The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated interim financial statements.
7
BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2012
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
Note 1: Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts in the prior period financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation. The net income reported for the three months ended March 31, 2012, is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012, or any other interim periods.
The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011, has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X (17 CFR Part 210). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and notes thereto.
Note 2: Management’s Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 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.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairments on securities, income tax estimates, and the valuation of intangible assets.
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”) is a significant accounting estimate used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The allowance is available to absorb losses on loans and is maintained at a level that, in management’s judgment, is appropriate for the amount of risk inherent in the loan portfolio, given past and present conditions. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operating expense and by recoveries on loans previously charged-off, and is decreased by loans charged-off as uncollectible.
Arriving at an appropriate level of allowance involves a high degree of judgment. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance and provisioning for estimated losses is evaluated regularly based on review of loans, with particular emphasis on non-performing or other loans that management believes warrant special consideration. The ongoing evaluation process includes a formal analysis, which considers among other factors: the character and size of the loan portfolio, business and economic conditions, real estate market conditions, collateral values, changes in product offerings or loan terms, changes in underwriting and/or collection policies, loan growth, previous charge-off experience, delinquency trends, non-performing loan trends, the performance of individual loans in relation to contract terms, and estimated fair values of collateral.
8
The allowance consists of allowances established for specific loans including impaired loans; allowances for pools of loans based on historical charge-offs by loan types; and supplemental allowances that adjust historical loss experience to reflect current economic conditions, industry specific risks, and other observable data.
While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of the borrowers may necessitate future additions or reductions to the allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance, which also may necessitate future additions or reductions to the allowance, based on information available to them at the time of their examination.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Investment Securities:One of the significant estimates relating to securities is the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment. If a decline in the fair value of a security is judged to be other-than-temporary, and management does not intend to sell the security and believes it is more-likely-than-not the Company will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery of cost or amortized cost, the portion of the total impairment attributable to the credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the remaining difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value is included in other comprehensive income.
For impaired available for sale debt securities that management intends to sell, or where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between fair value and cost or amortized cost basis of the security. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis.
The evaluation of securities for impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the fair value of securities should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition and/or future prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period of unrealized losses. The Company has a security monitoring process that identifies securities that, due to certain characteristics, as described below, are subjected to an enhanced analysis on a quarterly basis.
Securities that are in an unrealized loss position, are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is present based on certain quantitative and qualitative factors and measures. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value of securities is other-than-temporary include: (a) the cause of the impairment; (b) the financial condition, credit rating and future prospects of the issuer; (c) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments; (d) the volatility of the securities’ fair value; (e) performance indicators of the underlying assets in the security including default rates, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing assets, loan to collateral value ratios, conditional payment rates, third party guarantees, current levels of subordination, vintage, and geographic concentration and; (f) any other information and observable data considered relevant in determining whether other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, including the expectation of the receipt of all principal and interest due.
In addition, for securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows, such as private label mortgage-backed securities, the Company periodically updates its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security. The Company’s best estimate of cash flows is based upon assumptions consistent with the current economic environment, similar to those the Company believes market participants would use. If the fair value of a securitized financial asset is less than its cost or amortized cost and there has been an adverse change in timing or amount of anticipated future cash flows since the last revised estimate to the extent that the Company does not expect to receive the entire amount of future contractual principal and interest, an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized in earnings representing the estimated
9
credit loss if management does not intend to sell the security and believes it is more-likely-than-not the Company will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery of cost or amortized cost. Estimating future cash flows is a quantitative and qualitative process that incorporates information received from third party sources along with certain assumptions and judgments regarding the future performance of the underlying collateral. In addition, projections of expected future cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the underlying collateral.
Income Taxes:The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets:In connection with acquisitions, the Company generally records as assets on its consolidated financial statements both goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, such as core deposit intangibles.
The Company evaluates whether the carrying value of its goodwill has become impaired, in which case the value is reduced through a charge to its earnings. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or upon a triggering event using certain fair value techniques. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the segment (or “reporting unit”) level. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has been assigned to the reporting units, it no longer retains its association with a particular acquisition, and all of the activities within a reporting unit, whether acquired or organically grown, are available to support the value of the goodwill.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in accordance with the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31 of each year. The impairment testing process is conducted by assigning assets and goodwill to each reporting unit. Currently, the Company’s goodwill is evaluated at the entity level as there is only one reporting unit. The Company first assesses certain qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the recorded book value “step one.” If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired and “step two” is not considered necessary. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the impairment test continues (“step two”) by comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is computed by adjusting all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to current fair value with the offset adjustment to goodwill. The adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value of the goodwill. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying fair value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. At December 31, 2011, there was no indication of impairment that led the Company to believe it needed to perform a two-step test.
At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company did not have any identifiable intangible assets on its consolidated balance sheet.
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Any changes in the estimates used by the Company to determine the carrying value of its goodwill, or which otherwise adversely affect their value or estimated lives, would adversely affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
Note 3: Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company, such as the Company’s dilutive stock options.
The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
| | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2012 | 2011 |
| | |
Net income | $ 3,163 | $ 2,869 |
| | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | |
Basic | 3,880,052 | 3,829,469 |
Effect of dilutive employee stock options | 11,656 | 30,258 |
Diluted | 3,891,708 | 3,859,727 |
| | |
Anti-dilutive options excluded from earnings per share calculation | 84,442 | 109,863 |
| | |
Per Common Share Data: | | |
Basic earnings per share | $ 0.82 | $ 0.75 |
Diluted earnings per share | $ 0.81 | $ 0.74 |
Note 4: Securities Available For Sale
The following tables summarize the securities available for sale portfolio as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
| | | | |
March 31, 2012
Available for Sale: | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value |
| | | | |
Obligations of US Government sponsored enterprises | $ 1,000 | $ 18 | $ --- | $ 1,018 |
Mortgage-backed securities: | | | | |
US Government-sponsored enterprises | 233,621 | 8,727 | 169 | 242,179 |
US Government agency | 80,553 | 2,671 | 20 | 83,204 |
Private label | 11,200 | 190 | 1,136 | 10,254 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions thereof | 58,943 | 2,635 | 1,543 | 60,035 |
Total | $385,317 | $14,241 | $2,868 | $396,690 |
| | | | |
December 31, 2011
Available for Sale: | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value |
| | | | |
Obligations of US Government sponsored enterprises | $ 1,000 | $ 23 | $ --- | $ 1,023 |
Mortgage-backed securities: | | | | |
US Government-sponsored enterprises | 225,962 | 9,414 | 127 | 235,249 |
US Government agency | 72,585 | 2,932 | 23 | 75,494 |
Private label | 13,504 | 201 | 1,492 | 12,213 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions thereof | 58,160 | 2,199 | 2,458 | 57,901 |
Total | $371,211 | $14,769 | $4,100 | $381,880 |
Securities Maturity Distribution:The following table summarizes the maturity distribution of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale as of March 31, 2012. Actual maturities may differ from the final maturities noted below because issuers may have the right to prepay or call certain securities. In the case of mortgage-backed securities, actual maturities may also differ from expected maturities due to the amortizing nature of the underlying mortgage collateral, and the fact that borrowers have the right to prepay.
| | |
Securities Available for Sale | Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value |
| | |
Due one year or less | $ 1,050 | $ 1,068 |
Due after one year through five years | 1,401 | 1,348 |
Due after five years through ten years | 27,899 | 28,908 |
Due after ten years | 354,967 | 365,366 |
| $385,317 | $396,690 |
Securities Impairment:As a part of the Company’s ongoing security monitoring process, the Company identifies securities in an unrealized loss position that could potentially be other-than-temporarily impaired (“OTTI”).
