management
believes that the 2.75% credit loss allowance to total loans at December 31,
2008 is adequate to absorb known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. No
assurance can be given, however, that the economic conditions which may
adversely affect the Company's service areas or other circumstances will not be
reflected in increased losses in the loan portfolio. Management is not currently
aware of any conditions that may adversely affect the levels of losses incurred
in the Company’s loan portfolio.
Although
the Company does not normally allocate the allowance for credit losses to
specific loan categories, an allocation to the major categories has been made
for the purposes of this report as set forth in the following table. The
allocations are estimates based on the same factors as considered by management
in determining the amount of additional provisions to the credit loss allowance
and the overall adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
53
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance
|
Allowance
|
Allowance
|
Allowance
|
Allowance
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
for
Credit
|
%
of
|
for
Credit
|
%
of
|
For
Credit
|
%
of
|
for
Credit
|
%
of
|
for
Credit
|
%
of
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in
thousands)
|
Losses
|
Loans
|
Losses
|
Loans
|
Losses
|
Loans
|
Losses
|
Loans
|
Losses
|
Loans
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 5,829 | 40.7 | % | $ | 3,254 | 34.2 | % | $ | 1,905 | 31.1 | % | $ | 1,397 | 27.1 | % | $ | 2,497 | 31.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
715 | 23.0 | % | 593 | 23.8 | % | 619 | 22.7 | % | 330 | 21.4 | % | 386 | 22.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real
estate – construction
|
3,658 | 21.7 | % | 2,824 | 29.8 | % | 1,039 | 33.7 | % | 1,598 | 38.9 | % | 1,753 | 34.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
1,035 | 9.5 | % | 559 | 7.7 | % | 310 | 7.0 | % | 316 | 6.0 | % | 197 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Installment/other
|
101 | 3.8 | % | 133 | 3.0 | % | 187 | 3.3 | % | 112 | 3.6 | % | 103 | 3.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
3,591 | 1.3 | % | 3,538 | 1.5 | % | 4,165 | 2.2 | % | 3,619 | 3.0 | % | 2,312 | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not
allocated
|
142 | — | 0 | — | 140 | — | 376 | — | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 15,071 | 100.0 | % | $ | 10,901 | 100.0 | % | $ | 8,365 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,748 | 100.0 | % | $ | 7,251 | 100.0 | % |
During
2008, reserve allocations increased significantly for commercial and industrial
loans, and to lesser extent, construction and agricultural loans. As with prior
years, the significant reserve allocation for lease financing loans is the
result of specific reserves allocated to a lease portfolio that has been
nonperforming since 2002 and is in the process of litigation (see discussion
following). Increased reserve allocations for commercial and industrial loans,
construction loans, as well as agricultural loans, are the result of increases
in special mention and substandard loans in those categories, with an increase
in the volume of loans considered impaired. Successful re-margining of a number
of the Company’s problem loans during the third and fourth quarters of 2008
helped to reduce potential loss exposure in the loan portfolio.
During
2007, reserve allocations increased significantly for commercial and industrial
loans, construction loans, and to lesser extent, agricultural loans. Increased
reserve allocations for commercial and industrial loans, as well as agricultural
loans are the result of increased loan volume, as well as increases in
substandard loans in those categories. Increases in reserve allocations for
construction loans are primarily the result of increases in special mention and
substandard loans in those categories. Reserve allocations decreased for lease
financing loans as a result of positive results in the litigation process
related to the Company’s nonperforming purchased lease portfolio.
During
2006, reserve allocations increased for commercial and industrial loans, leasing
financing, real estate mortgage loans, and installment loans. Increased reserve
allocations for commercial and industrial loans are the result of increased loan
volume, while increases in reserve allocations for real estate mortgage and
installment loans are primarily the result of increases in substandard loans in
those categories. Reserve allocations decreased for real estate construction
loans as a result of significant decreases in the level of substandard loans in
that category between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006.
The
Company believes that under generally accepted accounting principles, a total
loss of principal is not probable at this time and the specific allowance of
$3.5 million calculated for the impaired lease portfolio at December 31, 2008
under SFAS No. 114 is in accordance with GAAP.
During a
regulatory examination in the fourth quarter of 2003, the lease portfolio in
question was classified as doubtful by the Bank’s regulators based upon state
regulatory guidelines. California Financial Code No. 1951 requires
that a credit, where interest is past due and unpaid for more than one year and
is not well secured and not in the process of collection, be charged
off. The regulators requested that the Bank charge-off the principal
balance in the first or second quarter of 2004 for regulatory purposes if the
judge had not made a ruling on the case by March 31, 2004 or, if a ruling had
been made but no principal payments have been received by June 30, 2004. The
court did not rule by March 31, 2004, and has not made a final ruling on the
case at the time of this 10-K filing. As a result, effective March 31, 2004, the
Company charged off the entire $5.5 million principal balance for regulatory
purposes. As a result of the regulatory charge-off, the Company carries a
difference between its regulatory accounting principles (RAP) books and its
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) books. The financial entries
made for regulatory reporting purposes resulted in a $5.5 million reduction in
loan balances with a corresponding reduction in the reserve for credit losses.
Additional provisions for credit losses of $3.5 million were also required for
regulatory accounting purposes, which resulted in a reduction of $2.1 million in
regulatory net income (net tax benefit of $1.3 million) for the year ended
December 31, 2004 as compared to the financial statements presented under GAAP
in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The
following summarizes the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to the
specific, formula, and unallocated reserves for the year-ends
shown:
December
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars
in 000’s)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||
Formula
allowance
|
$ | 3,550 | $ | 3,990 | $ | 3,637 | $ | 2,976 | $ | 2,827 | ||||||||||
Specific
allowance
|
11,379 | 6,911 | 4,588 | 4,396 | 4,421 | |||||||||||||||
Unallocated
allowance
|
142 | 0 | 140 | 376 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
Total
allowance
|
$ | 15,071 | $ | 10,901 | $ | 8,365 | $ | 7,748 | $ | 7,251 |
54
At
December 31, 2008, the allowance for credit losses totaled $15.1 million, and
consisted of $3.6 million in formula allowance, $11.4 million in specific
allowance, and $142,000 in unallocated reserve. At December 31, 2008, $3.6
million of the specific allowance was allocated to lease financing loans, and
the remaining $3.7 million, $3.0 million, $801,000, $215,000, and $91,000 were
allocated to commercial and industrial loans, real estate construction loans,
agricultural loans, commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans,
respectively.
At
December 31, 2007, the allowance for credit losses totaled $10.9 million, and
consisted of $4.0 million in formula allowance, and $6.9 million in specific
allowance. At December 31, 2007, $3.5 million of the specific allowance was
allocated to lease financing loans, and the remaining $40,000, $311,000,
$38,000, $1.0 million and $2.0 million were allocated to commercial real estate,
agricultural, installment, commercial and industrial loans, and real estate
construction loans, respectively.
The
allowance for credit losses totaled $8.4 million at December 31, 2006, and
consisted of $3.6 million in formula allowance, $4.6 million in specific
allowance, and $140,000 in unallocated allowance. At December 31, 2006, $4.0
million of the specific allowance was allocated to lease financing loans, and
the remaining $227,000, $111,000, $76,000, $69,000 and $58,000 were allocated to
commercial real estate, agricultural, installment, commercial and industrial
loans, and real estate construction loans, respectively.
The total
formula allowance decreased approximately $440,000 between 2007 and 2008,
primarily as the result of decreased volume in “pass” loans. The formula
allowance for construction loans decreased $262,000 during 2008, and the
decreased $131,000 for commercial real estate loans, wit only minor changes in
other loan categories. Between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008,
sub-substandard loans increased $34.8 million, while special mention and
doubtful loans increased $21.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Increases
in loan downgrades experienced during 2008 were primarily the result of
continued deterioration in the overall economy, including the residential
construction market, which in turn has impacted other sectors of the lending
portfolio.
The total
formula allowance increased approximately $353,000 between 2006 and 2007,
primarily as the result of increased volume in “pass” loans. There were only
minor formula allowance allocation changes between loan categories occurring
between December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, and so most changes in the
formula allowance during 2007 were the result of volume changes. Between
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, sub-substandard loans increased $35.0
million, while special mention and doubtful loans increased $8.6 million and
$891,000 million, respectively. Increases in loan downgrades experienced during
2007 were primarily the result of deteriorating economic factors in the
residential construction market, which in turn has impacted other sectors of the
lending portfolio.
Although
in some instances, the downgrading of a loan resulting from the factors used by
the Company in its allowance analysis has been reflected in the formula
allowance, management believes that in some instances, the impact of material
events and trends has not yet been reflected in the level of nonperforming loans
or the internal risk grading process regarding these loans. Accordingly, the
Company’s evaluation of probable losses related to these factors may be
reflected in the unallocated allowance. The evaluation of the inherent losses
concerning these factors involve a higher degree of uncertainty because they are
not identified with specific problem credits, and therefore the Company does not
spread the unallocated allowance among segments of the portfolio. At December
31, 2008, the Company had an unallocated allowance of $142,000. At December 31,
2007 the Company had no unallocated allowance, reflecting a decrease from the
balance of $140,000 at December 31, 2006. Management’s estimates of the
unallocated allowance are based upon a number of underlying factors including 1)
the effect of deteriorating national and local economic trends, 2) the effects
of export market conditions on certain agricultural and manufacturing borrowers,
3) the effects of abnormal weather patterns on agricultural borrowers, as well
as other borrowers that may be impacted by such conditions, 4) the effect of
increased competition in the Company’s market area and the resultant potential
impact of more relaxed underwriting standards to borrowers with multi-bank
relationships, 5) the effect of soft real estate markets, and 6) the effects of
having a larger number of borrowing relationships which are close to the
Company’s lending limit, any one if which were not to perform to contractual
terms, would have a material impact on the allowance.
The
Company's loan portfolio has concentrations in commercial real estate,
commercial, and construction loans, however these portfolio percentages fall
within the Company's loan policy guidelines.
55
It is the
Company's policy to discontinue the accrual of interest income on loans for
which reasonable doubt exists with respect to the timely collectibility of
interest or principal due to the inability of the borrower to comply with the
terms of the loan agreement. Such loans are placed on nonaccrual status whenever
the payment of principal or interest is 90 days past due or earlier when the
conditions warrant, and interest collected is thereafter credited to principal
to the extent necessary to eliminate doubt as to the collectibility of the net
carrying amount of the loan. Management may grant exceptions to this policy if
the loans are well secured and in the process of collection.
The
following table sets forth the Company’s nonperforming assets as of the dates
indicated:
December
31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except
footnote)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||
Nonaccrual
loans (1)
|
$ | 51,096 | $ | 21,583 | $ | 8,138 | $ | 13,930 | $ | 16,682 | ||||||||||
Restructured
loans
|
0 | 23 | 4,906 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Total
non-performing loans
|
51,096 | 21,606 | 13,044 | 13,930 | 16,682 | |||||||||||||||
Other
real estate owned
|
30,153 | 6,666 | 1,919 | 4,356 | 1,615 | |||||||||||||||
Total
non-performing assets
|
$ | 81,249 | $ | 28,272 | $ | 14,963 | $ | 18,286 | $ | 18,297 | ||||||||||
Loans,
past due 90 days or more, still accruing
|
$ | 680 | $ | 189 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 375 | ||||||||||
Non-performing
loans to total gross loans
|
9.29 | % | 3.61 | % | 2.61 | % | 3.33 | % | 4.18 | % | ||||||||||
Non-performing
assets to total gross loans
|
14.77 | % | 4.73 | % | 2.99 | % | 4.38 | % | 4.59 | % |
(1)
|
Included in nonaccrual loans at
December 31, 2008 are restructured loans totaling $378,000. There were no
nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2007 and 2006, which are restructured.
The interest income that would have been earned on nonaccrual loans
outstanding at December 31, 2008 in accordance with their original terms
is approximately $3.7
million.
|
Non-performing assets have
increased between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 as declines in real
estate markets and related sectors experienced since the later part of
2007 resulting from lending problems continued to impact credit markets and the
general economy throughout 2008. Nonaccrual loans increased $29.5 million
between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, with construction loans
comprising approximately 57% of total nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2008, and
commercial and industrial loans comprising another 19%. The following table
summarizes the nonaccrual totals by loan category for the periods
shown..
Non-performing assets
increased between December 31, 2006 and December 2007 as housing markets
and related sectors experienced declines during the second half of the year as a
result of sub-prime lending problems which impacted credit markets and the
overall economy worldwide. Economic conditions in the San Joaquin Valley
remained strong during much of 2007, although as a result of the decline in the
housing sector and related real estate valuations, nonperforming assets
increased during the years and additional charge-offs were taken during the
third and fourth quarters of 2007. Non-performing assets increased during 2007,
totaling 4.73% of total loans at December 31, 2007 as compared to 2.99% of total
loans at December 31, 2006. Non-performing loans, a component of non-performing
assets, increased nearly $8.6 million during 2007 primarily as the result of
real estate construction and real estate development loans which become impaired
during the period. Some, but not all, of these nonperforming real estate credits
were outside the Company’s immediate market area, specifically Southern
California and the San Francisco Bay area.
The
following table summarizes the nonaccrual totals by loan category for the
periods shown:
Balance
|
Balance
|
Balance
|
Change
from
|
Change
from
|
||||||||||||||||
Nonaccrual Loans (in
000's):
|
December
31,
2008
|
September 30,
2008
|
December
31,
2007
|
September 30,
2008
|
December
31,
2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 9,507 | $ | 8,766 | $ | 6,372 | $ | 741 | $ | 3,135 | ||||||||||
Real
estate - mortgage
|
3,714 | 1,747 | 428 | 1,967 | 3,286 | |||||||||||||||
Real
estate - construction
|
28,927 | 39,088 | 7,548 | (10,161 | ) | 21,379 | ||||||||||||||
Agricultural
|
3,406 | 0 | 1,684 | 3,406 | 1,722 | |||||||||||||||
Installment/other
|
55 | 20 | 3 | 35 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Lease
financing
|
5,486 | 5,495 | 5,548 | (9 | ) | (62 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total
Nonaccrual Loans
|
$ | 51,095 | $ | 55,116 | $ | 21,583 | $ | (4,021 | ) | $ | 29,512 |
56
Increases
in nonaccrual construction loans between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008
are the result of a significant slowdown in new housing starts and the resultant
depreciation in land, and both partially completed and completed construction
projects. Nonaccrual construction loans decreased $10.2 million during the
fourth quarter of 2008, primarily as the result of construction loans that were
transferred to other real estate owned. As with impaired loans, a large
percentage of nonaccrual loans were made for the purpose of residential
construction, residential and commercial acquisition and development, and land
development. The following table summarizes nonaccrual balances by purpose at
December 31, 2008.
(in
000's)
|
December
31, 2008
|
|||
Residential
construction
|
$ | 17,386 | ||
Residential
and commercial acquisition and
development
|
450 | |||
Land
development
|
16,043 | |||
Other
purposes
|
17,217 | |||
Total
nonaccrual loans
|
$ | 51,096 |
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, five loans totaling approximately $2.7
million were transferred from nonaccrual status to other real estate owned, and
during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, an additional nine loans totaling
$25.7 million were transferred to other real estate owned, bringing the total
OREO balance to $31.2 million at December 31, 2008. Charges to the reserve for
loan and lease losses at the time of transfer to other real estate owned to
record the underlying collateral at fair value totaled $2.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2008. Non-performing assets totaled 10.68% of
total loans at December 31, 2008 as compared to 4.73% of total loans at December
31, 2007.
A
nonaccrual land development loan transferred to other real estate owned during
the fourth quarter of 2007 with a principal balance of $6.0 million and accrued
interest of $865,000 ($6.9 million total) is a shared appreciation credit, and
as such, the Company agreed to receive interest on the loan as lots sold rather
than monthly, and the borrower agreed to share in the profits of the project.
Interest was accrued and recognized in income on an ongoing basis. Upon moving
the credit to nonaccrual status during the first quarter of 2007, the Company
ceased to accrue additional interest on the loan and continued to carry, on its
books, the previously accrued interest amount of $865,000, because it was
supported by the most recent appraised value of the property at that time plus
an added value for the recording of the approved map for the 177 lots which was
imminent. Upon foreclosure and transfer to other real estate owned during the
fourth quarter of 2007, the Company obtained an updated appraisal to determine
the current fair value of the property. As a result of significant deterioration
in the housing markets during this period, the Company adjusted the carrying
value of the property down by $2.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2007
with a charge against the allowance for credit losses.
Other
real estate owned through foreclosure increased to $6.7 million or 0.86% of
total assets at December 31, 2007, as compared to $1.9 million or 0.28% of total
assets at December 31, 2006. During 2007, three properties with net collateral
value totaling $5.3 million were transferred from nonaccrual loans, one of which
was subsequently sold during the year. The Company increased its focus on the
resolution of impaired assets during the later part of 2007 and will continue to
do so until nonperforming assets return to minimal levels.
A $4.9
million loan classified as restructured at December 31, 2006, paid off during
the first quarter of 2007, resulting in the recognition of approximately $1.1
million in previously unrecognized interest income during 2007, and the overall
reduction of restructured loans at December 31, 2007
Loans
past due more than 30 days are receiving increased management attention and are
monitored for increased risk. The Company continues to move past due loans to
nonaccrual status in its ongoing effort to recognize loan problems at an earlier
point in time when they may be dealt with more effectively. As impaired loans,
nonaccrual and restructured loans are reviewed for specific reserve allocations
and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted accordingly.
Except
for the loans included in the above table, and the land development loan
discussed above, there were no loans at December 31, 2008 where the known credit
problems of a borrower caused the Company to have serious doubts as to the
ability of such borrower to comply with the present loan repayment terms and
which would result in such loan being included as a nonaccrual, past due or
restructured loan at some future date.
Liquidity and
Asset/Liability Management
The
primary function of asset/liability management is to provide adequate liquidity
and maintain an appropriate balance between interest-sensitive assets and
interest-sensitive liabilities.
57
Liquidity
Liquidity
management may be described as the ability to maintain sufficient cash flows to
fulfill both on- and off-balance sheet financial obligations, including loan
funding commitments and customer deposit withdrawals, without straining the
Company’s equity structure. To maintain an adequate liquidity position, the
Company relies on, in addition to cash and cash equivalents, cash inflows from
deposits and short-term borrowings, repayments of principal on loans and
investments, and interest income received. The Company's principal cash outflows
are for loan origination, purchases of investment securities, depositor
withdrawals and payment of operating expenses. Other sources of liquidity not on
the balance sheet at December 31, 2008 include unused collateralized and
uncollateralized lines of credit from other banks, the Federal Home Loan Bank,
and from the Federal Reserve Bank totaling $184.8 million.
Cash and
cash equivalents have declined during the three years ended December 31, 2008,
2007, and 2006, with period-end balances as follows (from Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows – in 000’s):
Balance
|
||||
December
31, 2008
|
$ | 19,426 | ||
December
31, 2007
|
$ | 25,300 | ||
December
31, 2006
|
$ | 43,068 | ||
December
31, 2005
|
$ | 63,030 |
Cash and
cash equivalents decreased $5.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2008,
as compared to a decrease of $17.8 million and $20.0 million during the years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The
Company has maintained positive cash flows from operations over the past three
years, which amounted to $12.6 million, $19.0 million, and $16.2 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
The
Company experienced net cash outflows from investing activities totaling $9.4
million during the year ended December 31, 2008, as purchases of investment
securities interest-bearing deposits in other banks exceeded net loan payoffs
and maturities of investment securities during the period. The Company
experienced net cash outflows from investing activities totaling $30.5 million
and $69.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively, as loan growth has exceeded net maturities of investment
securities as well as other investment instruments during those
years.
Net cash
flows from financing activities, including deposit growth and borrowings, have
traditionally provided funding sources for loan growth, but during 2008 and 2007
the Company experienced net cash outflows totaling $9.1 million and $6.3
million, respectively, as declines in net deposit accounts, as well as
repurchases of the Company’s common stock, exceeded growth in financing
categories, including borrowings. The Company has the ability to decrease loan
growth, increase deposits and borrowings, or a combination of both to manage
balance sheet liquidity.
Liquidity
risk arises from the possibility the Company may not be able to satisfy current
or future financial commitments, or the Company may become unduly reliant on
alternative funding sources. The Company maintains a liquidity risk management
policy to address and manage this risk. The policy identifies the primary
sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring
liquidity, and establishes minimum liquidity requirements, which comply with
regulatory guidance. The liquidity position is continually monitored and
reported on a monthly basis to the Board of Directors.
The
policy also includes a contingency funding plan to address liquidity needs in
the event of an institution-specific or a systemic financial market crisis. In
addition to unused lines of credit from other banks totaling $184.8 million, the
contingency plan includes steps that may be taken in the event the total
liquidity ratio falls or is projected to fall below 15% for any extended period
of time. The Bank ALCO committee shall take steps to correct this condition
using one or more of the following methods as needed:
|
1)
|
Investments
near maturity may be sold to meet temporary funding needs but may need to
be replaced to maintain liquidity ratios within acceptable
limits.
|
|
2)
|
Unsecured
Fed Funds lines with correspondents may be used to fund short-term peaks
in loan demand or deposit run-off. Other off-balance sheet funding sources
such as credit lines at FHLB or the FRB may be used for longer
periods.
|
58
|
3)
|
The
Bank will not rely on brokered money as a primary source of
funds. However, if may be prudent to utilize brokered deposits
particularly at times when the interest costs are lower than could be
obtained in the local market. However, the sum of all brokered deposits
will not exceed 15% of the total deposits of the
Bank.
|
|
4)
|
The
Bank may elect to operate a Telemarketing Money Desk for the purpose of
acquiring Certificates of Deposits from both the local market and national
market. The Board of Directors and management recognize that
deposits acquired through money desk operations may be considered a higher
cost and more volatile type of deposit than traditional bank
deposits.
|
|
5)
|
Selling
whole loans or participation in loans or by increasing the amounts sold in
existing participation loans are additional means for increasing
liquidity.
|
|
6)
|
The
State of California Treasurer is a reliable source of deposits. The bank
can typically accept CD’s from this source up to 90% of equity as long as
it has sufficient collateral
pledged.
|
|
7)
|
Marketing
for CD’s within our marketplace is another means for raising funds or
through programs that post our rates on their Website, deposits from these
sources should not exceed 15% of the banks total deposits for extended
periods beyond 90 days without board
approval.
|
|
8)
|
Should
the Bank become illiquid in spite of these steps, it will curtail its
lending activities. The first step in this process will be to curtail
credit marketing and tighten pricing guidelines. The second step will be
to encourage loan payoffs on a selective basis where circumstances and
loan documentation provide this opportunity. Only as a last resort will
the Bank totally curtail lending activities to credit worthy
customers.
|
The
Company continues to utilize liability management, when needed, as part of its
overall asset/liability management strategy. Through the discretionary
acquisition of short term borrowings, the Company has been able to provide
liquidity to fund asset growth while, at the same time, better utilizing its
capital resources, and better controlling interest rate risk. The
borrowings are generally short-term and more closely match the repricing
characteristics of floating rate loans, which comprise approximately 64.0% of
the Company’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2008. This does not preclude the
Company from selling assets such as investment securities to fund liquidity
needs but, with favorable borrowing rates, the Company has maintained a positive
yield spread between borrowed liabilities and the assets which those liabilities
fund. If, at some time, rate spreads become unfavorable, the Company has the
ability to utilize an asset management approach and, either control asset growth
or, fund further growth with maturities or sales of investment
securities.
