Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-Q X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 ____ TRANSACTION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO Commission file number 0-15083 THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. ------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) South Carolina 57-0824914 - ------------------------------- ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 102 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601 - ------------------------------------------------- ----- (Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (864) 255-7900 -------------- Carolina First Corporation - -------------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.) 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 12 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. Yes X No ____ The number of outstanding shares of the issuer's $1.00 par value common stock as of August 10, 2000 was 43,108,509. 1 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS The South Financial Group and Subsidiaries ($ in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, ----------------------------------- ---------------- ASSETS 2000 1999 1999 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Cash and due from banks............................... $ 194,675 $ 140,188 $ 138,829 Interest-bearing bank balances........................ 40,116 44,774 28,972 Federal funds sold and resale agreements.............. 400 57,639 3,625 Securities Trading............................................ 3,704 1,462 4,668 Available for sale................................. 846,491 650,788 887,718 Held for investment (market value $67,472, $62,416 and $71,291, respectively)............................. 67,919 62,621 71,760 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Total securities................................. 918,114 714,871 964,146 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Loans Loans held for sale................................ 11,957 45,311 45,591 Loans held for investment.......................... 3,575,915 2,982,564 3,251,894 Less unearned income............................ (3,170) (8,276) (5,765) Less allowance for loan losses.................. (41,742) (29,846) (33,756) ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net loans..................................... 3,542,960 2,989,753 3,257,964 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Premises and equipment, net........................... 108,725 81,665 84,863 Accrued interest receivable........................... 35,426 28,120 31,176 Intangible assets..................................... 110,675 121,277 113,960 Other assets.......................................... 135,041 120,244 145,121 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- $ 5,086,132 $ 4,298,531 $ 4,768,656 ================ ================ ================ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing................................ $ 572,395 $ 515,384 $ 496,428 Interest-bearing................................... 3,132,901 2,883,422 2,985,223 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Total deposits.................................... 3,705,296 3,398,806 3,481,651 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Borrowed funds....................................... 812,695 348,673 696,236 Subordinated notes................................... 36,750 36,594 36,672 Accrued interest payable............................. 30,469 18,548 23,108 Other liabilities.................................... 27,786 32,514 30,399 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Total liabilities................................. 4,612,996 3,835,135 4,268,066 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Shareholders' Equity Preferred stock-no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding none........................ -- -- -- Common stock-par value $1 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 43,056,873, 43,116,881 and 43,326,754 shares, respectively................ 43,057 43,117 43,327 Surplus.............................................. 340,058 340,486 345,309 Retained earnings.................................... 93,626 89,227 100,298 Guarantee of employee stock ownership plan debt and nonvested restricted stock................................... (4,316) (3,573) (4,445) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 711 (5,861) 16,101 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Total shareholders' equity......................... 473,136 463,396 500,590 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- $ 5,086,132 $ 4,298,531 $ 4,768,656 ================ ================ ================ 2 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME The South Financial Group and Subsidiaries ($ in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, -------------------------------- --------------------------------- 2000 1999 2000 1999 -------------------------------- --------------------------------- Interest Income Interest and fees on loans................. $ 81,019 $ 67,390 $ 156,652 $ 132,771 Interest and dividends on securities....... 14,478 10,036 29,047 19,839 Interest on short-term investments......... 524 1,478 1,032 2,500 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Total interest income.................... 96,021 78,904 186,731 155,110 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Interest Expense Interest on deposits....................... 37,786 30,403 73,410 60,456 Interest on borrowed funds................. 12,880 4,675 23,547 8,914 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Total interest expense................... 50,666 35,078 96,957 69,370 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Net interest income...................... 45,355 43,826 89,774 85,740 Provision for Loan Losses.................... 8,482 3,985 12,427 8,618 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses.............. 36,873 39,841 77,347 77,122 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts........ 4,078 3,920 8,339 7,452 Mortgage banking income.................... 1,668 1,165 3,012 2,462 Fees for investment services............... 1,508 1,229 2,866 2,450 Loan securitization income................. - 1,006 - 1,603 Gain on sale of securities................. 92 92 163 318 Gain on disposition of equity investments, net 187 - 2,465 15,471 Gain on disposition of assets and liabilities 106 - 106 - Gain on sale of credit cards............... - 2,362 - 2,362 Other...................................... 3,021 2,775 6,453 5,103 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Total noninterest income................. 10,660 12,549 23,404 37,221 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Noninterest Expenses Personel expense............................ 18,942 16,905 38,000 34,812 Occupancy................................... 3,797 2,720 7,435 5,389 Furniture and equipment..................... 2,637 2,317 5,318 4,391 Amortization of intangibles................. 1,616 1,686 3,224 3,655 Restructuring and -related costs...... 19,924 3,281 19,924 3,402 System conversion costs..................... 459 - 839 - Charitable contribution to foundation....... -- - -- 11,890 Other....................................... 10,003 9,991 20,337 19,490 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Total noninterest expenses................ 57,378 36,900 95,077 83,029 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Income (loss) before income taxes......... (9,845) 15,490 5,674 31,314 Income taxes.................................. (896) 5,515 4,221 10,638 ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- Net income (loss)......................... $ (8,949) $ 9,975 $ 1,453 $ 20,676 ============= ============= ============== ============= Net Income (Loss) per Common Share: Basic.................................... $ (0.21) $ 0.23 $ 0.03 $ 0.49 Diluted.................................. (0.21) 0.23 0.03 0.47 Average Common Shares Outstanding: Basic.................................... 42,842,124 42,682,425 42,893,484 42,398,234 Diluted.................................. 43,530,646 43,980,307 43,579,836 43,608,504 Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share..... $ 0.10 $ 0.09 $ 0.20 $ 0.18 3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The South Financial Group and Subsidiaries ($ in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) Retained Accumulated Shares of Earnings Other Common Preferred Common and Comprehensive Stock Stock Stock Surplus Other* Income (Loss) Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, December 31, 1998............. 42,372,191 $ -- $ 42,372 $ 338,282 $ 68,081 $ 2,254 $ 450,989 Net income........................... -- -- -- -- 20,676 -- 20,676 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized losses on securities: Unrealized holding losses arising during period, net of tax benefit of $4,322 -- -- -- -- -- (8,026) Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of taxes of $48 -- -- -- -- -- (89) ------------- Other comprehensive income......... -- -- -- -- -- (8,115) (8,115) ------------- ----------- Comprehensive income................. -- -- -- -- -- 12,561 ----------- Cash dividends declared ($0.18 per common share) -- -- -- -- (6,140) -- (6,140) Common stock issued pursuant to: Sale, conversion, acquisition, retirement of stock 306,438 306 1,819 -- 2,125 Repurchase of stock................. (40,000) -- (40) (816) -- -- (856) Acquisition......................... 507,931 -- 508 1,779 2,534 -- 4,821 Dividend reinvestment plan.......... 29,341 -- 29 643 -- -- 672 Employee stock purchase plan........ 2,991 -- 3 60 -- -- 63 Exercise of stock options and stock warrants 77,794 -- 78 214 -- -- 292 Miscellaneous......................... (139,805) -- (139) (1,495)... 503 -- (1,131) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, June 30, 1999.................. 43,116,881 $ -- $ 43,117 $ 340,486 $ 85,654 $ (5,861) $ 463,396 ============================================================================== Balance, December 31, 1999............. 