UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

(Mark One) FORM 10-Q  

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)  
  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2013

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF  
  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

 

For the Transition Period from _________to_________

 

Commission File Number 000-49757

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

South Carolina 80-0030931

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

2170 West Palmetto Street

Florence, South Carolina 29501

(Address of principal executive

offices, including zip code)

 

(843) 656-5000

(Issuer’s telephone number, including area code)

________________________________________________

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity as of the latest practicable date:

 

4,566,650 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of July 31, 2013

 

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.

x Yes ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨    No x

 

 
 

 

INDEX

 

    Page No.
     
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)  
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 3
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 4
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 5
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 6
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 7
     
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 8
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 23
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk 43
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 43
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 43
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 43
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 44
     
Item 6. Exhibits 44

 

 
 

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents:          
Cash and due from banks  $2,541,890   $2,893,020 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   32,171,558    35,169,883 
Total cash and cash equivalents   34,713,448    38,062,903 
           
Time deposits in other banks   101,106    100,953 
           
Securities available-for-sale   50,247,151    60,071,012 
Nonmarketable equity securities   1,055,000    1,297,400 
Total investment securities   51,302,151    61,368,412 
           
Mortgage loans held for sale   2,390,367    5,621,860 
           
Loans receivable   238,440,956    260,257,334 
Less allowance for loan losses   (3,540,037)   (4,167,482)
Loans, net   234,900,919    256,089,852 
           
Premises, furniture and equipment, net   24,577,054    24,626,975 
Accrued interest receivable   1,163,670    1,276,898 
Other real estate owned   16,179,513    15,289,991 
Cash surrender value life insurance   12,771,554    12,599,787 
Other assets   2,279,702    3,239,579 
Total assets  $380,379,484   $418,277,210 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
Liabilities          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing transaction accounts  $62,424,974   $58,023,250 
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   45,711,943    42,568,838 
Savings   95,190,295    104,031,114 
Time deposits $100,000 and over   57,257,561    83,703,846 
Other time deposits   50,391,544    60,987,086 
Total deposits   310,976,317    349,314,134 
           
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   5,246,235    4,377,978 
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank   11,000,000    11,000,000 
Junior subordinated debentures   10,310,000    10,310,000 
Accrued interest payable   516,868    465,409 
Other liabilities   2,196,589    1,611,762 
Total liabilities   340,246,009    377,079,283 
           
Shareholders’ Equity          
Preferred stock          
Series A cumulative perpetual preferred stock - 15,349 shares issued and outstanding   15,047,526    15,120,344 
Series B cumulative perpetual preferred stock - 767 shares issued and outstanding   778,214    786,399 
Series C cumulative mandatory convertible preferred stock - 2,293 shares shares issued and outstanding   2,293,000    2,293,000 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 4,095,821 and 4,094,861 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively   40,958    40,949 
Capital surplus   27,991,394    27,991,132 
Treasury stock, at cost, 29,846 and 19,289 shares at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively   (201,191)   (182,234)
Nonvested restricted stock   (48,856)   (123,466)
Retained deficit   (6,477,059)   (6,207,116)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   709,489    1,478,919 
Total shareholders’ equity   40,133,475    41,197,927 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $380,379,484   $418,277,210 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-3-
 

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Interest income:                    
Loans, including fees  $3,372,998   $4,103,473   $6,844,202   $8,503,300 
Investment securities:                    
Taxable   314,256    462,383    662,240    927,033 
Nontaxable   -    181,098    -    378,089 
Other interest income   26,592    30,114    52,935    57,994 
Total   3,713,846    4,777,068    7,559,377    9,866,416 
                     
Interest expense:                    
Time deposits   521,825    957,333    1,126,488    2,009,891 
Other deposits   50,277    104,504    123,988    259,138 
Other interest expense   118,481    128,374    240,018    257,027 
Total   690,583    1,190,211    1,490,494    2,526,056 
                     
Net interest income   3,023,263    3,586,857    6,068,883    7,340,360 
                     
Provision for loan losses   -    -    -    600,000 
                     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   3,023,263    3,586,857    6,068,883    6,740,360 
                     
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges on deposit accounts   403,885    445,903    817,200    850,518 
Gain on sales of mortgage loans   280,472    342,583    574,041    552,738 
Income from bank owned life insurance   86,727    95,130    171,767    189,677 
Other charges, commissions and fees   225,739    257,536    467,664    469,009 
Gain on sale of securities   33,917    347,010    33,917    507,787 
Other non-interest income   85,777    263,486    169,426    436,360 
Total   1,116,517    1,751,648    2,234,015    3,006,089 
                     
Noninterest expenses:                    
Salaries and employee benefits   1,976,955    2,047,370    3,905,664    3,796,265 
Occupancy expense   375,060    374,494    733,147    732,261 
Furniture and equipment expense   177,327    393,277    472,842    752,936 
Other operating expenses   1,805,514    2,443,534    3,372,900    4,006,669 
Total   4,334,856    5,258,675    8,484,553    9,288,131 
                     
Income (loss) before income taxes   (195,076)   79,830    (181,655)   458,318 
                     
Income tax   -    -    -    - 
                     
Net income (loss)   (195,076)   79,830    (181,655)   458,318 
                     
Preferred stock dividends   249,247    249,247    498,495    498,495 
Deemed dividends on preferred stock resulting from net accretion of discount and amortization of premium   44,388    44,388    88,288    88,776 
                     
Net loss available to common shareholders  $(488,711)  $(213,805)  $(768,438)  $(128,953)
                     
Average common shares outstanding, basic   4,095,271    4,096,774    4,095,069    4,091,314 
Average common shares outstanding, diluted   4,095,271    4,096,774    4,095,069    4,091,314 
                     
Basic loss per share  $(0.12)  $(0.05)  $(0.19)  $(0.03)
Diluted loss per share  $(0.12)  $(0.05)  $(0.19)  $(0.03)

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-4-
 

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
                 
Net income (loss) from operations  $(195,076)  $79,830   $(181,655)  $458,318 
                     
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                    
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during the period   (890,286)   712,113    (1,142,311)   746,046 
Income tax expense (benefit)   (302,698)   242,119    (349,066)   253,656 
Net of income taxes   (587,588)   469,994    (793,245)   429,390 
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income from operations   33,917    347,010    (36,083)   507,787 
Income tax expense (benefit)   11,532    117,984    (12,268)   172,648 
Net of income taxes   22,385    229,026    (23,815)   335,139 
                     
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (609,973)   240,968    (769,430)   157,251 
                     
Comprehensive income (loss)  $(805,049)  $320,798   $(951,085)  $615,569 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-5-
 

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

(Unaudited)

 

                           Accumulated     
                           Other     
                   Nonvested   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Preferred   Common   Capital   Treasury   Restricted   Earnings   Income     
   Stock   Stock   Surplus   Stock   Stock   (Deficit)   (Loss)   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2011  $18,021,216   $40,844   $27,992,485   $(173,650)  $(320,196)  $(6,304,429)  $1,861,720   $41,117,990 
                                         
Net income                            458,318         458,318 
                                         
Changes in unrealized gains, and losses on securities                                 157,251    157,251 
                                         
Accretion of Series A  Preferred stock discount   97,006                        (97,006)        - 
                                         
Amortization of Series B Preferred stock premium   (8,231)                       8,231         - 
                                         
Issuance Common Stock        8    993                        1,001 
                                         
Net Change in Restricted Stock        116    7,766         104,960              112,842 
                                         
Purchase of treasury stock                  (8,422)                  (8,422)
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2012  $18,109,991   $40,968   $28,001,244   $(182,072)  $(215,236)  $(5,934,886)  $2,018,971   $41,838,980 
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2012  $18,199,743   $40,949   $27,991,132   $(182,234)  $(123,466)  $(6,207,116)  $1,478,919   $41,197,927 
                                         
Net loss                            (181,655)        (181,655)
                                         
Changes in unrealized gains  and losses on securities                                 (769,430)   (769,430)
                                         
Expense of auctioning Series A and Series B Preferred stock   (169,291)                                 (169,291)
                                         
Accretion of Series A Preferred stock discount   96,473                        (96,473)        - 
                                         
Amortization of Series B Preferred stock premium   (8,185)                       8,185         - 
                                         
Issuance Common Stock        5    997                        1,002 
                                         
Net Change in Restricted Stock        4    (735)        74,610              73,879 
                                         
Purchase of treasury stock                  (18,957)                  (18,957)
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2013  $18,118,740   $40,958   $27,991,394   $(201,191)  $(48,856)  $(6,477,059)  $709,489   $40,133,475 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-6-
 

 

FIRST RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2013   2012 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $(181,655)  $458,318 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Provision for loan losses   -    600,000 
Depreciation and amortization expense   455,695    464,735 
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities   (33,917)   (507,787)
Impairment loss on available-for-sale securities   70,000    - 
Loss on sale of other real estate owned   243,602    35,021 
Write down of other real estate owned   -    882,189 
Discount accretion and premium amortization   156,248    115,246 
Disbursements for mortgage loans held-for-sale   (16,186,634)   (25,332,201)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held-for-sale   19,418,127    26,603,647 
Decrease in interest receivable   113,228    397,366 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance   (171,767)   (189,677)
Increase in interest payable   51,459    69,945 
Amortization of deferred compensation on restricted stock   73,879    112,842 
Decrease in other assets   1,229,650    629,303 
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities   584,827    (257,623)
Net cash provided by operating activities   5,822,742    4,081,324 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Net decrease in loans receivable   17,361,644    10,175,412 
Purchases of securities available-for-sale   (1,030,258)   (13,220,603)
Proceeds on sales of securities available-for-sale   712,248    10,004,866 
Maturities of securities available-for-sale   8,843,311    5,621,199 
Net decrease of nonmarketable equity securities   242,400    811,900 
Net increase in time deposits in other banks   (153)   (329)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   2,694,167    3,096,044 
Purchases of premises and equipment   (338,750)   (146,466)
Net cash provided by investing activities   28,484,609    16,342,023 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net decrease in demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts   (1,295,990)   (491,097)
Net decrease in certificates of deposit and other time deposits   (37,041,827)   (28,104,446)
Net increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase   868,257    4,377,004 
Expense of auctioning Series A and Series B Preferred stock   (169,291)   - 
Issuance of common stock   1,002    1,001 
Purchase of treasury stock   (18,957)   (8,422)
Net cash used by financing activities   (37,656,806)   (24,225,960)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (3,349,455)   (3,802,613)
           
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   38,062,903    44,020,830 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $34,713,448   $40,218,217 
           
Cash paid during the period for:          
Income taxes  $-   $- 
Interest   1,439,035    2,456,111 
           
Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities:          
Foreclosures on loans  $3,827,291   $4,138,633 
Net change in gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities   (769,430)   157,251 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-7-
 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements and, accordingly, they are condensed and omit certain disclosures that would appear in audited annual consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2013 and for the interim periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation. The consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and the notes included in First Reliance Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Note 2 - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements: – First Quarter

 

The Comprehensive Income topic of the ASC was amended in June 2011. The amendment eliminated the option to present other comprehensive income as a part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and required consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income. The amendments were applicable to the Company January 1, 2012 and have been applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the topic was further amended to defer the effective date of presenting reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements while the FASB redeliberated the presentation requirements for the reclassification adjustments. In February 2013, the FASB further amended the Comprehensive Income topic clarifying the conclusions from such redeliberations. Specifically, the amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the amendments do require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, in certain circumstances an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amendments were effective for the Company on a prospective basis for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. These amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

On April 22, 2013, the FASB issued guidance addressing application of the liquidation basis of accounting. The guidance is intended to clarify when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting. In addition, the guidance provides principles for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities and requirements for financial statements prepared using the liquidation basis of accounting. The amendments will be effective for entities that determine liquidation is imminent during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim reporting periods therein and those requirements should be applied prospectively from the day that liquidation becomes imminent. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect these amendments to have any effect on its financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Note 3 - Reclassifications

 

Certain captions and amounts in the financial statements in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 were reclassified to conform to the June 30, 2013 presentation.

