Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This Form 10-Q reflects the current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, and financial results of the management of Blue Ridge. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause Blue Ridge’s actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements, and such differences may be material. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Blue Ridge does not assume any duty to update forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about (i) the expected benefits of the transaction between Blue Ridge and VCB, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues and the expected market position of the combined company that may be realized from the transaction, and (ii) Blue Ridge’s and VCB’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts. Other statements identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential,” “possible,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “goal,” “target” or words of similar meaning generally are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Blue Ridge’s management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond their respective control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and such differences may be material.
The following risks, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:
| • | | the expected cost savings from the transaction with VCB may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; |
| • | | the integration of the businesses of Blue Ridge and VCB may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and could result in the loss of customers; |
| • | | changes in general business, economic and market conditions; |
| • | | changes in fiscal and monetary policies, and laws and regulations; |
| • | | changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand and real estate values; |
| • | | deterioration in asset quality and/or a reduced demand for, or supply of, credit; |
| • | | increased information security risk, including cyber security risk, which may lead to potential business disruptions or financial losses; |
| • | | volatility in the securities markets generally or in the market price of Blue Ridge’s stock specifically; and |
| • | | Blue Ridge’s limited ability to pay dividends; and |
| • | | other risks and factors identified in the “Risk Factors” sections and elsewhere in documents Blue Ridge files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Critical Accounting Policies
General
The accounting principles Blue Ridge applies under U.S. GAAP are complex and require management to apply significant judgment to various accounting, reporting and disclosure matters. Management must use assumptions, judgments and estimates when applying these principles where precise measurements are not possible or practical. These policies are critical because they are highly dependent upon subjective or complex judgments, assumptions and estimates. Changes in such judgments, assumptions and estimates may have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. Actual results, in fact, could differ from initial estimates.
The accounting policies Blue Ridge views as critical are those relating to judgments, assumptions and estimates regarding the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the fair value measurements of certain assets and liabilities, and accounting for other real estate owned.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed to be adequate by Blue Ridge to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio and is based on the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, an assessment of individual problem loans and actual loss experience, current economic events in specific industries and other pertinent factors such as regulatory guidance and general economic conditions. The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loans identified as losses and deemed uncollectible by management are charged to the allowance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management.
The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, for which an allowance is established when the fair value of the loan or present value of future cash flows is lower than its carrying value. The general component coversnon-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. Historical losses are categorized into risk-similar loan pools and a loss ratio factor is applied to each group’s loan balances to determine the allocation.
Qualitative and environmental factors include external risk factors that Blue Ridge believes affects its overall lending environment. Environmental factors that Blue Ridge routinely analyzes include levels and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans, levels and trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in volume and terms of loans, effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting practices, experience, ability, depth of lending management and staff, national and local economic trends, conditions such as unemployment rates, housing statistics, banking industry conditions, and the effect of changes in credit concentrations. Determination of the allowance is inherently subjective as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience and consideration of current economic trends, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
Credit losses are an inherent part of Blue Ridge’s business and, although Blue Ridge believes the methodologies for determining the allowance for loan losses and the current level of the allowance are appropriate, it is possible that there may be unidentified losses in the portfolio at any particular time that may become evident at a future date pursuant to additional internal analysis or regulatory comment. Additional provisions for such losses, if necessary, would be recorded, and would negatively impact earnings.
26