43,326,754 $ -- $ 43,327 $ 345,309 $ 95,853 $ 16,101 $ 500,590 Net income........................... -- -- -- -- 1,453 -- 1,453 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Unrealized losses on securities: Unrealized holding losses arising during period, net of taxes of $7,149 -- -- -- -- -- (12,561) Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of taxes of $1,332.................... -- -- -- -- -- (2,829) ------------- Other comprehensive loss........... -- -- -- -- -- (15,390) (15,390) ------------- ----------- Comprehensive loss................... -- -- -- -- -- (13,937) ----------- Cash dividends declared ($0.20 per common share) -- -- -- -- (8,145) -- (8,145) Common stock issued pursuant to: Repurchase of stock................ (524,600) -- (525) (7,783) -- -- (8,308) Acquisition........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- - Dividend reinvestment plan......... 61,601 -- 62 810 -- -- 872 Employee stock purchase plan....... 9,203 -- 9 119 -- -- 128 Restricted stock plan.............. 89,792 -- 90 1,269 (1,359) -- - Exercise of stock options and stock warrants 94,123 -- 94 291 -- -- 385 Miscellaneous........................ -- -- -- 43 1,508 -- 1,551 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance, June 30, 2000................. 43,056,873 $ -- $ 43,057 $ 340,058 $ 89,310 $ 711 $ 473,136 ============================================================================== * Other includes guarantee of employee stock ownership plan debt and nonvested restricted stock. 4 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS The South Financial Group and Subsidiaries (in thousands, except share data) (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, ---------------------------- 2000 1999 ----------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income.............................................. $ 1,453 $ 20,676 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations Depreciation........................................ 3,877 3,070 Amortization of intangibles......................... 3,224 3,655 Charitable contribution to foundation............... - 11,890 Provision for loan losses........................... 12,427 8,618 Gain on sale of securities.......................... (163) (318) Gain on disposition of equity investments........... (2,465) (15,471) Gain on sale of assets and liabilities.............. (106) - Gain on sale of credit cards........................ - (2,362) Gain on sale of mortgage loans...................... (186) (725) Trading account assets, net......................... 1,131 2,273 Originations of mortgage loans held for sale........ (127,026) (267,556) Sale of mortgage loans held for sale................ 160,846 238,639 Other assets, net................................... 5,096 (17,834) Other liabilities, net.............................. 9,672 4,792 ------------ ----------- Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities 67,780 (10,653) ------------ ----------- CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in cash realized from Interest-bearing bank balances...................... (11,144) 18,296 Federal funds sold and resale agreements............ 3,225 (31,473) Sale of securities available for sale............... 3,498 147,167 Maturity of securities available for sale........... 29,178 152,822 Maturity of securities held for investment.......... 10,334 24,226 Purchase of securities available for sale........... (14,781) (318,285) Purchase of securities held for investment.......... (6,793) (5,289) Origination of loans, net........................... (333,589) (183,702) Sale of credit cards................................ - 65,624 Capital expenditures, net........................... (23,622) (2,612) Acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting............................. - 21,330 Disposition of equity investments................... 4,255 4,389 Disposition of assets and liabilities, net.......... (6,753) - ------------ ----------- Net cash used for investing activities............ (346,192) (107,507) ------------ ----------- CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in cash realized from Increase in deposits, net........................... 230,895 48,760 Borrowed funds, net................................. 116,459 49,379 Cash dividends paid................................. (6,411) (6,093) Repurchase of common stock.......................... (8,308) - Other common stock activity......................... 1,623 716 ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by financing activities......... 334,258 92,762 ------------ ------------ Net change in cash and due from banks................... 55,846 (25,398) Cash and due from banks at beginning of year............ 138,829 165,586 ------------ ------------ Cash and due from banks at end of year.................. $ 194,675 $ 140,188 ============ ============ 5 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A summary of these policies is included in the 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Cash includes currency and coin, cash items in process of collection and due from banks. Interest paid, net of interest capitalized, amounted to approximately $89.6 million and $72.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Income tax payments of $10.6 million and $7.5 million were made for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively. (3) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS On June 6, 2000, the Company completed the merger with Anchor Financial Corporation ("Anchor Financial"), headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Anchor Financial in exchange for 17,674,244 shares of the Company's common stock. Each share of Anchor Financial stock was exchanged for 2.175 shares of the Company's common stock. At March 31, 2000, Anchor Financial had total assets of approximately $1.2 billion, loans of approximately $873 million, and deposits of approximately $1.0 billion with 33 branch locations in South Carolina and North Carolina. The Anchor Financial transaction has been accounted for as a pooling-of-interests combination and, accordingly, the Company's consolidated financial statements for all prior periods have been restated to include the accounts and results of operations of Anchor Financial, except for cash dividends declared per common share. The results of operations previously reported by the separate enterprises and the combined amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below. Three Months Ended March 31, ---------------------------- 2000 1999 ---- ---- ($ in thousands, except per share data) Net interest income: The Company $31,505 $28,976 Anchor Financial 12,914 12,925 Combined $44,419 $41,901 Net income: The Company $ 6,568 $ 7,035 Anchor Financial 3,834 3,666 Combined $10,402 $10,701 6 Three Months Ended March 31, ---------------------------- 2000 1999 ---- ---- ($ in thousands, except per share data) Basic income per common share: The Company $ 0.26 $ 0.29 Anchor Financial 0.48 0.46 Combined 0.24 0.25 Diluted income per common share: The Company $ 0.26 $ 0.28 Anchor Financial 0.46 0.44 Combined 0.24 0.25 (4) RESTRUCTURING AND MERGER-RELATED COSTS In connection with the Anchor Financial merger, the Company recorded restructuring and merger-related costs of approximately $19.9 million. The following table indicates the primary components of these charges, including the amounts incurred through June 30, 2000, and the amounts remaining as accrued expenses in other liabilities at June 30, 2000. Total Restructuring Paid Remaining And Merger- Through Accrual at Related Costs June 30, 2000 June 30, 2000 ------------- ------------- ------------- ($ in thousands) Severance costs $ 3,455 $ 441 $3,014 Contract termination costs 6,552 5,136 1,416 Investment banking fees 7,026 7,026 -- Professional fees 1,445 1,445 -- System conversion and write-off of obsolete assets 344 344 -- Other merger costs 1,102 1,102 -- ------- ------- ------- Total $19,924 $15,494 $4,430 The severance costs include accruals for payments made in connection with the involuntary termination of approximately 88 employees who had been notified that their positions were redundant within the combined organizations. Management expects payments for the remaining accrual to be substantially made during 2000. The contract termination costs are primarily comprised of payments required to be made to certain executives of Anchor Financial pursuant to their employment contracts. (5) SECURITIES The net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of tax decreased $15.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000. The Company 7 began recording its investment in Net.B@nk, Inc. at market value effective July 31, 1999, or one year prior to the termination of restrictions on the sale of these securities. (6) COMMON STOCK Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common shares outstanding during each period, plus the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method. (7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management based on consultation with legal counsel, any outcome of such pending litigation would not materially affect the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. (8) BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company has seven wholly-owned operating subsidiaries which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. One of these subsidiaries, Carolina First Bank, qualifies as a separately reportable operating segment. Carolina First Bank offers products and services primarily to customers in South Carolina and North Carolina. Revenues for Carolina First Bank are derived primarily from interest and fees on loans, interest on investment securities and service charges on deposits. 8 The following table summarizes certain financial information concerning the Company's reportable operating segments at and for the six months ended June 30, 2000 ($ in thousands): Carolina First Eliminating Bank Other Entries (1) Total June 30, 2000 Income Statement Data Total revenue $178,497 $52,137 ($20,499) $210,135 Net interest income 77,481 12,325 (32) 89,774 Provision for loan losses 9,684 2,743 -- 12,427 Noninterest income 16,155 25,153 (17,904) 23,404 Mortgage banking income (780) 3,758 34 3,012 Noninterest expenses 80,167 32,845 (17,935) 95,077 Amortization 2,760 464 -- 3,224 Net income 805 648 -- 1,453 Balance Sheet Data Total assets $4,403,264 $1,269,076 ($586,208) $5,086,132 Loans - net of unearned income 3,040,551 544,151 -- 3,584,702 Allowance for loan losses 35,017 6,725 -- 41,742 Intangibles 94,904 15,771 -- 110,675 Deposits 3,164,768 555,029 (14,501) 3,705,296 Carolina First Eliminating Bank Other Entries (1) Total June 30, 1999 Income Statement Data Total revenue $163,236 $32,871 ($3,776) $192,331 Net interest income 76,413 9,327 -- 85,740 Provision for loan losses 7,424 1,194 -- 8,618 Noninterest income 24,572 15,445 (2,796) 37,221 Mortgage banking income (1,346) 3,808 -- 2,462 Noninterest expenses 59,695 26,130 (2,796) 83,029 Amortization 2,961 694 -- 3,655 Net income 21,090 (414) -- 20,676 Balance Sheet Data Total assets $3,814,500 $874,600 ($390,569) $4,298,531 Loans - net of unearned income 2,725,927 293,672 -- 3,019,599 Allowance for loan losses 23,856 5,990 -- 29,846 Intangibles 104,802 16,475 -- 121,277 Deposits 3,024,744 389,502 (15,440) 3,398,806 (1) The majority of the eliminating entries relate to intercompany accounts. 