 

Note 4 - Investment Securities

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities available-for-sale were:

 

   Amortized   Gross Unrealized   Estimated 
   Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
June 30, 2013                    
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies  $7,410,947   $213,209   $-   $7,624,156 
Mortgage-backed securities   41,731,220    980,709    118,934    42,592,995 
Equity security   30,000    -    -    30,000 
Total  $49,172,167   $1,193,918   $118,934   $50,247,151 

 

-8-
 

 

   Amortized   Gross Unrealized   Estimated 
   Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
December 31, 2012                    
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies  $7,591,892   $517,136   $-   $8,109,028 
Mortgage-backed securities   50,197,908    1,758,576    -    51,956,484 
Equity security   100,000    -    94,500    5,500 
Total  $57,889,800   $2,275,712   $94,500   $60,071,012 

 

The following is a summary of maturities of securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2013. The amortized cost and estimated fair values are based on the contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalty. Mortgage-backed securities are presented as a separate line, maturities of which are based on expected maturities since paydowns are expected to occur before contractual maturity dates.

 

   Amortized   Estimated 
   Cost   Fair Value 
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies - due after ten years  $7,410,947   $7,624,156 
Mortgage-backed securities   41,731,220    42,592,995 
Equity security   30,000    30,000 
Total  $49,172,167   $50,247,151 

 

The following table shows gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

   June 30, 2013   December 31, 2012 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
Less Than 12 Months                    
Mortgage-backed securities  $7,798,217   $118,934   $-   $- 
                     
12 Months or More                    
Equity security   -    -    5,500    94,500 
Total securities available-for-sale  $7,798,217   $118,934   $5,500   $94,500 

 

At June 30, 2013, there were no securities that had been in a loss position for 12 months or more. However, during the first quarter of 2013 management determined that the Company’s equity investment of $100,000 in a local community bank was other-than-temporarily impaired. Based on industry analyst reports and market trading prices, it was determined that the estimated fair market value of this investment was $30,000. Consequently, an impairment loss of $70,000 was recognized. While the Company does not intend to sell this security in the near future, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell it, there is no assurance that the carrying value of this security will be realized in the future.

 

During the first six months of 2013 and 2012, gross proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities were $712,248 and $10,004,866, respectively. During these periods gross gains on sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $33,917 and $507,787, respectively. There were no gross losses on sales of available-for-sale securities during first six months of 2013 and 2012.

 

-9-
 

 

Note 5 – Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Major classifications of loans receivable are summarized as follows:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Real estate loans:          
Construction  $26,513,657   $31,985,532 
Residential:          
Residential 1-4 family   35,453,123    35,091,846 
Multifamily   5,575,408    5,563,043 
Second mortgages   4,131,639    4,077,692 
Equity lines of credit   21,543,682    22,502,339 
Total residential   66,703,852    67,234,920 
Nonresidential   106,717,197    122,309,917 
Total real estate loans   199,934,706    221,530,369 
Commercial and industrial   28,731,447    29,255,564 
Consumer   9,658,975    9,304,913 
Other   115,828    166,488 
Total loans  $238,440,956   $260,257,334 

 

The Company has pledged certain loans as collateral to secure its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The total of loans pledged was $76,569,700 and $84,692,901 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses by class of loans for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

June 30, 2013

 

                   Total         
       Real Estate Loans   Real         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Beginning balance  $4,167   $1,441   $951   $1,129   $3,521   $616   $30 
Provisions   -    (1,077)   633    814    370    (391)   21 
Recoveries   322    80    150    18    248    64    10 
Charge-offs   (949)   (162)   (384)   (375)   (921)   (9)   (19)
Ending balance  $3,540   $282   $1,350   $1,586   $3,218   $280   $42 

 

December 31, 2012

 

                   Total         
       Real Estate Loans   Real         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Beginning balance  $7,743   $3,291   $2,757   $1,081   $7,129   $575   $39 
Provisions   1,946    148    (850)   1,819    1,117    819    10 
Recoveries   1,104    298    129    54    481    613    10 
Charge-offs   (6,626)   (2,296)   (1,085)   (1,825)   (5,206)   (1,391)   (29)
Ending balance  $4,167   $1,441   $951   $1,129   $3,521   $616   $30 

 

The following is a summary of loans evaluated for impairment individually and collectively, by class, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

-10-
 

 

June 30, 2013

 

       Real Estate Loans   Total
Real
         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Allowance                                   
Evaluated for impairment                                   
Individually  $100   $-   $78   $6   $84   $15   $1 
Collectively   3,440    282    1,272    1,580    3,134    265    41 
Allowance for loan losses  $3,540   $282   $1,350   $1,586   $3,218   $280   $42 
                                    
Total Loans                                   
Evaluated for impairment                                   
Individually  $16,119   $826   $5,415   $7,966   $14,207   $1,810   $102 
Collectively   222,322    25,688    61,289    98,751    185,728    26,921    9,673 
Loans receivable  $238,441   $26,514   $66,704   $106,717   $199,935   $28,731   $9,775 

 

December 31, 2012

 

           Total         
       Real Estate Loans   Real         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Allowance                                   
Evaluated for impairment                                   
Individually  $524   $23   $106   $362   $491   $20   $13 
Collectively   3,643    1,418    845    767    3,030    596    17 
Allowance for loan losses  $4,167   $1,441   $951   $1,129   $3,521   $616   $30 
                                    
Total Loans                                   
Evaluated for impairment                                   
Individually  $28,030   $6,151   $5,323   $14,464   $25,938   $1,973   $119 
Collectively   232,227    25,834    61,912    107,846    195,592    27,283    9,352 
Loans receivable  $260,257   $31,985   $67,235   $122,310   $221,530   $29,256   $9,471 

 

The Company identifies impaired loans through its normal internal loan review process. Loans on the Company’s problem loan watch list are considered potentially impaired loans. These loans are evaluated in determining whether all outstanding principal and interest are expected to be collected. Loans are not considered impaired if a minimal delay occurs and all amounts due including accrued interest at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay are expected to be collected.

 

The following summarizes the Company’s impaired loans as of June 30, 2013.

 

       Unpaid       Average 
(Dollars in Thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded 
   Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment 
With no related allowance recorded:                    
Real estate                    
Construction  $826   $958   $-   $2,187 
Residential   3,986    4,232    -    3,565 
Nonresidential   7,626    8,635    -    9,463 
Total real estate loans   12,438    13,825    -    15,215 
Commercial   1,795    1,795    -    1,877 
Consumer and other   86    87    -    85 
    14,319    15,707    -    17,177 

 

-11-
 

 

       Unpaid       Average 
(Dollars in Thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded 
   Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment 
With an allowance recorded:                    
Real estate                    
Construction   -    -    -    1,740 
Residential   1,429    1,433    78    1,546 
Nonresidential   340    340    6    2,751 
Total real estate loans   1,769    1,773    84    6,037 
Commercial   15    15    15    17 
Consumer and other   16    16    1    24 
    1,800    1,804    100    6,078 
                     
Total                    
Real estate                    
Construction   826    958    -    3,927 
Residential   5,415    5,665    78    5,111 
Nonresidential   7,966    8,975    6    12,214 
Total real estate loans   14,207    15,598    84    21,252 
Commercial   1,810    1,810    15    1,894 
Consumer and other   102    103    1    109 
Total  $16,119   $17,511   $100   $23,255 

 

The following summarizes the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2012.

 

       Unpaid       Average 
(Dollars in Thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded 
   Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment 
With no related allowance recorded:                    
Real estate                    
Construction  $3,157   $3,827   $-   $3,755 
Residential   3,825    4,209    -    4,138 
Nonresidential   10,311    11,439    -    9,941 
Total real estate loans   17,293    19,475    -    17,834 
Commercial   1,953    1,990    -    1,334 
Consumer and other   80    81    -    42 
    19,326    21,546    -    19,210 
                     
With an allowance recorded:                    
Real estate                    
Construction   2,994    3,102    23    3,099 
Residential   1,498    1,500    106    1,410 
Nonresidential   4,153    4,744    362    3,183 
Total real estate loans   8,645    9,346    491    7,692 
Commercial   20    20    20    603 
Consumer and other   39    39    13    27 
    8,704    9,405    524    8,322 
Total                    
Real estate                    
Construction   6,151    6,929    23    6,854 
Residential   5,323    5,709    106    5,548 
Nonresidential   14,464    16,183    362    13,124 
Total real estate loans   25,938    28,821    491    25,526 
Commercial   1,973    2,010    20    1,937 
Consumer and other   119    120    13    69 
Total  $28,030   $30,951   $524   $27,532 

 

Interest income on impaired loans other than nonaccrual loans is recognized on an accrual basis. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized only as collected. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans was $217,797 and $151,094, respectively. If the nonaccrual loans had been accruing interest at their original contracted rates, related income would have been $247,674 and $452,772 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

-12-
 

 

A summary of current, past due and nonaccrual loans as of June 30, 2013 was as follows:

 

   Past Due   Past Due Over 90 days             
(Dollars in Thousands)  30-89   and   Non-   Total      Total 
   Days   Accruing   Accruing   Past Due   Current   Loans 
Real estate                              
Construction  $19   $-   $626   $645   $25,869   $26,514 
Residential   2    -    3,822    3,824    62,880    66,704 
Nonresidential   -    -    5,906    5,906    100,811    106,717 
Total real estate loans   21    -    10,354    10,375    189,560    199,935 
Commercial   163    -    1,712    1,875    26,856    28,731 
Consumer and other   12    -    82    94    9,681    9,775 
Totals  $196   $-   $12,148   $12,344   $226,097   $238,441 

 

A summary of current, past due and nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2012 was as follows:

 

   Past Due   Past Due Over 90 days             
(Dollars in Thousands)  30-89      Non-   Total       Total 
   Days   Accruing   Accruing   Past Due   Current   Loans 
Real estate                              
Construction  $62   $-   $2,874   $2,936   $29,049   $31,985 
Residential   1,340    -    3,779    5,119    62,116    67,235 
Nonresidential   566    -    12,354    12,920    109,390    122,310 
Total real estate loans   1,968    -    19,007    20,975    200,555    221,530 
Commercial   37    -    1,879    1,916    27,340    29,256 
Consumer and other   22    6    88    116    9,355    9,471 
Totals  $2,027   $6   $20,974   $23,007   $237,250   $260,257 

 

Included in the loan portfolio are particular loans that have been modified in order to maximize the collection of loan balances. If, for economic or legal reasons related to the customer’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession compared to the original terms and conditions on the loan, the modified loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).