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded total OTTI losses of $458 (before taxes), related to ten, available for sale, 1-4 family, private-label mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), all but one of which the Company had previously determined were other-than-temporarily impaired. Of the $458 in total OTTI losses, $344 (before taxes) represented estimated credit losses on the collateral underlying the securities, while $114 (before taxes) represented unrealized losses for the same securities resulting from factors other than credit. The $344 in estimated credit losses were recorded in earnings (before taxes), with the $114 non-credit portion of the unrealized losses recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income. The additional credit losses principally reflected an increase in the future loss severity and constant default rate estimates resulting from depressed and still declining real estate markets, extended foreclosure and collateral liquidation timelines, and depressed economic conditions that affect the expected performance of the mortgage loans underlying these securities.
The OTTI losses recognized in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2012 represented management’s best estimate of credit losses inherent in the securities based on discounted, bond-specific future cash flow projections using assumptions about cash flows associated with the pools of mortgage loans underlying each security. In estimating those cash flows the Company takes a variety of factors into consideration including, but not limited to, loan level credit characteristics, current delinquency and non-performing loan rates, current levels of subordination and credit support, recent default rates and future constant default rate estimates, original and current loan to collateral value ratios, recent collateral loss severities and future collateral loss severity estimates, recent and historical conditional prepayment rates and future conditional prepayment rate assumptions, and other estimates of future collateral performance.
Despite some rising levels of delinquencies, defaults and losses in the underlying residential mortgage loan collateral, given credit enhancements resulting from the structures ofthe individual securities, the Company currently expects that as of March 31, 2012 it will recover the amortized cost basis of its private label mortgage-backed securities as depicted in the table below and has therefore concluded that such securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of that date. Nevertheless, given recent market conditions, it is possible that adverse changes in repayment performance and fair value could occur in future periods that could impact the Company’s current best estimates.
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The following table displays the beginning balance of OTTI related to historical credit losses on debt securities held by the Company at the beginning of the current reporting period, as well as changes in credit losses recognized in pre-tax earnings for the three months ending March 31, 2012 and 2011.
| | |
| 2012 | 2011 |
| | |
Estimated credit losses as of prior year-end, | $4,697 | $3,373 |
Additions for credit losses for securities on which OTTI has been previously recognized | 310 | 565 |
Additions for credit losses for securities on which OTTI has not been previously recognized | 34 | --- |
Reductions for securities paid off during the period | --- | --- |
| | |
Estimated credit losses as of March 31, | $5,041 | $3,938 |
Upon initial impairment of a security, total OTTI losses represent the excess of the amortized cost over the fair value. For subsequent impairments of the same security, total OTTI losses represent additional credit losses and or declines in fair value subsequent to the previously recorded OTTI losses, if applicable. Unrealized OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) represent the non-credit component of OTTI losses on debt securities. Net impairment losses recognized in earnings represent the credit component of OTTI losses on debt securities.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company held sixteen private-label MBS (debt securities) with a total amortized cost (i.e. carrying value) of $4,972 for which OTTI losses have previously been recognized in pre-tax earnings (dating back to the fourth quarter of 2008). For nine of these securities, the Company recognized credit losses in excess of the unrealized losses in accumulated OCI, creating an unrealized gain of $111, net of tax, as included in accumulated OCI as of March 31, 2012. For the remaining seven securities, the total OTTI losses included in accumulated OCI amounted to $412, net of tax, as of March 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2012, the total net unrealized losses included in accumulated OCI for securities held where OTTI has been historically recognized in pre-tax earnings amounted to $301, net of tax, compared with $423 at December 31, 2011.
As of March 31, 2012, based on a review of each of the remaining securities in the securities portfolio, the Company concluded that it expects to recover its amortized cost basis for such securities. This conclusion was based on the issuers’ continued satisfaction of the securities obligations in accordance with their contractual terms and the expectation that they will continue to do so through the maturity of the security, the expectation that the Company will receive the entire amount of future contractual cash flows, as well as the evaluation of the fundamentals of the issuers’ financial condition and other objective evidence. Accordingly, the Company concluded that the declines in the values of those securities were temporary and that any additional other-than-temporary impairment charges were not appropriate at March 31, 2012. As of that date, the Company did not intend to sell nor anticipated that it would more-likely-than-not be required to sell any of its impaired securities, that is, where fair value is less than the cost basis of the security.
13
The following table summarizes the fair value of securities with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. All securities referenced are debt securities. At March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the Company did not hold any common stock or other equity securities in its securities portfolio.
(1) For purposes of these computations, non-accrual loans are included in average loans.
(2) For purposes of these computations, unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are recorded in other assets.
(3) For purposes of these computations, interest income, net interest income and net interest margin are reported on a tax equivalent basis.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the weighted average yield on average earning assets amounted to 4.56%, compared with 4.81% for the same period in 2011, representing a decline of 25 basis points. This decline principally resulted from the replacement of cash flows from the Bank’s mortgage-backed securities portfolio during a period of historically low interest rates. The decline was also attributed to the origination and competitive re-pricing of certain commercial loans, as well as residential mortgage loan refinancing activity.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities amounted to 1.43%, compared with 1.82% for the same period in 2011, representing a decline of 39 basis points. This decline principally reflected the ongoing re-pricing of maturing time deposits and borrowings, combined with the lowering of interest rates on certain of the Bank’s core deposit products.
Interest and Dividend Income: For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total interest and dividend income on a tax-equivalent basis amounted to $12,944, compared with $13,057 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $113, or 0.9%. The decline in interest and dividend income was principally attributed to a 25 basis point decline in the weighted average earning asset yield, but was almost entirely offset by average earning asset growth of $42,183, or 3.8%.
35
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, tax-equivalent interest income from the securities portfolio amounted to $4,013, representing a decline of $516, or 11.4%, compared with the first quarter of 2011. The decline in interest income from securities was principally attributed to a 57 basis point decline in the weighted average securities portfolio yield to 4.22% and, to a lesser extent, a $687 decline in average securities, compared with the first quarter of 2011. The decline in the weighted average securities yield was largely attributed to the ongoing replacement of moderately accelerated mortgage-backed securities cash flows in a historically low interest rate environment. Accelerated cash flows were principally attributed to increased securitized loan refinancing activity, government stimulus programs and credit defaults.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, tax-equivalent interest income from the loan portfolio amounted to $8,911, representing an increase of $395 compared with the first quarter of 2011. The increased income from the loan portfolio was attributed to a $42,723 or 6.1% increase in average loans,largely offset by a 11 basis point decline in the weighted average yield to 4.82%, compared with the first quarter of 2011. The decline in the weighted average loan yield principally reflected the origination and competitive re-pricing of certain commercial loans, as well as elevated levels of residential mortgage loan refinancing activity during a period of historically low interest rates.
Interest Expense: For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total interest expense amounted to $3,570, compared with $4,344 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $774, or 17.8%. The decline in interest expense was principally attributed to a 39 basis point decline in the weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities, the impact of which was partially offset by a $37,909 or 3.9% increase in total average interest bearing liabilities, compared with the first quarter of 2011.
The decline in the first quarter weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities compared with the same quarter in 2011 was principally attributed to prevailing, historically low short-term and long-term market interest rates, with maturing time deposits and borrowings being added or replaced at a lower cost and other interest bearing deposits re-pricing into the lower interest rate environment. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the total weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities amounted to 1.43%, compared with 1.82% for the same quarter in 2011, representing a decline of 39 basis points. The weighted average cost of interest bearing deposits declined 18 basis points to 1.18%, compared with the first quarter of 2011, while the weighted average cost of borrowed funds declined 90 basis points to 1.91%.
