UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| (Mark One) |
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ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 |
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o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-51949
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
(Name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
California | 46-1981399 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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200 South Court Street Visalia, California 93291 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(559) 622-9000 (Issuer’s telephone number) |
Indicated by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Accelerated Filer | ¨ |
Non-Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Smaller Reporting Company | ý |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No ý
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s Common Stock was 2,475,441 as of November 12, 2008.
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Forward-Looking Information
Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including, but not limited to, those described in Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,, 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, among others: (1) significant increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries; (2) changes in the interest rate environment, which could reduce anticipated or actual margins; (3) changes in the regulatory environment; (4) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally and especially in the Company’s primary service area, becoming less favorable than expected and resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality; (5) operational risks, including data processing systems failures or fraud; (6) changes in business conditions and inflation; (7) changes in technology; (8) changes in monetary and tax policies; and (9) changes in the securities markets, (10) civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences or acts of this type; (11) outbreak or escalation of hostilities in which the United States is involved, any declaration of war by the U.S. Congress or any other national or international calamity, crisis or emergency; (12) changes in laws and regulations; (13) recently issued accounting pronouncements; (14) government policies, regulations and their enforcement including Bank Secrecy Act – related matters, taxing statutes and regulations; (15) restrictions on dividends that our subsidiaries are allowed to pay to us; (16) the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulation on internal control; and (17) management’s ability to manage these and other risks. Therefore, the information set forth in such forward-looking statements should be carefully considered when evaluating the business prospects of the Company.
When the Company uses in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “commit,” “believe” and similar expressions, the Company intends to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected, projected, intended, committed or believed. The future results and shareholder values of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results and values are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. For those statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
| | September 30, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
| | | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Cash and due from banks | | $ | 8,123,564 | | | $ | 9,297,346 | |
Federal funds sold | | | 15,150,000 | | | | - | |
Total cash and cash equivalents | | | 23,273,564 | | | | 9,297,346 | |
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value | | | 41,960,000 | | | | 56,615,000 | |
Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $2,841,058 at September 30, 2008 and $1,757,591 at December 31, 2007 (Note 3) | | | 224,946,922 | | | | 199,514,271 | |
Bank premises and equipment, net | | | 4,075,339 | | | | 3,037,063 | |
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance | | | 6,374,564 | | | | 6,184,531 | |
Accrued interest receivable and other assets | | | 5,395,655 | | | | 4,432,665 | |
Total assets | | $ | 306,026,044 | | | $ | 279,080,876 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Deposits: | | | | | | | | |
Noninterest-bearing | | $ | 65,897,907 | | | $ | 66,992,568 | |
Interest-bearing | | | 192,594,697 | | | | 148,393,500 | |
Total deposits | | | 258,492,604 | | | | 215,386,068 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities | | | 2,058,334 | | | | 1,778,548 | |
Short-term debt | | | 8,000,000 | | | | 21,804,000 | |
Long-term debt | | | 5,488,248 | | | | 8,146,049 | |
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | 3,093,000 | | | | 3,093,000 | |
Total liabilities | | | 277,132,186 | | | | 250,207,665 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity (Note 5 and 9): | | | | | | | | |
Serial preferred stock - no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued | | | | | | | | |
Common stock - no par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 2,460,667 shares at September 30, 2008 and 2,516,257 shares at December 31, 2007 | | | 24,434,218 | | | | 23,511,066 | |
Retained earnings | | | 5,077,137 | | | | 5,423,324 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (Note 7) | | | (617,497 | ) | | | (61,179 | ) |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 28,893,858 | | | | 28,873,211 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 306,026,044 | | | $ | 279,080,876 | |
| | | | | |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
| | For the Three Months | | | For the Nine Months | |
| | Ended September 30, | | | Ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Interest Income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and fees on loans | | $ | 3,906,358 | | | $ | 4,164,148 | | | $ | 11,650,825 | | | $ | 12,071,084 | |
Interest on investment securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable | | | 295,626 | | | | 358,814 | | | | 1,012,564 | | | | 1,141,512 | |
Exempt from Federal income taxes | | | 202,673 | | | | 192,494 | | | | 596,206 | | | | 573,734 | |
Interest on Federal funds sold | | | 98,944 | | | | 834 | | | | 147,044 | | | | 2,835 | |
Total interest income | | | 4,503,601 | | | | 4,716,290 | | | | 13,406,639 | | | | 13,789,165 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest on deposits | | | 1,318,806 | | | | 1,534,709 | | | | 3,701,771 | | | | 4,484,395 | |
Interest on short-term debt | | | 51,958 | | | | 131,308 | | | | 245,684 | | | | 484,758 | |
Interest on long-term debt | | | 70,506 | | | | 90,652 | | | | 234,393 | | | | 272,432 | |
Interest on junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | 48,096 | | | | 68,450 | | | | 155,718 | | | | 203,097 | |
Total interest expense | | | 1,489,366 | | | | 1,825,119 | | | | 4,337,566 | | | | 5,444,682 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income before provision for loan losses | | | 3,014,235 | | | | 2,891,171 | | | | 9,069,073 | | | | 8,344,483 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for loan losses | | | 400,000 | | | | - | | | | 1,200,000 | | | | - | |
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | | | 2,614,235 | | | | 2,891,171 | | | | 7,869,073 | | | | 8,344,483 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Interest Income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service charges | | | 192,352 | | | | 156,207 | | | | 528,046 | | | | 431,773 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities, net | | | - | | | | - | | | | 46,412 | | | | (1,145 | ) |
Mortgage loan brokerage fees | | | 8,674 | | | | 19,213 | | | | 42,475 | | | | 66,543 | |
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance policies | | | 68,408 | | | | 66,564 | | | | 201,027 | | | | 194,691 | |
Other | | | 42,255 | | | | 57,862 | | | | 174,442 | | | | 181,154 | |
Total non-interest income | | | 311,689 | | | | 299,846 | | | | 992,402 | | | | 873,016 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Interest Expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salaries and employee benefits | | | 1,265,201 | | | | 1,147,489 | | | | 3,821,499 | | | | 3,563,025 | |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 334,931 | | | | 260,942 | | | | 934,215 | | | | 756,218 | |
Other | | | 645,578 | | | | 740,994 | | | | 2,080,154 | | | | 2,055,402 | |
Total non-interest expense | | | 2,245,710 | | | | 2,149,425 | | | | 6,835,868 | | | | 6,374,645 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before provision for income taxes | | | 680,214 | | | | 1,041,592 | | | | 2,025,607 | | | | 2,842,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | 202,000 | | | | 320,000 | | | | 594,000 | | | | 857,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 478,214 | | | $ | 721,592 | | | $ | 1,431,607 | | | $ | 1,985,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share (Notes 2 and 6) | | $ | 0.19 | | | $ | 0.29 | | | $ | 0.58 | | | $ | 0.81 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per share (Notes 2 and 6) | | $ | 0.19 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.77 | |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. |
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| | For the Nine Months | |
| | Ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 1,431,607 | | | $ | 1,985,854 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Provision for loan losses | | | 1,200,000 | | | | - | |
Increase (decrease) in deferred loan origination fees, net | | | 69,943 | | | | (43,423 | ) |
Depreciation | | | 339,685 | | | | 220,049 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 7,718 | | | | 46,903 | |
(Gain) loss on sale of available-for-sale investment securities, net | | | (46,412 | ) | | | 1,145 | |
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock | | | (69,100 | ) | | | (62,500 | ) |
(Accretion of discounts) amortization of premiums on investment securities, net | | | (19,501 | ) | | | 102,629 | |
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance | | | (190,033 | ) | | | (189,911 | ) |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 45,836 | | | | 23,013 | |
Deferred tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | | - | | | | 335,894 | |
Loss on disposition of premises and equipment | | | 685 | | | | 1,255 | |
Deferred tax benefit | | | - | | | | 30,541 | |
Decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets | | | (919,419 | ) | | | (239,125 | ) |
Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities | | | 177,670 | | | | 207,764 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 2,028,679 | | | | 2,420,088 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from matured and called available-for-sale investment securities | | | 9,500,000 | | | | 5,115,000 | |
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities | | | 4,546,412 | | | | 1,510,000 | |
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities | | | (2,958,048 | ) | | | (8,152,270 | ) |
Proceeds from principal repayments from available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities | | | 2,673,412 | | | | 1,730,897 | |