 

At June 30, 2013 there were 48 loans classified as a TDR totaling $10,006,336. Of the 48 loans, 16 loans totaling $3,431,546 were performing while 32 loans totaling $6,574,790 were not performing. As of December 31, 2012 there were 52 loans classified as a TDR totaling $15,155,121. Of the 52 loans, seven loans totaling $3,128,542 were performing while 45 loans totaling $12,026,579 were not performing. All restructured loans resulted in either extended maturity or lowered rates and were included in the impaired loan balance.

 

The following table provides, by class, the number of loans modified in TDRs during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013.

 

(Dollars in Thousands)  Three Months Ended June 30, 2013   Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 
           Unpaid           Unpaid 
   Number   Recorded   Principal   Number   Recorded   Principal 
   of Loans   Investment   Balance   of Loans   Investment   Balance 
Extended maturity                              
Real estate –                              
Residential   2   $76   $76    2   $76   $76 
Nonresidential   1    204    204    1    204    204 
Commercial   1    14    14    1    14    14 
Consumer and other   -    -    -    1    13    13 
Total   4    294    294    5    307    307 
                               
Reduced Rate                              
Real estate –                              
Residential   1    287    287    2    457    457 
Total   1    287    287    2    457    457 
                               
Totals   5   $581   $581    7   $764   $764 

 

-13-
 

 

The following table provides, by class, the number of loans modified in TDRs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

(Dollars in Thousands)  Three Months Ended June 30, 2012   Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 
           Unpaid           Unpaid 
   Number   Recorded   Principal   Number   Recorded   Principal 
   of Loans   Investment   Balance   of Loans   Investment   Balance 
Extended maturity                              
Real estate –                              
Construction   1   $2,237   $2,237    3   $3,305   $3,305 
Residential   1    1,014    1,014    1    1,014    1,014 
Nonresidential   -    -    -    1    18    18 
Commercial   -    -    -    1    110    110 
Consumer and other   -    -    -    2    238    238 
Total   2    3,251    3,251    8    4,685    4,685 
                               
Reduced Rate                              
Real estate –                              
Nonresidential   -    -    -    2    446    566 
Commercial   2    1,588    1,588    2    1,588    1,588 
Total   2    1,588    1,588    4    2,034    2,154 
                               
Totals   4   $4,839   $4,839    12   $6,719   $6,839 

 

The following table provides the number of loans and leases modified in troubled debt restructurings during the previous 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, as well as the recorded investments and unpaid principal balances as of June 30, 2013. Loans in default are those past due greater than 89 days.

  

(Dollars in Thousands)  Three Months Ended June 30, 2013   Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 
           Unpaid           Unpaid 
   Number   Recorded   Principal   Number   Recorded   Principal 
   of Loans   Investment   Balance   of Loans   Investment   Balance 
Extended maturity                              
Real estate –                              
Nonresidential   1    104    104    1    104    104 
Total   1    104    104    1    104    104 
                               
Reduced Rate                              
Real estate –                              
Residential   -    -    -    1    171    171 
Nonresidential   -    -    -    1    119    119 
Total   -    -    -    2    290    290 
                               
Totals   1   $104   $104    3   $394   $394 

 

The following table provides the number of loans and leases modified in troubled debt restructurings during the previous 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, as well as the recorded investments and unpaid principal balances as of June 30, 2012. Loans in default are those past due greater than 89 days.

 

-14-
 

 

(Dollars in Thousands)  Three Months Ended June 30, 2012   Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 
           Unpaid           Unpaid 
   Number   Recorded   Principal   Number   Recorded   Principal 
   of Loans   Investment   Balance   of Loans   Investment   Balance 
Extended maturity                              
Real estate –                              
Construction   -   $-   $-    3   $1,473   $1,473 
Residential   1    1,014    1,014    2    1,032    1,032 
Nonresidential   -    -    -    1    110    110 
Commercial   -    -    -    1    222    222 
Consumer and other   -    -    -    1    23    23 
Total   1    1,014    1,014    8    2,860    2,860 
                               
Reduced Rate                              
Real estate –                              
Residential   -    -    -    2    471    591 
Nonresidential   -    -    -    1    16    16 
Commercial   -    -    -    1    237    237 
Consumer and other   1    4    4    1    4    4 
Total   1    4    4    5    728    848 
                               
Totals   2   $1,018   $1,018    13   $3,588   $3,708 

 

All loans modified in troubled debt restructurings are evaluated for impairment. The nature and extent of impairment of TDRs, including those which have experienced a subsequent default, are considered in determining an appropriate level of allowance for credit losses.

 

Credit Indicators

 

Loans are categorized into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, including: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The following definitions are utilized for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:

 

Special Mention - Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution's credit position at some future date.

 

Substandard - Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.

 

As of June 30, 2013, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows:

 

                   Total         
       Real Estate Loans   Real         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Pass  $189,442   $17,037   $55,110   $81,559   $153,706   $26,112   $9,624 
Special mention   30,057    8,274    5,378    15,899    29,551    457    49 
Substandard   18,942    1,203    6,216    9,259    16,678    2,162    102 
Doubtful   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Totals  $238,441   $26,514   $66,704   $106,717   $199,935   $28,731   $9,775 

 

-15-
 

 

As of December 31, 2012, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows:

 

                   Total         
       Real Estate Loans   Real         
(Dollars in Thousands)              Non-   Estate       Consumer 
   Total   Construction   Residential   Residential   Loans   Commercial   and Other 
Pass  $200,723   $19,871   $54,280   $90,871   $165,022   $26,407   $9,294 
Special mention   29,371    7,931    6,534    14,421    28,886    423    62 
Substandard   30,163    4,183    6,421    17,018    27,622    2,426    115 
Doubtful   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Totals  $260,257   $31,985   $67,235   $122,310   $221,530   $29,256   $9,471 

 

The Company enters into financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. A commitment involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other parties to the instrument is represented by the contractual notional amount of the instrument. Since certain commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer’s performance to a third party and have essentially the same credit risk as other lending facilities.

 

Collateral held for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Commitments to extend credit  $35,517,491   $28,919,003 
Standby letters of credit   83,000    8,000 

 

Note 6 – Other Real Estate Owned

 

Transactions in other real estate owned for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and year ended December 31, 2012 are summarized below:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Beginning balance  $15,289,991   $22,135,921 
Additions   3,827,291    6,596,760 
Sales   (2,937,769)   (12,251,603)
Write downs   -    (1,191,087)
Ending balance  $16,179,513   $15,289,991 

 

The Company recognized a net loss of $243,602 and $35,021 on the sale of other real estate owned for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Other real estate owned expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $826,686 and $1,362,522, respectively, which includes gains and losses on sales.

 

-16-
 

 

Note 7 – Shareholders’ Equity

 

Common StockThe following is a summary of the changes in common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2013   2012 
Common shares outstanding at beginning of the period   4,094,861    4,084,400 
Issuance of common stock   550    770 
Issuance of non-vested restricted shares   1,245    13,627 
Forfeiture of restricted shares   (835)   (2,023)
Common shares outstanding at end of the period   4,095,821    4,096,774 

 

Preferred Stock - Beginning with the payment date of December 1, 2011, the Company deferred dividend payments on its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Shares”), and Series B (the “Series B Shares”). Although the Company may defer dividend payments, the dividend is a cumulative dividend and failure to pay dividends for six dividend periods would trigger board appointment rights for the holder of these shares. Since the Company has not paid the dividend on its Series A and Series B shares for more than six quarterly periods, the holder of the Company’s Series A and Series B shares now has the right to appoint up to two directors to the Company’s board of directors.

 

On March 1, 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), the holder of all 15,249 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A Shares, and 767 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B Shares, announced that it had auctioned the securities in a private transaction with unaffiliated third-party investors. The Company received no proceeds from the transaction; however, it incurred $169,291 of auction-related expenses. These expenses were charged to the Preferred stock accounts. The clearing prices for the Series A Shares and the Series B Shares were $679.61 per share and $822.61, respectively. Both series have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The closing of the private sale occurred on March 11, 2013.

 

The sale of the securities had no effect on their terms, including the Company’s obligation to satisfy accrued and unpaid dividends (aggregating approximately $1.5 million) prior to payment of any dividend or other distribution to holders of pari pasu or junior stock, including the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C Shares”), and its common stock, and an increase in the dividend rate on the Series A Shares from 5% to 9% on May 15, 2014. Further, the sale of the securities will have no effect on the Company’s capital, financial condition or results of operations. However, the Company generally will not be subject to various executive compensation and corporate governance requirements to which it was subject while Treasury held the securities.

 

Note 8 – Income Taxes

 

The income tax benefit related to the Company's pretax loss for the first two quarters of 2013 was offset by the increase of an equal amount in the valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. Likewise, the income tax expense related to the pretax income for the first two quarters of 2012 was offset by a reversal of an equal amount of the Company’s valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. Therefore, no income tax provision was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

 

Note 9 – Net Loss Per Share

 

Net loss available to common shareholders represents net income adjusted for preferred dividends including dividends declared, accretions of discounts and amortization of premiums on preferred stock issuances and cumulative dividends related to the current dividend period that have not been declared as of period end. All potential dilutive common shares equivalents were deemed to be anti-dilutive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, due to the net loss available to common shareholders.

 

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The following is a summary of the net loss per common share calculations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders                    
Net income (loss)  $(195,076)  $79,830   $(181,655)  $458,318 
Preferred stock dividends   249,247    249,247    498,495    498,495 
Deemed dividends on preferred stock resulting from  net accretion of discount and amortization of premium   44,388    44,388    88,288    88,776 
                     
Net loss available to common shareholders  $(488,711)  $(213,805)  $(768,438)  $(128,953)
                     
Basic net loss per common share:                    
Net loss available to common shareholders  $(488,711)  $(213,805)  $(768,438)  $(128,953)
                     
Average common shares outstanding - basic   4,095,271    4,096,774    4,095,069    4,091,314 
                    
Basic net loss per share  $(0.12)  $(0.05)  $(0.19)  $(0.03)
                     
Diluted net loss per common share:                    
Net loss available to common shareholders  $(488,711)  $(213,805)  $(768,438)  $(128,953)
                     
Average common shares outstanding - basic   4,095,271    4,096,774    4,095,069    4,091,314 
                     
Dilutive potential common shares   -    -    -    - 
                     
Average common shares outstanding - diluted   4,095,271    4,096,774    4,095,069    4,091,314 
                     
Diluted loss per share  $(0.12)  $(0.05)  $(0.19)  $(0.03)

 

Note 10 - Equity Incentive Plan

 

On January 19, 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the granting of dividend equivalent rights options, performance unit awards, phantom shares, stock appreciation rights and stock awards, each of which are subject to such conditions based upon continued employment, passage of time or satisfaction of performance criteria or other criteria as permitted by the plan. The plan, as amended on September 17, 2010, allows the Company to award, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, up to 950,000 shares of stock, to officers, employees, and directors, consultants and service providers of the Company or its affiliates. Awards may be granted for a term of up to ten years from the effective date of grant. Under this Plan, our Board of Directors has sole discretion as to the exercise date of any awards granted. The per-share exercise price of incentive stock awards may not be less than the market value of a share of common stock on the date the award is granted. Any awards that expire unexercised or are canceled become available for re-issuance.