9 (8) MANAGEMENT'S OPINION The financial statements in this report are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. 10 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and with the statistical information and financial data appearing in this report as well as the Annual Report of The South Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. Results of operations for the six month period ended June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of results to be attained for any other period. The Company, a South Carolina corporation headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, is a financial institution holding company, which commenced banking operations in December 1986, and currently conducts business through 82 locations in South Carolina and North Carolina and 13 locations in northern and central Florida. The Company operates through the following principal subsidiaries: Carolina First Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank; Citrus Bank, a Florida state-chartered commercial bank; Carolina First Mortgage Company ("CF Mortgage"), a mortgage banking company; and Carolina First Bank, F.S.B., a Federal savings bank which operates Bank CaroLine (an Internet bank). Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides a full range of banking services, including mortgage, trust and investment services, designed to meet substantially all of the financial needs of its customers. Effective April 24, 2000, the Company changed its corporate name to The South Financial Group, Inc. and began trading under a new Nasdaq market symbol, "TSFG." FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains certain forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) to assist in the understanding of anticipated future operating and financial performance, growth opportunities, growth rates, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectations. These forward-looking statements reflect current views, but are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the following: risks from changes in economic, monetary policy and industry conditions; changes in interest rates and deposit rates; inflation; risks inherent in making loans including repayment risks and value of collateral; loan growth; adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the assessment of problem loans; fluctuations in consumer spending; the demand for the Company's products and services; dependence on senior management; technological changes; ability to increase market share; expense projections; system conversion costs; costs associated with new buildings; acquisitions; risks, realization of costs savings, and total financial performance associated with the Company's merger with Anchor Financial Corporation; changes in accounting policies and practices; costs and effects of litigation; and recently-enacted or proposed legislation. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition, certain statements in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements. 11 MERGER WITH ANCHOR FINANCIAL CORPORATION On June 6, 2000, the Company completed the merger with Anchor Financial Corporation ("Anchor Financial"), a South Carolina corporation headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, whose principal operating subsidiary was The Anchor Bank. The Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Anchor Financial in exchange for 17,674,244 shares of the Company's common stock. Each share of Anchor Financial stock was exchanged for 2.175 shares of the Company's common stock. The Anchor Financial transaction has been accounted for as a pooling-of-interests combination and, accordingly, the Company's historical financial information for all prior periods has been restated to include the accounts and results of operations of Anchor Financial, except for cash dividends declared per common share. During the second quarter of 2000, the Company incurred one-time pre-tax restructuring and merger-related costs of $19.9 million in connection with the Anchor Financial merger. In addition to the $19.9 million, during the second quarter of 2000, the Company also included an additional provision for loan losses of $3.0 million to apply the Company's reserve analysis methodology to Anchor Financial's loan portfolio. In connection with the Anchor Financial merger, the Company plans to restructure the investment portfolio to generate higher investment yields. Losses related to the sale of various securities and other restructuring and merger-related charges are anticipated to be approximately $10 million during the third quarter of 2000. On July 10, 2000, the Company completed the system conversion for Anchor Financial and its subsidiary, The Anchor Bank. Effective with the system conversion, The Anchor Bank offices began operating as Carolina First Bank offices. In addition, the Company consolidated 11 offices and closed Anchor Financial's operations center. SALE OF BRANCH OFFICES The Company has sold offices in Prosperity, South Carolina (effective June 23, 2000) and Saluda, South Carolina (effective July 3, 2000). The Company also has an agreement to sell the Nichols, South Carolina office, which is expected to close in August 2000 subject to regulatory approval, among other conditions. EQUITY INVESTMENTS Investment in Net.B@nk, Inc. At June 30, 2000, the Company owned 2,265,000 shares of Net.B@nk, Inc. ("Net.B@nk") common stock, or approximately 7.6% of the outstanding shares. The Company's investment in Net.B@nk, which is included in securities available for sale and has a basis of approximately $629,000, had a pre-tax market value of approximately $28.2 million as of June 30, 2000. During the second quarter of 2000, the Company sold 150,000 shares of Net.B@nk stock resulting in a pre-tax gain of $1.9 million. The Company's shares of Net.B@nk common stock are "restricted" securities, as that term is defined in federal securities law. 12 INVESTMENT IN AFFINITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. At June 30, 2000, the Company, through its subsidiary Blue Ridge Finance Company, Inc. ("Blue Ridge"), owned 1,753,366 shares of common stock of Affinity Technology Group, Inc. ("Affinity") and a warrant to purchase an additional 3,471,340 shares for approximately $0.0001 per share ("Affinity Warrant"). In March 2000, the Company sold 775,000 shares of Affinity common stock for a pre-tax gain of approximately $2.3 million. These Affinity shares and the shares represented by the Affinity Warrant constitute approximately a 16% ownership in Affinity. As of June 30, 2000, the investment in Affinity's common stock, which is included in securities available for sale and has a basis of approximately $111,000, was recorded at its pre-tax market value of approximately $2.0 million. The Affinity Warrant was not reported on the Company's balance sheet as of June 30, 2000. The Company's shares in Affinity and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the Affinity Warrant are "restricted" securities, as that term is defined in federal securities laws. INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY BANKS As of June 30, 2000, the Company had equity investments in the following 14 community banks located in the Southeast: CNB Florida Bancshares, Inc.; Capital Bank; Carolina Bank; Coastal Banking Company, Inc.; Community Capital Corporation; First Reliance Bank; FirstSpartan Financial Corporation; Florida Banks, Inc.; Greenville First Bancshares, Inc.; SouthBanc Shares, Inc.; High Street Banking Company; Marine Bancshares; People's Community Capital Corp.; and Trinity Bank. In each case, the Company owns less than 5% of the community bank's outstanding common stock. As of June 30, 2000, equity investments in the community banks listed above, included in securities available for sale with a basis of approximately $10.8 million, were recorded at pre-tax market value of approximately $8.4 million. The Company has made these investments to develop correspondent banking relationships and to promote community banking in the Southeast. As a result of the Company's merger with Anchor Financial, the Company has an investment in Rock Hill Bank & Trust. The investment, which is included in securities available for sale and has a basis of approximately $3.1 million, had a pre-tax market value of approximately $5.0 million as of June 30, 2000. CF INVESTMENT COMPANY In September 1997, the Company's subsidiary, CF Investment Company, became licensed through the Small Business Administration to operate as a Small Business Investment Company. CF Investment Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Ridge. CF Investment Company's principal focus is investing in companies that have a bank-related technology or service the Company and its subsidiaries can use. As of June 30, 2000, CF Investment Company had invested approximately $2.2 million (principally in the form of loans) in companies specializing in electronic document management, telecommunications and Internet-related services. CF Investment Company's loans represent a higher credit risk to the Company due to the start up nature of these companies. During the second quarter of 2000, the Company incurred a $1.7 million loss on disposition of an investment in an Internet service provider that ceased operations due to cash flow problems. 13 EARNINGS REVIEW OVERVIEW Net loss, including merger-related charges and non-recurring items, for the three month period ended June 30, 2000 was $8.