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, net | | | 425,900 | | | | 335,600 | |
Net increase in loans | | | (26,702,594 | ) | | | (15,747,241 | ) |
Purchase of premises and equipment | | | (1,380,896 | ) | | | (994,886 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of equipment | | | 2,250 | | | | 9,313 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (13,893,564 | ) | | | (16,193,587 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Continued on next page. | |
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(Continued)
| | For the Nine Months | |
| | Ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | | |
Net increase in noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing deposits | | $ | 2,835,440 | | | $ | 6,427,150 | |
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits | | | 40,271,096 | | | | (3,598,582 | ) |
Proceeds from exercised stock options | | | 3,975 | | | | 556,336 | |
Cash paid to repurchase common stock | | | (804,118 | ) | | | - | |
(Payments on) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net | | | (13,804,000 | ) | | | 7,240,300 | |
Payments on long-term debt | | | (2,657,801 | ) | | | (350,264 | ) |
Cash paid to repurchase fractional shares | | | (3,489 | ) | | | (5,392 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 25,841,103 | | | | 10,269,548 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 13,976,218 | | | | (3,503,951 | ) |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year | | | 9,297,346 | | | | 13,265,547 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period | | $ | 23,273,564 | | | $ | 9,761,596 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | $ | 4,333,367 | | | $ | 5,324,309 | |
Income taxes | | $ | 1,435,000 | | | $ | 740,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-Cash Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities | | $ | (958,137 | ) | | $ | (9,705 | ) |
Non-cash Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Cumulative effect of adopting EITF 06-04 | | $ | 102,115 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. | |
VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. GENERAL
On February 2, 2002, Valley Commerce Bancorp (the "Company") was incorporated as a bank holding company for the purpose of acquiring Valley Business Bank (the "Bank") in a bank holding company reorganization. The new corporate structure provided the Company and the Bank greater flexibility to expand and diversify. The reorganization was completed on November 21, 2002, subsequent to which the Bank continued its operations as previously conducted, but as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
The Bank commenced operations in 1996 and operates branches in Visalia, Fresno, Woodlake and Tipton, and a loan production office in Tulare. The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to applicable legal limits. The Bank's primary source of revenue is generated from providing loans to customers who are predominately small and middle market businesses and individuals residing in the surrounding areas.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Valley Commerce Bancorp and subsidiary have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valley Commerce Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary Valley Business Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively, the “Company”). Valley Commerce Trust I, a wholly-owned subsidiary formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities, is not consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, is accounted for under the equity method. The Company’s investment in the Trust is included in accrued interest receivable and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of Management, are necessary for a fair presentation of Valley Commerce Bancorp’s (the “Company”) consolidated financial position at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and its cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 have been included therein. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted, however, the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Management has determined that because all of the commercial banking products and services offered by the Company are available in each branch of the Bank, all branches are located within the same economic environment and management does not allocate resources based on the performance of different lending or transaction activities, it is appropriate to aggregate the Bank branches and report them as a single operating segment. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of the revenues of the Company or the Bank.
On May 20, 2008 the Company declared a 5% stock dividend payable on June 25, 2008 for all shareholders of record on June 11, 2008. All earnings per share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock dividend.
3. LOANS
Outstanding loans are summarized below, in thousands:
| | September 30, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Commercial | | $ | 58,260,762 | | | $ | 41,823,876 | |
Real estate – mortgage | | | 126,124,251 | | | | 106,872,707 | |
Real estate – construction | | | 37,444,465 | | | | 44,896,223 | |
Agricultural | | | 4,330,981 | | | | 4,987,839 | |
Consumer | | | 2,001,244 | | | | 2,994,997 | |
| | | 228,161,703 | | | | 201,575,642 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred loan fees, net | | | (373,723 | ) | | | (303,780 | ) |
Allowance for loan losses | | | (2,841,058 | ) | | | (1,757,591 | ) |
| | $ | 224,946,922 | | | $ | 199,514,271 | |
4. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
The Company is party to claims and legal proceeding arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or result of operations of the Company taken as a whole.
In the normal course of business, the Company has various outstanding commitments to extend credit which are not reflected in the financial statements, including loan commitments of $48.1 million and $53.5 million and letters of credit of $0.3 million and $0.2 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
At September 30, 2008, consumer loan commitments, which are generally unsecured, represent approximately 5% of total commitments. Agricultural loan commitments represent approximately 4% of total commitments and are generally secured by crops and/or real estate. Commercial loan commitments represent approximately 67% of total commitments and are generally secured by various assets of the borrower. Real estate loan commitments represent the remaining 24% of total commitments. In addition, the majority of the Bank’s commitments have variable interest rates. Total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each loan commitment and the amount and type of collateral obtained, if any, are evaluated on an individual basis. Collateral held varies, but may include real property, bank deposits, debt or equity securities or business assets.
Stand-by letters of credit are conditional commitments written to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are primarily related to the purchases of inventory by commercial customers and are typically short-term in nature. Credit risk is similar to that involved in extending loan commitments to customers and, accordingly, evaluation and collateral requirements similar to those for loan commitments are used. The deferred liability related to the Company’s stand-by letters of credit was not significant at September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007.
5. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
On May 15, 2007, the Company’s shareholders approved the Valley Commerce Bancorp 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”). The Incentive Plan provides for awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, qualified performance-based awards and stock grants. Under the plan, 91,461 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees and directors under incentive and nonstatutory agreements. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value. The Board of Directors believes that the availability of stock options and other forms of stock awards will be a key factor in the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified individuals. Additional information on the Incentive Plan may be obtained from the Company’s 2008 Annual Proxy Statement.
The prior plan, the Valley Commerce Bancorp Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan ("Prior Plan") was established in 1997 and expired on February 17, 2007. There were 36,750 options outstanding at September 30, 2008 granted under the Incentive Plan.
During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, no options were granted by the Company to its officers or directors. Compensation cost related to stock options recognized in operating results under SFAS No. 123R were $14,678 and $7,671 in the three month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Compensation cost related to stock options recognized in operating results under SFAS No. 123R were $45,836 and $23,013 in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight line accounting basis.
SFAS 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as a cash flow from financing in the statement of cash flows. The excess tax benefits for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $1,579 and $2,153, respectively. The excess tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $5,270 and $6,459, respectively.
The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 | |
| | Shares | | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) | |
Incentive: | | | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at January 1, 2008 | | | 75,455 | | | $ | 8.20 | | | | | |
Options granted | | | - | | | | - | | | | | |
Options exercised | | | (362 | ) | | | 10.97 | | | | | |
Options cancelled | | | (3,768 | ) | | | 13.71 | | | | | |
Options outstanding, September 30, 2008 | | | 71,326 | | | | 10.88 | | 6.70 years | | $ | 163,626 | (1) |
Options exercisable, September 30, 2008 | | | 32,721 | | | | 7.59 | | 4.54 years | | | 196,427 | (1) |
Options vested or expected to vest after September 30, 2008 | | | 60,689 | | | | 10.88 | | 6.70 years | | | 155,877 | (1) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nonstatutory: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding at January 1, 2008 | | | 109,181 | | | $ | 8.67 | | | | | | |
Options granted | | | - | | | | | | | | | | |
Options exercised | | | - | | | | | | | | | | |
Options cancelled | | | - | | | | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding, September 30, 2008 | | | 109,181 | | | | 8.67 | | 4.63 years | | $ | 568,516 | (1) |
Options exercisable, September 30, 2008 | | | 104,771 | | | | 8.29 | | 4.63 years | | | 568,516 | (1) |
Options vested or expected to vest after September 30, 2008 | | | 102,575 | | | | 8.67 | | 4.78 years | | | 490,284 | (1) |
(1) Excluded from the aggregate intrinsic values in the table above are 36,750 incentive options with a weighted average price of $13.81 and 11,025 non-statutory options with a weighted average price of $17.69 because the option exercise price was greater than quoted price of the Company’s common stock at September 30, 2008.