 

The Company can issue the restricted shares as of the grant date either by the issuance of share certificate(s) evidencing restricted shares or by documenting the issuance in uncertificated or book entry form on the Company's stock records. Except as provided by the Plan, the employee does not have the right to make or permit to exist any transfer or hypothecation of any restricted shares. When restricted shares vest, the employee must either pay the Company within two business days the amount of all tax withholding obligations imposed on the Company or make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to pay taxes at grant date.

 

Restricted shares may be subject to one or more objective employment, performance or other forfeiture conditions established by the Plan Committee at the time of grant. The restricted shares will not vest unless the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the fiscal quarter preceding the third anniversary of the restricted share award date are greater than the award value of the restricted shares. Any shares of restricted stock that are forfeited will again become available for issuance under the Plan. An employee or director has the right to vote the shares of restricted stock after grant until they are forfeited or vested. Compensation cost for restricted stock is equal to the market value of the shares at the date of the award and is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period. Dividends, if any, will be paid on awarded but unvested stock.

 

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During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 the Company issued 1,245 and 13,627 shares, respectively, of restricted stock pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares cliff vest in three years and are fully vested in 2016 and 2015, respectively, subject to meeting the performance criteria of the Plan. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock issued during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1.76 and $1.05 per share, respectively. Compensation cost associated with the issuance for 2013 and 2012 was $2,191 and $14,308, respectively, to be amortized over three years. During the first six months of 2013 and 2012, 835 and 2,023 shares were forfeited having a weighted average price of $3.50 and $3.18, respectively. Deferred compensation expense of $73,879 and $112,842, relating to restricted stock, was amortized to income during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan allows for the issuance of Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs"). The SARs entitle the participant to receive the excess of (1) the market value of a specified or determinable number of shares of the stock at the exercise date over the fair value at grant date or (2) a specified or determinable price which may not in any event be less than the fair market value of the stock at the time of the award. Upon exercise, the Company can elect to settle the awards using either Company stock or cash. The shares start vesting after five years and vest at 20% per year until fully vested. Compensation cost for SARs is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period.

 

During the first quarter of 2012, the Board of Directors cancelled all 84,334 SARs that were outstanding at December 31, 2011. Holders of these SARs were given cash and restricted stock totaling $37,500 in exchange for the cancellation. The cancellation resulted in the removal of all accrued SARs expense and related unrecognized compensation costs. For the year ended December 31, 2012, net income of $337,153 was recognized as a result of the cancellation. No SARS were issued during 2012 or during the first six months of 2013.

 

Note 11 – Fair Value Measurements

 

Generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) provide a framework for measuring and disclosing fair value that requires disclosures about the fair value of assets and liabilities recognized in the balance sheet, whether the measurements are made on a recurring basis (for example, available-for-sale investment securities) or on a nonrecurring basis (for example, impaired loans).

 

Fair value is defined as the exchange in price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, loans held for investment and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of the lower of cost or market accounting or the writing down of individual assets.

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments:

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine the fair value. These levels are:

 

Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

 

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Securities Available-for-Sale - Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange, Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.

 

Loans - The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis, however, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan loss is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including the collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring a specific allowance represent loans for which the fair value of expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investment in such loans. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, a significant portion of impaired loans were evaluated based upon the fair value of the collateral. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale - The fair value of loans held for sale is estimated based upon binding contracts and quotes from third party investors resulting in a Level 2 classification.

 

Other Real Estate Owned - Foreclosed assets are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to other real estate owned. Real estate acquired in settlement of loans is recorded initially at estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs at the date of foreclosure. The initial recorded value may be subsequently reduced by additional allowances, which are charges to earnings if the estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs declines below the initial recorded value. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the hierarchy at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
June 30, 2013                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies  $7,624,156   $-   $7,624,156   $- 
Mortgage-backed securities   42,592,995    -    42,592,995    - 
Equity security   30,000    -    30,000    - 
    50,247,151    -    50,247,151    - 
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)   2,390,367    -    2,390,367    - 
   $52,637,518   $-   $52,637,518   $- 

 

(1) Carried at the lower of cost or market.

 

December 31, 2012                    
Available-for-sale securities:                    
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies  $8,109,028   $-   $8,109,028   $- 
Mortgage-backed securities   51,956,484    -    51,956,484    - 
Equity security   5,500    -    5,500    - 
    60,071,012    -    60,071,012    - 
Mortgage loans held for sale (1)   5,621,860    -    5,621,860    - 
   $65,692,872   $-   $65,692,872   $- 

 

(1) Carried at the lower of cost or market.

 

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

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Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

 

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, aggregated by level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
June 30, 2013                    
Collateral-dependent impaired loans receivable  $13,957,593   $-   $-   $13,957,593 
Other real estate owned   16,179,513    -    -    16,179,513 
Total assets at fair value  $30,137,106   $-   $-   $30,137,106 
                     
December 31, 2012                    
Collateral-dependent impaired loans receivable  $18,951,232   $-   $-   $18,951,232 
Other real estate owned   15,289,991    -    -    15,289,991 
Total assets at fair value  $34,241,223   $-   $-   $34,241,223 

 

For level 3 assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurements were as follows:

 

          General  
   Valuation Technique  Significant Unobservable Inputs   Range  
              
Collateral-dependant impaired loans receivable  Appraised Value  Collateral discounts   0-10%  
              
Other real estate owned  Appraised Value  Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell   0-10%  

 

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company for estimating fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the balance sheet on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:

 

Cash and Due from Banks and Interest-bearing Deposits with Other Banks - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Time Deposits in other Banks - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Nonmarketable Equity Securities - The carrying amount of nonmarketable equity securities is a reasonable estimate of fair value since no ready market exists for these securities.

 

Loans Receivable – For certain categories of loans, such as variable rate loans which are repriced frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on the carrying amounts. The fair value of other types of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.

 

Deposits - The fair value of demand deposits, savings, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair values of certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current interest rates to a schedule of aggregated expected maturities.

 

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because these instruments typically have terms of one day.

 

Advances From Federal Home Loan Bank - The fair values of fixed rate borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the Company’s current borrowing rate from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The carrying amounts of variable rate borrowings are reasonable estimates of fair value because they can be repriced frequently.

 

Junior Subordinated Debentures - The carrying value of the junior subordinated debentures approximates their fair value since they were issued at a floating rate.

 

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Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable - The carrying value of these instruments is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments - Fair values of off-balance sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing.

 

The following presents the carrying amount, fair value, and placement in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value. For short-term financial assets such as cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization. For financial liabilities such as noninterest-bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, and savings deposits, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to these products having no stated maturity.

 

                Fair Value Measurements  
                Quoted              
                Prices in              
                Active Markets              
                for Identical     Other     Significant  
                Assets or       Observable       Unobservable  
      Carrying       Fair     Liabilities       Inputs       Inputs  
      Amount       Value     (Level 1)       (Level 2)       (Level 3)  
June 30, 2013                                        
                                         
Financial Assets:                                        
Loans receivable   $ 238,440,956     $ 239,847,000     $         -     $ -     $ 239,847,000  
                                         
Financial Liabilities:                                        
Certificates of deposit   $ 107,649,105     $ 108,549,000     $ -     $ 108,549,000     $ -  
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank     11,000,000       11,029,000       -       11,029,000       -  
                                         
December 31, 2012                                        
                                         
Financial Assets:                                        
Loans receivable   $ 260,257,334     $ 258,758,000     $ -     $ -     $ 258,758,000  
                                         
Financial Liabilities:                                        
Certificates of deposit   $ 144,690,932     $ 146,539,000     $ -     $ 146,539,000     $ -  
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank     11,000,000       11,077,000       -       11,077,000       -  
                                         

 

Note 12 - Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements.  Unrecognized subsequent events are events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date.  Management has reviewed events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and no subsequent events occurred that require accrual or disclosure, except for the following.

 

On July 31, 2013, 2,293 shares of the Company’s 7% Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Shares”) were converted to 470,829 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Conversion”). In accordance with their terms, the Series C Shares converted at a ratio related to the Company’s tangible common equity per share, measured as of June 30, 2013 ($5.563). Included in the common shares issued as part of the Conversion were shares of the Company’s common stock issued in exchange for accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series C Shares.  In accordance with the terms of the Series C Shares, a de minimis amount of cash was also extended to Series C shareholders in exchange for the fractional shares resulting from the Conversion.

 

Additional information relating to the terms and conditions of the Series C Shares, including the Conversion, can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2010.

 

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion reviews our results of operations and assesses our financial condition. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The commentary should be read in conjunction with the discussion of forward-looking statements, the financial statements and the related notes and the other statistical information included in this report.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The statements contained in this report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers of this report that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

Although we believe that our expectations of future performance are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations.

 

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the following:

 

  ·  deterioration in the financial condition of borrowers resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses;

 

·changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments;

 

·the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for possible loan losses;

 

·changes in political and economic conditions, including the political and economic effects of the current economic downturn and other major developments, including the ongoing war on terrorism, continued tensions in the Middle East, and the ongoing economic challenges facing the European Union;

 

·changes in financial market conditions, either internationally, nationally or locally in areas in which the Company conducts its operations, including, without limitation, reduced rates of business formation and growth, commercial and residential real estate development, and real estate prices;

 

·the Company’s ability to comply with any requirements imposed on it or the Bank by their respective regulators, and the potential negative consequences that may result;

 

·the impacts of renewed regulatory scrutiny on consumer protection and compliance led by the newly-created Consumer Finance Protection Bureau;

 

·fluctuations in markets for equity, fixed-income, commercial paper and other securities, which could affect availability, market liquidity levels, and pricing;

 

·governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including the undetermined effects of the Federal Reserve’s “Quantitative Easing” program, as well as other legislative and regulatory changes;

 

·changes in capital standards and asset risk-weighting included in proposed Federal Reserve rules to implement the so-called “Basel III” accords;

 

·the risks of changes in interest rates or an unprecedented period of record-low interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand and the values of loan collateral, securities and interest sensitive assets and liabilities;

 

·the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market area and elsewhere, including institutions operating regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone and the Internet; and

 

·the effect of any mergers, acquisitions or other transactions, to which we or our subsidiary may from time to time be a party, including, without limitation, our ability to successfully integrate any businesses that we acquire.

 

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Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Overview

 

The following discussion describes our results of operation for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012 and also analyzes our financial condition as of June 30, 2013 as compared to December 31, 2012.

 

Like most community bank holding companies, we derive the majority of our income from interest received on our loans and investments.  Our primary source of funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which we pay interest. Consequently, one of the key measures of our success is our amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the expense on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Another key measure is the spread between the yield we earn on these interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, which is called our net interest spread.

