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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements relating to future results of Republic Bancorp, Inc. that are considered “forward-looking” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements are principally, but not exclusively, contained in Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
As used in this filing, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc., and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and the term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary banks: Republic Bank & Trust Company and Republic Bank.
Republic and its subsidiaries operate in a heavily regulated industry. These regulatory requirements can and do affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For an update on regulatory matters affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, see Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” in Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in political and economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, competitive product and pricing pressures, equity and fixed income market fluctuations, personal and corporate customers’ bankruptcies, inflation, recession, acquisitions and integrations of acquired businesses, technological changes, changes in law and regulations or the interpretation and enforcement thereof, changes in fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policies, monetary fluctuations, success in gaining regulatory approvals when required, as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including under Part 1 Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
| ● | projections of revenue, expenses, income, losses, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items; |
| ● | descriptions of plans or objectives for future operations, products or services; |
| ● | forecasts of future economic performance; and |
| ● | descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. |
The Company may make forward-looking statements discussing management’s expectations about various matters, including:
| ● | loan delinquencies, future credit losses, non-performing loans and non-performing assets; |
| ● | further developments in the Bank’s ongoing review of and efforts to resolve possible problem credit relationships, which could result in, among other things, additional provision for loans losses; |
| ● | deteriorating credit quality, including changes in the interest rate environment and reducing interest margins; |
| ● | the overall adequacy of the allowance for loans losses; |
| ● | future short-term and long-term interest rates and the respective impact on net interest margin, net interest spread, net income, liquidity and capital; |
| ● | the future regulatory viability of the Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) segment; |
| ● | the future operating performance of TRS, including the impact of the cessation of Refund Anticipation Loans (“RALs”); |
| ● | future Electronic Refund Check/Electronic Refund Deposit (“ERC/ERD” or “AR/ARD”) volume for TRS; |
| ● | future revenues associated with ERCs/ERDs at TRS; |
| ● | future credit losses associated with RALs; |
| ● | anticipated future funding sources for TRS; |
| ● | potential impairment of investment securities; |
| ● | the future value of mortgage servicing rights; |
| ● | the impact of new accounting pronouncements; |
| ● | legal and regulatory matters including results and consequences of regulatory guidance, litigation, administrative proceedings, rule-making, interpretations, actions and examinations; |
| ● | the extent to which regulations written and implemented by the newly created Federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and other federal, state and local governmental regulation of consumer lending and related financial products and services may limit or prohibit the operation of the Company’s business; |
| ● | financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on the Company’s revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and legislation and regulation relating to overdraft fees (and changes to the Bank’s overdraft practices as a result thereof), debit card interchange fees, credit cards, and other bank services; |
| ● | future capital expenditures; |
| ● | the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; |
| ● | the Bank’s ability to maintain current deposit and loan levels at current interest rates and |
| ● | The Company’s ability to successfully implement future growth plans. |
Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. As forward-looking statements discuss future events or conditions, the statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” ��would,” or similar expressions. Do not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements are assumptions based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management may not update them to reflect changes that occur subsequent to the date the statements are made. See additional discussion under the sections titled Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (“Republic” or the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Republic is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (“RB&T”) and Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust (“RBCT”) is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a wholly-owned, unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. Incorporated in 1974, Republic became a bank holding company when RB&T became authorized to conduct commercial banking business in Kentucky in 1981.
The principal business of Republic is directing, planning and coordinating the business activities of the Bank. The financial condition and results of operations of Republic are primarily dependent upon the results of operations of the Bank. At December 31, 2011, Republic had total assets of $3.4 billion, total deposits of $1.7 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $452 million. Based on total assets as of December 31, 2011, Republic ranked as the second largest Kentucky-based bank holding company. The executive offices of Republic are located at 601 West Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, telephone number (502) 584-3600. The Company’s website address is www.republicbank.com.
Website Access to Reports
The Company makes its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, available free of charge through its website, www.republicbank.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.
General Business Overview
As of December 31, 2011, the Company was divided into three distinct segments: Traditional Banking, Mortgage Banking and Tax Refund Solutions. Net income, total assets and net interest margin by segment for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are presented below:
| | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | |
| | Traditional | | | Mortgage | | | Tax Refund | | | Total | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Banking | | | Banking | | | Solutions | | | Company | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 26,463 | | | $ | 344 | | | $ | 67,342 | | | $ | 94,149 | |
Total assets | | | 3,099,426 | | | | 10,880 | | | | 309,685 | | | | 3,419,991 | |
Net interest margin | | | 3.55 | % | | NM | | | NM | | | | 5.09 | % |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | |
| | Traditional | | | Mortgage | | | Tax Refund | | | Total | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Banking | | | Banking | | | Solutions | | | Company | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 17,895 | | | $ | 2,618 | | | $ | 44,240 | | | $ | 64,753 | |
Total assets | | | 3,026,628 | | | | 23,359 | | | | 572,716 | | | | 3,622,703 | |
Net interest margin | | | 3.57 | % | | NM | | | NM | | | | 4.65 | % |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | |
| | Traditional | | | Mortgage | | | Tax Refund | | | Total | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Banking | | | Banking | | | Solutions | | | Company | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 15,362 | | | $ | 6,790 | | | $ | 19,979 | | | $ | 42,131 | |
Total assets | | | 2,976,663 | | | | 14,176 | | | | 927,929 | | | | 3,918,768 | |
Net interest margin | | | 3.79 | % | | NM | | | NM | | | | 5.04 | % |
For expanded segment financial data see Footnote 21 “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(I) Traditional Banking segment
As of December 31, 2011, Republic had 42 full-service banking centers with 34 located in Kentucky, four located in metropolitan Tampa, Florida, three located in southern Indiana and one located in metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio. RB&T’s primary market areas are located in metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky, central Kentucky, northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky, is the location of Republic’s headquarters, as well as 20 banking centers. RB&T’s central Kentucky market includes 11 banking centers in the following Kentucky cities: Elizabethtown (1); Frankfort (1); Georgetown (1); Lexington, the second largest city in Kentucky (5); Owensboro (2); and Shelbyville (1). RB&T’s northern Kentucky market includes banking centers in Covington, Florence and Independence. RB&T also has banking centers located in Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville and New Albany, Indiana. Republic Bank has locations in Hudson, Palm Harbor, Port Richey and Temple Terrace, Florida, as well as Blue Ash (Cincinnati), Ohio.
Effective January 27, 2012, RB&T assumed substantially all of the deposits and certain other liabilities and acquired certain assets of Tennessee Commerce Bank (“TCB”), headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee from the FDIC, as receiver for TCB. This acquisition represents a single banking center located in the Nashville MSA and represents RB&T’s initial entrance into the Tennessee market.
Market for Services
Management believes that the Bank’s principal markets are the residential real estate market and small-to-medium sized businesses within its primary market. Businesses are solicited through the personal efforts of the officers and directors of both Republic and the Bank throughout the Bank’s banking center network. Management believes that a locally-based bank is perceived by the local small-to-medium sized business community as possessing a clearer understanding of local banking needs, thus providing the Bank with advantages over its non-locally based competition. Management also believes that it is able to make prudent lending decisions more quickly than its competitors without compromising asset quality or profitability.
Lending Activities
The Bank principally markets its lending products and services through the following delivery channels:
Mortgage Lending – A major component of the Bank’s lending activities consists of the origination of single family first lien residential real estate loans collateralized by owner occupied property, predominately located in the Bank’s primary market areas. Additionally, the Bank offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These loans are originated through the Bank’s retail banking center network.
| ● | The Bank generally retains adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) single family first lien residential real estate loans with fixed terms up to ten years. All mortgage loans retained on balance sheet are included as a component of the Company’s “Traditional Banking” segment and are discussed below and elsewhere in this filing. |
| ● | Single family first lien residential real estate loans with fixed rate terms of 15, 20 and 30 years are generally sold into the secondary market and their accompanying mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), which may be either sold or retained, are included as a component of the Company’s “Mortgage Banking” segment and are discussed below and elsewhere in this filing. Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit are actively marketed in conjunction with single family first lien residential real estate loans and are not sold into the secondary market. In order to take advantage of the steep yield curve during 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Bank elected to retain approximately $45 million, $65 million and $100 million of 15 year fixed rate single family first lien residential real estate loans, funding these loans with excess cash in 2011 and 2010 and long-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances in 2009. In addition, during 2011, the Bank retained approximately $14 million of 30 year fixed rate single family first lien residential real estate loans. |
As a result of the historically low interest rate environment the last three years, the Bank has been challenged to grow its residential real estate portfolio, as consumer demand shifted to 15 and 30 year fixed rate loan products that the Bank has historically sold into the secondary market. As previously discussed, the Bank did elect during 2011 to originate and retain $59 million of longer-term fixed rate loans that it has typically sold into the secondary market. In addition to this strategy, the Bank also created a fixed rate Home Equity Amortizing Loan (“HEAL”) product during the second half of 2010 in an effort to grow its residential real estate portfolio. The HEAL product is a first mortgage or a junior lien mortgage product with amortization periods of 20 years or less. Features of the HEAL include $199 fixed closing costs; no requirement for the client to escrow insurance and property taxes; and as with the Bank’s traditional ARM products, no requirement for private mortgage insurance. The overall features of the HEAL have made it an attractive alternative to long-term fixed rate secondary market products. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had $58 million of HEALs outstanding.
The Bank offers ARMs with rate adjustments tied to various indices with specified minimum and maximum interest rate adjustments. The interest rates on a majority of these loans are adjusted after their fixed rate terms on an annual basis, with most having limitations on upward adjustments over the life of the loan. These loans typically feature amortization periods of up to 30 years and have fixed rate features for one, three, five, seven or ten years. While there is no requirement for a client to refinance his or her loan at the end of the fixed rate period, the client has historically done so the substantial majority of the time as most clients are interest rate risk-averse on their first mortgage loans. Because the substantial majority of these loans refinance at the end of their fixed rate periods, the interest rate risk that the Bank incurs as a result of these products is similar to balloon products.
The Bank generally charges a higher interest rate for its ARM products if the property is not owner occupied. It has been the Bank’s experience that the proportions of fixed rate and ARM originations depend in large part on the interest rate environment. As interest rates decline, there is generally a reduced demand for ARMs and an increased demand for fixed rate secondary market loans. Alternatively, as interest rates rise, there is generally an increased demand for ARMs, as consumer demand shifts away from fixed rate secondary market loans.
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2009, in the Bank’s primary markets of Kentucky and southern Indiana, ARM loans collateralized by single family first lien residential real estate were generally originated in amounts up to 90% of appraised value; however, the Bank commonly included home equity lines of credit in conjunction with its first liens, often increasing the loan to value of the entire relationship to 100%. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Bank reduced the maximum combined first and second lien position loan-to-value ratio for new ARM originations in all markets to 80%. The Bank requires mortgagee’s title insurance to protect the Bank against defects in its liens on the properties that collateralize the loans. The Bank, in most cases, requires title, fire, and extended casualty insurance to be obtained by the borrower and when required by applicable regulations, flood insurance. The Bank maintains an errors and omissions insurance policy to protect the Bank against loss in the event a borrower fails to maintain proper fire and other hazard insurance policies.
See the sections titled “Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses” and “Credit Quality” within Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for detail regarding the Bank’s allowance methodology related to its home equity loan portfolio.
Although the contractual loan payment periods for single family first lien residential real estate ARM loans are generally for a 15 to 30 year period, such loans often remain outstanding for only their fixed rate periods, which is significantly shorter than the contractual terms. The Bank generally charges a penalty for prepayment of ARM loans if they are refinanced prior to the completion of their fixed rate period.
The Bank does on occasion purchase single family first lien residential real estate loans in low to moderate income areas in order to meets its obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The Bank generally applies secondary market underwriting criteria to these purchased loans and generally reserves the right to reject particular loans from a loan package being purchased that do not meet its underwriting criteria. In connection with loan purchases, the Bank receives various representations and warranties from the sellers of the loans regarding the quality and characteristics of the loans.
Commercial Lending – The Bank’s commercial real estate and multi-family (“commercial real estate”) loans are typically secured by improved property such as office buildings, medical facilities, retail centers, warehouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels and other types of commercial real estate.
In the Bank’s primary market area of Kentucky and southern Indiana, commercial real estate loans are generally made in amounts up to 85% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property. In its Florida market, the Bank will typically only originate commercial real estate loans up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property. Commercial real estate loans generally have fixed or variable interest rates indexed to prime interest rates and have terms of three, five, seven or ten years with amortizing terms up to 20 years. Although the contractual loan payment period for these types of loans is generally a 20 year period, such loans often remain outstanding for only their fixed rate periods, which is significantly shorter than their contractual terms. The Bank generally charges a penalty for prepayment of commercial real estate loans if the loans are refinanced prior to the completion of their fixed rate period.
Loans secured by commercial real estate generally are larger and involve greater risks than single family first lien residential real estate loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties often are dependent on successful operation or management of the properties or businesses operated from the properties, repayment of such loans may be impacted to a greater extent by adverse conditions in the national and local economies. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including limiting the size of commercial real estate loans and generally restricting such loans to its primary market area. In determining whether to originate commercial real estate loans, the Bank also considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrower and guarantor and the debt service coverage of the property when applicable.
A broad range of short-to-medium-term collateralized commercial loans are made available to businesses for working capital, business expansion (including acquisitions of real estate and improvements), and the purchase of equipment or machinery. The Bank also offers a variety of commercial loans, including term loans, lines of credit and equipment and receivables financing. Equipment loans are typically originated on a fixed-term basis ranging from one to five years.
As mentioned above, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral underlying the loans, which may depreciate over time, usually cannot be appraised with as much precision as residential real estate and may fluctuate in value over the term of the loan.
In June 2011, the Bank commenced business in its newly established warehouse lending division. Through this division, the Bank provides short-term, revolving credit facilities to mortgage bankers across the nation. These credit facilities are secured by single family first lien residential real estate loans. The credit facility enables the mortgage banking customers to close single family first lien residential real estate loans in their own name and temporarily fund their inventory of these closed loans until the loans are sold to investors approved by the Bank. These individual loans are expected to remain on the warehouse line for an average of 15 to 30 days. Interest income and loan fees are accrued for each individual loan during the time the loan remains on the warehouse line and collected when the loan is sold to the secondary market investor. The Bank receives the sale proceeds of each loan directly from the investor and applies the funds to payoff the warehouse advance and related accrued interest and fees. The remaining proceeds are credited to the mortgage banking customer.
Construction Lending – The Bank originates residential construction real estate loans to finance the construction of single family dwellings. The Bank’s construction loans to individuals typically range in size from $100,000 to $300,000. Construction loans also are made to contractors to build single family dwellings under contract. Construction loans are generally offered on the same basis as other single family first lien residential real estate loans, except that a larger percentage down payment is typically required.
The Bank finances the construction of individual owner occupied houses on the basis of written underwriting and construction loan management guidelines. Construction loans are structured either to be converted to permanent loans with the Bank at the end of the construction phase or to be paid off at closing. Construction loans on residential properties in the Bank’s markets are generally made in amounts up to 80% of anticipated cost of construction. Construction loans to developers and builders generally have terms of nine to 12 months. Loan proceeds on builders’ projects are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as property inspections warrant.
The Bank also may make residential land development loans to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential subdivisions. Such loans may involve additional risks because the funds are advanced to fund the project while under construction, and the project is of uncertain value prior to completion. Moreover, because it is relatively difficult to evaluate completion value accurately, the total amount of funds required to complete a development may be subject to change. Repayments of these loans depend to a large degree on results of operations, management of properties and conditions in the real estate market or the economy.
Consumer Lending – Traditional consumer loans made by the Bank include home improvement and home equity loans, as well as other secured and unsecured personal loans in addition to credit cards. With the exception of home equity loans, which are actively marketed in conjunction with single family first lien residential real estate loans, other traditional consumer loan products, while available, are not and have not been actively promoted in the Bank’s markets.
Loan Origination and Processing – Loan originations are derived primarily from direct solicitation by the Bank’s loan officers, present bank customers, builders, realtors and walk-in customers. Mortgage loan applications are underwritten and closed based on the Bank’s standards, which are generally consistent with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”) underwriting guidelines. Consumer and commercial real estate loan originations emanate from many of the same sources.
The loan underwriting procedures followed by the Bank are designed to assess the borrower’s ability to make principal and interest payments and to support the value of any assets or property serving as collateral for the loan. Generally, as part of the process, a bank loan officer meets with the applicant to obtain the appropriate employment and financial information, as well as any other required application information. Upon receipt of the borrower’s completed loan application, the Bank obtains reports with respect to the borrower’s credit record and independent appraisals of any collateral for the loan are ordered. The application information supplied by the borrower is independently verified. Once a loan application has been completed and all information has been obtained and verified, the loan request is submitted for a final review process. As part of the loan approval process, all uncollateralized loans of more than $150,000 and all collateralized loans of more than $1.5 million require approval by the Bank’s Loan Committee. Loans to one borrower are subject to limits depending on the Bank’s internal risk ratings and applicable legal lending limitations.
The Bank’s commercial and commercial real estate loans undergo centralized underwriting on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of their business. As a general practice, in addition to personal guarantees, the Bank takes a security interest in real estate, equipment, or other general business assets. Collateralized working capital loans are primarily secured by short-term assets, whereas long-term loans are primarily secured by long-term assets.
Loan applicants are notified promptly of the decision of the Bank by telephone and a letter. If a commercial loan is approved, a commitment letter is generated that specifies the terms and conditions of the proposed loan including the amount of the loan, interest rate, amortization term, a brief description of the required collateral and required insurance coverage. Interest rates on committed loans are normally locked in at the time of application for a 30 to 45 day period.
Private Banking – The Bank provides financial products and services to high net worth individuals through its Private Banking Department. The Bank’s Private Banking officers have extensive banking experience and are trained to meet the unique financial needs of high net worth individuals.
Treasury Management Services – The Bank provides various deposit products designed for commercial business customers located throughout its market areas. Lockbox processing, remote deposit capture, business online banking, account reconciliation and Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) processing are additional services offered to commercial businesses through the Bank’s Treasury Management Department.
Internet Banking – The Bank expands its market penetration and service delivery by offering customers Internet banking services and products through its website, www.republicbank.com.
Other Banking Services – The Bank also provides trust, title insurance and other financial institution related products and services.
(II) Mortgage Banking segment
Mortgage Banking activities primarily include 15, 20 and 30-year fixed-term single family first lien residential rate real estate loans that are sold into the secondary market, primarily to FHLMC. The Bank typically retains servicing on loans sold into the secondary market. Administration of loans with servicing retained by the Bank includes collecting principal and interest payments, escrowing funds for property taxes and insurance and remitting payments to secondary market investors. A fee is received by the Bank for performing these standard servicing functions.
As part of the sale of loans with servicing retained, the Bank records a MSR. MSRs represent an estimate of the present value of future cash servicing income, net of estimated costs, which the Bank expects to receive on loans sold with servicing retained by the Bank. MSRs are capitalized as separate assets. This transaction is posted to net gain on sale of loans, a component of “Mortgage Banking income” in the income statement. Management considers all relevant factors, in addition to pricing considerations from other servicers, to estimate the fair value of the MSRs to be recorded when the loans are initially sold with servicing retained by the Bank. The carrying value of MSRs is initially amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income and subsequently adjusted quarterly based on the weighted average remaining life of the underlying loans. The amortization is recorded as a reduction to Mortgage Banking income.
The carrying value of the MSRs asset is reviewed monthly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSRs, using groupings of the underlying loans by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance. A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying loans serviced. The estimated life of the loans serviced is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs is expected to decline due to increased anticipated prepayment speed assumptions within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSRs is expected to increase, as prepayment speed assumptions on the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Management utilizes an independent third party on a monthly basis to assist with the fair value estimate of the MSRs.
Due to the reduction in long-term interest rates during the second half of 2011, the fair value of the MSR portfolio declined as prepayment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards, resulting in an impairment charge of $203,000 at December 31, 2011.
Due to the significant reduction in long-term interest rates during December of 2008, the fair value of the MSR portfolio declined. As prepayment speed assumptions were adjusted upwards, the Bank incurred an impairment charge of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, prepayment speed assumptions stabilized to levels similar to those assumed in the third quarter of 2008 and the Bank reversed $1.1 million from the valuation allowance. The Bank reversed an additional $122,000 during the second quarter of 2009.
There were no impairment charges recorded prior to the fourth quarter of 2008 and no MSR valuation allowance existed at December 31, 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, the Bank recorded an MSR valuation allowance of $157,000; however, this valuation allowance was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2010 resulting in an end-of-year valuation allowance of $0.
See additional discussion regarding Mortgage Banking under the sections titled: Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Footnote 5 “Mortgage Banking Activities” and Footnote 21 “Segment Information” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(III) TRS segment
Republic, through its TRS segment, is one of a limited number of financial institutions which facilitates the payment of federal and state tax refund products through third-party tax preparers located throughout the U.S., as well as tax-preparation software providers. TRS’s three primary tax-related products include: ERCs, ERDs and RALs. Substantially all of the business generated by TRS occurs in the first quarter of the year. TRS traditionally operates at a loss during the second half of the year, during which the segment incurs costs preparing for the upcoming year’s first quarter tax season.
During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, net income from the TRS segment accounted for approximately 72%, 68% and 47% of the Company’s total net income. Net income associated with RALs represented approximately 35%, 45% and 70% of the TRS segment’s net income for same respective periods. As discussed below, the Company has agreed to cease the RAL portion of the TRS business subsequent to April 30, 2012.
ERCs/ERDs are products whereby a tax refund is issued to the taxpayer after RB&T has received the refund from the federal or state government. There is no credit risk or borrowing cost for RB&T associated with these products, because they are only delivered to the taxpayer upon receipt of the refund directly from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Fees earned on ERCs/ERDs are reported as non interest income under the line item “Electronic Refund Check fees.”
RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. Prior to 2011, RB&T historically underwrote the RAL application utilizing the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the IRS in combination with an automated underwriting model utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return. The DI, which indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans, has historically been a meaningful underwriting component. In August 2010, the IRS announced that it would no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. In response to loss of access to the DI in 2011, RB&T significantly reduced the maximum RAL amount to $1,500 for individual customers, raised the RAL offering price to its customers and modified its underwriting and application requirements resulting in fewer RALs approved.
If a consumer’s RAL application is approved, RB&T advances $1,500 of the taxpayer’s refund. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the applicable taxing authority to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to RB&T. The refund received from the IRS or state taxing authority, if applicable, is used by RB&T to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by RB&T. The funds advanced by RB&T are generally repaid by the applicable taxing authority within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”
RB&T has agreements with Jackson Hewitt Inc. (“JHI”), a subsidiary of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (“JH”), and Liberty Tax Service (“Liberty”) to offer RAL and ERC/ERD products. JH and Liberty provide preparation services of federal, state and local individual income tax returns in the U.S. through a nationwide network of franchised and company-owned tax-preparers offices. Approximately 40% and 34% of RB&T’s 2011 and 2010 TRS gross revenue was derived from JH tax offices with another 20% and 29% from Liberty tax offices for the same respective periods.
Substantially all RALs issued by RB&T each year are made during the first quarter. RALs are generally repaid by the IRS or applicable taxing authority within two weeks of origination. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to RB&T associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons, including errors in the tax return and tax return fraud which are identified through IRS audits resulting from revenue protection strategies. In addition, RB&T also incurs losses as a result of tax debts not previously disclosed during its underwriting process.
At March 31st of each year, RB&T has historically reserved for its estimated RAL losses for the year based on current and prior year funding patterns, information received from the IRS on current year payment processing, projections using RB&T’s internal RAL underwriting criteria applied against prior years’ customer data, and the subjective experience of RB&T management. RALs outstanding 30 days or longer are charged off at the end of each quarter, with subsequent collections recorded as recoveries. Since the RAL season is over by the end of April of each year, essentially all uncollected RALs are charged off by June 30th of each year, except for those RALs management deems certain of collection.
Subsequent to the first quarter, the results of operations for the TRS segment consist primarily of fixed overhead expenses and adjustments to the segment’s estimated provision for loan losses, as estimated results became final.
TRS Funding – First Quarter 2012 Tax Season
During the fourth quarter of 2011, in anticipation of first quarter 2012 RAL program, RB&T obtained $300 million in FHLB advances with a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.10%. Management anticipates obtaining between $200 million and $300 million of short-term brokered deposits during January 2012 to complete its anticipated funding needs for the first quarter 2012 tax season. Management expects these brokered deposits to have a weighted average maturity of 44 days with a weighted average cost of approximately 0.39%. Management estimates its total weighted average funding cost to be 0.23% for the first quarter 2012 tax season.