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock for options that were in-the-money at September 30, 2008. There were 362 and 102,478 options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The total intrinsic value, which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise, of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $1,100 and $864,016,
respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $3,975 and $556,336, respectively. There were no options that vested during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $124,251 and $163,117, respectively.
Management estimates expected forfeitures and recognizes compensation costs only for those equity awards expected to vest. As of September 30, 2008, there was $209,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. The cost is expected to be realized over a weighted average period of 1.93 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures.
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPUTATION
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period plus the dilutive effect of options. Earnings per share computations have been retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends for all periods presented. On May 20, 2008 the Company declared a 5% stock dividend payable on June 25, 2008 for all shareholders of record on June 11, 2008. All earnings per share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock dividend.
| | For the Three Months | | | For the Nine Months | |
| | Ended September 30, | | | Ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Earnings Per Share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.19 | | | $ | 0.29 | | | $ | 0.58 | | | $ | 0.81 | |
Diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.19 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.77 | |
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic shares | | | 2,460,667 | | | | 2,482,278 | | | | 2,470,959 | | | | 2,456,711 | |
Diluted shares | | | 2,501,471 | | | | 2,561,270 | | | | 2,521,742 | | | | 2,590,110 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were 47,775 and 47,633 options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively as they were identified as anti-dilutive. There were no options excluded for the 2007 period.
Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company's only source of other comprehensive income is derived from unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale. The Company's comprehensive income was as follows: |
| | For the Three Months | | | For the Nine Months |
| | Ended September 30 | | | Ended September 30 |
(In thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 478 | | | $ | 722 | | | $ | 1,432 | | | $ | 1,986 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
investment securities, net of tax | | | (364 | ) | | | 384 | | | | (557 | ) | | | (20 | ) |
Total other comprehensive income | | $ | 114 | | | $ | 1,106 | | | $ | 875 | | | $ | 1,966 | |
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company files its income taxes on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries. The allocation of income tax expense represents each entity's proportionate share of the consolidated provision for income taxes.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. On the condensed consolidated balance sheet, net deferred tax assets are included in accrued interest receivable and other assets.
When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There have been no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
9. STOCK REPURCHASE
In 2007, the Board of Directors approved a plan to incrementally repurchase up to an aggregate of $3,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The program commenced in November of 2007 and was extended by the Board of Directors in November 2008, to continue for an additional period of twelve months, subject to earlier termination at the Company’s discretion. The number, price and timing of the repurchase shall be at the Company’s sole discretion and the plan may be re-evaluated depending on market conditions, liquidity needs or other factors. The Board, based on such re-evaluations, may suspend, terminate, modify or cancel the plan at any time without notice. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 53,032 shares for a total cost of $804,118 or an average price of $15.16 per share. Since the plan adoption the Company has repurchased 80,472 shares for a total cost of $1,185,927 at an average price of $14.74 per share.
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 157 (SFAS 157), Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. There was no cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings recorded upon adoption and no impact on the financial statements in the first nine months of 2008.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non recurring basis as of September 30, 2008, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value based on the hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) or identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
| | | | | | Fair Value Measurements |
| | | | | | at September 30, 2008, Using |
| | | | | | Quoted Prices in | | Other | | Significant |
| | | | | | Active Markets for | | Observable | | Unobservable |
(in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Identical Assets | | Inputs | | Inputs |
| | September 30, 2008 | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Available-for-sale investment securities | | $ | 41,960 | | | | — | | | $ | 41,960 | | | | — | |
| | |
The fair value of securities available for sale equals quoted market price, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined using quoted market prices for similar securities. Changes in fair market value are recorded in other comprehensive income.
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:
| | | | | | Fair Value Measurements |
| | | | | | at September 30, 2008, Using |
| | | | | | Quoted Prices in | | Other | | Significant |
| | | | | | Active Markets for | | Observable | | Unobservable |
(in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Identical Assets | | Inputs | | Inputs |
| | September 30, 2008 | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Impaired loans | | $ | 2,953,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,953,000 | | | $ | — | |
| | |
Impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan losses expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. Impaired loans, which are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had outstanding principal balances of $2,953,000 at September 30, 2008, with a valuation allowance of $506,000 at September 30, 2008. Declines in the fair value of collateral on impaired loans and therefore the increase in specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses, were $506,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, "The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles"(SFAS No. 162). This standard identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. The provisions of SFAS No. 162 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active. The FSP clarifies the application of FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, 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. The FSP is effective immediately, and includes prior period financial statements that have not yet been issued, and therefore the Company is subject to the
provision of the FSP effective September 30, 2008. The implementation of FSP FAS 157-3 did not affect the Company’s fair value measurement as of September 30, 2008.
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 21, 2008, the Company extended in Stock Repurchase Plan for an additional period of twelve months, subject to earlier termination at the Company’s discretion. The number, price and timing of the repurchase shall be at the Company’s sole discretion and the plan may be re-evaluated depending on market conditions, liquidity needs or other factors. The Board, based on such re-evaluations, may suspend, terminate, modify or cancel the plan at any time without notice.
ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 1, Financial Statements, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Valley Commerce Bancorp’s Annual Report filed on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Introduction
Overview
Valley Commerce Bancorp (the Company) is the holding company for Valley Business Bank (the Bank), a California state chartered bank. The Company’s principal business is to provide financial services through its banking subsidiary in its primary market areas of Tulare and Fresno Counties in California. The Company derives its income primarily from interest and fees earned on loans and, to a lesser extent, interest on investment securities, fees for services provided to deposit customers, and fees from the brokerage of loans. The Bank’s major operating expenses are interest paid on deposits and borrowings and general operating expenses, consisting primarily of salaries and employee benefits and, to a lesser extent, occupancy and equipment, data processing and operations. The Company does not currently conduct any operations other than through the Bank.
The Company earned net income of $478,000, or $0.19 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $722,000 or $0.28 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The Company earned net income of $1.4 million or $0.57 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008, compared to $2.0 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007. The annualized return on average assets was 0.65% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 1.00% for the same 2007 period. The annualized return on average shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 6.55% and 10.03%, respectively. While increased net interest income contributed to a $725,000 increase in earnings, the overall decrease in earnings was primarily due to the $1.2 million provision for loan losses made during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to no provision being made during the same period in 2007.
At September 30, 2008, the Company’s total assets were $306 million, representing an increase of $27 million or 10% compared to December 31, 2007, and an increase of $25 million or 9% compared to September 30, 2007. Federal funds sold totaled $15 million at September 30, 2008 compared to no balance at either December 31, 2007 or September 30, 2007. The balance of Federal funds at September 30, 2008 resulted from management’s decision to retain a significant level of liquidity on the balance sheet due to a high level of uncertainty in the financial markets. The remaining increase in total assets resulted primarily from loan growth. The underlying funding for asset growth during the nine months of 2008 was provided through the maturity and sale of available-for-sale investment securities and increases in time deposits.