The
Company's liquid asset base which generally consists of cash and due from banks,
federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse
repos”) and investment securities, is maintained at a level deemed sufficient to
provide the cash outlay necessary to fund loan growth as well as any customer
deposit runoff that may occur. Within this framework is the objective of
maximizing the yield on earning assets. This is generally achieved by
maintaining a high percentage of earning assets in loans, which historically
have represented the Company's highest yielding asset. At December 31, 2008, the
Bank had 70.1% of total assets in the loan portfolio and a loan-to-deposit ratio
of 107.9%. Liquid assets at December 31, 2008 include cash and cash equivalents
totaling $19.4 million as compared to $25.3 million at December 31,
2007.
Liabilities
used to fund liquidity sources include core and non-core deposits as well as
short-term borrowings. Core deposits, which comprise approximately 71.9% of
total deposits at December 31, 2008, provide a significant and stable funding
source for the Company. At December 31, 2008, unused lines of credit
with the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank totaling $153.3
million are collateralized in part by certain qualifying loans in the Company’s
loan portfolio. The carrying value of loans pledged on these used and unused
borrowing lines totaled $327.5 million at December 31, 2008. For further
discussion of the Company’s borrowing lines, see “Short Term Borrowings”
included in previously in the financial condition section of this financial
review.
Enacted
during 2008 as part of the government’s Emergency Economic Stabilization Act,
TARP (Treasury Asset Recovery Program) is a voluntary program established only
for healthy financial institutions. In order to receive TARP capital,
institutions must undergo an extensive review by their primary regulator and the
U.S. Treasury Department. Along with high rates of interest, TARP capital comes
with restrictions, including a U.S. Treasury Department right to buy shares
(warrants) in the Company, and significant oversight requirements. At this time,
the Company has not used TARP monies to increase capital.
59
The
liquidity of the parent company, United Security Bancshares, is primarily
dependent on the payment of cash dividends by its subsidiary, United Security
Bank, subject to limitations imposed by the Financial Code of the State of
California. During 2008 and 2007, total dividends paid by the Bank to the parent
company totaled $4.3 million and $17.6 million, respectively. The Company
currently believes the Bank has the ability in the future to pay sufficient cash
dividends to the Company to cover its ongoing cash requirements including
quarterly interest payments on its junior subordinated debt. As a bank holding
company formed under the Bank Holding Act of 1956, United Security Bancshares
continues to provide a source of financial strength for its subsidiary bank(s).
To help provide financial strength to the Bank, United Security Bancshares’
trust subsidiary, United Security Bancshares Capital Trust I completed a $15
million offering in Trust Preferred Securities during 2001, the proceeds of
which were used to purchase Junior Subordinated Debentures of the Company. Of
the $14.5 million in net proceeds received by the Company, $13.7 million in cash
was contributed as capital to United Security Bank enhancing the liquidity and
capital positions of the Bank, and the remainder provided liquidity to the
holding company. The Trust Preferred Securities issued under United Security
Bancshares Capital Trust I were redeemed during July 2007, and subsequently, new
Trust Preferred Securities totaling $15 million were issued under United
Security Bancshares Capital Trust II. The issuance of the new Trust Preferred
Securities reduced the Company’s cost of the debt by 246 basis
points.
Contractual Obligations,
Commitments, Contingent Liabilities, and Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements
The
following table presents, as of December 31, 2008, the Company's significant
fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment
amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not
include any unamortized premiums or discounts, or other similar carrying value
adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in
the referenced note to the consolidated financial statements.
Payments
Due In
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Note
Reference
|
One
Year
Or
Less
|
One
to
Three
Years
|
Three
to
Five
Years
|
Over
Five
Years
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||
Deposits
without a stated maturity
|
7 | $ | 323,727 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 323,727 | |||||||||||||
Time
Deposits
|
7 | 172,730 | 11,230 | 788 | 11 | 184,759 | ||||||||||||||||||
FHLB
Borrowings
|
8 | 77,500 | 11,000 | 88,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Junior
Subordinated Debt (at FV)
|
9, 10 | 11,926 | 11,926 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
Leases
|
14 | 759 | 1,102 | 789 | 1,007 | 3,657 | ||||||||||||||||||
Contingent
tax liabilities under FIN 48
|
11 | 1,473 | 1,473 |
A
schedule of significant commitments at December 31, 2008 follows:
(In
thousands)
|
||||
Commitments
to extend credit:
|
||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 60,676 | ||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
53 | |||
Real
estate – construction
|
30,502 | |||
Agricultural
|
16,597 | |||
Installment
|
3,638 | |||
Revolving
home equity and credit card lines
|
814 | |||
Standby
letters of credit
|
7,119 |
Further
discussion of these commitments is included in Notes 3 and 14 to the
consolidated financial statements.
Regulatory
Matters
Capital Adequacy
Capital
adequacy for bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks has become
increasingly important in recent years. Continued deregulation of the banking
industry since the 1980's has resulted in, among other things, a broadening of
business activities allowed beyond that of traditional banking products and
services. Because of this volatility within the banking and financial services
industry, regulatory agencies have increased their focus upon ensuring that
banking institutions meet certain capital requirements as a means of protecting
depositors and investors against such volatility.
60
During
July 2007, the Company redeemed its $15.0 million in Trust Preferred Securities
originally issued during 2001 under United Security Bancshares Capital Trust I.
During the same month, the Company issued $15.0 million in new Trust Preferred
Securities with similar terms under newly formed United Security Bancshares
Capital Trust II. Under applicable regulatory guidelines, the Trust Preferred
Securities qualify as Tier 1 capital up to a maximum of 25% of Tier 1 capital.
Any additional portion will qualify as Tier 2 capital. As shareholders’ equity
increases, the amount of Tier 1 capital that can be comprised of Trust Preferred
Securities will increase.
The Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Board of Governors”) has adopted
regulations requiring insured institutions to maintain a minimum leverage ratio
of Tier 1 capital (the sum of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative
perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries,
minus intangible assets, identified losses and investments in certain
subsidiaries, plus unrealized losses or minus unrealized gains on available for
sale securities) to total assets. Institutions which have received the highest
composite regulatory rating and which are not experiencing or anticipating
significant growth are required to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of
3% Tier 1 capital to total assets. To be considered well capitalized, the
institution must maintain a leverage capital ratio of 5%. All other institutions
are required to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of at least 100 to 200
basis points above the minimum requirements.
The Board
of Governors has also adopted a statement of policy, supplementing its leverage
capital ratio requirements, which provides definitions of qualifying total
capital (consisting of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 supplementary capital,
including the allowance for loan losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of
risk-weighted assets) and sets forth minimum risk-based capital ratios of
capital to risk-weighted assets. The most highly rated insured institutions are
required to maintain a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk
weighted assets of 8%, at least one-half (4%) of which must be in the form of
Tier 1 capital. To be considered well capitalized, institutions must maintain a
ratio of qualifying total capital to risk weighted assets of 10%, at least
one-half (6%) of which must be in the form of Tier 1 capital.
The
following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank's actual capital positions
at December 31, 2008 and the regulatory minimums for the Company and the Bank to
be well capitalized under the guidelines discussed above:
Company
|
Bank
|
Regulatory
|
||||||||||
Actual
|
Actual
|
Minimums
-
|
||||||||||
Capital
Ratios
|
Capital
Ratios
|
Well
Capitalized
|
||||||||||
Total
risk-based capital ratio
|
13.23 | % | 12.61 | % | 10.00 | % | ||||||
Tier
1 capital to risk-weighted assets
|
11.97 | % | 11.45 | % | 6.00 | % | ||||||
Leverage
ratio
|
10.58 | % | 10.45 | % | 5.00 | % |
Under
Federal Reserve guidelines, the Company and the Bank are required to maintain a
total risk-based capital ratio of 10%, tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of
8%, and a leverage ratio of 7%, to be considered well capitalized. As is
indicated by the above table, the Company and the Bank exceeded all applicable
regulatory capital guidelines at December 31, 2008. Management believes that,
under the current regulations, both will continue to meet their minimum capital
requirements in the foreseeable future.
Dividends
Dividends
paid to shareholders by the Company are subject to restrictions set forth in the
California General Corporation Law. The California General Corporation Law
provides that a corporation may make a distribution to its shareholders if
retained earnings immediately prior to the dividend payout are at least equal
the amount of the proposed distribution. The primary source of funds
with which dividends will be paid to shareholders will come from cash dividends
received by the Company from the Bank. During the year ended December 31, 2008,
the Company received $4.3 million in cash dividends from the Bank, from which
the Company declared $3.1 million in dividends to shareholders.
The Bank
as a state-chartered bank is subject to dividend restrictions set forth in
California state banking law, and administered by the California Commissioner of
Financial Institutions (“Commissioner”). Under such restrictions, the Bank may
not pay cash dividends in an amount which exceeds the lesser of the retained
earnings of the Bank or the Bank’s net income for the last three fiscal years
(less the amount of distributions to shareholders during that period of time).
If the above test is not met, cash dividends may only be paid with the prior
approval of the Commissioner, in an amount not exceeding the Bank’s net income
for its last fiscal year or the amount of its net income for the current fiscal
year. Such restrictions do not apply to stock dividends, which generally require
neither the satisfaction of any tests nor the approval of the Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Commissioner finds that the shareholders’
equity is not adequate or that the declarations of a dividend would be unsafe or
unsound, the Commissioner may order the state bank not to pay any dividend. The
FRB may also limit dividends paid by the Bank. This is not the case with the
Bank. Year-to-date dividends of $4.3 million and $4.6 million paid to
shareholders and the Company, respectively, through December 31, 2008 were
within the maximum allowed under those regulatory guidelines, and did not
require prior approval of the Commissioner.
61
Stock
Repurchase Plan (all figures have been restated to reflect effect of 2-for-1
stock split during May 2006)
For
the Quarters Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
June
30,
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
YTD
|
||||||||||||||||
Shares
repurchased – 2008
|
29,626 | 34,574 | 1,886 | 22,915 | 89,001 | |||||||||||||||
Average
price paid – 2008
|
$ | 15.26 | $ | 15.2 | $ | 15.09 | $ | 9.31 | $ | 13.70 | ||||||||||
Shares
repurchased – 2007
|
117,403 | 306,758 | 28,916 | 59,255 | 512,332 | |||||||||||||||
Average
price paid – 2007
|
$ | 21.48 | $ | 19.89 | $ | 18.32 | $ | 18.32 | $ | 19.71 | ||||||||||
Shares
repurchased – 2006
|
84 | 13,121 | 84,215 | 10,585 | 108,005 | |||||||||||||||
Average
price paid - 2006
|
$ | 16.57 | $ | 23.13 | $ | 22.21 | $ | 24.58 | $ | 22.55 | ||||||||||
Shares
repurchased - 2005
|
7,152 | 4,936 | 0 | 14,074 | 26,162 | |||||||||||||||
Average
price paid - 2005
|
$ | 12.28 | $ | 12.78 | $ | — | $ | 16.16 | $ | 14.46 | ||||||||||
Shares
repurchased - 2004
|
19,800 | 109,490 | 45,986 | 3,564 | 178,840 | |||||||||||||||
Average
price paid - 2004
|
$ | 12.85 | $ | 11.41 | $ | 11.29 | $ | 12.11 | $ | 11.55 |
On
February 25, 2004 the Company announced a second stock repurchase plan under
which the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase, as conditions
warrant, up to 276,500 shares (553,000 shares adjusted for May 2006 stock split)
of the Company's common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions. As with the first stock repurchase plan initiated during 2001, the
duration of the new program was open-ended and the timing of purchases will
depend on market conditions. Concurrent with the approval of the new repurchase
plan, the Board terminated the 2001 repurchase plan and canceled the remaining
64,577 shares (129,154 shares adjusted for May 2006 stock split) yet to be
purchased under the earlier plan.
On May
16, 2007, the Company announced another stock repurchase plan to repurchase, as
conditions warrant, up to 610,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the
open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase plan
represents approximately 5.00% of the Company's currently outstanding common
stock. The duration of the program is open-ended and the timing of purchases
will depend on market conditions. Concurrent with the approval of the new
repurchase plan, the Company canceled the remaining 75,733 shares available
under the 2004 repurchase plan.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, 512,332 shares were repurchased at a total
cost of $10.1 million and an average per share price of $19.71. Of the shares
repurchased during 2007, 166,660 shares were repurchased under the 2004 plan at
an average cost of $20.46 per shares, and 345,672 shares were repurchased under
the 2007 plan at an average cost of $19.35 per share.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, 89,001 shares were repurchased at a total cost
of $1.2 million and an average per share price of $13.70
Reserve
Balances
The Bank
is required to maintain average reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank.
During 2005, the Company implemented a deposit reclassification program, which
allows the Company to reclassify a portion of transaction accounts to
non-transaction accounts for reserve purposes. The deposit reclassification
program was provided by a third-party vendor, and has been approved by the
Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2008 the Bank's qualifying
balance with the Federal Reserve was approximately $25,000.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest
Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk
An
interest rate-sensitive asset or liability is one that, within a defined time
period, either matures or is subject to interest rate adjustments as market
rates of interest change. Interest rate sensitivity is the measure of the
volatility of earnings from movements in market rates of interest, which is
generally reflected in interest rate spread. As interest rates change in the
market place, yields earned on assets do not necessarily move in tandem with
interest rates paid on liabilities. Interest rate sensitivity is related to
liquidity in that each is affected by maturing assets and sources of funds.
Interest rate sensitivity is also affected by assets and liabilities with
interest rates that are subject to change prior to maturity.
62
The
object of interest rate sensitivity management is to minimize the impact on
earnings from interest rate changes in the marketplace. In recent years,
deregulation, causing liabilities to become more interest rate sensitive,
combined with interest rate volatility in the capital markets, has placed
additional emphasis on this principal. When management decides to maintain
repricing imbalances, it usually does so on the basis of a well- conceived
strategy designed to ensure that the risk is not excessive and that liquidity is
properly maintained. The Company's interest rate risk management is the
responsibility of the Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO), which reports
to the Board of Directors on a periodic basis, pursuant to established operating
policies and procedures.
As part
of its overall risk management, the Company pursues various asset and liability
management strategies, which may include obtaining derivative financial
instruments to mitigate the impact of interest fluctuations on the Company’s net
interest margin. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company entered into a
five-year amortizing interest rate swap agreement with the purpose of minimizing
interest rate fluctuations on its interest rate margin and equity. The interest
rate swap agreement matured on September 30, 2008.
Under the
interest rate swap agreement, the Company received a fixed rate and pays a
variable rate based on the Prime Rate (“Prime”). The swap qualified as a cash
flow hedge under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities”, as amended, and was designated as a hedge of the
variability of cash flows the Company receives from certain variable-rate loans
indexed to Prime. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the swap agreement was
measured at fair value and reported as an asset or liability on the consolidated
balance sheet. The portion of the change in the fair value of the swap that was
deemed effective in hedging the cash flows of the designated assets were
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into
interest income when such cash flow actually occured. Any ineffectiveness
resulting from the hedge was recorded as a gain or loss in the consolidated
statement of income as part of noninterest income. The amortizing hedge had a
remaining notional value of $1.8 million and duration of approximately three
months at December 31, 2007, and matured on September 30, 2008. During the years
ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, $5,000 and $310,000, respectively, was
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income as a reduction to
interest income.
The Company performed a
quarterly analysis of the effectiveness of the interest rate swap agreement at
December 31, 2007 and for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30,
2008. As a result of a correlation analysis, the Company determined that the
swap remained highly effective in achieving offsetting cash flows
attributable to the hedged risk during the term of the hedge and, therefore,
continued to qualify for hedge accounting under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133.
However, during
the second quarter of 2006, the Company determined that the underlying loans
being hedged were paying off faster than the notional value of the hedge
instrument was amortizing. This difference between the notional value of the
hedge and the underlying hedged assets is considered an “overhedge” pursuant to
SFAS No. 133 guidelines and may constitute ineffectiveness if the difference is
other than temporary. The Company determined during 2006 that the difference was
other than temporary and, as a result, reclassified a net total of $75,000 of
the pretax hedge loss reported in other comprehensive income into earnings
during 2006. As of December 31, 2007, the notional value of the hedge was still
in excess of the value of the underlying loans being hedged by approximately
$1.3 million, but had improved from the $3.3 million difference existing at
December 31, 2006. As a result, the Company recorded a pretax hedge gain related
to swap ineffectiveness of approximately $66,000 during the December 31, 2007.
With the interest rate swap maturing on September 30, 2008, the Company
recognized the remaining hedge ineffectiveness gains of $9,000 during 2008.
Amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness gains or losses are reflected in
noninterest income.
Interest
rate risk can be measured through various methods including gap, duration and
market value analysis as well as income simulation models, which provides a
dynamic view of interest rate sensitivity based on the assumptions of the
Company’s Management. The Company employs each of these methods and refines
these processes to make the most accurate measurements possible. The information
provided by these calculations is the basis for management decisions in managing
interest rate risk.
From the
“Gap” report below, the Company is apparently subject to interest rate risk to
the extent that its liabilities have the potential to reprice more quickly than
its assets within the next year. At December 31, 2008, the Company
had a cumulative 12-month Gap of $20.7 million or 3.4% of total earning
assets. Management believes the Gap analysis shown below is not
entirely indicative of the Company’s actual interest rate sensitivity, because
certain interest-sensitive liabilities would not reprice to the same degree as
interest-sensitive assets. For example, if the prime rate were to change by 50
basis points, the floating rate loans included in the $265.0 million immediately
adjustable category would change by the full 50 basis points. Interest bearing
checking and savings accounts which are also included in the immediately
adjustable column probably would move only a portion of the 50 basis point rate
change and, in fact, might not even move at all. The effects of market value
risk have been mitigated to some degree by the makeup of the Bank's balance
sheet. Loans are generally short-term or are floating-rate instruments. At
December 31, 2008, $457.8 million or 91.8% of the loan portfolio matures or
reprices within one year, and less than 1.0% of the portfolio matures or
reprices in more than 5 years.
63
Total
investment securities including call options and prepayment assumptions, have a
combined duration of approximately 1.7 years. More than $505.4 million or 96.1%
of interest-bearing liabilities mature or can be repriced within the next 12
months, even though the rate elasticity of deposits with no defined maturities
may not necessarily be the same as interest-earning assets.
The
following table sets forth the Company's gap, or estimated interest rate
sensitivity profile based on ending balances as of December 31, 2008,
representing the interval of time before earning assets and interest-bearing
liabilities may respond to changes in market rates of interest. Assets and
liabilities are categorized by remaining interest rate maturities rather than by
principal maturities of obligations.
Maturities and Interest Rate
Sensitivity
December 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
After
Three
|
After
One
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Next
Day But
|
Months
|
Year
But
|
After
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Within
Three
|
Within
12
|
Within
Five
|
Five
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Immediately
|
Months
|
Months
|
Years
|
Years
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||
Interest
Rate Sensitivity Gap:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans
(1)
|
$ | 264,978 | $ | 116,868 | $ | 75,909 | $ | 39,193 | $ | 1,932 | $ | 498,880 | ||||||||||||
Investment
securities
|
25,131 | 23,413 | 37,947 | 6,258 | 92,749 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest
bearing deposits in other banks
|
16,500 | 3,336 | 595 | 0 | 20,431 | |||||||||||||||||||
Federal
funds sold and reverse repos
|
0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
earning assets
|
$ | 264,978 | $ | 158,499 | $ | 102,658 | $ | 77,735 | $ | 8,190 | $ | 612,060 | ||||||||||||
Interest-bearing
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
transaction
accounts
|
136,612 | 136,612 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Savings
accounts
|
37,586 | 37,586 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Time
deposits (2)
|
7,381 | 80,106 | 87,778 | 9,483 | 11 | 184,759 | ||||||||||||||||||
Federal
funds purchased/other borrowings
|
66,545 | 77,500 | 11,000 | 155,045 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Junior
subordinated debt
|
11,926 | 11,926 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
interest-bearing liabilities
|
$ | 248,124 | $ | 169,532 | $ | 87,778 | $ | 20,483 | $ | 11 | $ | 525,928 | ||||||||||||
Interest
rate sensitivity gap
|
$ | 16,854 | $ | (11,033 | ) | $ | 14,880 | $ | 57,252 | $ | 8,179 | $ | 86,132 | |||||||||||
Cumulative
gap
|
$ | 16,854 | $ | 5,821 | $ | 20,701 | $ | 77,963 | $ | 86,132 | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative
gap percentage to
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
earning assets
|
2.8 | % | 1.0 | % | 3.4 | % | 12.7 | % | 14.1 | % |
(1)
Loan balance does not include nonaccrual loans of $51.906 million.
(2)
See above for discussion of the impact of floating rate CD’s.
The
Company utilizes a vendor-purchased simulation model to analyze net interest
income sensitivity to movements in interest rates. The simulation model projects
net interest income based on a 100, 200, and 300 basis point rise and a 100,
200, and 300 basis point fall in interest rates ramped over a twelve-month
period, with net interest impacts projected out as far as twenty-four months. In
addition, a “most likely” scenario is projected based upon expected rate changes
over the 24-month period. The model is based on the actual maturity and
repricing characteristics of the Company's interest-sensitive assets and
liabilities. The model incorporates assumptions regarding the impact of changing
interest rates on the prepayment of certain assets and liabilities. Projected
net interest income is calculated assuming customers will reinvest maturing
deposit accounts and the Company will originate new loans. The balance sheet
growth assumptions utilized correspond closely to the Company's strategic growth
plans and annual budget. Excess cash is invested in overnight funds or other
short-term investments such as U.S. Treasuries. Cash shortfalls are covered
through additional borrowing of overnight or short-term funds. The Board of
Directors has adopted an interest rate risk policy which establishes maximum
decreases in net interest income of 12% and 15% in the event of a 100 BP and 200
BP increase or decrease in market interest rates over a twelve month period.
Based on the information and assumptions utilized in the simulation model at
December 31, 2008, the resultant projected impact on net interest income falls
within policy limits set by the Board of Directors for all rate scenarios
simulated.
64
The
Company also utilizes the same vendor-purchased simulation model to project the
impact of changes in interest rates on the underlying market value of all the
Company's assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet accounts under alternative
interest rate scenarios. The resultant net value, as impacted under each
projected interest rate scenario, is referred to as the market value of equity
("MV of Equity"). This technique captures the interest rate risk of the
Company's business mix across all maturities. The market analysis is performed
using an immediate rate shock of 100, 200, and 300 basis points up and down
calculating the present value of expected cash flows under each rate environment
at applicable discount rates. The market value of loans is calculated by
discounting the expected future cash flows over either the term to maturity for
fixed rate loans or scheduled repricing for floating rate loans using the
current rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar
credit ratings. The market value of investment securities is based on quoted
market prices obtained from reliable independent brokers. The market value of
time deposits is calculated by discounting the expected cash flows using current
rates for similar instruments of comparable maturities. The market value of
deposits with no defined maturities, including interest-bearing checking, money
market and savings accounts is calculated by discounting the expected cash flows
at a rate equal to the difference between the cost of these deposits and the
alternate use of the funds, federal funds in this case. Assumed maturities for
these deposits are estimated using decay analysis and are generally assumed to
have implied maturities of less than five years. For noninterest
sensitive assets and liabilities, the market value is equal to their carrying
value amounts at the reporting date. The Company's interest rate risk policy
establishes maximum decreases in the Company's market value of equity of 12% and
15% in the event of an immediate and sustained 100 BP and 200 BP increase or
decrease in market interest rates. As shown in the table below, the percentage
changes in the net market value of the Company's equity are within policy limits
for both rising and falling rate scenarios.
The
following sets forth the analysis of the Company's market value risk inherent in
its interest-sensitive financial instruments as they relate to the entire
balance sheet at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 ($ in thousands). Fair
value estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and
significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with absolute
precision. Assumptions have been made as to the appropriate discount rates,
prepayment speeds, expected cash flows and other variables. Changes in these
assumptions significantly affect the estimates and as such, the obtained fair
value may not be indicative of the value negotiated in the actual sale or
liquidation of such financial instruments, nor comparable to that reported by
other financial institutions. In addition, fair value estimates are based on
existing financial instruments without attempting to estimate future
business.