 

Due to risks inherent in all loans, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible.  We maintain this allowance by charging a provision for loan losses against our operating earnings for each period.  We have included a detailed discussion of this process, as well as several tables describing our allowance for loan losses.

 

In addition to earning interest on our loans and investments, we earn income through fees and other charges to our customers.  We have also included a discussion of the various components of this non-interest income, as well as our non-interest expense.

 

The following discussion and analysis also identifies significant factors that have affected our financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements.  We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with our financial statements and the other statistical information included in our filings with the SEC.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have adopted various accounting policies, which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2012 as filed on our annual report on Form 10-K. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions we have made, which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities. We consider these accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions we use are based on the historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of our judgments and assumptions, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates which could have a major impact on our carrying values of assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

 

We believe the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Refer to the portion of this discussion that addresses our allowance for loan losses for a description of our processes and methodology for determining our allowance for loan losses.

 

Recent Developments

 

On March 1, 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”), the holder of all 15,249 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Shares”), and 767 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Shares”), announced that it had auctioned the securities in a private transaction with unaffiliated third-party investors. The Company received no proceeds from the transaction; however, it incurred $169,291 of auction-related expenses. These expenses were charged to the Preferred stock accounts. The clearing prices for the Series A Shares and the Series B Shares were $679.61 per share and $822.61, respectively. Both series have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The closing of the private sale occurred on March 11, 2013.

 

The sale of the securities had no effect on their terms, including the Company’s obligation to satisfy accrued and unpaid dividends (aggregating approximately $1.5 million) prior to payment of any dividend or other distribution to holders of pari pasu or junior stock, including the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C Shares”), and its common stock, and an increase in the dividend rate on the Series A Shares from 5% to 9% on May 15, 2014. Further, the sale of the securities will have no effect on the Company’s capital, financial condition or results of operations. However, the Company generally will not be subject to various executive compensation and corporate governance requirements to which it was subject while Treasury held the securities.

 

-24-
 

 

On July 31, 2013, 2,293 shares of the Company’s 7% Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Shares”) were converted to 470,829 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Conversion”). In accordance with their terms, the Series C Shares converted at a ratio related to the Company’s tangible common equity per share, measured as of June 30, 2013 ($5.563). Included in the common shares issued as part of the Conversion were shares of the Company’s common stock issued in exchange for accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series C Shares.  In accordance with the terms of the Series C Shares, a de minimis amount of cash was also extended to Series C shareholders in exchange for the fractional shares resulting from the Conversion.

 

Additional information relating to the terms and conditions of the Series C Shares, including the Conversion, can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2010.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Following an examination of the Bank by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) during the first quarter of 2010, the Bank’s Board of Directors agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “Bank MOU”) with the FDIC and South Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the “SC State Board”) that became effective August 19, 2010. Among other things, the Bank MOU provides for the Bank to (i) review and formulate objectives relative to liquidity and growth, including a reduction in reliance on volatile liabilities, (ii) formulate plans for the reduction and improvement in adversely classified assets, (iii) maintain a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 8% and continue to be “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes, (iv) continue to maintain an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses, (v) not pay any dividend to the Bank’s parent holding company without the approval of the regulators, (vi) review officer performance and consider additional staffing needs, and (vii) provide progress reports and submit various other information to the regulators.

 

In addition, on the basis of the same examination by the FDIC and the SC State Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the “Federal Reserve Bank”) requested that the Company enter into a separate Memorandum of Understanding, which the Company entered into in December 2010 (the “Company MOU”). While this agreement provides for many of the same measures suggested by the Memorandum already in place for the Bank, the Company MOU requires that the Company seek pre-approval from the Federal Reserve Bank prior to the declaration or payment of dividends or other interest payments relating to its securities. As a result, until the Company is no longer subject to the Company MOU, it will be required to seek regulatory approval prior to paying scheduled dividends on its preferred stock and trust preferred securities, including the Series A and Series B Shares, as well as the Series C Shares issued as part of a private offering completed in 2010. This provision will also apply to the Company’s common stock, although to date, the Company has not elected to pay dividends on its shares of common stock.

 

The Federal Reserve Bank approved the scheduled payment of dividends on the Company’s preferred stock and interest payments on the Company’s trust preferred securities for the first three quarters of 2011; however, the Federal Reserve did not approve the Company’s request to pay dividends and interest payments relating to its outstanding classes of preferred stock and trust preferred securities due and payable in the seven consecutive quarters ended June 30, 2013. Additionally, such approval was not granted for payments due in the third quarter of 2013. As a result, no assurance can be given as to the ability of the Company to obtain approval from the Federal Reserve Bank to resume the payment of such dividends and interest in future quarters while the Company MOU remains in effect. Since the Company has not paid the dividend on its Series A and Series B Shares for more than six quarterly periods, the holder of the Company’s Series A and Series B Shares now has the right to appoint up to two directors to the Company’s board of directors.

 

In response to these regulatory matters, the Bank and the Company have taken various actions designed to improve our lending procedures, nonperforming assets, liquidity and capital position and other conditions related to our operations, which are more fully described in turn as part of this discussion. We believe that the successful completion of these initiatives will result in full compliance with our regulatory obligations with the FDIC, the SC State Board and the Federal Reserve Bank and position us well for stability and growth over the long term.

 

Effect of Economic Trends

 

Economic conditions, competition and federal monetary and fiscal policies also affect financial institutions. Lending activities are also influenced by regional and local economic factors, such as housing supply and demand, competition among lenders, customer preferences and levels of personal income and savings in our primary market area.

 

-25-
 

 

Results of Operations

 

Our results of operations for the second quarter of 2013 were $274,906 lower than they were for the second quarter of 2012. We incurred a net loss available to common shareholders of $488,711 and $213,805, or a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.12 and $0.05, for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our operating results for the second quarter of 2013 were negatively impacted by the reduction of $563,594 in our net interest income and a reduction of $635,131 in our noninterest income. However, these negative factors were offset by the $923,819 decline in our noninterest expenses. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Income Statement Review” for a detailed discussion of each of these items.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we incurred a net loss available to common shareholders of $768,438 and $128,953, respectively. This resulted in basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.19 and $0.03 for 2013 and 2012, respectively. Comparing the first six months of 2013 with the first six months of 2012, we experienced a reduction of $639,485 in our net income available to common shareholders. This reduction is primarily attributable to the $1,271,477 decline in our net interest income and to the decline of $772,074 in our noninterest income. However, our operating results for the first six months of 2013 were favorably impacted by the $803,578 reduction in our noninterest expenses and to the $600,000 reduction in our provision for loan losses. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Income Statement Review” for a detailed discussion of each of these items.

 

Income Statement Review

 

Net Interest Income

 

The largest component of our net income is net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on assets and interest paid on deposits and on the borrowings used to support such assets. Net interest income is determined by the yields earned on our interest-earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the degree of mismatch and the maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The total interest-earning assets yield rate less the total interest-bearing liabilities rate represents our net interest rate spread.

 

Net interest income decreased $563,594, or 15.71%, to $3,023,263 for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, from $3,586,857 for the comparable period of 2012. Our net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $6,068,833 and $7,340,360, respectively. This represents a decrease of $1,271,477, or 12.35%. The decrease in both periods is due primarily to the significant reduction in the average volume of our loans, which are our highest yielding earning assets. The average volume of our loans was $39,732,094 and $40,801,093, or 13.69% and 13.73% lower for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, than they were for the comparable 2012 periods.

 

For the second quarter of 2013, average-earning assets totaled $337,838,624 with an annualized average yield of 4.41% compared to $411,606,803 and 4.67%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012. Average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $288,880,459 with an annualized average cost of 0.96% for second quarter of 2013 compared to $371,133,818 and 1.29%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012.

 

Average earning assets for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 were $346,222,253 and $420,741,100, respectively, with an annualized average yield of 4.40% and 4.72% respectively. Average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $298,591,234 and $379,670,084 with an annualized average cost of 1.01% and 1.34% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Our net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.59% and 3.45%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2013 compared to 3.50% and 3.38%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, our net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.53% and 3.39%, respectively compared to 3.51% and 3.38%, respectively for the comparable period of 2012.

 

Because loans often provide a higher yield than other types of earning assets, one of our goals is to maintain our loan portfolio as the largest component of total earning assets. Loans comprised 74.17% and 74.02% of average earning assets for the three and six months ending June 30, 2013, respectively compared to 70.53% and 70.60%, respectively for the comparable period of 2012. Loan interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was $3,372,998 and $6,844,202, respectively, compared to $4,103,473 and $8,503,300, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2012. The annualized average yield on loans was 5.40% and 5.39%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to 5.69% and 5.76%, respectively, for the comparable 2012 periods. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the average balances of our loans decreased $39,732,094, or 13.69% and $40,801,093, or 13.73%, respectively. Our loan interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, was negatively affected by the significant decrease in the average volume of our loans and a slow recovery in our local real estate markets. Additional information may be found in the “Rate/Volume Analysis” presented below.

 

-26-
 

 

Available-for-sale investment securities averaged $53,509,571, or 15.84% of average earning assets, for the second quarter of 2013 compared to $85,949,872, or 20.88% of average earning assets for the second quarter of 2012. Available-for-sale investment securities averaged $55,727,125 and 16.10% of average earning assets for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $86,131,113 and 20.47% for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Comparing the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, to the comparable 2012 periods, the average balances of these securities was $32,440,301 and $30,403,988 lower, respectively. During the third quarter of 2012, we sold our entire portfolio of municipal securities because of our concerns about the deterioration in their market bond ratings and to lower the credit risk associated with our securities portfolio. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, municipal securities averaged $18,607,444 and $19,381,455, respectively. It is our intention to only invest in U. S. Government-sponsored agency securities and mortgage-backed securities in the near future. Interest earned on available-for-sale securities amounted to $314,256 and $662,240 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $643,481 and $1,305,122 respectively, for the same periods in 2012. The annualized average yield on available-for-sale investment securities was 2.36% and 3.01% for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The annualized average yield on available-for-sale investment securities was 2.40% and 3.05% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in yield on our available-for-sale investment securities was caused, in part, by a historically flat yield curve for investment yields that has diminished returns available for this asset type.

 

Our average interest-bearing deposits were $262,023,829 and $343,389,921 for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represented a decrease of $81,366,092, or 23.69%. Our average interest-bearing deposits were $353,907,101 and $353,907,101 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represented a decrease of $81,595,167, or 23.06%. Total interest paid on deposits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was $572,102 and $1,250,476, respectively, compared to $1,061,837 and $2,269,029 for the same periods of 2012. The annualized average cost of deposits was 0.88% and 1.24% for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The annualized average cost of deposits was 0.93% and 1.29% for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As our loan demand declined, we concurrently lowered our rates paid for deposits, especially for time deposits, which is the primary reason why the amounts of our average time deposits were 33.82% and 32.84% lower during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 than during the comparable 2012 periods.