Total loans, net of the allowance for loan losses, were $225 million at September 30, 2008, representing an increase of $25 million or 13% compared to December 31, 2007, and an increase of $27 million or 14% compared to September 30, 2007. Loan volume growth in the 2008 period centered in new commercial real estate loans and draws made on existing commercial lines of credit. The Bank’s real estate construction lending, a significant source of loan growth in prior periods, declined due to implementation of more conservative underwriting standards and less favorable market conditions.
Total deposits were $258 million at September 30, 2008, representing an increase of $43 million or 20% compared to December 31, 2007, and an increase of $48 million or 23% compared to September 30, 2007. In the nine months of 2008, time deposits, including brokered time deposits, increased by $37 million or 56%. The amount of brokered time deposits at September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2007 were $19 million, $3 million, and $6 million, respectively. The Company’s long term growth strategy is based on acquiring core deposits in its local market rather than relying heavily on brokered time deposits or other wholesale funding sources.
At September 30, 2008, the Company’s leverage ratio was 10.6% while its tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and total risk-based capital ratio were 12.6% and 13.7%, respectively. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s leverage ratio was 11.5%
while its tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and total risk-based capital ratio were 13.8% and 14.6 %, respectively. The leverage, tier 1 risk-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios at September 30, 2007 were 11.7%, 13.7% and 14.5%, respectively. The Company’s capital ratios declined between September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 as a result of stock repurchases made under a stock repurchase plan implemented in November 2007 and asset growth during that period. These factors were offset by capital additions from earnings and the exercise of stock options.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies from those discussed in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders’ on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
Net Interest Income
The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheet, including weighted average yields and rates on a taxable-equivalent basis, for the nine-month periods indicated:
Average balances and weighted average yields and costs | |
| | Nine Months ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | Interest | | | Average | | | | | | Interest | | | Average | |
| | Average | | | income/ | | | yield/ | | | Average | | | income/ | | | yield/ | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Balance | | | Expense | | | Cost | | | Balance | | | Expense | | | Cost | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal funds sold | | $ | 9,988 | | | $ | 147 | | | | 1.97 | % | | $ | 73 | | | $ | 3 | | | | 5.13 | % |
Available-for-sale investment securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable | | | 27,452 | | | | 1,013 | | | | 4.93 | % | | | 34,416 | | | | 1,141 | | | | 4.43 | % |
Exempt from Federal income taxes (1) | | | 19,560 | | | | 596 | | | | 6.17 | % | | | 18,915 | | | | 574 | | | | 6.15 | % |
Total securities (1) | | | 47,012 | | | | 1,609 | | | | 5.45 | % | | | 53,331 | | | | 1,715 | | | | 5.04 | % |
Loans (2) (3) | | | 216,323 | | | | 11,651 | | | | 7.20 | % | | | 192,546 | | | | 12,071 | | | | 8.38 | % |
Total interest-earning assets (1) | | | 273,323 | | | | 13,407 | | | | 6.70 | % | | | 245,950 | | | | 13,789 | | | | 7.66 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noninterest-earning assets, net of allowance for loan losses | | | 20,215 | | | | | | | | | | | | 18,337 | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 293,538 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 264,287 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other interest bearing | | $ | 91,492 | | | $ | 1,300 | | | | 1.90 | % | | $ | 80,735 | | | $ | 1,821 | | | | 3.02 | % |
Time deposits less than $100,000 | | | 22,551 | | | | 209 | | | | 3.61 | % | | | 21,303 | | | | 762 | | | | 4.78 | % |
Time deposits $100,000 or more | | | 60,838 | | | | 1,793 | | | | 3.94 | % | | | 50,471 | | | | 1,901 | | | | 5.04 | % |
Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 174,881 | | | | 3,702 | | | | 2.83 | % | | | 152,509 | | | | 4,484 | | | | 3.93 | % |
Short-term debt | | | 11,889 | | | | 246 | | | | 2.77 | % | | | 12,241 | | | | 485 | | | | 5.30 | % |
Long-term debt | | | 6,635 | | | | 234 | | | | 4.72 | % | | | 8,330 | | | | 273 | | | | 4.38 | % |
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | 3,093 | | | | 156 | | | | 6.74 | % | | | 3,093 | | | | 203 | | | | 8.77 | % |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 196,498 | | | | 4,338 | | | | 2.95 | % | | | 176,173 | | | | 5,445 | | | | 4.13 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noninterest-bearing deposits | | | 65,856 | | | | | | | | | | | | 59,708 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 1,975 | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,930 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 264,329 | | | | | | | | | | | | 237,811 | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | 29,209 | | | | | | | | | | | | 26,476 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 293,538 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 264,287 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income and margin (1) | | | | | | $ | 9,069 | | | $ | 4.59 | % | | | | | | $ | 8,344 | | | $ | 4.70 | % |
(1) Interest income is not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis, however, the average yield was calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis by using a marginal tax rate of 34%. |
(2) Nonaccrual loans are included in total loans. Interest income is included on nonaccrual loans only to the extent cash payments have been received. Interest income of $8 was received on nonaccrual loans for the 2008 period compared to none received in the 2007 period. |
(3) Interest income on loans includes amortized loan fees, net of costs, of $454 and $269 for 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense from changes in average earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (volume) and changes in average interest rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
Changes in net interest income due to changes in volumes and rates | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2008 period vs 2007 period | |
| | Increase (decrease) due to change in: | |
| | Average | | | Average | | | | |
| | Volume | | | Rate (1) | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in interest income: | | | | | | | | | |
Federal funds sold | | $ | 381 | | | $ | (237 | ) | | $ | 144 | |
Investment securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable | | | (231 | ) | | | 103 | | | | (128 | ) |
Exempt from Federal income taxes | | | 30 | | | | (8 | ) | | | 22 | |
Total securities | | | (201 | ) | | | 95 | | | | (106 | ) |
Loans | | | 1,492 | | | | (1,912 | ) | | | (420 | ) |
Total interest income | | | 1,672 | | | | (2,054 | ) | | | (382 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Decrease) increase in interest expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other interest bearing deposits | | | 243 | | | | (764 | ) | | | (521 | ) |
Time deposits less than $100,000 | | | 45 | | | | (198 | ) | | | (153 | ) |
Time deposits $100,000 or more | | | 391 | | | | (499 | ) | | | (108 | ) |
Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 679 | | | | (1,461 | ) | | | (782 | ) |
Short-term debt | | | (14 | ) | | | (225 | ) | | | (239 | ) |
Long-term debt | | | (56 | ) | | | 17 | | | | (39 | ) |
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | - | | | | (47 | ) | | | (47 | ) |
Total interest expense | | | 609 | | | | (1,716 | ) | | | (1,107 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in net interest income | | $ | 1,063 | | | $ | (338 | ) | | $ | 725 | |
| | |
| (1) | Factors contributing to both changes in rate and volume have been attributed to changes in rates. |
| | |
Net interest income was $9.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $8.3 million for the same period of 2007, an increase of $725,000 or 9%. Growth in average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities caused a net increase in the Company’s net interest income of $1.1 million, while decreases in interest rates on these same accounts caused a net decrease in interest income of $338,000.
Comparing the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s net interest margin on a taxable equivalent basis decreased 11 bps, from 4.70% in the 2007 period to 4.59% in the 2008 period. The Company’s net interest margin remained relatively stable despite the Fed funds rate decreases totaling 325 basis points during the period September 2007 to September 2008. The net interest margin stability was attributable to both loan growth and management’s efforts to mitigate the impact of falling interest rates. These efforts included adding assets earning fixed interest rates to the balance sheet, requiring interest rate floors on variable priced loans, utilizing variable priced funding, and aggressively lowering deposit rates.
Total interest income decreased by $382,000 or 3% when comparing the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 to $13.4 million from $13.8 million, respectively. The weighted average tax-equivalent yield on total interest-earning assets was 6.70% in the 2008 period compared to 7.66% in the 2007 period, a reduction of 96 basis points. Offsetting the impact of declining interest rates was a $27.4 million, or 11%, increase in average earning assets.