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
in
|
Estimated
MV
|
Change
in
MV
|
Change
in
MV
|
Estimated
MV
|
Change
in
MV
|
Change
in
MV
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rates
|
of
Equity
|
Of
Equity $
|
Of
Equity %
|
of
Equity
|
of
Equity $
|
Of
Equity %
|
||||||||||||||||||
+
200 BP
|
$ | 78,206 | $ | 2,935 | 3.90 | % | $ | 105,596 | $ | 3,028 | 2.95 | % | ||||||||||||
+
100 BP
|
77,483 | 2,212 | 2.94 | % | 105,207 | 2,639 | 2.57 | % | ||||||||||||||||
0 BP
|
75,270 | 0 | 0.00 | % | 102,568 | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||
-
100 BP
|
76,528 | 1,258 | 1.67 | % | 97,410 | (5,158 | ) | -5.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
-
200 BP
|
78,732 | 3,462 | 4.60 | % | 91,212 | (11,356 | ) | -11.07 | % |
65
Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements:
Reports
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets - December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income -
|
|
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders' Equity -
|
|
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows -
|
|
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
66
Moss
Adams LLP
Certified
Public Accountants
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the
Board of Directors
United
Security Bancshares
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United Security
Bancshares and Subsidiaries (Company) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the
related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of United Security
Bancshares and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America.
We also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 16 2009
expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
As
discussed in Note 9 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, effective
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities, and SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. As
discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January
1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, Accounting for uncertainty in Income
Taxes.
/s/ Moss
Adams LLP
Stockton,
California
March 16,
2009
67
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
We have
audited United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries (the Company) internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO
criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the
accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also includes performing such
other procedures, as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A
company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. A
company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and
procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that
receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our
opinion, United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, based on the COSO criteria.
We also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and
the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income,
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2008, and our report dated March 16, 2009 expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Moss
Adams LLP
Stockton,
California
March 16,
2009
68
United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
December
31, 2008 and 2007
December
31,
|
||||||||
(in
thousands except shares)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Cash
and due from banks
|
$ | 19,426 | $ | 25,300 | ||||
Federal
funds sold
|
0 | 0 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
19,426 | 25,300 | ||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits in other banks
|
20,431 | 2,909 | ||||||
Investment
securities available for sale (at fair value)
|
92,749 | 89,415 | ||||||
Loans
and leases
|
549,976 | 598,220 | ||||||
Unearned
fees
|
(1,234 | ) | (1,739 | ) | ||||
Allowance
for credit losses
|
(15,071 | ) | (10,901 | ) | ||||
Net
loans
|
533,671 | 585,580 | ||||||
Accrued
interest receivable
|
2,394 | 3,658 | ||||||
Premises
and equipment - net
|
14,285 | 15,574 | ||||||
Other
real estate owned
|
30,153 | 6,666 | ||||||
Intangible
assets
|
3,001 | 4,621 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
10,417 | 10,417 | ||||||
Cash
surrender value of life insurance
|
14,460 | 13,852 | ||||||
Investment
in limited partnerships
|
2,702 | 3,134 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
7,138 | 4,301 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
10,250 | 6,288 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 761,077 | $ | 771,715 | ||||
Liabilities
& Shareholders' Equity
|
||||||||
Liabilities
|
||||||||
Deposits
|
||||||||
Noninterest
bearing
|
$ | 149,529 | $ | 139,066 | ||||
Interest
bearing
|
358,957 | 495,551 | ||||||
Total
deposits
|
508,486 | 634,617 | ||||||
Federal
funds purchased
|
66,545 | 10,380 | ||||||
Other
borrowings
|
88,500 | 21,900 | ||||||
Accrued
interest payable
|
648 | 1,903 | ||||||
Accounts
payable and other liabilities
|
5,362 | 7,143 | ||||||
Junior
subordinated debt (at fair value)
|
11,926 | 13,341 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
681,467 | 689,284 | ||||||
Commitments
and Contingent Liabilities
|
— | — | ||||||
Shareholders'
Equity
|
||||||||
Common
stock, no par value
|
||||||||
20,000,000
shares authorized, 12,010,372 and 11,855,192
|
||||||||
issued
and outstanding, in 2008 and 2007, respectively
|
34,811 | 32,587 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
47,722 | 49,997 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(2,923 | ) | (153 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
79,610 | 82,431 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 761,077 | $ | 771,715 | ||||
See notes
to consolidated financial statements
69
United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(in
thousands except shares and EPS)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Interest
Income
|
||||||||||||
Loans,
including fees
|
$ | 39,669 | $ | 52,690 | $ | 42,902 | ||||||
Investment
securities - AFS – taxable
|
5,170 | 3,896 | 3,254 | |||||||||
Investment
securities - AFS – nontaxable
|
68 | 108 | 108 | |||||||||
Federal
funds sold and securities purchased
|
||||||||||||
under
agreements to resell
|
18 | 191 | 768 | |||||||||
Interest
on deposits in other banks
|
222 | 271 | 324 | |||||||||
Total
interest income
|
45,147 | 57,156 | 47,356 | |||||||||
Interest
Expense
|
||||||||||||
Interest
on deposits
|
12,088 | 18,414 | 12,597 | |||||||||
Interest
on other borrowed funds
|
2,850 | 2,159 | 1,578 | |||||||||
Total
interest expense
|
14,938 | 20,573 | 14,175 | |||||||||
Net
Interest Income Before
|
||||||||||||
Provision
for Credit Losses
|
30,209 | 36,583 | 33,181 | |||||||||
Provision
for Credit Losses
|
9,598 | 5,697 | 880 | |||||||||
Net
Interest Income
|
20,611 | 30,886 | 32,301 | |||||||||
Noninterest
Income
|
||||||||||||
Customer
service fees
|
4,656 | 4,790 | 3,779 | |||||||||
Gain
on disposition of securities
|
24 | 0 | 27 | |||||||||
Gain
on sale of other real estate owned
|
67 | 209 | 50 | |||||||||
Gains
from life insurance
|
0 | 483 | 482 | |||||||||
Gain
(loss) on interest swap ineffectiveness
|
9 | 66 | (75 | ) | ||||||||
Gain
on sale of investment
|
0 | 0 | 1,877 | |||||||||
Gain
on fair value option of financial liability
|
1,363 | 2,504 | 0 | |||||||||
(Loss)
gain on sale of premises and equipment
|
(4 | ) | 2 | 1,018 | ||||||||
Shared
appreciation income
|
265 | 42 | 567 | |||||||||
Other
|
1,963 | 1,568 | 1,306 | |||||||||
Total
noninterest income
|
8,343 | 9,664 | 9,031 | |||||||||
Noninterest
Expense
|
||||||||||||
Salaries
and employee benefits
|
10,610 | 10,830 | 9,915 | |||||||||
Occupancy
expense
|
3,954 | 3,787 | 2,556 | |||||||||
Data
processing
|
279 | 420 | 470 | |||||||||
Professional
fees
|
1,482 | 1,811 | 998 | |||||||||
Director
fees
|
262 | 268 | 222 | |||||||||
Amortization
of intangibles
|
972 | 1,021 | 537 | |||||||||
Correspondent
bank service charges
|
427 | 476 | 204 | |||||||||
Impairment
loss on other investments
|
23 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||
Impairment
loss on OREO
|
887 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Impairment
loss on intangible assets
|
648 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Loss
on lease assets held for sale
|
0 | 820 | 0 | |||||||||
Loss
in equity of limited partnership
|
432 | 430 | 440 | |||||||||
Expense
on other real estate owned
|
418 | 209 | 2,193 | |||||||||
Other
|
2,885 | 2,643 | 2,402 | |||||||||
Total
noninterest expense
|
23,279 | 22,732 | 19,937 | |||||||||
Income
Before Provision for Taxes on Income
|
5,675 | 17,818 | 21,395 | |||||||||
Provision
for Taxes on Income
|
1,605 | 6,561 | 8,035 | |||||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 | ||||||
Other
comprehensive income, net of tax
|
||||||||||||
Unrealized
income (loss) on available for sale securities, interest
rate
|
||||||||||||
swaps,
and unrecognized post-retirement costs - net income
|
||||||||||||
tax
(benefit) expense of $(1,845), $758, and $381,
respectively
|
(2,770 | ) | 1,137 | 631 | ||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
$ | 1,300 | $ | 12,394 | $ | 13,991 | ||||||
Net
Income per common share
|
||||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.15 | ||||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 1.14 | ||||||
Weighted
shares on which net income per common share
|
||||||||||||
were
based
|
||||||||||||
Basic
|
12,048,728 | 12,165,475 | 11,572,407 | |||||||||
Diluted
|
12,052,150 | 12,200,920 | 11,692,705 |
See notes
to consolidated financial statements
70
United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Years
Ended December 31, 2008
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock
|
Other
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Number
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands except shares)
|
of
Shares
|
Amount
|
Earnings
|
Income
(Loss)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance
January 1, 2006
|
11,361,118 | $ | 22,084 | $ | 38,682 | $ | (1,752 | ) | $ | 59,014 | ||||||||||
Director/Employee
stock options exercised
|
48,000 | 335 | 335 | |||||||||||||||||
Tax
benefit of stock options exercised
|
218 | 218 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
available for sale securities
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $242 )
|
363 | 363 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
interest rate swaps
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $140)
|
268 | 268 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment
to initially apply SFAS No. 158
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax benefit of $112)
|
(169 | ) | (169 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends
on common stock ($0.445 per share)
|
(5,158 | ) | (5,158 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
and retirement of common shares
|
(108,005 | ) | (2,437 | ) | (2,437 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
248 | 248 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
13,360 | 13,360 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance
December 31, 2006
|
11,301,113 | 20,448 | 46,884 | (1,290 | ) | 66,042 | ||||||||||||||
Director/Employee
stock options exercised
|
90,000 | 510 | 510 | |||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
available for sale securities
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $605)
|
909 | 909 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
interest rate swaps
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $97)
|
145 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrecognized past service
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Costs
of employee benefit plans
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $55)
|
83 | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
on common stock ($0.50 per share)
|
(6,001 | ) | (6,001 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Repurchase
and retirement of common shares
|
(512,332 | ) | (10,094 | ) | (10,094 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Issuance
of shares for business combination
|
976,411 | 21,536 | 21,536 | |||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
187 | 187 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative
effect of adoption of SFAS No. 159
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
income tax benefit of $613)
|
(845 | ) | (845 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Cumulative
effect of adoption of FIN48
|
(1,298 | ) | (1,298 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
11,257 | 11,257 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance
December 31, 2007
|
11,855,192 | $ | 32,587 | $ | 49,997 | $ | (153 | ) | $ | 82,431 | ||||||||||
Director/Employee
stock options exercised
|
8,000 | 70 | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
available for sale securities
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax benefit of $1,910)
|
(2,865 | ) | (2,865 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrealized gain
|
||||||||||||||||||||
on
interest rate swaps
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $1)
|
2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
changes in unrecognized past service
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Costs
of employee benefit plans
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(net
of income tax expense of $62)
|
93 | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends
on common stock ($0.26 per share)
|
(3,081 | ) | (3,081 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Common
stock dividends
|
236,181 | 3,264 | (3,264 | ) | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Repurchase
and retirement of common shares
|
(89,001 | ) | (1,220 | ) | (1,220 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
110 | 110 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
4,070 | 4,070 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance
December 31, 2008
|
12,010,372 | $ | 34,811 | $ | 47,722 | $ | (2,923 | ) | $ | 79,610 |
See notes
to consolidated financial statements
71
United
Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
Years December
31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(in
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Cash
Flows From Operating Activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 | ||||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to cash provided
|
||||||||||||
by
operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
9,598 | 5,697 | 880 | |||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
2,751 | 2,655 | 1,658 | |||||||||
Accretion
of investment securities
|
(123 | ) | (95 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||
Gain
on disposition of securities
|
(24 | ) | 0 | (27 | ) | |||||||
Gain
on sale of stock
|
0 | 0 | (1,877 | ) | ||||||||
Decrease
(increase) in accrued interest receivable
|
1,263 | 930 | (843 | ) | ||||||||
(Decrease)
increase in accrued interest payable
|
(1,255 | ) | (339 | ) | 602 | |||||||
(Decrease)
increase in unearned fees
|
(506 | ) | 509 | 246 | ||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in income taxes payable
|
413 | 150 | (245 | ) | ||||||||
Excess
tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements
|
0 | 0 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
110 | 187 | 248 | |||||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
(1,028 | ) | 248 | (382 | ) | |||||||
(Increase)
decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
(427 | ) | (130 | ) | 1,290 | |||||||
Impairment
loss on other investments
|
23 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||
Loss
on lease assets held for sale
|
0 | 820 | 0 | |||||||||
Gain
on sale of other real estate owned
|
(67 | ) | (209 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||||
Impairment
loss on other real estate owned
|
887 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Impairment
loss on intangible assets
|
648 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
(Gain)
loss on swap ineffectiveness
|
(9 | ) | (66 | ) | 75 | |||||||
Gain
on fair value option of financial assets
|
(1,363 | ) | (2,504 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Income
from life insurance proceeds
|
0 | (483 | ) | (482 | ) | |||||||
Loss
(gain) loss on sale of premises and equipment
|
4 | (2 | ) | (1,018 | ) | |||||||
(Increase)
decrease in surrender value of life insurance
|
(608 | ) | (184 | ) | 88 | |||||||
Loss
in limited partnership interest
|
432 | 430 | 440 | |||||||||
Net
(increase) decrease in other assets
|
(2,204 | ) | 84 | 2,268 | ||||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
12,585 | 18,972 | 16,160 | |||||||||
Cash
Flows From Investing Activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
(increase) decrease in interest-bearing deposits with
banks
|
(17,522 | ) | 4,984 | (237 | ) | |||||||
Purchases
of available-for-sale securities
|
(44,526 | ) | (33,859 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Net
(purchase) redemption of FHLB/FRB and other bank stock
|
(2,118 | ) | 103 | 51 | ||||||||
Maturities,
calls, and principal payments on available-for-sale
securities
|
36,887 | 36,833 | 12,571 | |||||||||
Investment
in limited partnership
|
38 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Investment
in bank stock
|
(72 | ) | (372 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Proceeds
from sale of investment in title company
|
0 | 0 | 149 | |||||||||
Premiums
paid on life insurance
|
0 | 0 | (227 | ) | ||||||||
Net
decrease (increase) in loans
|
16,526 | (43,454 | ) | (84,795 | ) | |||||||
Cash
and equivalents received in bank acquisitions,
|
||||||||||||
net
of assets and liabilities acquired
|
0 | 6,373 | 0 | |||||||||
Cash
proceeds from sale of correspondent bank stock
|
0 | 0 | 2,607 | |||||||||
Cash
proceeds from sales of foreclosed leased assets
|
56 | 39 | 1,946 | |||||||||
Cash
proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
|
1,710 | 72 | 2,487 | |||||||||
Capital
expenditures for premises and equipment
|
(363 | ) | (1,200 | ) | (5,880 | ) | ||||||
Cash
proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
|
0 | 9 | 1,520 | |||||||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(9,384 | ) | (30,472 | ) | (69,808 | ) | ||||||
Cash
Flows From Financing Activities:
|
||||||||||||
Net
(decrease) increase in demand deposit
|
||||||||||||
and
savings accounts
|
(9,068 | ) | (99,787 | ) | 12,764 | |||||||
Net
(decrease) increase in certificates of deposit
|
(117,063 | ) | 77,677 | 27,903 | ||||||||
Net
increase in federal funds purchased
|
56,165 | 22,280 | 0 | |||||||||
Net
increase in FHLB borrowings
|
66,600 | 10,000 | 0 | |||||||||
Redemption
of junior subordinated debt
|
0 | (15,923 | ) | 0 | ||||||||
Proceeds
from issuance of junior subordinated debt
|
0 | 15,000 | 0 | |||||||||
Director/Employee
stock options exercised
|
70 | 510 | 335 | |||||||||
Excess
tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements
|
0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
Repurchase
and retirement of common stock
|
(1,220 | ) | (10,095 | ) | (2,436 | ) | ||||||
Repayment
of ESOP borrowings
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Payment
of dividends on common stock
|
(4,559 | ) | (5,930 | ) | (4,881 | ) | ||||||
Net
cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
(9,075 | ) | (6,268 | ) | 33,686 | |||||||
Net
decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
(5,874 | ) | (17,768 | ) | (19,962 | ) | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
25,300 | 43,068 | 63,030 | |||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$ | 19,426 | $ | 25,300 | $ | 43,068 |
See notes
to consolidated statements
72
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years
Ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
1.
|
Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting
Policies
|
Basis of
Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of United Security Bancshares, and its wholly owned subsidiary, United Security
Bank and subsidiary (the “Bank”).United Security Bancshares Capital Trust II
(the “Trust”) is deconsolidated pursuant to FIN46. As a result, the
Trust’s Trust Preferred Securities are not presented on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements, but instead the Company’s Subordinated
Debentures are presented as a separate liability category. (see Note 10 to the
Company’s consolidated financial statements). Intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the following notes,
references to the Bank are references to United Security Bank. References to the
Company are references to United Security Bancshares, (including the Bank and
Trust). United Security Bancshares operates as one business segment providing
banking services to commercial establishments and individuals primarily in the
San Joaquin Valley of California.
Nature of
Operations – United Security Bancshares is a bank holding company,
incorporated in the state of California for the purpose of acquiring all the
capital stock of the Bank through a holding company reorganization (the
“Reorganization”) of the Bank. The Reorganization, which was accounted for in a
manner similar to a pooling of interests, was completed on June 12, 2001.
Management believes the Reorganization has provided the Company greater
operating and financial flexibility and has permitted expansion into a broader
range of financial services and other business activities.
United Security Bancshares
Capital Trust I was formed during June 2001 as a Delaware statutory business
trust for the exclusive purpose of issuing and selling Trust Preferred
Securities. The Trust was deconsolidated in 2004 pursuant to FIN46.
During July 2007, the Trust Preferred Securities were redeemed by USB Capital
Trust I, and upon retirement, the Trust was dissolved. During July 2007 the
Company formed United Security Bancshares Capital Trust II and issued $15.0
million in Trust Preferred Securities with terms similar to those originally
issued under USB Capital Trust I. (See Note 10. “Junior
Subordinated Debt/Trust Preferred Securities”).
USB
Investment Trust Inc was incorporated effective December 31, 2001 as a special
purpose real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Maryland law. The REIT is a
subsidiary of the Bank and was funded with $133.0 million in real estate-secured
loans contributed by the Bank. USB Investment Trust was originally formed to
give the Bank flexibility in raising capital, and reduce the expenses associated
with holding the assets contributed to USB Investment Trust.
On
February 16, 2007, the Company completed its merger with Legacy Bank, N.A.,
located in Campbell, California, with the acquisition of 100 percent of Legacy’s
outstanding common shares. At merger, Legacy Bank’s one branch was merged with
and into United Security Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The
total value of the merger transaction was $21.5 million, and the shareholders of
Legacy Bank received merger consideration consisting of 976,411 shares of common
stock of the Company. The merger transaction was accounted for as a purchase
transaction, and resulted in the purchase price being allocated to the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed from Legacy Bank based on the fair value of
those assets and liabilities. The net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
totaled approximately $8.6 million at the date of the merger. Fair value of
Legacy assets and liabilities acquired, including resultant goodwill of
approximately $8.8 million. (See Note 25 to the Company’s consolidated financial
statements contained herein for details of the merger).
During
November 2007, the Company purchased the recurring revenue stream and certain
fixed assets from ICG Financial, LLC. Additionally, the Company hired all but
one of the former employees of ICG Financial, LLC and its subsidiaries. The
total purchase price was $414,000 including $378,000 for the recurring revenue
stream and $36,000 for the fixed assets. ICG Financial, LLC provided wealth
management, employee benefit, insurance and loan products, as well as consulting
services for a variety of clients. Now operating as a newly formed department of
the Bank, USB Financial Services provides those same services utilizing the
employees hired from ICG Financial LLC. The Company believes the wealth
management and related services provided by USB Financial Services will enhance
the products and services offered by the Company, and increase noninterest
income. The capitalized cost of $378,000 for the recurring revenue stream is
being amortized over a period of approximately three years, and is tested
periodically for impairment. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company
reviewed the purchased revenue intangible for impairment and determined that the
intangible asset was impaired. As a result the Company recorded an impairment
loss of approximately $24,000 during the fourth quarter, thus reducing carrying
value the intangible asset.
73
The Bank
was founded in 1987 and currently operates eleven branches and one construction
lending office in an area from eastern Madera County to western Fresno County,
as well as Taft and Bakersfield in Kern County, and Campbell in Santa Clara
County. The Bank also operates one financial services department located in
Fresno, California. The Bank’s primary source of revenue is providing loans to
customers, who are predominantly small and middle-market businesses and
individuals. The Bank engages in a full compliment of lending
activities, including real estate mortgage, commercial and industrial, real
estate construction, agricultural and consumer loans, with particular emphasis
on short and medium term obligations.
The Bank
offers a wide range of deposit instruments. These include personal and business
checking accounts and savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of
withdrawal ("NOW") accounts, money market accounts and time certificates of
deposit. Most of the Bank's deposits are attracted from individuals and from
small and medium-sized business-related sources.
The Bank
also offers a wide range of specialized services designed to attract and service
the needs of commercial customers and account holders. These services include
cashiers checks, travelers checks, money orders, and foreign drafts. In
addition, the Bank offers Internet banking services to its commercial and retail
customers, and offers certain financial and wealth management services through
its financial services department. The Bank does not operate a trust department,
however it makes arrangements with its correspondent bank to offer trust
services to its customers upon request.
Use of Estimates
in the Preparation of Financial Statements - The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Material
estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change, relate to the
determination of the allowance for loan losses, determination of goodwill, fair
value of junior subordinated debt and certain collateralized mortgage
obligations, and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with
foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination
of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for
sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant
properties.
Significant
Accounting Policies - The accounting and reporting policies of the
Company conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to prevailing
practices within the banking industry. The following is a summary of
significant policies:
a.
|
Cash and cash
equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand,
amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and repurchase agreements. At
times throughout the year, balances can exceed FDIC insurance limits.
Generally, federal funds sold and repurchase agreements are sold for
one-day periods. Repurchase agreements are with a registered broker-dealer
affiliated with a correspondent bank and work much like federal funds
sold, except that the transaction is collateralized by various investment
securities. The securities collateralizing such transactions generally
consist of U.S. Treasuries, U.S. Government and U.S. Government-sponsored
agencies. The Bank did not have any repurchase agreements during 2008 or
2007, or at December 31, 2008 or 2007. All cash and cash equivalents have
maturities when purchased of three months or
less.
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b.
|
Securities - Debt and
equity securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair
value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net income and
reported, net of tax, as a separate component of comprehensive income and
shareholders’ equity. Debt securities classified as held to maturity are
carried at amortized cost. Gains and losses on disposition are
reported using the specific identification method for the adjusted basis
of the securities sold.
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The
Company classifies its securities as available for sale or held to maturity, and
periodically reviews its investment portfolio on an individual security
basis. Securities that are to be held for indefinite periods of time
(including, but not limited to, those that management intends to use as part of
its asset/liability management strategy, those which may be sold in response to
changes in interest rates, changes in prepayments or any such other factors) are
classified as securities available for sale. Securities which the Company has
the ability and intent to hold to maturity are classified as held to
maturity.