TRS Funding – First Quarter 2011 Tax Season
Due to RB&T’s reduction to its maximum RAL offering amount and its revised underwriting guidelines in response to the elimination of the DI by the IRS, RB&T’s funding needs for the first quarter 2011 tax season were significantly reduced compared to prior years. During the fourth quarter of 2010, RB&T obtained $562 million in brokered certificates of deposits to be utilized to fund the first quarter 2011 RAL program. These brokered certificates of deposits had a weighted average life of three months with a weighted average interest rate of 0.42%.
Direct IRS Competition for TRS
During 2010, the IRS announced plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool to give taxpayers a mechanism to use a portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer. This product would likely present direct competition for RB&T’s ERC products. During June 2011, the IRS announced it was no longer pursuing this initiative in the near-term.
TRS Material Contracts
In December 2011, amended and restated its Marketing and Servicing Agreement (the “Marketing Agreement”) with Liberty to, among other things:
| ● | set the term of the Agreement to expire on October 16, 2014; |
| ● | name RB&T as the exclusive provider of all RAL and ERC/ERD products for a mutually agreed upon list of locations through the term of the contract; |
| ● | remove RB&T’s annual option to unilaterally terminate the Agreement; |
| ● | amend the designated level of RAL delinquency which, if exceeded, provides RB&T with the right to receive certain monies; and |
| ● | provided that either party may at its option terminate the Marketing Agreement upon twenty days’ prior written notice if (i) the other party has materially breached any of the terms thereof and has failed to cure such breach within such twenty day time period or (ii) the continued operation of the Financial Product Program or the electronic filing program is no longer commercially feasible or practical, or no longer provides the same opportunity, to the terminating party due to legal, legislative or regulatory determinations, enactments or interpretations or significant external events or occurrences beyond the control of the terminating party; provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii), the parties shall first mutually endeavor in good faith to modify the Financial Product Program in a manner resolving the problems caused by legal, legislative or regulatory or external events or occurrences. |
As a result of this amendment, the total number of Liberty tax preparation offices that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012 is not expected to differ materially from the number of Liberty tax preparation offices that offered the RB&T’s products in 2011.
In August 2011, RB&T amended and restated its Program Agreement (the “Program Agreement”) with JHI to, among other things:
| ● | add Jackson Hewitt Technology Services LLC (“JHTSL”) as a party to the Program Agreement whereby JHTSL agreed to provide certain technology services, including personnel to RB&T, in connection with the services provided for under the Program Agreement; |
| ● | set the term of the Program Agreement to expire on October 14, 2014; |
| ● | remove RB&T’s annual option to unilaterally terminate the Program Agreement; |
| ● | amend the termination provisions of the Program Agreement to provide RB&T an additional termination right due to regulatory direction relative to its tax products; and |
| ● | amend the provisions of the Program Agreement to modify, in part, the method of designation of Jackson Hewitt tax preparation locations that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and provide that RB&T shall be the exclusive tax product provider in those locations. |
As a result of this amendment, the total number of JH tax preparation offices that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012 is not expected to differ materially from the number of JH tax preparation offices that offered the RB&T’s products in 2011.
Resolution of FDIC-Related Regulatory Matters
On a recurring basis, the FDIC performs a Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation of RB&T. Among other things, the purpose of this evaluation is to assess RB&T’s performance and initiatives that are designed to help meet the credit needs of the areas it serves, including low- and moderate-income individuals, neighborhoods and businesses. The evaluation also includes a review of RB&T’s community development services and investments in RB&T’s assessment areas.
In February 2009, RB&T entered into a Stipulation and Consent Agreement with the FDIC agreeing to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order (the “2009 Order”), predominately related to required improvements and increased oversight of RB&T’s compliance management system. For additional discussion regarding the 2009 Order, see the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 6, 2009, including Exhibit 10.62.
The 2009 Order cited insufficient oversight of RB&T’s consumer compliance programs, most notably in RB&T’s RAL program. The 2009 Order required increased compliance oversight of the RAL program by RB&T’s management and board of directors, subject to review and approval by the FDIC. Under the 2009 Order, RB&T increased its training and audits of its Electronic Return Originator (“ERO”) partners, who make RB&T’s tax products available to taxpayers across the nation. In addition, various components of the 2009 Order required RB&T to meet certain implementation, completion and reporting timelines, including the establishment of a compliance management system to appropriately assess, measure, monitor and control third-party risk and ensure compliance with consumer laws.
In addition to the compliance issues cited in regard to the RAL program, the 2009 Order also required RB&T to correct Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) reporting errors. As a consequence, RB&T made certain corrections to its 2007 and 2006 HMDA reporting. As a result of the errors in its 2007 and 2006 HMDA data and paid a $22,000 Civil Money Penalty (“CMP”) during the first quarter of 2009.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, the FDIC began the process for the 2009 Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation (the “2009 CRA Evaluation”). During the third quarter of 2010, the FDIC notified RB&T of its 2009 CRA Evaluation performance rating. RB&T received “High Satisfactory” ratings on the Investment Test component and the Service Test component evaluated as part of the 2009 CRA Evaluation. Based on alleged Regulation B (“Reg B”) violations regarding documentation of spousal obligations on a limited number of loans identified within RB&T’s commercial lending area, RB&T received a “Needs to Improve” rating on the Lending Test component, and as a result, a “Needs to Improve” rating on its overall rating. As required by statute, the FDIC referred these alleged Reg B violations to the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). The FDIC subsequently notified RB&T that the DOJ had referred this matter back to the FDIC for administrative handling.
Prior to the FDIC’s notification to RB&T of its 2009 CRA Evaluation results, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to better document its commercial loan origination process as it relates to the intent of both spouses to become obligated to repay certain commercial loans. The FDIC did notify RB&T of certain additional corrective actions to be undertaken in response to the alleged Reg B violations.
FDIC Proceedings Regarding the TRS segment:
In February 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. The Notice contended that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) was unsafe and unsound. The Notice did not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program. For additional discussion regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
On May 3, 2011, RB&T received an Amended Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Amended Notice”) from the FDIC revising its original Notice referenced in the preceding paragraph. The Amended Notice resulted from conclusions made by the FDIC during a targeted visitation of 250 ERO offices in 36 states, which it conducted on February 15 and 16, 2011. In addition to the allegations contained in the Notice, the Amended Notice alleged violations of the Truth-In-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Amended Notice also accused RB&T of, among other things, unsafe or unsound banking practices resulting from its third-party management; unsafe or unsound hindrance, impediment, or interference with a financial institution examination; unsafe or unsound physical security or electronic protection of ERO premises; violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and FDIC regulation; and violations of the 2009 Order. Moreover, the Amended Notice included an assessment of a $2 million CMP. As a result, RB&T recorded a $2 million liability as of June 30, 2011. For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
Federal District Court Litigation:
On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (the “Court”) against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank & Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al (the “Litigation”). The complaint stated that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constituted a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also stated that the FDIC had unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. On March 31, 2011, the FDIC filed a Motion to Dismiss (the “Motion”) RB&T’s complaint with the Court. RB&T timely filed its brief in opposition to the Motion, and the matter remained pending with the Court up through RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC discussed below.
Resolution of all FDIC-Related Proceedings:
Effective December 8, 2011, RB&T entered into an agreement with the FDIC resolving its differences regarding the TRS operating segment. RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC was in the form of a Stipulation Agreement and a Consent Order (collectively, the “Agreement”). As part of the Agreement, RB&T and the FDIC settled all matters set out in the Amended Notice and the Litigation. More specifically,
| ● | the FDIC terminated the 2009 Order against RB&T entered on February 27, 2009; |
| ● | the $2 million CMP was reduced to $900,000; |
| ● | RB&T was allowed to immediately resume expansionary activities and transactions in the ordinary course, so long as RB&T maintains appropriate regulatory ratings; |
| ● | RB&T developed an Electronic Return Originator (“ERO”) Oversight Plan (the “ERO Plan”), which the FDIC agreed to and is more fully described below; |
| ● | RB&T agreed to cease the RAL portion of its tax business by April 30, 2012, after the first quarter 2012 tax season; |
| ● | the FDIC and RB&T discontinued their administrative proceeding commenced in February 2011; and |
| ● | RB&T terminated the Litigation. |
As disclosed above, the Agreement reduced the previously announced CMP against RB&T from $2 million to $900,000. As a result of the reduced CMP, RB&T, which had previously reserved $2 million for the CMP during the second quarter of 2011, recorded a $1.1 million credit to pre-tax income during the fourth quarter of 2011.
As disclosed above, RB&T developed an ERO Plan, which was agreed to by the FDIC. The ERO Plan articulates a framework for RB&T to continue to offer non-RAL tax related products and services with specified oversight of the tax preparers with which RB&T does business. The ERO Plan includes requirements for, among other things,
| ● | positive affirmations by EROs of individual tax preparer training related to regulatory requirements applicable to bank products; |
| ● | annual audits covering 10% of active ERO locations and a significant sample of applications for Bank products. The audits will consist of onsite visits, document reviews, mystery shops of tax preparation offices, and tax product customer surveys; |
| ● | on-site audit confirmation of ERO agreements to adhere to laws, processes, procedures, disclosure requirements and physical and electronic security requirements; |
| ● | an advertising approval process that requires RB&T to approve all tax preparer advertisements prior to their issuance; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for income tax return quality; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for adherence to acceptable tax preparation fee parameters; |
| ● | monitoring for federal and state tax preparation requirements, including local and state tax preparer registration, and posting and disclosure requirements relative to Bank products; |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC of any significant changes in the TRS line of business, including |
| o | a change of more than 25% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business, or |
| o | the addition of tax-related products offered by RB&T that it did not previously offer; and |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC when RB&T enters into a relationship with a new corporation that has multiple owned or franchised locations, when the relationship alone will represent an increase of more than 10% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business. |
Because the Agreement does not affect RB&T’s ability to offer RALs for the first quarter 2012 tax season, it is not expected to have a material adverse impact on net income for the first quarter of 2012 or for the 2012 calendar year. RB&T’s discontinuance of RALs beyond 2012 is expected to have a material adverse impact on net income in 2013 and beyond, as the RAL product accounted for approximately 35% of the TRS segment’s 2011 net income of $67.3 million. It is expected that TRS will continue to be a material contributor to the Company’s overall net income in 2013 and beyond. Actual TRS net income for 2012 and beyond will be impacted by a number of factors, including those factors disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC and set forth under Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
| ● | Part I Item 1 “Business” |
| ● | Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” |
| ● | Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:” |
| o | “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” |
| ● | Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:” |
| o | Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| o | Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” |
| o | Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances” |
| o | Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” |
| o | Footnote 21 “Segment Information” |
| o | Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” |
For additional detail regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
For additional discussion regarding the 2009 Order, see the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2009, including Exhibit 10.62.
For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
For additional discussion regarding the Consent Order, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 9, 2011, including Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.
Employees
As of December 31, 2011, Republic had 710 full-time equivalent employees. Altogether, Republic had 691 full-time and 37 part-time employees. None of the Company’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, and Republic has never experienced a work stoppage. The Company believes that its employee relations have been and continue to be good.
Competition
The Bank encounters intense competition in its market areas in originating loans, attracting deposits, and selling other banking related financial services. The deregulation of the banking industry, the ability to create financial services holding companies to engage in a wide range of financial services other than banking and the widespread enactment of state laws which permit multi-bank holding companies, as well as the availability of nationwide interstate banking, has created a highly competitive environment for financial institutions. In one or more aspects of the Bank’s business, the Bank competes with local and regional retail and commercial banks, other savings banks, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage companies and other financial intermediaries operating in Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Ohio and Tennessee. The Bank also competes with insurance companies, consumer finance companies, investment banking firms and mutual fund managers. Some of the Company’s competitors are not subject to the same degree of regulatory review and restrictions that apply to the Company and the Bank. Many of the Bank’s primary competitors, some of which are affiliated with large bank holding companies or other larger financial based institutions, have substantially greater resources, larger established customer bases, higher lending limits, more extensive banking center networks, numerous automatic teller machines, and greater advertising and marketing budgets. They may also offer services that the Bank does not currently provide. These competitors attempt to gain market share through their financial product mix, pricing strategies and banking center locations. Legislative developments related to interstate branching and banking in general, by providing large banking institutions easier access to a broader marketplace, can act to create more pressure on smaller financial institutions to consolidate. It is anticipated that competition from both bank and non-bank entities will continue to remain strong in the foreseeable future.
The primary factors in competing for bank products are convenient office locations, flexible hours, interest rates, services, internet banking, range of lending services offered and lending fees. Additionally, the Bank believes that an emphasis on highly personalized service tailored to individual customer needs, together with the local character of the Bank’s business and its “community bank” management philosophy will continue to enhance the Bank’s ability to compete successfully in its market areas.
With regard to the TRS business segment, TRS faces direct competition for ERC/ERD market share from independently-owned processing groups partnered with banks. Independent processing groups that are unable to offer RAL products have historically been at a competitive disadvantage to banks who could offer RALs. With RB&T’s resolution of its differences with the FDIC through the Agreement, RB&T will not continue to originate RALs beyond April 30, 2012. Without the ability to originate RALs, RB&T will face increased competition in the ERC/ERD marketplace. In addition to a potential loss of volume resulting from additional competitors, RB&T will also likely incur substantial pressure on its profit margin for its ERC/ERD products as well.
In addition to the potential impact to ERCs and ERDS resulting from a loss of the RAL product, the Agreement could also negatively impact RB&T’s ability to originate ERC and ERD products. As disclosed above, the Agreement contains a provision for an ERO Plan to be implemented by RB&T. The ERO Plan places additional oversight and training requirements on RB&T and its tax preparation partners that are not currently required by the regulators for RB&T’s competitors in the tax business. These additional requirements could make attracting new relationships, retaining existing relationships, and maintaining profit margin for ERCs and ERDs more difficult for RB&T once it is no longer able to offer RALs. At this time, management is unable to determine what the ultimate impact of the Agreement to ERC and ERD products will be in the future, but it does anticipate the impact to be negative to the overall profitability of the business segment.
Supervision and Regulation
RB&T is a Kentucky-chartered commercial banking and trust corporation and as such, it is subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (“KDFI”). Republic Bank is a federally-chartered savings bank institution subject to the supervision and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (“OCC”). Republic Bank is also subject to limited regulation by the FDIC which insures the Bank’s deposits.
All deposits, subject to regulatory prescribed limitations, held by the Bank are insured by the FDIC. Such supervision and regulation subjects the Bank to restrictions, requirements, potential enforcement actions and examinations by the FDIC, the OCC and Kentucky banking regulators. The Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) regulates the Company with monetary policies and operational rules that directly affect the Bank. The Bank is a member of the FHLB System. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank must also comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Board. Regulation by these agencies is intended primarily for the protection of the Bank’s depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) and not for the benefit of the Company’s stockholders. The Bank’s activities are also regulated under consumer protection laws applicable to the Bank’s lending, deposit and other activities. An adverse ruling against the Company under these laws could have a material adverse effect on results. See additional information under “Federal Deposit Insurance Assessments” in this section of the filing.
Republic Bancorp, Inc. is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and its principal sources of funds are cash dividends from the Bank and other subsidiaries. The Company files regular routine reports with the FRB in addition to the Bank’s filing with the FDIC and OCC, concerning business activities and financial condition. In addition, the Bank must obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, such as adding new banking offices and mergers with, or acquisitions of, other financial institutions. These regulatory agencies conduct periodic examinations to review the Company’s safety and soundness and compliance with various compliance and regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a bank or savings bank may engage and is intended primarily to provide protection for the DIF and the Bank’s depositors. Regulators have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement authority and examination policies, including, but not limited to, policies that can materially impact the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves. Any change in regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the FRB, the FDIC, the OCC or state or federal legislation, could have a material adverse impact on Company operations.
Enforcement Powers – Regulators have broad enforcement powers over bank holding companies and banks, including, but not limited to, the power to mandate or restrict particular actions, activities, or divestitures, impose monetary fines and other penalties for violations of laws and regulations, issue cease and desist or removal orders, seek injunctions, publicly disclose such actions and prohibit unsafe or unsound practices. This authority includes both informal actions and formal actions to effect corrective actions or sanctions. In addition, Republic is subject to regulation and enforcement actions by other state and federal agencies.
Certain regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and the Bank are referred to below or elsewhere in this filing. The description of statutory provisions and regulations applicable to banks, savings banks and their holding companies set forth in this filing does not purport to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effect on the Company and the Bank and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual laws and regulations.
I. The Company
Acquisitions – Republic is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act (“BHCA”) before it may, among other things, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if after such acquisition it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of such bank. In approving bank acquisitions by bank holding companies, the FRB is required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding company and the target bank involved, the convenience and needs of the communities to be served and various competitive factors. Consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below. Consideration of convenience and needs issues includes the parties’ performance under the CRA. Under the CRA, all financial institutions have a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, specifically including low to moderate income persons and neighborhoods.
Under the BHCA, so long as it is at least adequately capitalized, adequately managed and not subject to any regulatory restrictions, the Company may purchase a bank, subject to regulatory approval. Similarly, an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company located outside of Kentucky or Florida may purchase a bank located inside Kentucky or Florida, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals. In either case, however, state law restrictions may be placed on the acquisition of a state bank that has been in existence for a limited amount of time, or would result in specified concentrations of deposits. For example, Kentucky law prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of banks located in Kentucky if the holding company would then hold more than 15% of the total deposits of all federally insured depository institutions in Kentucky.
Financial Activities – The activities permissible for bank holding companies and their affiliates were substantially expanded by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), issued in March of 2000. The GLBA permits bank holding companies that qualify as, and elect to be, Financial Holding Company’s (“FHCs”), to engage in a broad range of financial activities, including underwriting securities, dealing in and making a market in securities, insurance underwriting and agency activities without geographic or other limitation, as well as merchant banking. To maintain its status as a FHC, the Company and all of its affiliated depository institutions must be well-capitalized, well-managed, and have at least a “satisfactory” CRA rating. The Company currently qualifies as a FHC.
Subject to certain exceptions, insured state banks are permitted to control or hold an interest in a financial subsidiary that engages in a broader range of activities than are permissible for national banks to engage in directly, subject to any restrictions imposed on a bank under the laws of the state under which it is organized. Conducting financial activities through a bank subsidiary can impact capital adequacy and regulatory restrictions may apply to affiliate transactions between the bank and its financial subsidiaries.
Safe and Sound Banking Practice – The FRB does not permit bank holding companies to engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices. The FDIC, the KDFI and the OCC have similar restrictions with respect to the Bank.
Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the FDIC and OCC have adopted a set of guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings standards, compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines.
Source of Strength Doctrine – Under FRB policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to each of its banking subsidiaries and to commit resources for their support. Such support may restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, and may be required at times when, absent this FRB policy, a holding company may not be inclined to provide it. A bank holding company may also be required to guarantee the capital restoration plan of an undercapitalized banking subsidiary and cross-guarantee provisions (as between RB&T and Republic Bank) generally apply to the Company. In addition, any capital loans by the Company to its bank subsidiaries are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of the bank subsidiary. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of subsidiary banks will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. The Dodd-Frank Act codifies the Federal Reserve Board’s existing “source of strength” policy that holding companies act as a source of strength to their insured institution subsidiaries by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of distress.
Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) – The Company and the Bank, like all U.S. companies and individuals, are prohibited from transacting business with certain individuals and entities named on the OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Failure to comply may result in fines and other penalties. The OFAC issued guidance for financial institutions in which it asserted that it may, in its discretion, examine institutions determined to be high risk or to be lacking in their efforts to comply with these prohibitions.
Code of Ethics – The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees, including the Company’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers. A copy of the Company’s code of ethics is available on the Company’s website. The Company intends to disclose information about any amendments to, or waivers from, the code of ethics that are required to be disclosed under applicable SEC regulations by providing appropriate information on the Company’s website. If at any time the code of ethics is not available on the Company’s website, the Company will provide a copy of it free of charge upon written request.
II. The Bank
The Kentucky and federal banking statutes prescribe the permissible activities in which a Kentucky bank or federal savings bank may engage and where those activities may be conducted. Kentucky’s statutes contain a super parity provision that permits a well-rated Kentucky banking corporation to engage in any banking activity in which a national or state bank operating in any other state or a federal savings association meeting the qualified thrift lender test and operating in any state could engage, provided it first obtains a legal opinion from counsel specifying the statutory or regulatory provisions that permit the activity.
Branching – Kentucky law generally permits a Kentucky chartered bank to establish a branch office in any county in Kentucky. A Kentucky bank may also, subject to regulatory approval and certain restrictions, establish a branch office outside of Kentucky. Well-capitalized Kentucky chartered banks that have been in operation at least three years and that satisfy certain criteria relating to, among other things, their composite and management ratings, may establish a branch in Kentucky without the approval of the Executive Director of the KDFI, upon notice to the KDFI and any other state bank with its main office located in the county where the new branch will be located. Branching by all other banks requires the approval of the Executive Director of the KDFI, who must ascertain and determine that the public convenience and advantage will be served and promoted and that there is a reasonable probability of the successful operation of the branch. In any case, the transaction must also be approved by the FDIC, which considers a number of factors, including financial history, capital adequacy, earnings prospects, character of management, needs of the community and consistency with corporate powers. Previously, an out of state bank was permitted to establish branch offices in Kentucky only by merging with a Kentucky bank. De novo branching into Kentucky by out of state banks was not permitted. This difficulty for out of state banks to branch into Kentucky limited the ability of Kentucky chartered banks to branch into many states, as several states have reciprocity requirements for interstate branching. Prior to December 8, 2011, RB&T was prohibited from branching based on its regulatory issues as discussed at Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Effective December 8, 2011, RB&T is no longer restricted on its branching activities.
Section 613 of the Dodd-Frank Act effectively eliminated the interstate branching restrictions set forth in the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, thus eliminating the corresponding state law restrictions. Banks located in any state may now de novo branch in any other state, including Kentucky. Such unlimited branching power will likely increase competition within the markets in which the Company and the Bank operate.
Under federal regulations, Republic Bank may establish and operate branches in any state within the U.S. with the prior approval of the OCC. Highly rated federal savings banks that satisfy certain regulatory requirements may establish branches without prior OCC approval, provided the federal savings bank publishes notice of its establishment of a new branch, and notifies the OCC of the establishment of the branch, and no person files a comment with the OCC opposing the proposed branch. OCC and FDIC regulations also restrict the Company’s ability to open new banking offices of RB&T or Republic Bank. In either case, the Company must publish notice of the proposed office in area newspapers and, if objections are made, the new office may be delayed or disapproved.
Affiliate Transaction Restrictions – Transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, including the Company and its subsidiaries, are subject to FDIC and OCC regulations, the FRB’s Regulations O and W, and Sections 23A, 23B, 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act (“FRA”). In general, these transactions must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices and substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or its subsidiary, as those for comparable transactions with non-affiliated parties. In addition, certain types of these transactions referred to as “covered transactions” are subject to quantitative limits based on a percentage of the Bank’s capital, thereby restricting the total dollar amount of transactions the Bank may engage in with each individual affiliate and with all affiliates in the aggregate. Affiliates must pledge qualifying collateral in amounts between 100% and 130% of the covered transaction in order to receive loans from the Bank. In addition, applicable regulations prohibit a savings association from lending to any of its affiliates that engage in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing low-quality assets from an affiliate or purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary. Limitations are also imposed on loans and extensions of credit by an institution to its executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and each of their related interests.
The FRB promulgated Regulation W to implement Sections 23A and 23B. That regulation contains many of the foregoing restrictions and also addresses derivative transactions, overdraft facilities and other transactions between a bank and its non-bank affiliates.
Restrictions on Distribution of Subsidiary Bank Dividends and Assets – Banking regulators may declare a dividend payment to be unsafe and unsound even if the Bank continues to meet its capital requirements after the dividend. Dividends paid by RB&T provide substantially all of the Company’s operating funds. Regulatory requirements serve to limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank. Under federal regulations, the Bank cannot pay a dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized.
Under Kentucky and federal banking regulations, the dividends the Bank can pay during any calendar year are generally limited to its profits for that year, plus its retained net profits for the two preceding years, less any required transfers to surplus or to fund the retirement of preferred stock or debt, absent approval of the respective state or federal banking regulators. FDIC regulations also require all insured depository institutions to remain in a safe and sound condition, as defined in regulations, as a condition of having federal deposit insurance.
Federal Deposit Insurance Assessments – All Bank deposits are insured to the maximum extent permitted by the DIF. These bank deposits are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The DIF is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting by, insured institutions. It also may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity determined by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF.
The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased deposit insurance on most accounts to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009. In addition, pursuant to Section 13(c)(4)(G) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the FDIC has implemented two temporary programs to provide deposit insurance for the full amount of most non interest bearing transaction deposit accounts through the end of 2013 and to guarantee certain unsecured debt of financial institutions and their holding companies through December 2012.