Rate/Volume Analysis:The following tables set forth a summary analysis of the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the average volume of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and changes in average rates on such assets and liabilities. The income from tax-exempt assets has been adjusted to a fully tax equivalent basis, thereby allowing uniform comparisons to be made. Because of the numerous simultaneous volume and rate changes during the periods analyzed, it is not possible to precisely allocate changes to volume or rate. For presentation purposes, changes which are not solely due to volume changes or rate changes have been allocated to these categories in proportion to the relationships of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
36
ANALYSIS OF VOLUME AND RATE CHANGES ON NET INTEREST INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 AND 2011
INCREASES (DECREASES) DUE TO:
| | | |
| Average Volume | Average Rate | Total Change |
| | | |
Loans (1,3) | $519 | $ (124) | $ 395 |
Securities (2,3) | (8) | (508) | (516) |
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock | --- | 8 | 8 |
| | | |
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS | $511 | $ (624) | $(113) |
| | | |
Interest bearing deposits | 15 | (274) | (259) |
Borrowings | 232 | (747) | (515) |
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES | $247 | $(1,021) | $(774) |
| | | |
NET CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME | $264 | $ 397 | $ 661 |
(1)
For purposes of these computations, non-accrual loans are included in average loans.
(2)
For purposes of these computations, unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are recorded in other assets.
(3)
For purposes of these computations, net interest income and net interest margin are reported on a tax equivalent basis.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses (the “provision) reflects the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that, in management’s judgment, is appropriate for the amount of inherent risk of probable loss in the Bank’s current loan portfolio.
The credit quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio remained relatively stable during the three months ended March 31, 2012, highlighted by a $1,522 or 11.8% decline in non-performing loans. During the first quarter of 2012, the Bank experienced a moderate level of loss experience, with total net loan charge-offs amounting to $315, or annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding amounting to 0.17% of total average loans outstanding.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Bank recorded a provision of $415, compared with $500 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $85, or 17.0%. The provision recorded during the first quarter was largely driven by the Bank’s charge-off experience combined with still elevated levels of non-performing and potential problem loans and still depressed real estate values.
Refer below to Item 2 of this Part I, Financial Condition, Loans,Non-Performing Loans, Potential Problem LoansandAllowance for Loan Losses,in this report on Form 10-Qfor further discussion and analysis related to the provision for loan losses.
Non-interest Income
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total non-interest income amounted to $1,700, compared with $1,732 for the same quarter in 2011, representing a decline of $32 or 1.8%.
Factors contributing to the changes in non-interest income are enumerated in the following discussion and analysis.
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Trust and Other Financial Services:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, trust and other financial service fees amounted to $779, unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2011. Income from trust and investment management activities was up $71 or 12.0%, but was offset by a like decline in revenue from brokerage activities. Reflecting new client relationships and further recovery in the equity markets, quarter-end assets under management stood at $350,657, compared with $321,334 at March 31, 2011, representing an increase of $29,323 or 9.1%.
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, income from service charges on deposit accounts amounted to $250, compared with $289 for the same quarter in 2011, representing a decline of $39, or 13.5%. The decline in service charges on deposit accounts was principally attributed to a decline in deposit account overdraft fees, reflecting reduced overdraft activity and the impact of new regulations that limit the ability of a bank to offer overdraft protection to customers without their specific consent and to derive fees from overdraft protection programs in general.
Credit and Debit Card Service Charges and Fees:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, income generated from credit and debit card service charges and fees amounted to $316, compared with $288 in the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of $28 thousand or 9.7%. This increase was principally attributed to continued growth of the Bank’s retail deposit base, higher levels of merchant credit card processing volumes, and continued success with a program that offers rewards for certain debit card transactions.
Net Securities Gains:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total net securities gains amounted to $567, compared with $785 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $218, or 27.8%. The net realized securities gains recorded in the first quarter of 2012 were comprised of realized gains of $573, offset by realized losses of $6. The net realized gains recorded in the first quarter of 2011 were comprised entirely of realized gains on the sale of securities.
Net Other-than-temporary Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net OTTI losses recognized in earnings amounted to $344, compared with $565 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $221, or 39.1%.
In the first quarter of 2012 the Company determined that certain available-for-sale, private-label mortgage-backed securities were other-than-temporarily impaired, because the Company could no longer conclude that it was probable it would recover all of the principal and interest on these securities. The continuance of credit losses principally reflected an increase in the loss severity and constant default rate estimates of the underlying residential mortgage loan collateral, resulting from seriously depressed and still declining real estate values, extended foreclosure and collateral liquidation timelines, and depressed economic conditions.
The OTTI losses recorded in the first quarter of 2012 related to ten, available for sale, private-label MBS, all but one of which the Company had previously determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired. These OTTI losses represented management’s best estimate of credit losses or additional credit losses on the residential mortgage loan collateral underlying these securities. The $344 in estimated first quarter credit losses were previously recorded, net of taxes, in unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale within accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a component of total shareholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Further information regarding impaired securities, other-than-temporarily impaired securities, and evaluation of securities for impairment is incorporated by reference to Notes 2 and 4 of the consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
38
Non-interest Expense
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total non-interest expense amounted to $5,808, compared with $5,535 in the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of $273, or 4.9%.
Factors contributing to the changes in non-interest expense are enumerated in the following discussion and analysis.
Salaries and Employee Benefits:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total salaries and employee benefits expense amounted to $3,182, representing an increase of $74 or 2.4%, compared with the first quarter of 2011. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was principally attributed to normal increases in base salaries, as well as changes in staffing levels and mix.
Occupancy Expense:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total occupancy expense amounted to $405, compared with $431 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $26, or 6.0%. This decline was principally attributed to lower grounds-keeping and utilities costs in the first quarter of 2012, compared with the same quarter in 2011.
FDIC Assessments:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total FDIC insurance assessments amounted to $185, compared with $264 in the first quarter of 2011, representing a decline of $79, or 29.9%. This decline was largely attributed to a new assessment formula that became effective on April 1, 2011, whereby deposit insurance premiums are principally based on asset size rather than insurable deposits.
Other Operating Expenses:For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total other operating expenses amounted to $1,533, compared with $1,242 in the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of $291, or 23.4%. This increase was principally attributed to higher levels of loan collection and other real estate owned expenses, as well as fees for professional services.
Efficiency Ratio:The Company’s efficiency ratio, or non-interest operating expenses divided by the sum of tax-equivalent net interest income and non-interest income other than net securities gains and other-than-temporary impairments, measures the relationship of operating expenses to revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company’s efficiency ratio amounted to 53.4%, compared with 54.0% in the first quarter of 2011.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total income taxes amounted to $1,331, compared with $1,162 in the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of $169, or 14.5%.
The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 amounted to 29.6%, compared with 28.8% in the first quarter of 2011. The income tax provisions for these periods were less than the expense that would result from applying the federal statutory rate of 35% to income before income taxes, principally because of the impact of tax exempt interest income on certain investment securities, loans and bank owned life insurance.
Fluctuations in the Company’s effective tax rate are generally attributed to changes in the relationship between non-taxable income and non-deductible expense, and income before income taxes, during any given reporting period.
39
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Total Assets
The Company’s assets principally consist of loans and securities, which at March 31, 2012 represented 62.4% and 32.4% of total assets, compared with 62.4% and 32.7% at December 31, 2011, respectively.
At March 31, 2012, the Company’s total assets amounted to $1,224,671, compared with $1,167,466 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $57,205, or 4.9%.
Securities
The securities portfolio is comprised of Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) issued by U.S. government agencies, U.S. government sponsored enterprises, and other non-agency, private label issuers. The portfolio also includes tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions, and debt obligations of other U.S. government sponsored enterprises.
Bank management considers securities as a relatively attractive means to effectively leverage the Bank’s strong capital position, as securities are typically assigned a significantly lower risk weighting compared with the Bank’s other earning assets for the purpose of calculating the Bank’s and the Company’s risk-based capital ratios. The overall objectives of the Bank’s strategy for the securities portfolio include maintaining appropriate liquidity reserves, diversifying earning assets, managing interest rate risk, leveraging the Bank’s strong capital position, and generating acceptable levels of net interest income.