Despite a $23.8 million or 12% increase in average loans, the Company’s interest income from loans decreased by $420,000 in the 2008 period due to the average yield on loans decreasing by 118 basis points as a result of falling interest rates impacting the variable priced portion of the Company’s loan portfolio. In addition, there was a $106,000 decrease in interest income on available-for-sale investment securities in the 2008 period due to a $6.3 million decrease in average
balance due to called, sold, and matured securities. Interest income on Federal funds sold increased by $144,000 in the 2008 period as the average balance increased to $10.0 million compared to just $73,000 in the 2007 period.
Foregone interest on nonaccrual loans totaled $50,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008. Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans due to the receipt of cash payments totaled $8,000 during this period. There was no interest foregone during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007.
Total interest expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $4.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively, a decrease of $1.1 million or 20%, which resulted from falling interest rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.95% in the 2008 period compared to 4.13% in the 2007 period, a reduction of 118 basis points. Average total interest-bearing liabilities in the 2008 period increased by $20.3 million or 12% compared to the 2007 period. This included an increase in average other interest-bearing deposits of $10.8 million or 13% and an increase in average time deposits of $11.6 million or 16%, that were offset by a decrease in averaged borrowed funds of $2.1 million or 9%.
Further enhancing the Company’s cost of funds was an increase of $6.1 million or 10% in average non-interest bearing deposits in the 2008 period compared to the same period in 2007.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses, which is included in operations to support the required level of the allowance for loan losses, is based on the Company’s actual loss experience and management’s evaluation of loan portfolio risk under current economic conditions. A $1.2 million loan loss provision was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to no provision for loan losses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007. Key factors in management’s determination of the provision for loan losses included a significant decline in real estate values in the Bank’s primary markets and a slowing economy. See the sections below titled “Allowance for Loan Losses.”
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 totaled $992,000 and $873,000, respectively, an increase of $119,000 or 14%. The components of non-interest income during each period were as follows:
Non-interest income | |
| | Nine Months ended September 30, | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
Service charges | | $ | 528 | | | $ | 432 | | | $ | 96 | |
Gain (loss) on sale of AFS investment securities | | | 46 | | | | (1 | ) | | | 47 | |
Mortgage loan brokerage fees | | | 42 | | | | 66 | | | | (24 | ) |
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance policies | | | 201 | | | | 195 | | | | 6 | |
Other | | | 175 | | | | 181 | | | | (6 | ) |
Total non-interest income | | $ | 992 | | | $ | 873 | | | $ | 119 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service charges increased by $96,000 due to increased deposits and a higher fee structure; within this category, account analysis charges increased by $38,000 and non-sufficient funds and overdraft charges increased by $53,000. In addition, the Company recorded a $46,000 gain on sale of investment securities in the 2008 period compared to a slight loss in the prior year. These favorable variances were offset by a $24,000 decrease in mortgage loan brokerage fees which was attributable to a slowing economy.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense was $6.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $6.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $461,000 or 7%. The increase was due to employee costs associated with the Company’s growth initiatives, higher deposit insurance costs, and increased occupancy and equipment costs. Salaries and benefits increased by $258,000 or 10% due to normal salary adjustments and new employees hired to staff the Company’s new branch office in Tulare. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $178,000 primarily due to the relocation of the Fresno branch to a larger leased facility in the latter part of 2007 and the opening of a full service branch in the City of Tulare during May 2008.
Assessment and insurance increased by $56,000 due to higher Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessments rates imposed in mid-2007. Data processing costs increased by $45,000 due primarily to the increased usage of electronic banking products by customers and branch operations staff. Other expenses increased by $12,000 primarily as a result of fees paid to fill vacant officer positions. Professional and legal costs decreased by $113,000 in the 2008 period due to reduced use of outside legal counsel on various corporate matters and reduced consultant costs related to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley legislative requirements. Amortization expense decreased by $39,000 due to deposit acquisition premiums reaching full amortization in the first quarter of 2008.
The following table describes the components of non-interest expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
Non-interest expense | |
| | Nine Months ended September 30, | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 3,821 | | | $ | 3,563 | | | $ | 258 | |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 934 | | | | 756 | | | | 178 | |
Data processing | | | 390 | | | | 345 | | | | 45 | |
Operations | | | 389 | | | | 346 | | | | 43 | |
Professional and legal | | | 277 | | | | 390 | | | | (113 | ) |
Advertising and business development | | | 209 | | | | 201 | | | | 8 | |
Telephone and postal | | | 163 | | | | 160 | | | | 3 | |
Supplies | | | 142 | | | | 132 | | | | 10 | |
Assessment and insurance | | | 188 | | | | 132 | | | | 56 | |
Amortization expense | | | 8 | | | | 47 | | | | (39 | ) |
Other expenses | | | 315 | | | | 303 | | | | 12 | |
Total non-interest expense | | $ | 6,836 | | | $ | 6,375 | | | $ | 461 | |
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $594,000 and $857,000, respectively. The effective tax rates for these periods were 29.32%, and 30.15%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to lower pretax income in the 2008 period which magnified the impact of permanent tax differences in the computation of the effective tax rate.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
Net Interest Income
The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheet, including weighted average yields and rates on a taxable-equivalent basis, for the three-month periods indicated:
Average balances and weighted average yields and costs | |
| |
| | Three Months ended September 30, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | Interest | | | Average | | | | | | Interest | | | Average | |
| | Average | | | income/ | | | yield/ | | | Average | | | income/ | | | yield/ | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Balance | | | Expense | | | Cost | | | Balance | | | Expense | | | Cost | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal funds sold | | $ | 20,291 | | | $ | 99 | | | | 1.94 | % | | $ | 65 | | | $ | 1 | | | | 5.09 | % |
Available-for-sale investment securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable | | | 23,340 | | | | 295 | | | | 5.01 | % | | | 33,293 | | | | 359 | | | | 4.28 | % |
Exempt from Federal income taxes (1) | | | 19,742 | | | | 203 | | | | 6.18 | % | | | 19,038 | | | | 192 | | | | 6.06 | % |
Total securities (1) | | | 43,082 | | | | 498 | | | | 5.55 | % | | | 52,331 | | | | 551 | | | | 4.93 | % |
Loans (2) (3) | | | 224,164 | | | | 3,907 | | | | 6.91 | % | | | 199,047 | | | | 4,164 | | | | 8.30 | % |
Total interest-earning assets (1) | | | 287,537 | | | | 4,504 | | | | 6.38 | % | | | 251,443 | | | | 4,716 | | | | 7.60 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noninterest-earning assets, net of allowance for loan losses | | | 19,872 | | | | | | | | | | | | 18,957 | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 307,409 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 270,400 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest bearing | | $ | 91,362 | | | $ | 409 | | | | 1.78 | % | | $ | 88,306 | | | $ | 661 | | | | 2.97 | % |
Time deposits less than $100,000 | | | 28,759 | | | | 245 | | | | 3.38 | % | | | 20,490 | | | | 244 | | | | 4.72 | % |
Time deposits $100,000 or more | | | 74,167 | | | | 665 | | | | 3.56 | % | | | 49,901 | | | | 630 | | | | 5.01 | % |
Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 194,288 | | | | 1,319 | | | | 2.69 | % | | | 158,697 | | | | 1,535 | | | | 3.84 | % |
Short-term debt | | | 8,000 | | | | 52 | | | | 2.58 | % | | | 10,149 | | | | 131 | | | | 5.12 | % |
Long-term debt | | | 5,511 | | | | 70 | | | | 5.04 | % | | | 8,218 | | | | 91 | | | | 4.39 | % |
