HILLS BANCORPORATION Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations (continued) Discussion of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (continued). Provision for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses was $1,709,000 in 2006 compared to $759,000 in 2005, an increase of $950,000. The provision adjustment is computed on a quarterly basis and is a result of management’s determination of the quality of the loan portfolio. The provision reflects a number of factors, including the size of the loan portfolio, loan concentrations, the level of non-performing loans (which include non-accrual loans) and loans past due ninety days or more. The provision for loan losses increased in the first six months of 2006 as a result of the growth in the overall loan portfolio and an increase in problem and watch loans of $3.6 million. In contrast, in the six months ended June 30, 2005, the watch and problem loans decreased by $10.0 million. While loan growth was substantial in both periods, $79.7 million in 2006 and $61.0 million in 2005, the provision expense was mitigated in 2005 by the improvement in the quality of the loan portfolio. In the first six months of 2006, management determined that there had been a deterioration in the quality of two commercial loans which increased the provision expense by $490,000. The allowance for loan losses balance is also affected by the charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the periods presented. For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, recoveries were $781,000 and $584,000, respectively; and charge-offs were $750,000 in 2006 and $763,000 in 2005. The allowance for loan losses totaled $17,100,000 at June 30, 2006 compared to $15,360,000 at December 31, 2005. The allowance represented 1.37% and 1.33% of outstanding loans at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The methodology used in 2006 is consistent with 2005. Net Gain on Sale of Loans Net gain on sale of loans for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $381,000 compared to $544,000 for the comparable period ended June 30, 2005. The number of loans sold in 2006 was approximately 89% of the volume in 2005. The decrease in the volume of loans sold was expected because many consumers had taken advantage of lower interest rates in the prior three years. Other Income Other income, other than the net gain on sale of loans discussed above, increased by $1,367,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Investment securities losses of $234,000 were recorded in 2005; there were no security sales recorded in 2006. Trust fees increased $254,000 in 2006 as a result of assets under management increasing from $708.6 million as of June 30, 2005 to $798.6 million as of June 30, 2006. Service charges and fees were up $649,000 from 2005 to 2006. $541,000 of this increase was the result of new fee income strategies implemented in September 2005. Debit card and POS pin interchange fees increased during the same period by $152,000 due to volume of activity. Other noninterest income increased $216,000 as of June 30, 2006 compared to 2005. Included in this increase is a one-time $79,000 sales tax refund received in the second quarter of 2006 and a $53,000 rebate received in May 2006 related to the Bank’s participation in a credit card program. |