Securities available for sale represented 100% of total securities at March 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011. Securities available for sale are reported at their fair value with unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, excluded from earnings but shown separately as a component of shareholders’ equity. At March 31, 2012, total net unrealized securities gains amounted to $11,373, compared with net unrealized gains of $10,669 at December 31, 2011.
Total Securities:At March 31, 2012, total securities amounted to $396,690, compared with $381,880 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $14,810, or 3.9%. Securities purchased during the first three months of 2012 principally consisted of mortgage-backed securities issued and guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and sponsored-enterprises.
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The following tables summarize the securities available for sale portfolio as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
| | | | |
March 31, 2012
Available for Sale: | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | |
Estimated Fair Value |
| | | | |
Obligations of US Government sponsored enterprises | $ 1,000 | $ 18 | $ --- | $ 1,018 |
Mortgage-backed securities: | | | | |
US Government-sponsored enterprises | 233,621 | 8,727 | 169 | 242,179 |
US Government agency | 80,553 | 2,671 | 20 | 83,204 |
Private label | 11,200 | 190 | 1,136 | 10,254 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions thereof | 58,943 | 2,635 | 1,543 | 60,035 |
Total | $385,317 | $14,241 | $2,868 | $396,690 |
| | | | |
December 31, 2011 | | Gross | Gross | |
| Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Estimated |
Available for Sale: | Cost | Gains | Losses | Fair Value |
| | | | |
Obligations of US Government sponsored enterprises | $ 1,000 | $ 23 | $ --- | $ 1,023 |
Mortgage-backed securities: | | | | |
US Government-sponsored enterprises | 225,962 | 9,414 | 127 | 235,249 |
US Government agency | 72,585 | 2,932 | 23 | 75,494 |
Private label | 13,504 | 201 | 1,492 | 12,213 |
Obligations of states and political subdivisions thereof | 58,160 | 2,199 | 2,458 | 57,901 |
Total | $371,211 | $14,769 | $4,100 | $381,880 |
Impaired Securities:The securities portfolio contains certain securities where amortized cost exceeds fair value, which at March 31, 2012, amounted to an excess of $2,868, or 0.7% of the amortized cost of the total securities portfolio. At December 31, 2011 this amount represented an excess of $4,100, or 1.1% of the total securities portfolio. As of March 31, 2012, unrealized losses on securities in a continuous unrealized loss position more than twelve-months amounted to $2,550, compared with $3,707 at December 31, 2011.
As a part of the Company’s ongoing security monitoring process, the Company identifies securities in an unrealized loss position that could potentially be other-than-temporarily impaired. If a decline in the fair value of an available for sale security is judged to be other-than-temporary, a charge is recorded in pre-tax earnings equal to the estimated credit losses inherent in the security.
Further information regarding impaired securities, other-than-temporarily impaired securities and evaluation of securities for impairment is incorporated by reference to above Notes 2 and 4 of the interim consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the “FHLB”). The FHLB is a cooperatively owned wholesale bank for housing and finance in the six New England states. Its mission is to support the residential mortgage and community-development lending activities of its members, which include over 450 financial institutions across New England. As a requirement of membership in the FHLB, the Bank must own a minimum required amount of FHLB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLB. The Bank uses the FHLB for most of its wholesale funding needs.
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At March 31, 2012, the Bank’s investment in FHLB stock totaled $16,711, compared with $16,068 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $643, or 4.0%.
FHLB stock is a non-marketable equity security and therefore is reported at cost, which equals par value. Shares held in excess of the minimum required amount are generally redeemable at par value. However, in 2009 the FHLB announced a moratorium on such redemptions in order to preserve its capital in response to current market conditions and declining retained earnings. This moratorium continued throughout 2010 and 2011 and the first three months of 2012. The minimum required shares are redeemable, subject to certain limitations, five years following termination of FHLB membership. The Bank has no intention of terminating its FHLB membership.
In the first quarter of 2009, the FHLB advised its members that it was focusing on preserving capital in response to other-than-temporary impairment losses it had sustained, declining capital ratios and ongoing market volatility. Accordingly, dividend payments for all of 2009 were suspended and that continued to be the case throughout 2010. Following five consecutive quarters of profitability, the FHLB’s board of directors declared cash dividends throughout 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. The FHLB’s board of directors anticipates it will continue to declare modest cash dividends, but cautioned that adverse events such as a negative trend in credit losses on the FHLB’s private-label MBS or mortgage loan portfolio, a meaningful decline in income, or regulatory disapproval could lead to reconsideration of this plan.
The Company periodically evaluates its investment in FHLB stock for impairment based on, among other things, the capital adequacy of the FHLB and its overall financial condition. The FHLB recently reported that it remained in compliance with all regulatory capital ratios as of March 31, 2012. The FHLB also reported a total regulatory capital-to-asset ratio of 8.7% at March 31, 2012, exceeding the regulatory minimum requirement of 4.0%, and its permanent capital was $4.1 billion, exceeding its $814.5 million minimum regulatory risk-based capital requirement.
The FHLB has the capacity to issue additional debt if necessary to raise cash. If needed, the FHLB also has the ability to secure funding available to government-sponsored enterprises through the U.S. Treasury. Based on the capital adequacy, liquidity position and return to profitability of the FHLB, management believes there is no impairment related to the carrying amount of the Bank’s FHLB stock as of March 31, 2012. The Bank will continue to monitor its investment in FHLB stock.
Loans
Total Loans:At March 31, 2012, total loans stood at $763,840, compared with $729,003 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $34,837, or 4.8%.
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The loan portfolio is primarily secured by real estate in the counties of Hancock, Washington and Knox, Maine. The following table summarizes the components of the Bank's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.
LOAN PORTFOLIO SUMMARY
| | |
| March 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 |
| | |
| | |
Commercial real estate mortgages | $292,943 | $285,484 |
Commercial and industrial | 66,720 | 62,450 |
Commercial construction and land development | 24,896 | 30,060 |
Agricultural and other loans to farmers | 27,847 | 26,580 |
Total commercial loans | 412,406 | 404,574 |
| | |
Residential real estate mortgages | 267,059 | 239,799 |
Home equity loans | 51,199 | 51,462 |
Other consumer loans | 21,473 | 22,906 |
Total consumer loans | 339,731 | 314,167 |
| | |
Tax exempt loans | 11,181 | 9,700 |
| | |
Deferred origination costs, net | 522 | 562 |
Total loans | 763,840 | 729,003 |
Allowance for loan losses | (8,321) | (8,221) |
Total loans net of allowance for loan losses | $755,519 | $720,782 |
Commercial Loans:At March 31, 2012, total commercial loans amounted to $412,406, compared with $404,574 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $7,832, or 1.9%. Commercial loan growth has generally been challenged by a still-troubled economy, continuing economic uncertainty, diminished demand, and strong competition for quality loans. Bank management attributes the continued growth in commercial loans to an effective business banking team, deep local market knowledge, sustained new business development efforts, and a local economy that has fared better than the nation as a whole.
At March 31, 2012, commercial loans represented 54.0% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio, compared with 55.5% at December 31, 2011.
Consumer Loans:At March 31, 2012, total consumer loans, which principally consisted of residential real estate mortgage loans, amounted to $339,731, compared with $314,167 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $25,564, or 8.1%. The first quarter increase in consumer loans was principally attributed to the purchase of a $23,456, New England based portfolio of recently originated residential mortgage loans.
Residential mortgage loan origination activity continued at a relatively slow pace during the first three months of 2012, largely reflecting current economic conditions, depressed real estate market values, and uncertainties with respect to further real estate declines in the communities served by the Bank. During the first quarter of 2012, loans originated and closed by the Bank were largely offset by cash flows, principal pay-downs and loan re-financings from the existing residential real estate loan portfolio.