Declines
in fair value of individual held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities
below their cost that are other than temporary are recognized by write-downs of
the individual securities to fair value. Such write-downs would be included in
earnings as realized losses. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest
income using the interest method over the period to maturity.
Investments
with fair values that are less than amortized cost are considered
impaired. Impairment may result from either a decline in the
financial condition of the issuing entity or, in the case of fixed interest rate
investments, from rising interest rates. At each financial statement
date, management assesses each investment to determine if impaired investments
are temporarily impaired or if the impairment is other-than-temporary based upon
the positive and negative evidence available. Evidence evaluated
includes, but is not limited to, industry analyst reports, credit market
conditions, and interest rate trends. If negative evidence outweighs
positive evidence that the carrying amount is recoverable within a reasonable
period of time, the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary and the
security is written down in the period in which such determination is
made.
74
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c.
|
Loans - Interest income
on loans is credited to income as earned and is calculated by using the
simple interest method on the daily balance of the principal amounts
outstanding. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when
principal or interest is past due for 90 days and/or when management
believes the collection of amounts due is doubtful. For loans
placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable
may be reversed at management's discretion based upon management's
assessment of collectibility, and interest is thereafter credited to
principal to the extent necessary to eliminate doubt as to the
collectibility of the net carrying amount of the
loan.
|
|
Nonrefundable
fees and related direct costs associated with the origination or purchase
of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan
balances. The net deferred fees and costs are generally
amortized into interest income over the loan term using the interest
method. Other credit-related fees, such as standby letter of
credit fees, loan placement fees and annual credit card fees are
recognized as noninterest income during the period the related service is
performed.
|
|
Impaired
loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash
flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or as a practical
expedient at the loan’s observable market rate or the fair value of the
collateral if the loan is collateral
dependent.
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d.
|
Allowance for Credit Losses
and Reserve
for Unfunded Loan Commitments -
The allowance for credit losses is maintained to provide for losses that
can reasonably be anticipated. The allowance is based on ongoing quarterly
assessments of the probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and to
a lesser extent, unfunded loan commitments. The reserve for unfunded loan
commitments is a liability on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and is included in other liabilities. The liability is computed
using a methodology similar to that used to determine the allowance for
credit losses, modified to take into account the probability of a drawdown
on the commitment.
|
The
allowance for credit losses is increased by provisions charged to operations
during the current period and reduced by loan charge-offs net of
recoveries. Loans are charged against the allowance when management
believes that the collection of the principal is unlikely. The
allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb
losses inherent in existing loans, based on evaluations of the probability of
collection. In evaluating the probability of collection, management
is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of loans, allowance for credit losses and the provision for credit losses
charged to operations. Actual results could differ significantly from
those estimates. These evaluations take into consideration such
factors as the composition of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan
concentrations, specific problem loans, and current economic conditions that may
affect the borrowers' ability to pay. The Company’s methodology for assessing
the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key
elements, which include the formula allowance, specific allowances, and the
unallocated allowance.
The
formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans
and certain unfunded loan commitments. Loss factors are based on the Company’s
historical loss experience and may be adjusted for significant factors that, in
management's judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the
evaluation date. The Company determines the loss factors for problem-graded
loans (substandard, doubtful, and loss), special mention loans, and pass graded
loans, based on a loss migration model. The migration analysis incorporates the
Company’s losses over the past twelve quarters (three years) and loss factors
are adjusted to recognize and quantify the loss exposure from changes in market
conditions and trends in the loan portfolio. For purposes of this analysis,
loans are grouped by internal risk classifications, which are “pass”, “special
mention”, “substandard”, “doubtful”, and “loss”. Certain loans are homogenous in
nature and are therefore pooled by risk grade. These homogenous loans include
consumer installment and home equity loans. Special mention loans are currently
performing but are potentially weak, as the borrower has begun to exhibit
deteriorating trends, which if not corrected, could jeopardize repayment of the
loan and result in further downgrade. Substandard loans have well-defined
weaknesses which, if not corrected, could jeopardize the full satisfaction of
the debt. A loan classified as “doubtful” has critical weaknesses that make full
collection of the obligation improbable. Classified loans, as defined by the
Company, include loans categorized as substandard, doubtful, and
loss.
Specific
allowances are established based on management’s periodic evaluation of loss
exposure inherent in classified loans, impaired loans, and other loans in which
management believes it is probable that a loss has been incurred in excess of
the amount determined by the application of the formula allowance.
75
The
unallocated portion of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of
various conditions that are not directly measured in the determination of the
formula and specific allowances. The conditions may include, but are not limited
to, general economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas of
the Company, credit quality trends, collateral values, loan volumes and
concentration, and other business conditions.
The
allowance analysis also incorporates the results of measuring impaired loans as
provided in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 114,
“Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan” and SFAS 118, “Accounting by
Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures”. A loan
is considered impaired when management determines that it is probable that the
Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original
contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured by the
difference between the original recorded investment in the loan and the
estimated present value of the total expected cash flows, discounted at the
loan’s effective rate, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is
collateral dependent. Any differences in the specific allowance amounts
calculated in the impaired loan analysis and the migration analysis are
reconciled by management and changes are made to the allowance as deemed
necessary.
e.
|
Loans held-for-sale -
Loans originated and designated as held-for-sale are carried at the lower
of cost or estimated fair value, as determined by quoted market prices, in
aggregate. Net unrealized losses are recognized in a valuation allowance
by charges to income. Gains or losses on the sale of such loans are based
on the specific identification method. The Company held no loans for sale
at December 31, 2008 or 2007.
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f.
|
Premises and Equipment
- Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed principally on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. Estimated useful lives are as
follows:
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Buildings
31Years
|
Furniture
and equipment
|
3-7
Years
|
g.
|
Other Real Estate Owned
- Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure
are to be sold and are initially recorded at fair value of the property,
less estimated costs to sell. The excess, if any, of the loan amount over
the fair value is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent
declines in the fair value of other real estate owned, along with related
revenue and expenses from operations, are charged to noninterest expense
at foreclosure.
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h.
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Intangible Assets and
Goodwill - Intangible assets are comprised of core deposit
intangibles, other specific identifiable intangibles, and goodwill
acquired in branch acquisitions in which the fair value of the liabilities
assumed exceeded the fair value of the assets acquired. Intangible assets
and goodwill are reviewed at least annually for impairment . Core deposit
intangibles of $2,278,000 and $3,611,000 (net of accumulated amortization
and impairment losses of $4,719,000 and accumulated amortization of
$3,386,000) at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are amortized over the estimated
useful lives of the existing deposit bases (average of 7 years) using a
method which approximates the interest method. Other specific identifiable
intangibles resulting from the purchase of certain bank branches during
1997, which were non self-sustaining businesses, of $517,000 and $653,000
(net accumulated amortization of $1.4 million and $1.3 million) at
December 31, 2008 and 2007 are being amortized using a method which
approximates the interest method over a period of 15 years. The
identifiable intangible asset resulting from the purchase of the recurring
income stream from ICG Financial Services totaled $206,000 at December 31,
2008 (net accumulated amortization of $147,000 and impairment losses of
$24,000) and is being amortized over a period of three
years.
|
During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $623,000
on the core deposit intangible related to the deposits purchased in the Legacy
merger consummated during February 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the
Company recognized an additional impairment loss of $24,000 on the identifiable
intangible asset related to the purchased revenue of ICG Financial
Services.
The
estimated aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets for each
of the five succeeding years is as follows (in 000’s):
Year
|
Amortization
expense
|
|||
2009
|
$ | 749 | ||
2010
|
657 | |||
2011
|
481 | |||
2012
|
349 | |||
2013
|
187 | |||
Total
|
$ | 2,423 |
76
Goodwill
amounts resulting from the acquisitions of Taft National Bank during April 2004,
and Legacy Bank during February 2007 are considered to have an indefinite life
and are not amortized. At December 31, 2008 goodwill related to Taft National
Bank totaled $1.6 million, and goodwill related to Legacy Bank totaled $8.8
million. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets, goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment. Impairment testing
of goodwill is performed during April of each year at a reporting unit level for
Taft, and will be performed during March of each year for Legacy. The Company
had no impairment adjustments related to goodwill during 2008, 2007, or
2006.
i.
|
Income Taxes - Deferred
income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the
financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and
liabilities using the liability method, and are reflected at currently
enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred
tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or
settled.
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j.
|
Net Income per Share -
Basic income per common share is computed based on the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per share includes the
effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities using
the treasury stock method.
|
k.
|
Cash Flow Reporting -
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include
cash on hand, noninterest-bearing amounts due from banks, federal funds
sold and securities purchased under agreements to
resell. Federal funds and securities purchased under agreements
to resell are generally sold for one-day
periods.
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l.
|
Transfers of Financial
Assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales
when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over
transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have
been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free
of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to
pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not
maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an
agreement to repurchase them before their
maturity.
|
m.
|
Advertising Costs - The
Company expenses marketing costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense
was $121,000, $113,000, and $105,000 for the years ended December 31,
2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
|
n.
|
Stock Based Compensation -
At December 31, 2008, the Company has a stock-based employee
compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 12. The Company
accounts for the stock-based employee compensation plan pursuant to the
provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No.
123 R, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments”. SFAS No. 123R requires all
share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock
options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on the
grant-date fair value of the award. The fair value is amortized over the
requisite service period (generally the vesting period). Included in
salaries and employee benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006 is $110,000, $187,000 and $248,000, respectively, of share-based
compensation. The related tax benefit, recorded in the provision for
income taxes, was not
significant.
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o.
|
Long-Lived Assets - The
Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to
be held and used, including other specific intangible assets, and core
deposit intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Based on such
evaluation, the Company recognized impairment losses of $623,000 and
$24,000 on core deposits intangible assets and the identifiable intangible
asset related to the purchased revenue of ICG Financial Services,
respectively, during 2008. The Company determined that there was no
impairment of long-lived assets 2007 or
2006.
|
p.
|
Derivative Financial
Instruments - All derivative instruments (including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) are recognized in the
consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The Company’s accounting
treatment for gains or losses from changes in the derivative instrument’s
fair value is contingent on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as
a hedge. On the date the Company enters into a derivative contract, the
Company designates the derivative instruments as (1) a hedge of the
fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm
commitment (fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of a forecasted
transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid
related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge) or (3), a
hedge for trading, customer accommodation or not qualifying for hedge
accounting (free-standing derivative instruments). For a fair value hedge,
changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the
fair value of the hedged asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm
commitment attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in current period
net income. For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the
derivative instrument to the extent that it is highly effective are
recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, within shareholders’
equity and subsequently reclassified to net income in the same period(s)
that the hedged transaction impacts net income. For freestanding
derivative instruments, changes in the fair values are reported in current
period net income. The Company formally documents the relationship between
hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management
objective and strategy for undertaking any hedge transaction. This process
includes relating all derivative instruments that are designated as fair
value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the
balance sheet or to specific forecasted transactions. The Company also
formally assesses both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing
basis, whether the derivative instruments used are highly effective in
offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If it is
determined that the derivative instrument is not, and will not be, highly
effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is
discontinued.
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77
q.
|
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
and Federal Reserve Stock - As a member of the
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), the Company is required to maintain an
investment in capital stock of the FHLB. In addition, as a member of the
Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), the Company is required to maintain an
investment in capital stock of the FRB. The investments in both the FHLB
and the FRB are carried at cost in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets under other assets and are subject to certain redemption
requirements by the FHLB and
FRB.
|
r.
|
Comprehensive Income
-Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive
income. Other comprehensive income includes items previously recorded
directly to equity, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities
available-for-sale, unrecognized costs of salary continuation defined
benefit plans, and certain derivative instruments used as a cash flow
hedge. Comprehensive income is presented in the consolidated statement of
shareholders’ equity.
|
s.
|
Segment Reporting - The
Company's operations are solely in the financial services industry and
include providing to its customers traditional banking and other financial
services. The Company operates primarily in the San Joaquin Valley region
of California. Management makes operating decisions and assesses
performance based on an ongoing review of the Company's consolidated
financial results. Therefore, the Company has a single operating segment
for financial reporting
purposes.
|
t.
|
New
Accounting Standards:
|
Statements of Financial
Accounting Standards
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements," which provides guidance for
accounting and reporting of noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated
financial statements. The statement is effective for fiscal years and interim
periods within fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company
does not hold minority interests in subsidiaries, therefore it is expected that
SFAS No. 160 will have no impact on its financial condition or results of
operations.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115. SFAS 159 allows entities to irrevocably elect fair
value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial
assets and financial liabilities that are not otherwise required to be measured
at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as they occur.
SFAS 159 also requires entities to report those financial assets and financial
liabilities measured at fair value in a manner that separates those reported
fair values from the carrying amounts of similar assets and liabilities measured
using another measurement attribute on the face of the statement of financial
position. Lastly, SFAS 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements
designed to improve comparability between entities that elect different
measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective
for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption
permitted if an entity also early adopts the provisions of SFAS 157. Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company elected early adoption of the fair value option to
value its junior subordinated debt. The initial impact upon adoption of SFAS No.
159 was to record a $1.3 million loss, reflected as an adjustment to beginning
retained earnings at January 1, 2007. Subsequent to adoption, the Company
recorded total gains resulting from fair value adjustments on its junior
subordinated debt totaling $2.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2007,
which are reflected as a component of other noninterest income. (see Note
9).
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
158, Employers Accounting for
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (“SFAS No. 158”).
SFAS No. 158 amends SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106. SFAS No. 158 amends previous
applicable accounting statements and requires companies to better disclose,
among other things, the funded status of benefit plans, and to recognize as a
component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and
prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not
recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FASB Statement
No. 87, Employers’ Accounting
for Pensions, or No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. Amounts recognized in
accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior
service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation remaining from
the initial application of Statements 87 and 106, are adjusted as they are
subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to
the recognition and amortization provisions of those Statements. SFAS No. 158 is
effective for public companies with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2006, and has made
required disclosures since December 31, 2006. As a result, the Company upon
adoption at December 31, 2006, recorded $169,000 in accumulated other
comprehensive income (net tax of $112,000) for the previously unrecognized cost
of post-retirement benefits related to the Company’s Salary Continuation Plan,
and had $8,000 in other comprehensive income (net tax of $5,000) for the excess
net periodic benefit costs at December 31, 2008 (see Note 13, Employee Benefit
Plans).
78
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS
No. 157 clarifies the definition of fair value, describes methods used to
appropriately measure fair value in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and expands fair value disclosure requirements. This
statement applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit
fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157
as a result of its early adoption of SFAS No. 159 (see Note 15).
In March
2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 161,
“Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities - an Amendment of FASB Statement
133.” SFAS
No. 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging
activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how an entity uses
derivative instruments and how derivative instruments and related hedged items
are accounted for and affect an entity’s financial position, financial
performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and
interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Adoption of SFAS
No. 161 as of January 1, 2009 has not had a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, as it
impacts financial statement disclosure only.
Financial Accounting
Standards Board Staff Positions and Interpretations
On July
13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes: an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies SFAS
No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes, to indicate a criterion that an individual tax position would have
to meet for some or all of the income tax benefit to be recognized in a taxable
entity’s financial statements. Under the guidelines of the Interpretation, an
entity should recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position if it
determines that it is more
likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination. The
term “more likely than not” means “a likelihood of more than 50 percent.” In
assessing whether the more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should
assume that the tax position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing
authority. The scope of FIN 48 is broad and includes all tax positions accounted
for in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Additionally, besides business enterprises,
FIN 48 applies to pass-through entities, and entities whose tax liability is
subject to 100 percent credit for dividends paid (such as real estate investment
trusts). FIN 48 is effective for the Company beginning after January 1, 2007.
The cumulative effect of applying FIN 48 totaling $1.3 million was reported as
an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2007 (see Note
11).
In
September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a final consensus
on Issue No. 06-4 (EITF 06-4),
"Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of
Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements." EITF 06-4 requires
employers to recognize a liability for future benefits provided through
endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that extend into
postretirement periods in accordance with SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions or APB Opinion No. 12, Omnibus Opinion-1967." The
provisions of EITF 06-4 become effective on January 1, 2008 and are to be
applied as a change in accounting principle either through a cumulative-effect
adjustment to retained earnings or other components of equity or net assets in
the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the year of adoption,
or through retrospective application to all prior periods. The Company's
split-dollar life insurance benefits are limited to the employee's active
service period. Therefore EITF 06-4 did not have a significant impact on the
Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
FASB Staff Position (FSP)
No. 157-2. FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, for
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring
basis (at least annually). The delay is intended to allow the FASB and
constituents additional time to consider the effect of various implementation
issues that have arisen, or that may arise, from the application of SFAS 157.
This FSP defers the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items
within the scope of this FSP. FSP 157-2 was effective for the Company on
January 1, 2009 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
79
FASB Staff Position
No. 157-3. On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff
Position 157- 3 (“FSP 157-3”) Determining the Fair Value of a
Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active. FSP 157-3
applies to financial assets within the scope of SFAS 157. FSP 157-3 clarifies
the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an
example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a
financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. In
situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for an asset at the
measurement date, the fair value measurement objective remains the same, that
is, the price that would be received by the holder of the financial asset in an
orderly transaction (an exit price notion) that is not a forced liquidation or
distressed sale at the measurement date. Additionally, in determining fair value
for a financial asset, the use of a reporting entity’s own assumptions about
future cash flows and appropriately risk-adjusted discount rates is acceptable
when relevant observable inputs are not available. Broker (or pricing service)
quotes may be an appropriate input when measuring fair value, but they are not
necessarily determinative if an active market does not exist for the financial
asset. FSP 157-3 was effective for the Company on September 30, 2008.
Although FSP 157-3 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial
statements at December 31, 2008, it did provide additional guidance used in the
Company’s evaluation of fair value at December 31, 2008.
On
January 12, 2009, the FASB staff issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) EITF 99-20-1,
Amendments to the Impairment
Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20, which eliminated the reference to the
“market participant” view of expected cash flows when making impairment
determinations for certain beneficial interests in securitized financial
instruments. The guidance is intended to reduce complexity and achieve a more
consistent determination of whether other-than-temporary impairments of
available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities have occurred by
aligning the impairment guidance for certain beneficial interests with the
impairment guidance for other debt securities. FSP 99-20-1 was effective for the
Company for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. The
Company adopted FSP 99-20-1 effective December 31, 2008 and utilized the revised
method, the effects of which are included in the Company’s financial statements
at December 31, 2008.
|
v.
|
Reclassifications -
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2007 and 2006 financial
statements to conform to the classifications used in
2008.
|
2.
|
Investment
Securities
|
Following
is a comparison of the amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment
securities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31,
2007:
(In
thousands)
|
Gross
|
Gross
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
|
Gains
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
|||||||||||||
December 31, 2008:
|
||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 43,110 | $ | 1,280 | $ | (204 | ) | $ | 44,186 | |||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
39,068 | 189 | (4,991 | ) | 34,266 | |||||||||||
Obligations
of state and political subdivisions
|
1,252 | 28 | 0 | 1,280 | ||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
13,880 | 0 | (863 | ) | 13,017 | |||||||||||
Total
securities available for sale
|
$ | 97,310 | $ | 1,497 | $ | (6,058 | ) | $ | 92,749 | |||||||
December 31, 2007:
|
||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 65,764 | $ | 524 | $ | (302 | ) | $ | 65,986 | |||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
7,782 | 44 | (4 | ) | 7,822 | |||||||||||
Obligations
of state and political subdivisions
|
2,227 | 54 | 0 | 2,281 | ||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
13,752 | 0 | (426 | ) | 13,326 | |||||||||||
Total
securities available for sale
|
$ | 89,525 | $ | 622 | $ | (732 | ) | $ | 89,415 |
Included
in other investment securities at December 31, 2008, is a short-term government
securities mutual fund totaling $7.2 million, a CRA-qualified mortgage fund
totaling $4.9 million, and an overnight money-market mutual fund totaling
$880,000. Included in other investment securities at December 31, 2007, is a
short-term government securities mutual fund totaling $7.7 million, a
CRA-qualified mortgage fund totaling $4.9 million, and an overnight money-market
mutual fund totaling $752,000. The commercial
asset-backed trust consists of fixed and floating rate commercial and
multifamily mortgage loans. The short-term government securities mutual fund
invests in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities, with a maximum duration equal to that of a 3-year
U.S. Treasury Note.
80
Management
periodically evaluates each available-for-sale investment security in an
unrealized loss position to determine if the impairment is temporary or
other-than-temporary. Management has determined that no investment
security is other than temporarily impaired. The unrealized losses
are due in most part to interest rate changes, as well as credit downgrades in
some of the portfolio including three collateralized mortgage obligations. The
Company has the ability and intent to hold all investment securities with
identified impairments resulting from interest rate changes and credit
downgrades to the earlier of the forecasted recovery or the maturity of the
underlying investment security. The Company believes that credit downgrades on
securities within the portfolio are a result of the severity of the current
economic downturn and does not believe the downgrades will result
in other-than-temporary impairment of those securities.
The
following summarizes temporarily impaired investment securities at December 31,
2008 and 2007:
Less than 12 Months
|
12 Months or More
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Fair Value
|
Fair Value
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
(Carrying
|
Unrealized
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
Amount)
|
Losses
|
|||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2008:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 6,471 | $ | (204 | ) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 6,471 | $ | (204 | ) | ||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
17,568 | (4,991 | ) | 0 | 0 | 17,568 | (4,991 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and political subdivisions
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
0 | 0 | 12,137 | (863 | ) | 12,137 | (863 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
impaired securities
|
$ | 24,039 | $ | (5,195 | ) | $ | 12,137 | $ | (863 | ) | $ | 36,176 | $ | (6,058 | ) | |||||||||
December 31, 2007:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities available for
sale:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S.
Government agencies
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 30,241 | $ | (302 | ) | $ | 30,241 | $ | (302 | ) | ||||||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
4,129 | (4 | ) | 0 | 0 | 4,129 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations
of state and political subdivisions
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other
investment securities
|
0 | 0 | 12,574 | (426 | ) | 12,574 | (426 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
impaired securities
|
$ | 4,129 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 42,815 | $ | (728 | ) | $ | 46,944 | $ | (732 | ) |
Temporarily
impaired securities at December 31, 2008 are comprised of four (4)
collateralized mortgage obligations, seven (7) U.S. government agency
securities, and two (2) other investment securities, with a total weighted
average life of 3.1 years.
Temporarily
impaired securities at December 31, 2007 are comprised of nine (9) U.S.
government agency securities, one U.S. agency collateralized mortgage
obligation, and two other investment securities, with a total weighted average
life of 1.0 years.
There
were gross realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities totaling
$24,000, and $27,000 during the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2006,
respectively. There were no gross realized gains or losses on available-for-sale
securities during the year ended December 31, 2007. There were no gross realized
losses on available-for-sale securities during the year ended December 31, 2008
or 2006.
The
amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at December 31,
2008, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ
from contractual maturities because issuers have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Contractual maturities
on collateralized mortgage obligations cannot be anticipated due to allowed
paydowns.
81
December 31, 2008
|
||||||||
Amortized
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||
(In thousands)
|
Cost
|
(Carrying Amount)
|
||||||
Due
in one year or less
|
$ | 14,577 | $ | 13,717 | ||||
Due
after one year through five years
|
3,866 | 3,994 | ||||||
Due
after five years through ten years
|
9,148 | 9,529 | ||||||
Due
after ten years
|
30,652 | 31,243 | ||||||
Collateralized
mortgage obligations
|
39,067 | 34,266 | ||||||
$ | 97,310 | $ | 92,749 |
At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, available-for-sale securities with an amortized cost
of approximately $81.4 million and $71.0 million (fair value of $79.6 million
and $71.3 million) were pledged as collateral for public funds, treasury tax and
loan balances, and repurchase agreements.