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share. This loss included pre-tax restructuring and merger-related costs of $19.9 million and an additional provision for loan losses of $3.0 million (pre-tax) to apply the Company's reserve analysis methodology to Anchor Financial's loan portfolio. These charges decreased net income by $17.8 million (after-tax), or $0.41 per diluted share. Other non-recurring items, on a pre-tax basis, during the second quarter of 2000 included a $1.9 million gain on the sale of Net.B@nk stock, a $1.7 million write-off of an investment in an Internet service provider, a $106,000 gain on the sale of the Prosperity branch office and system conversion costs of $459,000. These nonrecurring items, excluding the merger-related charges, decreased net income by $113,000, or approximately $0.01 per diluted share. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 1999 was $10.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Net income for the first six months of 2000, including merger-related charges and non-recurring items, was $1.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share compared with $20.7 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the first six months of 1999. The decrease was primarily attributable to expenses related to the merger of Anchor Financial incurred during the second quarter of 2000. At June 30, 2000, the Company had approximately $5.1 billion in assets, $3.6 billion in loans, $3.7 billion in deposits and $473.1 million in shareholders' equity. At June 30, 2000, the Company's ratio of nonperforming assets to loans and other real estate owned was 0.61%. NET INTEREST INCOME Net interest income is the difference between the interest earned on assets and the interest paid for the liabilities to support such assets as well as such items as loan fees and dividend income. Net interest margin measures how effectively a company manages the difference between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid on funds to support those assets. Fully tax-equivalent net interest income adjusts the yield for assets earning tax-exempt income to a comparable yield on a taxable basis. Average earning assets and the net interest margin exclude the net unrealized gain on securities available for sale because this gain is not included in net income. Fully tax-equivalent net interest income increased $4.5 million, or 5%, to $91.1 million in the first six months of 2000 from $86.6 million in the first six months of 1999. The increase resulted from a higher level of average earning assets partially offset by a lower net interest margin. Average earning assets increased $586.2 million, or 16%, to approximately $4.3 billion in the first six months of 2000 from $3.8 billion in the first six months of 1999. This increase resulted from internal loan growth and an increased level of investment securities. Average loans, net of unearned income, were $3.4 billion in the first six months of 2000 compared with $3.0 billion in the first six months of 1999. Average investment securities were $895.1 million and $678.7 million in the first six months of 2000 and 1999, respectively. The majority of the increase in average investment securities was attributable to the match funding in December 1999 of approximately $200 million in mortgage-backed securities with approximately $200 million in Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. 14 The net interest margin of 4.22% for the first half of 2000 was lower than the margin of 4.65% for the first half of 1999. The net interest margin remained consistent from the first quarter of 2000 to the second quarter of 2000 with margins of 4.21% and 4.22%, respectively. The decline in the net interest margin from the prior year was due primarily to two reasons. First, loan growth exceeded deposit growth creating the need for alternative funding sources, including Bank CaroLine. These alternative funding sources generally have higher interest rates. Second, as a result of higher interest rates, increases in funding costs, particularly certificates of deposits, have outpaced increases in loan yields. In September 1999, the Company introduced Bank CaroLine, an Internet bank offered as a service of Carolina First Bank, F.S.B. Deposit rates for Bank CaroLine are generally higher than those offered by the Company's other subsidiary banks to reflect the lower cost structure associated with operating on the Internet. Accordingly, as deposits build for Bank CaroLine, the Company expects the cost of deposits on a consolidated basis to continue to increase. As of June 30, 2000, total deposits for Bank CaroLine were approximately $138 million. Increases in the prime interest rate, which increased 0.50% during the second half of 1999 and 1.00% during the first half of 2000, had a positive impact on the yield on earning assets. Variable rate loans immediately repriced upward with the increases in the prime interest rate. The overall yield on commercial loans (including both fixed and variable rate loans) during the first six months of 2000 was 9.09% compared with 8.55% for the first six months of 1999. The yield on investment securities also increased from 6.16% for the first half of 1999 to 6.69% for the first half of 2000. During the third quarter of 2000, in connection with the Anchor Financial merger, the Company expects to restructure 10% to 15% of the combined investment portfolio to generate higher investment yields. PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES The provision for loan losses increased to $12.4 million for the first six months of 2000 compared with $8.6 million for the first six months of 1999. During the second quarter of 2000, the Company added approximately $3 million to the allowance for loan losses through a charge to the provision to apply the Company's reserve analysis methodology to Anchor Financial's loan portfolio. As a percentage of average loans, the net charge-off ratio was 0.26% for the first six months of 2000 compared with 0.41% for the same period last year. Management currently anticipates significant loan growth will continue in 2000. New market areas, particularly northern and central Florida, as well as the expansion of the coastal market through the merger with Anchor Financial, are expected to contribute to 2000 portfolio growth. Management intends to closely monitor economic trends and the potential effect on the banking subsidiaries' loan portfolios. NONINTEREST INCOME Noninterest income, including nonrecurring gains, decreased to $23.4 million in the first six months of 2000 from $37.2 million in the first six months of 1999. Noninterest income in the first half of 2000 included several nonrecurring, pre-tax gains including approximately $2.3 million related to the sale of 775,000 shares of Affinity stock, $1.9 million related to the sale of 150,000 shares of Net.B@nk stock, and $106,000 related to the sale of the Prosperity branch office. These gains were partially offset by a $1.7 million 15 write-off of an investment in an Internet service provider (see "CF Investment Company"). Noninterest income in the first half of 1999 included nonrecurring, pre-tax gains of $15.1 million (primarily offset by a $11.9 million contribution to the Carolina First Foundation) related to the sale of Net.B@nk stock, approximately $412,000 related to the sale of stock in Corporate Solutions International (a company that develops automated credit decision systems) and a $2.4 million gain on the sale of credit cards. Excluding these nonrecurring gains, noninterest income increased $1.4 million to $20.8 million during the first six months of 2000 from $19.4 million for the first six months of 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to higher service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage banking income and fees for investment services, partially offset by lower loan securitization income. Service charges on deposit accounts, the largest contributor to noninterest income, rose 12% to $8.3 million in the first six months of 2000 from $7.5 million for the same time period in 1999. Average deposits for the same period increased 7%. The increase in service charges was attributable to attracting new transaction accounts and improved collection of fees. Effective July 1, 1999, certain deposit service charges were increased to reflect competitive pricing. Mortgage banking income includes origination fees, gains from the sale of loans and servicing fees (which are net of the related amortization for the mortgage servicing rights and subservicing payments). Mortgage banking income in the first six months of 2000 increased 20% to $3.0 million from $2.5 million in the first six months of 1999. Mortgage originations totaled $157 million and $220 million in the first six months of 2000 and 1999, respectively. The decrease in 2000 resulted primarily from lower levels of activity due to increases in mortgage loan rates. Similarly, fewer mortgage loans were sold with sales of $81 million for the first half of 2000 and $190 million for the first half of 1999. CF Mortgage's mortgage servicing operations consist of servicing loans that are owned by Carolina First Bank and subservicing loans, to which the rights to service are owned by Carolina First Bank or other non-affiliated financial institutions. At June 30, 2000, CF Mortgage was servicing or subservicing loans having an aggregate principal balance of approximately $2.3 billion. Fees related to the servicing portfolio from non-affiliated companies are offset by the related amortization for the mortgage servicing rights and subservicing payments. In the first half of 2000, the increase in interest rates led to lower amortization of mortgage servicing rights due to lower prepayment rates. Servicing income does not include the benefit of interest-free escrow balances related to mortgage loan servicing activities. Fees for investment services in the first six months of 2000 and 1999 were $2.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Fees collected by Carolina First Securities, Inc. ("CF Securities"), a full service brokerage subsidiary, increased to $407,000 for the first six months of 2000, compared with $240,000 for the first six months of 1999. CF Securities offers a complete line of investment products and services, including mutual funds, stocks, bonds and annuities. At June 30, 2000 and 1999, the market value of assets administered by Carolina First Bank's trust department totaled approximately $734.7 million and $780.8 million, respectively. During the first six months of 1999, the Company had income of $1.6 million from its interests in the credit card and commercial real estate loan trusts. With the sale of the Company's credit cards and the termination of the credit card trust on May 17, 1999, loan securitization income related to credit cards ceased during the second quarter of 1999. The commercial real estate loan trust was terminated with the pay-off of the loans in the fourth quarter of 1999. Accordingly, no loan securitization income was realized in the first half of 2000. 