Tax Exempt Loans:At March 31, 2012, tax exempt loans, amounted to $11,181, compared with $9,700 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $1,481, or 15.3%.
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Tax-exempt loans principally include loans to local government municipalities and, to a lesser extent, not-for-profit organizations. Government municipality loans typically have short maturities (e.g., tax anticipation notes). Government municipality loans are normally originated through a bid process among local financial institutions and are typically priced aggressively, thus generating relatively narrow net interest margins.
Credit Risk:Credit risk is managed through loan officer authorities, loan policies, and oversight from the Bank’s Senior Credit Officer, the Bank's Senior Loan Officers Committee, the Director's Loan Committee, and the Bank's Board of Directors. Management follows a policy of continually identifying, analyzing and grading credit risk inherent in the loan portfolio. An ongoing independent review, subsequent to management's review, of individual credits is performed by an independent loan review consulting firm, which reports to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
As a result of management’s ongoing review of the loan portfolio, loans are placed on non-accrual status, either due to the delinquent status of principal and/or interest, or a judgment by management that, although payments of principal and or interest are current, such action is prudent because collection in full of all outstanding principal and interest is in doubt. Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal and or interest is 90 days overdue, or sooner if judged appropriate by management. Consumer loans are generally charged-off when principal and/or interest payments are 120 days overdue, or sooner if judged appropriate by management.
Non-performing Loans:Non-performing loans include loans on non-accrual status and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest. The following table sets forth the details of non-performing loans as of the dates indicated:
TOTAL NON-PERFORMING LOANS
| | |
| March 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 |
| | |
Commercial real estate mortgages | $ 2,705 | $ 2,676 |
Commercial and industrial loans | 713 | 1,078 |
Commercial construction and land development | 3,844 | 3,753 |
Agricultural and other loans to farmers | 632 | 595 |
Total commercial loans | 7,894 | 8,102 |
| | |
Residential real estate mortgages | 3,019 | 4,266 |
Home equity loans | 266 | 266 |
Other consumer loans | 205 | 273 |
Total consumer loans | 3,490 | 4,805 |
| | |
Total non-accrual loans | 11,384 | 12,907 |
Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more | 1 | --- |
Total non-performing loans | $11,385 | $12,907 |
| | |
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans | 73% | 64% |
Non-performing loans to total loans | 1.49% | 1.77% |
Allowance to total loans | 1.09% | 1.13% |
At March 31, 2012, total non-performing loans amounted to $11,385, compared with $12,907 at December 31, 2011, representing a decline of $1,522, or 11.8%.
Non-performing commercial real estate mortgages amounted to $2,705 at March 31, 2012, up from $2,676 at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, non-performing commercial real estate mortgages were represented by ten business relationships, with outstanding balances ranging from $26 to $1,042.
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Non-performing commercial and industrial loans amounted to $713 at March 31, 2012, down from $1,078 at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, non-performing commercial and industrial loans were represented by fourteen business relationships, with outstanding balances ranging from $1 to $190.
Non-performing commercial construction and land development loans totaled $3,844 at March 31, 2012, compared with $3,753 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $91. At March 31, 2012, non-performing commercial construction and land development loans were represented by four business relationships, with outstanding balances ranging from $91 to $2,759.
One commercial real estate loan to a local, non-profit affordable housing authority in support of an affordable housing project accounted for $2,759, or 71.8% of total non-performing commercial construction and land development loans at March 31, 2012. This loan is principally secured by the housing units from the project. The project is fully constructed and there is no further construction risk. The primary source of repayment is the sale of the housing units. This loan is impaired and was put on non-accrual status in 2010. During 2011 the Bank charged-off $1,822 of the outstanding balance for this loan based on current appraisals and revised prospects for future cash flows. This loan is classified as collateral dependent and is recorded at fair value in the Company’s financial statements.
Non-performing residential real estate mortgages totaled $3,019 at March 31, 2012, compared with $4,266 at December 31, 2011, representing a decline of $1,247, or 29.2%. At March 31, 2012, non-performing residential real estate loans were represented by thirty-six, conventional, 1-4 family mortgage loans, with outstanding balances ranging from $2 to $336.
While the level and mix of non-performing loans continued to reflect favorably on the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio at March 31, 2012, Bank management is cognizant of the weakened real estate market, elevated unemployment rates and depressed economic conditions overall. Bank management recognizes that the current credit cycle has yet to reach a definitive turning point and it may be some time before the overall level of credit quality in the Bank’s loan portfolio shows lasting improvement. Future levels of non-performing loans may be influenced by economic conditions, including the impact of those conditions on the Bank’s customers, including debt service levels, declining collateral values, tourism activity, consumer confidence and other factors existing at the time. Management believes the economic activity and conditions in the local real estate markets will continue to be significant determinants of the quality of the loan portfolio in future periods and, thus, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Delinquencies and Potential Problem Loans:In addition to the non-performing loans discussed above, the Bank also has loans that are 30 to 89 days delinquent and still accruing. These loans amounted to $4,673 and $3,458 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, or 0.61% and 0.47% of total loans, respectively, net of any loans classified as non-performing that are within these delinquency categories. These loans and delinquency trends in general are considered in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses and the related determination of the provision for loan losses.
Periodically, the Bank reviews the commercial loan portfolio for evidence of potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing in accordance with contractual terms, but where known information about possible credit problems of the borrower causes doubt about the ability of the borrower to comply with the loan payment terms and may result in disclosure of such loans as non-performing at some time in the future.
At March 31, 2012, the Bank identified twenty-two commercial relationships totaling $7,679 as potential problem loans, or 1.0% of total loans. At December 31, 2011, the Bank identified nineteen commercial relationships totaling $9,990 as potential problem loans, or 1.4% of total loans. Factors such as payment history, value of supporting collateral, and personal or government guarantees led the Bank to conclude that
45
the current risk exposure on these potential problem loans did not warrant accounting for the loans as non-performing. Although in a performing status as of quarter-end, these loans exhibited certain risk factors, which have the potential to cause them to become non-performing at some point in the future.
Troubled Debt Restructures:A Troubled Debt Restructure (“TDR”) results from a modification to a loan to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty in which the Bank grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider but for the debtor’s financial difficulties. Financial difficulty arises when a debtor is bankrupt or contractually past due, or is likely to become so, based upon its ability to pay. A concession represents an accommodation not generally available to other customers, including a below-market interest rate, deferment of principal payments, extension of maturity dates, etc. Such accommodations extended to customers who are not experiencing financial difficulty do not result in TDR classification.
As of March 31, 2012, the Bank had five real estate secured loans to three relationships totaling $965 that were classified as TDRs. At March 31, 2012, two TDRs totaling $140 were past due and classified as non-performing.
As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had four real estate secured loans to two relationships totaling $913 that were classified as TDRs. At December 31, 2011, one TDR for $82 was past due and classified as non-performing.
Allowance for Loan Losses:At March 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses (the “allowance”) stood at $8,321, compared with $8,221 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $100, or 1.2%. The relatively small increase in the allowance from December 31, 2011 was largely attributed to loan growth during the quarter, as the Bank’s non-performing and potential problem loans posted declines.
At March 31, 2012, the allowance expressed as a percentage of total loans stood at 1.09%, down from 1.13% at December 31, 2011. The forgoing ratio decline was principally attributed to significant first quarter loan growth. At March 31, 2012, total non-performing loans to total loans stood at 1.49%, down from 1.77% at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, the allowance expressed as a percentage of non-performing loans stood at 73.1%, up from 63.7% at December 31, 2011.
The allowance is available to absorb probable losses on loans. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance and provisioning for estimated losses is evaluated quarterly based on review of loans, with particular emphasis on non-performing and other loans that management believes warrant special consideration.
