UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 Commission File Number 0-15572 FIRST BANCORP (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) North Carolina 56-1421916 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification Number) 341 North Main Street, Troy, North Carolina 27371-0508 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) (910) 576-6171 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. |X| YES |_| NO Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. |X| YES |_| NO As of October 31, 2003, 9,403,977 shares of the registrant's Common Stock, no par value, were outstanding. The registrant had no other classes of securities outstanding. INDEX FIRST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES Page Part I. Financial Information Item 1 - Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2003 and 2002 (With Comparative Amounts at December 31, 2002) 3 Consolidated Statements of Income - For the Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 4 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - For the Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 5 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - For the Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 8 Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Results of Operations and Financial Condition 17 Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 29 Item 4 - Controls and Procedures 31 Part II. Other Information Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 33 Signatures 34 Page 2 Part I. Financial Information Item 1 - Financial Statements First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, December 31, September 30, ($ in thousands-unaudited) 2003 2002 2002 (a) ====================================================================================================== ASSETS Cash & due from banks, noninterest-bearing $ 30,671 26,733 24,332 Due from banks, interest-bearing 5,401 30,753 1,343 Federal funds sold 9,478 16,167 15,227 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total cash and cash equivalents 45,550 73,653 40,902 ------------- ------------- ------------- Securities available for sale (costs of $88,032, $64,380, and $78,876) 89,480 65,779 80,630 Securities held to maturity (fair values of $15,085, $15,757, and $15,056) 14,345 14,990 14,114 Presold mortgages in process of settlement 6,224 19,268 5,401 Loans 1,142,900 998,547 983,045 Less: Allowance for loan losses (12,700) (10,907) (10,524) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net loans 1,130,200 987,640 972,521 ------------- ------------- ------------- Premises and equipment 23,187 22,239 21,613 Accrued interest receivable 5,230 5,341 5,661 Intangible assets 36,623 25,169 24,444 Other 6,383 4,067 3,589 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total assets $ 1,357,222 1,218,146 1,168,875 ============= ============= ============= LIABILITIES Deposits: Demand - noninterest-bearing $ 130,521 112,380 106,521 Savings, NOW, and money market 413,511 387,691 369,670 Time deposits of $100,000 or more 228,906 199,794 188,888 Other time deposits 370,860 356,092 350,239 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total deposits 1,143,798 1,055,957 1,015,318 Borrowings 66,000 30,000 23,000 Accrued interest payable 2,140 2,466 2,411 Other liabilities 7,196 5,738 6,017 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total liabilities 1,219,134 1,094,161 1,046,746 ------------- ------------- ------------- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, No par value per share Issued and outstanding: 9,394,301, 9,121,630, and 9,126,019 shares 54,473 48,313 48,557 Retained earnings 82,909 74,920 72,603 Accumulated other comprehensive income 706 752 969 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total shareholders' equity 138,088 123,985 122,129 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,357,222 1,218,146 1,168,875 ============= ============= ============= See notes to consolidated financial statements. (a) As restated. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 3 First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------ ----------------- ($ in thousands, except share data-unaudited) 2003 2002 (a) 2003 2002 (a) =============================================================================================================== INTEREST INCOME Interest and fees on loans $ 17,296 17,140 51,554 50,010 Interest on investment securities: Taxable interest income 910 1,236 2,761 3,977 Tax-exempt interest income 143 172 527 555 Other, principally overnight investments 123 122 651 598 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest income 18,472 18,670 55,493 55,140 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- INTEREST EXPENSE Savings, NOW and money market 480 943 1,682 2,835 Time deposits of $100,000 or more 1,435 1,621 4,560 5,251 Other time deposits 2,103 2,832 6,888 9,697 Borrowings 413 258 1,306 718 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest expense 4,431 5,654 14,436 18,501 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income 14,041 13,016 41,057 36,639 Provision for loan losses 695 575 1,755 1,790 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 13,346 12,441 39,302 34,849 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NONINTEREST INCOME Service charges on deposit accounts 1,988 1,733 5,776 5,019 Other service charges, commissions and fees 667 548 2,076 1,758 Fees from presold mortgages 565 359 1,918 1,139 Commissions from sales of insurance and financial products 361 189 956 632 Data processing fees 90 78 242 234 Securities gains (losses) 82 (2) 82 25 Other gains (losses) 49 (16) 87 (20) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total noninterest income 3,802 2,889 11,137 8,787 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NONINTEREST EXPENSES Salaries 4,437 3,840 13,028 11,147 Employee benefits 1,124 874 3,255 2,726 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total personnel expense 5,561 4,714 16,283 13,873 Net occupancy expense 580 517 1,738 1,545 Equipment related expenses 651 546 1,920 1,537 Intangibles amortization 46 8 137 24 Other operating expenses 2,435 2,348 7,795 6,959 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total noninterest expenses 9,273 8,133 27,873 23,938 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 7,875 7,197 22,566 19,698 Income taxes 2,819 2,538 8,006 6,887 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INCOME $ 5,056 4,659 14,560 12,811 ========== ========== ========== ========== Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.54 0.51 1.55 1.40 Diluted 0.53 0.50 1.52 1.37 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 9,378,865 9,131,922 9,376,581 9,144,704 Diluted 9,560,585 9,314,960 9,555,610 9,331,835 See notes to consolidated financial statements. (a) As restated. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 4 First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------- ------- ------- ------- ($ in thousands-unaudited) 2003 2002 (a) 2003 2002 (a) ============================================================================================= Net income $ 5,056 4,659 14,560 12,811 ------- ------- ------- ------- Other comprehensive income (loss): Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale: Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, pretax (495) 503 131 755 Tax benefit (expense) 194 (193) (50) (347) Reclassification to realized losses (gains) (82) 2 (82) (25) Tax expense (benefit) 32 (1) 32 10 Adjustment to minimum pension liability: Additional pension charge related to unfunded pension liability -- -- (127) (165) Tax benefit -- -- 50 64 ------- ------- ------- ------- Other comprehensive income (loss) (351) 311 (46) 292 ------- ------- ------- ------- Comprehensive income $ 4,705 4,970 14,514 13,103 ======= ======= ======= ======= See notes to consolidated financial statements. (a) As restated. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 5 First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Accumulated Common Stock Other Share- ---------------------- Retained Comprehensive holders' (In thousands, except per share - unaudited) Shares Amount Earnings (a) Income Equity (a) ======================================================================================================================= Balances, January 1, 2002 9,113 $ 50,134 65,915 677 116,726 Net income (a) 12,811 12,811 Cash dividends declared ($0.67 per share) (6,123) (6,123) Common stock issued under stock option plan 135 942 942 Common stock issued into dividend reinvestment plan 37 867 867 Purchases and retirement of common stock (159) (3,768) (3,768) Tax benefit realized from exercise of nonqualified stock options 382 382 Other comprehensive income 292 292 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Balances, September 30, 2002 (a) 9,126 $ 48,557 72,603 969 122,129 ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ Balances, January 1, 2003 9,122 $ 48,313 74,920 752 123,985 Net income 14,560 14,560 Cash dividends declared ($0.70 per share) (6,571) (6,571) Common stock issued under stock option plan 112 840 840 Common stock issued into dividend reinvestment plan 37 933 933 Purchases and retirement of common stock (210) (5,195) (5,195) Common stock issued in acquisition 333 9,284 9,284 Tax benefit realized from exercise of nonqualified stock options 298 298 Other comprehensive loss (46) (46) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Balances, September 30, 2003 9,394 $ 54,473 82,909 706 138,088 ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ See notes to consolidated financial statements. (a) As restated. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 6 First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, -------------------- ($ in thousands-unaudited) 2003 2002 (a) ===================================================================================================== CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 14,560 12,811 Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for loan losses 1,755 1,790 Net security premium amortization 282 174 Gain on disposal of other real estate (141) (11) Gain on sale of securities available for sale (82) (25) Other losses 54 34 Gain on sale of loans -- (3) Proceeds from sales of loans -- 42 Loan fees and costs deferred, net of amortization (52) 110 Depreciation of premises and equipment 1,650 1,347 Tax benefit realized from exercise of nonqualified stock options 298 382 Amortization of intangible assets 137 24 Deferred income tax liability (benefit) 449 (728) Decrease in presold mortgages in process of settlement 13,044 5,312 Decrease in accrued interest receivable 648 219 Decrease (increase) in other assets (1,197) 1,727 Decrease in accrued interest payable (543) (1,069) Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 473 (3,024) --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities 31,335 19,112 --------- --------- z CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of securities available for sale (47,345) (9,728) Purchases of securities held to maturity (236) (2) Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities available for sale 30,955 25,132 Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities held to maturity 3,638 2,230 Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale 2,876 1,012 Net increase in loans (97,775) (94,014) Purchases of premises and equipment (1,873) (4,704) Net cash paid in acquisitions (2,820) -- --------- --------- Net cash used by investing activities (112,580) (80,074) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net increase in deposits 28,980 15,037 Proceeds from borrowings, net 34,000 8,000 Cash dividends paid (6,416) (6,029) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,773 1,809 Purchases and retirement of common stock (5,195) (3,768) --------- --------- Net cash provided by financing activities 53,142 15,049 --------- --------- DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (28,103) (45,913) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 73,653 86,815 --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 45,550 40,902 ========= ========= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 14,979 $ 19,570 Income taxes 6,635 10,936 Non-cash transactions: Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of taxes 31 393 Foreclosed loans transferred to other real estate 477 476 Premises and equipment transferred to other real estate -- 228 Common stock issued in acquisition 9,284 -- See notes to consolidated financial statements. (a) As restated. See Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements. Page 7 First Bancorp and Subsidiaries Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) For the Periods Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Note 1 - Basis of Presentation In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. Reference is made to the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for a discussion of accounting policies and other relevant information with respect to the financial statements. The results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2002 have been restated from their originally reported amounts in accordance with the requirements of the adoption of a new accounting standard - see Note 2 below. Note 2 - Newly Adopted Accounting Policies In October 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 147, "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions" (Statement 147), which addressed the financial accounting and reporting for the acquisition of all or part of a financial institution. This standard removed certain acquisitions of financial institutions from the scope of SFAS No. 72, "Accounting for Certain Acquisitions of Bank or Thrift Institutions" (Statement 72). This statement required financial institutions to reclassify goodwill arising from a qualified business acquisition from Statement 72 goodwill to goodwill subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (Statement 142). The reclassified goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test, pursuant to Statement 142. The Company adopted Statement 147 in the fourth quarter of 2002, but effective as of January 1, 2002. Statement 147 required the Company to retroactively restate its previously issued 2002 interim consolidated financial statements to reverse reclassified Statement 72 goodwill amortization expense recorded in the first three quarters of the 2002 fiscal year. Accordingly, $356,000 and $1,068,000 in amortization expense that had been recorded for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002, respectively, was retroactively reversed by reducing the amortization expense recognized during those periods and increasing intangible assets by the aforementioned amounts. The associated income tax expense recorded related to the reversal of amortization expense amounted to $124,000 and $374,000 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002, respectively, resulting in net income increasing by $232,000 (or $0.02 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from its originally reported amount and net income increasing by $694,000 (or $0.07 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from its originally reported amount. In November 2002, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 45 (FIN 45), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others," which addresses the disclosure to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees. FIN 45 requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for the non-contingent component of the guarantee, such as the obligation to stand ready to perform in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. The initial measurement of this liability is the fair value of the guarantee at inception. The recognition of the liability is required even if it is not probable that payments will be required under the guarantee or if the guarantee was issued with a premium payment or as part of a transaction with multiple events. The disclosure requirements were effective for interim and annual financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The initial recognition and measurement provisions were effective for all guarantees within the scope of FIN 45 issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company issues standby letters of credit whereby the Company guarantees performance if a specified triggering event or condition occurs, primarily nonpayment by the Company's customer to their supplier. The standby letters of credit are generally for terms of one year, at which Page 8 time they may be renewed for another year if both parties agree. At September 30, 2003, the Company had $2,835,000 in standby letters of credit outstanding. The adoption of the recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 45 was immaterial to the Company. In January 2003, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of certain variable interest entities. The provisions of this interpretation became effective for the Company on January 31, 2003 as it relates to variable interest entities created or purchased after that date. For variable interest entities created or purchased before January 31, 2003, FIN 46 is effective for the Company begining January 1, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company has identified no investments in variable interest entities that would require consolidation under FIN 46. The application of Interpretation 46 may result in the de-consolidation of the trust that has issued the trust preferred capital securities currently reported in the consolidated financial statements; at this time final interpretation regarding such application is pending. The trust preferred capital securities are currently disclosed as long-term borrowings within the consolidated financial statements. The potential de-consolidation of the trust would instead cause the disclosure of junior subordinated debentures between the Company and the trust subsidiary. Currently, the junior subordinated debentures are eliminated in consolidation, resulting in the disclosure of long-term borrowings. The impact of this change would not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Treatment of trust preferred securities within the Company's capital ratio calculations in light of FIN 46 is pending further guidance from the banking regulators. If the banking regulators change the capital treatment for trust preferred securities, the Company's tier 1 and total capital could be reduced by the amount of outstanding trust preferred securities, but the Company believes that its capital classifications would not fall below the level of "adequately" capitalized. In June 2002 the FASB issued SFAS 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)." The provisions of this statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with early application encouraged. The implementation of this statement did not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure" (Statement 148) an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (Statement 123), which provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, Statement 148 amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The transition provisions of the statement are effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 while the disclosure requirements are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002, with early application encouraged. The adoption of Statement 148 requires enhanced disclosures for the Company's stock-based employee compensation plan for the year ended December 31, 2002, and subsequent interim and annual periods. The Company has furnished the expanded disclosures in Note 4. In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 (Statement 149), "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and for hedging activities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133. Adoption of Statement 149 on July 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150 (Statement 150), "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity", which establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a Page 9 liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. It is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for financial instruments created before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. Adoption of Statement 150 on July 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Note 3 - Reclassifications Certain amounts reported in the period ended September 30, 2002 have been reclassified to conform with the presentation for September 30, 2003. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders' equity for the periods presented, nor did they materially impact trends in financial information. Note 4 - Stock Option Plans At September 30, 2003, the Company had six stock-based employee compensation plans, five of which were assumed in acquisitions. The Company accounts for each plan under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB Opinion No. 25), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to stock-based employee compensation. Three Months Ended Sept. 30, Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, ---------------------------- --------------------------- (In thousands except per share data) 2003 2002 2003 2002 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income, as reported $ 5,056 4,659 14,560 12,811 Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects (51) (40) (261) (209) --------- --------- --------- --------- Pro forma net income $ 5,005 4,619 14,299 12,602 ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings per share: Basic - As reported $ 0.54 0.51 1.55 1.40 Basic - Pro forma 0.53 0.51 1.52 1.38 Diluted - As reported 0.53 0.50 1.52 1.37 Diluted - Pro forma 0.52 0.50 1.50 1.35 Page 10 Note 5 - Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the potentially dilutive effects of the Company's stock option plan. The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Three Months Ended September 30, --------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 2003 2002 Income Shares Income Shares ($ in thousands except per (Numer- (Denom- Per Share (Numer- (Denom- Per Share share amounts) ator) inator) Amount ator) inator) Amount - ------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Basic EPS Net income $ 5,056 9,378,865 $ 0.54 $ 4,659 9,131,922 $ 0.51 ========= =========== Effect of Dilutive Securities -- 181,720 -- 183,038 --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted EPS $ 5,056 9,560,585 $ 0.53 $ 4,659 9,314,960 $ 0.50 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========== ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Nine Months Ended September 30, --------------------------------- ----------------------------------- 2003 2002 Income Shares Income Shares ($ in thousands except per (Numer- (Denom- Per Share (Numer- (Denom- Per Share share amounts) ator) inator) Amount ator) inator) Amount - ------------------------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Basic EPS Net income $ 14,560 9,376,581 $ 1.55 $ 12,811 9,144,704 $ 1.40 ========= =========== Effect of Dilutive Securities -- 179,029 -- 187,131 --------- --------- --------- --------- Diluted EPS $ 14,560 9,555,610 $ 1.52 $ 12,811 9,331,835 $ 1.37 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========== For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and the three months ended September 30, 2002, there were no antidilutive options, as exercise prices for all options were equal to or less than the average market price for the period. For the nine month ended September 30, 2002, there were 24,000 options that were antidilutive since the exercise price exceeded the average market price for their respective periods. Antidilutive options have been omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the respective periods. Page 11 Note 6 - Asset Quality Information Nonperforming assets are defined as nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 or more days and still accruing interest, restructured loans and other real estate. Nonperforming assets are summarized as follows: September 30, December 31, September 30, ($ in thousands) 2003 2002 2002 ============================================================================================= Nonperforming loans: Nonaccrual loans $ 4,343 2,976 3,009 Restructured loans 21 41 73 Accruing loans > 90 days past due -- -- -- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total nonperforming loans 4,364 3,017 3,082 Other real estate 929 1,384 1,277 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total nonperforming assets $ 5,293 4,401 4,359 ============== ============== ============== Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.38% 0.30% 0.31% Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and other real estate 0.46% 0.44% 0.44% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.39% 0.36% 0.37% Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.11% 1.09% 1.07% Note 7 - Deferred Loan Fees Loans are shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of net deferred loan fees of approximately $651,000, $702,000, and $768,000 at September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002, respectively. Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The following is a summary of the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of amortized intangible assets as of September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002 and the carrying amount of unamortized intangible assets as of those same dates. The amounts shown for September 30, 2002 include the effects of the restatement of the interim financial statements in 2002 that is discussed in Note 2 above. September 30, 2003 December 31, 2002 September 30, 2002 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- Gross Carrying Accumulated Gross Carrying Accumulated Gross Carrying Accumulated ($ in thousands) Amount Amortization Amount Amortization Amount Amortization - ----------------------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- Amortized intangible assets: Customer lists $ 394 47 243 23 243 19 Noncompete agreements 50 18 -- -- -- -- Core deposit premiums 1,106 356 335 261 335 257 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total $ 1,550 421 578 284 578 276 ============== ============== ============== ============== ============== ============== Unamortized intangible assets: Goodwill $ 35,401 24,658 23,926 ============== ============== ============== Pension $ 93 217 217 ============== ============== ============== Amortization expense totaled $46,000 and $8,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Amortization expense totaled $137,000 and $24,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for each of the five calendar years ending December 31, 2007 and the estimated amount amortizable thereafter and includes the amortization expense associated with the 2003 acquisitions completed on or before September 30, 2003 discussed in Note 10 below. Page 12 These estimates are subject to change in future periods to the extent management determines it is necessary to make adjustments to the carrying value or estimated useful lives of amortized intangible assets. Estimated Amortization (Dollars in thousands) Expense ---------------------- ---------------------- 2003 $ 183 2004 165 2005 122 2006 107 2007 106 Thereafter 583 ---------------------- Total $ 1,266 ====================== Note 9. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Shareholders' equity includes a line item entitled "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which is comprised of the following components: September 30, December 31, September 30, 2003 2002 2002 ------------- ------------ ------------- Unrealized gain on securities available for sale $ 1,448 1,399 1,754 Deferred tax liability (564) (546) (684) ------------- ------------ ------------- Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale 884 853 1,070 ------------- ------------ ------------- Additional minimum pension liability (292) (165) (165) Deferred tax asset 114 64 64 ------------- ------------ ------------- Net additional minimum pension liability (178) (101) (101) ------------- ------------ ------------- Total accumulated other comprehensive income $ 706 752 969 ============= ============ ============= Note 10 - Completed Acquisitions The Company completed the following acquisitions during 2003. The results of each acquired company are included in First Bancorp's results for the period ended September 30, 2003 beginning on their respective acquisition dates. (a) Uwharrie Insurance Group - On January 2, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of Uwharrie Insurance Group, a Montgomery County based property and casualty insurance agency. With eight employees, Uwharrie Insurance Group, Inc. serves approximately 5,000 customers, primarily from its Troy-based headquarters, and has annual commissions of approximately $500,000. The primary reason for the acquisition was to gain efficiencies of scale with the Company's existing property and casualty insurance business. In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, the Company paid cash in the amount of $546,000 to complete the acquisition. In addition, the Company incurred $18,000 in other direct costs to complete the acquisition. As of the date of the acquisition, the value of the assets of Uwharrie Insurance Group amounted to $20,000 (consisting primarily of premises and equipment), which resulted in the Company recording an intangible asset of approximately $544,000. Based on an independent appraisal, the allocation among types of intangible assets and related amortization periods are: Page 13 Type of Intangible Asset Allocated Amount Amortization Period - ----------------------------- ---------------- ------------------------- Value of Noncompete Agreement $ 50,000 Two years - straight-line Value of Customer List 151,000 Ten years - straight-line Goodwill 343,000 Not applicable ---------------- Total Intangible Assets $ 544,000 ================ For tax purposes, each of the intangible assets recorded will result in tax-deductible amortization expense. No pro forma earnings information has been presented due to the immateriality of the acquisition. (b) On January 15, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of Carolina Community Bancshares, Inc. (CCB), the parent company of Carolina Community Bank, a South Carolina community bank with three branches in Dillon County, South Carolina. This represented the Company's first entry into South Carolina. Dillon County, South Carolina is contiguous to Robeson County, North Carolina, a county where the Company operates four branches. The Company's primary reason for the acquisition was to expand into a contiguous market with facilities, operations and experienced staff in place. The terms of the agreement called for shareholders of Carolina Community to receive 0.8 shares of First Bancorp stock and $20.00 in cash for each share of Carolina Community stock they own. The transaction was completed on January 15, 2003 with the Company paying cash of $8.3 million, issuing 332,888 shares of common stock that were valued at approximately $8.4 million, and assuming employee stock options with an intrinsic value of approximately $0.9 million. The value of the stock issued was determined using a Company stock price of $25.22, which was the average price of Company stock during the five day period beginning two days before the acquisition announcement and ending two days after the acquisition announcement. The value of the employee stock options assumed was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of CCB were recorded based on estimates of fair values as of January 15, 2003, subject to possible adjustment during the one-year period from that date. The following is a condensed balance sheet disclosing the amount assigned to each major asset and liability caption of CCB as of January 15, 2003, and the related fair value adjustments recorded by the Company to reflect the acquisition. It is not expected that any portion of the intangible assets recorded will be deductible for income tax purposes. Page 14 As Fair As ($ in thousands) Recorded by Value Recorded by CCB Adjustments First Bancorp ------------- ------------- ------------- Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,048 -- 7,048 Securities 12,995 99(a) 13,094 Loans, gross 47,716 -- 47,716 Allowance for loan losses (751) -- (751) Premises and equipment 799 (45)(b) 754 Other - Identifiable intangible asset -- 771(c) 771 Other 1,697 (243)(d) 1,454 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total 69,504 582 70,086 ------------- ------------- ------------- Liabilities Deposits $ 58,861 -- 58,861 Borrowings 2,000 115(e) 2,115 Other 722 (88)(f) 634 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total 61,583 27 61,610 ------------- ------------- ------------- Net identifiable assets acquired 8,476 Total cost of acquisition Cash $ 8,322 Value of stock issued 8,395 Value of assumed options 889 Direct costs of acquisition 1,270 ------------- Total cost of acquisition 18,876 ------------- Goodwill recorded through September 30, 2003 $ 10,400 ============= Explanation of Fair Value Adjustments (a) This fair value adjustment represents the net unrealized gain of CCB's held-to-maturity securities portfolio. This fair value adjustment was recorded by the Company as a premium on securities and will be amortized as a reduction of investment interest income over the life of the related securities, which have an average life of approximately four years. (b) This fair value adjustment represents the book value of certain equipment owned by CCB that became obsolete upon the acquisition. (c) This fair value adjustment represents the value of the core deposit base assumed in the acquisition based on a study performed by an independent consulting firm. This amount was recorded by the Company as an identifiable intangible asset and will be amortized as expense on an accelerated basis over a ten year period based on an amortization schedule provided by the consulting firm. (d) This fair value adjustment represents the net deferred tax liability recorded related to the other fair value adjustments. (e) This fair value adjustment was recorded because the interest rates of CCB's borrowings exceeded current interest rates on similar borrowings. This amount will be amortized to reduce interest expense over the remaining lives of the related borrowings, which have a weighted average life of approximately 3.7 years. (f) This fair value adjustment represents the carrying value of a retirement plan liability that was terminated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. Page 15 The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of the Company and CCB as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2002, after giving effect to certain adjustments, including amortization of the core deposit intangible, an assumed cost of funds related to the cash paid of 6%, and related income tax effects. The pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had the Company and CCB constituted a single entity during such period. Because the acquisition took place on January 15, 2003, pro forma results for 2003 are not provided. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended ($ in thousands, except share data) September 30, 2002 September 30, 2002 ------------------ ------------------ Net interest income $ 13,732 38,729 Noninterest income 3,083 9,342 Net income 4,904 13,479 Earnings per share Basic 0.52 1.42 Diluted 0.51 1.39 Note 11 - Acquisition Completed Subsequent to Period End On October 24, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of four branches of RBC Centura Bank located in Fairmont, Harmony, Kenansville, and Wallace, all in North Carolina. As of the date of the acquisition, the branches had a total of approximately $102 million in deposits and $25 million in loans. The terms of the agreement called for the Company to acquire the premises and equipment for each location, as well as assume substantially all of the deposits and loans of each branch. Subject to certain limitations, the Company paid a deposit premium of 14.1% for the branches, which resulted in the Company recording an intangible asset of approximately $14 million. Based on a consultant's study being performed in the fourth quarter of 2003, a portion of this intangible will be classified as core deposit intangible and amortized in future periods, while the remainder will be classified as goodwill. In accordance with Statement 147 discussed in Note 2 above, the goodwill portion will not be systematically amortized, but rather will be subject to an annual impairment test. Page 16 Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Results of Operations and Financial Condition CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES Due to the estimation process and the potential materiality of the amounts involved, the Company has identified the accounting for the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses as an accounting policy critical to the Company's financial statements. The provision for loan losses charged to operations is an amount sufficient to bring the allowance for loan losses to an estimated balance considered adequate to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio. Management's determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based primarily on a mathematical model that estimates the appropriate allowance for loan losses. This model has two components. The first component involves the estimation of losses on loans defined as "impaired loans." A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The estimated valuation allowance is the difference, if any, between the loan balance outstanding and the value of the impaired loan as determined by either 1) an estimate of the cash flows that the Company expects to receive from the borrower discounted at the loan's effective rate, or 2) in the case of a collateral-dependent loan, the fair value of the collateral. The second component of the allowance model is to estimate losses for all loans not considered to be impaired loans. First, loans that have been risk graded by the Company as having more than "standard" risk but are not considered to be impaired are assigned estimated loss percentages generally accepted in the banking industry. Loans that are classified by the Company as having normal credit risk are segregated by loan type, and estimated loss percentages are assigned to each loan type, based on the historical losses, current economic conditions, and operational conditions specific to each loan type. The reserve estimated for impaired loans is then added to the reserve estimated for all other loans. This becomes the Company's "allocated allowance." In addition to the allocated allowance derived from the model, management also evaluates other data such as the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans, net loan growth information, nonperforming asset levels and trends in such data. Based on this additional analysis, the Company may determine that an additional amount of allowance for loan losses is necessary to reserve for probable losses. This additional amount, if any, is the Company's "unallocated allowance." The sum of the allocated allowance and the unallocated allowance is compared to the actual allowance for loan losses recorded on the books of the Company and any adjustment necessary for the recorded allowance to equal the computed allowance is recorded as a provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses is a direct charge to earnings in the period recorded. While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments may be necessary if economic, operational, or other conditions change. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on the examiners' judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. For further discussion, see "SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE" below. CURRENT ACCOUNTING MATTERS See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements above. Page 17 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW In the discussion below and the financial statements above, amounts as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 have been restated from their originally reported amounts in accordance with the adoption of a new accounting standard - see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements above. Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $5,056,000, or $0.53 per diluted share, a 6.0% increase in diluted earnings per share over the net income of $4,659,000, or $0.50 per diluted share, recorded in the third quarter of 2002. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $14,560,000, or $1.52 per diluted share, a 10.9% increase in diluted earnings per share over the net income of $12,811,000, or $1.37 per diluted share, reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase in the Company's earnings in 2003 compared to 2002 was primarily due to the Company's overall growth, which included an increase in loans of 16.3% and an increase in deposits of 12.7% when comparing September 30, 2003 to September 30, 2002. The Company's growth resulted in increases in net interest income and noninterest income, the positive benefits of which were partially offset by higher operating expenses that were also associated with the Company's growth. The Company's net interest margin of 4.52% for the third quarter of 2003 was slightly lower that the 4.78% net interest margin realized in the third quarter of 2002, with the decrease being caused primarily by the effects of the interest rate cuts initiated by the Federal Reserve subsequent to September 30, 2002. The Company's net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 did not vary significantly, amounting to 4.54% and 4.59%, respectively. The provisions for loan losses recorded by the Company for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were virtually the same, amounting to approximately $1.8 million for each nine month period. The provision for loan losses of $695,000 for the third quarter of 2003 was slightly higher than the provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2002 of $575,000 due to higher loan growth. The Company's asset quality ratios have remained sound in 2003. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans amounted to 8 basis points and 9 basis points, respectively, compared to 9 basis points for each of the comparable periods in 2002. The Company's nonperforming assets to total assets ratio of 0.39% at September 30, 2003 is slightly higher than the same ratio of 0.37% a year earlier, but remains significantly lower than a June 30, 2003 North Carolina state bank average of 0.60%. The Company's annualized return on average assets for the third quarter of 2003 was 1.50% compared to 1.59% for the third quarter of 2002. The Company's annualized return on average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002 were each 1.49%. The Company's annualized return on average equity for the third quarter of 2003 was 14.57% compared to 15.31% for the third quarter of 2002. The Company's annualized return on average equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 14.33% compared to 14.29% for the first nine months of 2002. As discussed in the next two paragraphs, the Company completed two acquisitions during the first nine months of 2003. The results of each acquired company are included in First Bancorp's 2003 results beginning on their respective acquisition dates. On January 2, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of Uwharrie Insurance Group (Uwharrie Insurance), a property and casualty insurance agency located in Troy, with eight employees and approximately Page 18 5,000 customers in Montgomery and neighboring counties. Uwharrie Insurance was merged with the Company's existing insurance subsidiary, First Bank Insurance Services, Inc. On January 15, 2003, the Company completed the acquisition of Carolina Community Bancshares, Inc. (CCB), the parent company of Carolina Community Bank, a South Carolina community bank with three branches in Dillon County, South Carolina. This represented the Company's first entry into South Carolina. Dillon County, South Carolina is contiguous to Robeson County, North Carolina, a county where the Company operates four branches. As of the acquisition date, CCB had total assets of $70.2 million, with loans of $47.7 million, deposits of $58.9 million, and shareholders' equity of $8.8 million. COMPONENTS OF EARNINGS Net interest income is the largest component of earnings, representing the difference between interest and fees generated from earning assets and the interest costs of deposits and other funds needed to support those assets. Net interest income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $14,041,000 and $41,057,000, respectively, increases of $1,025,000 and $4,418,000, or 7.9% and 12.1%, over the amounts of $13,016,000 and $36,639,000 recorded in the same three and nine month periods in 2002, respectively. There are two primary factors that cause changes in the amount of net interest income recorded by the Company - 1) growth in loans and deposits, and 2) the Company's net interest margin. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, growth in loans and deposits caused the increase in net interest income, as the Company's net interest margin was slightly lower for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002. The following tables analyze net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis: For the Three Months Ended September 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Interest Interest Average Average Earned Average Average Earned ($ in thousands) Volume Rate or Paid Volume Rate or Paid ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Assets Loans (1) $1,127,947 6.08% $ 17,296 $ 979,489 6.94% $ 17,140 Taxable securities 78,753 4.58% 910 82,822 5.92% 1,236 Non-taxable securities (2) 13,215 7.87% 262 13,930 8.52% 299 Short-term investments, principally federal funds 23,280 2.10% 123 14,878 3.25% 122 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-earning assets 1,243,195 5.93% 18,591 1,091,119 6.83% 18,797 Liabilities Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 410,729 0.46% $ 480 370,519 1.01% 943 Time deposits >$100,000 231,722 2.46% 1,435 181,422 3.54% 1,621 Other time deposits 372,427 2.24% 2,103 348,301 3.23% 2,832 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-bearing deposits 1,014,878 1.57% 4,018 900,242 2.38% 5,396 Borrowings 42,480 3.86% 413 28,430 3.60% 258 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,057,358 1.66% 4,431 928,672 2.42% 5,654 ---------- ---------- Non-interest-bearing deposits 131,805 102,519 Net yield on interest-earning assets and net interest income 4.52% $ 14,160 4.78% $ 13,143 ========== ========== Interest rate spread 4.27% 4.41% Average prime rate 4.00% 4.75% (1) Average loans include nonaccruing loans, the effect of which is to lower the average rate shown. Page 19 (2) Includes tax-equivalent adjustments of $119,000 and $127,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively, to reflect the tax benefit that the Company receives