16 Other noninterest income totaled $6.5 million in the first half of 2000, compared with $5.1 million in the first half of 1999. This increase was primarily due to the establishment of a bank-owned life insurance program initiated during the second quarter of 1999 as well as higher debit card income and merchant processing fees. NONINTEREST EXPENSES Noninterest expenses, including nonrecurring items, increased to $95.1 million in the first six months of 2000 from $83.0 million in the first six months of 1999. Noninterest expenses in the first half of 2000 included $19.9 million in nonrecurring restructuring and merger-related costs (see "Merger of Anchor Financial Corporation") and $839,000 in system conversion costs (see "System Conversion"). For details on restructuring and merger-related costs, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Noninterest expenses in the first half of 1999 included a nonrecurring charitable contribution in the form of Net.B@nk common stock, valued at approximately $11.9 million, which was made to the Carolina First Foundation, as well as $3.4 million in merger-related costs. Excluding these nonrecurring expenses, noninterest expenses increased $6.6 million from the first six months of 1999 to the first six months of 2000. The majority of the increase related to increases in personnel, technology and space to support the Company's current and future growth. Salaries, wages and employee benefits increased to $38.0 million in the first six months of 2000 from $34.8 million in the first six months of 1999. Full-time equivalent employees decreased to 1,481 at June 30, 2000 from 1,514 at June 30, 1999. The Company expects the number of full-time equivalent employees to continue to decline during the third quarter of 2000 in connection with the elimination of redundant positions associated with the Anchor Financial merger. The staffing cost increases were primarily due to the costs of expanding in existing and new markets, operational support to promote growth, restricted stock awards, and additional management and technical expertise. Occupancy and furniture and equipment expenses increased $3.0 million to $12.8 million in the first six months of 2000 from $9.8 million in the first six months of 1999. This increase resulted principally from lease payments associated with two new buildings and the transition to a common computer platform and new core operating system. Amortization of intangibles decreased to $3.2 million in the first half of 2000 from $3.7 million in the first half of 1999. The decrease was due to the sale of four branches, previously acquired through mergers accounted for as purchase transactions, in the last half of 1999. Upon completion of these branch sales, the related intangible assets were written off resulting in lower amortization of intangibles. This lower level of amortization is expected to continue. Other noninterest expenses increased $847,000 to $20.3 million in the first six months of 2000 from $19.5 million in the first six months of 1999. The overall increase in other noninterest expenses was principally attributable to the overhead and operating expenses associated with higher lending and deposit activities. The largest items of other noninterest expense were telecommunications, advertising, professional fees, travel, stationery, supplies and printing. 17 COMPARISON FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND JUNE 30, 1999 The Company reported a net loss of $8.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2000 which includes merger-related charges and other nonrecurring items. This loss is compared with income of $10.0 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 1999. Non-recurring items during the second quarter of 2000 included $19.9 million of pre-tax merger related charges (see "Merger of Anchor Financial Corporation"), $3.0 million in additional provision expense (see "Provision for Loan Losses"), a $1.9 million gain on the sale of Net.B@nk stock (see "Investment in Net.B@nk, Inc."), a $1.7 million write-off of an investment in an Internet service provider (see "Noninterest Income") and a $106,000 gain on the sale of the Prosperity branch office. Net income in the second quarter of 1999 included a nonrecurring, pre-tax gain of $2.4 million on the sale of credit cards and $3.3 million in merger-related charges. Excluding the merger-related charges and nonrecurring items, net income was $8.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2000 compared with $10.6 million in the second quarter of 1999. The decrease in net income was a result of increases in noninterest expenses partially offset by increases in net interest income and noninterest income. Net interest income increased $1.6 million to $45.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2000 from $43.8 million for the comparable period in 1999. This increase was attributable to a higher level of average earning assets. Earning assets averaged $4.4 billion and $3.8 billion in the second quarters of 2000 and 1999, respectively. The second quarter 2000 net interest margin decreased to 4.22%, compared with 4.62% for the second quarter of 1999. The lower net interest margin in the second quarter of 2000 resulted from higher cost of funds partially offset by higher earning asset yields (see "EARNINGS REVIEW - Net Interest Income"). Noninterest income, excluding the net gains on the disposition of assets, liabilities and equity investments, increased $180,000 to $10.4 million for the second quarter of 2000 compared with $10.2 million, excluding the $2.4 million gain on the sale of credit cards, in the second quarter of 1999. Service charges on deposit accounts increased to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2000 compared with $3.9 million in the second quarter of 1999. This increase was due to attracting new transaction accounts and improved collection results. Loan securitization income related to credit cards was $666,000 in the second quarter of 1999. Loan securitization income related to credit cards ceased due to the termination of the credit card trust during the second quarter of 1999. Loan securitization income related to the commercial real estate loan trust was $340,000 in the second quarter of 1999. The commercial real estate loan trust was terminated with the pay-off of the loans in the fourth quarter of 1999. Other noninterest income for the second quarter of 2000 increased $246,000 primarily due to increased merchant processing fees. Noninterest expenses, excluding restructuring and merger-related costs of $19.9 million and system conversion costs of $459,000, increased to $37.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2000 from $33.6 million, excluding merger-related costs, for the three months ended June 30, 1999. Personnel expense increased from $16.9 million for the second quarter of 1999 to $18.9 million for the second quarter of 2000 due to mergers and the hiring of additional employees as a result of expansion in existing and new markets. Occupancy and furniture and equipment expense increased $1.4 million to $6.4 million during second quarter 2000 from $5.0 million during second quarter 1999. Amortization of intangibles decreased from $1.7 million in the second quarter of 1999 to $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2000 due to the sale of four branches, previously acquired through mergers accounted for as purchase transactions, in the last half of 1999. Other noninterest expenses were $10.0 million in the second quarter of both 2000 and 1999. 18 BALANCE SHEET REVIEW LOANS Loans are the largest category of earning assets and produce the highest yields. The Company's loan portfolio consists of commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, consumer loans and one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Substantially all borrowers are located in South Carolina, Florida and North Carolina with concentrations in the Company's market areas. At June 30, 2000, the Company had total loans outstanding of $3.6 billion that equaled approximately 97% of the Company's total deposits and approximately 70% of the Company's total assets. Table 1 provides a summary of loans outstanding by category. Effective with the system conversion in June 2000, the Company reclassified certain loans due to the enhanced capability of analyzing loans by purpose and by collateral. Accordingly, the June 30, 2000 composition presented below may not be comparable with the earlier periods presented. For example, the construction category as of June 30, 2000 included commercial construction, which was previously included in commercial and industrial secured by real estate. TABLE 1 LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION (dollars in thousands) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, December 31, -------- ------------ 2000 1999 1999 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Residential mortgage (1-4 Family).............................$ 912,588 $ 641,320 $ 729,522 Construction.................................................. 432,424 173,060 221,683 Commercial and industrial..................................... 560,217 511,331 536,542 Commercial and industrial secured by real estate.............. 1,216,881 1,279,664 1,336,491 Consumer...................................................... 426,864 335,334 396,358 Credit cards.................................................. 18,591 15,700 15,798 Lease financing receivables................................... 8,350 26,155 15,500 ----- ------ ------ Loans held for investment..................................... 3,575,915 2,982,564 3,251,894 Loans held for sale........................................... 11,957 45,311 45,591 ------ ------ ------ Gross loans................................................... 3,587,872 3,027,875 3,297,485 Less unearned income.......................................... 3,170 8,276 5,765 Less allowance for loan losses................................ 41,742 29,846 33,756 ------ ------ ------ Net loans.....................................................