The allowance is maintained at a level that, in management’s judgment, is appropriate for the amount of risk inherent in the current loan portfolio, and adequate to provide for estimated, probable losses. Allowances are established for specific impaired loans, a pool of reserves based on historical net loan charge-offs by loan types, and supplemental reserves that adjust historical net loss experience to reflect current economic conditions, industry specific risks, and other qualitative and environmental considerations impacting the inherent risk of loss in the current loan portfolio.
Specific allowances for impaired loans are determined based upon a discounted cash flows analysis, or as appropriate, a collateral shortfall analysis. The amount of collateral dependent impaired loans totaled $4,940 as of March 31, 2012, compared with $4,827 as of December 31, 2011. The related allowances for loan losses on these loans amounted to $329 as of March 31, 2012, compared with $200 as of December 31, 2011.
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Management recognizes that early and accurate recognition of risk is the best means to reduce credit losses. The Bank employs a comprehensive risk management structure to identify and manage the risk of loss. For consumer loans, the Bank identifies loan delinquency beginning at 10-day delinquency and provides appropriate follow-up by written correspondence or personal contact. Non-residential mortgage consumer loan losses are recognized no later than the point at which a loan is 120 days past due. Residential mortgage losses are recognized during the foreclosure process, or sooner, when that loss is quantifiable and reasonably assured. For commercial loans, the Bank applies a risk grading system, which stratifies the portfolio and allows management to focus appropriate efforts on the highest risk components of the portfolio. The risk grades include ratings that correlates substantially with regulatory definitions of “Pass,” “Other Assets Especially Mentioned,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” and “Loss.”
While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of the borrowers may necessitate future additions or reductions to the allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance, which also may necessitate future additions or reductions to the allowance, based on information available to them at the time of their examination.
The following table details changes in the allowance and summarizes loan loss experience by loan type for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2012 AND 2011
| | |
| 2012 | 2011 |
| | |
Balance at beginning of period | $8,221 | $8,500 |
Charge-offs: | | |
Commercial real estate mortgages | 25 | --- |
Commercial and industrial | 17 | 5 |
Commercial construction and land development | --- | --- |
Agricultural and other loans to farmers | 10 | --- |
Residential real estate mortgages | 182 | 18 |
Other consumer loans | 119 | 7 |
Home equity loans | --- | --- |
Tax exempt loans | --- | --- |
Total charge-offs | 353 | 30 |
| | |
Recoveries: | | |
Commercial real estate mortgages | 1 | 1 |
Commercial and industrial loans | 6 | 76 |
Commercial construction and land development | --- | --- |
Agricultural and other loans to farmers | 25 | 34 |
Residential real estate mortgages | --- | --- |
Other consumer loans | 6 | 12 |
Home equity loans | --- | --- |
Tax exempt loans | --- | --- |
Total recoveries | 38 | 123 |
| | |
Net charge-offs | 315 | (93) |
Provision charged to operations | 415 | 500 |
| | |
Balance at end of period | $8,321 | $9,093 |
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For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total net loan charge-offs amounted to $315, or annualized net charge-offs to average loans outstanding of 0.17%, compared with net recoveries of $93 or 0.05% for the same period in 2011.
General allowances for loan losses account for the risk and estimated loss inherent in certain pools of industry and geographic loan concentrations within the loan portfolio. There were no material changes in loan concentrations during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Based upon the process employed and giving recognition to all attendant factors associated with the loan portfolio, Company management believes the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2012, is appropriate for the amount of risk inherent in the current loan portfolio and adequate to provide for estimated probable losses.
Further information regarding loans and the allowance for loan losses, is incorporated by reference to above Notes 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, of the interim consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q.
Other Real Estate Owned:Real estate acquired in satisfaction of a loan is reported in other assets. Properties acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure are transferred to other real estate owned (“OREO”) and recorded at the lower of cost or fair market value less estimated costs to sell based on appraised value at the date actually or constructively received. Loan losses arising from the acquisition of such property are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent reductions in fair value below the carrying value are charged to other operating expenses.
At March 31, 2012, the Bank’s OREO amounted to $3,042, compared with $2,699 as of December 31, 2011. Seven residential and nine commercial properties comprised the March 31, 2012 balance of OREO.
Deposits
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the most significant funding source for the Bank’s earning assets continued to be retail deposits, gathered through its network of twelve banking offices throughout downeast and midcoast Maine.
Historically, the banking business in the Bank’s market area has been seasonal, with lower deposits in the winter and spring and higher deposits in summer and autumn. These seasonal swings have been fairly predictable and have not had a materially adverse impact on the Bank. Seasonal swings in deposits have been typically absorbed by the Bank’s strong liquidity position, including borrowing capacity from the FHLB of Boston, brokered certificates of deposit obtained from the national market and cash flows from the securities portfolio.
At March 31, 2012, total deposits stood at $724,439, compared with $722,890 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $1,549, or 0.2%. NOW accounts and savings and money market accounts experienced a combined seasonal decline of $12,632, or 4.1%. This decline was offset by a $12,803, or 3.6%, increase in time deposits. Unlike historical experience, at March 31, 2012 demand deposits were up $1,378 or 2.2%, compared with December 31, 2011.
A portion of the Bank’s time deposits include certificates of deposit obtained from the national market. This source of funds is generally utilized to help support the Bank’s earning asset growth and seasonal deposit outflows, while maintaining its strong on-balance-sheet liquidity position via secured borrowing lines of credit with the FHLB of Boston and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
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Borrowed Funds
Borrowed funds principally consist of advances from the FHLB of Boston (the “FHLB”) and, to a lesser extent, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Fed funds purchased and borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Advances from the FHLB are secured by stock in the FHLB, investment securities, blanket liens on qualifying mortgage loans and home equity loans, and certain commercial real estate loans. Borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston are principally secured by municipal securities and liens on certain commercial real-estate loans.
The Bank utilizes borrowed funds to leverage its strong capital position and support its earning asset portfolios. Borrowed funds are principally utilized to support the Bank’s investment securities portfolio and, to a lesser extent, fund loan growth. Borrowed funds also provide a means to help manage balance sheet interest rate risk, given the Bank’s ability to select desired amounts, terms and maturities on a daily basis.
At March 31, 2012, total borrowings amounted to $373,603, compared with $320,283 at December 31, 2011, representing an increase of $53,320, or 16.6%, compared with December 31, 2011. The increase in total borrowings was principally utilized to support first quarter earning asset growth as well as replacing seasonal deposit declines.
Capital Resources
Consistent with its long-term goal of operating a sound and profitable organization, at March 31, 2012, the Company maintained its strong capital position and continued to be a "“well-capitalized” financial institution according to applicable regulatory standards. Management believes this to be vital in promoting depositor and investor confidence and providing a solid foundation for future growth.
Capital Ratios:The Company and the Bank are subject to the risk-based capital guidelines administered by the Company’s and the Bank's principal regulators. The risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Under these guidelines, assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate weights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items. The guidelines require all banks and bank holding companies to maintain a minimum ratio of total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 8%, including a minimum ratio of Tier I capital to total risk-weighted assets of 4% and a Tier I capital to average assets of 4% ("Leverage Ratio"). Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company and the Bank were considered well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. Under the capital adequacy guidelines, awell-capitalized institution must maintain a minimum total risk-based capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 10.0%, a minimum Tier I capital to total risk-weighted assets ratio of at least 6.0%, and a minimum Tier I Leverage ratio of at least 5.0%. At March 31, 2012, the Company’s Total Risk-based, Tier I Risk-based, and Tier I Leverage ratios were 15.94%, 14.21% and 9.26%, respectively.