In 2008, the FDIC adopted an optional Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”) under which, for a fee, non interest-bearing transaction accounts receive unlimited insurance coverage. The Bank opted to participate in the unlimited non interest-bearing transaction account coverage. For non interest bearing transaction deposit accounts, including accounts swept from a non interest bearing transaction account into a non interest bearing savings deposit account, an annual rate surcharge is applied to deposit amounts in excess of $250,000. The TLGP also included a debt component under which certain senior unsecured debt issued by institutions and their holding companies between October 13, 2008 and October 31, 2009 would be guaranteed by the FDIC through June 30, 2012, or in some cases, December 31, 2012. In return for the FDIC’s guarantee, participating institutions will pay the FDIC a fee based on the amount and maturity of the debt. The Company did not opt to participate in this component of the TLGP by opting out of the unsecured debt guarantee program.
As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio to 1.15%, in 2009, the FDIC imposed a special assessment on all insured institutions equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, payable on September 30, 2009, in order to cover losses to the DIF resulting from bank failures. The amount of Republic’s special assessment, which was paid on September 30, 2009, was $1.4 million.
In November 2009, the FDIC adopted the final rule amending the assessment regulations to require insured depository institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012, on December 30, 2009, along with each institution’s risk-based assessment for the third quarter of 2009. Republic prepaid $11.5 million in deposit insurance assessments on December 30, 2009.
In addition to the Deposit Insurance Premium, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC are required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, a mixed-ownership government corporation established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments will continue until the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) bonds mature between 2017 through 2019.
The FDIC’s risk-based premium system provides for quarterly assessments. Each insured institution is placed in one of four risk categories depending on supervisory and capital considerations. Within its risk category, an institution is assigned to an initial base assessment rate which is then adjusted to determine its final assessment rate based on its brokered deposits, secured liabilities and unsecured debt. The FDIC may adjust the scale uniformly from one quarter to the next, except that no adjustment can deviate more than three basis points from the base scale without notice and comment. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of the federal deposit insurance assessment.
On February 7, 2011,effective April 1, 2011, the FDIC Board of Directors adopted a final rule, which redefined the deposit insurance assessment base as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule:
| ● | Redefined the deposit insurance assessment base as average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity (defined as Tier I Capital); |
| ● | Made generally conforming changes to the unsecured debt and brokered deposit adjustments to assessment rates; |
| ● | Created a depository institution debt adjustment; |
| ● | Eliminated the secured liability adjustment; and |
| ● | Adopted a new assessment rate schedule, and, in lieu of dividends, other rate schedules when the reserve ratio reaches certain levels. |
The FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the DIF annually at between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act mandates that the statutory minimum reserve ratio of the DIF increase from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by September 30, 2020. Banks with assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from any additional assessments necessary to increase the reserve fund above 1.15%.
The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including the Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It may also suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing circumstances which would result in termination of the Bank’s Federal’s deposit insurance.
Republic Bank is required to pay assessments to the OCC to fund its operations. The general assessments, paid on a semi-annual basis, are based upon total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the institution’s latest quarterly call report, the institution’s financial condition and the complexity of its asset portfolio.
Consumer Laws and Regulations – In addition to the laws and regulations discussed herein, the Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in their transactions with banks. While the discussion set forth in this filing is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include Regulation E, the Truth in Savings Act, Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act and the Expedited Funds Availability Act, among others. These federal laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with consumers when accepting deposits. Certain laws also limit the Bank’s ability to share information with affiliated and unaffiliated entities. The Bank is required to comply with all applicable consumer protection laws and regulations as part of its ongoing business operations.
Regulation E – In November 2009, the FRB announced its amendment of Regulation E, which implemented the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”). The EFTA prohibits financial institutions from charging consumers fees for paying overdrafts on automated teller machine (“ATM”) and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer affirmatively consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service for those types of transactions. Before opting in, the consumer must be provided a notice that explains the financial institution’s overdraft services, including the fees associated with the service, and the consumer’s choices. The final rules require institutions to provide consumers who do not opt in with the same account terms, conditions, and features (including pricing) that they provide to consumers who do opt in. For consumers who do not opt in, the institution would be prohibited from charging overdraft fees for any overdrafts it pays on ATM and one-time debit card transactions.
The Bank earns a substantial majority of its fee income related to this program from the per item fee it assesses its customers for each insufficient funds check or electronic debit presented for payment. In addition, the Bank estimates that it had historically earned more than 60% of its fees on the electronic debits presented for payment. Both the per item fee and the daily fee assessed to the account resulting from its overdraft status, if computed as a percentage of the amount overdrawn, results in a high rate of interest when annualized and are thus considered excessive by some consumer groups.
U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program – In October, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was enacted that provides the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. markets. One of the provisions resulting from the legislation was the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), which provides direct equity investment in perpetual preferred stock by the U.S. Treasury Department in qualified financial institutions. The Bank did not participate in the CPP.
Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements – The Bank is subject to prohibitions on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional product or service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.
The USA Patriot Act (“Patriot Act”), Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) – The Patriot Act was enacted after September 11, 2001 to provide the federal government with powers to prevent, detect, and prosecute terrorism and international money laundering, and has resulted in promulgation of several regulations that have a direct impact on financial institutions. There are a number of programs that financial institutions must have in place such as: (i) BSA/AML controls to manage risk; (ii) Customer Identification Programs to determine the true identity of customers, document and verify the information, and determine whether the customer appears on any federal government list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations; and (iii) monitoring for the timely detection and reporting of suspicious activity and reportable transactions. Title III of the Patriot Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among financial institutions, bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, savings banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Among other requirements, the Patriot Act imposes the following obligations on financial institutions:
| ● | Establishment of enhanced anti-money laundering programs; |
| ● | Establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers seeking to open new accounts; |
| ● | Establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money laundering; |
| ● | Prohibitions on correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks; and |
| ● | Compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks. |
Depositor Preference – The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including depositors whose deposits are payable only outside of the U.S. and the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.
Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions – FDIC-insured depository institutions can be held liable for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC due to the default of another FDIC-insured depository institution controlled by the same bank holding company, or for any assistance provided by the FDIC to another FDIC-insured depository institution controlled by the same bank holding company that is in danger of default. “Default” means generally the appointment of a conservator or receiver. “In danger of default” means generally the existence of certain conditions indicating that default is likely to occur in the absence of regulatory assistance. Such a “cross-guarantee” claim against a depository institution is generally superior in right of payment to claims of the holding company and its affiliates against that depository institution. At this time, RB&T and Republic Bank are the only insured depository institutions controlled by the Company for this purpose. However, if the Company were to control other FDIC-insured depository institutions in the future, the cross-guarantee would apply to all such FDIC-insured depository institutions.
Federal Home Loan Bank System – The FHLB provides credit to its members, which include savings banks, commercial banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other entities. The FHLB system is currently divided into twelve federally chartered regional FHLB’s which are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Board. The Bank is a member and owns capital stock in FHLB Cincinnati and FHLB Atlanta. The amount of capital stock the Bank must own depends on its balance of outstanding advances. It is required to acquire and hold shares in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid single family residential real estate loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20th of its outstanding advances from the FHLB, whichever is greater. Advances are secured by pledges of loans, mortgage backed securities and capital stock of the FHLB. FHLB’s also purchase mortgages in the secondary market through their Mortgage Purchase Program (“MPP”). The Bank has never sold loans to the MPP.
In the event of a default on an advance, the Federal Home Loan Bank Act establishes priority of the FHLB’s claim over various other claims. Regulations provide that each FHLB has joint and several liability for the obligations of the other FHLBs in the system. In the event a FHLB falls below its minimum capital requirements, the FHLB may seek to require its members to purchase additional capital stock of the FHLB. If problems within the FHLB system were to occur, it could adversely affect the pricing or availability of advances, the amount and timing of dividends on capital stock issued by the FHLBs to members, or the ability of members to have their FHLB capital stock redeemed on a timely basis. Congress continues to consider various proposals which could establish a new regulatory structure for the FHLB system, as well as for other government-sponsored entities. The Bank cannot predict at this time, which, if any, of these proposals may be adopted or what effect they would have on the Bank’s business.
Federal Reserve System – Under regulations of the FRB, the Bank is required to maintain non interest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing reserve requirements. Required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash, a non interest-bearing account at the FRB, or a pass-through account as defined by the FRB. The effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank’s interest-earning assets. The balances maintained to meet the reserve requirements imposed by the FRB may be used to satisfy liquidity requirements imposed by the FDIC or OCC. The Bank is authorized to borrow from the FRB discount window.
General Lending Regulations
Pursuant to FDIC and OCC regulations, the Bank generally may extend credit as authorized under federal law without regard to state laws purporting to regulate or affect its credit activities, other than state contract and commercial laws, real property laws, homestead laws, tort laws, criminal laws and other state laws designated by the FDIC and OCC. While the discussion set forth in this filing is not exhaustive, these federal laws and regulations include but are not limited to the following:
| ● | Community Reinvestment Act |
| ● | Home Mortgage Disclosure Act |
| ● | Equal Credit Opportunity Act |
| ● | Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act |
| ● | Fair Credit Reporting Act |
Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) – Under the CRA, financial institutions have a continuing and affirmative obligation to help meet the credit needs of their entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for the Bank, nor does it limit the Bank’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. In particular, the CRA assessment system focuses on three tests:
| ● | a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its assessment areas; |
| ● | an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and businesses in its assessment area or a broader area that includes its assessment area; and |
| ● | a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its retail banking channels and the extent and innovativeness of its community development services. |
The CRA requires all institutions to make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. In December 2011, the RB&T received a “Satisfactory” CRA Performance Evaluation. A copy of the public section of that CRA Performance Evaluation is available to the public upon request.
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”) – The HMDA has grown out of public concern over credit shortages in certain urban neighborhoods. One purpose of HMDA is to provide public information that will help show whether financial institutions are serving the housing credit needs of the neighborhoods and communities in which they are located. HMDA also includes a “fair lending” aspect that requires the collection and disclosure of data about applicant and borrower characteristics, as a way of identifying possible discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing anti-discrimination statutes. The HMDA requires institutions to report data regarding applications for loans for the purchase or improvement of single family and multi-family dwellings, as well as information concerning originations and purchases of such loans. Federal bank regulators rely, in part, upon data provided under HMDA to determine whether depository institutions engage in discriminatory lending practices. The appropriate federal banking agency, or in some cases the Department of Housing and Urban Development, enforces compliance with HMDA and implements its regulations. Administrative sanctions, including civil money penalties, may be imposed by supervisory agencies for violations of the HMDA.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) – The ECOA prohibits discrimination against an applicant in any credit transaction, whether for consumer or business purposes, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (except in limited circumstances), receipt of income from public assistance programs or good faith exercise of any rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful for any lender to discriminate in its housing-related lending activities against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status. Among other things, these laws prohibit a lender from denying or discouraging credit on a discriminatory basis, making excessively low appraisals of property based on racial considerations, or charging excessive rates or imposing more stringent loan terms or conditions on a discriminatory basis. In addition to private actions by aggrieved borrowers or applicants for actual and punitive damages, the U.S. Department of Justice and other regulatory agencies can take enforcement action seeking injunctive and other equitable relief or sanctions for alleged violations.
Truth in Lending Act (“TLA”) – The TLA is designed to ensure that credit terms are disclosed in a meaningful way so that consumers may compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably. As result of the TLA, all creditors must use the same credit terminology and expressions of rates, and disclose the annual percentage rate, the finance charge, the amount financed, the total of payments and the payment schedule for each proposed loan. Violations of the TLA may result in regulatory sanctions and in the imposition of both civil and, in the case of willful violations, criminal penalties. Under certain circumstances, the TLA also provides a consumer with a right of rescission, which if exercised within three business days would require the creditor to reimburse any amount paid by the consumer to the creditor or to a third party in connection with the loan, including finance charges, application fees, commitment fees, title search fees and appraisal fees. Consumers may also seek actual and punitive damages for violations of the TLA.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”) – The RESPA requires lenders to provide borrowers with disclosures regarding the nature and cost of real estate settlements. The RESPA also prohibits certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations on the amount of escrow accounts. Violations of the RESPA may result in imposition of penalties, including: (i) civil liability equal to three times the amount of any charge paid for the settlement services or civil liability of up to $1,000 per claimant, depending on the violation; (ii) awards of court costs and attorneys’ fees; and (iii) fines of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FACT”) – The FACT requires the Bank to adopt and implement a written identity theft prevention program, paying particular attention to several identified “red flag” events. The program must assess the validity of address change requests for card issuers and for users of consumer reports to verify the subject of a consumer report in the event of notice of an address discrepancy. The FACT gives consumers the ability to challenge the Bank with respect to credit reporting information provided by the Bank. The FACT also prohibits the Bank from using certain information it may acquire from an affiliate to solicit the consumer for marketing purposes unless the consumer has been given notice and an opportunity to opt out of such solicitation for a period of five years.
Loans to One Borrower – Under current limits, loans and extensions of credit outstanding at one time to a single borrower and not fully secured generally may not exceed 15% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Loans and extensions of credit fully secured by certain readily marketable collateral may represent an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus.
Interagency Guidance on Non Traditional Mortgage Product Risks – In 2006, final guidance was issued to address the risks posed by residential mortgage products that allow borrowers to defer repayment of principal and sometimes interest (such as “interest-only” mortgages and “payment option” ARMs. The guidance discusses the importance of ensuring that loan terms and underwriting standards are consistent with prudent lending practices, including consideration of a borrower’s repayment capacity. The guidance also suggests that banks i) implement strong risk management standards, ii) maintain capital levels commensurate with risk and iii) establish an allowance for loan and lease losses that reflects the collectability of the portfolio. The guidance urges banks to ensure that consumers have sufficient information to clearly understand loan terms and associated risks prior to making product or payment choices.
Loans to Insiders – The Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and principal shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders:
| ● | be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with non-insiders and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other features that are unfavorable to the Bank; and |
| ● | not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of the Bank’s capital. |
The regulations allow small discounts on fees on residential mortgages for directors, officers and employees. In addition, extensions of credit to insiders in excess of certain limits must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.
Qualified Thrift Lender Test (“QTL”) – Federal law requires savings banks to meet the QTL, as detailed in 12 U.S.C. §1467a(m). The QTL measures the proportion of a federal savings bank institution’s assets invested in loans or securities supporting residential construction and home ownership. Under the QTL, a federal savings bank is required to either qualify as a “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (ii) intangibles, including goodwill; and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage backed securities) in at least nine months out of each 12-month period. Qualified thrift investments include (i) housing-related loans and investments, (ii) obligations of the FDIC, (iii) loans to purchase or construct churches, schools, nursing homes and hospitals, (iv) consumer loans, (v) shares of stock issued by any FHLB, and (vi) shares of stock issued by the FHLMC or the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”). Legislation has expanded the extent to which education loans, credit card loans and small business loans may be considered “qualified thrift investments.” Portfolio assets consist of total assets minus (a) goodwill and other intangible assets, (b) the value of properties used by the savings bank to conduct its business, and (c) certain liquid assets in an amount not exceeding 20% of total assets. If Republic Bank fails to remain qualified under the QTL, it must either convert to a commercial bank charter or be subject to restrictions specified under OTS regulations. A savings bank may re-qualify under the QTL if it thereafter complies with the QTL. A savings bank also may satisfy the QTL by qualifying as a “domestic building and loan association” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. At December 31, 2011, Republic Bank met the QTL requirements.
Capital Adequacy Requirements
Capital Guidelines – The FRB, FDIC and OCC have substantially similar risk based and leverage ratio guidelines for banking organizations, which are intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital related to the risk levels of assets and off balance sheet instruments. Under the risk based guidelines, specific categories of assets are assigned different risk weights based generally on the perceived credit risk of the asset. These risk weights are multiplied by corresponding asset balances to determine a risk weighted asset base. Under these regulations, a bank will be considered:
| Total Risk Based Capital Ratio | Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio | Leverage Ratio | Other |
Well Capitalized: | 10% or greater | 6% or greater | 5% or greater | Not subject to any order or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure |
Adequately Capitalized | 8% or greater | 4% or greater | 4% or greater (3% in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1) | |
Undercapitalized | less than 8% | less than 4% | less than 4% (3% in the case of a bank with a composite CAMEL rating of 1) | |
Significantly Undercapitalized | less than 6% | less than 3% | less than 3% | |
Critically Undercapitalized | | | | Ratio of tangible equity to total assets is less than or equal to 2% |
The guidelines require a minimum total risk based capital ratio of 8%, of which at least 4% is required to consist of Tier I capital elements (generally, common shareholders’ equity, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets). Total capital is the sum of Tier I and Tier II capital. Tier II capital generally may consist of limited amounts of subordinated debt, qualifying hybrid capital instruments, other preferred stock, loan loss reserves and unrealized gains on certain equity investment securities.
In addition to the risk based capital guidelines, the FRB utilizes a leverage ratio as a tool to evaluate the capital adequacy of bank holding companies. The leverage ratio is a company’s Tier I capital divided by its average total consolidated assets (less goodwill and certain other intangible assets).
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 the Company’s capital ratios were as follows:
| | 2011 | | | 2010 | |
As of December 31, (dollars in thousands) | | Amount | | | Ratio | | | Amount | | | Ratio | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Capital to risk weighted assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic Bancorp, Inc. | | $ | 501,188 | | | | 24.74 | % | | $ | 415,992 | | | | 22.04 | % |
Republic Bank & Trust Co. | | | 447,143 | | | | 22.97 | | | | 385,433 | | | | 21.18 | |
Republic Bank | | | 16,441 | | | | 20.34 | | | | 16,160 | | | | 22.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tier 1 (Core) Capital to risk weighted assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic Bancorp, Inc. | | | 478,003 | | | | 23.59 | % | | | 394,195 | | | | 20.89 | % |
Republic Bank & Trust Co. | | | 401,529 | | | | 20.63 | | | | 341,077 | | | | 18.74 | |
Republic Bank | | | 15,420 | | | | 19.08 | | | | 15,269 | | | | 21.42 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tier 1 Leverage Capital to average assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic Bancorp, Inc. | | | 478,003 | | | | 14.77 | % | | | 394,195 | | | | 12.05 | % |
Republic Bank & Trust Co. | | | 401,529 | | | | 12.78 | | | | 341,077 | | | | 10.75 | |
Republic Bank | | | 15,420 | | | | 14.44 | | | | 15,269 | | | | 14.76 | |
The federal banking agencies’ risk based and leverage ratios represent minimum supervisory ratios generally applicable to banking organizations that meet certain specified criteria, assuming that they have the highest regulatory capital rating. Banking organizations not meeting these criteria are required to operate with capital positions above the minimum ratios. FRB guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions may be expected to maintain strong capital positions above the minimum supervisory levels, without significant reliance on intangible assets. The FDIC and the OCC may establish higher minimum capital adequacy requirements if, for example, a bank or savings bank proposes to make an acquisition requiring regulatory approval, has previously warranted special regulatory attention, rapid growth presents supervisory concerns, or, among other factors, has a high susceptibility to interest rate and other types of risk. The Bank is not subject to any such individual minimum regulatory capital requirement.
Corrective Measures for Capital Deficiencies – The banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to capital deficient institutions. As detailed in the table above, agency regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. A bank is undercapitalized if it fails to meet any one of the ratios required to be adequately capitalized.
Undercapitalized institutions are required to submit a capital restoration plan, which must be guaranteed by the holding company of the institution. In addition, agency regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment, and expansion into new lines of business. With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment. A bank’s capital classification will also affect its ability to accept brokered deposits. Under banking regulations, a bank may not lawfully accept, roll over or renew brokered deposits, unless it is either well-capitalized or it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the applicable regulator.
If a banking institution’s capital decreases below acceptable levels, bank regulatory enforcement powers become more enhanced. A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management and other restrictions. Banking regulators have limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and are normally required to appoint a receiver or conservator. Banks with risk based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing in the event the institution has no tangible capital.
In addition, a bank holding company that elects to be treated as a FHC may face significant consequences if its bank subsidiaries fail to maintain the required capital and management ratings, including entering into an agreement with the FRB which imposes limitations on its operations and may even require divestitures. Such possible ramifications may limit the ability of a bank subsidiary to significantly expand or acquire less than well-capitalized and well-managed institutions. More specifically, the FRB’s regulations require a FHC to notify the FRB within 15 days of becoming aware that any depository institution controlled by the company has ceased to be well-capitalized or well-managed. If the FRB determines that a FHC controls a depository institution that is not well-capitalized or well-managed, the FRB will notify the FHC that it is not in compliance with applicable requirements and may require the FHC to enter into an agreement acceptable to the FRB to correct any deficiencies, or require the FHC to decertify as a FHC. Until such deficiencies are corrected, the FRB may impose any limitations or conditions on the conduct or activities of the FHC and its affiliates that the FRB determines are appropriate, and the FHC may not commence any additional activity or acquire control of any company under Section 4(k) of the BHC Act without prior FRB approval. Unless the period of time for compliance is extended by the FRB, if a FHC fails to correct deficiencies in maintaining its qualification for FHC status within 180 days of entering into an agreement with the FRB, the FRB may order divestiture of any depository institution controlled by the company. A company may comply with a divestiture order by ceasing to engage in any financial or other activity that would not be permissible for a bank holding company that has not elected to be treated as a FHC. The Company is currently classified as a FHC.
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”), each federal banking agency has prescribed, by regulation, non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. These standards cover internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, such other operational and managerial standards as the agency determines to be appropriate, and standards for asset quality, earnings and stock valuation. An institution which fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to the agency, specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.
New Capital Requirements – Possible Changes to Capital Requirements Resulting from Basel III. In December 2010 and January 2011, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published the final texts of reforms on capital and liquidity generally referred to as “Basel III.” Although Basel III is intended to be implemented by participating countries for large, internationally active banks, its provisions are likely to be considered by United States banking regulators in developing new regulations applicable to other banks in the United States, including the Bank. For banks in the United States, among the most significant provisions of Basel III concerning capital are the following:
| ● | A minimum ratio of common equity to risk-weighted assets reaching 4.5%, plus an additional 2.5% as a capital conservation buffer, by 2019 after a phase-in period. |
| ● | A minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets reaching 6.0% by 2019 after a phase-in period. |
| ● | A minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the additional 2.5% capital conservation buffer, reaching 10.5% by 2019 after a phase-in period. |
| ● | An additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice. |
| ● | Restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone. |
| ● | Deduction from common equity of deferred tax assets that depend on future profitability to be realized. |
| ● | Increased capital requirements for counterparty credit risk relating to OTC derivatives, repos and securities financing activities. |
| ● | For capital instruments issued on or after January 13, 2013 (other than common equity), a loss-absorbency requirement such that the instrument must be written off or converted to common equity if a trigger event occurs, either pursuant to applicable law or at the direction of the banking regulator. A trigger event is an event under which the banking entity would become nonviable without the write-off or conversion, or without an injection of capital from the public sector. The issuer must maintain authorization to issue the requisite shares of common equity if conversion were required. |
The Basel III provisions on liquidity include complex criteria establishing a liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”) and net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”). The purpose of the LCR is to ensure that a bank maintains adequate unencumbered, high quality liquid assets to meet its liquidity needs for 30 days under a severe liquidity stress scenario. The purpose of the NSFR is to promote more medium and long-term funding of assets and activities, using a one-year horizon. Although Basel III is described as a “final text,” it is subject to the resolution of certain issues and to further guidance and modification, as well as to adoption by United States banking regulators, including decisions as to whether and to what extent it will apply to United States banks that are not large, internationally active banks.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act is intended to effect a fundamental restructuring of federal banking regulation. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify systemic risks in the financial system and gives federal regulators new authority to take control of and liquidate financial firms. The Dodd-Frank Act additionally creates a new independent federal regulator to administer federal consumer protection laws.
It remains difficult to predict at this time what impact the new legislation and implementing regulations will have on community banks like the Bank, including the lending and credit practices of such banks. Moreover, the Dodd-Frank Act legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next several years. Although the substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations, particularly those provisions relating to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) will increase the Company’s operating and compliance costs.
Among the Dodd-Frank Act provisions that are likely to affect the Company are the following:
Corporate Governance – The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation at their first annual meeting taking place six months after the date of enactment and at least every three years thereafter and on so-called “golden parachute” payments in connection with approvals of mergers and acquisitions. The new legislation also authorizes the SEC to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal banking regulators to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to executives of depository institutions and their holding companies with assets in excess of $1 billion, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not. The Dodd-Frank Act gives the SEC authority to prohibit broker discretionary voting on elections of directors and executive compensation matters.
Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders – The Dodd-Frank Act applies Section 23A and Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act (governing transactions with insiders) to derivative transactions, repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing transactions that create credit exposure to an affiliate or an insider. Any such transactions with affiliates must be fully secured. The exemption from Section 23A for transactions with financial subsidiaries was effectively eliminated. The Dodd-Frank Act additionally prohibits an insured depository institution from purchasing an asset from or selling an asset to an insider unless the transaction is on market terms and, if representing more than 10% of capital, is approved in advance by the disinterested directors.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – The Dodd-Frank Act created the new, independent federal agency, the CFPB, which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the ECOA, TLA, RESPA, FACT Act, Fair Debt Collection Act, the Consumer Financial Privacy provisions of the GLBA and certain other statutes. The CFPB has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB, but continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. The CFPB has authority to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive practices in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages including a determination of the borrower’s ability to repay. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act allows borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure if they receive any loan other than a “qualified mortgage” as defined by the CFPB. The Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level and, in certain circumstances, permits state attorneys general to enforce compliance with both the state and federal laws and regulations. Federal preemption of state consumer protection law requirements, traditionally an attribute of the federal savings association charter, has also been modified by the Dodd-Frank Act and now requires a case-by-case determination of preemption by the OCC and eliminates preemption for subsidiaries of a bank. Depending on the implementation of this revised federal preemption standard, the operations of the Bank could become subject to additional compliance burdens in the states in which it operates.
Deposit Insurance – The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increases the maximum deposit insurance amount for financial institutions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and extends unlimited deposit insurance to non interest-bearing transaction accounts through December 1, 2012. The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FDIC to increase the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by 2020 and eliminates the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to insured depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds. The Dodd-Frank Act eliminates the federal statutory prohibition against the payment of interest on business checking accounts.
Elimination of OTS – The Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the OTS, which was Republic Bank’s primary federal regulator. The OCC will generally have rulemaking, examination, supervision and oversight authority and the FDIC will retain secondary authority over Republic Bank. OTS guidance, orders, interpretations, policies and similar items will continue to remain in effect until they are superseded by new guidance and policies from the OCC.
Federal Preemption – A major benefit of the federal thrift charter has been the strong preemptive effect of HOLA, under which Republic Bank is chartered. Historically, the courts have interpreted the HOLA to “occupy the field” with respect to the operations of federal thrifts, leaving no room for conflicting state regulation. The Dodd-Frank Act, however, amends the HOLA to specifically provide that it does not occupy the field in any area of state law. Henceforth, any preemption determination must be made in accordance with the standards applicable to national banks, which have themselves been scaled back to require case-by-case determinations of whether state consumer protection laws discriminate against national banks or interfere with the exercise of their powers before these laws may be pre-empted.
Qualified Thrift Lender Test – Federal law requires savings institutions to meet a qualified thrift lender test. Under the test, a savings association is required to either qualify as a “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (ii) intangibles, including goodwill; and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed securities) in at least 9 months out of each 12 month period. Recent legislation has expanded the extent to which education loans, credit card loans and small business loans may be considered “qualified thrift investments.”
A savings institution that fails the qualified thrift lender test is subject to certain operating restrictions. The Dodd-Frank Act subjects violations of the qualified thrift lender test to possible enforcement action for violation of law and imposes dividend restrictions on violating institutions. As of December 31, 2011, Republic Bank met the qualified thrift lender test.
Capital – Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets. The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
Incentive Compensation – On April 14, 2011, seven federal agencies, including the FDIC, the OCC, the FRB and the SEC, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking designed to implement section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which applies only to financial institutions with total consolidated assets of $1 billion or more. This seeks to strengthen the incentive compensation practices at covered institutions by better aligning employee rewards with longer-term institutional objectives. The proposed orders are designed to:
| ● | prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks by providing covered persons with “excessive” compensation; |
| ● | prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing covered persons with compensation that “could lead to a material financial loss” to an institution; |
| ● | require disclosures that will enable the appropriate federal regulator to determine compliance with the rule; and |
| ● | require the institution to maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these requirements and prohibitions commensurate with the size and complexity of the organization and the scope of its use of incentive compensation. |
Other Legislative Initiatives
The U.S. Congress and state legislative bodies continually consider proposals for altering the structure, regulation and competitive relationships of financial institutions. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any of these potential proposals or regulatory initiatives will be adopted, the impact the proposals will have on the financial institutions industry or the extent to which the business or financial condition and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries may be affected.
Statistical Disclosures
The statistical disclosures required by Part I Item 1 “Business” are located under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
An investment in the Company’s common stock is subject to risks inherent in its business. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information included in this report. In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations in the future. The value or market price of the Company’s common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and an investor could lose all or part of their investment.
There are factors, many beyond the Company’s control, which may significantly change the results or expectations of the Company. Some of these factors are described below, however many are described in the other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES/ESTIMATES, ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS |
The Company’s accounting policies and estimates are critical components of the Company’s presentation of its financial statements. Management must exercise judgment in selecting and adopting various accounting policies and in applying estimates. Actual outcomes may be materially different than amounts previously estimated. Management has identified several accounting policies and estimates as being critical to the presentation of the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many accounting policies and methods in order to comply with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect management’s judgment of the most appropriate manner to report the Company’s financial condition and results. In some cases, management may select an accounting policy which might be reasonable under the circumstances, yet might result in the Company’s reporting different results than would have been reported under a different alternative. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These policies are described under Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the section titled “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and relate to the following:
| ● | Traditional Banking segment allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses |
| ● | TRS allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses |
| ● | Mortgage servicing rights |
| ● | Goodwill and other intangible assets |
| ● | Impairment of investment securities |
The Company may experience future goodwill impairment, which could reduce its earnings. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2011 as of September 30, 2011. The evaluation of the fair value of goodwill requires management judgment. If management’s judgment was incorrect and an impairment of goodwill was deemed to exist, the Company would be required to write down its assets resulting in a charge to earnings, which would adversely affect its results of operations, perhaps materially.
Changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. For example, the FASB has proposed new accounting standards related to fair value accounting and accounting for leases that could materially change the Company’s financial statements in the future. Those who interpret the accounting standards, such as the SEC, the banking regulators and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm may amend or reverse their previous interpretations or conclusions regarding how various standards should be applied. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the Company recasting, or possibly restating, prior period financial statements.
If the Company does not maintain strong internal controls and procedures, it may impact profitability. Management reviews and updates its internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. This system is designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the internal controls comply with appropriate regulatory guidance. Any undetected circumvention of these controls could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
TAX REFUND SOLUTIONS (“TRS”) SEGMENT |
The Company’s lines of business and products not typically associated with Traditional Banking expose earnings to additional risks and uncertainties. The following details specific risk factors related to the TRS business segment:
As a result of RB&T’s Agreement with the FDIC, TRS is subject to additional oversight requirements through its ERO Plan. If RB&T is unable to comply with these new requirements, the FDIC could require RB&T to cease offering ERC/ERD products in the future. As disclosed above, RB&T developed an ERO Plan, which was agreed to by the FDIC. The ERO Plan articulates a framework for RB&T to continue to offer non-RAL tax related products and services with specified oversight of the tax preparers with which RB&T does business. The ERO Plan includes requirements for, among other things,
| ● | positive affirmations by EROs of individual tax preparer training related to regulatory requirements applicable to bank products; |
| ● | annual audits covering 10% of active ERO locations and a significant sample of applications for Bank products. The audits will consist of onsite visits, document reviews, mystery shops of tax preparation offices, and tax product customer surveys; |
| ● | on-site audit confirmation of ERO agreements to adhere to laws, processes, procedures, disclosure requirements and physical and electronic security requirements; |
| ● | an advertising approval process that requires RB&T to approve all tax preparer advertisements prior to their issuance; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for income tax return quality; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for adherence to acceptable tax preparation fee parameters; |
| ● | monitoring for federal and state tax preparation requirements, including local and state tax preparer registration, and posting and disclosure requirements relative to Bank products; |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC of any significant changes in the TRS line of business, including |
| o | a change of more than 25% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business, or |
| o | the addition of tax-related products offered by RB&T that it did not previously offer; and |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC when RB&T enters into a relationship with a new corporation that has multiple owned or franchised locations, when the relationship alone will represent an increase of more than 10% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business. |
If the FDIC determines that RB&T is not in compliance with its ERO Plan, it has the authority to issue more restrictive enforcement actions. These enforcement actions could include significant additional penalties and/or requirements regarding the tax business which could significantly, negatively impact this segment’s profitability and cause RB&T to exit the business altogether.
As a result of RB&T’s Agreement with the FDIC, TRS is subject to additional oversight requirements not currently imposed on its competitors. These additional requirements could make attracting new relationships and retaining existing relationships more difficult for RB&T. As disclosed above, the Agreement contains a provision for an ERO Plan to be implemented by RB&T. The ERO Plan places additional oversight and training requirements on RB&T and its tax preparation partners that is not currently required by the regulators for RB&T’s competitors in the tax business. These additional requirements could make attracting new relationships and retaining existing relationships more difficult for RB&T, once it is no longer able to offer RALs. Reduced ERC/ERD volume could have a material adverse impact to RB&T’s earnings.
Discontinuance of the RAL product after April 30, 2012, could have a material adverse impact on the profitability of RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. TRS faces direct competition for ERC/ERD market share from independently-owned processing groups partnered with banks. Independent processing groups that are unable to offer RAL products have historically been at a competitive disadvantage to banks who could offer RALs. Without the ability to originate RALs after the 2012 tax season, RB&T will face increased competition in the ERC/ERD marketplace. In addition to a potential loss of volume resulting from additional competitors, RB&T will also likely incur substantial pressure on its profit margin for its ERC/ERD products as it will be forced to compete with existing rebate and pricing incentives in the ERC/ERD marketplace. Reduced ERC/ERD volume or a decrease in profitability of the ERC/ERD products could have a material adverse impact to RB&T’s earnings.
RB&T’s ERC and ERD products represent a significant business risk, and with the elimination of the RAL product, management believes RB&T could be subject to additional regulatory and public pressure to exit the ERC/ERD business. If RB&T can no longer offer these products it could have a material adverse effect on its profits. TRS offers bank products to facilitate the payment of tax refunds for customers that electronically file their tax returns. RB&T is one of only a few financial institutions in the U.S. that provides this service to taxpayers. Under this program, the taxpayer may receive a RAL or an ERC/ERD. In return, RB&T charges a fee for the service. During 2011, net income from the TRS segment accounted for approximately 72% of the Company’s total net income.
Various governmental, regulatory and consumer groups have, from time to time, questioned the fairness of the TRS RAL and ERC/ERD products. With RB&T’s agreement to cease offering RALs beyond April 30, 2012, management believes these groups could focus their attention on the ERC/ERD product. Actions of these groups and others could result in regulatory, governmental or legislative action or material litigation against RB&T. Discontinuing the ERC/ERD product by RB&T, either voluntarily or involuntarily, would significantly reduce RB&T’s earnings.
RALs represent a significant third party management risk, and if RB&T fails to comply with all the statutory and regulatory requirements, it could have a material negative impact on earnings. TRS and its third party partners operate in a highly regulated environment and deliver products and services that are subject to strict legal and regulatory requirements. Failure by RB&T or RB&T’s third party partners to comply with laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties that materially and adversely affect RB&T’s earnings.
The TRS segment represents a significant operational risk, and if RB&T were unable to properly service the business, or grow the business, it could materially impact earnings. Continued growth in this segment requires continued increases in technology and employees to service the new business. In order to process the new business, RB&T must implement and test new systems, as well as train new employees. RB&T relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its TRS business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management and other systems. Significant operational problems could cause RB&T to incur higher than normal credit losses. Significant operational problems could also cause a material portion of RB&T’s tax-preparer base to switch to a competitor to process their bank product transactions, significantly reducing RB&T’s projected revenue without a corresponding decrease in expenses.
RALs represent a significant compliance and regulatory risk, and if RB&T fails to comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements, it could have a material negative impact on earnings. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters relating to the offering of RALs. Failure to comply with disclosure requirements such as Regulation B (Fair Lending) and Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) or with laws relating to the permissibility of interest rates and fees charged, could have a material negative impact on earnings. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could also expose RB&T to additional CMPs and litigation risk, including shareholder derivative actions.
RALs represent a significant credit risk, and if RB&T is unable to collect a significant portion of its RALs in tax seasons beyond the 2011 calendar year, it would materially, negatively impact earnings. There is credit risk associated with a RAL because the funds are disbursed to the customer prior to RB&T receiving the customer’s refund from the IRS. During the previous five calendar years at TRS, net credit losses related to RALs originated have ranged from a low of 0.36% to a high of 1.38% of total RALs originated (including retained and securitized RALs). For 2011, net RAL credit losses were 1.38% of total RALs originated.
RB&T collects substantially all of its payments related to RALs from the IRS. Losses generally occur on RALs when RB&T does not receive payment from the IRS due to a number of reasons, such as IRS revenue protection strategies including audits of returns, errors in the tax return, tax return fraud and tax debts not previously disclosed to RB&T during its underwriting process. Although RB&T’s underwriting takes these factors into consideration during the loan approval process, if the IRS significantly alters its revenue protection strategies for a given tax season, or RB&T is incorrect in its underwriting assumptions, RB&T could experience higher loan loss provisions above those from previous tax seasons. The provision for loan losses is a significant component of the TRS segment’s overall earnings. A lower than acceptable level of profit in the TRS segment could cause RB&T to voluntarily exit this line of business.
A significant portion of TRS RAL, ERC and ERD volume and revenue is derived from two third party relationships. The loss of either of these relationships without replacing their volume, or a significant unplanned reduction in demand for their tax services, would materially, negatively impact RB&T’s results of operations. Approximately 40% of TRS segment revenue for 2011 was derived from Jackson Hewitt (“JH”) tax offices with another 20% from Liberty tax offices. These contracts are currently set to expire in October 2014, unless terminated earlier for legal or regulatory reasons. A loss of business by RB&T of either of these relationships would have a material adverse effect on RB&T’s results of operations.
For additional detail regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
For additional discussion regarding the 2009 Order, see the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2009, including Exhibit 10.62.
For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
For additional discussion regarding the Consent Order, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 9, 2011, including Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
● Part I Item 1 “Business”
● Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o “Recent Developments”
o “Overview”
o “Results of Operations”
o “Financial Condition”
● Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o Footnote 8 “Deposits”
o Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances”
o Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”
o Footnote 21 “Segment Information”
o Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters”
TRADITIONAL BANK LENDING AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES |
The allowance for loan losses could be insufficient to cover the Bank’s actual loan losses. The Bank makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of its loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, among other things, the Bank reviews its loans and its loss and delinquency experience, and the Bank evaluates economic conditions. If its assumptions are incorrect, its allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio, resulting in additions to its allowance. Material additions to the allowance would materially decrease net income.
In addition, regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses and may require the Bank to increase its provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. A material increase in the allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs, as required by the regulatory authorities, would have a material adverse effect on the Bank's financial condition and results of operations.
Deterioration in the quality of the Traditional Banking loan portfolio may result in additional charge-offs which will adversely impact the Bank’s operating results. Despite the various measures implemented by the Bank to address the current economic situation, there may be further deterioration in the Bank’s loan portfolio which could require additional charge-offs. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Bank’s operating results and financial condition.
Defaults in the repayment of loans may negatively impact the Bank. When borrowers default on their loan obligations, it may result in lost principal and interest income and increased operating expenses associated with the increased allocation of management time and resources associated with the collection efforts. In certain situations where collection efforts are unsuccessful or acceptable “work out” arrangements cannot be reached or performed, the Bank may have to charge off loans, either in part or in whole. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Bank’s operating results and financial condition.
The Bank’s financial condition and earnings could be negatively impacted to the extent the Bank relies on borrower information that is false, misleading or inaccurate. The Bank relies on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by vendors, customers and other parties. In deciding whether to extend credit, or enter into transactions with other parties, the Bank relies on information furnished by, or on behalf of, customers or entities related to those customers or other parties. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Bank’s operating results and financial condition.
The Bank’s use of appraisals in deciding whether to make a loan on or secured by real property does not ensure the value of the real property collateral. In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, the Bank generally requires an appraisal of the real property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made, and an error in fact or judgment could adversely affect the reliability of the appraisal. In addition, events occurring after the initial appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to decrease. As a result of any of these factors the value of collateral backing a loan may be less than supposed, and if a default occurs the Bank may not recover the outstanding balance of the loan. Additional charge-offs will adversely affect the Bank’s operating results and financial condition.
The Bank is exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which it takes title. In the course of its business, the Bank may own or foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. The Bank may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, if the Bank is the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, the Bank may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. These costs and claims could adversely affect the Bank.
Prepayment of loans may negatively impact the Bank’s business. The Bank’s customers may prepay the principal amount of their outstanding loans at any time. The speeds at which such prepayments occur, as well as the size of such prepayments, are within the Bank’s customers’ discretion. If customers prepay the principal amount of their loans, and the Bank is unable to lend those funds to other customers or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates, the Bank’s interest income will be reduced. A significant reduction in interest income would have a negative impact on the Bank’s results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in existing U.S. government-sponsored mortgage programs or servicing eligibility standards could materially and adversely affect its business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, RB&T is highly dependent upon programs administered by Freddie Mac (“FHLMC”).
RB&T’s ability to generate revenues through mortgage loan sales to institutional investors depends to a significant degree on programs administered by FHLMC. This entity plays a powerful role in the residential mortgage industry, and RB&T has significant business relationships with them. RB&T’s status as a FHLMC approved seller/servicer is subject to compliance with their selling and servicing guides.
Any discontinuation of, or significant reduction or material change in, the operation of FHLMC or any significant adverse change in the level of activity in the secondary mortgage market or the underwriting criteria of FHLMC would likely prevent RB&T from originating and selling most, if not all, of its mortgage loan originations.
In addition, RB&T services loans on behalf of FHLMC and a majority of its mortgage servicing rights relate to these servicing activities. These entities establish the base service fee in which to compensate RB&T for servicing loans. In January 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency directed Fannie Mae (“FNMA”) and FHLMC to develop a joint initiative to consider alternatives for future mortgage servicing structures and compensation. Under this proposal, the government sponsored entities are considering potential structures in which the minimum service fee would be reduced or eliminated altogether. The government sponsored entities are also considering different pricing options for non-performing loans to better align servicer incentives with mortgage-backed securities investors and provide the loan guarantor the ability to transfer non-performing servicing.
These proposals, if adopted, could cause significant changes that impact the entire mortgage industry. The lower capital requirements could increase competition by lowering barriers to entry on mortgage originations and could increase the concentration of performing loans with larger servicers that have a cost-advantage through economies of scale that would no longer be limited by capital constraints.
In February 2011, the Obama administration issued a report to Congress, outlining various options for long-term reform of FNMA and FHLMC. These options involve reducing the role of FNMA and FHLMC in the mortgage market and to ultimately wind down both institutions such that the private sector provides the majority of mortgage credit. The report states that any potential reform efforts will make credit less easily available and that any such changes should occur at a measured pace that supports the nation’s economic recovery. Any of these options are likely to result in higher mortgage rates in the future, which could have a negative impact on the Bank’s mortgage production business. Additionally, it is unclear what impact these changes will have on the secondary mortgage markets, mortgage-backed securities pricing, and competition in the industry.
The potential changes to the government sponsored mortgage programs, and related servicing compensation structures, could require RB&T to fundamentally change its business model in order to effectively compete in the market. RB&T’s inability to make the necessary changes to respond to these changing market conditions or loss of its approved seller/servicer status with any of these government sponsored entities, would have a material adverse effect on its overall business and its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The mortgage warehouse lending business is subject to numerous risks. Risks associated with mortgage warehouse loans include, without limitation, (i) credit risks relating to the mortgage bankers that borrow from RB&T, (ii) the risk of intentional misrepresentation or fraud by any of such mortgage bankers and their third party service providers, (iii) changes in the market value of mortgage loans originated by the mortgage banker, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit, due to changes in interest rates during the time in warehouse, or (iv) unsalable or impaired mortgage loans so originated, which could lead to decreased collateral value and the failure of a purchaser of the mortgage loan to purchase the loan from the mortgage banker.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND FHLB STOCK |
Concerns regarding the recent downgrade of the U.S. government’s credit rating could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations. In August, 2011, Standard & Poor’s lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. from AAA to AA+ and also lowered the credit rating of several related government agencies and institutions, including FHLMC, FNMA, and the Federal Home Loan Bank’s (“FHLB’s”), from AAA to AA+. While U.S. lawmakers reached an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling, the downgrade, according to Standard & Poor’s, reflects its view that the fiscal consolidation plan within that agreement fell short of what would be necessary to stabilize the U.S. government’s medium term debt dynamics. This downgrade could have material adverse impacts on financial and banking markets and economic conditions in the United States and throughout the world and, in turn, the market’s anticipation of these impacts could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and liquidity. In particular, it could increase interest rates and disrupt payment systems, money markets, and long-term or short-term fixed income markets, adversely affecting the cost and availability of funding, which could negatively affect its profitability. It may also negatively affect the value and liquidity of the government securities the Bank hold in its investment portfolio.
At December 31, 2011, the majority of the Bank’s investment securities were issued by FHLMC, FNMA, and the FHLB. It is uncertain as to what, if any, impact the downgrade will have on these securities as sources of liquidity and funding in the future. Also, the adverse consequences as a result of the downgrade could extend to the borrowers of the loans the Bank makes and, as a result, could adversely affect its borrowers’ ability to repay their loans. Because of the unprecedented nature of the negative credit rating actions with respect to U.S. government obligations, the ultimate impacts on markets and its business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations are unpredictable and may not be immediately apparent. These consequences could be exacerbated if other statistical rating agencies, particularly Moody’s and Fitch, decide to downgrade the U.S. government’s credit rating in the future, or if the U.S. defaults on any of its obligations.
The Bank’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock may become impaired. At December 31, 2011, the Bank owned $26 million in FHLB stock. As a condition of membership at the FHLB, the Bank is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock. Its stock purchase requirement is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB and is calculated in accordance with the Capital Plan of the FHLB. The Bank’s FHLB stock has a par value of $100, is carried at cost, and it is subject to recoverability testing per applicable accounting standards. The Bank’s FHLB stock investments could become impaired. The Bank will continue to monitor the financial condition of the FHLB as it relates to, among other things, the recoverability of its investment.
ASSET LIABILITY MANAGEMENT AND LIQUIDITY |
Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce profitability. The Bank��s primary source of income is from the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The Bank expects to periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of its assets and liabilities, meaning that either interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates should move contrary to the Bank’s position, earnings may be negatively affected.
The Bank’s asset-liability management strategy may not be able to prevent changes in interest rates from having a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition. Overall, interest rates generally have decreased since 2008. In order to combat contraction with its net interest income and net interest margin and improve its current earnings for the current year and near-term, the Bank elected to retain assets in the loan and investment portfolios with longer repricing durartions. In addition, through its strategic pricing, the Bank also allowed its certificates of deposits, which are a longer-term source of funding, to decline. While the Bank has remained within its board approved interest rate risk policies, when interest rates begin to rise again, the Bank’s net interest income and net interest margin will be more negatively impacted as a result of these strategies. More specifically, the Bank’s interest income will rise at a slower pace than the Bank’s interest expense and the fair value of the Bank’s assets will likely decrease at a faster pace than the increase in the fair value of interest-bearing liabilities. These circumstances will cause a decline in the Bank’s net interest income and a reduction in the Bank’s economic value of equity.
A continued stable interest rate environment could reduce profitability. From 2007 through early 2009, net interest income within the Traditional Banking segment benefitted from low short-term interest rates in combination with a “steep” yield curve and an increase in average-earning assets. The month-to-month improvement in this benefit when comparing to the same month in the previous year, however, began to decrease in late 2008, as the Bank could no longer lower the rate on many of its interest-bearing liabilities, while the Bank’s higher yielding interest-earning assets continued to paydown and reprice lower. An on-going stable interest rate environment will cause the Bank’s interest-earning assets to continue to reprice into lower yielding assets without the ability for the Bank to offset the decline in interest income through a reduction in its cost of funds. The continued contraction in the Bank’s net interest margin will cause net income to decrease. The overall magnitude of the decrease in net interest income will depend on the period of time that the current interest rate environment remains.
Mortgage Banking activities could be adversely impacted by increasing long-term interest rates. The Company is unable to predict changes in market interest rates. Changes in interest rates can impact the gain on sale of loans, loan origination fees and loan servicing fees, which account for a significant portion of Mortgage Banking income. A decline in market interest rates generally results in higher demand for mortgage products, while an increase in rates generally results in reduced demand. Generally, if demand increases, Mortgage Banking income will be positively impacted by more gains on sale; however, the valuation of existing mortgage servicing rights will decrease and may result in a significant impairment. Moreover, a decline in demand for Mortgage Banking products could also adversely impact other programs/products such as home equity lending, title insurance commissions and service charges on deposit accounts.