 

The average balance of other interest-bearing liabilities was $26,856,630 and $27,743,897 for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represented a decrease of $887,267, or 3.20%. This decrease is mainly attributable to the $2,000,000 reduction in our average borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank which was offset by the $1,112,711 increase in our average borrowings from securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The average balance of other interest-bearing liabilities was $26,279,300 and $25,762,983 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This represented an increase of $516,317, or 2.00%. The increase is attributable to the increase of $2,516,295 in our average volume of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, while the average volume of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank was $2,000,000 lower. With the diminished loan demand we experienced during the past year, we utilized fewer borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and replaced them with securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which have a lower cost, to meet our funding needs. For the three months ended June 30, 2013, the annualized average cost borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and securities sold under agreements to repurchase was 2.21% and 0.10%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the annualized average cost borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and securities sold under agreements to repurchase was 2.29% and 0.10%, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, certain information related to our average balance sheet and our average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been derived from the daily balances throughout the periods indicated.

 

-27-
 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

   Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates 
   2013   2012   2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/ 
   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate 
Assets                                    
Earning assets:                                             
Loans (1)  $250,560   $3,373    5.40%  290,293   $4,104    5.69%  $337,755   $5,019    5.96%
Securities, taxable   53,510    314    2.36    67,342    462    2.76    40,157    367    3.67 
Securities, nontaxable   -    -    0.00    18,608    181    3.91    44,888    483    4.32 
Other earning assets   33,769    27    0.32    35,364    30    0.34    36,193    31    0.34 
Total earning assets   337,839    3,714    4.41    411,607    4,777    4.67    458,993    5,900    5.16 
Non-earning assets:   55,831              60,721              61,643           
Total assets  $393,670             $472,328             $520,636           
                                              
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                             
Interest-bearing deposits:                                             
Transaction accounts  $43,141   $12    0.11%   $42,046   $17    0.16%  $36,423   $44    0.48%
Savings and money market accounts   96,062    38    0.16    115,765    88    0.30    123,829    259    0.84 
Time deposits   122,821    523    1.40    185,579    957    2.07    231,003    1,318    2.29 
Total interest-bearing deposits   262,024    573    0.88    343,390    1,062    1.24    391,255    1,621    1.66 
Other interest-bearing liabilities:                                             
Federal Home Loan Bank bank borrowing   11,000    60    2.21    13,000    67    2.06    19,660    69    1.41 
Junior subordinated debentures   10,310    57    2.00    10,310    60    2.36    10,310    (85)   (3.31)
Other   5,547    1    0.10    4,434    1    0.10    244    -    0.00 
Total other interest-bearing liabilities   26,857    118    1.77    27,744    128    1.86    30,214    (16)   (0.21)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   288,881    691    0.96    371,134    1,190    1.29    421,469    1,605    1.53 
Noninterest-bearing deposits   61,564              56,550              49,374           
Other liabilities   2,495              2,985              2,588           
Shareholders' equity   40,730              41,659              47,205           
Total liabilities and equity  $393,670             $472,328             $520,636           
Net interest income/interest spread       $3,023    3.45%       $3,587    3.38%       $4,295    3.63%
Net yield on earning assets             3.59%             3.50%             3.75%

 

(1)Includes mortgage loans held for sale and nonaccruing loans

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

   Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates 
   2013   2012   2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/ 
   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate 
Assets                                             
Earning assets:                                             
Loans (1)  $256,261   $6,844    5.39%  $297,062   $8,503    5.76%  $342,626   $10,090    5.94%
Securities, taxable   55,727    662    2.40    66,750    927    2.79    37,504    672    3.61 
Securities, nontaxable   -    -    0.00    19,381    378    3.92    46,422    1,017    4.42 
Other earning assets   34,234    53    0.31    37,548    58    0.31    34,555    55    0.32 
Total earning assets   346,222    7,559    4.40    420,741    9,866    4.72    461,107    11,834    5.18 
Non earning assets:   56,628              59,660              62,401           
Total assets  $402,850             $480,401             $523,508           

 

-28-
 

 

   Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates 
   2013   2012   2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/ 
   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                             
Interest-bearing deposits:                                             
Transaction accounts  $43,546   $26    0.12%  $42,247   $49    0.23%  $37,381   $96    0.52%
Savings and money market accounts   98,879    98    0.20    118,248    210    0.36    117,294    472    0.81 
Time deposits   129,887    1,126    1.75    193,412    2,010    2.09    241,567    2,829    2.36 
Total interest-bearing deposit   272,312    1,250    0.93    353,907    2,269    1.29    396,242    3,397    1.73 
Other interest-bearing liabilities:                                             
Federal Home Loan Bank                                             
bank borrowing   11,000    125    2.29    13,000    133    2.05    19,094    137    1.44 
Junior subordinated debentures   10,310    113    1.09    10,310    123    1.19    10,310    (74)   (1.45)
Other   4,969    2    0.10    2,453    1    0.10    309    -    0.00 
Total other interest-bearing liabilities   26,279    240    1.84    25,763    257    2.01    29,713    63    0.43 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   298,591    1,490    1.01    379,670    2,526    1.34    425,955    3,460    1.64 
Noninterest-bearing deposits   61,183              56,239              47,254           
Other liabilities   2,200              2,840              2,531           
Shareholders' equity   40,876              41,652              47,768           
Total liabilities and equity  $402,850             $480,401             $523,508           
Net interest income/interest spread       $6,069    3.39%       $7,340    3.38%       $8,374    3.54%
Net yield on earning assets             3.53%             3.51%             3.66%

 

(1)Includes mortgage loans held for sale and nonaccruing loans

 

Net interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates and changing volume. The following tables set forth the effect which the varying levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the applicable rates have had on changes in net interest income for the periods presented.

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

   2013 Compared to 2012  2012 Compared to 2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Due to increase (decrease) in  Due to increase (decrease) in 
   Volume   Rate   Total  Volume   Rate   Total 
Interest income:                             
Loans  $(532)  $(199)  $(731) $(693)  $(223)  $(916)
Securities, taxable   (87)   (61)   (148)  203    (107)   96 
Securities, tax exempt   (181)   -    (181)  (260)   (42)   (302)
Other earning assets   (2)   (1)   (3)  -    -    - 
Total interest income   (802)   (261)   (1,063)  (750)   (372)   (1,122)
                              
Interest expense:                             
Interest-bearing deposits                             
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   -   (5)   (5)  6    (33)   (27)
Savings and money market accounts   (13)   (37)   (50)  (16)   (156)   (172)
Time deposits   (285)   (150)   (435)  (242)   (118)   (360)
Total interest-bearing deposits   (298)   (192)   (490)  (252)   (307)   (559)
                              
Other interest-bearing liabilities                             
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   (11)   4   (7)  (28)   26    (2)
Junior subordinated debentures   -   (3)   (3)  1    146    147 
Other   1    -    1   -    -    - 
Total other interest-bearing liabilities   (10)   1   (9)  (27)   172    145 
Total interest expense   (308)   (191)   (499)  (279)   (135)   (414))
                              
Net interest income  $(494)  $(70)  $(564) $(471)  $(237)  $(708)

 

-29-
 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

   2013 Compared to 2012   2012 Compared to 2011 
(Dollars in thousands)  Due to increase (decrease) in   Due to increase (decrease) in 
   Volume   Rate   Total   Volume   Rate   Total 
Interest income:                              
Loans  $(1,130)  $(529)  $(1,659)  $(1,292)  $(294)  $(1,586)
Securities, taxable   (143)   (122)   (265)   434    (179)   255 
Securities, tax exempt   (378)   -    (378)   (535)   (104)   (639)
Other earning assets   (5)   -   (5)   5   (2)   3 
Total interest income   (1,656)   (651)   (2,307)   (1,388)   (579)   (1,967)
                               
Interest expense:                              
Interest-bearing deposits                              
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   1    (24)   (23)   12    (58)   (46)
Savings and money market accounts   (30)   (82)   (112)   4    (266)   (262)
Time deposits   (590)   (294)   (884)   (521)   (299)   (820)
Total interest-bearing deposits   (619)   (400)   (1,019)   (505)   (623)   (1,128)
                               
Other interest-bearing liabilities                              
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   (22)   14   (8)   (51)   48    (3)
Junior subordinated debentures   -   (10)    (10)   -    197    197 
Other   1    -    1    -    -    - 
Total other interest-bearing liabilities   (21)   4   (17)   (51)   245    194 
Total interest expense   (640)   (396)   (1,036)   (556)   (378)   (934)
                               
Net interest income  $(1,016)  $(255)  $(1,271)  $(832)  $(201)  $(1,033)

 

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

We have developed policies and procedures for evaluating the overall quality of our credit portfolio and the timely identification of potential problem credits. On a quarterly basis, our Board of Directors reviews and approves the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses based upon management’s recommendations, the results of our internal monitoring and reporting system, and an analysis of economic conditions in our market. The objective of management has been to fund the allowance for loan losses at a level greater than or equal to our internal risk measurement system for loan risk.

 

Additions to the allowance for loan losses, which are expensed as the provision for loan losses on our statement of operations, are made periodically to maintain the allowance at an appropriate level based on management’s analysis of the potential risk in the loan portfolio. Loan losses and recoveries are charged or credited directly to the allowance. The amount of the provision is a function of the level of loans outstanding, the level of nonperforming loans, historical loan loss experience, the amount of loan losses actually charged against the reserve during a given period, and current and anticipated economic conditions.

 

The allowance represents an amount which management believes will be adequate to absorb inherent losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Our judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on a number of assumptions about future events, which we believe to be reasonable, but which may or may not prove to be accurate. Our determination of the allowance for loan losses is based on regular evaluations of the collectability of loans, including consideration of factors such as the balance of impaired loans, the quality, mix, and size of our overall loan portfolio, economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the amount and quality of collateral securing the loans, our historical loan loss experience, and a review of specific problem loans. We also consider subjective issues such as changes in our lending policies and procedures, changes in the local and national economy, changes in volume or type of credits, changes in the volume or severity of problem loans, quality of loan review and board of director oversight, concentrations of credit, and peer group comparisons.

 

More specifically, in determining our allowance for loan losses, we regularly review loans for specific and impaired reserves based on the appropriate impairment assessment methodology. Pooled reserves are determined using historical loss trends measured over a four-quarter average applied to risk rated loans grouped by Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (“FFIEC”) call code and segmented by impairment status. The pooled reserves are calculated by applying the appropriate historical loss ratio to the loan categories. Impaired loans greater than a minimum threshold established by management are excluded from this analysis. The sum of all such amounts determines our pooled reserves. We have shortened the period over which we review historical losses from eight quarters to four in response to industry trends and conditions; the shorter loss history window is more in line with our peer group and tracks more closely the unusual market volatility of the past several years, making the provision estimate more responsive to current economic conditions. The historical loss factors utilized in our model have been updated as of the end of the second quarter 2013 to reflect losses realized through the end of first quarter 2013.

 

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As we mention above, we track our portfolio and analyze loans grouped by FFIEC call code categories. The first step in this process is to risk grade each loan in the portfolio based on one common set of parameters. These parameters include items like debt-to-worth ratio, liquidity of the borrower, net worth, experience in a particular field and other factors such as underwriting exceptions. Weight is also given to the relative strength of any guarantors on the loan.