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The following tables set forth the Company's and the Bank’s regulatory capital at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, under the rules applicable at that date.
| | | | | | |
| Consolidated | For Capital Adequacy Purposes | To be well Capitalized under Prompt corrective Action provisions |
As of March 31, 2012 |
Actual Amount | Ratio | Required Amount | Ratio | Required Amount | Ratio |
Total Capital | | | | | | |
(To Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $123,564 | 15.94% | $61,999 | 8.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $124,435 | 16.07% | $61,938 | 8.0% | $77,422 | 10.0% |
Tier 1 Capital | | | | | | |
(To Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $110,137 | 14.21% | $30,999 | 4.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $111,008 | 14.34% | $30,969 | 4.0% | $46,453 | 6.0% |
Tier 1 Capital | | | | | | |
(To Average Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $110,137 | 9.26% | $47,563 | 4.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $111,008 | 9.34% | $47,534 | 4.0% | $59,418 | 5.0% |
| | | | | | |
| Consolidated | For Capital Adequacy Purposes | To be well Capitalized under Prompt corrective Action provisions |
As of December 31, 2011 | Actual Amount | Ratio | Required Amount | Ratio | Required Amount | Ratio |
Total Capital | | | | | | |
(To Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $121,265 | 16.06% | $60,418 | 8.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $122,151 | 16.19% | $60,370 | 8.0% | $75,462 | 10.0% |
Tier 1 Capital | | | | | | |
(To Risk-Weighted Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $107,933 | 14.29% | $30,209 | 4.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $108,819 | 14.42% | $30,185 | 4.0% | $45,277 | 6.0% |
Tier 1 Capital | | | | | | |
(To Average Assets) | | | | | | |
Consolidated | $107,933 | 9.32% | $46,300 | 4.0% | N/A | |
Bank | $108,819 | 9.41% | $46,263 | 4.0% | $57,829 | 5.0% |
Trends, Events or Uncertainties:There are no known trends, events or uncertainties, nor any recommendations by any regulatory authority, that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s capital resources, liquidity, or financial condition.
Cash Dividends:The Company's principal source of funds to pay cash dividends and support its commitments is derived from Bank operations.
The Company paid a regular cash dividend of $0.285 per share of common stock in the first quarter of 2012, representing an increase of $0.015 or 5.6% compared with the dividend paid for the same quarter in 2011. The Company’s Board of Directors recently declared a second quarter 2012 regular cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock, representing an increase of $0.02, or 7.4% compared with the second quarter of 2011.
Stock Repurchase Plan:In August 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase up to 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, or approximately 10.2% of the shares
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then currently outstanding. The new stock repurchase program became effective as of August 21, 2008 and was authorized to continue for a period of up to twenty-four consecutive months. In August of 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the continuance of this program through August 19, 2012. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time, or from time to time, without prior notice and may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions.
As of March 31, 2012, the Company had repurchased 98,869 shares of stock under this plan, at a total cost of $2,731 and an average price of $27.62 per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, no shares were repurchased under the plan. The Company records repurchased shares as treasury stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company is, from time to time, a party to certain off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company's financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, that may be considered material to investors.
Standby Letters of Credit:The Bank guarantees the obligations or performance of certain customers by issuing standby letters of credit to third parties. These letters of credit are sometimes issued in support of third party debt. The risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers, and they are subject to the same origination, portfolio maintenance and management procedures in effect to monitor other credit products. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon issuance of a standby letter of credit, is based upon management's credit evaluation of the customer.
At March 31, 2012, commitments under existing standby letters of credit totaled $354, compared with $350 at December 31, 2011. The fair value of the standby letters of credit was not significant as of the foregoing dates.
Commitments to Extend Credit:Commitments to extend credit represent agreements by the Bank to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.
Since many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis using the same credit policies as it does for its balance sheet instruments. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon the issuance of commitment, is based on management's credit evaluation of the customer.
The following table details the notional or contractual amount for financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
| | | |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
| | | |
Commitments to originate loans | $ 20,082 | | $ 22,438 |
Unused lines of credit | 95,984 | | 88,990 |
Un-advanced portions of construction loans | 4,166 | | 4,986 |
Total | $120,232 | | $116,414 |
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Liquidity
Liquidity is measured by the Company’s ability to meet short-term cash needs at a reasonable cost or minimal loss. The Company seeks to obtain favorable sources of liabilities and to maintain prudent levels of liquid assets in order to satisfy varied liquidity demands. Besides serving as a funding source for maturing obligations, liquidity provides flexibility in responding to customer-initiated needs. Many factors affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, including variations in the markets served by its network of offices, its mix of assets and liabilities, reputation and credit standing in the marketplace, and general economic conditions.
The Bank actively manages its liquidity position through target ratios established under its asset liability management policy. Continual monitoring of these ratios, both historical and through forecasts under multiple rate scenarios, allows the Bank to employ strategies necessary to maintain adequate liquidity. A portion of the Bank’s deposit base has been historically seasonal in nature, with balances typically declining in the winter months through late spring, during which period the Bank’s liquidity position tightens.
The Bank uses a basic surplus model to measure its liquidity over 30 and 90-day time horizons. The relationship between liquid assets and short-term liabilities that are vulnerable to non-replacement are routinely monitored. The Bank’s general policy is to maintain a liquidity position of at least 4.0% of total assets over the 30 day horizon. At March 31, 2012, liquidity, as measured by the basic surplus/deficit model, was 3.7% over the 30-day horizon and 3.2% over the 90-day horizon, largely reflecting the impact of seasonal deposit outflows and lower levels of deposits obtained from the national market.
At March 31, 2012, the Bank had unused lines of credit and net unencumbered qualifying collateral availability to support its credit line with the FHLB of Boston approximating $95 million. The Bank also had capacity to borrow funds on a secured basis utilizing the Borrower-In-Custody (“BIC”) program and the Discount Window at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. At March 31, 2012 the Bank’s available secured line of credit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston stood at $166,713, or 13.6% of the Company’s total assets. The Bank also has access to the national brokered deposit market, and periodically uses this funding source to bolster its on-balance sheet liquidity position.
The Bank maintains a liquidity contingency plan approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. This plan addresses the steps that would be taken in the event of a liquidity crisis, and identifies other sources of liquidity available to the Company. The Company believes that the level of liquidity is sufficient to meet current and future funding requirements. However, changes in economic conditions, including consumer savings habits and availability or access to the brokered deposit market could potentially have a significant impact on the Company’s liquidity position.
Recent Accounting Developments
The following information presents a summary of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU’s”) that were recently adopted by the Company, as well as those that will be subject to implementation in future periods.
ASU 2011-03,Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreement. ASU 2011-03 removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion relating to the transferor’s ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee. ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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ASU 2011-04,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. ASU 2011-04 changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in CAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Consequently, the amendments in this update result in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in CAAP and IFRSs (International Financial Reporting Standards). ASU 2011-04 is effective prospectively during interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early adoption by public entities is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2011-05,Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. ASU 2011-05 amends Topic 220,“Comprehensive Income,” to require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Additionally, ASU 2011-05 required entities to present, on the face of the financial statements, reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement or statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity was eliminated. ASU 2011-05 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011; however, certain provisions related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments have been deferred by ASU 2011-12“Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05,” as further discussed above. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2011-11,Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2011-11 amends Topic 210,“Balance Sheet,”to require an entity to disclose both gross and net information about financial instruments, such as sales and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing/lending arrangements, and derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and/or subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. ASU 2011-11 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2013, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2011-12,Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 defers changes in ASU No. 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments to allow the FASB time to reconsider whether to require presentation of such adjustments on the face of the financial statements to show the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-12 allows entities to continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect before ASU No. 2011-05. All other requirements in ASU No. 2011-05 are not affected by ASU No. 2011-12. ASU 2011-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market rates/prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk do not arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities.
Interest Rate Risk:Interest rate risk can be defined as an exposure to movement in interest rates that could have an adverse impact on the Bank's net interest income. Interest rate risk arises from the imbalance in the re-pricing, maturity and/or cash flow characteristics of assets and liabilities. Management's objectives are to measure, monitor and develop strategies in response to the interest rate risk profile inherent in the Bank's balance sheet. The objectives in managing the Bank's balance sheet are to preserve the sensitivity of net interest income to actual or potential changes in interest rates, and to enhance profitability through strategies that promote sufficient reward for understood and controlled risk.