The Company may need additional capital resources in the future and these capital resources may not be available when needed or at all. The Company may need to incur additional debt or equity financing in the future for growth, investment or strategic acquisitions. Such financing may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing, it may not be able to grow or make strategic acquisitions or investments.
The Bank’s funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits and support future growth. The Bank relies on customer deposits, brokered deposits and advances from the FHLB to fund operations. Although the Bank has historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if desired, no assurance can be given that the Bank would be able to replace such funds in the future if the Bank’s financial condition or the financial condition of the FHLB or general market conditions were to change. The Bank’s financial flexibility will be severely constrained if it is unable to maintain its access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable interest rates. Finally, if the Bank is required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources to support future growth, revenues may not increase proportionately to cover costs. In this case, profitability would be adversely affected.
Although the Bank considers such sources of funds adequate for its liquidity needs, the Bank may seek additional debt in the future to achieve long-term business objectives. There can be no assurance additional borrowings, if sought, would be available to the Bank or, if available, would be on favorable terms. The sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future may be dilutive to the Bank’s shareholders, and debt financing arrangements may require the Bank to pledge some of its assets and enter into various affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on operational activities and financing alternatives. Future financing sources, if sought, might be unavailable to the Bank or, if available, could be on terms unfavorable to the Bank and may require regulatory approval. If additional financing sources are unavailable or are not available on reasonable terms, growth and future prospects could be adversely affected.
DEPOSITS, OVERDRAFTS, FDIC INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND SERVICE CHARGES ON DEPOSITS |
In response to a continuing decline in the Bank’s service charges on deposits, the Bank significantly revised its fee structure related to its consumer deposit accounts effective for the third quarter of 2011. A negative response to this new fee structure from the Bank’s consumer client base could cause a significant reduction in customer accounts, a significant reduction in customer deposit account balances and a reduction in services charges on deposits. As a result of the continued decline in service charges on deposits, the Bank instituted a new fee structure for its checking account products during the third quarter of 2011. The Bank converted the substantial majority of its existing checking accounts into new product types with new fee structures with the goal to reverse the trend of declining service charges on deposits. The overall results of the new fees will be highly dependent on consumer deposit balances and overall customer acceptance of the new fees. A lack of customer acceptance of the new account fees resulting in a significant decline in the number of consumer deposit accounts could have a material negative impact on the Bank’s future deposit fee income.
Clients could pursue alternatives to bank deposits, causing the Bank to lose a relatively inexpensive source of funding. Checking and savings account balances and other forms of client deposits could decrease if clients perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing superior expected returns. If clients move money out of bank deposits in favor of alternative investments, the Bank could lose a relatively inexpensive source of funds, increasing its funding costs.
The Bank’s “Overdraft Honor” program represents a significant business risk, and if the Bank terminated the program it would materially impact the earnings of the Bank. There can be no assurance that Congress, the Bank’s regulators, or others, will not impose additional limitations on this program or prohibit the Bank from offering the program. The Bank’s “Overdraft Honor” program permits eligible customers to overdraft their checking accounts up to a predetermined dollar amount for the Bank’s customary overdraft fee(s). Generally, to be eligible for the Overdraft Honor program, customers must qualify for one of the Bank’s traditional checking products when the account is opened and remain in that product for 30 days and have deposits of at least $600. Once the eligibility requirements have been met, the client is eligible to participate in the Overdraft Honor program. If an overdraft occurs, the Bank may pay the overdraft, at its discretion, up to $600 (an account in good standing after two years is eligible for up to $1,000). For non-traditional Overdraft Honor program accounts the account needs to be opened and remain in that product for 30 days and have deposits of at least $300. Once these eligibility requirements have been met, the client is eligible to participate in the Overdraft Honor program. Under regulatory guidelines, customers utilizing the Overdraft Honor program may remain in overdraft status for no more than 60 days. Generally, an account that is overdrawn for 60 consecutive days is closed and the balance is charged off.
Overdraft balances from deposit accounts, including those overdraft balances resulting from the Bank’s Overdraft Honor program, are recorded as a component of loans on the Bank’s balance sheet.
The Bank assesses two types of fees related to overdrawn accounts, a fixed per item fee and a fixed daily charge for being in overdraft status. The per item fee for this service is not considered an extension of credit, but rather is considered a fee for paying checks when sufficient funds are not otherwise available. As such, it is classified on the income statement in “service charges on deposits” as a component of non interest income along with per item fees assessed to customers not in the Overdraft Honor program. A substantial majority of the per item fees in service charges on deposits relates to customers in the Overdraft Honor program. The daily fee assessed to the client for being in overdraft status is considered a loan fee and is thus included in interest income under the line item “loans, including fees.” The total net per item fees included in service charges on deposit for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $8.9 million and $11.0 million, respectively. The total net daily overdraft charges included in interest income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Additional limitations or elimination, or adverse modifications to this program, either voluntary or involuntary, would significantly reduce Bank earnings.
In November 2010, the FDIC issued its final guidance on Automated Overdraft payment programs which requires FDIC regulated banks to implement and maintain robust oversight of these programs. The new guidance, as interpreted, has had a material adverse effect on the Bank’s net income. These guidelines have negatively impacted and will continue to negatively impact the Bank’s net income in 2011 and beyond. This guidance states, “the FDIC expects institutions to implement effective compliance and risk management systems, policies, and procedures to ensure that institutions manage any overdraft payment programs in accordance with the 2005 Joint Guidance on Overdraft Protection Programs (Joint Guidance)(FIL-11-2005) and the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) November 2009 amendments to Regulation E, to avoid harming consumers or creating other compliance, operational, financial, reputational, legal or other risks.”
Management estimates that the impact of the implementation of these guidelines has reduced its overdraft fee income by a range of 20%-25%. Additional limitations or elimination, or adverse modifications to this program, either voluntary or involuntary, would further significantly reduce net income.
Company expenses will increase as a result of increases in FDIC insurance premiums. As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC imposed a special assessment equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, which was paid on September 30, 2009. The Company recorded an expense of $1.4 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment. Any further special assessments or increases to quarterly assessment rates will adversely affect the Company’s earnings. Moreover, under the Dodd-Frank Act, the minimum statutory reserve ratio for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund will increase from 1.15% to 1.35% of insurable deposits by 2020. There can be no assurance that the FDIC will not impose additional special assessments, or increase the deposit premiums applicable to the Company, in the future.
The Company’s common stock generally has a low average daily trading volume, which limits a stockholder’s ability to quickly accumulate or quickly sell large numbers of shares of Republic’s stock without causing wide price fluctuations. Republic’s stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, such as actual or anticipated variations in the Company’s operating results, recommendations by securities analysts, operating and stock price performance of other companies, news reports, results of litigation, regulatory actions or changes in government regulations, among other factors. A low average daily stock trading volume can lead to significant price swings even when a relatively small number of shares are being traded.
The market price for the Company’s common stock may be volatile. The market price of the Company’s common stock could fluctuate substantially in the future in response to a number of factors, including those discussed below. The market price of the Company’s common stock has in the past fluctuated significantly and is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly. Some of the factors that may cause the price of the Company’s common stock to fluctuate include:
| ● | Variations in the Company’s and its competitors’ operating results; |
| ● | Changes in earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts or actions taken by rating agencies with respect to us or other financial institutions; |
| ● | Announcements by the Company or its competitors of mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships; |
| ● | Additions or departure of key personnel; |
| ● | Actual or anticipated quarterly or annual fluctuations in operating results, cash flows and financial condition; |
| ● | The announced exiting of or significant reductions in material lines of business within the Company; |
| ● | Changes or proposed changes in banking laws or regulations or enforcement of these laws and regulations; |
| ● | Events affecting other companies that the market deems comparable to the Company; |
| ● | Developments relating to regulatory examinations; |
| ● | Speculation in the press or investment community generally or relating to the Company’s reputation or the financial services industry; |
| ● | Future issuances or re-sales of equity or equity-related securities, or the perception that they may occur; |
| ● | General conditions in the financial markets and real estate markets in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry; |
| ● | Domestic and international economic factors unrelated to the Company’s performance; |
| ● | Developments related to litigation or threatened litigation; |
| ● | The presence or absence of short selling of the Company’s common stock; and |
| ● | Future sales of the Company’s common stock or debt securities. |
In addition, in recent years, the stock market, in general, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This is due, in part, to investors’ shifting perceptions of the effect of changes and potential changes in the economy on various industry sectors. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their performance or prospects. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock, notwithstanding its actual or anticipated operating results, cash flows and financial condition. The Company expects that the market price of its common stock will continue to fluctuate due to many factors, including prevailing interest rates, other economic conditions, operating performance and investor perceptions of the outlook for the Company specifically and the banking industry in general. There can be no assurance about the level of the market price of the Company’s common stock in the future or that you will be able to resell your shares at times or at prices you find attractive.
An investment in the Company’s Common Stock is not an insured deposit. The Company’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in the Company’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire the Company’s common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.
The Company’s insiders hold voting rights that give them significant control over matters requiring stockholder approval. The Company’s Chairman and President hold substantial amounts of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes. This group generally votes together on matters presented to stockholders for approval. These actions may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to corporate documents, the approval of mergers, sales of assets and the continuation of the Company as a registered company with obligations to file periodic reports and other filings with the SEC. Consequently, other stockholders’ ability to influence Company actions through their vote may be limited and the non-insider stockholders may not have sufficient voting power to approve a change in control even if a significant premium is being offered for their shares. Majority stockholders may not vote their shares in accordance with minority stockholder interests.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION / ECONOMIC FACTORS |
The Company is significantly impacted by the regulatory, fiscal and monetary policies of federal and state governments which could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity position and earnings. These policies can materially affect the value of the Company’s financial instruments and can also adversely affect the Company’s customers and their ability to repay their outstanding loans. Also, failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies, or adverse examination findings, could result in significant penalties, negatively impact operations, or result in other sanctions against the Company. The Board of Governors of the FRB regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. Its policies determine, in large part, the Company’s cost of funds for lending and investing and the return the Company earns on these loans and investments, all of which impact net interest margin.
The Company and the Bank are heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels and are subject to various routine and non-routine examinations by federal and state regulators. This regulatory oversight is primarily intended to protect depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the banking system as a whole, not the stockholders of the Company. Changes in policies, regulations and statutes, or the interpretation thereof, could significantly impact the product offerings of Republic causing the Company to terminate or modify its product offerings in a manner that could materially adversely affect the earnings of the Company.
Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters including changes in the ownership or control of banks and bank holding companies, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. Various federal and state regulatory agencies possess cease and desist powers, and other authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulations. The FRB possesses similar powers with respect to bank holding companies. These, and other restrictions, can limit in varying degrees, the manner in which Republic conducts its business.
The Dodd-Frank Act may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations. In July, 2010, the President of the U.S. signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act imposes various new restrictions and creates an expanded framework of regulatory oversight for financial institutions. Because the Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of regulations with significant discretion, many of the details of the new law and the effects they will have on the Company will not be known for months or even years.
The Dodd-Frank Act would require the federal banking agencies to establish stricter risk-based capital requirements and leverage limits to apply to banks and bank holding companies. In addition, the “Basel III” standards announced by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”), if adopted, could lead to significantly higher capital requirements, higher capital charges and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios. The standards would, among other things, impose more restrictive eligibility requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital; increase the minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio to 4.5%, net of regulatory deductions, and introduce a capital conservation buffer of an additional 2.5% of common equity to risk-weighted assets, raising the target minimum common equity ratio to 7%; increase the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio to 8.5% inclusive of the capital conservation buffer; increase the minimum total capital ratio to 10.5% inclusive of the capital buffer; and introduce a countercyclical capital buffer of up to 2.5% of common equity or other fully loss absorbing capital for periods of excess credit growth. Basel III also introduces a non-risk adjusted Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3%, based on a measure of total exposure rather than total assets, and new liquidity standards.
The new Basel III capital standards will be phased in from January 1, 2013 until January 1, 2019, and it is not yet known how these standards will be implemented by U.S. regulators generally or how they will be applied to financial institutions of its size. Implementation of these standards, or any other new regulations, may adversely affect its ability to pay dividends, or require the Company to restrict growth or raise capital, including in ways that may adversely affect its results of operations or financial condition.
Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will not be implemented immediately and will require interpretation and rule making by federal regulators. Republic is monitoring all relevant sections of the Dodd-Frank Act to ensure continued compliance with laws and regulations. While the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank on the Company cannot be determined yet, the law is likely to result in increased compliance costs and fees paid to regulators, along with possible restrictions on the Company’s operations.
Also, included as provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act was the establishment of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which was granted authority to regulate companies that provide consumer financial services. The Company is regularly refining its consumer financial services and developing new products and services or operations to address recent or anticipated legislative and regulatory changes. Some of these anticipated legislative and regulatory changes may result in, among other things, RB&T reducing fees to consumers or implementing additional disclosure requirements. The Company could incur additional operating costs which could reduce overall product profitability and lead to the Company exiting certain consumer products. The Company generally cannot estimate what effect, if any, operational changes it would make in response to legislative and regulatory changes and what effect these changes may have on the Company’s financial results until the Company is able to develop legal and financially viable alternative products and services.
Government responses to economic conditions may adversely affect the Company’s operations, financial condition and earnings. Newly enacted financial reform legislation will change the bank regulatory framework, create an independent consumer protection bureau that will assume the consumer protection responsibilities of the various federal banking agencies, and establish more stringent capital standards for banks and bank holding companies. The legislation will also result in new regulations affecting the lending, funding, trading and investment activities of banks and bank holding companies. Bank regulatory agencies also have been responding aggressively to concerns and adverse trends identified in examinations. Ongoing uncertainty and adverse developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets, and the effect of new legislation and regulatory actions in response to these conditions, may adversely affect Company operations by restricting business activities, including the Company’s ability to originate or sell loans, modify loan terms, or foreclose on property securing loans. These measures are likely to increase the Company’s costs of doing business and may have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s lending activities, financial performance and operating flexibility. In addition, these risks could affect the performance and value of the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios, which also would negatively affect financial performance.
Furthermore, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in an attempt to help the overall economy, has, among other things, kept interest rates low through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. If the Federal Reserve Board increases the federal funds rate, overall interest rates will likely rise, which may negatively impact the housing markets and the U.S. economic recovery. In addition, deflationary pressures, while possibly lowering operating costs, could have a significant negative effect on the Company’s borrowers, especially business borrowers, and the values of underlying collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect the Company’s financial performance.
Difficult national and local market conditions have adversely affected the financial services industry. Declines in the housing market over the past few years, falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment have negatively impacted the credit performance of real estate related loans and have resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by many financial institutions. These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to reduce or eliminate dividends, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of general business activity. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on the Company’s ability to access capital and on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Republic is subject to regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, and if the Company fails to meet these guidelines the Company’s financial condition may be adversely affected. Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, and other regulatory requirements, Republic and the Bank must meet guidelines that include quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off balance sheet items, subject to qualitative judgments by regulators regarding components, risk weightings and other factors. If the Company fails to meet these minimum capital guidelines and other regulatory requirements, the Company’s financial condition will be materially and adversely affected. If the Company fails to maintain well-capitalized status under its regulatory framework, or is deemed not well-managed under regulatory exam procedures, or if it should experience certain regulatory violations, the Company’s status as a Financial Holding Company, and its ability to offer certain financial products could be compromised.
The Company may be subject to examinations by taxing authorities which could adversely affect results of operations. In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to examinations from federal and state taxing authorities regarding the amount of taxes due in connection with investments it has made and the businesses in which the Company is engaged. Recently, federal and state taxing authorities have become increasingly aggressive in challenging tax positions taken by financial institutions. The challenges made by taxing authorities may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. If any such challenges are made and are not resolved in the Company’s favor, they could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, the Company’s credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to the Company. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION SYSTEMS, ETC. |
The Company is dependent upon the services of its management team and qualified personnel. The Company is dependent upon the ability and experience of a number of its key management personnel who have substantial experience with Company operations, the financial services industry and the markets in which the Company offers services. It is possible that the loss of the services of one or more of its senior executives or key managers would have an adverse effect on operations, moreover, the Company depends on its account executives and loan officers to attract bank customers by developing relationships with commercial and consumer clients, mortgage companies, real estate agents, brokers and others. The Company believes that these relationships lead to repeat and referral business. The market for skilled account executives and loan officers is highly competitive and historically has experienced a high rate of turnover. In addition, if a manager leaves the Company, other members of the manager’s team may follow. Competition for qualified account executives and loan officers may lead to increased hiring and retention costs. The Company’s success also depends on its ability to continue to attract, manage and retain other qualified personnel as the Company grows. The Company cannot assure you that it will continue to attract or retain such personnel.
The Company’s operations could be impacted if its third-party service providers experience difficulty. The Company depends on a number of relationships with third-party service providers, including core systems processing and web hosting. These providers are well established vendors that provide these services to a significant number of financial institutions. If these third-party service providers experience difficulty or terminate their services and the Company is unable to replace them with other providers, its operations could be interrupted which would adversely impact its business.
The Company’s information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security that could adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the impact of the failure, interruption or security breach of information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrences of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company’s information systems could damage the Company’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject the Company to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose the Company to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
New lines of business or new products and services may subject the Company to additional risks. From time to time, the Company may develop and grow new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services the Company may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. All service offerings, including current offerings and those which may be provided in the future, may become more risky due to changes in economic, competitive and market conditions beyond the Company’s control.
Negative public opinion could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect earnings. Reputational risk is the risk to Company operations from negative public opinion. Negative public opinion can result from the actual or perceived manner in which the Company conducts its business activities, including sales practices, practices used in origination and servicing operations, the management of actual or potential conflicts of interest and ethical issues, and the Company’s protection of confidential customer information. Negative public opinion can adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract customers and can expose the Company to litigation.
The Company’s ability to successfully complete acquisitions will affect its ability to grow its franchise and compete effectively in its market areas. The Company has announced plans to pursue a policy of growth through acquisitions in the near-future to supplement internal growth. The Company’s efforts to acquire other financial institutions and financial service companies or branches may not be successful. Numerous potential acquirers exist for most acquisition candidates, creating intense competition, which affects the purchase price for which the institution can be acquired. In many cases, the Company’s competitors have significantly greater resources than we have, and greater flexibility to structure the consideration for the transaction. The Company may also not be the successful bidder in acquisition opportunities that it pursues due to the willingness or ability of other potential acquirers to propose a higher purchase price or more attractive terms and conditions than the Company is willing or able to propose. The Company intends to continue to pursue acquisition opportunities in each of its market areas, although we currently have no understandings or agreements to acquire other financial institutions. The risks presented by the acquisition of other financial institutions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If the Company is successful in conducting acquisitions, it will be presented with many risks that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. An institution that the Company acquires may have unknown asset quality issues or unknown or contingent liabilities that the Company did not discover or fully recognize in the due diligence process, thereby resulting in unanticipated losses. The acquisition of other institutions also typically requires the integration of different corporate cultures, loan and deposit products, pricing strategies, data processing systems and other technologies, accounting, internal audit and financial reporting systems, operating systems and internal controls, marketing programs and personnel of the acquired institution, in order to make the transaction economically advantageous. The integration process is complicated and time consuming and could divert the Company’s attention from other business concerns and may be disruptive to its customers and the customers of the acquired institution. The Company’s failure to successfully integrate an acquired institution could result in the loss of key customers and employees, and prevent the Company from achieving expected synergies and cost savings. Acquisitions also result in professional fees and may result in creating goodwill that could become impaired, thereby requiring us to recognize further charges. The Company may finance acquisitions with borrowed funds, thereby increasing our leverage and reducing our liquidity, or with potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities.
The Company may engage in FDIC-assisted transactions, which could present additional risks to its business. The Company may have opportunities to acquire the assets and liabilities of failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. Although these FDIC-assisted transactions typically provide for FDIC assistance to an acquirer to mitigate certain risks, such as sharing exposure to loan losses and providing indemnification against certain liabilities of the failed institution, the Company is (and would be in future transactions) subject to many of the same risks it would face in acquiring another bank in a negotiated transaction, including risks associated with maintaining customer relationships and failure to realize the anticipated acquisition benefits in the amounts and within the timeframes the Company expects. In addition, because these acquisitions are structured in a manner that would not allow the Company the time and access to information normally associated with preparing for and evaluating a negotiated acquisition, the Company may face additional risks in FDIC-assisted transactions, including additional strain on management resources, management of problem loans, problems related to integration of personnel and operating systems and impact to capital resources requiring the Company to raise additional capital. The Company’s inability to overcome these risks could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s litigation related costs may continue to increase. The Bank is subject to a variety of legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business. The Bank believes that it has meritorious defenses in legal actions where it has been named as a defendant and is vigorously defending these suits. There can be no assurance that a resolution of any such legal matters will not result in significant liability to the Bank nor have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations or the Bank’s ability to meet applicable regulatory requirements. Moreover, the expenses of pending legal proceedings could adversely affect the Bank’s results of operations until they are resolved.
None
The Company’s executive offices, principal support and operational functions are located at 601 West Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky. Republic has 34 banking centers located in Kentucky, four banking centers located in Florida, three banking centers in Indiana and one banking center located in Ohio and Tennessee.
The location of Republic’s facilities, their respective approximate square footage and their form of occupancy are as follows:
| Approximate | | |
| Square | | Owned (O)/ |
Bank Offices | Footage | | Leased (L) |
| | | |
Kentucky Banking Centers: | | | |
| | | |
Louisville Metropolitan Area | | | |
2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville | 5,000 | | L (1) |
601 West Market Street, Louisville | 57,000 | | L (1) |
661 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville | 42,000 | | L (1) |
9600 Brownsboro Road, Louisville | 15,000 | | L (1) |
5250 Dixie Highway, Louisville | 5,000 | | O/L (2) |
10100 Brookridge Village Boulevard, Louisville | 5,000 | | O/L (2) |
9101 U.S. Highway 42, Prospect | 3,000 | | O/L (2) |
11330 Main Street, Middletown | 6,000 | | O/L (2) |
3902 Taylorsville Road, Louisville | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
3811 Ruckriegel Parkway, Louisville | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
5125 New Cut Road, Louisville | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
4808 Outer Loop, Louisville | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
438 Highway 44 East, Shepherdsville | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
1420 Poplar Level Road, Louisville | 3,000 | | O |
4921 Brownsboro Road, Louisville | 2,000 | | L |
3950 Kresge Way, Suite 108, Louisville | 1,000 | | L |
3726 Lexington Road, Louisville | 4,000 | | L |
2028 West Broadway, Suite 105, Louisville | 3,000 | | L |
220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 100, Louisville | 1,000 | | L |
6401 Claymont Crossing, Crestwood | 4,000 | | L |
| | | |
Lexington | | | |
3098 Helmsdale Place | 5,000 | | O/L (2) |
3608 Walden Drive | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
651 Perimeter Drive | 4,000 | | L |
2401 Harrodsburg Road | 6,000 | | O |
641 East Euclid Avenue | 3,000 | | O |
| | | |
Northern Kentucky | | | |
535 Madison Avenue, Covington | 4,000 | | L |
8513 U.S. Highway 42, Florence | 4,000 | | L |
2051 Centennial Boulevard, Independence | 2,000 | | L |
| | | |
Owensboro | | | |
3500 Frederica Street | 5,000 | | O |
3332 Villa Point Drive, Suite 101 | 2,000 | | L |
| Approximate | | |
| Square | | Owned (O)/ |
Bank Offices | Footage | | Leased (L) |
| | | |
Elizabethtown, 1690 Ring Road | 6,000 | | O |
| | | |
Frankfort, 100 Highway 676 | 3,000 | | O/L (2) |
| | | |
Georgetown, 430 Connector Road | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
| | | |
Shelbyville, 1614 Midland Trail | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
| | | |
Southern Indiana Banking Centers | | | |
4571 Duffy Road, Floyds Knobs | 4,000 | | O/L (2) |
3141 Highway 62, Jeffersonville | 4,000 | | O |
3001 Charlestown Crossing Way, New Albany | 2,000 | | L |
| | | |
Florida Banking Centers | | | |
9100 Hudson Avenue, Hudson | 4,000 | | O |
34650 U.S. Highway 19, Palm Harbor | 3,000 | | L |
9037 U.S. Highway 19, Port Richey | 8,000 | | O |
11502 North 56th Street, Temple Terrace | 3,000 | | L |
| | | |
Ohio Banking Center | | | |
9683 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash | 3,000 | | L |
| | | |
Tennessee Banking Center | | | |
3817 Mallory Station Road, Franklin | 46,000 | | L(3) |
| | | |
Support and Operations | | | |
200 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY | 48,000 | | L (1) |
125 South Sixth Street, Louisville, KY | 1,000 | | L |
401 East Chestnut, Suite 620, Louisville, KY | 500 | | L |
(1) | Locations are leased from partnerships in which Steven E. Trager, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and A. Scott Trager, President, are partners. See additional discussion included under Part III Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.” |
(2) | The banking centers at these locations are owned by Republic; however, the banking center is located on land that is leased through long-term agreements with third parties. |
(3) | Represents space leased in two buildings at the same location for the former headquarters of Tennessee Commerce Bank (“TCB”). The space is subleased by RB&T from Tennessee Commerce Bancorp(“TC Bancorp”), the former holding company for TCB. Currently, RB&T leases 29,712 square feet in one building and 16,775 square feet in the other, with each building under a separate sublease agreement. The subleases provide that RB&T sublease the properties for twelve months at the rates currently in effect, with lease payments being made directly to TC Bancorp’s landlord, not TC Bancorp. After April 30, 2012 RB&T can terminate either or both subleases upon 30-days notice. |
In the ordinary course of operations, Republic and the Bank are defendants in various legal proceedings. There is no proceeding pending or threatened litigation, to the knowledge of management, in which an adverse decision could result in a material adverse change in the business or consolidated financial position of Republic or the Bank, except as set forth below.