The
Company had no held-to-maturity or trading securities at December 31, 2008 or
2007.
3.
Loans
|
Loans
are comprised of the following:
|
December
31,
|
||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Commercial
and industrial
|
$ | 223,581 | $ | 204,385 | ||||
Real
estate – mortgage
|
126,689 | 142,565 | ||||||
Real
estate – construction
|
119,884 | 178,296 | ||||||
Agricultural
|
52,020 | 46,055 | ||||||
Installment
|
20,782 | 18,171 | ||||||
Lease
financing
|
7,020 | 8,748 | ||||||
Total
Loans
|
$ | 549,976 | $ | 598,220 |
The
Company's loans are predominantly in the San Joaquin Valley, and the greater
Oakhurst/East Madera County area, as well as the Campbell area of Santa Clara
County, although the Company does participate in loans with other financial
institutions, primarily in the state of California.
Commercial
and industrial loans represent 40.7% of total loans at December 31, 2008 and
have a high degree of industry diversification. A substantial portion of the
commercial and industrial loans are secured by accounts receivable, inventory,
leases or other collateral including real estate. The remainder are unsecured;
however, extensions of credit are predicated upon the financial capacity of the
borrower. Repayment of commercial loans is generally from the cash flow of the
borrower.
Real
estate mortgage loans, representing 23.0% of total loans at December 31, 2008,
are secured by trust deeds on primarily commercial property. Repayment of real
estate mortgage loans is generally from the cash flow of the
borrower.
Real
estate construction loans, representing 21.7% of total loans at December 31,
2008, consist of loans to residential contractors, which are secured by
single-family residential properties. All real estate loans have established
equity requirements. Repayment on construction loans is generally from long-term
mortgages with other lending institutions.
Agricultural
loans represent 9.5% of total loans at December 31, 2008 and are generally
secured by land, equipment, inventory and receivables. Repayment is from the
cash flow of the borrower.
Lease
financing loans, representing 1.3% of total loans at December 31, 2008, consist
of loans to small businesses, which are secured by commercial equipment.
Repayment of the lease obligation is from the cash flow of the
borrower.
Occasionally,
shared appreciation agreements are made between the Company and the borrower on
certain construction loans where the Company agrees to receive interest on the
loan at maturity rather than monthly and the borrower agrees to share in the
profits of the project. Due to the difficulty in calculating future values,
shared appreciation income is recognized when received. The Company does not
participate in a significant number of shared appreciation projects. Shared
appreciation income totaled $265,000, $42,000, and $567,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
82
Loans
over 90 days past due and still accruing totaled $680,000 and $189,000 at
December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Nonaccrual loans totaled
$51.1 million and $21.6 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
There were remaining undisbursed commitments to extend credit on nonaccrual
loans of $1.6 million and $12,000 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
respectively. The interest income that would have been earned on nonaccrual
loans outstanding at December 31, 2008 in accordance with their original terms
is approximately $3.7 million. There was no interest income recorded on such
loans during the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. The interest income
recorded on such loans during 2006 totaled $65,000.
The
Company has, and expects to have, lending transactions in the ordinary course of
its business with directors, officers, principal shareholders and their
affiliates. These loans are granted on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing on comparable
transactions with unrelated parties, and do not involve more than the normal
risk of collectibility or present unfavorable features.
Loans
to directors, officers, principal shareholders and their affiliates are
summarized below:
December 31,
|
||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Aggregate
amount outstanding, beginning of year
|
$ | 7,436 | $ | 1,605 | ||||
New
loans or advances during year
|
13,667 | 9,734 | ||||||
Repayments
during year
|
(3,242 | ) | (3,903 | ) | ||||
Aggregate
amount outstanding, end of year
|
$ | 17,861 | $ | 7,436 | ||||
Loan
commitments
|
$ | 8,380 | $ | 6,799 |
An
analysis of changes in the allowance for credit losses is as
follows:
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Balance,
beginning of year
|
$ | 10,901 | $ | 8,365 | $ | 7,748 | ||||||
Provision
charged to operations
|
9,598 | 5,697 | 880 | |||||||||
Losses
charged to allowance
|
(5,545 | ) | (4,493 | ) | (502 | ) | ||||||
Recoveries
on loans previously charged off
|
117 | 64 | 239 | |||||||||
Reserve
acquired in merger
|
0 | 1,268 | — | |||||||||
Balance
at end-of-period
|
$ | 15,071 | $ | 10,901 | $ | 8,365 |
The
allowance for credit losses represents management's estimate of the risk
inherent in the loan portfolio based on the current economic conditions,
collateral values and economic prospects of the borrowers. Significant changes
in these estimates might be required in the event of a downturn in the economy
and/or the real estate markets in the San Joaquin Valley, the greater Oakhurst
and East Madera County area, and in Santa Clara County.
At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company's recorded investment in loans for which
impairment has been recognized totaled $54.4 million and $20.6 million,
respectively. Included in total impaired loans at December 31, 2008 are $31.0
million of impaired loans for which the related specific allowance is $8.5
million, as well as $23.4 million of impaired loans that as a result of
write-downs or the fair value of the collateral, did not have a specific
allowance. At December 31, 2007, total impaired loans included $10.7 million for
which the related specific allowance is $4.5 million, as well as $9.9 million of
impaired loans that as a result of write-downs to the fair value of the
collateral did not have a specific allowance. The average recorded investment in
impaired loans was $37.1 million, $15.9 million, and $10.1 million for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. In most cases, the
Company uses the cash basis method of income recognition for impaired loans. In
the case of certain troubled debt restructuring for which the loan is performing
under the current contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, income is
recognized under the accrual method. For the year ended December 31, 2008 and
2007, the Company recognized no income on impaired loans. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, the Company recognized income of $65,000 on such
loans.
In the
normal course of business, the Company is party to financial instruments with
off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. At December
31, 2008 and 2007 these financial instruments include commitments to extend
credit of $112.3 million and $196.3 million, respectively, and standby letters
of credit of $7.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively. These instruments
involve elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the
balance sheet. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of
the involvement the Company has in off-balance sheet financial
instruments.
83
The
Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
counterparty to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and
standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those
instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies as it does for on-balance
sheet instruments.
Commitments
to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no
violation of any condition established in the contract. Substantially all of
these commitments are at floating interest rates based on the Prime rate.
Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates. The Company evaluates each
customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral
obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation.
Collateral held varies but includes accounts receivable, inventory, leases,
property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing
properties.
Standby
letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to
guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk
involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved
in extending loans to customers.
4.
|
Lease
Assets held for Sale
|
The
Company had a lease portfolio totaling $7.0 million and $8.7 million at December
31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The lease portfolio is included as
a component of total loans. Leases, like other types of loans, may become
nonperforming at which time they are foreclosed upon and the remaining lease
assets, including equipment and furniture, are transferred to lease assets held
for sale which is included in other assets. Valuation adjustments, if required,
at the time of foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. The
Company discontinued making new leases during the first quarter of 2007, and
since that time the balances in the lease portfolio have declined. The Company
previously utilized a third-party broker to aid in the collection and ultimate
disposition of lease assets held for sale. During the third quarter of 2007, the
Company determined that the third-party broker no longer wished to continue
collection and disposition efforts for the Company due to the Company’s exit
strategy from the leasing business. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the
Company increased its efforts to dispose of existing lease assets held through
foreclosure, while during the same period, additional lease assets were being
foreclosed upon due to general declines in the economy. As a result, the Company
reviewed the collectability of values recorded for lease assets held for sale
during the fourth quarter of 2007 and charged-off $820,000 of the lease assets
held for sale. The expense is recorded as a component of noninterest expense for
the year ended December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008, the balance of lease
assets held for sale was approximately $6,000. The Company did not recognize any
impairment on such assets during 2008.
5.
|
Premises
and Equipment
|
The
components of premises and equipment are as follows:
December 31,
|
||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Land
|
$ | 968 | $ | 968 | ||||
Buildings
and improvements
|
14,212 | 14,160 | ||||||
Furniture
and equipment
|
9,045 | 8,776 | ||||||
24,225 | 23,904 | |||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(9,940 | ) | (8,330 | ) | ||||
Total
premises and equipment
|
$ | 14,285 | $ | 15,574 |
During
February 2007, the Company purchased Legacy Bank, N.A. in Campbell, California
which included net fixed assets totaling $729,000. Included in this amount were
buildings and improvements of $631,000, furniture and equipment of $713,000, and
accumulated depreciation of $615,000. The Company determined that the net
carrying value of Legacy fixed assets reasonably approximated fair value, and
therefore did not make any additional fair value adjustments pursuant to
purchase accounting guidelines.
Total
depreciation expense on Company premises and equipment totaled $1.7 million,
$1.6 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006, respectively, and is included in occupancy expense in the accompanying
consolidated statements of income.
84
6.
|
Investment
in Limited Partnership
|
The Bank
owns limited interests in a private limited partnerships that acquire affordable
housing properties in California that generate Low Income Housing Tax Credits
under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Bank's
limited partnership investment is accounted for under the equity method. The
Bank's noninterest expense associated with the utilization and expiration of
these tax credits for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was
$432,000, $430,000, and $440,000, respectively. The limited partnership
investments are expected to generate remaining tax credits of approximately $2.6
million over the life of the investment. The tax credits expire between 2009 and
2014. Tax credits utilized for income tax purposes for the years ended December
31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $519,000, $545,000, and $547,000,
respectively.
7.
|
Deposits
|
Deposits
include the following:
December 31,
|
||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Noninterest-bearing
deposits
|
$ | 149,529 | $ | 139,066 | ||||
Interest-bearing
deposits:
|
||||||||
NOW
and money market accounts
|
136,612 | 153,717 | ||||||
Savings
accounts
|
37,586 | 40,012 | ||||||
Time
deposits:
|
||||||||
Under
$100,000
|
66,128 | 52,297 | ||||||
$100,000
and over
|
118,631 | 249,525 | ||||||
Total
interest-bearing deposits
|
358,957 | 495,551 | ||||||
Total
deposits
|
$ | 508,486 | $ | 634,617 |
At
December 31, 2008, the scheduled maturities of all certificates of deposit and
other time deposits are as follows:
(In
thousands
|
||||
One
year or less
|
$ | 172,726 | ||
More
than one year, but less than or equal to two years
|
9,037 | |||
More
than two years, but less than or equal to three years
|
2,191 | |||
More
than three years, but less than or equal to four years
|
144 | |||
More
than four years, but less than or equal to five years
|
650 | |||
More
than five years
|
11 | |||
$ | 184,759 |
The
Company may utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding. At
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company held brokered time deposits totaling
$93.4 million and $139.3 million, with average rates of 2.59% and 4.93%,
respectively. Of this balance at December 31, 2008, $68.9 million is included in
time deposits of $100,000 or more, and the remaining $24.5 million is included
in time deposits of less than $100,000. Included in brokered time deposits at
December 31, 2008 are balances totaling $47.1 million maturing in three months
or less, $43.7 million maturing in three to six months, $1.6 million maturing in
6 to twelve months, and $850,000 maturing in more than one year.
Deposit
balances representing overdrafts reclassified as loan balances totaled $332,000
and $565,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Deposits
of directors, officers and other related parties to the Bank totaled $5.0
million and $5.9 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The rates
paid on these deposits were those customarily paid to the Bank's customers in
the normal course of business.
85
8.
|
Short-term
Borrowings/Other Borrowings
|
At
December 31, 2008, the Company had collateralized and uncollateralized lines of
credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and other correspondent
banks aggregating $242.7 million, as well as Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)
lines of credit totaling $97.1 million. At December 31, 2008, the Company had
total outstanding balances of $155.0 million in borrowings, including $66.5
million in federal funds purchased from the Federal Reserve Discount Window at
an average rate of 0.50%, and $88.5 million drawn against its FHLB lines of
credit. Of the $88.5 million in FHLB borrowings outstanding at December 31,
2008, $77.5 million will mature in three months or less with an average rate of
1.1%, and the other $11.0 million consists of a two-year FHLB advance at a fixed
rate of 2.67%, and a maturity date of February 11, 2010. The weighted average
cost of borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 2.32%. These lines
of credit generally have interest rates tied to the Federal Funds rate or are
indexed to short-term U.S. Treasury rates or LIBOR. FHLB advances are
collateralized by all of the Company’s stock in the FHLB and certain qualifying
mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2008, $59.2 million in real estate-secured
loans, $55.8 million in investment securities, and $16.4 million in
interest-bearing deposits at FHLB, were pledged as collateral for FHLB advances.
Additionally, $268.3 million in real estate-secured loans were pledged at
December 31, 2008 as collateral for used and unused borrowing lines with the
Federal Reserve Bank totaling $211.2 million. All lines of credit are on an “as
available” basis and can be revoked by the grantor at any time.
The
Company had collateralized and uncollateralized lines of credit with the Federal
Reserve Bank of San Francisco and other correspondent banks aggregating $386.7
million, as well as Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) lines of credit totaling
$22.0 million at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, the Company had total
outstanding balances of $32.3 million in borrowings, including $10.4 million in
federal funds purchased from correspondent banks at an average rate of 4.2%, and
$21.9 million drawn against its FHLB lines of credit.
9.
|
Fair
Value – Adoption of SFAS No. 159
|
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company elected early adoption of SFAS No.159, “The Fair
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”. The Company also adopted the provisions of
SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, effective January 1, 2007, in
conjunction with the adoption of SFAS No. 159. SFAS No. 159 generally permits
the measurement of selected eligible financial instruments at fair value at
specified election dates. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159, the Company elected the
fair value measurement option for all the Company’s pre-existing junior
subordinated debentures with a carrying cost of $15.5 million, prior to the
adoption of SFAS No. 159.
The
Company believes its adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have a positive impact on its
ability to better manage the balance sheet and interest rate risks associated
with this liability while potentially benefiting the net interest margin, net
interest income, net income and earnings per common share in future periods.
Specifically, the Company believes the election of fair value accounting for the
junior subordinated debentures better reflects the true economic value of the
debt instrument on the balance sheet, although valuations have become more
subjective during 2008 and thus susceptible to significant changes as the result
of relatively illiquid credit markets. The Company’s junior subordinated
debentures were issued in 2001 when the Trust Preferred Securities market was
new and less liquid than today. As a result, subordinated debentures are
available in the market at narrower spreads and lower issuing costs. With a
higher-than-market spread to LIBOR, and remaining capitalized issuance costs of
more than $400,000 on the balance sheet, the Company’s cost-basis of the
subordinated debentures recorded on the balance sheet does not properly reflect
the true opportunity costs to the Company.
The
initial fair value measurement at adoption resulted in a $1,053,000
cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at
January 1, 2007. The adjustment resulted in an increase of $1,053,000 in the
reported balance of the junior subordinated debentures, an increase in deferred
tax assets of $443,000 and the corresponding reduction in retained earnings of
$610,000. Under SFAS No. 159, this one-time charge to shareholders’ equity was
not recognized in earnings. In addition to the fair value adjustment of the
junior subordinated debentures recorded effective January 1, 2007, the Company
also removed the remaining $405,000 in unamortized issuance costs of the debt
instrument. The remaining issuance costs were removed in accordance with SFAS
159 effective January 1, 2007, with corresponding charges of $170,000 to
deferred taxes and $235,000 to retained earnings.
As a
requirement of electing early adoption of SFAS 159, the Company also adopted
SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurement” effective January 1, 2007. The Company
utilized the guidelines of SFAS No. 157 to perform the fair value analysis on
the junior subordinated debentures. In its analysis, the Company used a
net-present-value approach based upon observable market rates of interest, over
a term that considers the most advantageous market for the liability, and the
most reasonable behavior of market participants.
The
following table summarizes the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 159 at the
adoption date, December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2008 (in 000’s) on the
Company’s junior subordinated debentures. Changes in fair value (FV) for periods
subsequent to adoption are recorded in current earnings. The pretax change in
fair value for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 totaled
$1.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, and is included as a gain in other
noninterest income.
86
Balance
of junior subordinated debentures at December 31, 2006
|
$ | 15,464 | ||
Adjustments
upon adoption:
|
||||
Combine
accrued interest 1/1/07
|
613 | |||
Total
carrying value 1/1/07
|
16,077 | |||
FV
adjustment upon adoption of SFAS No. 159
|
1,053 | |||
Total
FV of junior subordinated debentures at adoption - January 1,
2007
|
$ | 17,130 | ||
Total
FV of junior subordinated debentures at December 31, 2007
|
$ | 13,341 | ||
FV
adjustment during 2008
|
(1,363 | ) | ||
Change
in accrued interest during 2008
|
(52 | ) | ||
Total
FV of junior subordinated debentures at December 31, 2008
|
$ | 11,926 |
10.
|
Junior
Subordinated Debt/Trust Preferred
Securities
|
At June
30, 2007, the Company held junior subordinated debentures issued to capital
trusts commonly known as "Trust Preferred securities.” The debt instrument was
issued by the Company’s wholly-owned special purpose trust entity, USB Capital
Trust I on July 25, 2001 in the amount of $15,000,000 with a thirty-year
maturity, interest benchmarked at the 6-month-LIBOR rate (re-priced in January
and July each year) plus 3.75%. The Company had the ability to redeem the
debentures at its option. The prepayment provisions of the instrument allowed
repayment after five years (July 25, 2006) with certain prepayment penalties. On
July 25, 2007, the Company redeemed the $15.0 million in subordinated debentures
plus accrued interest of $690,000 and a 6.15% prepayment penalty totaling
$922,500. Concurrently, the Trust Preferred securities issued by Capital Trust I
were redeemed. The prepayment penalty of $922,500 had previously been a
component of the fair value adjustment for the junior subordinated debt at the
initial adoption of SFAS No. 159, and as a result was recorded through retained
earnings effective January 1, 2007.
During
July 2007, the Company formed USB Capital Trust II, a wholly-owned special
purpose entity, for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities. Like USB
Capital Trust I formed in July 2001, USB Capital Trust II is a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE) and will be considered a deconsolidated entity pursuant to FIN 46.
On July 23, 2007 USB Capital Trust II issued $15 million in Trust Preferred
securities. The securities have a thirty-year maturity and bear a floating rate
of interest (repricing quarterly) of 1.29% over the three-month LIBOR rate
(initial coupon rate of 6.65%). Interest will be paid quarterly. Concurrent with
the issuance of the Trust Preferred securities, USB Capital Trust II used the
proceeds of the Trust Preferred securities offering to purchase a like amount of
junior subordinated debentures of the Company. The Company will pay interest on
the junior subordinated debentures to USB Capital Trust II, which represents the
sole source of dividend distributions to the holders of the Trust Preferred
securities. The Company may redeem the junior subordinated debentures at anytime
before October 2008 at a redemption price of 103.3, and thereafter each October
as follows: 2008 at 102.64, 2009 at 101.98, 2010 at 101.32, 2011 at 100.66, and
at par anytime after October 2012.
As with
the previous junior subordinated securities issued under USB Capital Trust I,
the Company elected the fair value measurement option for all the Company’s new
junior subordinated debentures issued under USB Capital Trust II. During the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded pre-tax gains of $2.5 million
pursuant to SFAS No. 159 as measured under fair value measurement guidelines of
SFAS No. 157. The initial gain of $2.1 million realized on USB Capital Trust II
during the third quarter resulted from an overall deterioration of the credit
markets during the third quarter of 2007 which increased pricing spreads from
base rates on similar debt instruments. The Company recorded an additional gain
on the junior subordinated debt of $270,000 during the fourth quarter of 2007
bring the year-to-date gain on the junior subordinated debt issued by USB
Capital Trust II to $2.4 million.
During
each quarter for the year ended December 31, 2008 the Company performed a fair
value measurement analysis on its junior subordinated debt pursuant to SFAS No.
157 using a valuation model approach that had been utilized in previous periods
because of the absences of quoted market prices. Because the trust preferred
markets became effectively inactive during the first quarter of 2008 due to
increasing credit concerns in the capital markets, management used unobservable
pricing spreads to 3-month LIBOR in the fair value determination of its junior
subordinated debt. Management utilized a similar market spread from 3-month
LIBOR to that used for the fourth quarter of 2007 when observable data were more
available. Management believes this market spread remained indicative
of those used by market participants throughout 2008, although for purposes of
the fair value analysis performed for September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008,
that spread was increased by 20 basis points. The Company believes that when
financial markets again normalize, market credit spreads will be slightly higher
than they were prior to 2007, although it is difficult to determine by how much
at this time.
87
The fair
value calculation performed at December 31, 2008 resulted in a pretax gain
adjustment of $899,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, and a cumulative
pretax gain adjustment $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The
cumulative gain adjustment made during the fourth quarter of 2008 is primarily
the result of a 261 basis point decline in the 3-month LIBOR base rate between
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008, the total
cumulative fair value gain recorded on the balance sheet for was $3.7 million.
Fair value gains and losses subsequent to initial adoption of SFAS No. 159 are
reflected as a component of noninterest income.
11.
|
Taxes
on Income
|
The
tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred tax
assets (liabilities) are as follows:
December 31,
|
||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Deferred
tax assets:
|
||||||||
Credit
losses not currently deductible
|
$ | 6,088 | $ | 4,646 | ||||
State
franchise tax
|
355 | 525 | ||||||
Deferred
compensation
|
1,430 | 1,249 | ||||||
Net
operating losses
|
1,147 | 1,830 | ||||||
Startup/organizational
costs
|
0 | 113 | ||||||
Depreciation
|
103 | — | ||||||
Accrued
reserves
|
93 | 133 | ||||||
Write-down
on other real estate owned
|
379 | 15 | ||||||
Capitalized
OREO expenses
|
349 | 0 | ||||||
Unrealized
gain on interest rate swap
|
0 | 39 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss on AFS securities
|
1,954 | 44 | ||||||
Amortization
of premium on time deposits
|
28 | 46 | ||||||
Other
|
76 | 95 | ||||||
Total
deferred tax assets
|
12,002 | 8,735 | ||||||
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
|
— | (24 | ) | |||||
FHLB
dividend
|
(243 | ) | (204 | ) | ||||
Loss
on limited partnership investment
|
(1,814 | ) | (1,590 | ) | ||||
Amortization
of core deposit intangible
|
(734 | ) | (1,249 | ) | ||||
Deferred
gain SFAS No. 159 – fair value option
|
(1,538 | ) | (998 | ) | ||||
Fair
value adjustments for purchase accounting
|
(120 | ) | — | |||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
(415 | ) | (369 | ) | ||||
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
(4,864 | ) | (4,434 | ) | ||||
Net
deferred tax assets
|
$ | 7,138 | $ | 4,301 |
The
Company periodically evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine whether a
valuation allowance is required based upon a determination that some or all of
the deferred assets may not be ultimately realized. The Company has concluded
that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be recognized
in the normal course of business, therefore no valuation allowance is considered
necessary at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Taxes
on income for the years ended December 31, consist of the
following:
(In
thousands)
|
||||||||||||
|
Federal
|
State
|
Total
|
|||||||||
2008:
|
||||||||||||
Current
|
$ | 1,461 | $ | 1,172 | $ | 2,633 | ||||||
Deferred
|
(400 | ) | (628 | ) | (1,028 | ) | ||||||
$ | 1,061 | $ | 544 | $ | 1,605 | |||||||
2007:
|
||||||||||||
Current
|
$ | 3,640 | $ | 1,507 | $ | 5,147 | ||||||
Deferred
|
1,091 | 323 | 1,414 | |||||||||
$ | 4,731 | $ | 1,830 | $ | 6,561 | |||||||
2006:
|
||||||||||||
Current
|
$ | 6,284 | $ | 2,133 | $ | 8,417 | ||||||
Deferred
|
(390 | ) | 8 | (382 | ) | |||||||
$ | 5,894 | $ | 2,141 | $ | 8,035 |
88
A
reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income
tax rate is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Statutory
federal income tax rate
|
34.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | ||||||
State
franchise tax, net of federal income tax benefit
|
7.1 | 7.0 | 7.0 | |||||||||
Tax
exempt interest income
|
(0.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
Low
Income Housing – federal credits
|
(9.3 | ) | (3.1 | ) | (2.6 | ) | ||||||
Other
|
(3.1 | ) | (1.9 | ) | (1.4 | ) | ||||||
28.3 | % | 36.8 | % | 37.8 | % |
At
December 31, 2008 the Company has remaining federal net operating loss
carry-forwards totaling $2.3 million which expire between 2023 and 2027, and
remaining state net operating loss carry-forwards totaling $5.3 million which
expire between 2015 and 2019.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN48), on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies SFAS
No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” to indicate a criterion that an
individual tax position would have to meet for some or all of the income tax
benefit to be recognized in a taxable entity’s financial statements. Under the
guidelines of FIN48, an entity should recognize the financial statement benefit
of a tax position if it determines that it is more likely than not that the
position will be sustained on examination. The term, “more likely than not”,
means a likelihood of more than 50 percent.” In assessing whether the
more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should assume that the tax
position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing authority and all available
information is known to the taxing authority.