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | 3,093 | | | | 48 | | | | 6.16 | % | | | 3,093 | | | | 68 | | | | 8.77 | % |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 210,892 | | | | 1,489 | | | | 2.80 | % | | | 180,157 | | | | 1,825 | | | | 4.02 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Noninterest bearing deposits | | | 65,754 | | | | | | | | | | | | 60,412 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 1,603 | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,587 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 278,249 | | | | | | | | | | | | 243,156 | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | | | 29,160 | | | | | | | | | | | | 27,244 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 307,409 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 270,400 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income and margin (1) | | | | | | $ | 3,015 | | | | 4.30 | % | | | | | | $ | 2,891 | | | | 4.72 | % |
(1) Interest income is not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis, however, the average yield was calculated on a taxable- equivalent basis by using a marginal tax rate of 34%. |
(2) Nonaccrual loans are included in total loans. Interest income is included on nonaccrual loans only to the extent cash payments have been received. Interest income of $8 was received on nonaccrual loans for the 2008 period compared to none received in the 2007 period. |
(3) Interest income on loans includes amortized loan fees, net of costs, of $150 and $76 for 2008 and 2007, respectively. |
The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense from changes in average earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (volume) and changes in average interest rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
Changes in net interest income due to changes in volumes and rates | |
| |
| | 2008 period vs. 2007 period | |
| | Increase (decrease) due to change in: | |
| | Average | | | Average | | | | |
| | Volume | | | Rate (1) | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in interest income: | | | | | | | | | |
Federal funds sold | | $ | 259 | | | $ | (161 | ) | | $ | 98 | |
Investment securities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable | | | (107 | ) | | | 43 | | | | (64 | ) |
Exempt from Federal income taxes | | | 11 | | | | - | | | | 11 | |
Total securities | | | (96 | ) | | | 43 | | | | (53 | ) |
Loans | | | 524 | | | | (781 | ) | | | (257 | ) |
Total interest income | | | 687 | | | | (899 | ) | | | (212 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Decrease) increase in interest expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other interest-bearing deposits | | | 23 | | | | (275 | ) | | | (252 | ) |
Time deposits less than $100,000 | | | 98 | | | | (97 | ) | | | 1 | |
Time deposits $100,000 or more | | | 306 | | | | (271 | ) | | | 35 | |
Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 427 | | | | (643 | ) | | | (216 | ) |
Short-term debt | | | (28 | ) | | | (51 | ) | | | (79 | ) |
Long-term debt | | | (30 | ) | | | 9 | | | | (21 | ) |
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures | | | - | | | | (20 | ) | | | (20 | ) |
Total interest expense | | | 369 | | | | (705 | ) | | | (336 | ) |
Decrease in net interest income | | $ | 318 | | | $ | (194 | ) | | $ | 124 | |
| | |
| (1) | Factors contributing to both changes in rate and volume have been attributed to changes in rates. |
| | |
Net interest income was $3.0 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $2.9 million for the same period of 2007, an increase of $124,000 or 4%. Growth in average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities caused the Company’s net interest income to increase by $318,000, while changes in interest rates on these same accounts caused interest income to decrease by $194,000.
Comparing the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s net interest margin on a taxable equivalent basis decreased 42 bps, from 4.72% in the 2007 period to 4.30% in the 2008 period. The decrease in the Company’s net interest margin was due to the Fed funds rate decreases totaling 325 basis points during the period September 2007 to September 2008. The net interest margin remained fairly stable due to both loan growth and management’s efforts to mitigate the impact of falling interest rates. These efforts included adding assets earning fixed interest rates to the balance sheet, requiring interest rate floors on variable priced loans, utilizing variable priced funding, and aggressively lowering deposit rates.
Total interest income for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $4.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively, a decrease of $213,000 or 5%. The decrease resulted primarily from falling interest rates and was offset by growth in average interest-earning assets which increased by $36.1 million or 14%, including growth in average loans of $25.1 million or 13%. Another offset was from interest income on Federal funds sold which increased by $98,000 in the 2008 period as the average balance increased to $20.3 million from just $65,000 in the 2007 period.
The weighted average tax-equivalent yield on average earning assets decreased from 7.60% in the 2007 period to 6.38% in the 2008 period, a reduction of 122 basis points, which primarily reflected the weighted average yield on loans decreasing from 8.30% in the 2007 period to 6.91% in the 2008 period, a reduction of 139 basis points. In addition, there
was a $53,000 decrease in interest income on available-for-sale investment securities in the 2008 period due to a $9.2 million or 18% decrease in average balance due to called and matured securities.
Total interest expense for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, a decrease of $336,000 or 18%, which resulted from falling interest rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.80% in the 2008 period compared to 4.02% in the 2007 period, a reduction of 122 basis points.
Average total interest-bearing liabilities in the 2008 period increased by $30.7 million or 17% compared to the 2007 period. This included an increase in average other interest-bearing deposits of $3.1 million or 3%, an increase in average time deposits of $32.5 million or 46%, and a decrease in averaged borrowed funds of $4.9 million or 23%. The increase in average time deposits reflects the results of a successful deposit promotion and the acquisition of additional brokered time deposits.
Further enhancing the Company’s cost of funds was an increase of $5.3 million or 9% in average non-interest bearing deposits in the 2008 period compared to the same period in 2007.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses, which is included in operations to support the required level of the allowance for loan losses, is based on the Company’s actual loss experience and management’s evaluation of loan portfolio risk under current economic conditions. A $400,000 loan loss provision was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to no provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007. Key factors in management’s determination of the provision for loan losses included a significant decline in real estate values in the Bank’s primary markets and a slowing economy. See the sections below titled “Allowance for Loan Losses.”
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 totaled $312,000 and $300,000, respectively, an increase of $12,000 or 4%. The components of non-interest income during each period were as follows:
Non-interest income | |
| | Three Months ended September 30, | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
Service charges | | $ | 192 | | | $ | 156 | | | $ | 36 | |
Mortgage loan brokerage fees | | | 8 | | | | 19 | | | | (11 | ) |
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance policies | | | 68 | | | | 67 | | | | 1 | |
Other | | | 44 | | | | 58 | | | | (14 | ) |
Total non-interest income | | $ | 312 | | | $ | 300 | | | $ | 12 | |
Service charges increased by $36,000 due to increased deposits and a higher fee structure. Within this category, account analysis charges increased by $19,000 and non-sufficient funds and overdraft charges increased by $17,000. These favorable variances were offset by an $11,000 decrease in mortgage loan brokerage fees which was attributable to a slowing economy.
Non-Interest Expense
Non-interest expense was $2.3 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $2.2 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $96,000 or 4%. The increase was due to employee costs associated with the Company’s growth initiatives, higher deposit insurance costs, and increased occupancy and equipment costs. Salaries and benefits increased by $118,000 or 10% due to normal salary adjustments and new employees hired to staff the Company’s new branch office in Tulare. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $74,000 primarily due to the relocation of the Fresno branch to a larger leased facility in the latter part of 2007 and the opening of a full service branch in the City of Tulare during May 2008.
Other expenses decreased by $27,000 primarily as a result of a recovery of a sundry loss. Professional and legal costs decreased by $79,000 in the 2008 period due to reduced use of outside legal counsel on various corporate matters and reduced consultant costs related to implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley legislative requirements. Amortization expense decreased by $16,000 due to deposit acquisition premiums reaching full amortization in the first quarter of 2008.