$ 3,542,960 $ 2,989,753 $3,257,964 ============= ============= ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's loans, net of unearned income, increased $565.1 million, or 19%, to approximately $3.6 billion at June 30, 2000 from $3.0 billion at June 30, 1999 and increased $293.0 million from approximately $3.3 billion at December 31, 1999. Excluding loans originated by correspondents, approximately $81 million of residential mortgage loans were sold in the first six months of 2000. Adjusting for the 2000 loan sales, internal loan growth was approximately $374 million, or an annualized rate of 23%, during the first half of 2000. Approximately $80 million of the loan growth in the first half of the year was 19 attributable to the Citrus Bank markets in Florida. In addition, the Company's consumer loans increased significantly due primarily to the expansion of indirect lending in South Carolina and Florida. For the first half of 2000, the Company's loans averaged $3.4 billion with a yield of 9.23%, compared with $3.0 billion and a yield of 9.07% for the same period in 1999. Selling the credit card portfolio in the second quarter of 1999 lowered the average loan yield. This decrease was offset by increases in variable rate loans related to prime interest rate increases that have occurred since June 30, 1999. The interest rates charged on loans vary with the degree of risk, maturity and amount of the loan. Competitive pressures, money market rates, availability of funds and government regulations also influence interest rates. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (the "Allowance") is analyzed on a quarterly basis. For purposes of this analysis, adequacy is defined as a level sufficient to absorb probable losses in the portfolio. The methodology employed for this analysis is as follows. The portfolio is segregated into risk-similar segments for which average annual historical loss ratios are calculated over time periods corresponding to loans in each segment. Loss rates are calculated by product type for consumer loans and by risk grade for commercial loans. Large problem loans are individually assessed for loss potential. A range of probable loss percentages is then derived for each segment based on the relative volatility of its historical loss ratio. These percentages are applied to the dollar amount of loans in each segment to arrive at a range of probable loss levels. The location of the Allowance within this range is then assessed in light of material changes that may render historical loss levels less predictive of future results. This assessment addresses issues such as the pace of loan growth, newly emerging portfolio concentrations, risk management system changes, entry into new markets, new product offerings, off-balance sheet risk exposures, loan portfolio quality trends, and uncertainty in economic and business conditions. To the extent this analysis implies lower or higher risk than that which shaped historical loss levels, the Allowance is positioned toward the lower or higher end of the range. This methodology, first adopted for the March 31, 2000 analysis, develops a range of probable loss levels rather than a single, best-guess estimate. This change in methodology did not alter management's conclusion as to the adequacy of the Allowance. Assessing the adequacy of the Allowance is a process that requires considerable judgment. Management's judgments are based on numerous assumptions about future events which it believes to be reasonable, but which may or may not be valid. Thus there can be no assurance that loan losses in future periods will not exceed the Allowance or that future increases in the Allowance will not be required. No assurance can be given that management's ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio in light of changing economic conditions and other relevant circumstances will not require significant future additions to the Allowance, thus adversely affecting the operating results of the Company. The Allowance is also subject to examination and adequacy testing by regulatory agencies, which may consider such factors as the methodology used to determine adequacy and the size of the Allowance relative to that of peer institutions. In addition, such regulatory agencies could require the Company to adjust its Allowance based on information available to them at the time of their examination. 20 The Allowance totaled $41.7 million, or 1.17% of loans held for investment net of unearned income at June 30, 2000, compared with $29.8 million, or 1.00%, at June 30, 1999. At December 31, 1999, the Allowance was $33.8 million, or 1.04% of loans held for investment net of unearned income. During the second quarter of 1999, the Allowance was reduced $3.0 million as a consequence of the sale of the credit card portfolio. The Allowance was increased approximately $3.0 million during the second quarter of 2000 to apply the Company's reserve analysis methodology to Anchor Financial's loan portfolio. Table 2 presents changes in the allowance for loan losses. TABLE 2 ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (dollars in thousands) At and for At and for the six months the year ended ended June 30, December 31, -------------- ------------ 2000 1999 1999 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at beginning of period $ 33,756 $ 29,812 $ 29,812 Purchase accounting acquisitions -- 408 408 Allowance adjustment for credit card sale -- (2,977) (2,977) Provision for loan losses 12,427 8,618 18,273 Charge-offs: Credit cards -- (1,539) (1,852) Bank loans, leases & Blue Ridge loans (5,638) (5,524) (11,950) Recoveries 1,197 1,048 2,042 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net charge-offs (4,441) (6,015) (11,760) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allowance at end of period $ 41,742 $ 29,846 $ 33,756 =============================================================================================================== The following summarizes impaired loan information as of June 30: 2000 1999 ---- ---- ($ in thousands) Impaired loans.............................................................$ 16,763 $ 2,190 Related allowance.......................................................... 4,424 524 Recognized interest income.................................................$ 170 67 Foregone interest.......................................................... 483 44 The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and June 30, 1999 was approximately $13.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively. SECURITIES At June 30, 2000, the Company's investment portfolio totaled $918.1 million, up $203.2 million from the $714.9 million invested as of June 30, 1999 and down $46.0 million from the $964.1 million invested as of December 31, 1999. A significant portion of the increase in investment securities in 1999 was attributable to the match funding in December 1999 of approximately $200 million in mortgage-backed securities with approximately $200 million in Federal Home 21 Loan Bank borrowings. In addition, effective July 31, 1999, the Company began recording its investment in Net.B@nk at market value, which was approximately $28.2 million at June 30, 2000, down from $44.7 million as of December 31, 1999 (see "EQUITY INVESTMENTS - Investment in Net.B@nk, Inc."). Securities (i.e., securities held for investment, securities available for sale and trading securities) averaged $895.1 million in the first half of 2000, 32% above the average of $678.7 million in the first half of 1999. The average portfolio yield increased to 6.69% in the first six months of 2000 from 6.16% in the first six months of 1999. The portfolio yield increased as a result of increasing interest rates. The mix of securities also shifted by reinvesting maturing securities in higher yielding agencies and mortgage-backed securities. The composition of the investment portfolio as of June 30, 2000 follows: mortgage-backed securities 48%, treasuries and agencies 32%, other securities 11%, and states and municipalities 9%. During the third quarter of 2000, in connection with the Anchor Financial merger, the Company expects to restructure 10 to 15% of the combined investment portfolio to generate higher investment yields. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND OTHER ASSETS The intangible assets balance at June 30, 2000 of $110.7 million consisted of goodwill of $102.8 million and core deposit balance premiums of $7.9 million. The intangible assets balance at June 30, 1999 of $121.3 million consisted of goodwill of $111.1 million and core deposit balance premiums of $10.2 million. At June 30, 2000, other assets included other real estate owned of $3.4 million and mortgage servicing rights of $26.7 million. At June 30, 1999, other assets included other real estate owned of $2.8 million and mortgage servicing rights of $22.6 million. INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES During the first six months of 2000, interest-bearing liabilities averaged $3.8 billion, compared with $3.2 billion in the first six months of 1999. This increase resulted principally from additional borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") to fund increased loan activity and to purchase corporate bonds for leveraging purposes. Internal deposit growth related to account promotions, sales efforts and the introduction of Internet banking also contributed to the increase. The average interest rates were 5.10% and 4.43% in the first six months of 2000 and 1999, respectively. At June 30, 2000, interest-bearing deposits comprised approximately 85% of total deposits and 79% of interest-bearing liabilities. The Company's primary source of funds for loans and investments is its deposits, which are gathered through the banking subsidiaries' branch network. Deposits grew 9% to $3.7 billion at June 30, 2000 from $3.4 billion at June 30, 1999. In the last half of 1999, the Company sold approximately $54 million in deposits related to the sale of four branch offices. During the second quarter of 2000, approximately $7 million in deposits were sold in relation to the sale of the Prosperity branch office. During the first six months of 2000, total interest-bearing deposits averaged $3.0 billion with a rate of 4.84%, compared with $2.8 billion with a rate of 4.32% in the first six months of 1999. During the first six months of 