The
Company and a subsidiary file income tax returns in the U.S federal
jurisdiction, and several states within the U.S. There are no filings in foreign
jurisdictions. The Company is not currently aware of any tax jurisdictions where
the Company or any subsidiary is subject examination by state or local taxing
authorities before 2001, or by federal taxing authorities before 2005. The
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not examined the Company’s or any
subsidiaries federal tax returns since before 2001, and the Company currently is
not aware of any examination planned or contemplated by the IRS. The California
Franchise Tax Board (FTB) concluded an audit of the Company’s 2004 state tax
return during the fourth quarter of 2007, resulting in a disallowance of
approximately $19,000 related to Enterprise Zone loan interest deductions taken
during 2004. The $19,000 was recorded as a component of tax expense for the year
ended December 31, 2007.
During
the second quarter of 2006, the FTB issued the Company a letter of proposed
adjustments to, and assessments for, (as a result of examination of the tax
years 2001 and 2002) certain tax benefits taken by the REIT during 2002. The
Company continues to review the information available from the FTB and its
financial advisors and believes that the Company's position has
merit. The Company is pursing its tax claims and will defend its use
of these entities and transactions. The Company will continue to assert its
administrative protest and appeal rights pending the outcome of litigation by
another taxpayer presently in process on the REIT issue in the Los Angeles
Superior Court (City National v. Franchise Tax Board).
The
Company reviewed its REIT tax position as of January 1, 2007 (adoption date) and
again during subsequent quarter during 2007 in light of the adoption of FIN48.
The Bank, with guidance from advisors believes that the case has merit with
regard to points of law, and that the tax law at the time allowed for the
deduction of the consent dividend. However, the Bank, with the concurrence of
advisors, cannot conclude that it is “more than likely” (as defined in FIN48)
that the Bank will prevail in its case with the FTB. As a result of the
implementation of FIN48, the Company recognized approximately a $1.3 million
increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits (included in other
liabilities), which was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007
balance of retained earnings. The adjustment provided at adoption included
penalties proposed by the FTB of $181,000 and interest totaling $210,000. During
both the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded annually
an additional $87,000 in interest liability pursuant to the provisions of FIN48.
The Company had approximately $566,000 accrued for the payment of interest and
penalties at December 31, 2008. Subsequent to the initial adoption of FIN48, it
is the Company’s policy to recognize interest expense related to unrecognized
tax benefits, and penalties, as a component tax expense. A reconciliation of the
beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in
000’s):
89
Balance at
January 1, 2008
|
$ | 1,385 | ||
Additions
for tax provisions of prior years
|
87 | |||
Balance
at December 31, 2008
|
$ | 1,472 |
12.
|
Stock
Options and Stock Based
Compensation
|
Options
have been granted to officers and key employees at an exercise price equal to
estimated fair value at the date of grant as determined by the Board of
Directors. All options granted are service awards, and as such are based solely
upon fulfilling a requisite service period (the vesting period). In May 2005,
the Company’s shareholders approved the adoption of the United Security
Bancshares 2005 Stock Option Plan (2005 Plan). At the same time, all previous
plans, including the 1995 Plan, were terminated. The 2005 Plan provides for the
granting of up to 500,000 shares (adjusted for the 2-for-1 stock split effective
May 2006) of authorized and unissued shares of common stock at option prices per
share which must not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share at the
time each option is granted. The 2005 Plan further provides that the maximum
aggregate number of shares that may be issued as incentive stock options under
the 2005 Plan is 500,000 (as adjusted for stock split).
The
options granted (incentive stock options for employees and non-qualified stock
options for Directors) have an exercise price at the prevailing market price on
the date of grant under the 1995 or 2005 Stock Option Plans. The options granted
under both the 1995 and 2005 Stock Option Plans are exercisable 20% each year
commencing one year after the date of grant and expire ten years after the date
of grant. Pursuant to the adoption of the 2005 Stock Option Plan, there are no
remaining shares reserved under the 1995 Stock Option Plan.
The
number of shares granted remaining under the 1995 Plan was 16,322 shares (14,282
exercisable) as of December 31, 2008. Under the 2005 Plan, 159,646 shares
granted shares remain (146,385 incentive stock options and 13,261 nonqualified
stock options) as of December 31, 2008, of which 75,895 are vested.
Options
outstanding, exercisable, exercised and forfeited are as follows:
Weighted
|
Weighted
|
|||||||||||||||
2005
|
Average
|
1995
|
Average
|
|||||||||||||
Plan
|
Exercise Price
|
Plan
|
Exercise Price
|
|||||||||||||
Options
outstanding January 1, 2006
|
70,000 | $ | 14.47 | 172,000 | $ | 7.11 | ||||||||||
Granted
during the year
|
103,500 | $ | 18.91 | — | — | |||||||||||
Exercised
during the year
|
(2,000 | ) | $ | 12.65 | (46,000 | ) | $ | 6.73 | ||||||||
Options
outstanding December 31, 2006
|
171,500 | $ | 17.05 | 126,000 | $ | 7.25 | ||||||||||
Granted
during the year
|
5,000 | $ | 20.24 | — | — | |||||||||||
Exercised
during the year
|
— | — | (90,000 | ) | $ | 5.67 | ||||||||||
Options
outstanding December 31, 2007
|
176,500 | $ | 17.14 | 36,000 | $ | 11.21 | ||||||||||
Granted
during the year
|
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Exercised
during the year
|
— | — | (8,000 | ) | $ | 8.75 | ||||||||||
Forfeited
during the year
|
(20,000 | ) | $ | 22.54 | (12,000 | ) | $ | 11.53 | ||||||||
Effects
of common stock dividend
|
3,145 | $ | (0.31 | ) | 322 | $ | (0.25 | ) | ||||||||
Options
outstanding December 31, 2008
|
159,645 | $ | 16.13 | 16,322 | $ | 11.96 |
Included
in total outstanding options at December 31, 2008, are 14,282 exercisable shares
under the 1995 plan, at a weighted average price of $11.96, and 75,895
exercisable shares under the 2005 plan, at a weighted average price of $15.72.
Included in total outstanding options at December 31, 2007, are 24,000
exercisable shares under the 1995 plan, at a weighted average price of $10.74,
and 46,700 exercisable shares under the 2005 plan, at a weighted average price
of $16.34. Included in total outstanding options at December 31, 2006, are
108,000 exercisable shares under the 1995 plan, at a weighted average price of
$6.43, and 12,000 exercisable shares under the 2005 plan, at a weighted average
price of $14.44.
90
Additional
information regarding options as of December 31, 2008 is as
follows:
Options Outstanding
|
Options Exercisable
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Weighted Avg
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Range of
|
Number
|
Remaining
|
Weighted Avg
|
Number
|
Weighted Avg
|
|||||||||||||||
Exercise Prices
|
Outstanding
|
Contract Life (yrs)
|
Exercise Price
|
Exercisable
|
Exercise Price
|
|||||||||||||||
$11.96
to $12.40
|
24,482 | 6.3 | $ | 12.11 | 18,362 | $ | 12.06 | |||||||||||||
$14.15
to $17.74
|
120,372 | 6.8 | $ | 15.41 | 60,390 | $ | 18.61 | |||||||||||||
$18.99
to $22.09
|
31,113 | 7.4 | $ | 19.89 | 11,425 | $ | 19.90 | |||||||||||||
Total
|
175,967 | 90,177 |
Included
in salaries and employee benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006 is $110,000, $187,000 and $248,000 of share-based compensation,
respectively. The related tax benefit on share-based compensation recorded in
the provision for income taxes was not material to either year.
As of
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, there was $81,000, $223,500 and $388,000,
respectively, of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested
stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average
period of approximately 1.0 years. The Company received $70,000, $510,000 and
$335,000 in cash proceeds on options exercised during the years ended December
31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No tax benefits were realized on stock
options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, because all
options exercised during the period were incentive stock options. Tax benefits
realized on options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2006 totaled
$218,000.
Year Ended
|
Year Ended
|
|||||||
December 31,
2008
|
December 31,
2007
|
|||||||
Weighted
average grant-date fair value of stock options granted
|
n/a | $ | 4.51 | |||||
Total
fair value of stock options vested
|
$ | 173,393 | $ | 167,028 | ||||
Total
intrinsic value of stock options exercised
|
$ | 55,000 | $ | 1,517,000 |
The Bank
determines fair value at grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model
that takes into account the stock price at the grant date, the exercise price,
the expected life of the option, the volatility of the underlying stock and the
expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life
of the option.
The
weighted average assumptions used in the pricing model are noted in the table
below. The expected term of options granted is derived using the simplified
method, which is based upon the average period between vesting term and
expiration term of the options. The risk free rate for periods within the
contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in
effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatility is based on the historical
volatility of the Bank's stock over a period commensurate with the expected term
of the options. The Company believes that historical volatility is indicative of
expectations about its future volatility over the expected term of the
options.
For
options valued in accordance with FAS 123R, the Bank expenses the fair value of
the option on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for each separately
vesting portion of the award. The Bank estimates forfeitures and only recognizes
expense for those shares expected to vest. Based upon historical evidence, the
Company has determined that because options are granted to a limited number of
key employees rather than a broad segment of the employee base, expected
forfeitures, if any, are not material.
Year Ended
|
||||||||
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||
Risk
Free Interest Rate
|
— |
4.53%
|
||||||
Expected
Dividend Yield
|
— |
2.47%
|
||||||
Expected
Life in Years
|
— |
6.50
Years
|
||||||
Expected
Price Volatility
|
— |
20.63%
|
91
The
Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model requires the input of highly
subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock based award and
stock price volatility. The assumptions listed above represent management's best
estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the
application of management judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been
used, the Bank's recorded stock-based compensation expense could have been
materially different from that previously reported in proforma disclosures. In
addition, the Bank is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only
recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If the Bank's actual
forfeiture rate is materially different from the estimate, the share-based
compensation expense could be materially different.
13.
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
Employee Stock Ownership
Plan
The
Company has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, (the “ESOP”), designed
to enable eligible employees to acquire shares of common stock. ESOP
eligibility is based upon length of service requirements. The Bank
contributes cash to the ESOP in an amount determined at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. The trustee of the ESOP uses such contribution to
purchase shares of common stock currently outstanding, or to repay debt on the
leveraged portion of the ESOP, if applicable. The shares of stock
purchased by the trustee are then allocated to the accounts of the employees
participating in the ESOP on the basis of total relative compensation. Employer
contributions vest over a period of six years.
ESOP
compensation expense totaled $264,000, $501,000, and $409,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 respectively.
Allocated,
committed-to-be-released, and unallocated ESOP shares as of December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006 were as follows (shares adjusted for 2-for-1 stock split of May
2006):
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Allocated
|
421,049 | 402,988 | 375,639 | |||||||||
Committed-to-be-released
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Unallocated
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
ESOP shares
|
421,049 | 402,988 | 375,639 | |||||||||
Fair
value of unreleased shares
|
N/A | N/A | N/A |
401K
Plan
The
Company has a Cash or Deferred 401(k) Stock Ownership Plan (the “401(k) Plan”)
organized under Section 401(k) of the Code. All employees of the
Company are initially eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan upon the first
day of the month after date of hire. Under the terms of the plan, the
participants may elect to make contributions to the 401(k) Plan as determined by
the Board of Directors. Participants are automatically vested 100% in
all employee contributions. Participants may direct the investment of their
contributions to the 401(k) Plan in any of several authorized investment
vehicles. The Company contributes funds to the Plan up to 5% of the employees’
eligible annual compensation. Company contributions are subject to certain
vesting requirements over a period of six years. Contributions made by the
Company are invested in Company stock. During 2008, 2007 and 2006,
the Company contributed a total of $137,000, $286,000, and $242,000,
respectively, to the Deferral Plan.
Salary Continuation
Plan
The
Company has an unfunded, non-qualified Salary Continuation Plan for senior
executive officers and certain other key officers of the Company, which provides
additional compensation benefits upon retirement for a period of 15 years.
Future compensation under the Plan is earned by the employees for services
rendered through retirement and vests over a period of 12 to 15 years. The
Company accrues for the salary continuation liability based on anticipated years
of service and vesting schedules provided under the Plan. The Company’s current
benefit liability is determined based upon vesting and the present value of the
benefits at a corresponding discount rate. The discount rate used is an
equivalent rate for high-quality investment-grade bonds with lives matching
those of the service periods remaining for the salary continuation contracts,
which averages approximately 20 years. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, $3.3
million and $3.0 million, respectively, had been accrued to date, based on a
discounted cash flow using an average discount rate of 6.10% and 6.40%,
respectively, and is included in other liabilities. In connection with the
implementation of the Salary Continuation Plans, the Company purchased single
premium universal life insurance policies on the life of each of the key
employees covered under the Plan. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of
these insurance policies. The cash surrender value of the policies was $3.8
million and $3.7 million December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Although the
Plan is unfunded, the Company intends to utilize the proceeds of such policies
to settle the Plan obligations. Under Internal Revenue Service regulations, the
life insurance policies are the property of the Company and are available to
satisfy the Company's general creditors.
92
Effective
December 31, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 158, Employers
Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
(“SFAS No. 158”). SFAS No. 158 amends SFAS No. 87 and SFAS No. 106, which the
Bank previously has followed for accounting for its salary continuation
plan.
SFAS No.
158 amends previous applicable accounting statements and requires companies to
better disclose, among other things, the funded status of benefit plans, and to
recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or
losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are
not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FASB
Statement No. 87, Employers’
Accounting for Pensions, or No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. Amounts recognized in
accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior
service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation remaining from
the initial application of Statements 87 and 106, are adjusted as they are
subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to
the recognition and amortization provisions of those Statements.
In
addition to expanded disclosure requirements under the Statement, the Company is
required to recognize in accumulated other comprehensive income, the amounts
that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs.
These unrecognized costs arise from of changes in estimated interest rates used
in the calculation of net liabilities under the plan. Under SFAS No. 87 and SFAS
No. 106, these differences were previously recognized over the remaining
required service period of the salary continuation contracts. SFAS No. 158
requires the Company to record those unrecognized periodic benefit costs from
previous period as a component of accumulated other comprehensive
income.
As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had approximately $13,000 in excess net
periodic benefit costs and $142,000 in unrecognized net periodic
benefit costs, respectively, arising from changes in interest rates used in
calculating the current post-retirement liability required under the plan. This
amount represents the difference between the plan liabilities calculated under
net present value calculations, and the net plan liabilities actually recorded
on the Company’s books at December 31, 2008 and 2007. Pursuant to the adoption
of SFAS No. 158, the Company recorded $169,000 (net of tax of $112,000), as a
component of other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006. The average
remaining life of the service terms of the Salary Continuation contracts to
which the unrecognized service costs related at the time of adoption, was
approximately two years. During the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately
$142,000 of the unrecognized prior service cost was recognized in earnings as
additional salary expense, reflected as an adjustment to accumulated other
comprehensive income.
Salary
continuation expense is included in salaries and benefits expense, and totaled
$551,000, $504,000, and $448,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006, respectively.
Officer Supplemental Life
Insurance Plan
During
2004, the Company purchased single premium Bank-owned life insurance policies
(BOLI) on certain officers with a portion of the death benefits available to the
officers’ beneficiaries. The single premium paid at policy commencement of
the BOLI in 2004 totaled $9.0 million. Additional BOLI policies totaling
$227,000 and $579,000 were purchased during 2006 and 2005, respectively. The
BOLI’s initial net cash surrender value is equivalent to the premium paid, and
it adds income through non-taxable increases in its cash surrender value, net of
the cost of insurance, plus any death benefits ultimately received by the
Company. The cash surrender value of these insurance policies totaled $10.6
million and $10.2 million at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and
is included on the consolidated balance sheet in cash surrender value of life
insurance. Income on these policies, net of expense, totaled approximately
$249,000, $408,000, and $400,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, respectively.
93
14.
|
Commitments
and Contingent Liabilities
|
Lease Commitments: The
Company leases land and premises for its branch banking offices and
administration facilities. The initial terms of these leases expire at various
dates through 2019. Under the provisions of most of these leases, the Company
has the option to extend the leases beyond their original terms at rental rates
adjusted for changes reported in certain economic indices or as reflected by
market conditions. The total expense on land and premises leased under operating
leases was $864,000, $877,000, and $407,000 during 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively. Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
included approximately $27,000 and $165,000, respectively, related to
adjustments made under SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”.
During
the fourth quarter of 2007 the Company reviewed accounting methods for recording
rent expense under operating leases pursuant to SFAS No. 13 “Accounting for
Leases”. The Company had previously recognized periodic rent expense as those
contractual rent payments became payable to the lessor, rather than on a
straight-line basis throughout the life of the lease. The difference in
methodology was not previously considered material, but as the Company has
grown, it was determined that adjustments should be made to properly comply with
SFAS No. 13. The expense adjustment to record the difference between the
contractual rental payment amounts and straight-line expense over the lease
terms as applicable under SFAS No. 13 totaled $165,000 ($95,000 net of tax, and
less than $0.01 per share) and was recorded as a liability as of December 31,
2007. Adjustments made pursuant to SAFS No. 13 during 2008 increased the
liability to $191,000 at December 31, 2008. This timing difference will reverse
beginning in 2009 and will decline over the remaining term of the Company’s
leases through 2019.
Future
minimum rental commitments under existing non-cancelable leases as of December
31, 2008 are as follows:
(In
thousands):
|
||||
2009
|
$ | 759 | ||
2010
|
713 | |||
2011
|
389 | |||
2012
|
392 | |||
2013
|
397 | |||
Thereafter
|
1,007 | |||
$ | 3,657 |
Financial Instruments with
Off-Balance Sheet Risk: The Company is party to financial instruments
with off-balance sheet risk which arise in the normal course of business. These
instruments may contain elements of credit risk, interest rate risk and
liquidity risk, and include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of
credit. The credit risk associated with these instruments is essentially the
same as that involved in extending credit to customers and is represented by the
contractual amount indicated in the table below:
Contractual amount – December 31,
|
||||||||
(in thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Commitments
to extend credit
|
$ | 112,278 | $ | 196,258 | ||||
Standby
letters of credit
|
7,119 | 6,726 |
Commitments
to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no
violation of any condition established in the contract. Substantially all of
these commitments are at floating interest rates based on the Prime rate, and
most have fixed expiration dates. The Company evaluates each customer's
creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of collateral obtained,
if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation. Collateral held
varies but includes accounts receivable, inventory, leases, property, plant and
equipment, residential real estate and income-producing properties. Many of the
commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon and, as a result,
the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash
requirements of the Company.
Standby
letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to
guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk
involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved
in extending loans to customers. The Company’s letters of credit are short-term
guarantees and have terms from less than one month to approximately 2.5 years.
At December 31, 2008, the maximum potential amount of future undiscounted
payments the Company could be required to make under outstanding standby letters
of credit totaled $7.1 million.
94
15.
|
Fair
Value Measurements and Disclosure
|
The
following summary disclosures are made in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair
Value of Financial Instruments,” which requires the disclosure of fair value
information about both on- and off- balance sheet financial instruments where it
is practicable to estimate that value.
December 31, 2008
|
December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||
Estimated
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Fair
|
Carrying
|
Fair
|
|||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Amount
|
Value
|
Amount
|
Value
|
||||||||||||
Financial
Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 19,426 | $ | 19,426 | $ | 25,300 | $ | 25,300 | ||||||||
Interest-bearing
deposits
|
20,431 | 20,490 | 2,909 | 2,918 | ||||||||||||
Investment
securities
|
92,749 | 92,749 | 89,415 | 89,415 | ||||||||||||
Loans,
net
|
548,742 | 539,540 | 596,481 | 594,054 | ||||||||||||
Bank-owned
life insurance
|
14,460 | 14,460 | 13,852 | 13,852 | ||||||||||||
Investment
in bank stock
|
121 | 121 | 372 | 372 | ||||||||||||
Interest
rate swap contracts
|
0 | 0 | (12 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||||||
Financial
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Deposits
|
508,486 | 507,847 | 634,617 | 633,408 | ||||||||||||
Borrowings
|
155,045 | 154,689 | 32,280 | 32,162 | ||||||||||||
Junior
Subordinated Debt
|
11,926 | 11,926 | 13,341 | 13,341 | ||||||||||||
Commitments
to extend credit
|
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Standby
letters of credit
|
— | — | — | — |
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”,
concurrent with its early adoption of SFAS No. 159. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the
definition of fair value, describes methods generally used to appropriately
measure fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and expands fair value disclosure requirements. Fair value is defined in SFAS
No. 157 as 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. The statement applies whenever other accounting pronouncements
require or permit fair value measurements.
The fair
value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels (Level 1, Level 2,
and Level 3). Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (as
defined) for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to
access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted
prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability,
either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the
asset or liability, and reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability
(including assumptions about risk) in a principal market.
The
Company performs fair value measurements on certain assets and liabilities as
the result of the application of accounting guidelines and pronouncements that
were relevant prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 157. Some fair value
measurements, such as for available-for-sale securities, junior subordinated
debt, impaired loans that are collateral dependent, and interest rate swaps, are
performed on a recurring basis, while others, such as impairment of goodwill and
other intangibles, are performed on a nonrecurring basis.
The
following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that were
measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the year ended December 31,
2008 (in 000’s):
December 31,
|
Quoted Prices
in Active Mar-
kets for Identi-
cal Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Assets
|
2008
|
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
AFS
securities
|
$ | 92,749 | $ | 13,017 | $ | 66,932 | $ | 12,800 | ||||||||
Investment
in bank stock
|
121 | 121 | ||||||||||||||
Purchased
intangible asset (1)
|
206 | $ | 206 | |||||||||||||
Impaired
loans
|
22,452 | 4,602 | $ | 17,850 | ||||||||||||
Core
deposit intangible (1)
|
1,283 | $ | 1,283 | |||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 116,811 | $ | 13,138 | $ | 71,534 | $ | 32,139 | ||||||||
(1)
Nonrecurring items
|
95
December 31,
|
Quoted Prices
in Active Mar-
kets for Identi-
cal Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Liabilities
|
2008
|
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
Junior
subordinated debt
|
$ | 11,926 | $ | 11,926 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 11,926 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 11,926 |
Upon
adoption of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2007, the Company elected the fair value
measurement option for all the Company’s pre-existing junior subordinated
debentures, and subsequently for new junior subordinated debentures issued
during July 2007 under USB Capital Trust II. The fair value of the debentures
was determined based upon discounted cash flows utilizing observable market
rates and credit characteristics for similar instruments. In its analysis, the
Company used characteristics that distinguish market participants generally use,
and considered factors specific to (a) the liability, (b) the principal (or most
advantageous) market for the liability, and (c) market participants with whom
the reporting entity would transact in that market. The adjustment for fair
value at adoption was recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening
balance of retained earnings at January 1, 2007. Fair value adjustments
subsequent to adoption were recorded in current earnings.