Overdraft Litigation
On August 1, 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky styled Brenda Webb vs. Republic Bank & Trust Company d/b/a Republic Bank, Civil Action No. 3:11-CV-00423-TBR. The Complaint was brought as a putative class action and seeks monetary damages, restitution and declaratory relief allegedly arising from the manner in which RB&T assessed overdraft fees. In the Complaint, the Plaintiff pleads six claims against RB&T alleging: breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (Count I), unconscionability (Count II), conversion (Count III), unjust enrichment (Count IV), violation of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E (Count V), and violations of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, KRS §367, et seq. (Count VI). RB&T filed a Motion to Dismiss the case on January 12, 2012. In response, Plaintiff filed its Motion to Amend the Complaint on February 23, 2012. In Plaintiff’s proposed Amended Complaint, Plaintiff acknowledges disclosure of the Overdraft Honor Policy and does not seek to add any claims to the Amended Complaint. However, Plaintiff divided the breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims into two counts (Counts One and Two). In the original Complaint, those claims were combined in Count One. RB&T's response to the Motion to Amend is currently due on March 15, 2012. Management is evaluating the claims of this lawsuit and is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss, if any, that may result from this lawsuit. RB&T intends to vigorously defend this case.
An earlier, identical suit by the same plaintiff was filed on July 19, 2011 in the United States District Court for the Middle District for Florida styled Brenda Webb vs. Republic Bank & Trust Company d/b/a Republic Bank, Civil Action No. 2:11-CV-00405-JES-SPC. The plaintiff dismissed that suit without prejudice on August 2, 2011.
FDIC Proceedings Regarding the TRS segment:
Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing, and Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of a Consent Order, Order to Pay Civil Money Penalties, and Order Terminating Order to Cease and Desist
In February 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. The Notice contended that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) was unsafe and unsound. The Notice did not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program. For additional discussion regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
On May 3, 2011, RB&T received an Amended Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Amended Notice”) from the FDIC revising its original Notice referenced in the preceding paragraph. The Amended Notice resulted from conclusions made by the FDIC during a targeted visitation of 250 ERO offices in 36 states, which it conducted on February 15 and 16, 2011. In addition to the allegations contained in the Notice, the Amended Notice alleged violations of the Truth-In-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Amended Notice also accused RB&T of, among other things, unsafe or unsound banking practices resulting from its third-party management; unsafe or unsound hindrance, impediment, or interference with a financial institution examination; unsafe or unsound physical security or electronic protection of ERO premises; violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and FDIC regulation; and violations of the 2009 Order. Moreover, the Amended Notice included an assessment of a $2 million CMP. As a result, RB&T recorded a $2 million liability as of June 30, 2011. For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
Federal District Court Litigation:
On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (the “Court”) against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank & Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al (the “Litigation”). The complaint stated that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constituted a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also stated that the FDIC had unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. On March 31, 2011, the FDIC filed a Motion to Dismiss (the “Motion”) RB&T’s complaint with the Court. RB&T timely filed its brief in opposition to the Motion, and the matter remained pending with the Court up through RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC discussed below.
Resolution of all FDIC-Related Proceedings:
Effective December 8, 2011, RB&T entered into an agreement with the FDIC resolving its differences regarding the TRS operating segment. RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC was in the form of a Stipulation Agreement and a Consent Order (collectively, the “Agreement”). As part of the Agreement, RB&T and the FDIC settled all matters set out in the Amended Notice and the Litigation. More specifically,
| ● | the FDIC terminated the 2009 Order against RB&T entered on February 27, 2009; |
| ● | the $2 million CMP was reduced to $900,000; |
| ● | RB&T was allowed to immediately resume expansionary activities and transactions in the ordinary course, so long as RB&T maintains appropriate regulatory ratings; |
| ● | RB&T developed an Electronic Return Originator (“ERO”) Oversight Plan (the “ERO Plan”), which the FDIC agreed to and is more fully described below; |
| ● | RB&T agreed to cease the RAL portion of its tax business by April 30, 2012, after the first quarter 2012 tax season; |
| ● | the FDIC and RB&T discontinued their administrative proceeding commenced in February 2011; and |
| ● | RB&T terminated the Litigation. |
As disclosed above, the Agreement reduced the previously announced CMP against RB&T from $2 million to $900,000. As a result of the reduced CMP, RB&T, which had previously reserved $2 million for the CMP during the second quarter of 2011, recorded a $1.1 million credit to pre-tax income during the fourth quarter of 2011.
As disclosed above, RB&T developed an ERO Plan, which was agreed to by the FDIC. The ERO Plan articulates a framework for RB&T to continue to offer non-RAL tax related products and services with specified oversight of the tax preparers with which RB&T does business. The ERO Plan includes requirements for, among other things,
| ● | positive affirmations by EROs of individual tax preparer training related to regulatory requirements applicable to bank products; |
| ● | annual audits covering 10% of active ERO locations and a significant sample of applications for Bank products. The audits will consist of onsite visits, document reviews, mystery shops of tax preparation offices, and tax product customer surveys; |
| ● | on-site audit confirmation of ERO agreements to adhere to laws, processes, procedures, disclosure requirements and physical and electronic security requirements; |
| ● | an advertising approval process that requires RB&T to approve all tax preparer advertisements prior to their issuance; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for income tax return quality; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for adherence to acceptable tax preparation fee parameters; |
| ● | monitoring for federal and state tax preparation requirements, including local and state tax preparer registration, and posting and disclosure requirements relative to Bank products; |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC of any significant changes in the TRS line of business, including |
| o | a change of more than 25% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business, or |
| o | the addition of tax-related products offered by RB&T that it did not previously offer; and |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC when RB&T enters into a relationship with a new corporation that has multiple owned or franchised locations, when the relationship alone will represent an increase of more than 10% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business. |
Because the Agreement does not affect RB&T’s ability to offer RALs for the first quarter 2012 tax season, it is not expected to have a material adverse impact on net income for the first quarter of 2012 or for the 2012 calendar year. RB&T’s discontinuance of RALs beyond 2012 is expected to have a material adverse impact on net income in 2013 and beyond, as the RAL product accounted for approximately 35% of the TRS segment’s 2011 net income of $67.3 million. It is expected that TRS will continue to be a material contributor to the Company’s overall net income in 2013 and beyond. Actual TRS net income for 2012 and beyond will be impacted by a number of factors, including those factors disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC and set forth under Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
| ● | Part I Item 1 “Business” |
| ● | Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” |
| ● | Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:” |
| o | “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” |
| ● | Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:” |
| o | Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| o | Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” |
| o | Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances” |
| o | Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” |
| o | Footnote 21 “Segment Information” |
| o | Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” |
For additional detail regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
For additional discussion regarding the 2009 Order, see the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2009, including Exhibit 10.62.
For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
For additional discussion regarding the Consent Order, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 9, 2011, including Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.
Not applicable.
Market and Dividend Information
Republic’s Class A Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market® (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “RBCAA.” The following table sets forth the high and low market value of the Class A Common Stock and the dividends declared on Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock during 2011 and 2010.
| | 2011 | |
| | Market Value | | | Dividend | |
Quarter Ended | | High | | | Low | | | Class A | | | Class B | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31st | | $ | 23.86 | | | $ | 16.87 | | | | 0.143 | | | | 0.130 | |
June 30th | | | 21.89 | | | | 18.95 | | | | 0.154 | | | | 0.140 | |
September 30th | | | 21.69 | | | | 16.00 | | | | 0.154 | | | | 0.140 | |
December 31st | | | 23.51 | | | | 16.98 | | | | 0.154 | | | | 0.140 | |
| | 2010 | |
| | Market Value | | | Dividend | |
Quarter Ended | | High | | | Low | | | Class A | | | Class B | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31st | | $ | 20.60 | | | $ | 15.11 | | | $ | 0.132 | | | $ | 0.120 | |
June 30th | | | 25.26 | | | | 19.06 | | | | 0.143 | | | | 0.130 | |
September 30th | | | 25.97 | | | | 18.87 | | | | 0.143 | | | | 0.130 | |
December 31st | | | 24.37 | | | | 20.25 | | | | 0.143 | | | | 0.130 | |
At February 10, 2012, the Company’s Class A Common Stock was held by 671 shareholders of record and the Class B Common Stock was held by 127 shareholders of record. There is no established public trading market for the Company’s Class B Common Stock. The Company intends to continue its historical practice of paying quarterly cash dividends; however, there is no assurance by the Board of Directors that such dividends will continue to be paid in the future. The payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon future income, financial position, capital requirements, the discretion and judgment of the Board of Directors and other considerations. The payment of dividends is subject to the regulatory restrictions described in Footnote 14 “Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Capital Matters” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Republic has made available to its employees participating in its 401(k) plan the opportunity, at the employee’s sole discretion, to invest funds held in their accounts under the plan in shares of Class A Common Stock of Republic. Shares are purchased by the independent trustee administering the plan from time to time in the open market in the form of broker’s transactions. As of December 31, 2011, the trustee held 217,440 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,648 shares of Class B Common Stock on behalf of the plan.
Details of Republic’s Class A Common Stock purchases during the fourth quarter of 2011 are included in the following table:
| | | | | | | | Total Number of | Maximum Number |
| | | | | | | | Shares Purchased | of Shares that May |
| | | | | | | | as Part of Publicly | Yet Be Purchased |
| | Total Number of | | Average Price | | Announced Plans | Under the Plan |
Period | | Shares Purchased | | Paid Per Share | | or Programs | or Programs |
| | | | | | | | | | |
October 1 - October 31 | | | - | | | $ | - | | | | - | | |
November 1 - November 30 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | |
December 1 - December 31 | | | 3,700 | | | | 22.46 | | | | 3,700 | | |
Total | | | 3,700 | | | $ | 22.46 | | | | 3,700 | | 603,189 |
During 2011, the Company repurchased 3,700 shares and there were no shares exchanged for stock option exercises. During November of 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors amended its existing share repurchase program by approving the repurchase of 300,000 additional shares from time to time, as market conditions are deemed attractive to the Company. The repurchase program will remain effective until the total number of shares authorized is repurchased or until Republic’s Board of Directors terminates the program. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 603,189 shares which could be repurchased under its current share repurchase programs.
During 2011, there were approximately 7,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock by stockholders of Republic in accordance with the share-for-share conversion provision option of the Class B Common Stock. The exemption from registration of the newly issued Class A Common Stock relied upon was Section (3)(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.
There were no equity securities of the registrant sold without registration during the quarter covered by this report.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following stock performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.
The following stock performance graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on Republic’s Class A Common Stock as compared to the NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index and the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index. The graph covers the period beginning December 31, 2006 and ending December 31, 2011. The calculation of cumulative total return assumes an initial investment of $100 in Republic’s Class A Common Stock, the NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index on December 31, 2006. The stock price performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
| | December 31, | | | December 31, | | | December 31, | | | December 31, | | | December 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2006 | | | 2007 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic Bancorp Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 70.78 | | | $ | 119.06 | | | $ | 92.30 | | | $ | 109.31 | | | $ | 108.33 | |
NASDAQ Bank Stock Index | | | 100.00 | | | | 80.09 | | | | 62.84 | | | | 52.60 | | | | 60.04 | | | | 53.74 | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 100.00 | | | | 105.49 | | | | 66.46 | | | | 84.05 | | | | 96.71 | | | | 98.76 | |
The following table sets forth Republic Bancorp Inc.’s selected financial data from 2007 through 2011. This information should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
| | As of and for the Years Ended December 31, | |
(in thousands, except per share data, FTEs and # of banking centers) | | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Statement Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest income | | $ | 195,115 | | | $ | 193,473 | | | $ | 212,605 | | | $ | 202,142 | | | $ | 199,097 | |
Total interest expense | | | 30,255 | | | | 36,661 | | | | 48,742 | | | | 72,418 | | | | 104,619 | |
Net interest income | | | 164,860 | | | | 156,812 | | | | 163,863 | | | | 129,724 | | | | 94,478 | |
Provision for loan losses | | | 17,966 | | | | 19,714 | | | | 33,975 | | | | 16,205 | | | | 6,820 | |
Total non interest income | | | 119,624 | | | | 87,658 | | | | 57,621 | | | | 45,960 | | | | 37,851 | |
Total non interest expenses | | | 122,321 | | | | 126,323 | | | | 121,485 | | | | 107,592 | | | | 87,315 | |
Income before income tax expense | | | 144,197 | | | | 98,433 | | | | 66,024 | | | | 51,887 | | | | 38,194 | |
Income tax expense | | | 50,048 | | | | 33,680 | | | | 23,893 | | | | 18,235 | | | | 13,281 | |
Net income | | | 94,149 | | | | 64,753 | | | | 42,131 | | | | 33,652 | | | | 24,913 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 362,971 | | | $ | 786,371 | | | $ | 1,068,179 | | | $ | 616,303 | | | $ | 86,177 | |
Investment securities | | | 674,022 | | | | 542,694 | | | | 467,235 | | | | 904,674 | | | | 580,636 | |
Gross loans | | | 2,285,295 | | | | 2,175,240 | | | | 2,268,232 | | | | 2,303,857 | | | | 2,397,073 | |
Allowance for loan losses | | | 24,063 | | | | 23,079 | | | | 22,879 | | | | 14,832 | | | | 12,735 | |
Total assets | | | 3,419,991 | | | | 3,622,703 | | | | 3,918,768 | | | | 3,939,368 | | | | 3,165,359 | |
Deposits | | | 1,733,978 | | | | 2,302,692 | | | | 2,602,481 | | | | 2,743,369 | | | | 1,968,812 | |
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
and other short-term borrowings | | | 230,231 | | | | 319,246 | | | | 299,580 | | | | 339,012 | | | | 398,296 | |
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | | | 934,630 | | | | 564,877 | | | | 637,607 | | | | 515,234 | | | | 478,550 | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,967,624 | | | | 3,251,327 | | | | 3,602,748 | | | | 3,663,446 | | | | 2,916,499 | |
Total stockholders' equity | | | 452,367 | | | | 371,376 | | | | 316,020 | | | | 275,922 | | | | 248,860 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning deposits | | $ | 315,530 | | | $ | 473,137 | | | $ | 341,126 | | | $ | 92,978 | | | $ | 7,437 | |
Investment securities | | | 678,804 | | | | 561,273 | | | | 536,996 | | | | 629,626 | | | | 609,189 | |
Gross loans, including loans held for sale | | | 2,246,259 | | | | 2,338,990 | | | | 2,372,008 | | | | 2,369,691 | | | | 2,359,617 | |
Allowance for loan losses | | | 28,817 | | | | 27,755 | | | | 22,005 | | | | 15,556 | | | | 11,885 | |
Total assets | | | 3,416,921 | | | | 3,503,886 | | | | 3,415,725 | | | | 3,232,435 | | | | 3,091,933 | |
Interest-bearing deposits | | | 1,540,515 | | | | 1,725,891 | | | | 1,684,277 | | | | 1,599,280 | | | | 1,441,383 | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,418,865 | | | | 2,671,466 | | | | 2,679,499 | | | | 2,604,577 | | | | 2,539,482 | |
Total stockholders' equity | | | 439,636 | | | | 361,357 | | | | 305,864 | | | | 267,578 | | | | 242,967 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Per Share Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic average shares outstanding | | | 20,945 | | | | 20,877 | | | | 20,749 | | | | 20,518 | | | | 20,458 | |
Diluted average shares outstanding | | | 20,993 | | | | 20,960 | | | | 20,884 | | | | 20,824 | | | | 20,840 | |
End of period shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | | | 18,652 | | | | 18,628 | | | | 18,499 | | | | 18,318 | | | | 17,952 | |
Class B Common Stock | | | 2,300 | | | | 2,307 | | | | 2,309 | | | | 2,310 | | | | 2,344 | |
Basic earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | | $ | 4.50 | | | $ | 3.11 | | | $ | 2.04 | | | $ | 1.65 | | | $ | 1.22 | |
Class B Common Stock | | | 4.45 | | | | 3.06 | | | | 1.99 | | | | 1.60 | | | | 1.18 | |
Diluted earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | | | 4.49 | | | | 3.10 | | | | 2.02 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.20 | |
Class B Common Stock | | | 4.44 | | | | 3.04 | | | | 1.98 | | | | 1.58 | | | | 1.16 | |
Cash dividends declared per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A Common Stock | | | 0.605 | | | | 0.561 | | | | 0.517 | | | | 0.473 | | | | 0.424 | |
Class B Common Stock | | | 0.550 | | | | 0.510 | | | | 0.470 | | | | 0.430 | | | | 0.386 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market value per share at December 31, | | | 22.90 | | | | 23.75 | | | | 20.60 | | | | 27.20 | | | | 16.53 | |
Book value per share at December 31, | | | 21.59 | | | | 17.74 | | | | 15.19 | | | | 13.38 | | | | 12.26 | |
Tangible book value per share (1) | | | 20.81 | | | | 16.88 | | | | 14.28 | | | | 12.59 | | | | 11.41 | |
(continued)
Item 6. Selected Financial Data (continued)
| | As of and for the Years Ended December 31, | |
(in thousands, except per share data, FTEs and # of banking centers) | | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Performance Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return on average assets (ROA) | | | 2.76 | % | | | 1.85 | % | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.04 | % | | | 0.81 | % |
Return on average equity (ROE) | | | 21.42 | % | | | 17.92 | % | | | 13.77 | % | | | 12.58 | % | | | 10.25 | % |
Efficiency ratio (2) | | | 43 | % | | | 52 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 66 | % |
Yield on average interest-earning assets | | | 6.02 | % | | | 5.74 | % | | | 6.54 | % | | | 6.54 | % | | | 6.69 | % |
Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.82 | % | | | 2.78 | % | | | 4.12 | % |
Net interest spread | | | 4.77 | % | | | 4.37 | % | | | 4.72 | % | | | 3.76 | % | | | 2.57 | % |
Net interest margin - Total Company | | | 5.09 | % | | | 4.65 | % | | | 5.04 | % | | | 4.20 | % | | | 3.17 | % |
Net interest margin - Traditional Banking Segment | | | 3.55 | % | | | 3.57 | % | | | 3.79 | % | | | 3.96 | % | | | 2.95 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset Quality Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans on non-accrual status | | $ | 23,306 | | | $ | 28,317 | | | $ | 43,136 | | | $ | 11,324 | | | $ | 8,303 | |
Loans past due 90 days or more and still on accrual | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8 | | | | 2,133 | | | | 1,318 | |
Total non-performing loans | | | 23,306 | | | | 28,317 | | | | 43,144 | | | | 13,457 | | | | 9,621 | |
Other real estate owned | | | 10,956 | | | | 11,969 | | | | 4,772 | | | | 5,737 | | | | 795 | |
Total non-performing assets | | | 34,262 | | | | 40,286 | | | | 47,916 | | | | 19,194 | | | | 10,416 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit Quality Ratios - Total Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-performing loans to total loans | | | 1.02 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.90 | % | | | 0.58 | % | | | 0.40 | % |
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO) | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.84 | % | | | 2.11 | % | | | 0.83 | % | | | 0.43 | % |
Non-performing assets to total assets | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.22 | % | | | 0.49 | % | | | 0.33 | % |
Allowance for loan losses to total loans | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 0.64 | % | | | 0.53 | % |
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans | | | 103 | % | | | 82 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 110 | % | | | 132 | % |
Delinquent loans to total loans (3) | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.98 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 0.69 | % |
Net loan charge offs to average loans | | | 0.76 | % | | | 0.83 | % | | | 1.09 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.22 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit Quality Ratios - Traditional Banking: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-performing loans to total loans | | | 1.02 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.90 | % | | | 0.58 | % | | | 0.40 | % |
Non-performing assets to total loans (including OREO) | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.84 | % | | | 2.11 | % | | | 0.83 | % | | | 0.43 | % |
Non-performing assets to total assets | | | 1.10 | % | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.60 | % | | | 0.69 | % | | | 0.36 | % |
Allowance for loan losses to total loans | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 0.64 | % | | | 0.53 | % |
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans | | | 103 | % | | | 82 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 110 | % | | | 132 | % |
Delinquent loans to total loans (3) | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.98 | % | | | 1.07 | % | | | 0.69 | % |
Net loan charge offs to average loans | | | 0.24 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.34 | % | | | 0.26 | % | | | 0.10 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average stockholders' equity to average total assets | | | 12.87 | % | | | 10.31 | % | | | 8.95 | % | | | 8.28 | % | | | 7.86 | % |
Total risk based capital | | | 24.74 | % | | | 22.04 | % | | | 18.37 | % | | | 15.43 | % | | | 13.90 | % |
Tier 1 capital | | | 23.59 | % | | | 20.89 | % | | | 17.25 | % | | | 14.72 | % | | | 13.29 | % |
Tier 1 leverage capital | | | 14.77 | % | | | 12.05 | % | | | 10.52 | % | | | 8.80 | % | | | 8.75 | % |
Dividend payout ratio | | | 13 | % | | | 18 | % | | | 25 | % | | | 29 | % | | | 35 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Information: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of period full time equivalent employees | | | 710 | | | | 744 | | | | 735 | | | | 724 | | | | 727 | |
Number of banking centers | | | 43 | | | | 43 | | | | 44 | | | | 45 | | | | 40 | |
(1) | – Represents total equity less: goodwill, core deposit intangible asset, and mortgage servicing rights asset divided by total shares outstanding. |
(2) | – Equals total non interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non interest income. The ratio excludes net gain (loss) on sales, calls and impairment of investment securities. |
(3) | – Equals total loans over 30 days past due divided by total loans. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic Bancorp, Inc. (“Republic” or the “Company”) analyzes the major elements of Republic’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of income. Republic, a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company, (“RB&T”), Republic Bank (collectively referred together with RB&T as the “Bank”), Republic Funding Company and Republic Invest Co. Republic Invest Co. includes its subsidiary, Republic Capital LLC. The consolidated financial statements also include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of RB&T: Republic Financial Services, LLC, TRS RAL Funding, LLC and Republic Insurance Agency, LLC. Republic Bancorp Capital Trust is a Delaware statutory business trust that is a 100%-owned unconsolidated finance subsidiary of Republic Bancorp, Inc. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Republic should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
As used in this filing, the terms “Republic,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Republic Bancorp, Inc., and, where the context requires, Republic Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and the term the “Bank” refers to the Company’s subsidiary banks: Republic Bank & Trust Company and Republic Bank.