The following table describes the components of non-interest expense for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
Non-interest expense | |
| | Three Months ended September 30, | | | | |
(in thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | Increase (Decrease) | |
Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 1,265 | | | $ | 1,147 | | | $ | 118 | |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 335 | | | | 261 | | | | 74 | |
Data processing | | | 130 | | | | 124 | | | | 6 | |
Operations | | | 134 | | | | 122 | | | | 12 | |
Professional and legal | | | 83 | | | | 162 | | | | (79 | ) |
Advertising and business development | | | 71 | | | | 58 | | | | 13 | |
Telephone and postal | | | 54 | | | | 60 | | | | (6 | ) |
Supplies | | | 49 | | | | 50 | | | | (1 | ) |
Assessment and insurance | | | 66 | | | | 64 | | | | 2 | |
Amortization expense | | | - | | | | 16 | | | | (16 | ) |
Other expenses | | | 59 | | | | 86 | | | | (27 | ) |
Total non-interest expense | | $ | 2,246 | | | $ | 2,150 | | | $ | 96 | |
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $202,000 and $320,000, respectively. The effective tax rates for these periods were 29.70%, and 30.9%, respectively. The increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to lower pretax income in the 2008 period which magnified the impact of permanent tax differences in the computation of the effective tax rate.
Financial Condition
Fair Value
Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which requires enhanced disclosures about financial instruments carried at fair value. SFAS No. 157 established a hierarchical disclosure framework associated with the level of observable pricing scenarios 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 the observable pricing scenario. 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 observable pricing and a lesser degree of judgment utilized in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted will generally have little or no observable pricing and a higher degree of judgment utilized in measuring fair value. Observable pricing scenarios are impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established and the characteristics specific to the transaction. See Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the financial instruments carried at fair value.
Investment Securities
All existing investment securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. In classifying its investments as available-for-sale, the Company reports securities at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported, net of taxes, as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss within shareholders’ equity.
The following tables set forth the estimated market value of available-for-sale investment securities at the dates indicated:
Market value of securities available for sale | |
| | September 30, 2008 | |
(in thousands) | | Amortized Cost | | | Unrealized Gain | | | Unrealized Loss | | | Fair Value | |
U.S. government agencies | | $ | 7,032 | | | $ | 85 | | | $ | (9 | ) | | $ | 7,108 | |
Mortgage-backed securities | | | 15,731 | | | | 224 | | | | (50 | ) | | | 15,905 | |
Municipal securities | | | 19,746 | | | | 21 | | | | (1,315 | ) | | | 18,452 | |
Corporate debt securities | | | 500 | | | | - | | | | (5 | ) | | | 495 | |
Total | | $ | 43,009 | | | $ | 330 | | | $ | (1,379 | ) | | $ | 41,960 | |
| | December 31, 2007 | |
(in thousands) | | Amortized Cost | | | Unrealized Gain | | | Unrealized Loss | | | Fair Value | |
U.S. government agencies | | $ | 17,544 | | | $ | 80 | | | $ | (70 | ) | | $ | 17,554 | |
Mortgage-backed securities | | | 16,853 | | | | 192 | | | | (85 | ) | | | 16,960 | |
Municipal securities | | | 19,304 | | | | 42 | | | | (227 | ) | | | 19,119 | |
Corporate debt securities | | | 3,005 | | | | 1 | | | | (24 | ) | | | 2,982 | |
Total | | $ | 56,706 | | | $ | 315 | | | $ | (406 | ) | | $ | 56,615 | |
Management periodically evaluates each investment security for other than temporary impairment, relying primarily on industry analyst reports, observation of market conditions and interest rate fluctuations. Management believes it will be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the underlying investment securities and considers declines in the fair value of individual securities to be temporary.
Loans
The Company’s lending activities are geographically concentrated in the South San Joaquin Valley, primarily in Tulare and Fresno counties. The Company offers both fixed and floating rate loans and obtains collateral in the form of real property, business assets, and deposit accounts, but looks to business and personal cash flows as the primary source of repayment.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of loans outstanding by type at the dates indicated by amount and percentage of the portfolio:
(dollars in thousands) | | September 30, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Commercial | | $ | 58,261 | | | | 26 | % | | $ | 41,824 | | | | 21 | % |
Real estate – mortgage (1) | | | 126,124 | | | | 55 | | | | 106,873 | | | | 53 | |
Real estate – construction | | | 37,445 | | | | 16 | | | | 44,896 | | | | 22 | |
Agricultural | | | 4,331 | | | | 2 | | | | 4,988 | | | | 3 | |
Consumer and other | | | 2,001 | | | | 1 | | | | 2,995 | | | | 1 | |
Subtotal | | | 228,162 | | | | 100 | % | | | 201,576 | | | | 100 | % |
Deferred loan fees, net | | | (374 | ) | | | | | | | (304 | ) | | | | |
Allowance for loan losses | | | (2,841 | ) | | | | | | | (1,758 | ) | | | | |
Total loans, net | | $ | 224,947 | | | | | | | $ | 199,514 | | | | | |
(1) Consists primarily of commercial mortgage loans. |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, loan growth occurred primarily in the category of real estate – mortgage and commercial. The growth consisted primarily of loans to local business owners, most of whom have other loan and deposit relationships with the Company, for business expansion purposes. The Bank’s real estate construction lending, a significant source of loan growth in prior periods, declined due to implementation of more conservative underwriting standards and less favorable market conditions.
Nonperforming Assets
There was $3.0 million in nonperforming assets at September 30, 2008 which was comprised of five nonaccrual loans for which management has established a specific loss reserve of $506,000. One of the nonaccrual loans at September 30 2008 was the residential property loan discussed below in “Allowance for Loan Losses” which had a book balance of $284,000 following the stated $124,000 charge-off. Proceeds from the sale of the loan’s collateral were used to repay this balance in early October. There were no nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2007.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for estimated credit losses that, as of the balance sheet date, it is probable the Company will incur. Loans determined to be impaired are evaluated individually by management for determination of the specific loss, if any, that exists as of the balance sheet date. In addition, reserve factors are assigned to currently performing loans based on historical loss rates as adjusted for current economic conditions, trends in the level and volume of past due and classified loans, and other qualitative factors.
The allowance for loan losses totaled $2.84 million or 1.25% of total loans at September 30, 2008. This compared to $1.76 million or 0.87% of total loans at December 31, 2007 and $1.75 million or 0.87% of total loans at September 30, 2007. Comparing the September 30, 2008 balance to prior periods, management increased the allowance for loan losses in both amount and percentage based on its determination that the amount of probable loan losses in the loan portfolio had increased due to declining real estate values supporting collateral for loans and deteriorating economic conditions in the Central Valley of California. However, no prediction of the ultimate level of loans charged off in the future years can be made with any certainty.
The Company recorded recoveries of $20,000 and charge-offs of $137,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This compared to recoveries of $6,000 during the same period of 2007. There were no charge-offs during the 2007 period. Approximately $124,000 of the gross charge-offs in 2008 relates to one loan previously identified by management as being impaired for which a specific reserve had been established.
The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:
Changes in allowance for loan losses | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months ended | | | Nine Months ended | | | Year ended | |
| | September 30, 2008 | | | September 30, 2007 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
(dollars in thousands) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance, beginning | | $ | 1,758 | | | $ | 1,746 | | | $ | 1,746 | |
Provision for loan losses | | | 1,200 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Charge-offs | | | (137 | ) | | | - | | | | - | |
Recoveries | | | 20 | | | | 6 | | | | 12 | |
Balance, ending | | $ | 2,841 | | | $ | 1,752 | | | $ | 1,758 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding | | | (.06 | )% | | | .00 | % | | | .00 | % |
Average loans outstanding | | $ | 216,323 | | | $ | 192,546 | | | $ | 194,734 | |
Ending allowance to total loans outstanding | | | 1.25 | % | | | 0.87 | % | | | 0.87 | % |
Deposits
Total deposits were $258 million at September 30, 2008, a $43 million or 20% increase from the December 31, 2007 total of $215 million. The increase in deposits was mostly due to the acquisition of additional brokered deposits and time deposit promotions during the six month period ended September 30, 2008. The Company utilized brokered time deposits in addition to local deposit growth to fund asset growth and maintain targeted liquidity levels. The amount of brokered time deposits at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $19 million and $3 million, respectively. All other deposits were acquired locally.