The
following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that were
measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2007 (in
000’s):
December
|
Quoted
Prices in
Active Mar-
kets for
Identical
Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Assets
|
31, 2007 |
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
AFS
Securities
|
$ | 89,415 | $ | 13,326 | $ | 76,089 | ||||||||||
Interest
Rate Swap
|
(12 | ) | $ | (12 | ) | |||||||||||
Impaired
Loans (non-recurring)
|
6,298 | 4,185 | $ | 2,113 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 95,701 | $ | 13,326 | $ | 80,262 | $ | 2,113 |
December
|
Quoted
Prices in
Active Mar-
kets for
Identical
Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Liabilities
|
31, 2007 |
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
Junior
subordinated debt
|
$ | 13,341 | $ | 13,341 | ||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 13,341 | $ | 0 | $ | 13,341 | $ | 0 |
96
The
following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that were
measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December
31, 2007 (in 000’s):
(in 000’s)
Dec 31,
|
Quoted Prices
in Active Mar-
kets for Identi-
cal Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Assets
|
2007
|
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
Business combination:
|
||||||||||||||||
Securities
– AFS
|
$ | 7,414 | $ | 7,414 | ||||||||||||
Loans,
net allowance for losses
|
62,426 | $ | 62,426 | |||||||||||||
Premises
and Equipment
|
729 | 729 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill
|
8,790 | 8,790 | ||||||||||||||
Other
assets
|
6,928 | 6,928 | ||||||||||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 86,287 | $ | 7,414 | $ | 0 | $ | 78,873 |
(in 000's)
|
Quoted Prices
in Active Mar-
kets for Identi-
cal Assets
|
Significant
Other Observ-
able Inputs
|
Significant Un-
observable In-
puts
|
|||||||||||||
Description of Liabilities
|
Dec 31, 2007
|
(Level 1)
|
(Level 2)
|
(Level 3)
|
||||||||||||
Business combination:
|
||||||||||||||||
Deposits
(net CDI)
|
$ | 66,600 | $ | 66,600 | ||||||||||||
Other
liabilities
|
286 | 286 | ||||||||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
$ | 66,886 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 66,886 |
The
Company completed its merger with Legacy Bank in February 2007. The merger
transaction was accounted for using the purchase accounting method, and resulted
in the purchase price being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed from Legacy Bank based on the fair value of those assets and
liabilities. The allocations of purchase price based upon the fair value of
assets acquired and liabilities assumed were finalized during the fourth quarter
of 2007. The fair value measurements for Legacy’s loan portfolio included
certain market rate assumptions on segmented portions of the loan portfolio with
similar credit characteristics, and credit risk assumptions specific to the
individual loans within that portfolio. Available-for sale securities were
valued based upon open-market quotes obtained from third-party sources. Legacy’s
deposits were valued based upon anticipated net present cash flows related to
Legacy’s deposit base, and resulted in a core deposit intangible (CDI)
adjustment of $3.0 million that is carried as an asset on the Company’s balance
sheet. Assumptions used to determine the CDI included anticipated costs of, and
revenues generated by, those deposits, as well as the estimated life of the
deposit base. Other assets and liabilities generally consist of short-term items
including cash, overnight investments, and accrued interest receivable or
payable, and as such, it was determined that carrying value approximated fair
value.
The
following tables provide a reconciliation of assets and liabilities at fair
value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on both a recurring
(impaired loans) and nonrecurring (business combination) basis during the period
(in 000’s):
12/31/08
|
12/31/08
|
12/31/08
|
12/31/07
|
12/31/07
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Impaired
loans
|
CMO’s
|
Intangi-
ble assets
|
Impaired
loans
|
Business
Combina-
tions
|
|||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning
balance
|
$ | 2,211 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,521 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Total
gains or (losses) included in earnings (or changes in net
assets)
|
(386 | ) | (4,951 | ) | (648 | ) | (203 | ) | 9,910 | |||||||||||
Transfers
in and/or out of Level 3
|
16,025 | 17,751 | 2,137 | 893 | 68,748 | |||||||||||||||
Ending
balance
|
$ | 17,850 | $ | 12,800 | $ | 1,489 | $ | 2,211 | $ | 78,658 | ||||||||||
The
amount of total gains or (losses) for the period included in earnings (or
changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or
losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
|
$ | (3,168 | ) | $ | (4,951 | ) | $ | (648 | ) | $ | (203 | ) | $ | 9,910 |
97
12/31/2008
|
12/31/2007
|
|||||||
|
Junior
Subordinated
Debt
|
Business
Combinations
|
||||||
Reconciliation of Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Beginning
balance
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Total
gains included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
|
(1,363 | ) | (3,215 | ) | ||||
Transfers
in and/or out of Level 3
|
13,289 | 69,600 | ||||||
Ending
balance
|
$ | 11,926 | $ | 66,385 | ||||
The
amount of total gains for the period included in earnings (or changes in
net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses
relating to liabilities still held at the reporting date
|
$ | (1,363 | ) | $ | (3,215 | ) |
The
following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair values of
financial instruments:
Cash and Cash
Equivalents - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for
cash and cash equivalents approximate their estimated fair values.
Interest-bearing
Deposits – Interest bearing deposits in other banks consist of fixed-rate
certificates of deposits. Accordingly, fair value has been estimated based upon
interest rates currently being offered on deposits with similar characteristics
and maturities.
Investments
– Available for sale securities are valued based upon open-market price
quotes obtained from reputable third-party brokers that actively make a market
in those securities. Market pricing is based upon specific CUSIP identification
for each individual security. To the extent there are observable prices in the
market, the mid-point of the bid/ask price is used to determine fair value of
individual securities. If that data is not available for the last 30 days, a
level 2-type matrix pricing approach based on comparable securities in the
market is utilized. Level-2 pricing may include using a spread forward from the
last observable trade or may use a proxy bond like a TBA mortgage to come up
with a price for the security being valued. Changes in fair market value are
recorded in other comprehensive income as the securities are available for sale.
At
December 31, 2008, the Company held three private-label collateralized mortgage
obligations (CMO’s) with an amortized cost of $17.6 million and carrying value
of $12.8 million. Fair value of these securities (as well as review for
other-than-temporary impairment) was performed by a third-party securities
broker specializing in CMO’s. Fair value was based upon estimated cash flows
which included assumptions about future prepayments, default rates, and the
impact of credit risk on this type of investment security. Although the pricing
of the CMO’s has certain aspects of Level 2 pricing, many of the pricing inputs
are based upon assumptions of future economic trends and as a result the Company
considers this to be Level 3 pricing.
Loans -
Fair values of variable rate loans, which reprice frequently and with no
significant change in credit risk, are based on carrying values. Fair
values for all other loans, except impaired loans, are estimated using
discounted cash flows over their remaining maturities, using interest rates at
which similar loans would currently be offered to borrowers with similar credit
ratings and for the same remaining maturities.
Impaired Loans -
Fair value measurements for impaired loans are performed pursuant to SFAS
No. 114, and are based upon either collateral values supported by appraisals, or
observed market prices. The change in fair value of impaired assets that were
valued based upon level three inputs was approximately $338,000 and $690,000 for
the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This loss is not
recorded directly as an adjustment to current earnings or comprehensive income,
but rather as an adjustment component in determining the overall adequacy of the
loan loss reserve. Such adjustments to the estimated fair value of impaired
loans may result in increases or decreases to the provision for credit losses
recorded in current earnings.
98
Bank-owned Life
Insurance – Fair values of life insurance policies owned by the Company
approximate the insurance contract’s cash surrender value.
Investments
in Bank Stock – Investment in
Bank equity securities is classified as available for sale and is valued based
upon open-market price quotes obtained from an active stock exchange. Changes in
fair market value are recorded in other comprehensive income.
Interest Rate
Swaps - The Company records interest rate swap contracts at fair value on
the balance sheet. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts is based on
the discounted net present value of the swap using third party dealer
quotes.
Deposits –
In accordance with SFAS No. 107, fair values for transaction and savings
accounts are equal to the respective amounts payable on demand at December 31,
2008 and 2007 (i.e., carrying amounts). The Company believes that the fair value
of these deposits is clearly greater than that prescribed by SFAS No. 107. Fair
values of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit were estimated using the rates
currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.
Borrowings
- Borrowings consist of federal funds sold, securities sold under agreements to
repurchase, and other short-term borrowings. Fair values of borrowings were
estimated using the rates currently offered for borrowings with similar
remaining maturities.
Junior
Subordinated Debt – The fair value
of the junior subordinated debt was determined based upon a valuation discounted
cash flows model utilizing observable market rates and credit characteristics
for similar instruments. In its analysis, the Company used characteristics that
distinguish market participants generally use, and considered factors specific
to (a) the liability, (b) the principal (or most advantageous) market for the
liability, and (c) market participants with whom the reporting entity would
transact in that market. For the year ended December 31, 2008, management
utilized a similar market spread from 3-month LIBOR to that used for the fourth
quarter of 2007 when observable data were more available. The Company
believes this adjustment is significant enough to the fair value determination
of the junior subordinated debt as to make them Level 3 inputs as of March 31,
2008, June 30, 2008, September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2008. The junior
subordinated debt was classified as Level 2 as of December 31,
2007.
Off-balance sheet
Instruments - Off-balance sheet instruments consist of commitments to
extend credit, standby letters of credit and derivative contracts. The contract
amounts of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are
disclosed in Note 14. Fair values of commitments to extend credit are estimated
using the interest rate currently charged to enter into similar agreements,
taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present
counterparties’ credit standing. There was no material difference between the
contractual amount and the estimated value of commitments to extend credit at
December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Fair
values of standby letters of credit are based on fees currently charged for
similar agreements. The fair value of commitments generally approximates the
fees received from the customer for issuing such commitments. These fees are
deferred and recognized over the term of the commitment, and are not material to
the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and results of operations.
16.
|
Regulatory
Matters
|
Capital
Guidelines - The
Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory
capital requirements adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (“Board of Governors”). Failure to meet minimum capital
requirements can initiate certain mandates and possible additional discretionary
actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital
adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action,
the consolidated Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that
involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain
off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The
capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by
the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt
corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding
companies.
99
Quantitative
measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require insured
institutions to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital (the sum of
common stockholders' equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and
minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, minus intangible assets,
identified losses and investments in certain subsidiaries, plus unrealized
losses or minus unrealized gains on available for sale securities) to total
assets. Institutions which have received the highest composite regulatory rating
and which are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth are required
to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of 3% of Tier 1 capital to total
assets. All other institutions are required to maintain a minimum leverage
capital ratio of at least 100 to 200 basis points above the 3% minimum
requirement.
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
For Capital
|
Prompt Corrective
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Actual
|
Adequacy Purposes
|
Action Provisions
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
Amount
|
Ratio
|
||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2008
(Company):
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
$ | 89,769 | 13.23 | % | $ | 54,293 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
81,225 | 11.97 | % | 27,146 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital ( to Average Assets)
|
81,225 | 10.58 | % | 23,022 | 3.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2008
(Bank):
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
$ | 86,161 | 12.61 | % | $ | 54,680 | 8.00 | % | $ | 68,351 | 10.00 | % | ||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
78,234 | 11.45 | % | 27,340 | 4.00 | % | 41,010 | 6.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital ( to Average Assets)
|
78,234 | 10.44 | % | 22,479 | 3.00 | % | 37,466 | 5.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2007 -
(Company):
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
$ | 89,136 | 12.18 | % | $ | 58,531 | 8.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
79,986 | 10.93 | % | 29,265 | 4.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital ( to Average Assets)
|
79,986 | 10.30 | % | 23,299 | 3.00 | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2007 –
(Bank):
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
$ | 86,294 | 11.79 | % | $ | 58,531 | 8.00 | % | $ | 73,164 | 10.00 | % | ||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
|
77,144 | 10.54 | % | 29,265 | 4.00 | % | 43,898 | 6.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Tier
1 Capital ( to Average Assets)
|
77,144 | 9.93 | % | 23,299 | 3.00 | % | 38,832 | 5.00 | % |
The Board
of Governors has also adopted a statement of policy, supplementing its leverage
capital ratio requirements, which provides definitions of qualifying total
capital (consisting of Tier 1 capital and supplementary capital, including the
allowance for loan losses up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets) and
sets forth minimum risk-based capital ratios of capital to risk-weighted assets.
Insured institutions are required to maintain a ratio of qualifying total
capital to risk weighted assets of 8%, at least one-half of which must be in the
form of Tier 1 capital. Management believes, as of December 31, 2008, that the
Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are
subject.
As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the most recent notifications from the Bank’s
regulators categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as
well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total capital and Tier 1
capital (as defined) to risk-based assets (as defined), and a minimum leverage
ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined) as set forth in the
proceeding discussion. There are no conditions or events since the
notification that management believes have changed the institution’s
category.
Under
regulatory guidelines, the $15 million in Trust Preferred Securities issued by
USB Capital Trust II in July of 2008 qualifies as Tier 1 capital up to 25% of
Tier 1 capital. Any additional portion of Trust Preferred Securities qualifies
as Tier 2 capital.
100
Dividends - Dividends
paid to shareholders are paid by the bank holding company, subject to
restrictions set forth in the California General Corporation Law. The primary
source of funds with which dividends will be paid to shareholders will come from
cash dividends received by the Company from the Bank. Year-to-date as of
December 31, 2008, the Company received $4.3 million in cash dividends from the
Bank, from which the Company has declared $3.3 million in cash dividends to
shareholders.
Under
California state banking law, the Bank may not pay cash dividends in an amount
which exceeds the lesser of the retained earnings of the Bank or the Bank’s net
income for the last three fiscal years (less the amount of distributions to
shareholders during that period of time). If the above test is not met, cash
dividends may only be paid with the prior approval of the California State
Department of Financial Institutions, in an amount not exceeding the greater of:
(i) the Bank’s retained earnings; (ii) its net income for the last fiscal year;
or (iii) its net income for the current fiscal year. During 2008, the Bank paid
dividends of $4.3 million to the Company. Because the distributions made by the
Bank to the Holding Company over the past three fiscal years equal the amount of
the Bank’s net income for the last three years, at December 31, 2008, the Bank
may not pay additional cash dividends without the prior approval of the
California State Department of Financial Institutions.
Cash Restrictions -
The Bank is required to maintain average reserve balances with the Federal
Reserve Bank. During 2005, the Company implemented a deposit reclassification
program, which allows the Company to reclassify a portion of transaction
accounts to non-transaction accounts for reserve purposes. The deposit
reclassification program was provided by a third-party vendor, and has been
approved by the Federal Reserve Bank. At both December 31, 2008 and 2007, the
Bank’s qualifying balance with the Federal Reserve Bank was $25,000 consisting
of vault cash and balances.
17.
|
Supplemental
Cash Flow Disclosures
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
||||||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 16,193 | $ | 21,147 | $ | 13,574 | ||||||
Income
Taxes
|
2,219 | 6,411 | 8,287 | |||||||||
Noncash
investing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Loans
transferred to foreclosed property
|
28,543 | 7,837 | 0 | |||||||||
Dividends
declared not paid
|
5 | 1,483 | 1,413 | |||||||||
Supplemental
disclosures related to acquisitions:
|
||||||||||||
Deposits
|
— | 69,600 | — | |||||||||
Other
liabilities
|
— | 286 | — | |||||||||
Securities
available for sale
|
— | (7,414 | ) | — | ||||||||
Loans,
net of allowance for loan loss
|
— | (62,426 | ) | — | ||||||||
Premises
and equipment
|
— | (728 | ) | — | ||||||||
Intangibles
|
— | (11,085 | ) | — | ||||||||
Accrued
interest and other assets
|
— | (3,396 | ) | — | ||||||||
Stock
issued
|
— | 21,536 | — | |||||||||
Net
cash and equivalents acquired
|
— | 6,373 | — |
18.
|
Common
Stock Dividend
|
On
December 16, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-percent (1%)
stock dividend on the Company’s outstanding common stock. Based upon the number
of outstanding common shares on the record date of January 1, 2009, an
additional 118,449 shares were issued to shareholders on January 21, 2009.
Because the stock dividend was considered a “small stock dividend”,
approximately $1.4 million was transferred from retained earnings to common
stock based upon the $12.00 closing price of the Company’s common stock on the
declaration date of December 16, 2008. Fractional shares were paid in cash, with
a cash-in-lieu of payment of approximately $5,000.
On
September 23, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-percent (1%)
stock dividend on the Company’s outstanding common stock. Based upon the number
of outstanding common shares on the record date of October 10, 2008, an
additional 117,732 shares were issued to shareholders on October 22, 2008.
Because the stock dividend was considered a “small stock dividend”,
approximately $1.8 million was transferred from retained earnings to common
stock based upon the $15.65 closing price of the Company’s common stock on the
declaration date of September 23, 2008. Fractional shares were paid in cash,
with a cash-in-lieu of payment of approximately $4,000.
101
Other
than for earnings-per-share calculations, shares issued for the two stock
dividends have been treated prospectively from December 31, 2008 for financial
reporting purposes. For purposes of earnings per share calculations, the
Company’s weighted average shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares
used in the computation of earnings per share have been restated after giving
retroactive effect to the 1% stock dividends to shareholders for all periods
presented.
19.
|
Net
Income Per Share
|
The
following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and the denominator
of the basic EPS computation with the numerator and the denominator of the
diluted EPS computation. (Weighted average shares have been adjusted to give
retroactive recognition for 2-for-1 stock split during May 2006 and 1% stock
dividend for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and December 31,
2008):
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands, except earnings per share data)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Net
income available to common shareholders
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 | ||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
12,049 | 12,165 | 11,572 | |||||||||
Add:
dilutive effect of stock options
|
3 | 36 | 121 | |||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding adjusted for potential dilution
|
12,052 | 12,201 | 11,693 | |||||||||
Basic
earnings per share
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.15 | ||||||
Diluted
earnings per share
|
$ | 0.34 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 1.14 | ||||||
Anti-dilutive
shares excluded from earnings per share calculation
|
109 | 58 | 34 |
20.
|
Other
Comprehensive Income
|
The
following table provides a reconciliation of the
amounts included in comprehensive income:
Years Ended December 31
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Unrealized
(loss) gain on available-for-sale securities:
|
||||||||||||
Unrealized
(loss) gain on sale securities – net of income tax (benefit) of ($1,900),
$605, and $253
|
(2,850 | ) | $ | 909 | $ | 379 | ||||||
Less:
Reclassification adjustment for loss (gain) on sale of available-for-sale
securities included in net income -net of income tax (benefit) of $10, $0,
and $11
|
(15 | ) | 0 | (16 | ) | |||||||
Net
unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities - net income
tax (benefit) of ($1,910), $605, and $242
|
$ | (2,865 | ) | $ | 909 | $ | 363 | |||||
Unrealized
loss on interest rate swaps:
|
||||||||||||
Unrealized
losses arising during period – net of income tax benefit of $1, $110, and
$150
|
$ | (3 | ) | $ | (165 | ) | $ | (225 | ) | |||
Less:
reclassification adjustments to interest income
|
5 | 310 | 493 | |||||||||
Net
change in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps - net of income tax
$1, $97, and $140
|
$ | 2 | $ | 145 | $ | 268 | ||||||
Previously unrecognized past
service costs of employee benefit
plans - net tax of $62 and $55
|
$ | 93 | $ | 85 | — | |||||||
Total
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
$ | (2,770 | ) | $ | 1,137 | $ | 631 |
102
21.
|
Derivative
Financial Instruments and Hedging
Activities
|
As part
of its overall risk management, the Company pursues various asset and liability
management strategies, which may include obtaining derivative financial
instruments to mitigate the impact of interest fluctuations on the Company’s net
interest margin. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company entered into an
interest rate swap agreement with the purpose of minimizing interest rate
fluctuations on its interest rate margin and equity.
Under the
interest rate swap agreement, the Company received a fixed rate and pays a
variable rate based on the Prime Rate (“Prime”). The swap qualified as a cash
flow hedge under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities”, as amended, and was designated as a hedge of the
variability of cash flows the Company receives from certain variable-rate loans
indexed to Prime. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the swap agreement was
measured at fair value and reported as an asset or liability on the consolidated
balance sheet. The portion of the change in the fair value of the swap that was
deemed effective in hedging the cash flows of the designated assets was recorded
in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into interest income
when such cash flows occurred in the future. Any ineffectiveness resulting from
the hedge was recorded as a gain or loss in the consolidated statement of income
as part of noninterest income.
The amortizing hedge matured
in September 2008. During the year ended December 31, 2008, $5,000 was
reclassified from other accumulated comprehensive income into expense, and is
reflected as a reduction in interest income. The Company recorded pretax
hedge gains related to swap ineffectiveness of approximately $9,100 during the
year ended December 31, 2008. Amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness gains
or losses are reflected in noninterest income.
At
December 31, 2007, the amortizing hedge had a remaining notional value of $1.8
million and a duration of approximately three months. As of December 31, 2007,
the net loss amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with
these cash flows totaled $2,000. During the year ended December 31, 2007,
$310,000 was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income as a
reduction to interest income. As of December 31, 2007, the
amounts in accumulated OCI associated with these cash flows that were expected
to be reclassified into interest income during the remainder of the hedge
instrument in 2008 totaled $9,000.
At December 31, 2008 and
2007, the information pertaining to the outstanding interest rate swap is as
follows:
December 31,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
(000’s in millions)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Notional
amount
|
— | $ | 1,753 | |||||
Weighted
average pay rate
|
— | 8.05 | % | |||||
Weighted
average receive rate
|
— | 4.88 | % | |||||
Weighted
average maturity in years
|
— | 0.3 | ||||||
Unrealized
loss relating to interest rate swaps
|
— | $ | 12 |
The Company performed a
quarterly analysis of the effectiveness of the interest rate swap agreement at
December 31, 2007 and for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30,
2008. As a result of a correlation analysis, the Company determined that the
swap remained highly effective in achieving offsetting cash flows
attributable to the hedged risk during the term of the hedge and, therefore,
continued to qualify for hedge accounting under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133.
However, during
the second quarter of 2006, the Company determined that the underlying loans
being hedged were paying off faster than the notional value of the hedge
instrument was amortizing. This difference between the notional value of the
hedge and the underlying hedged assets is considered an “overhedge” pursuant to
SFAS No. 133 guidelines and may constitute ineffectiveness if the difference is
other than temporary. The Company determined during 2006 that the difference was
other than temporary and, as a result, reclassified a net total of $75,000 of
the pretax hedge loss reported in other comprehensive income into earnings
during 2006. As of December 31, 2007, the notional value of the hedge was still
in excess of the value of the underlying loans being hedged by approximately
$1.3 million, but had improved from the $3.3 million difference existing at
December 31, 2006. As a result, the Company recorded a pretax hedge gain related
to swap ineffectiveness of approximately $66,000 during the December 31, 2007.
With the interest rate swap maturing on September 30, 2009, the Company
recognized the remaining hedge ineffectiveness gains of $9,000 during the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. Amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness
gains or losses are reflected in noninterest income.