2000, deposit pricing remained very competitive, a pricing environment which the Company expects to continue. Average noninterest-bearing deposits, which 22 increased 5% during the year, were 14.8% of average total deposits for the first six months of 2000 compared with 15.1% of average total deposits for the prior year period. In September 1999, the Company introduced an Internet bank, which is marketed as Bank CaroLine and offered as a service of Carolina First Bank, F.S.B. Deposit rates for Bank CaroLine are generally higher than the rates offered by the Company's other subsidiary banks due to lower operating costs. Deposits gathered through Bank CaroLine will be used to fund commercial and consumer loans generated by the Company's subsidiary banks. At June 30, 2000, total deposits for Bank CaroLine totaled approximately $138 million. Time deposits of $100,000 or more represented 16% of total deposits at June 30, 2000 and 12% of total deposits at June 30, 1999. The Company's large denomination time deposits are generally from customers within the local market areas of its banks and, therefore, have a greater degree of stability than is typically associated with this source of funds. As of June 30, 2000, the Company had $97.2 million in brokered deposits. The Company considers these funds as an alternative funding source. In the first six months of 2000, average borrowed funds, which includes repurchase agreements and FHLB advances, totaled $765.3 million compared with $338.7 million for the same period in 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to a rise in average FHLB advances to $523.8 million in the first six months of 2000 from $96.7 million in the first six months of 1999. Advances from the FHLB increased to $582.6 million as of June 30, 2000 from $138.1 million at June 30, 1999. At December 31, 1999, FHLB advances totaled $510.6 million. The increase since June 30, 1999 was primarily due to additional borrowings from FHLB to fund increased loan activity and to purchase corporate bonds for leveraging purposes. FHLB advances are a source of funding which the Company uses depending on the current level of deposits and management's willingness to raise deposits through market promotions. CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DIVIDENDS Total shareholders' equity amounted to $473.1 million, or 9.3% of total assets, at June 30, 2000, compared with $463.4 million, or 10.8% of total assets, at June 30, 1999. At December 31, 1999, total shareholders' equity totaled $500.6 million, or 10.5% of total assets. The increase in total shareholders' equity since June 30, 1999 resulted principally from the retention of earnings less cash dividends paid, stock repurchased and a decline in the net unrealized gain on securities. In the first quarter of 2000, the Company repurchased 524,600 shares of common stock, which decreased shareholders' equity by $8.3 million. In March 2000, the Company rescinded its share repurchase program due to the pending merger with Anchor Financial. The Company began recording its investment in Net.B@nk at market value during the third quarter of 1999, which added $17.9 million (net of taxes) to the June 30, 2000 net unrealized gain on securities, which is a component of shareholders' equity. The Company's unrealized gain, net of taxes, related to Net.B@nk declined $10.7 million, from December 31, 1999 to June 30, 2000. Book value per share at June 30, 2000 and 1999 was $10.99 and $10.75, respectively. Recording the Company's Net.B@nk investment at market value, effective with the third quarter of 1999, added approximately $0.42 to book value at June 30, 2000. Tangible book value per share at June 30, 2000 and 1999 was $8.42 and $7.93, respectively. Tangible book value was below book value as a 23 result of the purchase premiums associated with branch acquisitions and the acquisitions of CF Mortgage, RPGI and five banks (all of which were accounted for as purchases). At June 30, 2000, the Company and its subsidiary banks were in compliance with each of the applicable regulatory capital requirements. Table 3 sets forth various capital ratios for the Company and its subsidiary banks. TABLE 3 CAPITAL RATIOS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As of Well Capitalized Adequately Capitalized 6/30/00 Requirement Requirement - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Company: Total Risk-based Capital 11.13% n/a n/a Tier 1 Risk-based Capital 9.16 n/a n/a Leverage Ratio 7.30 n/a n/a Carolina First Bank: Total Risk-based Capital 10.03% 10.0% 8.0% Tier 1 Risk-based Capital 9.17 6.0 4.0 Leverage Ratio 7.54 5.0 4.0 Carolina First Bank, F.S.B.: Total Risk-based Capital 11.13% 10.0% 8.0% Tier 1 Risk-based Capital 10.23 6.0 4.0 Leverage Ratio 5.03 5.0 4.0 Citrus Bank: Total Risk-based Capital 10.00% 10.0% 8.0% Tier 1 Risk-based Capital 8.79 6.0 4.0 Leverage Ratio 8.12 5.0 4.0 Anchor Bank: Total Risk-based Capital 9.23% 10.0% 8.0% Tier 1 Risk-based Capital 7.50 6.0 4.0 Leverage Ratio 5.76 5.0 4.0 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the amount of dividends they are permitted to pay. The Company has paid a cash dividend each quarter since the initiation of cash dividends on February 1, 1994. The Company presently intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock; however, future dividends will depend upon the Company's financial performance and capital requirements. MARKET RISK Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company's market risk arises principally from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, deposit and borrowing activities. Management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure. Although the Company manages other risks, such as credit quality and liquidity risk, in the normal 24 course of business, management considers interest rate risk to be its most significant market risk. Other types of market risks, such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company's business activities. Achieving consistent growth in net interest income is the primary goal of the Company's asset/liability function. The Company attempts to control the mix and maturities of assets and liabilities to achieve consistent growth in net interest income despite changes in market interest rates. The Company seeks to accomplish this goal while maintaining adequate liquidity and capital. The Company's asset/liability mix is sufficiently balanced so that the effect of interest rates moving in either direction is not expected to be significant over time. The Company's Asset/Liability Committee uses a simulation model to assist in achieving consistent growth in net interest income while managing interest rate risk. The model takes into account interest rate changes as well as changes in the mix and volume of assets and liabilities. The model simulates the Company's balance sheet and income statement under several different rate scenarios. The model's inputs (such as interest rates and levels of loans and deposits) are updated on a periodic basis in order to obtain the most accurate forecast possible. The forecast presents information over a twelve-month period. It reports a base case in which interest rates remain flat and reports variations that occur when rates immediately increase and decrease 200 basis points. According to the model, the Company is positioned so that net interest income will increase if interest rates rise in the next twelve months and will decrease if interest rates decline in the next twelve months. Computation of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates and loan prepayments, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions the Company could undertake in response to changes in interest rates. As of June 30, 2000, there was no significant change from the interest rate risk sensitivity analysis for various changes in interest rates calculated as of December 31, 1999. The foregoing disclosures related to the market risk of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements, related notes and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1999 included in the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Interest sensitivity gap ("GAP position") measures the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities during a given time frame. The Company's GAP position, while not a complete measure of interest sensitivity, is reviewed periodically to provide insights related to the static repricing structure of assets and liabilities. At June 30, 2000, on a cumulative basis through twelve months, rate-sensitive liabilities exceeded rate-sensitive assets, resulting in a liability sensitive position of $250.3 million. LIQUIDITY Liquidity management involves meeting the cash flow requirements of the Company both at the holding company level as well as at the subsidiary level. The holding company and non-banking subsidiaries of the Company require cash for various operating needs, including general operating expenses, payment of dividends to shareholders, interest on borrowing, extensions of credit at Blue 25 Ridge, business combinations and capital infusions into subsidiaries. The primary source of liquidity for the Company's holding company is dividends from the banking and non-banking subsidiaries. The Company's banking subsidiaries have cash flow requirements involving withdrawals of deposits, extensions of credit and payment of operating expenses. The principal sources of funds for liquidity purposes for the banking subsidiaries are customers' deposits, principal and interest payments on loans, loan sales or securitizations, securities available for sale, maturities of securities, temporary investments and earnings. The subsidiary banks' liquidity is also enhanced by the ability to acquire new deposits through the established branch network. The liquidity needs of the Subsidiary Banks are a factor in developing their deposit pricing structure; deposit pricing may be altered to retain or grow deposits if deemed necessary. The Company's loan to deposit ratio has increased to 97% as of June 30, 2000 from 93% as of December 31, 1999 and 88% as of June 30, 1999. This increase reflects greater reliance by the Company on other funding sources, including borrowing from the FHLB, which is expected to continue. Carolina First Bank, Anchor Bank and Carolina First Bank, F.S.B. have access to borrowing from the FHLB. Each of the Subsidiary Banks maintain unused short-term lines of credit from unrelated banks. At June 30, 2000, unused borrowing capacity from the FHLB totaled approximately $94 million with an outstanding balance of $582.6 million. At June 30, 2000, the Subsidiary Banks had unused short-term lines of credit totaling approximately $125 million (which are withdrawable at the lender's option). Management believes that these sources are adequate to meet its liquidity needs. ASSET QUALITY Lending is a risk-taking business. Prudent lending requires a sound risk-taking philosophy, policies and procedures which translate that philosophy into practices, and a risk management process that ensures effective execution. The Company's risk-taking philosophy is articulated in credit policies approved by its Board of Directors annually. Implementing policies and procedures are promulgated by the Credit Risk Management Group. These policies contain underwriting standards, risk analysis requirements, loan documentation criteria, credit approval requirements, and risk monitoring requirements. Credit approval authority delegated to lending officers is limited in scope to actions that comply with these policies. In the first quarter of 2000, a Credit Review function was chartered to independently test for compliance with these policies and report findings to the Credit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. 