The Bank's interest rate risk measurement and management techniques incorporate the re-pricing and cash flow attributes of balance sheet and off balance sheet instruments as they relate to current and potential changes in interest rates. The level of interest rate risk, measured in terms of the potential future effect on net interest income, is determined through the use of modeling and other techniques under multiple interest rate scenarios. Interest rate risk is evaluated in depth on a quarterly basis and reviewed by the Asset/Liability Committee ("ALCO") and the Bank’s Board of Directors.
The Bank's Asset Liability Management Policy, approved annually by the Bank’s Board of Directors, establishes interest rate risk limits in terms of variability of net interest income under rising, flat, and decreasing rate scenarios. It is the role of ALCO to evaluate the overall risk profile and to determine actions to maintain and achieve a posture consistent with policy guidelines.
The Bank utilizes an interest rate risk model widely recognized in the financial industry to monitor and measure interest rate risk. The model simulates the behavior of interest income and expense of all balance sheet and off-balance sheet instruments, under different interest rate scenarios together with a dynamic future balance sheet. Interest rate risk is measured in terms of potential changes in net interest income based upon shifts in the yield curve.
The interest rate risk sensitivity model requires that assets and liabilities be broken down into components as to fixed, variable, and adjustable interest rates, as well as other homogeneous groupings, which are segregated as to maturity and type of instrument. The model includes assumptions about how the balance sheet is likely to evolve through time and in different interest rate environments. The model uses contractual re-pricing dates for variable products, contractual maturities for fixed rate products, and product specific assumptions for deposit accounts, such as money market accounts, that are subject to re-pricing based on current market conditions. Re-pricing margins are also determined for adjustable rate assets and incorporated in the model. Investment securities and borrowings with call provisions are examined on an individual basis in each rate environment to estimate the likelihood of a call. Prepayment assumptions for mortgage loans and mortgage backed securities are developed from industry median estimates of prepayment speeds, based upon similar coupon ranges and seasoning. Cash flows and maturities are then determined, and for certain assets, prepayment assumptions are estimated under different interest rate scenarios. Interest income and interest expense are then simulated under several hypothetical interest rate conditions including:
·
A flat interest rate scenario in which current prevailing rates are locked in and the only balance sheet fluctuations that occur are due to cash flows, maturities, new volumes, and re-pricing volumes consistent with this flat rate assumption.
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·
A 200 basis point rise or decline in interest rates applied against a parallel shift in the yield curve over a twelve-month period together with a dynamic balance sheet anticipated to be consistent with such interest rate changes.
·
Various non-parallel shifts in the yield curve, including changes in either short-term or long-term rates over a twelve-month horizon, together with a dynamic balance sheet anticipated to be consistent with such interest rate changes.
·
An extension of the foregoing simulations to each of two, three, four and five year horizons to determine the interest rate risk with the level of interest rates stabilizing in years two through five. Even though rates remain stable during this two to five year time period, re-pricing opportunities driven by maturities, cash flow, and adjustable rate products will continue to change the balance sheet profile for each of the rate conditions.
Changes in net interest income based upon the foregoing simulations are measured against the flat interest rate scenario and actions are taken to maintain the balance sheet interest rate risk within established policy guidelines.
The following table summarizes the Bank's net interest income sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2012, over one and two-year horizons and under rising and declining interest rate scenarios. In light of the Federal Funds rate of 0% - 0.25% and the two-year U.S. Treasury note of 0.32% on the date presented, the analysis incorporates a declining interest rate scenario of 100 basis points, rather than the 200 basis points, as would traditionally be the case.
INTEREST RATE RISK
CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME FROM THE FLAT RATE SCENARIO
MARCH 31, 2012
| | |
| -100 Basis Points Parallel Yield Curve Shift | +200 Basis Points Parallel Yield Curve Shift |
Year 1 | | |
Net interest income ($) | $(275) | $(571) |
Net interest income (%) | -0.74% | -1.54% |
Year 2 | | |
Net interest income ($) | $(1,112) | $505 |
Net interest income (%) | -3.00% | 1.36% |
As more fully discussed below, the March 31, 2012 interest rate sensitivity modeling results indicate that the Bank’s balance sheet was about evenly matched over the one and two-year horizons.
Assuming interest rates remain at or near their current levels and the Bank’s balance sheet structure and size remain at current levels, the interest rate sensitivity simulation model suggests that net interest income will remain relatively stable over the one-year horizon and then begin to trend upward over the two-year horizon and beyond. The upward trend over the two-year horizon and beyond principally results from funding costs rolling over at lower prevailing rates while earning asset yields remain relatively stable.
Assuming short-term and long-term interest rates decline 100 basis points from current levels (i.e., a parallel yield curve shift) and the Bank’s balance sheet structure and size remain at current levels, management believes net interest income will decline moderately over the one and two-year horizons as declining earning
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assets yields outpace reductions in funding costs. Should the yield curve steepen as rates fall, the model suggests that accelerated earning asset prepayments will slow, resulting in a more stabilized level of net interest income. Management anticipates that moderate to strong earning asset growth will be needed to meaningfully increase the Bank’s current level of net interest income should both long-term and short-term interest rates decline in parallel.
Assuming the Bank’s balance sheet structure and size remain at current levels and the Federal Reserve increases short-term interest rates by 200 basis points with the balance of the yield curve shifting in parallel with these increases, management believes net interest income will remain relatively stable over the one-year horizon and then trend steadily upward over the two-year horizon and beyond. The interest rate sensitivity simulation model suggests that as interest rates rise, the Bank’s funding costs will initially re-price proportionately with earning asset yields. As funding costs begin to stabilize late in the first year of the simulation, the model suggests that the earning asset portfolios will continue to re-price at prevailing interest rate levels and cash flows from the Bank’s earning asset portfolios will be reinvested into higher yielding earning assets, resulting in a widening of spreads and increases in net interest income over the two year horizon and beyond. Management believes moderate to strong earning asset growth will be necessary to meaningfully increase the current level of net interest income over the one-year horizon should short-term and long-term interest rates rise in parallel. Over the two-year horizon and beyond, management believes moderate earning asset growth will be necessary to meaningfully increase the current level of net interest income.
Management believes the most significant ongoing factor affecting market risk exposure and the impact on net interest income continues to be the very slow recovery from the severe nationwide recession and the U.S. Government’s extraordinary responses, including a variety of government stimulus programs and quantitative easing strategies. Interest rates plummeted during 2008 and have remained historically low ever since, as the global economy slowed at unprecedented levels, unemployment levels soared, delinquencies on all types of loans increased along with decreased consumer confidence and dramatic declines in housing prices. Net interest income exposure is also significantly affected by the shape and level of the U.S. Government securities and interest rate swap yield curve, and changes in the size and composition of the Bank’s loan, investment and deposit portfolios.
The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions including: the nature and timing of interest rate levels and yield curve shape, prepayment speeds on loans and securities, deposit rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment or replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and renegotiated loan terms with borrowers. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot make any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.
As market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results may also differ due to: prepayment and refinancing levels deviating from those assumed; the impact of interest rate change caps or floors on adjustable rate assets; the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans; depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes; and other such variables. The sensitivity analysis also does not reflect additional actions that the Bank’s ALCO and board of directors might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates, and the anticipated impact on the Bank’s net interest income.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Company management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of 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) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations and are operating in an effective manner.
No change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the most recent 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
The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to certain ordinary routine litigation incidental to the normal conduct of their respective businesses, which in the opinion of management based upon currently available information will have no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A: Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2011.
Item 6: Exhibits
The exhibits required to be filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.