103
22.
|
Investment
in Bank Stock
|
During
December 2007, the Company purchased 33,854 common shares of Northern California
Bancorp, Inc. (NRLB) in a privately negotiated transaction for a price of $11.50
per share or approximately $389,000. This purchase equals approximately 1.9% of
NRLB’s outstanding stock and will be treated as a marketable equity investment
by the Company with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. NRLB is the
holding company of Monterey County Bank. At December 31, 2007, the Company
recorded a loss in its equity investment in NRLB of $17,000 based on a quoted
market price of $11.00 per share at that date. The Company may purchase
additional common shares of NRLB as shares become available.
During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company more thoroughly reviewed its equity
position in NRLB stock and determined that the stock should more properly be
accounted for as available-for-sale-securities (“AFS”) under the guidelines of
SFAS No. 115. Management’s decision was based upon the fact that these were
clearly not trading securities. For this reason, the Company reclassified the
NRLB stock holdings as available-for-sale securities effective January 1,
2008.
During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company purchased an additional 6,517 shares at
average price of $11.00 per share bringing the total shares owned to 40,371 at a
total carrying value of $444,000. No further purchases we made during the
remainder of 2008.
As with
other debt and equity securities, the investment in NRLB stock is reviewed for
other-than-temporary impairment under the guidelines of SFAS No. 115-1. Although
the Company has recorded an unrealized AFS loss of $323,000 ($194,000 net of
tax) through other comprehensive income at December 31, 2008 pursuant to SFAS
No. 115, management has determined that the equity investment is not
other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2008. The AFS valuation was
based upon a market price of $3.00 per share for NRLB’s stock at December 31,
2008. The Company believes this price is reflective of general market and
economic conditions which have severely impacted financial stocks. The Company
will continue to review its investment in NRLB stock on an ongoing basis as the
economy recovers to determine whether the investment in NRLB stock is
other-than-temporarily impaired.
23.
|
Stock
Split
|
On March
28, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 stock split of the
Company’s no par common stock effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend. The
stock dividend was payable May 1, 2006 to shareholders of record as of April 7,
2006. Effective May 1, 2006, each shareholder received one additional share for
each common share held as of the record date. All periods presented in the
financial statements have been restated to reflect the effect of the 2-for-1
stock split.
24.
|
Common
Stock Repurchase Plan
|
During
August 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase, as
conditions warrant, up to 280,000 shares (effectively 580,000 shares adjusted
for 2-for-1 stock split in May 2006) of the Company’s common stock on the open
market or in privately negotiated transactions. The duration of the program is
open-ended and the timing of the purchases will depend on market
conditions.
On
February 25, 2004, the Company announced another stock repurchase plan under
which the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase, as conditions
warrant, up to 276,500 shares (effectively 553,000 shares adjusted for 2-for-1
stock split in May 2006) of the Company's common stock on the open market or in
privately negotiated transactions. As with the first plan, the duration of the
new program is open-ended and the timing of purchases will depend on market
conditions. Concurrent with the approval of the new repurchase plan, the Board
terminated the 2001 repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2005,
13,081 shares (26,162 shares effected for 2006 2-for-1 stock split) were
repurchased at a total cost of $377,000 and an average price per share of $28.92
($14.46 effected for 2006 2-for-1 stock split). During the year ended December
31, 2006, 108,005 shares were repurchased at a total cost of $2.4 million and an
average price per share of $22.55.
On May
16, 2007, the Company announced a third stock repurchase plan to repurchase, as
conditions warrant, up to 610,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the
open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase plan
represents approximately 5.00% of the Company's currently outstanding common
stock. The duration of the program is open-ended and the timing of purchases
will depend on market conditions. Concurrent with the approval of the new
repurchase plan, the Company canceled the remaining 75,733 shares available
under the 2004 repurchase plan.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, 512,332 shares were repurchased at a total
cost of $10.1 million and an average per share price of $19.71. Of the shares
repurchased during 2007, 166,660 shares were repurchased under the 2004 plan at
an average cost of $20.46 per shares, and 345,672 shares were repurchased under
the 2007 plan at an average cost of $19.35 per shares.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, 89,001 shares were repurchased at a total cost
of $1.2 million and an average per share price of $13.70.
104
25.
|
Business
Combination
|
On
February 16, 2007, the Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common
shares of Legacy Bank, N.A., located in Campbell, California. At merger, Legacy
Bank’s one branch was merged with and into United Security Bank, a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. The purchase of Legacy Bank provided the Company with
an opportunity to expand its market area into Santa Clara County and to serve a
loyal and growing small business niche and individual client base build by
Legacy.
The
aggregate purchase price for Legacy was $21.7 million, which included $177,000
in direct acquisition costs related to the merger. At the date of merger, Legacy
Bank had 1,674,373 shares of common stock outstanding. Based upon an exchange
rate of approximately .58 shares of the Company’s stock for each share of Legacy
stock, Legacy shareholders received 976,411 shares of the Company’s common
stock, amounting to consideration of approximately $12.86 per Legacy common
share.
Legacy’s
results of the operations have been included in the Company’s results beginning
February 17, 2007.
During
the second quarter of 2007, the Company re-evaluated the preliminary estimate of
the core deposit intangible related to savings accounts acquired from Legacy and
determined that the initial run-off of those deposits was faster than originally
anticipated. As a result, the Company reduced the core deposits intangible by
approximately $215,000 from the amount reported at March 31, 2007.
Correspondingly, resultant goodwill was increased by that same $215,000. During
the fourth quarter of 2007 recorded the final purchase accounting adjustments
which reflected Legacy’s final book-to-tax deferred tax amounts, and other
deferred tax adjustments related to purchase accounting guidelines under SFAS
No. 141. The result of adjustments made during the fourth quarter of 2007 was to
increase the recorded NOL benefit by $22,000, record deferred tax liabilities of
$727,000, and to increase goodwill by $705,000.
The
following summarizes the purchase and the resultant allocation to
fair-market-value adjustments and goodwill:
Purchase
Price:
|
||||
Total
value of the Company's common stock exchanged
|
$ | 21,536 | ||
Direct
acquisition costs
|
177 | |||
Total
purchase price
|
21,713 | |||
Allocation
of Purchase Price:
|
||||
Legacy's
shareholder equity
|
8,588 | |||
Estimated
adjustments to reflect assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair
value:
|
||||
Investments
|
23 | |||
Loans
|
(118 | ) | ||
Deferred
taxes
|
1,430 | |||
Core
Deposit Intangible
|
3,000 | |||
Estimated
fair value of net assets acquired
|
12,923 | |||
Goodwill
resulting from acquisition
|
$ | 8,790 |
The
following condensed balance sheet summarizes the amount assigned for each major
asset and liability category of Legacy at the merger date:
Assets:
|
||||
Cash
|
$ | 3,173 | ||
Federal
Funds Purchased
|
3,200 | |||
Securities
available for sale
|
7,414 | |||
Loans,
net of allowance for loan losses
|
62,426 | |||
Premises
and equipment
|
729 | |||
Deferred
taxes
|
1,430 | |||
Core
deposit intangibles
|
3,000 | |||
Goodwill
|
8,790 | |||
Accrued
interest and other assets
|
1,437 | |||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 91,599 | ||
Liabilities:
|
||||
Deposits:
|
||||
Non-interest
bearing
|
$ | 17,262 | ||
Interest-bearing
|
52,338 | |||
Total
deposits
|
$ | 69,600 | ||
Accrued
interest payable and other liabilities
|
286 | |||
Total
liabilities
|
$ | 69,886 | ||
Net
assets assigned to purchase
|
$ | 21,713 |
105
The
merger transaction was accounted for using the purchase accounting method, and
resulted in the purchase price being allocated to the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed from Legacy Bank based on the fair value of those assets and
liabilities. The allocations of purchase price based upon the fair value of
assets acquired and liabilities assumed were finalized during the fourth quarter
of 2007. Management believes the Company will be able to fully utilize the net
operating loss carry-forward (NOL) obtained in the Legacy merger. The Company
has utilized a fair value approach for Legacy’s loan portfolio which includes
certain market rate assumptions on segmented portions of the loan portfolio with
similar credit characteristics, and credit risk assumptions specific to the
individual loans within that portfolio.
Core
deposit intangibles with an original carrying value of $3.0 million are being
amortized for financial statement purposes over an estimated life of
approximately 7 years using a method that approximates the interest method. Core
deposit intangibles are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. During the
first quarter of 2008, the Company performed an impairment analysis of the core
deposit intangibles associated with the Legacy Bank purchase. At that time it
was determined that the core deposits were declining faster than originally
anticipated. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $624,000
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (see Note 26 below).
Goodwill
totaling $8.8 million is not being amortized for book purposes under current
accounting guidelines. Because the merger was a tax-deferred stock-for-stock
purchase, goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill will be reviewed
for impairment on an annual basis. The Company has determined that there is no
goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2008.
26.
|
Impairment
Loss – Core Deposit Intangible
|
The
Company conducts periodic impairment analysis on its intangible assets and
goodwill. Impairment analysis is performed at least annually or more often as
conditions require.
During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company performed an impairment analysis of the
goodwill and core deposit intangible assets associated with the Legacy Bank
merger completed during February 2007. The original goodwill and core deposit
intangible assets recorded as a result of the Legacy merger totaled $8.8 million
and $3.0 million respectively. Goodwill is not amortized. The core deposit
intangible asset is being amortized over an estimated life of approximately
seven years.
During
the impairment analysis performed as of March 31, 2008, it was determined that
the original deposits purchased from Legacy Bank during February 2007 had
declined faster than originally anticipated when the core deposit intangible was
calculated at the time of the merger. As a result of increased deposit runoff,
particularly in interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing checking accounts, the
estimated value of the Legacy core deposit intangible was determined to be $1.6
million at March 31, 2008 rather than the pre-adjustment carrying value of $2.3
million. As a result of the impairment analysis, the Company recorded a pre-tax
impairment loss of $624,000 ($364,000 net of tax) reflected as a component of
noninterest expense for the quarter ended March 31, and the year ended December
31, 2008. Pursuant to the impairment analysis conducted as of March 31, 2008,
the Company determined that there was no impairment to the goodwill related to
the Legacy merger. During the quarter ended December 31, 2008, the Company
reviewed the Legacy core deposit intangible and goodwill, and determined that
there was no additional impairment.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $523,000 of amortization
expense related to the Legacy core deposit intangible asset bringing the net
carrying value to $1.3 million at December 31, 2008.
106
27.
|
Parent
Company Only Financial Statements
|
The
following are the condensed financial statements of United Security Bancshares
and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements:
United
Security Bancshares – (parent only)
Balance
Sheets - December 31, 2008 and 2007
(In
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Cash
and equivalents
|
$ | 357 | $ | 2,546 | ||||
Investment
in bank subsidiary
|
91,814 | 94,589 | ||||||
Investment
in nonbank entity
|
99 | 122 | ||||||
Investment
in bank stock
|
121 | 372 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
476 | 470 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 92,867 | $ | 98,099 | ||||
Liabilities
& Shareholders' Equity
|
||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Junior
subordinated debt securities (at fair value) 12/31/07)
|
$ | 11,926 | $ | 13,341 | ||||
Accrued
interest payable
|
0 | 0 | ||||||
Deferred
taxes
|
1,436 | 998 | ||||||
Other
liabilities
|
(105 | ) | 1,329 | |||||
Total
liabilities
|
13,257 | 15,668 | ||||||
Shareholders'
Equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock, no par value 20,000,000 shares authorized, 12,010,372 and
11,855,192 issued and outstanding, in 2008 and 2007
|
34,811 | 32,587 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
47,722 | 49,997 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(2,923 | ) | (153 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
79,610 | 82,431 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 92,867 | $ | 98,099 |
United
Security Bancshares – (parent only)
Income
Statements
Years Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Income
|
||||||||||||
Dividends
from subsidiaries
|
$ | 4,250 | $ | 17,600 | $ | 7,300 | ||||||
Gain
on fair value option of financial assets
|
1,363 | 2,504 | 0 | |||||||||
Other
income
|
10 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Total
income
|
5,623 | 20,104 | 7,300 | |||||||||
Expense
|
||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
734 | 1,234 | 1,355 | |||||||||
Other
expense
|
401 | 469 | 378 | |||||||||
Total
expense
|
1,135 | 1,703 | 1,733 | |||||||||
Income
before taxes and equity in undistributed income of
subsidiary
|
4,488 | 18,401 | 5,567 | |||||||||
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
108 | 337 | (729 | ) | ||||||||
(Deficit)
equity in undistributed income of subsidiary
|
(310 | ) | (6,807 | ) | 7,064 | |||||||
Net
Income
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 |
107
United
Security Bancshares – (parent only)
Statement
of Cash Flows
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||||||
Cash
Flows From Operating Activities
|
||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 4,070 | $ | 11,257 | $ | 13,360 | ||||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by
operating activities:
|
||||||||||||
Deficit
(equity) in undistributed income of subsidiary
|
310 | 6,807 | (7,064 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred
taxes
|
567 | 998 | 0 | |||||||||
Write-down
of other investments
|
23 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||
Gain
on fair value option of financial liability
|
(1,363 | ) | (2,504 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Amortization
of issuance costs
|
0 | 0 | 17 | |||||||||
Net
change in other liabilities
|
(15 | ) | 381 | 297 | ||||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
3,592 | 16,956 | 6,610 | |||||||||
Cash
Flows From Investing Activities
|
||||||||||||
Investment
in bank stock
|
(72 | ) | (389 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Proceeds
from sale of investment in title company
|
0 | 0 | 149 | |||||||||
Net
cash (used in) provided by investing activities
|
(72 | ) | (389 | ) | 149 | |||||||
Cash
Flows From Financing Activities
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds
from stock options exercised
|
70 | 510 | 335 | |||||||||
Net
proceeds from issuance of junior subordinated debt
|
0 | (923 | ) | 0 | ||||||||
Repurchase
and retirement of common stock
|
(1,220 | ) | (10,095 | ) | (2,436 | ) | ||||||
Payment
of dividends on common stock
|
(4,559 | ) | (5,930 | ) | (4,881 | ) | ||||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(5,709 | ) | (16,438 | ) | (6,982 | ) | ||||||
Net
(decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents
|
(2,189 | ) | 129 | (223 | ) | |||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
2,546 | 2,417 | 2,640 | |||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$ | 357 | $ | 2,546 | $ | 2,417 | ||||||
Supplemental
cash flow disclosures
|
||||||||||||
Noncash
financing activities:
|
||||||||||||
Dividends
declared not paid
|
$ | 5 | $ | 1,483 | $ | 1,413 |
28.
|
Quarterly
Financial Data (unaudited)
|
Selected
quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are
presented below:
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands except per share data)
|
4th
|
3rd
|
2nd
|
1st
|
4th
|
3rd
|
2nd
|
1st
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest
income
|
$ | 10,036 | $ | 10,936 | $ | 11,431 | $ | 12,744 | $ | 14,245 | $ | 14,713 | $ | 13,962 | $ | 14,236 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
2,967 | 3,509 | 3,702 | 4,759 | 5,450 | 5,494 | 5,126 | 4,503 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
interest income
|
7,069 | 7,427 | 7,729 | 7,985 | 8,795 | 9,219 | 8,836 | 9,733 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision
for credit losses
|
2,383 | 6,402 | 548 | 265 | 3,337 | 1,950 | 208 | 202 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on sale of securities
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
noninterest income
|
2,698 | 1,591 | 1,721 | 2,309 | 2,110 | 4,019 | 1,954 | 1,581 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest
expense
|
6,254 | 5,265 | 5,644 | 6,116 | 6,723 | 5,292 | 5,517 | 5,200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income
before income tax expense
|
1,130 | (2,649 | ) | 3,258 | 3,937 | 845 | 5,996 | 5,065 | 5,912 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income
tax expense
|
289 | (1,308 | ) | 1,188 | 1,437 | 156 | 2,339 | 1,757 | 2,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 841 | $ | (1,341 | ) | $ | 2,070 | $ | 2,500 | $ | 689 | $ | 3,657 | $ | 3,308 | $ | 3,603 | |||||||||||||||
Net
income per share:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.07 | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.07 | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.31 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
Dividends
declared per share
|
— | — | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.125 | $ | 0.125 | $ | 0.125 | $ | 0.125 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average
shares outstanding
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For
net income per share:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
12,024 | 12,035 | 12,056 | 12,084 | 11,887 | 11,925 | 12,078 | 11,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted
|
12,024 | 12,041 | 12,059 | 12,094 | 11,900 | 11,946 | 12,135 | 12,006 |
108
Item
9 - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
None.
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure
Controls and Procedures:
a) As of the end of the period covered
by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as
defined in the Securities and Exchange Act Rule 13(a)-15(e). Based upon that
evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered
in this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective
to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports
that it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that material information relating to
our consolidated operations is made known to the Company’s management, including
the CEO and CFO, particularly during the period when the Company’s
periodic reports are being prepared.
(b)
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting:
At
September 30, 2008, the Company determined that its disclosure controls and
procedures were not effective as the result of an identified material weakness
related to the allowance for loan and lease losses and the completeness and
accuracy of the provision for loan and lease losses. Specifically the Company
did not:
|
·
|
Maintain
sufficient policies and procedures to ensure that line personnel perform
an analysis adequate to risk classify the current loan
portfolio.
|
|
·
|
Effectively
have an adequate number of qualified and trained personnel in our credit
administration to sufficiently identify problem loans
timely.
|
|
·
|
Maintain
policies and procedures to ensure that SFAS 114 Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan documentation is prepared timely, accurately
and subject to supervisory review.
|
During
the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company undertook steps to remediate the
material weakness identified at September 31, 2008. Given the significant
increase in problem loan levels experienced during 2008, Management’s objective
was to improve staffing levels involved in the review process of the allowance
for loan and lease losses, to ensure more timely and accurate identification and
classification of problem and impaired loans, and to make sure that loss
recognition, if required, was properly recorded on a timely basis.
Specific
remediation steps taken during the fourth quarter of 2008 included:
|
·
|
A
thorough review of the Company’s policies and procedures related to risk
classifications of problem loans, SFAS 114, and the periodic review
process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease
losses.
|
|
·
|
Formation
of a committee comprised of members of the Company’s management and loan
administration for the purpose of meeting on an ongoing basis to identify,
classify, and properly provide an adequate level of allowance for loan and
lease losses for the loan
portfolio.
|
|
·
|
More
in-depth review and verification of the allowance for loan and lease
losses by the Accounting and Credit Administration departments to ensure
its completeness and accuracy.
|
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company concluded that the material weakness discussed
above had been successfully remediated and that disclosure controls and
procedures related to the allowance for loan and lease losses and the
completeness and accuracy of the provision for loan lease losses were effective
as of December 31, 2008.
Other
than the material weakness discussed above, there were no additional changes in
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
fourth quarter of 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
109
Management Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL
CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management
of United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. The Company’s
internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the
supervision of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
The
Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting includes policies
and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions
of assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the
Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Management
recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any
system of internal control, and accordingly, even effective internal control can
provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation and fair presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions,
the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
Under the
supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company
performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based upon criteria in
Internal Control —
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this assessment, Management
determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was
effective as of December 31, 2008.
The
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Moss Adams LLP, who
audits the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have issued an
attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting. This report is included in Item 8, “financial statements
and supplementary data” to the Form 10-K.
Dated
March 16, 2009
110
Item
9B. Other Information
None
PART
III
Item
10 – Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Pursuant
to Instruction G, the information required by this item is hereby incorporated
herein by reference from the captions entitled "Election of Directors and
Executive Officers" and “Corporate Governance Principles and Board Matters” set
forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders ("Proxy Statement").
Item
11 - Executive Compensation
Pursuant
to Instruction G, the information required by this item is hereby incorporated
herein by reference from the captions entitled "Executive Compensation" and
“Director Compensation” set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement
for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Proxy Statement").
Item
12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Pursuant
to Instruction G, the information required by this item is hereby incorporated
herein by reference from the caption entitled "Shareholdings of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Proxy
Statement").
Item
13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
Pursuant
to Instruction G, the information required by this item is hereby incorporated
herein by reference from the captions entitled "Certain Transactions" and
“Corporate Governance Principles” set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Proxy
Statement").
Item
14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Pursuant
to Instruction G, the information required by this item is hereby incorporated
herein by reference from the caption entitled "Independent Accountant Fees and
Services" set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009
Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("Proxy Statement").
111
PART
IV
Item
15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1)
|
Financial
Statements
|
The
Consolidated Financial Statements and related documents set forth in “Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report are filed as part of
this report.
(a)(2)
|
Financial
Statement Schedules
|
All
financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not
required or because the information is included in the financial statements or
notes thereto or is not material.
(a)(3)
|
Exhibits
|
3.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Registrant (1)
|
3.2
|
Bylaws
of Registrant (1)
|
4.1
|
Specimen
common stock certificate of United Security Bancshares
(1)
|
10.1
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for Dennis Woods
(4)
|
10.2
|
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement for Dennis R. Woods
(4)
|
10.3
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth Donahue
(4)
|
10.4
|
Amended
and Restated Change in Control Agreement for Kenneth Donahue
(4)
|
10.5
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for David Eytcheson
(4)
|
10.6
|
Amended
and Restated Change in Control Agreement for David Eytcheson
(4)
|
10.7
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for Rhodlee Braa
(4)
|
10.8
|
Amended
and Restated Change in Control Agreement for Rhodlee Braa
(4)
|
10.9
|
Amended
and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for William F.
Scarborough (4)
|
10.10
|
Amended
and Restated Change in Control Agreement for William F. Scarborough
(4)
|
10.11
|
USB
2005 Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit B to the Company's 2005 Schedule
14A Definitive Proxy filed April 18, 2005 and incorporated herein by
reference.
|
10.12
|
Stock
Option Agreement for William F. Scarborough dated August 1, 2005
(2)
|
10.13
|
Stock
Option Agreement for Dennis R. Woods dated February 6, 2006
(3)
|
11.1
|
Computation
of earnings per share.
|
See Note
19 to Consolidated Financial Statements and related documents set forth in “Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report are filed as part
of this report.
21
|
Subsidiaries
of the Company
|
112
23.1
|
Consent
of Moss Adams LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
|
31.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer of United Security Bancshares pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
31.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer of United Security Bancshares pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
32.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer of United Security Bancshares pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
32.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer of United Security Bancshares pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
(1)
Previously filed on April 4, 2001 as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form
S-4 (file number 333-58256).
(2)
Previously filed on March 15, 2006 as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (file number 000-32987).
(3)
Previously filed on November 7, 2006 as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on
Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2006 (file number
000-32987).
(4)
Previously filed on March 17, 2007 as an exhibit to the Company’s filing on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (file number 000-32987).
(b)
|
Exhibits
filed:
|
See
Exhibit Index under Item 15(a)(3) above for the list of exhibits required to be
filed by Item 601 of regulation S-K with this report.
(c)
|
Financial statement schedules
filed:
|
See Item
15(a)(2) above.
113
Signatures
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized, in Fresno, California, on the 16th day of March, 2009
United
Security Bancshares
March
16, 2009
|
/S/ Dennis
R. Woods
|
Dennis
R. Woods
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
March
16, 2009
|
/S/ Kenneth
L. Donahue
|
Kenneth
L. Donahue
|
|
Senior
Vice President and
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
March
16, 2009
|
/S/
Richard B. Shupe
|
Richard
B. Shupe
|
|
Vice
President and
|
|
Controller
|
114
Signatures
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities on the date indicated:
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Robert G. Bitter
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Stanley J. Cavalla
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Tom Ellithorpe
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
R. Todd Henry
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Ronnie D. Miller
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Robert M. Mochizuki
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Walter Reinhard
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
John Terzian
|
|||
Director
|
|||||
Date:
|
3/16/2009
|
/s/
Mike Woolf
|
|||
Director
|
115