26 Table 4 presents information pertaining to nonperforming assets. TABLE 4 NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND PAST DUE LOANS ($ in thousands) June 30, December 31, ----------- ------------ 2000 1999 1999 ---- ---- ---- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nonaccrual loans $ 18,341 $ 3,351 $ 11,185 Restructured loans -- 1,283 -- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total nonperforming loans 18,341 4,634 11,185 Other real estate 3,390 2,833 2,787 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total nonperforming assets $ 21,731 $ 7,467 $ 13,972 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nonperforming assets as a % of loans and other real estate owned 0.61% 0.25% 0.43% Net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized) 0.26 0.41 0.39 Accruing loans past due 90 days $ 7,789 $5,066 $ 5,100 Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans 2.28x 6.44x 3.02x - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nonaccrual loans increased to $18.3 million as of June 30, 2000 from $11.2 million as of December 31, 1999 and $3.4 million as of June 30, 1999. Of the $18.3 million of nonaccrual loans as of June 30, 2000, $7.0 million was for three loans not past due over 30 days. Net loan charge-offs totaled $4.4 million and $6.0 million in the first six months of 2000 and 1999, respectively, or 0.26% and 0.41%, respectively, as an annualized percentage of average loans. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more were composed primarily of consumer and 1-4 family mortgage loans. At June 30, 2000, commercial loans in this category were nominal. SYSTEM CONVERSION From March 2000 through July 2000, the Company and its subsidiaries converted their operating systems to the Fiserv Comprehensive Banking System. As a result of the system conversions, and the related training involved with learning a new system, outstanding items on general ledger, loan funding and demand deposit account reconciliations have not been resolved in a timely manner. Timely reconciliations, as well as the ongoing resolution of outstanding items, reduces the risk of financial reporting errors and losses. 27 The Company has dedicated resources, including the Company's internal audit staff and professional consultants, to complete these reconciliations. At this time, based upon the clearance of outstanding items to date, the Company does not anticipate any material changes to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations related to these reconciliations, however, no assurance of this can be given. INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS Certain recently-enacted and proposed legislation could have an effect on both the costs of doing business and the competitive factors facing the financial institutions industry. The Company is unable at this time to assess the impact of this legislation on its financial condition or operations. CURRENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS 133 required that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statement is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. This effective date reflects the deferral provided by SFAS 137, which defers the earlier effective date specified in SFAS 133. SFAS 138 amends SFAS 133 to address a limited number of issues causing implementation difficulties. The Company, which will be required to adopt this statement January 1, 2001, has not yet determined the financial impact of the adoption of SFAS 133. 28 PART II ITEM 1 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management based on consultation with legal counsel, any outcome of such pending litigation would not materially affect the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. ITEM 2 CHANGE IN SECURITIES None. ITEM 3 DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None. ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITIES HOLDERS Annual Meeting of Shareholders ------------------------------ On April 19, 2000, the Company held its 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The results of the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders follow. PROPOSAL #1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The shareholders approved setting the number of Company directors at 12 persons. The following persons were elected as Directors with the votes indicated. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- Withheld # % Authority - - --------- M. Dexter Hagy 18,785,209 94.1% 1,178,243 H. Earle Russell, Jr. 18,734,288 94.1% 1,179,164 William R. Timmons, Jr. 18,005,786 90.4% 1,907,666 Samuel H. Vickers 18,261,750 91.7% 1,651,702 Judd B. Farr, C. Claymon Grimes, Jr., William S. Hummers III, Charles B. Schooler, Elizabeth P. Stall, Eugene E. Stone IV, David C. Wakefield III, and Mack I. Whittle, Jr. continued in their present terms as directors. PROPOSAL #2 - CHANGE THE COMPANY'S NAME TO THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. The shareholders approved changing the Company's name to The South Financial Group, Inc. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain - - ------- ------- 19,119,176 96.0% 647,750 146,526 PROPOSAL #3 - ADOPTION OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED FORTUNE 50 PLAN The shareholders approved the Company's Amended and Restated Fortune 50 Plan. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain Non-Vote - - ------- ------- -------- 11,976,957 60.1% 965,708 217,967 6,752,820 29 PART II (CONTINUED) PROPOSAL #4 - ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN The shareholders approved amending the Company's Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be issued to an aggregate of 2,500,000. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain Non-Vote - - ------- ------- -------- 11,097,770 55.7% 1,788,292 274,544 6,752,846 PROPOSAL #5 - ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK AMENDED DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN The shareholders approved amending the Company's Amended common Stock Dividend Reinvestment Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be issued to an aggregate of 450,000. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain Non-Vote - - ------- ------- -------- 11,104,751 55.8% 1,390,254 659,536 6,758,911 SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ------------------------------- On May 1, 2000, the Company held a Special Meeting of Shareholders. The results of the Special Meeting of Shareholders follow. PROPOSAL #1 - APPROVAL OF REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT WITH ANCHOR FINANCIAL CORPORATION The shareholders approved the Reorganization Agreement dated as of January 10, 2000, providing for the merger of Anchor Financial Corporation with and into a subsidiary of the Company and, in connection therewith, the conversion of shares of common stock of Anchor Financial Corporation into shareholder of common stock of the Company. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain - - ------- ------- 13,567,333 89.4% 1,555,459 45,241 PROPOSAL #2 - INCREASE SIZE OF BOARD The shareholders approved increasing the Company's board of directors from twelve members to seventeen members. Voting shares in favor ---------------------- # % Against Abstain - - ------- ------- 13,365,780 88.1% 1,716,410 85,843 30 PART II (CONTINUED) ITEM 5 OTHER INFORMATION Completed Acquisition --------------------- On June 6, 2000, the Company completed the merger with Anchor Financial Corporation ("Anchor Financial"), headquartered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Anchor Financial in exchange for 17,674,244 shares of the Company's common stock. Each share of Anchor Financial stock was exchanged for 2.175 shares of the Company's common stock. At March 31, 2000, Anchor Financial had total assets of approximately $1.2 billion, loans of approximately $873 million, and deposits of approximately $1.0 billion with 33 branch locations in South Carolina and North Carolina. The Anchor Financial transaction has been accounted for as a pooling-of-interests combination. Pending Sale of Branch Offices ------------------------------ On July 3, 2000, The Anchor Bank completed the sale of its branch office located in Saluda, South Carolina. The Company also has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Nichols, South Carolina office, which is expected to close in August 2000 subject to regulatory approval, among other conditions. ITEM 6 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits 10.1 Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 11.1 Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share. 12.1 Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio. 27.1 Financial Data Schedules. (b) Reports on Form 8-K The Company filed current reports on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2000 and June 6, 2000. 31 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The South Financial Group, Inc. /s/William S. Hummers III ------------------------- William S. Hummers III Executive Vice President 32