Total deposits at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized in the following table:
Deposit Portfolio | |
(dollars in thousands) | | September 30, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Non-interest bearing | | $ | 65,898 | | | | 25 | % | | $ | 66,993 | | | | 31 | % |
Interest bearing | | | 90,207 | | | | 35 | | | | 86,277 | | | | 40 | |
Time deposits | | | 102,388 | | | | 40 | | | | 62,116 | | | | 29 | |
Total deposits | | $ | 258,493 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 215,386 | | | | 100 | % |
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings
The Company has utilized short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of San Francisco to fund asset growth during periods when market conditions for growing the deposit base were unfavorable. At September 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank totaling $13.5 million. This debt was comprised of $8.0 million of short-term fixed rate debt, and $5.5 million of long-term fixed rate debt that is scheduled to mature through January 2012. At December 31, 2007, the Company had $21.8 million in short-term adjustable rate debt and long-term fixed rate debt totaling $8.1 million. At September 30, 2008, the weighted average rate on long-term borrowings was 5.04% and the weighted average borrowing rate on short-term borrowings was 2.58%.
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures were issued in connection with the Company’s issuance of trust preferred securities for gross proceeds of $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2003. The $3.1 million balance of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures at September 30, 2008 was unchanged from December 31, 2007. The rate of interest paid on these debentures was 6.16% at September 30, 2008 compared to 8.79% at December 31, 2007.
Capital Resources
The Company’s shareholders’ equity was $28.9 million at September 30, 2008 which remained relatively unchanged from $28.9 million at December 31, 2007. The retention of earnings of $1.4 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2008 was offset by the Company’s repurchase of its common stock totaling $804,000 and a $556,000 increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss on available-for-sale investment securities, a component of shareholders’ equity.
Management considers capital needs as part of its strategic planning process. The ability to obtain capital is dependent upon the capital markets as well as the Company’s performance. Management regularly evaluates sources of capital and the timing required to meet its strategic objectives.
The following table summarizes the Company’s risk-based capital ratios as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
Capital and capital adequacy ratios | |
| | | |
| | September 30, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Amount | | | Ratio | | | Amount | | | Ratio | |
Leverage Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Commerce Bancorp and Subsidiary | | $ | 32,511 | | | | 10.6 | % | | $ | 31,927 | | | | 11.5 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 12,296 | | | | 4.0 | % | | $ | 11,101 | | | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Business Bank | | $ | 32,218 | | | | 10.5 | % | | $ | 31,538 | | | | 11.4 | % |
Minimum requirement for “Well- Capitalized” institution | | $ | 15,364 | | | | 5.0 | % | | $ | 13,871 | | | | 5.0 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 12,291 | | | | 4.0 | % | | $ | 11,097 | | | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Commerce Bancorp and Subsidiary | | $ | 32,511 | | | | 12.6 | % | | $ | 31,927 | | | | 13.8 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 10,330 | | | | 4.0 | % | | $ | 9,233 | | | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Business Bank | | $ | 32,218 | | | | 12.5 | % | | $ | 31,538 | | | | 13.7 | % |
Minimum requirement for “Well- Capitalized” institution | | $ | 15,491 | | | | 6.0 | % | | $ | 13,844 | | | | 6.0 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 10,327 | | | | 4.0 | % | | $ | 9,230 | | | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Commerce Bancorp and Subsidiary | | $ | 35,363 | | | | 13.7 | % | | $ | 33,684 | | | | 14.6 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 20,661 | | | | 8.0 | % | | $ | 18,465 | | | | 8.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valley Business Bank | | $ | 33,277 | | | | 12.9 | % | | $ | 33,296 | | | | 14.4 | % |
Minimum requirement for “Well- Capitalized” institution | | $ | 25,817 | | | | 10.0 | % | | $ | 23,074 | | | | 10.0 | % |
Minimum regulatory requirement | | $ | 20,654 | | | | 8.0 | % | | $ | 18,459 | | | | 8.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”). Pursuant to the EESA, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to establish the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) and to invest in financial institutions and purchase mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions, in an aggregate amount up to $700 billion, for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. On October 14, 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “UST”) announced a Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) to invest up to $250 billion of this $700 billion amount in certain eligible U.S. banks, thrifts and their holding companies in the form of non-voting, senior preferred stock. Bank
holding companies and banks eligible to participate as a Qualifying Financial Institution (“QFI”) in the CPP will be expected to comply with certain standardized terms and conditions specified by the UST, including the following:
| · | Submission of an application prior to November 14, 2008 to the QFI’s Federal banking regulator to obtain preliminary approval to participate in the CPP; |
| · | If the QFI receives preliminary approval, it will have 30 days within which to submit final documentation and fulfill any outstanding requirements; |
| · | The minimum amount of capital eligible for purchase by the UST under the CPP is 1 percent of the Total Risk-Weighted Assets of the QFI and the maximum is the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 3 percent of the Total Risk-Weighted Assets of the QFI or (ii) $25 billion; |
| · | Capital acquired by a QFI under the CPP will be accorded Tier 1 capital treatment; |
| · | The preferred stock issued to the UST will be non-voting (except in the case of class votes), senior perpetual preferred stock that ranks senior to common stock and pari passu with existing preferred stock (except junior preferred stock); |
| · | In addition to the preferred stock, the UST will be issued warrants to acquire shares of the QFI’s common stock equal in value to 15 percent of the amount of capital purchased by the UST; |
| · | Dividends on the preferred stock are payable to the UST at the rate of 5% per annum for the first 5 years and 9% per annum thereafter; |
| · | Subject to certain exceptions and other requirements, no redemption of the preferred stock is permitted during the first 3 years; |
| · | Certain restrictions on the payment of dividends to shareholders of the QFI shall remain in effect while the preferred stock purchased by the UST is outstanding; |
| · | Any repurchase of QFI shares will require the consent of the UST, subject to certain exceptions; |
| · | The preferred shares are not subject to any contractual restrictions on transfer; and |
| · | The QFI must agree to be bound by certain executive compensation and corporate governance requirements and senior executive officers must agree to certain compensation restrictions. |
The Company and the Bank meet all of their capital requirements and the Bank is considered well capitalized. The Company’s capital position and other liquidity sources provide deposit customers with an important level of safety and confidence in the Company that is essential in these uncertain economic times. While the Company has applied for participation in the CPP, management is continuing to evaluate its position in order to determine, if approved, whether or not the proceeds made available would be drawn.
Liquidity
Liquidity is the ability to provide funds to meet customers’ needs and to fund operations in a timely and cost effective manner. The Company has adopted measures to ensure that the risk of loss due to inadequate liquidity remains at a low level. In particular, the Company adheres to a liquidity contingency plan that requires management to take immediate action to improve liquidity if it appears liquidity targets identified in Company policy may not otherwise be fully achieved.
The Company’s sources of liquidity include short-term borrowing arrangements with FHLB and correspondent banks, available-for-sale securities, and amounts in the Federal funds sold and cash and due from banks accounts on the balance sheet. Management constantly monitors its liquidity position in relation to anticipated loan funding needs, branch expansions and other asset acquisitions, deposit fluctuations, embedded options, off-balance sheet arrangements and other factors that are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s liquidity.
ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.
(b) CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation described in paragraph (a) above that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company is a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 could materially affect its business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.
ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 – SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION
None.
An Exhibit Index has been attached as part of this quarterly report and is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VALLEY COMMERCE BANCORP |
| |
Date: November 12, 2008 | By: | /s/ Donald A. Gilles |
| | Donald A. Gilles |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
Date: November 12, 2008 | By: | /s/Roy O. Estridge |
| | Roy O. Estridge, Chief Financial Officer |
| Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification |
| Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification |
| Section 1350 Certifications |
33