 

After risk grading each loan, we then segment the portfolio by FFIEC call code groupings, separating out substandard and impaired loans.  The remaining loans are grouped into “performing loan pools.”  The loss history for each performing loan pool is measured over a specific period of time to create a loss factor. The relevant look back period is determined by management, regulatory guidance, and current market events.  The loss factor is then applied to the pool balance and the reserve per pool calculated.  Loans deemed to be substandard but not impaired are segregated and a loss factor is applied to this pool as well.  Loans are segmented based upon sizes as smaller impaired loans are pooled and a loss factor applied, while larger impaired loans are assessed individually using the appropriate impairment measuring methodology.  Finally, five qualitative factors are utilized to assess economic and other trends not currently reflected in the loss history. These factors include concentration of credit across the portfolio, the experience level of management and staff, effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting practice, industry conditions and the current economic and business environment.  A quantitative value is assigned to each of the five factors, which is then applied to the performing loan pools. Negative trends in the loan portfolio increase the quantitative values assigned to each of the qualitative factors and, therefore, increase the reserve.  For example, as general economic and business conditions decline, this qualitative factor’s quantitative value will increase, which will increase the reserve requirement for this factor.  Similarly, positive trends in the loan portfolio, such as improvement in general economic and business conditions, will decrease the quantitative value assigned to this qualitative factor, thereby decreasing the reserve requirement for this factor.  These factors are reviewed and updated by our management committee on a regular basis to arrive at a consensus for our qualitative adjustments.

 

Periodically, we adjust the amount of the allowance based on changing circumstances. We recognize loan losses to the allowance and add subsequent recoveries back to the allowance for loan losses. In addition, on a quarterly basis, we informally compare our allowance for loan losses to various peer institutions; however, we recognize that allowances will vary, as financial institutions are unique in the make-up of their loan portfolios and customers, which necessarily creates different risk profiles and risk weighting of qualitative factors for the institutions. We would only consider further adjustments to our allowance for loan losses based on this peer review if our allowance was significantly different from our peer group. To date, we have not made any such adjustment. There can be no assurance that charge-offs of loans in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time or that provisions for loan losses will not be significant to a particular accounting period, especially considering the overall economic weakness in many of our market areas due to a slow recovery from the recent downturn.

 

Various regulatory agencies review our allowance for loan losses through their periodic examinations, and they may require additions to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgment and assumptions about the economic condition of our market and the loan portfolio at the time of their examinations. Our losses will undoubtedly vary from our estimates, and it is possible that charge-offs in future periods will exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time.

 

As of June 30, 2013 and 2012, the allowance for loan losses was $3,540,034 and $5,241,995, respectively, a decrease of $1,701,958 from the 2012 allowance, which reflects the reduced size of our loan portfolio as well as stabilization in loan performance in many of our markets. The decrease is also partly due to the charge-off of certain borrowers against previously established allowances, which did not require the allowance to be replenished. As a percentage of total loans, the allowance for loan losses was 1.49% and 1.83% at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See the discussion regarding the provision expense and “Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses” below for additional information regarding our asset quality and loan portfolio.

 

We did not record a provision for loan losses for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the provision for loan losses was $0 and $600,000, respectively. Our analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2013 showed that our overall loss rates have been stabilizing over the past several allowance calculations and that our credit exposure in the Myrtle Beach market and the Charleston market, which were particularly hard-hit by the downturn in the real estate markets, is phasing out. The decline in our provision expense in the first six months of 2013 is reflective of our efforts to aggressively reduce our exposure to these markets, and a reduction in our amount of construction loans on our books.

 

We believe the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2013, is adequate to meet potential loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio and, as described earlier, to maintain the flexibility to adjust the allowance should our local economy and loan portfolio either improve or decline in the future.

 

-31-
 

 

Noninterest Income

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, noninterest income decreased $635,131 and $772,074, or 36.26% and 25.68%, respectively.

 

As a result of selling fewer available-for-sale securities during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to the comparable 2012 periods, the realized gain on the sales of available-for-sale securities was $473,870 and $313,093 lower, respectively.

 

Other non-interest income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013, declined $177,709 and $266,934 from the comparable 2012 periods, respectively. These declines were mainly due to a recovery of previously incurred expenses of $210,320 received during the second quarter of 2012, and to a one-time gain of $119,328 on the sale of a participation loan during the first quarter of 2012.

 

Noninterest Expense

 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, noninterest expense totaled $4,334,856, which is $923,819, or 17.57%, lower than our noninterest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, noninterest expense totaled $8,484,553 and $9,288,131, respectively, a decrease of $803,578, or 8.65%, for 2013 compared to 2012.

 

The expense for salaries and benefits was $1,976,955 and $2,047,370 for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, a decrease of $70,415, or 3.44%. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, salaries and benefits was $3,905,664 and $3,796,265, respectively, an increase of $109,399. During the first quarter of 2012, we recognized a $337,153 reduction in this expense category as the result of canceling all stock appreciation rights outstanding at December 31, 2011. This reduction was offset by customary salaries and benefits increases.

 

Furniture and equipment expense for the second quarters of 2013 and 2012 was $177,327 and $393,277, respectively, a decrease of $280,094. For the six months of 2013 and 2012, furniture and equipment expense was $472,842 and $752,936, respectively, a decrease of $280,094. The decrease in both periods is due to the outsourcing of our data processing and servers to a vendor during the latter part of 2012.

 

Other operating expenses decreased $638,020 from $2,443,534 for the second quarter of 2012 to $1,805,514 for the second quarter of 2013. Other operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2013, were $633,769 lower than they were for the comparable 2012 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, other operating expenses were $3,372,900 and $4,006,669, respectively. The following explains the changes in this expense category for both periods.

 

1.OREO expenses for the second of quarter of 2013 and for the six months ended June 30, 2012, were $402,626 and $535,836 lower than the comparable 2012 periods. Expenses related to OREO include maintenance costs, marketing costs, property taxes, and other professional services. During the second quarter of 2012, based on our analysis of the value of our OREO, we wrote down the values of certain properties by $882,189, whereas for 2013 no similar write-downs were required. Increases in other OREO expenses and losses from the sale of OREO combined to offset the positive effect of no write-downs for 2013.

 

2.The cost of our Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, declined $91,988 and $125,819, respectively, from the comparable 2012 periods. The decline in both periods is primarily attributable to the significant reduction in our deposits. From June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013, our deposits declined by $88,244,637, or 22.10%.

 

3.During the first quarter of 2013, we recorded a $70,000 impairment loss on our equity security purchased for $100,000. At June 30, 2013, this security, with a carrying value of $30,000, is included in available-for-sale securities. While we believe there will be no further impairment, there is no assurance that the carrying value of this security will be realized in the future. There were no impairment losses during the second quarter of 2013 or during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

4.The remaining categories of other operating expenses declined $143,406 and $42,089 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as a result of operational changes implemented during the latter part of 2012.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The income tax benefit related to the Company's pretax loss for the first two quarters of 2013 was offset by the increase of an equal amount in the valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. Likewise, the income tax expense related to the pretax income for the first two quarters of 2012 was offset by a reversal of an equal amount of the Company’s valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. Therefore, no income tax provision was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

 

Balance Sheet Review

 

General

 

At June 30, 2013, we had total assets of $380.4 million, consisting principally of $238.4 million in loans, $51.3 million in investment securities, and $34.7 million in cash and due from banks. Our liabilities at June 30, 2013, totaled $340.2 million, which consisted principally of $311.0 million in deposits, $11.0 million in FHLB advances, and $15.6 million in other borrowings. At June 30, 2013, our shareholders’ equity was $40.1 million.

 

At December 31, 2012, we had total assets of $418.3 million, consisting principally of $260.3 million in loans, $61.4 million in investments, and $38.1 million in cash and due from banks. Our liabilities at December 31, 2012 totaled $377.1 million, consisting principally of $349.3 million in deposits, $11.0 million in FHLB advances, and $14.7 million in other borrowings.  At December 31, 2012, our shareholders' equity was $41.2 million.

 

Investment Securities

 

The investment securities portfolio, which is also a component of our total earning assets, consists of securities available-for-sale and nonmarketable equity securities.

 

Securities available-for-sale - At June 30, 2013 our investment in available-for-sale securities was $50,247,151. This is $9,823,861, or 19.55%, lower than our investment of $60,071,012 in available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2012.

 

The amortized costs and the fair value of our securities available-for-sale at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are shown in the following table.

 

   June 30, 2013   December 31, 2012 
   Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated 
   Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Government-sponsored enterprises  $7,410,947   $7,624,156   $7,591,892   $8,109,028 
Mortgage-backed securities   41,731,220    45,592,995    50,197,908    51,956,484 
Equity security   30,000    30,000    100,000    5,500 
Total  $49,172,167   $50,247,151   $57,889,800   $60,071,012 

 

At June 30, 2013, there were no securities that had been in a loss position for 12 months or more. However, during the first quarter of 2013 we determined that our equity investment of $100,000 in a local community bank was other-than-temporarily impaired. Based on industry analyst reports and market trading prices, it was determined that the estimated fair market value of this investment was $30,000. Consequently, an impairment loss of $70,000 was recognized. While we do not intend to sell this security in the near future, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell it, there is no assurance that the carrying value of this security will be realized in the future.

 

Securities Available-for-Sale Maturity Distribution and Yields (1)

 

Contractual maturities and yields on our available for sale securities at June 30, 2013 are shown in the following table.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Mortgage-backed securities are presented separately, maturities of which are based on expected maturities since paydowns are expected to occur before contractual maturity dates.

 

   U.S Government- 
   Sponsored 
   Enterprises 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Yield 
Due after ten years  $7,624    3.24%

 

(1)Excludes mortgage-backed securities totaling $42,592,995 with a yield of 3.13% and an equity security in the amount $30,000.

 

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Nonmarketable Equity Securities Nonmarketable equity securities are recorded at their original cost since no ready market exists for these securities. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonmarketable equity securities consisted of Federal Home Loan Bank and Community Bankers Bank stock, which are recorded at their original cost of $996,900 and $58,100, respectively and $1,239,300 and $58,100, respectively. These securities are held primarily as a pre-requisite for accessing liquidity sources provided by the issuers of these securities.

 

Loans

 

Loans, including loans held for sale, are our largest category of earning assets and typically provide higher yields than our other types of earning assets. Associated with the higher loan yields are the inherent credit and liquidity risks that we attempt to control and anticipate. Loans averaged $256,260,708 during the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $297,061,801 during the six months ended June 30, 2012, a decrease of $40,801,093, or 13.73%. At June 30, 2013, total loans were $240,831,323 compared to $265,879,194 at December 31, 2012, a decrease of $25,047,871, or 9.24%. Excluding loans held for sale, loans were $238,440,956 at June 30, 2013, compared to $260,257,334 at December 31, 2012, which equated to a decrease of $21,816,378, or 8.38%. During first six months of 2013 we charged off loans totaling $949,412 and foreclosed on loans totaling $3,827,291, whereby the loan balances were transferred to other real estate owned. The remainder of this decrease is the result of the economic downturn in our markets and worldwide deleveraging that caused the volume of new loan customers and average loan balances carried by current customers to decrease.