related to its tax-exempt securities, which carry interest rates lower than similar taxable investments due to their tax exempt status. This amount has been computed assuming a 35% tax rate and is reduced by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense. For the Nine Months Ended September 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Interest Interest Average Average Earned Average Average Earned ($ in thousands) Volume Rate or Paid Volume Rate or Paid ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Assets Loans (1) $1,088,553 6.33% $ 51,554 $ 943,017 7.09% $ 50,010 Taxable securities 75,874 4.87% 2,761 88,102 6.04% 3,977 Non-taxable securities (2) 14,680 8.38% 920 15,118 8.48% 959 Short-term investments, principally federal funds 40,253 2.16% 651 31,730 2.52% 598 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-earning assets 1,219,360 6.13% 55,886 1,077,967 6.89% 55,544 ---------- ---------- Liabilities Savings, NOW and money market deposits $ 403,327 0.56% $ 1,682 365,151 1.04% 2,835 Time deposits >$100,000 228,039 2.67% 4,560 182,772 3.84% 5,251 Other time deposits 375,016 2.46% 6,888 352,217 3.68% 9,697 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-bearing deposits 1,006,382 1.74% 13,130 900,140 2.64% 17,783 Borrowings 35,955 4.86% 1,306 19,458 4.93% 718 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,042,337 1.85% 14,436 919,598 2.69% 18,501 ---------- ---------- Non-interest-bearing deposits 124,393 100,824 Net yield on interest-earning assets and net interest income 4.54% $ 41,450 4.59% $ 37,043 ========== ========== Interest rate spread 4.28% 4.20% Average prime rate 4.16% 4.75% (1) Average loans include nonaccruing loans, the effect of which is to lower the average rate shown. (2) Includes tax-equivalent adjustments of $393,000 and $404,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively, to reflect the tax benefit that the Company receives related to its tax-exempt securities, which carry interest rates lower than similar taxable investments due to their tax exempt status. This amount has been computed assuming a 35% tax rate and is reduced by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense. Average loans outstanding for the third quarter of 2003 were $1.128 billion, which was 15.2% higher than the average loans outstanding for the third quarter of 2002 ($979 million). Average loans outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $1.089 billion, which was 15.4% higher than the average loans outstanding for the nine months ended June 30, 2002 ($943 million). Average deposits outstanding for the third quarter of 2003 were $1.147 billion, which was 14.4% higher than the average deposits outstanding for the third quarter of 2002 ($1.003 billion). Average deposits outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $1.131 billion, which was 13.0% higher than the average deposits outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 ($1.001 billion). The increases in the average loans and deposits in 2003 compared to 2002 were a result of both internally generated growth as well as growth realized from acquisitions. See additional discussion regarding the nature of the growth in loans and deposits in the section entitled "Financial Condition" below. The effect of the higher amounts of average loans and deposits was to increase net interest income in 2003. The positive impact on net interest income of the increases in loans and deposits more than offset the effects of the slightly lower net interest margins realized in 2003 compared to 2002. The Company's 4.52% net interest margin (tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets) for the third quarter of 2003 was within 7 basis points of the net interest margin recorded in each of the three preceding quarters, but was less than Page 20 the 4.78% net interest margin recorded in the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in the net interest margin was caused primarily by the negative impact of the interest rate cuts initiated by the Federal Reserve subsequent to September 30, 2002. Generally, when rates change, net interest income is negatively impacted (at least temporarily) because the Company's interest-sensitive assets that are subject to adjustment (primarily adjustable rate loans) reprice immediately at the full amount of the rate change, while the Company's interest-sensitive liabilities (primarily savings, NOW and money market accounts and time deposits) that are subject to adjustment reprice at a lag to the rate change and typically not to the full extent of the rate change. The Company's net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 did not differ significantly, amounting to 4.54% and 4.59%, respectively. See additional discussion regarding the Company's net interest margin and the impact that recent interest rate cuts have had on it in Item 3 below entitled - INTEREST RATE RISK (INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK). Asset quality ratios, including net charge-offs, have remained fairly stable in 2003 compared to 2002. The primary cause for differences in the provision for loan losses in 2003 compared to 2002 has been the amount of loan growth experienced by the Company. In the third quarter of 2003, net internal loan growth ("internal loan growth" excludes loans assumed in acquisitions for which preestablished reserves have been recorded) amounted to $34 million compared to $14 million in the third quarter of 2002, which was largely responsible for the Company recording a higher provision for loan losses in 2003 ($695,000) compared to the same quarter in 2002 ($575,000). The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 did not vary significantly, amounting to $1,755,00 and $1,790,000, respectively, with internal net loan growth of approximately $95 million for each nine month period. Noninterest income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $3,802,000 and $11,137,000, respectively, increases of 31.6% and 26.7% over the amounts recorded in the same three and nine month periods in 2002. The primary factors affecting the increase in noninterest income were -1) internal growth in the Company's business - for the twelve months ended September 30, 2003, excluding the Company's CCB acquisition, loans increased 11% and deposits increased 6%, which have provided the Company with fee income opportunities, 2) the CCB acquisition - CCB has contributed approximately $180,000 in each of the first three quarters of 2003 in noninterest income (primarily service charges on deposit accounts), and 3) as a result of the high refinancing activity driven by the very low interest rate environment, fees that the Company earns from mortgage loans presold into the secondary market amounted to $565,000 and $1,918,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, increases of 57% and 68%, respectively, over the amounts recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, respectively. The $565,000 in fees from presold mortgages recorded in the third quarter of 2003 was a decrease from $651,000 recorded in the second quarter of 2003. The decrease in these fees is primarily a result of the increase in mortgage interest rates that occurred subsequent to June 30, 2003. With the additional increases in mortgage loan rates that occurred in September and October 2003, the Company believes it is likely that these fees will continue to decrease on a linked-quarter basis. Also contributing to the increases in noninterest income in 2003 were higher amounts of commissions from sales of insurance and financial products. This line item includes commissions the Company receives from three sources - 1) sales of credit insurance associated with new loans, 2) commissions from the sales of investment, annuity, and long-term care insurance products, and 3) commissions from the sale of property and casualty insurance. The following table presents these components for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002: Page 21 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ($ in thousands) 2003 2002 $ Change % Change 2003 2002 $ Change % Change ----- -------- ---------- -------- ------ ------- --------- --------- Commissions earned from: Sales of credit insurance $ 73 66 7 10.6% $ 221 305 (84) (27.5)% Sales of investments, annuities, and long term care insurance 68 65 3 4.6% 190 177 13 7.3% Sales of property and casualty insurance 220 58 162 279.3% 545 150 395 245.0% ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Total $ 361 189 172 91.0% $ 956 632 324 51.3% ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== The decrease in commissions earned from sales from credit insurance for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 is primarily related to an approximately $70,000 decrease in the "experience bonus" that is received annually in the first quarter of each year from the insurance companies for which the Company acts as an agent. The experience bonus can fluctuate depending on the actual loss experience that the insurance companies experience related to the Company's customers. The increase in commissions from sales of investments, annuities, and long term care insurance for both the three and nine month periods in 2003 compared to 2002 is primarily due to the hiring of an additional staff person in this area. The increase in commissions earned from sales of property and casualty insurance is primarily due to the acquisition of Uwharrie Insurance, which was effective on January 2, 2003 - see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements above. Miscellaneous components of noninterest income, including securities gains and "other" gains/losses (comprised primarily of sales of other real estate), were higher in 2003 than in 2002, contributing approximately $0.01 of diluted earnings per share to the Company's reported earnings in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003. For the same three and nine month periods in 2002, there was no impact to diluted earnings per share from the net effect of these two components of noninterest income. Noninterest expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $9,273,000 and $27,873,000, respectively, increases of 14.0% and 16.4% from the amounts recorded in the same three and nine month periods in 2002. The increase in noninterest expenses occurred in all categories and is associated with the overall growth of the Company in terms of branch network, employees and customer base. The acquisitions of Uwharrie Insurance and CCB have resulted in incremental noninterest expense of approximately $600,000 per quarter. In addition to the overall growth experienced, the Company made significant technology investments in mid-2002, including check imaging technology (which was introduced in July 2002) and a company-wide computer network that increased equipment depreciation expense. The provision for income taxes was $2,819,000 in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $2,538,000 in the third quarter of 2002, an increase of 11.1%. The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 amounted to $8,006,000 compared to $6,887,000 for the first nine months of 2002. The effective tax rates did not vary significantly among the periods presented, amounting to approximately 35-36% in each period. In the normal course of business, the Company carries out various tax planning initiatives in order to control its effective tax rate. FINANCIAL CONDITION Total assets at September 30, 2003 amounted to $1.357 billion, 16.1% higher than a year earlier. Total loans at September 30, 2003 amounted to $1.143 billion, a 16.3% increase from a year earlier, and total deposits amounted to $1.144 billion at September 30, 2003, a 12.7% increase from a year earlier. In addition to internal growth, a significant portion of the Company's growth from a year ago is due to