Republic and its subsidiaries operate in a heavily regulated industry. These regulatory requirements can and do affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For an update on regulatory matters affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, see Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” in Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in political and economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, competitive product and pricing pressures, equity and fixed income market fluctuations, personal and corporate customers’ bankruptcies, inflation, recession, acquisitions and integrations of acquired businesses, technological changes, changes in law and regulations or the interpretation and enforcement thereof, changes in fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policies, monetary fluctuations, success in gaining regulatory approvals when required, as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including under Part 1 Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
| ● | projections of revenue, expenses, income, losses, earnings per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items; |
| ● | descriptions of plans or objectives for future operations, products or services; |
| ● | forecasts of future economic performance; and |
| ● | descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. |
The Company may make forward-looking statements discussing management’s expectations about various matters, including:
| ● | loan delinquencies, future credit losses, non-performing loans and non-performing assets; |
| ● | further developments in the Bank’s ongoing review of and efforts to resolve possible problem credit relationships, which could result in, among other things, additional provision for loans losses; |
| ● | deteriorating credit quality, including changes in the interest rate environment and reducing interest margins; |
| ● | the overall adequacy of the allowance for loans losses; |
| ● | future short-term and long-term interest rates and the respective impact on net interest margin, net interest spread, net income, liquidity and capital; |
| ● | the future regulatory viability of the Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) segment; |
| ● | the future operating performance of TRS, including the impact of the cessation of Refund Anticipation Loans (“RALs”); |
| ● | future Electronic Refund Check/Electronic Refund Deposit (“ERC/ERD” or “AR/ARD”) volume for TRS; |
| ● | future revenues associated with ERCs/ERDs at TRS; |
| ● | future credit losses associated with RALs; |
| ● | anticipated future funding sources for TRS; |
| ● | potential impairment of investment securities; |
| ● | the future value of mortgage servicing rights; |
| ● | the impact of new accounting pronouncements; |
| ● | legal and regulatory matters including results and consequences of regulatory guidance, litigation, administrative proceedings, rule-making, interpretations, actions and examinations; |
| ● | the extent to which regulations written and implemented by the newly created Federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and other federal, state and local governmental regulation of consumer lending and related financial products and services may limit or prohibit the operation of the Company’s business; |
| ● | financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on the Company’s revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and legislation and regulation relating to overdraft fees (and changes to the Bank’s overdraft practices as a result thereof), debit card interchange fees, credit cards, and other bank services; |
| ● | future capital expenditures; |
| ● | the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; |
| ● | the Bank’s ability to maintain current deposit and loan levels at current interest rates and |
| ● | The Company’s ability to successfully implement future growth plans. |
Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. As forward-looking statements discuss future events or conditions, the statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Do not rely on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements detail management’s expectations regarding the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements are assumptions based on information known to management only as of the date the statements are made and management may not update them to reflect changes that occur subsequent to the date the statements are made. See additional discussion under the sections titled Part I Item 1 “Business,” Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Republic’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods.
Management continually evaluates the Company’s accounting policies and estimates that it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, management’s estimates are based on historical experience, on information from regulators and independent third party professionals and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates made by management.
Critical accounting policies are those that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and operating results and require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective and complex. Most accounting policies are not considered by management to be critical accounting policies. Several factors are considered in determining whether or not a policy is critical in the preparation of the financial statements. These factors include, among other things, whether the estimates have a significant impact on the financial statements, the nature of the estimates, the ability to readily validate the estimates with other information including independent third parties or available pricing, sensitivity of the estimates to changes in economic conditions and whether alternative methods of accounting may be utilized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Management has discussed each critical accounting policy and the methodology for the identification and determination of critical accounting policies with the Company’s Audit Committee.
Republic believes its critical accounting policies and estimates relate to:
| ● | Traditional Banking segment allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses |
| ● | TRS allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses |
| ● | Mortgage servicing rights |
| ● | Goodwill and other intangible assets |
| ● | Impairment of investment securities |
Traditional Banking Segment Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses – The Bank maintains an allowance for probable incurred credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio, which includes overdrawn deposit accounts. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for the loan losses on a monthly basis and presents and discusses the analysis with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
The Bank maintains a “watch list” of commercial and commercial real estate loans and large single family residential real estate and home equity loans. The Bank reviews and monitors these loans on a regular basis. Generally, assets are designated as watch list loans to ensure more frequent monitoring. Watch list loans are reviewed to ensure proper earning status and management strategy. If it is determined that there is serious doubt as to performance in accordance with original terms of the contract, then the loan is generally downgraded and often placed on non-accrual status.
Management evaluates the loan portfolio by reviewing the historical loss rate for each respective loan type and assigns risk multiples to certain categories to account for qualitative factors including current economic conditions. The average five year, four year, three year, two year and current year loss rates are reviewed in the analysis, as well as comparisons to peer group loss rates. Currently, management has assigned a greater emphasis on the three year, two year and current year loss rates when determining its allowance for loan losses. Management makes allocations within the allowance for loan losses for specifically classified loans regardless of loan amount, collateral or loan type. In addition, historical loss rates for non-accrual loans and loans that are past due 90 days or more and that are not specifically classified are analyzed and applied based on respective balances and loan types.
Loan categories are evaluated utilizing subjective factors in addition to the historical loss calculations to determine a loss allocation for each of those types. As this analysis, or any similar analysis, is an imprecise measure of loss, the allowance is subject to ongoing adjustments. Therefore, management will often take into account other significant factors that may be necessary or prudent in order to reflect probable incurred losses in the total loan portfolio.
Consistent with the past several years, the Company’s allowance for loan loss calculation contains an “unallocated” component at December 31, 2011. The term “unallocated” is not defined in GAAP, but is used in practice with various meanings. The Company has traditionally used the term “unallocated” to represent amounts that are not attributable to or were not measured on any particular groups of loans. In 2005, the Company elected to maintain its then-unallocated allowance for loan losses at its current level. This equated to approximately $1.9 million. The Company has concluded that its “unallocated” allowance properly reflected estimated credit losses determined in accordance with GAAP in the past and believes it has been properly supported. However, beginning January 1, 2012, the Company plans to effectively allocate its “unallocated” allowance, adjusting its historical loss rates for certain groups of loans for qualitative and/or environmental factors.
In executing this methodology change, the Company will focus on large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and are not included in the scope of SFAS 114. These portfolios are typically not graded and not subject to annual review. Such groups of loans include:
| ● | Residential real estate – Owner Occupied |
| ● | Residential real estate – Non Owner Occupied |
Loans, including impaired loans under FASB ASC topic 310-10-35, “Receivables,” but excluding consumer loans, are typically placed on non-accrual status when the loans become past due 80 days or more as to principal or interest, unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on how recently payments have been received. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, all unpaid interest is reversed from interest income and accrued interest receivable. These loans remain on non-accrual status until the borrower demonstrates the ability to become and remain current or the loan or a portion of the loan is deemed uncollectible and is charged off.
In addition to obtaining appraisals at the time of loan origination, the Bank updates appraisals for collateral dependent loans with potential impairment. Updated appraisals for collateral-dependent commercial related loans exhibiting an increased risk of loss are obtained within one year of the last appraisal. Collateral values for past due residential mortgage loans and home equity loans are generally updated prior to a loan becoming 90 days delinquent, but no more than 180 days past due. When determining the allowance amount, to the extent updated collateral values cannot be obtained due to the lack of recent comparable sales or for other reasons, the loan review department discounts the valuation of the collateral primarily based on the age of the appraisal and the real estate market conditions of the location of the underlying collateral.
Consumer loans are reviewed periodically and generally charged off when the loans reach 120 days past due or at any earlier point the loan is deemed uncollectible.
The Bank performs two calculations at year end in order to confirm the reasonableness of its allowance for loan losses. In the first calculation, the Bank compares the net charge offs for the most recent calendar year to the beginning allowance for loan loss balance. The ratio of net charge offs to the beginning allowance indicates how adequately the allowance accommodated subsequent charge offs. Lower ratios suggest the beginning of year allowance may not have been large enough to absorb impending charge offs, while inordinately high ratios might indicate an entity was accumulating excessive allowances. The Bank’s net charge off ratio to the beginning allowance for loan losses was 0.23 at December 31, 2011, compared to 0.46 for December 31, 2010. The Bank’s five year annual average for this ratio was 0.35 as of December 31, 2011.
For the second calculation, the Bank assesses the allowance for loan losses’ exhaustion rate. Exhaustion rates indicate the time (expressed in years) taken to use the beginning of year allowance in the form of actual charge offs. The Bank believes an Exhaustion rate that indicates a reasonable allowance for loan losses is between 3 and 5 years. The Bank’s allowance exhaustion rate at December 31, 2011 was 3.4 years compared to the five year annual average of 3.2 years.
Based on management’s calculation, an allowance of $24 million, or 1.05%, of total loans was an adequate estimate of probable incurred losses within the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2011. This estimate resulted in Traditional Banking segment provision for loan losses on the income statement of $6.4 million during 2011. If the mix and amount of future charge off percentages differ significantly from those assumptions used by management in making its determination, an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses and the resulting effect on the income statement could be material.
TRS Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses – RALs are short-term consumer loans offered to taxpayers that are secured by the customer’s anticipated tax refund, which represents the source of repayment. Prior to 2011, RB&T historically underwrote the RAL application utilizing the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the IRS in combination with an automated underwriting model utilizing information contained in the taxpayer’s tax return. The DI, which indicates whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or federally funded student loans, has historically been a meaningful underwriting component. In August 2010, the IRS announced that it would no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the DI beginning with the first quarter 2011 tax season. In response to loss of access to the DI in 2011, RB&T significantly reduced the maximum RAL amount to $1,500 for individual customers, raised the RAL offering price to its customers and modified its underwriting and application requirements resulting in fewer RALs approved.
If a consumer’s RAL application is approved, RB&T advances $1,500 of the taxpayer’s refund. As part of the RAL application process, each taxpayer signs an agreement directing the applicable taxing authority to send the taxpayer’s refund directly to RB&T. The refund received from the IRS or state taxing authority, if applicable, is used by RB&T to pay off the RAL. Any amount due the taxpayer above the amount of the RAL is remitted to the taxpayer once the refund is received by RB&T. The funds advanced by RB&T are generally repaid by the applicable taxing authority within two weeks. The fees earned on RALs are reported as interest income under the line item “Loans, including fees.”
Substantially all RALs issued by RB&T each year are made during the first quarter. RALs are generally repaid by the IRS or applicable taxing authority within two weeks of origination. Losses associated with RALs result from the IRS not remitting taxpayer refunds to RB&T associated with a particular tax return. This occurs for a number of reasons, including errors in the tax return and tax return fraud which are identified through IRS audits resulting from revenue protection strategies. In addition, RB&T also incurs losses as a result of tax debts not previously disclosed during its underwriting process.
During 2011, 2010 and 2009, RB&T incurred $14.3 million, $10.8 million and $23.1 million in gross RAL losses for RALs originated during the respective calendar years, representing 1.38% 0.36% and 0.93% of total RALs originated during the respective tax years. During the previous five calendar years at TRS, net credit losses related to RALs originated have ranged from a low of 0.36% to a high of 1.38% of total RALs originated (including retained and securitized RALs).
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
| ● | Part I Item 1 “Business” |
| ● | Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” |
| ● | Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:” |
| ● | Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:” |
| o | Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| o | Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” |
| o | Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances” |
| o | Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” |
| o | Footnote 21 “Segment Information” |
| o | Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” |
Mortgage Servicing Rights – Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) represent an estimate of the present value of future cash servicing income, net of estimated costs that the Bank expects to receive on loans sold with servicing retained by the Bank. MSRs are capitalized as separate assets when loans are sold and servicing is retained. This transaction is posted to net gain on sale of loans, a component of Mortgage Banking income in the income statement. Management considers all relevant factors, in addition to pricing considerations from other servicers, to estimate the fair value of the MSRs to be recorded when the loans are initially sold with servicing retained by the Bank. The carrying value of MSRs is initially amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income and subsequently adjusted based on the weighted average remaining life. The amortization is recorded as a reduction to Mortgage Banking income. The MSR asset, net of amortization, recorded at December 31, 2011 was $6 million.
The carrying value of the MSRs asset is reviewed monthly for impairment based on the fair value of the MSRs, using groupings of the underlying loans by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping would be reported as a valuation allowance. A primary factor influencing the fair value is the estimated life of the underlying loans serviced. The estimated life of the loans serviced is significantly influenced by market interest rates. During a period of declining interest rates, the fair value of the MSRs is expected to decline due to anticipated prepayments within the portfolio. Alternatively, during a period of rising interest rates, the fair value of MSRs is expected to increase as prepayments on the underlying loans would be anticipated to decline. Management utilizes an independent third party on a monthly basis to assist with the fair value estimate of the MSRs.
Income Tax Accounting – Income tax liabilities or assets are established for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are also established for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. A deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and deductions that can be carried forward (used) in future years. The valuation of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is considered critical as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax liabilities and assets involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions or positions of federal and state taxing authorities, will not differ from management’s current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings. The Company believes its tax assets and liabilities are adequate and are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2011.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009 represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that are individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected September 30th as the date to perform its annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet.
At a minimum, management is required to assess goodwill and other intangible assets annually for impairment. Based on its assessment, the Company believes its goodwill of $10 million and other identifiable intangibles of $58,000 were not impaired and are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011.
Impairment of Investment Securities – Unrealized losses for all investment securities are reviewed to determine whether the losses are “other-than-temporary.” Investment securities are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation to determine whether a decline in their value below amortized cost is other-than-temporary. In conducting this assessment, the Bank evaluates a number of factors including, but not limited to:
| ● | The length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis; |
| ● | The Bank’s intent to hold until maturity or sell the debt security prior to maturity; |
| ● | An analysis of whether it is more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery; |
| ● | Adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area; |
| ● | The historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security; |
| ● | The payment structure of the security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments; |
| ● | Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments; |
| ● | Any rating changes by a rating agency; and |
| ● | Recoveries or additional decline in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date. |
The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a general lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized for the anticipated credit losses.
See additional discussion regarding impairment charges that the Bank recorded during 2009, 2010 and 2011 under Footnote 2 “Investment Securities” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Acquisition
On January 27, 2012, RB&T assumed substantially all of the deposits and certain other liabilities and acquired certain assets of Tennessee Commerce Bank (“TCB”), headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee from the FDIC, as receiver for TCB, pursuant to the terms of a Purchase and Assumption Agreement — Whole Bank; All Deposits (the “P&A Agreement”), entered into among RB&T, the FDIC as receiver of TCB and the FDIC. All financial and other numeric measures of TCB described below are based upon TCB’s internally prepared interim financial statement information as of January 27, 2012, which are subject to change.
Under the terms of the P&A Agreement, RB&T acquired approximately $220 million in assets, including approximately $112 million in loans and other real estate owned, approximately $45 million of marketable securities and approximately $63 million of cash and cash equivalents. Approximately $648 million of loans and other real estate owned, approximately $86 million of securities and approximately $41 million of other TCB assets were excluded from the transaction. RB&T assumed approximately $950 million of liabilities, including approximately $948 million in customer deposits. The acquisition was completed without loss sharing agreements.
The assets were acquired from the FDIC at a discount of $57 million with no stated deposit premium. Based on TCB’s January 27, 2012 internally prepared interim financial statement information, the FDIC made a payment to RB&T in the amount of $785 million, which is subject to customary post-closing adjustments.
TCB’s aggressive lending strategy in combination with the fact that it had only one location, led it to raise substantially all of its deposit funding via the internet or through brokered deposits. In many cases, its deposits were acquired at rates above market. Approximately $913 million of its deposits were obtained in this manner causing TCB’s total cost of interest bearing deposits to be 1.90% at December 31, 2011. Because RB&T obtained only $220 million of non-cash assets in the transaction at a discount of approximately $57 million, it had no short-term profitable use for the excess cash it obtained in the transaction. As a result, as permitted by the terms of the P&A Agreement, RB&T repriced TCB’s existing interest bearing deposits to a substantially lower rate the day after its acquisition. Management anticipates that as a result of this repricing, the substantial majority of the deposits it acquired via the transaction will leave RB&T within the first three months after acquisition.
The Company recorded the acquired assets and liabilities at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value for loans reflected expected credit losses at the acquisition date. As a result, the Company will only recognize a provision for credit losses and charge-offs on the acquired loans for any further credit deterioration.
Regulatory Developments
As disclosed in Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters,” of Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) concluded as part of its 2009 CRA Evaluation that RB&T violated Regulation B (“Reg B”) regarding documentation of spousal obligations on a limited number of loans identified within RB&T’s commercial lending area.
Prior to the FDIC’s notification to RB&T of its 2009 CRA Evaluation results, RB&T changed certain procedures and processes to better document its commercial loan origination process as it relates to the intent of both spouses to become obligated to repay certain commercial loans. The FDIC did notify RB&T of certain additional corrective actions to be undertaken in response to the alleged Reg B violations.
FDIC Proceedings Regarding the TRS segment:
In February 2011, RB&T received a Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Notice”) regarding its RAL program. The Notice contended that RB&T’s practice of originating RALs without the benefit of the Debt Indicator (“DI”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) was unsafe and unsound. The Notice did not address RB&T’s ERC and ERD products. The Notice initiated an agency adjudication proceeding, In Republic Bank & Trust Company, to determine whether the FDIC should issue a cease and desist order to restrain RB&T’s RAL program. For additional discussion regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
On May 3, 2011, RB&T received an Amended Notice of Charges for an Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Hearing from the FDIC (the “Amended Notice”) from the FDIC revising its original Notice referenced in the preceding paragraph. The Amended Notice resulted from conclusions made by the FDIC during a targeted visitation of 250 ERO offices in 36 states, which it conducted on February 15 and 16, 2011. In addition to the allegations contained in the Notice, the Amended Notice alleged violations of the Truth-In-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Amended Notice also accused RB&T of, among other things, unsafe or unsound banking practices resulting from its third-party management; unsafe or unsound hindrance, impediment, or interference with a financial institution examination; unsafe or unsound physical security or electronic protection of ERO premises; violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and FDIC regulation; and violations of the 2009 Order. Moreover, the Amended Notice included an assessment of a $2 million Civil Money Penalty (“CMP”). As a result, RB&T recorded a $2 million liability as of June 30, 2011. For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
Federal District Court Litigation:
On February 28, 2011, RB&T filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (the “Court”) against the FDIC and various officers of the FDIC in their official capacities, entitled Republic Bank & Trust Company v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, et al (the “Litigation”). The complaint stated that the FDIC’s actions to prohibit RB&T from offering RALs constituted a generally applicable change in law that must be administered through the traditional notice and comment rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act (the “APA”) or otherwise in a fashion permitted by law that is separate and apart from the adjudicatory process initiated by the Notice. The complaint also stated that the FDIC had unlawfully ignored its procedural rules regarding discovery in the proceedings initiated by the Notice by conducting a series of unscheduled “visitations.” The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief. On March 31, 2011, the FDIC filed a Motion to Dismiss (the “Motion”) RB&T’s complaint with the Court. RB&T timely filed its brief in opposition to the Motion, and the matter remained pending with the Court up through RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC discussed below.
Resolution of all FDIC-Related Proceedings:
Effective December 8, 2011, RB&T entered into an agreement with the FDIC resolving its differences regarding the TRS operating segment. RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC was in the form of a Stipulation Agreement and a Consent Order (collectively, the “Agreement”). As part of the Agreement, RB&T and the FDIC settled all matters set out in the Amended Notice and the Litigation. More specifically,
| ● | the FDIC terminated the 2009 Order against RB&T entered on February 27, 2009; |
| ● | the $2 million CMP was reduced to $900,000; |
| ● | RB&T was allowed to immediately resume expansionary activities and transactions in the ordinary course, so long as RB&T maintains appropriate regulatory ratings; |
| ● | RB&T developed an Electronic Return Originator (“ERO”) Oversight Plan (the “ERO Plan”), which the FDIC agreed to and is more fully described below; |
| ● | RB&T agreed to cease the RAL portion of its tax business by April 30, 2012, after the first quarter 2012 tax season; |
| ● | the FDIC and RB&T discontinued their administrative proceeding commenced in February 2011; and |
| ● | RB&T terminated the Litigation. |
As disclosed above, the Agreement reduced the previously announced CMP against RB&T from $2 million to $900,000. As a result of the reduced CMP, RB&T, which had previously reserved $2 million for the CMP during the second quarter of 2011, recorded a $1.1 million credit to pre-tax income during the fourth quarter of 2011.
As disclosed above, RB&T developed an ERO Plan, which was agreed to by the FDIC. The ERO Plan articulates a framework for RB&T to continue to offer non-RAL tax related products and services with specified oversight of the tax preparers with which RB&T does business. The ERO Plan includes requirements for, among other things,
| ● | positive affirmations by EROs of individual tax preparer training related to regulatory requirements applicable to bank products; |
| ● | annual audits covering 10% of active ERO locations and a significant sample of applications for Bank products. The audits will consist of onsite visits, document reviews, mystery shops of tax preparation offices, and tax product customer surveys; |
| ● | on-site audit confirmation of ERO agreements to adhere to laws, processes, procedures, disclosure requirements and physical and electronic security requirements; |
| ● | an advertising approval process that requires RB&T to approve all tax preparer advertisements prior to their issuance; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for income tax return quality; |
| ● | monitoring of ERO offices for adherence to acceptable tax preparation fee parameters; |
| ● | monitoring for federal and state tax preparation requirements, including local and state tax preparer registration, and posting and disclosure requirements relative to Bank products; |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC of any significant changes in the TRS line of business, including |
| o | a change of more than 25% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business, or |
| o | the addition of tax-related products offered by RB&T that it did not previously offer; and |
| ● | RB&T to provide advance notification, as practicable, to the FDIC when RB&T enters into a relationship with a new corporation that has multiple owned or franchised locations, when the relationship alone will represent an increase of more than 10% from the prior tax season in the number of EROs with which RB&T is doing business. |
Because the Agreement does not affect RB&T’s ability to offer RALs for the first quarter 2012 tax season, it is not expected to have a material adverse impact on net income for the first quarter of 2012 or for the 2012 calendar year. RB&T’s discontinuance of RALs beyond 2012 is expected to have a material adverse impact on net income in 2013 and beyond, as the RAL product accounted for approximately 35% of the TRS segment’s 2011 net income of $67.3 million. It is expected that TRS will continue to be a material contributor to the Company’s overall net income in 2013 and beyond. Actual TRS net income for 2012 and beyond will be impacted by a number of factors, including those factors disclosed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC and set forth under Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
| ● | Part I Item 1 “Business” |
| ● | Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors” |
| ● | Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:” |
| o | “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” |
| ● | Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:” |
| o | Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” |
| o | Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” |
| o | Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances” |
| o | Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” |
| o | Footnote 21 “Segment Information” |
| o | Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters” |
For additional detail regarding the Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011, including Exhibit 10.1.
For additional discussion regarding the 2009 Order, see the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2009, including Exhibit 10.62.
For additional discussion regarding the Amended Notice, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2011, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.
For additional discussion regarding the Consent Order, see the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 9, 2011, including Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2.
TRS Material Contracts
In December 2011, RB&T amended and restated its Marketing and Servicing Agreement (the “Marketing Agreement”) with Liberty to, among other things:
| ● | set the term of the Agreement to expire on October 16, 2014; |
| | |
| ● | name RB&T as the exclusive provider of all RAL and ERC/ERD products for a mutually agreed upon list of locations through the term of the contract; |
| | |
| ● | remove RB&T’s annual option to unilaterally terminate the Agreement; |
| | |
| ● | amend the designated level of RAL delinquency which, if exceeded, provides RB&T with the right to receive certain monies; and |
| | |
| ● | provided that either party may at its option terminate the Marketing Agreement upon twenty days’ prior written notice if (i) the other party has materially breached any of the terms thereof and has failed to cure such breach within such twenty day time period or (ii) the continued operation of the Financial Product Program or the electronic filing program is no longer commercially feasible or practical, or no longer provides the same opportunity, to the terminating party due to legal, legislative or regulatory determinations, enactments or interpretations or significant external events or occurrences beyond the control of the terminating party; provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii), the parties shall first mutually endeavor in good faith to modify the Financial Product Program in a manner resolving the problems caused by legal, legislative or regulatory or external events or occurrences. |
As a result of this amendment, the total number of Liberty tax preparation offices that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012 is not expected to differ materially from the number of Liberty tax preparation offices that offered the RB&T’s products in 2011.
During August of 2011, RB&T amended and restated its Program Agreement (the “Program Agreement”) with JHI to, among other things:
| ● | add Jackson Hewitt Technology Services LLC (“JHTSL”) as a party to the Program Agreement whereby JHTSL agreed to provide certain technology services, including personnel to RB&T, in connection with the services provided for under the Program Agreement; |
| | |
| ● | set the term of the Program Agreement to expire on October 14, 2014; |
| | |
| ● | remove RB&T’s annual option to unilaterally terminate the Program Agreement; |
| | |
| ● | amend the termination provisions of the Program Agreement to provide RB&T an additional termination right due to regulatory direction relative to its tax products; and |
| | |
| ● | amend the provisions of the Program Agreement to modify, in part, the method of designation of Jackson Hewitt tax preparation locations that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and provide that RB&T shall be the exclusive tax product provider in those locations. |
As a result of this amendment, the total number of JH tax preparation offices that will offer RB&T’s tax products in 2012 is not expected to differ materially from the number of JH tax preparation offices that offered the RB&T’s products in 2011.