the Company's January 2003 acquisition of CCB, and to a lesser degree the Company's purchase of a bank branch in Broadway, North Carolina in October Page 22 2002. As of their respective acquisition dates, CCB had total assets of $70.2 million, with loans of $47.7 million and deposits of $58.9 million, while the Broadway branch had $3.1 million in loans and $8.4 million in deposits. The following tables present information regarding the nature of the Company's growth since September 30, 2002. Balance at Balance at Total Percentage growth, October 1, 2002 to beginning Internal Growth from end of percentage excluding September 30, 2003 of period Growth Acquisitions period growth acquisitions ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------- -------------- -------------------- ($ in thousands) Loans $ 983,045 109,056 50,799 1,142,900 16.3% 11.1% =========== ========== =========== ============ ========= ============ Deposits - Noninterest bearing $ 106,521 13,573 10,427 130,521 22.5% 12.7% Deposits - Savings, NOW, and Money Market 369,670 25,584 18,257 413,511 11.9% 6.9% Deposits - Time>$100,000 188,888 27,452 12,566 228,906 21.2% 14.5% Deposits - Time<$100,000 350,239 (5,431) 26,052 370,860 5.9% (1.6)% ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- ------------ Total deposits $ 1,015,318 61,178 67,302 1,143,798 12.7% 6.0% =========== ========== =========== ============ ========= ============ January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003 Loans $ 998,547 96,637 47,716 1,142,900 14.5% 9.7% =========== ========== =========== ============ ========= ============ Deposits - Noninterest bearing $ 112,380 9,364 8,777 130,521 16.1% 8.3% Deposits - Savings, NOW, and Money Market 387,691 10,885 14,935 413,511 6.7% 2.8% Deposits - Time>$100,000 199,794 16,546 12,566 228,906 14.6% 8.3% Deposits - Time<$100,000 356,092 (7,815) 22,583 370,860 4.1% (2.2%) ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- ------------ Total deposits $ 1,055,957 28,980 58,861 1,143,798 8.3% 2.7% =========== ========== =========== ============ ========= ============ As can be seen in the first table, over the past twelve months the Company's internal growth rates for loans and deposits were 11.1% and 6.0% respectively, with the growth assumed in acquisitions increasing the overall growth in loans to 16.3% and deposits to 12.7%. As can be seen in the second table, the Company experienced internal growth of 9.7% in loans (12.9% annualized) and 2.7% in deposits (3.6% annualized) during the first nine months of 2003. The CCB acquisition increased overall loan and deposit growth by 5%-6%. The very low interest rate environment over the past twelve months has encouraged customers to borrow money at low rates, while the low rates have presented a challenge to attracting deposits, particularly consumer time deposits. Page 23 NONPERFORMING ASSETS Nonperforming assets are defined as nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 or more days and still accruing interest, restructured loans and other real estate. Nonperforming assets are summarized as follows: September 30, December 31, September 30, ($ in thousands) 2003 2002 2002 ------------ ------------ ------------ Nonperforming loans: Nonaccrual loans $ 4,343 2,976 3,009 Restructured loans 21 41 73 Accruing loans > 90 days past due -- -- -- ------------ ------------ ------------ Total nonperforming loans 4,364 3,017 3,082 Other real estate 929 1,384 1,277 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total nonperforming assets $ 5,293 4,401 4,359 ============ ============ ============ Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.38% 0.30% 0.31% Nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans and other real estate 0.46% 0.44% 0.44% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.39% 0.36% 0.37% Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.11% 1.09% 1.07% Management has reviewed the collateral for the nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans, and has included this review among the factors considered in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses discussed below. The level of nonaccrual loans has increased in 2003, amounting to $4.3 million at September 30, 2003, compared to $3.0 million at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2002. The primary reason for the increase is due to the Company placing four loans on nonaccrual status during the second quarter of 2003, each with an outstanding balance of between $110,000 and $340,000. Each loan is secured by a single family residence, and the Company does not anticipate significant losses on any of the loans. The Company continues to have one large credit that was on nonaccrual basis as of each of the three dates presented. The nonaccrual balance of this credit amounted to $664,000, $1.0 million, and $1.2 million as of September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002, respectively. The borrower of this credit, which is secured by real estate, has liquidity problems. During the last three months of 2002, the borrower sold several pieces of the real estate collateral that provided $200,000 in paydowns, resulting in the $1.0 million outstanding balance at December 31, 2002. At December 31, 2002, the Company had accepted a nonbinding proposal from a third party that would result in the receipt of approximately $750,000 of the $1.0 million outstanding in 2003, with the remaining $250,000 to be charged-off by the Company. At December 31, 2002, the Company had a specific impaired loan valuation allowance of $250,000 assigned to this relationship. During the first quarter of 2003, because of the increasing likelihood that the terms of the nonbinding proposal would occur, the Company charged-off the $250,000 specific reserve that had been established, resulting in a $750,000 balance. During the third quarter of 2003, the borrower sold a piece of real estate, the net proceeds of which were used to pay down the principal balance by $86,000. The Company continues to expect that the payment associated with the nonbinding proposal discussed above will be received (net of the $86,000 in paydowns), but delays have occurred relating to how the third party wishes to legally structure the transaction, and therefore the Company does not know when the payment will be received. The recorded investment in loans considered to be impaired under FASB Statement 114 did not vary significantly among the periods presented, amounting to $1,571,000, $1,431,000, and $1,564,000 at September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002, respectively, all of which were on nonaccrual status. A significant portion of the impaired loans for each of the three periods presented is the same large credit noted above Page 24 that is on nonaccrual status. At September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002, the related allowance for loan losses for all impaired loans was $331,000 (five of the seven impaired loans totaling $889,000 at September 30, 2003 had an assigned valuation allowance), $290,000 (related to three of the four impaired loans with a total balance of $1,269,000), and $120,000 (related to two loans with a balance of $1,209,000, with the remainder of impaired loans having no valuation allowance), respectively. The average recorded investments in impaired loans during the nine month period ended September 30, 2003, the year ended December 31, 2002, and the nine months ended September 30, 2002 were approximately $1,625,000, $1,882,000, and $1,919,000, respectively. For the same periods, the Company recognized no interest income on those impaired loans during the period that they were considered to be impaired. As of September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2002, the amount of the Company's other real estate amounted to $929,000, $1,384,000, and $1,277,000, respectively, which consisted principally of several parcels of real estate. The primary reason for the decrease in other real estate from December 31, 2002 to September 30, 2003 was the sale of a piece of undeveloped land with a book value of $210,000, which resulted in a gain of $80,000. The Company's management has reviewed recent appraisals of its other real estate and believes that their fair values, less estimated costs to sell, equal or exceed their respective carrying values at the dates presented. SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE The allowance for loan losses is created by direct charges to operations. Losses on loans are charged against the allowance in the period in which such loans, in management's opinion, become uncollectible. The recoveries realized during the period are credited to this allowance. The Company has no foreign loans, few agricultural loans and does not engage in significant lease financing or highly leveraged transactions. Commercial loans are diversified among a variety of industries. The majority of the Company's real estate loans are primarily various personal and commercial loans where real estate provides additional security for the loan. Collateral for virtually all of these loans is located within the Company's principal market area. Asset quality ratios, including net charge-offs, have remained fairly stable in 2003 compared to 2002. The primary cause of any differences in the provision for loan losses in 2003 compared to 2002 has been the amount of loan growth experienced by the Company. In the third quarter of 2003, net internal loan growth ("internal loan growth" excludes loans assumed in acquisitions for which preestablished reserves have been recorded) amounted to $34 million compared to $14 million in the third quarter of 2002, which was largely responsible for the Company recording a higher provision for loan losses in 2003 ($695,000) compared to the same quarter in 2002 ($575,000). The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 did not differ significantly, amounting to $1,755,00 and $1,790,000, respectively, with the Company experiencing net internal loan growth of approximately $95 million for each nine month period. At September 30, 2003, the allowance for loan losses amounted to $12,700,000, compared to $10,907,000 at December 31, 2002 and $10,524,000 at September 30, 2002. The allowance for loan losses was 1.11%, 1.09% and 1.07% of total loans as of September 30, 2003, December 31, 2002, and September 30, 2002, respectively. The slight increase in the allowance for loan losses since December 31, 2002 is primarily the result of the CCB acquisition (see note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recently completed acquisitions). At the time of the acquisition, CCB's allowance for loan losses amounted to 1.57% of gross loans. The increase in the allowance percentage from September 30, 2002 was also caused by a slight shift in the composition of the Company's loan portfolio from residential mortgage loans to commercial loans - commercial loans carry a higher reserve percentage in the Company's allowance for loan loss model than do residential mortgage loans. The slight shift from residential mortgage loans to commercial loans has been intentional. Two of the Company's recent bank acquisitions (First Savings Bancorp in September 2000 and Century Bancorp in May 2001) had loan portfolios that were highly concentrated in residential mortgage loans. As many of those loans have refinanced at lower rates over the past 12 months, the Company chose to sell the refinanced loans in the Page 25 secondary market instead of holding them in the Company's loan portfolio. This strategy was implemented in an effort to shift the Company's loan portfolio to having a higher percentage of commercial loans, which are generally shorter term in nature and have higher interest rates. Management believes the Company's reserve levels are adequate to cover probable loan losses on the loans outstanding as of each reporting date. It must be emphasized, however, that the determination of the reserve using the Company's procedures and methods rests upon various judgments and assumptions about economic conditions and other factors affecting loans. No assurance can be given that the Company will not in any particular period sustain loan losses that are sizable in relation to the amounts reserved or that subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of conditions and factors then prevailing, will not require significant changes in the allowance for loan losses or future charges to earnings. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses and value of other real estate. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance or the carrying value of other real estate based on their judgments about information available at the time of their examinations. For the periods indicated, the following table summarizes the Company's balances of loans outstanding, average loans outstanding, changes in the allowance for loan losses arising from charge-offs and recoveries, and additions to the allowance for loan losses that have been charged to expense and additions that were recorded related to acquisitions. Nine Months Year Nine Months Ended Ended Ended September 30, December 31, September 30, ($ in thousands) 2003 2002 2002 ------------- ------------ ------------- Loans outstanding at end of period $ 1,142,900 998,547 983,045 ============= ============ ============= Average amount of loans outstanding $ 1,088,553 954,885 943,017 ============= ============ ============= Allowance for loan losses, at beginning of period $ 10,907 9,388 $ 9,388 Total charge-offs (904) (1,211) (761) Total recoveries 191 135 107 ------------- ------------ ------------- Net charge-offs (713) (1,076) (654) ------------- ------------ ------------- Additions to the allowance charged to expense 1,755 2,545 1,790 ------------- ------------ ------------- Addition related to loans assumed in corporate acquisitions 751 50 -- ------------- ------------ ------------- Allowance for loan losses, at end of period $ 12,700 10,907 $ 10,524 ============= ============ ============= Ratios: Net charge-offs (annualized) as a percent of average loans 0.09% 0.11% 0.09% Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans at end of period 1.11% 1.09% 1.07% Based on the results of the Company's loan analysis and grading program and management's evaluation of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2003, there have been no material changes to the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among the various categories of loans since December 31, 2002. Page 26 LIQUIDITY The Company's liquidity is determined by its ability to convert assets to cash or acquire alternative sources of funds to meet the needs of its customers who are withdrawing or borrowing funds, and to maintain required reserve levels, pay expenses and operate the Company on an ongoing basis. The Company's primary liquidity sources are net income from operations, cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and other short-term investments. The Company's securities portfolio is comprised almost entirely of readily marketable securities, which could also be sold to provide cash. In addition to internally generated liquidity sources, the Company has the ability to obtain borrowings from the following three sources - 1) an approximately $173 million line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank (of which $46 million has been drawn), 2) a $50 million overnight federal funds line of credit with a correspondent bank (none of which was outstanding at September 30, 2003), and 3) an approximately $55 million line of credit through the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's discount window (none of which was outstanding at September 30, 2003). The Company's liquidity lessened slightly from December 31, 2002 to September 30, 2003, as loan growth exceeded deposit growth in the first nine months of 2003. The Company's loan to deposit ratio was 99.9% at September 30, 2003 compared to 94.6% at December 31, 2002. As a result of the lower amount of deposit growth compared to loan growth, the Company funded a portion of its 2003 loan growth with borrowed funds which resulted in the Company's borrowings outstanding amounting to $66 million at September 30, 2003 compared to $30 million at December 31, 2002. The level of the Company's liquid assets (consisting of cash, due from banks, federal funds sold, presold mortgages in process of settlement and securities) as a percentage of deposits and borrowings was 12.9% at September 30, 2003 compared to 16.0% at December 31, 2002. The Company's liquidity improved subsequent to September 30, 2003 upon the October 24, 2003 completion of a purchase from RBC Centura Bank ("RBC") of four branches with approximately $25 million in loans and $102 million in deposits - see note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The completion of this purchase resulted in a net cash payment of approximately $61 million being received by the Company from RBC. As a result of this branch purchase transaction, the Company's pro forma loan to deposit ratio decreased to 93.7% and the level of liquid assets as a percentage of deposits and borrowings increased to 16.5%. The amount and timing of the Company's contractual obligations and commercial commitments has not changed materially since December 31, 2002, detail of which is presented in Table 18 on page 52 of the Company's 2002 Form 10-K. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings that, in management's opinion, could have a material effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company. Derivative financial instruments include futures, forwards, interest rate swaps, options contracts, and other financial instruments with similar characteristics. The Company does not engage in these types of derivatives activities. The Company's management believes its liquidity sources, including unused lines of credit, are at an acceptable level and remain adequate to meet its operating needs in the foreseeable future. The Company will continue to monitor its liquidity position carefully and will explore and implement strategies to increase liquidity if deemed appropriate. CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FED) and is subject to securities registration and public reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's banking subsidiary is regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. The Company is not aware of any recommendations of regulatory Page 27 authorities or otherwise which, if they were to be implemented, would have a material effect on its liquidity, capital resources, or operations. The Company must comply with regulatory capital requirements established by the FED and FDIC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. These capital standards require the Company to maintain minimum ratios of "Tier 1" capital to total risk-weighted assets and total capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.00% and 8.00%, respectively. Tier 1 capital is comprised of total shareholders' equity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), less intangible assets, and total capital is comprised of Tier 1 capital plus certain adjustments, the largest of which for the Company is the allowance for loan losses. Risk-weighted assets refer to the on- and off-balance sheet exposures of the Company, adjusted for their related risk levels using formulas set forth in FED and FDIC regulations. In addition to the risk-based capital requirements described above, the Company is subject to a leverage capital requirement, which calls for a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital (as defined above) to quarterly average total assets of 3.00% to 5.00%, depending upon the institution's composite ratings as determined by its regulators. The FED has not advised the Company of any requirement specifically applicable to it. At September 30, 2003, the Company's capital ratios exceeded the regulatory minimum ratios discussed above. The following table presents the Company's capital ratios and the regulatory minimums discussed above for the periods indicated. September 30, December 31, September 30, 2003 2002 2002 ------------- ------------ ------------- Risk-based capital ratios: Tier I capital to Tier I risk adjusted assets 11.38% 12.68% 10.77% Minimum required Tier I capital 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Total risk-based capital to Tier II risk-adjusted assets 12.42% 13.69% 11.80% Minimum required total risk-based capital 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% Leverage capital ratios: Tier I leverage capital to adjusted first quarter average assets 9.33% 10.09% 8.53% Minimum required Tier I leverage capital 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% After increasing in the fourth quarter of 2002 as a result of issuing $20 million in trust preferred securities in October 2002, the Company's capital ratios declined in 2003 primarily as a result of the acquisition of CCB (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). As a result of the RBC branch acquisition discussed above in note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, each of the Company's capital ratios noted above decreased by 150-200 basis points subsequent to September 30, 2003. To partially offset the decrease in these ratios, the Company plans to issue an additional $20 million in trust preferred securities in December 2003, the pro forma effects of which would result in the total risk based capital ratio to tier II risk-adjusted assets ratio decreasing by only 14 basis points and the other two ratios decreasing by only 110 basis points. The Company's bank subsidiary is also subject to similar capital requirements as those discussed above. The bank subsidiary's capital ratios do not vary materially from the Company's capital ratios presented above. At Page 28 September 30, 2003, the Company's bank subsidiary exceeded the minimum ratios established by the FED and FDIC. SHARE REPURCHASES During the third quarter of 2003, the Company repurchased 8,666 shares of its own common stock at an average price of $26.01 per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company repurchased 209,380 shares of its own common stock at an average price of $24.83 per share. At September 30, 2003, the Company had approximately 161,000 shares available for repurchase under existing authority from its board of directors. The Company plans to repurchase these shares in open market and privately negotiated transactions, as market conditions and the Company's liquidity warrant, subject to compliance with applicable regulations. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk INTEREST RATE RISK (INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK) Net interest income is the Company's most significant component of earnings. Notwithstanding changes in volumes of loans and deposits, the Company's level of net interest income is continually at risk due to the effect that changes in general market interest rate trends have on interest yields earned and paid with respect to the various categories of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. It is the Company's policy to maintain portfolios of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with maturities and repricing opportunities that will afford protection, to the extent practical, against wide interest rate fluctuations. The Company's exposure to interest rate risk is analyzed on a regular basis by management using standard GAP reports, maturity reports, and an asset/liability software model that simulates future levels of interest income and expense based on current interest rates, expected future interest rates, and various intervals of "shock" interest rates. Over the years, the Company has been able to maintain a fairly consistent yield on average earning assets (net interest margin). Over the past five calendar years the Company's net interest margin has ranged from a low of 4.23% (realized in 2001) to a high of 4.73% (realized in 1998). During that five year period the prime rate of interest has ranged from a low of 4.25% to a high of 9.50%. The Company's 4.52% net interest margin (tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets) for the third quarter of 2003 was within 7 basis points of the net interest margin recorded in each of the three preceding quarters, but was less than the 4.78% net interest margin recorded in the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in the net interest margin was caused primarily by the negative impact of two interest rate cuts totaling 50 basis points initiated by the Federal Reserve subsequent to September 30, 2002 - as discussed below, at least in the short-term, the Company's net interest margin is negatively impacted by rate decreases. The Company's net interest margins for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 did not differ significantly, amounting to 4.54% and 4.59%, respectively - both nine month periods were affected by recent interest rate cuts. See "Components of Earnings" above for additional discussion regarding variances in the Company's net interest margin. For each of the periods presented in this report, although the Company has had more interest-sensitive liabilities than interest-sensitive assets subject to repricing within twelve months, the Company's interest-sensitive assets have repriced sooner (generally the day following the interest rate cut) and by a larger percentage (generally by the same number of basis points that the Federal Reserve discount rate was decreased) than did the Company's interest-sensitive liabilities that were subject to repricing. The Company's primary interest-sensitive assets are its interest-bearing cash, maturing investments, and adjustable rate loans (which are typically 45%-50% of the Company's total loan portfolio), while its primary interest-sensitive liabilities consist of the following 1) savings, NOW, and money market deposits, and 2) time deposits. Interest rates paid on savings, NOW and money market deposits are set by management of the Company, and although the interest rates on these accounts were decreased by the Company within days of each of the Federal Reserve rate cuts that have occurred in recent years, it has not Page 29 been possible to reduce the interest rates by the full amount of the Federal Reserve cuts due to competitive considerations and the already relatively low rates paid on these types of accounts. Interest rates paid on time deposits are generally fixed and not subject to automatic adjustment. When time deposits mature, the Company has the opportunity, at the customers' discretion, to renew the time deposit at a rate set by the Company. Because time deposits that are interest-sensitive in a twelve month horizon mature throughout the twelve month period, any change in the renewal rate will only affect a portion of the twelve month period. Also, although changes in interest rates on renewing time deposits generally track rate changes in the interest rate environment, the Company has not been able in recent years to decrease rates on renewing time deposits by the corresponding decreases in the Federal Reserve discount rate because of competitive pressures in the Company's market. Thus, the Company believes that in the near term (twelve months), net interest income would not likely experience significant downward pressure from rising interest rates. Similarly, management would not expect a significant increase in near term net interest income from falling interest rates (In fact, it has been the Company's experience that each interest rate cut occurring during the past three years has negatively impacted (at least temporarily) the Company's net interest margin). Generally, as discussed above, when rates change, the Company's interest-sensitive assets that are subject to adjustment reprice immediately at the full amount of the change, while the Company's interest-sensitive liabilities that are subject to adjustment reprice at a lag to the rate change and typically not to the full extent of the rate change. The net effect is that in the twelve month horizon, as rates change, the impact of having a higher level of interest-sensitive liabilities is substantially negated by the later and typically lower proportionate change these liabilities experience compared to interest sensitive assets. However, recent rate cuts, particularly the two rate cuts totaling 50 basis points that have occurred since September 30, 2002, may have a more pronounced and a longer lasting negative impact on the Company's net interest margin than previous rate cuts because of the inability of the Company to reset deposit rates by an amount (because of their already near-zero rates) that would offset the negative impact of the rate cut on the yields earned on the Company's interest earning assets. Page 30 The Company has no market risk sensitive instruments held for trading purposes, nor does it maintain any foreign currency positions. The following table presents the expected maturities of the Company's other than trading market risk sensitive financial instruments. The following table also presents the fair values of market risk sensitive instruments as estimated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments." Expected Maturities of Market Sensitive Instruments Held at September 30, 2003 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Average Estimated Interest Fair ($ in thousands) 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years Beyond Total Rate (1) Value -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- -------- ---------- Due from banks, interest bearing $ 5,401 -- -- -- -- -- 5,401 0.97% $ 5,401 Federal funds sold 9,478 -- -- -- -- -- 9,478 0.97% 9,478 Presold mortgages in 6,224 -- -- -- -- -- 6,224 5.25% 6,224 process of settlement Debt securities- at amortized cost (1) (2) 30,274 15,028 14,164 9,131 2,488 25,544 96,629 4.97% 98,817 Loans - fixed (3) (4) 89,600 68,686 84,480 98,655 98,065 67,846 507,332 7.13% 516,642 Loans - adjustable (3) (4) 204,817 65,768 59,943 64,994 116,192 119,511 631,225 4.88% 631,604 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- -------- ---------- Total $345,794 149,482 158,587 172,780 216,745 212,901 1,256,289 5.74% $1,268,166 ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========= ======== ========== Savings, NOW, and money market deposits $413,511 -- -- -- -- -- 413,511 0.47% $ 413,511 Time deposits 508,128 46,225 11,020 16,691 16,271 1,431 599,766 2.44% 602,010 Borrowings - fixed (2) -- 1,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 5,000 11,000 4.23% 11,544 Borrowings - adjustable 35,000 -- -- -- -- 20,000 55,000 2.49% 55,000 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- -------- ---------- Total $956,639 47,225 13,020 18,691 17,271 26,431 1,079,277 1.57% $1,082,065 ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========= ======== ========== (1) Tax-exempt securities are reflected at a tax-equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate. (2) Callable securities and borrowings with above market interest rates at September 30, 2003 are assumed to mature at their call date for purposes of this table. Mortgage-backed securities are assumed to mature in the period of their expected repayment based on estimated prepayment speeds. (3) Excludes nonaccrual loans and allowance for loan losses. (4) Single-family mortgage loans are assumed to mature in the period of their expected repayment based on estimated prepayment speeds. All other loans are shown in the period of their contractual maturity. The Company's market-sensitive assets and liabilities each have estimated fair values that are slightly higher than their carrying value. This is due to the yields on these portfolios being higher than market yields at September 30, 2003 for instruments with maturities similar to the remaining term of the portfolios, due to the declining interest rate environment. See additional discussion of the Company's net interest margin in the "Components of Earnings" section above. Item 4. Controls and Procedures (a) The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2003, and they have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective. Page 31 (b) There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Part I of this report contains statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, which statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words (and their derivatives) such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "plan," "project," or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of the Company and its management about future events. Factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of the Company's customers, the Company's level of success in integrating acquisitions, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates, and general economic conditions. Page 32 Part II. Other Information Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits The following exhibits are filed with this report or, as noted, are incorporated by reference. Management contracts, compensatory plans and arrangements are marked with an asterisk (*). 3.a Copy of Articles of Incorporation of the Company and amendments thereto were filed as Exhibits 3.a.i through 3.a.v to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002, and are incorporated herein by reference. 3.b Copy of the Bylaws of the Company was filed as Exhibit 3.b to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and is incorporated herein by reference. 10.a Purchase and Assumption Agreement with RBC Centura Bank, dated August 13, 2003. 21 List of Subsidiaries of the Company was filed as Exhibit 21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and is incorporated herein by reference. 31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (b) There were three reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended September 30, 2003. On July 23, 2003, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K regarding its July 23, 2003 news release in which it announced its earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. The full text of the news release dated July 23, 2003 was attached as Exhibit 99(a) to this Form 8-K filing. On August 14, 2003, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K regarding its August 14, 2003 news release in which it announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase four bank branches from RBC Centura Bank. The full text of the news release dated August 14, 2003 was attached as Exhibit 99(a) to this Form 8-K filing. On September 3, 2003, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K regarding its September 3, 2003 news release in which the Company refuted a published article about a potential merger transaction with Capital Bank. The full text of the news release dated September 3, 2003 was attached as Exhibit 99(a) to this Form 8-K filing. Copies of exhibits are available upon written request to: First Bancorp, Anna G. Hollers, Executive Vice President, P.O. Box 508, Troy, NC 27371 Page 33 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. FIRST BANCORP November 13, 2003 BY: James H. Garner --------------------------- James H. Garner President (Principal Executive Officer), Treasurer and Director November 13, 2003 BY: Anna G. Hollers --------------------------- Anna G. Hollers Executive Vice President and Secretary November 13, 2003 BY: Eric P. Credle --------------------------- Eric P. Credle Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Page 34