OVERVIEW
Table 1 – Summary
Year Ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data) | | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 94,149 | | | $ | 64,753 | | | $ | 42,131 | |
Diluted earnings per Class A Common Stock | | | 4.49 | | | | 3.10 | | | | 2.02 | |
Return on average assets (ROA) | | | 2.76 | % | | | 1.85 | % | | | 1.23 | % |
Return on average equity (ROE) | | | 21.42 | % | | | 17.92 | % | | | 13.77 | % |
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $94.1 million, representing an increase of $29.4 million, or 45%, compared to the same period in 2010. Diluted earnings per Class A Common Share increased 45% from $3.10 for the year ended December 31, 2010 to $4.49 for the same period in 2011. Additional discussion follows in this section of the filing under “Results of Operations.”
General highlights by segment for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:
Traditional Banking segment
| ● | Net income increased $8.6 million, or 48%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
| ● | Despite increases in net interest income during the third and fourth quarters of 2011, net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2011, decreased slightly, or $339,000, to $105.3 million. The Traditional Banking segment net interest margin declined 2 basis points for the same period to 3.57%. |
| ● | Provision for loan losses was $6.4 million for year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $11.6 million for the same period in 2010. |
| ● | Total non interest income increased $4.4 million, or 19%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
| ● | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Bank sold and had called available for sale mortgage backed securities with a total amortized cost of $160 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.3 million. |
| ● | During the third quarter of 2011, the Bank closed the transaction related to the sale of its only banking center located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Bank recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of $2.9 million as a result of the transaction. |
| ● | Total non interest expense decreased $3.6 million, or 4%, during the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
| ● | Total non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 1.02% at December 31, 2011, from 1.30% at December 31, 2010. |
| ● | The Bank launched its Warehouse Lending division during the second quarter of 2011 and had $41 million in loans outstanding at December 31, 2011. |
| ● | The Bank purchased performing commercial real estate loans with a face amount of approximately $37 million at a 13% discount to par during the second quarter of 2011. |
Tax Refund Solutions (“TRS”) segment
| ● | The total dollar volume of tax refunds processed during the 2011 tax season increased $1.7 billion, or 17%, over the 2010 tax season. |
| ● | As anticipated, total RAL dollar volume decreased from $3.0 billion during the 2010 tax season to $1.0 billion during the 2011 tax season. |
| ● | Net income increased $23.1 million, or 52%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
| ● | Net interest income increased $8.5 million, or 17%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
| ● | TRS recorded a provision for loan losses of $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $8.1 million for the same period in 2010. |
| ● | TRS posted non interest income of $88.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $59.1 million for the same period in 2010. |
| ● | During the second quarter of 2011, RB&T accrued a $2 million liability within the TRS segment related to the assessment of a CMP by the FDIC against RB&T. The actual penalty paid during the fourth quarter of 2011 was $900,000, resulting in a $1.1 million credit to pre-tax income during the fourth quarter. |
| ● | Effective December 8, 2011, RB&T entered into an agreement with the FDIC resolving its differences regarding the TRS operating segment. RB&T’s resolution with the FDIC was in the form of a Stipulation Agreement and a Consent Order. As discussed throughout, the Company has agreed to cease the RAL portion of the TRS business subsequent to April 30, 2012. |
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
● Part I Item 1 “Business”
● Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
● Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o “Recent Developments”
o “Results of Operations”
o “Financial Condition”
● Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o Footnote 8 “Deposits”
o Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances”
o Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”
o Footnote 21 “Segment Information”
o Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters”
Mortgage Banking segment
| ● | Within the Mortgage Banking segment, Mortgage Banking income decreased $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. |
General highlights by segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 consisted of the following:
Traditional Banking segment
| ● | Net income increased $2.5 million, or 16%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Net interest income decreased $4.7 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The Traditional Banking segment net interest margin declined 22 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 to 3.57%. |
| ● | Provision for loan losses was $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $15.9 million for the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Non interest income increased $2.0 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Total non interest expense decreased $1.5 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Total non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 1.30% at December 31, 2010, from 1.90% at December 31, 2009, as the total balance of non-performing loans decreased by nearly $15 million for the same period. |
TRS segment
| ● | Net income increased $24.3 million, or 121%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Net interest income decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | TRS recorded a provision for loan losses of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $18.1 million for the same period in 2009. |
| ● | TRS posted non interest income of $59.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $25.9 million for the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Total RAL dollar volume increased 22% from $2.5 billion during the 2009 tax season to $3.0 billion during the 2010 tax season. |
| ● | RB&T obtained $562 million in brokered deposits during the fourth quarter of 2010 to fund projected RAL volume during the first quarter 2011 tax season. |
Mortgage Banking segment
| ● | Within the Mortgage Banking segment, Mortgage Banking income decreased $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
| ● | Mortgage Banking income was negatively impacted by a decline in secondary market loan volume during 2010. |
| ● | Mortgage Banking income during 2009 was positively impacted by the reversal of $1.2 million of the valuation allowance related to the MSR portfolio. |
| ● | Non interest expenses increased $905,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to a change in the allocation of certain shared expenses during 2010 between segments. |
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Banking operations are significantly dependent upon net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities and the interest expense on liabilities used to fund those assets, such as interest-bearing deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and FHLB advances. Net interest income is impacted by both changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as market interest rates.
Discussion of 2011 vs. 2010
Total Company net interest income increased $8.0 million, or 5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The total Company net interest margin increased 44 basis points to 5.09% for the same period. The significant components comprising the total Company increase in net interest income were as follows:
Traditional Banking segment
Net interest income within the Traditional Banking segment decreased slightly, or $339,000 for 2011 compared to 2010. The Traditional Banking net interest margin declined 2 basis points for the same period to 3.55%. The decrease in net interest income was due primarily due to a greater degree of downward repricing interest-earning assets, as compared to interest-bearing liabilities, as well as a decrease in the average balances of the Bank’s higher-yielding interest-earning assets. While overall net interest income within the Traditional Banking segment was lower for 2011 compared to 2010, the Bank implemented strategies during 2011, which reversed the negative trend for net interest income. These strategies, which are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs, helped to contribute to a second consecutive quarterly increase in net interest income over prior year same quarter.
Contributing to the positive trend in net interest income during the second half of 2011 was an increase in the investment portfolio. Prior to the first quarter of 2011, the Bank’s general investment strategy was largely to not reinvest the cash it had been receiving from its loan and investment paydowns and pay-offs into assets with longer-term repricing horizons, due to market projections of interest rate increases in the future. As a result, much of the cash the Bank received from paydowns during the previous two years had been reinvested into short-term, lower yielding investments, which had improved the Bank’s risk position from future interest rate increases, while negatively impacting then-current earnings. This conservative investment strategy, which involved minimal credit risk and minimal interest rate risk, led the Bank to hold a significant sum of cash at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) for much of 2009 and 2010.
In February 2011, the Bank modified its conservative investment strategy, taking on more interest rate risk by reinvesting a portion of its excess cash into longer-term investment securities, thus increasing projected net interest income and net interest margin for the near-term. The Bank made this revision to its conservative strategy, in large part, due to the on-going contraction of its net interest margin resulting from continued paydowns in its loan portfolio and the large amount of cash on hand earning 0.25%. While the Bank has slightly revised this strategy throughout 2011, in general, it has maintained the same strategic direction of extending maturities within its investment portfolio in order to increase its yield on interest-earning assets. Although the Bank has taken on more interest rate risk as a result of this strategy, the overall interest rate risk position of the Bank continues to remain within its interest rate risk policy approved by its boards of directors.
Also contributing to the positive trend in net interest income during the second half of 2011, were strategies employed within the loan portfolio. More specifically, as it did in 2010, the Bank also retained in its portfolio approximately $45 million of 15-year fixed rate residential real estate loans during 2011 that it has traditionally sold into the secondary market. The weighted average rate of these loans was 3.58%. The Bank employed this strategy due to the overall steepness of the yield curve, which allowed the Bank to earn an acceptable spread for these longer maturity type assets.
In addition to the activity noted above within its residential real estate portfolio, during June 2011 the Bank purchased approximately $37 million of performing commercial real estate loans at a 13% discount. The Bank made this purchase as one of its strategies to reverse an on-going contraction in its net interest margin. At the time of purchase, these loans had a weighted average life of approximately seven years with an expected yield of 8.28%. For further discussion, see the section titled “Loan Portfolio” under “Financial Condition.”
Management expects to continue to experience downward repricing in its loan and investment portfolios. This downward repricing will continue to cause compression in the Bank’s net interest income and net interest margin. Additionally, because the Fed Funds Target Rate (“FFTR”) (the index which many of the Bank’s short-term deposit rates track) has remained at a target range between 0.00% and 0.25%, no future FFTR decreases from the FOMC of the FRB are possible, exacerbating the compression to the Bank’s net interest income and net interest margin caused by its repricing loans and investments. The Bank is unable to precisely determine the ultimate negative impact to the Bank’s net interest spread and margin in the future because several factors remain unknown at this time, such as future demand for financial products and the overall future need for liquidity, among many other factors.
For additional information on the potential future effect of changes in short-term interest rates on Republic’s net interest income, see the table titled “Interest Rate Sensitivity for 2011” in this section of the filing.
TRS segment
Net interest income within the TRS segment increased $8.5 million, or 17%, for 2011 compared to 2010. The increase in TRS’ net interest income was primarily due to a $7.6 million, or 15%, increase in RAL fee income. As stated previously in this filing, RB&T, among other things, increased its RAL pricing in response to the anticipated increase in provision for loan losses for RALs resulting from the loss of the DI from the IRS. The revised pricing resulted in an increase in yield for the RAL product. Partially offsetting the increase in interest income from the higher yield on RALs was a reduction to interest income resulting from a decline in the total dollar amount of RALs originated. The decline in the dollar volume of RALs originated occurred as a result of RB&T’s maximum individual RAL offering amount being lowered to $1,500.
TRS net interest income continued to benefit from low funding costs during 2011. Average brokered deposits outstanding utilized to fund RALs during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $105 million and $313 million with a weighted average cost of 0.43% and 0.50%, respectively. As a result, interest expense for the TRS segment was $455,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $1.1 million from the same period in 2010.
As discussed throughout, the Company has agreed to cease the RAL portion of the TRS business subsequent to April 30, 2012.
For additional discussion regarding TRS, see the following sections:
● Part I Item 1 “Business”
● Part I Item 1A “Risk Factors”
● Part II Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:”
o “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”
o “Recent Developments”
o “Overview”
o “Results of Operations”
o “Financial Condition”
● Part II Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
o Footnote 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”
o Footnote 3 “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”
o Footnote 8 “Deposits”
o Footnote 10 “FHLB Advances”
o Footnote 18 “Off balance sheet risks, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”
o Footnote 21 “Segment Information”
o Footnote 22 “Regulatory Matters”
Discussion of 2010 vs. 2009
Total Company net interest income decreased $7.1 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The total Company net interest margin decreased 39 basis points to 4.65% for the same period. The significant components comprising the total Company increase in net interest income were as follows:
Traditional Banking segment
Net interest income decreased $4.7 million, or 4%, for 2010 compared to 2009. The Traditional Bank’s net interest margin declined 22 basis points for the same period to 3.57%. The decrease in net interest income was due primarily to a decline in interest income resulting from the continued paydowns and downward repricing of loans and investments. Generally, the Bank’s strategy has largely been not to reinvest the cash it has been receiving from its loan and investment paydowns and pay-offs into assets with longer-term repricing horizons due to market projections of interest rate increases in the future. As a result, much of the cash the Bank received from paydowns over the past several quarters has been reinvested into short-term, lower yielding investments, which has greatly improved the Bank’s risk position from future interest rate increases, while negatively impacting current earnings.
The Bank was able to partially offset the downward pressure on interest income during 2010 by utilizing the following liability strategies:
| ● | Continued lowering cost of funds by reducing rates on deposit products; |
| ● | Exited a higher costing brokered money market relationship during September 2010. |
| ● | Paid off FHLB advances prior to their scheduled maturity dates. In total, the Bank prepaid $87 million in FHLB advances with a weighted average cost of 3.48% during the first quarter of 2010. This strategy positively impacted net interest income for 2010 by an estimated $1.2 million. |
As a result of the above strategies, the Traditional Banking segment lowered its cost of interest-bearing liabilities by 6 basis points during 2010, to 1.49%.
In addition to the above liability strategies, the Bank also retained in its portfolio during 2010 approximately $65 million of 15-year fixed rate residential real estate loans that it has traditionally sold into the secondary market. The weighted average rate of these loans was 3.96% with approximately $57 million of these loans retained during the fourth quarter of the year.
TRS segment
Net interest income within the TRS segment decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in net interest income within the TRS segment was primarily due to a $5.4 million, or 9%, reduction in RAL fee income resulting from RB&T’s revised 2010 pricing model, which substantially lowered RB&T’s RAL fee to its customers. In conjunction with the revised 2010 pricing model, RB&T significantly reduced third party rebates to its technology and service providers, partially offsetting the reduction in price. TRS was also able to partially offset the decline in RAL fees through an increase in volume, as the total number of RALs processed increased 15% over 2009 while the dollar volume of RALs processed increased 22%.
TRS net interest income benefited significantly from lower funding costs during 2010 compared to 2009. Average brokered deposits outstanding utilized to fund RALs during 2010 and 2009 were $313 million and $447 million with a weighted average cost of 0.50% and 0.97%, respectively. As a result, interest expense for the TRS segment was $1.6 million for 2010, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 68%, from 2009.
Table 2 provides detailed Total Company average balances, interest income/expense and rates by major balance sheet category for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Table 3 provides an analysis of total Company changes in net interest income attributable to changes in rates and changes in volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the same periods.
Table 2 – Total Company Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates for Years Ended December 31,
| | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Rate | | | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Rate | | | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Rate | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable investment securities, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
including FHLB stock(1) | | $ | 678,804 | | | $ | 16,486 | | | | 2.43 | % | | $ | 561,113 | | | $ | 15,799 | | | | 2.82 | % | | $ | 536,612 | | | $ | 19,535 | | | | 3.64 | % |
Tax exempt investment securities(1)(4) | | | - | | | | - | | | | 0.00 | % | | | 160 | | | | 11 | | | | 10.58 | % | | | 384 | | | | 23 | | | | 9.08 | % |
Federal funds sold and other interest- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
earning deposits | | | 315,530 | | | | 914 | | | | 0.29 | % | | | 473,137 | | | | 1,200 | | | | 0.25 | % | | | 341,126 | | | | 1,024 | | | | 0.30 | % |
Refund Anticipation Loan fees(2) | | | 29,572 | | | | 59,117 | | | | 199.91 | % | | | 99,629 | | | | 51,556 | | | | 51.75 | % | | | 73,594 | | | | 56,922 | | | | 77.35 | % |
Traditional Bank loans and fees(2)(3) | | | 2,216,687 | | | | 118,598 | | | | 5.35 | % | | | 2,239,361 | | | | 124,907 | | | | 5.58 | % | | | 2,298,414 | | | | 135,101 | | | | 5.88 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-earning assets | | | 3,240,593 | | | | 195,115 | | | | 6.02 | % | | | 3,373,400 | | | | 193,473 | | | | 5.74 | % | | | 3,250,130 | | | | 212,605 | | | | 6.54 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Allowance for loan losses | | | 28,817 | | | | | | | | | | | | 27,755 | | | | | | | | | | | | 22,005 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non interest-earning cash and cash | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
equivalents | | | 112,513 | | | | | | | | | | | | 57,790 | | | | | | | | | | | | 99,461 | | | | | | | | | |
Premises and equipment, net | | | 36,020 | | | | | | | | | | | | 38,458 | | | | | | | | | | | | 40,990 | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets(1) | | | 56,612 | | | | | | | | | | | | 61,993 | | | | | | | | | | | | 47,149 | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,416,921 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,503,886 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,415,725 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCK- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
HOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction accounts | | $ | 422,222 | | | $ | 540 | | | | 0.13 | % | | $ | 302,958 | | | $ | 561 | | | | 0.19 | % | | $ | 253,433 | | | $ | 245 | | | | 0.10 | % |
Money market accounts | | | 628,178 | | | | 1,939 | | | | 0.31 | % | | | 636,963 | | | | 2,845 | | | | 0.45 | % | | | 581,220 | | | | 3,172 | | | | 0.55 | % |
Time deposits | | | 254,064 | | | | 4,055 | | | | 1.60 | % | | | 329,970 | | | | 5,775 | | | | 1.75 | % | | | 389,635 | | | | 10,319 | | | | 2.65 | % |
Brokered money market and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
brokered certificates of deposit | | | 236,051 | | | | 2,380 | | | | 1.01 | % | | | 456,000 | | | | 3,948 | | | | 0.87 | % | | | 459,989 | | | | 8,151 | | | | 1.77 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 1,540,515 | | | | 8,914 | | | | 0.58 | % | | | 1,725,891 | | | | 13,129 | | | | 0.76 | % | | | 1,684,277 | | | | 21,887 | | | | 1.30 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Securities sold under agreements | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
to repurchase and other short- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
term borrowings | | | 278,861 | | | | 646 | | | | 0.23 | % | | | 330,154 | | | | 1,026 | | | | 0.31 | % | | | 323,688 | | | | 1,063 | | | | 0.33 | % |
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | | | 558,249 | | | | 18,180 | | | | 3.26 | % | | | 574,181 | | | | 19,991 | | | | 3.48 | % | | | 630,294 | | | | 23,277 | | | | 3.69 | % |
Subordinated note | | | 41,240 | | | | 2,515 | | | | 6.10 | % | | | 41,240 | | | | 2,515 | | | | 6.10 | % | | | 41,240 | | | | 2,515 | | | | 6.10 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 2,418,865 | | | | 30,255 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | 2,671,466 | | | | 36,661 | | | | 1.37 | % | | | 2,679,499 | | | | 48,742 | | | | 1.82 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non interest-bearing liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
and Stockholders' equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non interest-bearing deposits | | | 509,457 | | | | | | | | | | | | 421,162 | | | | | | | | | | | | 381,665 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 48,963 | | | | | | | | | | | | 49,901 | | | | | | | | | | | | 48,697 | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders' equity | | | 439,636 | | | | | | | | | | | | 361,357 | | | | | | | | | | | | 305,864 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stock- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
holders' equity | | $ | 3,416,921 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,503,886 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,415,725 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest income | | | | | | $ | 164,860 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 156,812 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 163,863 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest spread | | | | | | | | | | | 4.77 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 4.37 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 4.72 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest margin | | | | | | | | | | | 5.09 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 4.65 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 5.04 | % |
(continued)
Table 2 – Total Company Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates for Years Ended December 31, (continued)
(1) | For the purpose of this calculation, the fair market value adjustment on investment securities resulting from FASB |
| ASC topic 320 “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” is included as a component of other assets. |
(2) | The amount of loan fee income included in total interest income was $62.3 million, $54.9 million and $60.7 million |
| for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. |
(3) | Average balances for loans include the principal balance of non-accrual loans and loans held for sale. |
(4) | Yields on tax exempt investment securities have been computed based on a fully tax-equivalent basis using the federal income tax rate of 35%. |
Table 3 illustrates the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impacted Republic’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume) and (iii) net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
Table 3 – Total Company Volume/Rate Variance Analysis
| | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | | | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | |
| | | | | Compared to | | | | | | Compared to | |
| | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | | | | | | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | |
| | | | | Increase / (Decrease) Due to | | | | | | Increase / (Decrease) Due to | |
(in thousands) | | Total Net Change | | | Volume | | | Rate | | | Total Net Change | | | Volume | | | Rate | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Taxable investment securities, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
including FHLB stock | | $ | 687 | | | $ | 3,039 | | | $ | (2,352 | ) | | $ | (3,736 | ) | | $ | 909 | | | $ | (4,645 | ) |
Tax exempt investment securities | | | (11 | ) | | | (11 | ) | | | - | | | | (12 | ) | | | (37 | ) | | | 25 | |
Federal funds sold and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
interest-earning deposits | | | (286 | ) | | | (440 | ) | | | 154 | | | | 176 | | | | 352 | | | | (176 | ) |
Refund Anticipation Loan fees | | | 7,561 | | | | (56,719 | ) | | | 64,280 | | | | (5,366 | ) | | | 16,694 | | | | (22,060 | ) |
Traditional bank loans and fees | | | (6,309 | ) | | | (1,254 | ) | | | (5,055 | ) | | | (10,194 | ) | | | (3,412 | ) | | | (6,782 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in interest income | | | 1,642 | | | | (55,385 | ) | | | 57,027 | | | | (19,132 | ) | | | 14,506 | | | | (33,638 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction accounts | | | (21 | ) | | | 183 | | | | (204 | ) | | | 316 | | | | 56 | | | | 260 | |
Money market accounts | | | (906 | ) | | | (39 | ) | | | (867 | ) | | | (327 | ) | | | 285 | | | | (612 | ) |
Time deposits | | | (1,720 | ) | | | (1,244 | ) | | | (476 | ) | | | (4,544 | ) | | | (1,413 | ) | | | (3,131 | ) |
Brokered money market and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
brokered certificates of deposit | | | (1,568 | ) | | | (2,138 | ) | | | 570 | | | | (4,203 | ) | | | (70 | ) | | | (4,133 | ) |
Securities sold under agreements | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
to repurchase and other short-term | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
borrowings | | | (380 | ) | | | (144 | ) | | | (236 | ) | | | (37 | ) | | | 21 | | | | (58 | ) |
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | | | (1,811 | ) | | | (544 | ) | | | (1,267 | ) | | | (3,286 | ) | | | (2,000 | ) | | | (1,286 | ) |
Subordinated note | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in interest expense | | | (6,406 | ) | | | (3,926 | ) | | | (2,480 | ) | | | (12,081 | ) | | | (3,121 | ) | | | (8,960 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in net interest income | | $ | 8,048 | | | $ | (51,459 | ) | | $ | 59,507 | | | $ | (7,051 | ) | | $ | 17,627 | | | $ | (24,678 | ) |
Provision for Loan Losses
Discussion of 2011 vs. 2010
The Company recorded total provision for loan losses of $18.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $19.7 million during 2010. The significant components comprising the Company’s provision for loan losses were as follows:
Traditional Banking segment
The Traditional Banking provision for loan losses during 2011 was $6.4 million, a $5.2 million decline from 2010. The decrease in the provision was generally attributable to an overall improvement in the Bank’s credit quality metrics and better charge-off experience.
As part of its on-going classified asset analysis, the Bank recorded additional provisions of $4.0 million during 2011 related to 9 specifically reviewed “substandard” commercial and large retail relationships (substantially all in the first quarter) compared to $2.1 million during 2010 related to 20 relationships. More than offsetting the increase in provision expense associated with its specifically reviewed large substandard loans was a significant reduction in provision expense associated with the Bank’s smaller dollar homogenous retail and commercial past due and non-accrual loans, which peaked during 2010.
In addition, during 2010 (substantially all in the first quarter), the Bank increased its allowance for loan losses by $1.3 million for quantitative and qualitative adjustments to its historical loss percentages for its general formula reserves across substantially all loan categories. In particular, the Bank increased its general reserves associated with its home equity portfolio due to higher historical loss percentages and declining residential real estate values. As real estate values and historical loss percentages have remained relatively stable during 2011, the Bank has not made any additional material qualitative or quantitative adjustments to its historical loss percentages. Home equity loans are one of the Bank’s largest homogenous pools of loans and are evaluated collectively in determining the allocated allowance. In determining the allocated allowance, management analyzes the average annual loss rates for the previous 3-year and 2-year periods, along with the current year loss rate, as well as comparisons to peer group corresponding loss rates. In addition, when qualitative factors, such as a general decline in home values, indicate an elevated risk of loss, management performs additional analysis on the home equity portfolio such as updating collateral values on a test basis.
During year 2011, the Bank charged off $7.3 million in loans compared to $12.5 million for 2010. In addition, the Bank also recorded $753,000 more in credits to its provision for loan losses for recoveries of previously charged off loans during 2011 than it did during 2010. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans within the Traditional Banking segment were 0.24% for 2011 compared to 0.51% for 2010. This equated to a $5.9 million reduction in net charge-offs for 2011 compared to 2010.
As a percentage of total loans, the Traditional Banking allowance for loan losses was 1.05% at December 31, 2011 compared to 1.06% at December 31, 2010. Management believes, based on information presently available, that it has adequately provided for loan losses at December 31, 2011.
See the sections titled “Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses” and “Asset Quality” in this section of the filing under “Financial Condition” for additional discussion regarding the provision for loan losses and the Bank’s delinquent and non-performing loans.
Institutions using a third-party vendor for their overdraft payment programs must exercise careful oversight, as discussed in the FDIC’s 2008 Guidance for Managing Third-Party Risk. The FDIC will take supervisory action where overdraft payment programs pose unacceptable safety and soundness or compliance management system risks or result in violations of laws or regulations, including unfair or deceptive acts or practices and fair lending laws.”