 

The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

  June 30,   % of   December 31,   % of 
   2013   Total   2012   Total 
Mortgage loans on real estate                    
Construction  $26,513,657    11.12%  $31,985,532    12.29%
Residential 1-4 family   35,453,123    14.86    35,091,846    13.48 
Multifamily   5,575,408    2.34    5,563,043    2.14 
Second mortgages   4,131,639    1.73    4,077,692    1.56 
Equity lines of credit   21,543,682    9.04    22,502,339    8.65 
Total residential   66,703,852    27.97    67,234,920    25.83 
Nonresidential   106,717,197    44.76    122,309,917    47.00 
Total real estate loans   199,934,706    83.85    221,530,369    85.12 
Commercial and industrial   28,731,447    12.05    29,255,564    11.24 
Consumer   9,658,975    4.05    9,304,913    3.58 
Other, net   115,828    0.05    166,488    0.06 
Total loans  $238,440,956    100.00%  $260,257,334    100.00%

 

In the context of this discussion, a “real estate mortgage loan” is defined as any loan, other than a loan for construction purposes, secured by real estate, regardless of the purpose of the loan.  It is common practice for financial institutions in our market area to obtain a mortgage on the Borrower’s real estate when possible, in addition to any other available collateral.  This real estate collateral is taken as security to reinforce the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan and tends to increase management’s willingness to make real estate loans and, to that extent, also tends to increase the magnitude of the real estate loan portfolio component.

 

The largest component of our loan portfolio is real estate mortgage loans. At June 30, 2013, real estate mortgage loans totaled $199,934,706 and represented 83.85% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $221,530,369, or 85.12%, at December 31, 2012. This represents a decrease of $21,595,663, or 9.75%, from the December 31, 2012 balance.

 

Residential mortgage loans totaled $66,703,852 at June 30, 2013 and represented 27.97% of the total loan portfolio, compared to $67,234,920 and 25.83%, respectively, at December 31, 2012. Residential real estate loans consist of first and second mortgages on single or multi-family residential dwellings.

 

Nonresidential mortgage loans, which include commercial loans and other loans secured by multi-family properties and farmland, totaled $106,717,197 at June 30, 2013 compared to $122,309,917 at December 31, 2012. This represents a decrease of $15,592,270, or 12.75%, from the December 31, 2012 balance. These loans represented 44.76% and 47.00% of the total loans at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

Real estate construction loans were $26,513,657 and $31,985,532 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and represented 11.12% and 12.29% of the total loan portfolio, respectively. From December 31, 2012 to June 30, 2013, these loans declined $5,471,875, or 17.11%.

 

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Currently, the demand for all types of real estate loans in our market area is weak, largely because of a slow recovery from the recent recession that affected many businesses and individuals in our market area.

 

Commercial and industrial loans decreased $524,117, or 1.79%, to $28,731,447 at June 30, 2013, from $29,255,564 at December 31, 2012. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, commercial and industrial loans represented 12.05% and 11.24%, respectively, of the total loan portfolio.

 

Our loan portfolio is also comprised of consumer and other loans that totaled $9,774,803 and $9,471,401 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, these loans represented 4.10% and 3.64%, respectively, of the total loan portfolio.

 

Our loan portfolio reflects the diversity of our markets.  The economies of our markets contain elements of medium and light manufacturing, higher education, regional health care, and distribution facilities. We expect our local economy to remain stable; however, due to the slow economic recovery in some of our markets, we do not expect any material growth in our loan portfolio in the near future.  We do not engage in foreign lending.

 

Maturities and Sensitivity of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

 

The information in the following tables is based on the contractual maturities of individual loans, including loans, which may be subject to renewal at their contractual maturity. Renewal of such loans is subject to review and credit approval, as well as modification of terms upon maturity. Actual repayments of loans may differ from the maturities reflected below because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

 

Loan Maturity Schedule and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

 

The following table summarizes the loan maturity distribution by collateral type and related interest rate characteristics at June 30, 2013.

 

       Over         
       One Year         
   One Year or   Through   Over Five     
(Dollars in thousands)  Less   Five Years   Years   Total 
Real estate  $58,858   $114,999   $26,078   $199,935 
Commercial and industrial   13,527    15,204    -    28,731 
Consumer and other   1,915    6,818    1,042    9,775 
   $74,300   $137,021   $27,120   $238,441 
Loans maturing after one year with:                    
Fixed interest rates                 $116,655 
Floating interest rates                  47,486 
                  $164,141 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

  June 30,   % of   December 31,   % of 
(Dollars in thousands)  2013   Total   2012   Total 
Real estate loans                    
Construction  $282    7.97%  $1,441    34.58%
Residential   1,350    38.14    951    22.82 
Nonresidential   1,586    44.79    1,129    27.10 
Total real estate loans   3,218    90.90    3,521    84.50 
Commercial and industrial   280    7.91    616    14.78 
Consumer and other   42    1.19    30    0.72 
Total loans  $3,540    100.00%  $4,167    100.00%

 

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Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to our allowance for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2013   2012 
Balance, January 1  $4,167   $7,743 
Loans charged off:          
Real estate – Construction   162    2,003 
Real estate – Residential   384    289 
Real estate – Nonresidential   375    618 
Commercial and industrial   9    780 
Consumer and other   19    4 
Total loan losses   949    3,694 
Recoveries of previous loan losses:          
Real estate – Construction   80    242 
Real estate – Residential   150    39 
Real estate – Nonresidential   18    21 
Commercial and industrial   64    283 
Consumer and other   10    8 
Total recoveries   322    593 
Net charge-offs   (627)   (3,101)
Provision for loan losses   -    600 
Balance, June 30  $3,540   $5,242 
           
Total loans outstanding, end of period  $238,441   $285,983 
           
Allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding   1.49%   1.83%

 

Risk Elements in the Loan Portfolio

 

The following table shows the nonperforming assets at June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2013   2012 
Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing  $-   $200 
Loans on nonaccrual:          
Real estate – Construction   626    3,430 
Real estate – Residential   3,822    4,032 
Real estate – Nonresidential   5,906    9,480 
Commercial and industrial   1,712    862 
Consumer and other   82    23 
Total nonaccrual loans   12,148    17,827 
Total of nonperforming loans   12,148    18,027 
Other nonperforming assets   16,180    22,261 
Total nonperforming assets  $28,328   $40,288 
          
Percentage of nonperforming assets to total assets   7.45%   8.55%
Percentage of nonperforming loans to total loans   5.09%   6.30%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans   29.14%   29.08%

 

Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing – As of June 30, 2013 there were no loans past due 90 days and accruing interest. As of June 30, 2012, we had loans totaling $199,790 that were past due over 90 days and still accruing interest. These loans were secured by real estate and included in our impaired loan classification at June 30, 2012.

 

Nonaccruing loans – At June 30, 2013 and 2012, loans totaling $12,148,026 and $17,827,261, respectively, were in nonaccrual status. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due and/or we deem the collectibility of the principal and/or interest to be doubtful.  Once a loan is placed in nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income.  Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized on a cash basis when the ultimate collectability is no longer considered doubtful.  Loans are returned to accrual status when the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans was $217,797 and $151,094, respectively. If the nonaccrual loans had been accruing interest at their original contracted rates, related income would have been $247,674 and $452,772 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. All nonaccruing loans at June 30, 2013 and 2012 were included in our classification of impaired loans at those dates.

 

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Restructured loans - In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, a concession to the borrower is granted that we would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). The restructuring of a loan may include the transfer of real estate collateral, either through the pledge of additional properties by the borrower or through a transfer to the Bank in lieu of foreclosures.  Restructured loans may also include the borrower transferring to the Bank receivables from third parties, other assets, or an equity interest in the borrower in full or partial satisfaction of the loan, a modification of the loan terms, or a combination of the above.

 

At June 30, 2013 there were 48 loans classified as a TDR totaling $10,006,336. Of the 48 loans, 16 loans totaling $3,431,546 were performing while 32 loans totaling $6,574,790 were not performing. At June 30, 2012, there were 42 loans classified as TDR totaling $12,189,375. Of the 42 loans, 13 loans totaling $6,234,412 were performing while 29 loans totaling $5,954,963 were not performing. All restructured loans resulted in either extended maturity or lowered rates and were included in the impaired loan balance.

 

Impaired loans - At June 30, 2013, we had impaired loans totaling $16,119,288, as compared to $25,779,121 at June 30, 2012. Included in the impaired loans at June 30, 2013 were seven borrowers that accounted for approximately 66.94% of the total amount of the impaired loans at that date. These loans were primarily commercial real estate loans located in the following South Carolina areas: 33.31% in the Coastal area, 19.24% in the Columbia area and 47.45% in the Florence area. Impaired loans, as a percentage of total loans, were 6.76% at June 30, 2013 as compared to 9.01% at June 30, 2012.

 

During the first six months of 2013, the average investment in impaired loans was approximately $23,255,000 as compared to $26,306,000 during the first six months of 2012. Impaired loans with a specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses totaled approximately $1,800,494 and $6,715,000 at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount of the specific allocation at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $100,111 and $662,146, respectively.

 

The downturn in the real estate market that began in 2008 and continued into 2012 has resulted in an increase in loan delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures; however, we believe these trends are stabilizing as the liquidation prices for our OREO have stabilized for vertical construction, indicating some stabilization of demand in the real estate market in our market area.  In some cases, the current economic downturn has resulted in a significant impairment to the value of our collateral and limits our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure at its appraised value. There is also risk that downward trends could continue at a higher pace.  If real estate values further decline, it is also more likely that we would be required to increase our allowance for loan losses.

 

On a quarterly basis, we analyze each loan that is classified as impaired during the period to determine the potential for possible loan losses. This analysis is focused upon determining the then current estimated value of the collateral, local market condition, and estimated costs to foreclose, repair and resell the property. The net realizable value of the property is then computed and compared to the loan balance to determine the appropriate amount of specific reserve for each

 

Other nonperforming assets – Other nonperforming assets consist of other real estate owned (“OREO”) that was acquired through foreclosure.  OREO is carried at fair market value minus estimated costs to sell. Current appraisals are obtained at time of foreclosure and write-downs, if any, charged to the allowance for loan losses as of the date of foreclosure.  On a regular basis, we reevaluate our OREO properties for impairment.  Along with gains and losses on disposal, expenses to maintain such assets and subsequent changes in the valuation allowance are included in other noninterest expense.

 

As of June 30, 2013, we had OREO properties totaling $16,179,513, geographically located in the following South Carolina areas 49.36% in the Coastal area, 15.73% in the Columbia area and 34.91% in the Florence area.  The combined nature of these properties is 80.68% commercial and 19.32% residential and other.  While we are diligently trying to dispose of our OREO properties, the relatively low demand in many of these market segments affects our ability to do so in a timely manner without experiencing additional losses.  Additionally, there can be no assurance that these properties can be sold for their carrying values.

 

From June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013, due primarily to sales, OREO decreased $6,081,787, or 27.32%. While OREO properties that consist of raw land continue to be difficult to sell, the majority of our OREO inventory with improvements is income producing, either through sale or interim leasing. This cash flow helps offset direct costs such as taxes and insurance, while offsetting opportunity cost during marketing. During the first two quarters of 2013 and 2012, income earned on OREO was $25,811 and $98,803, respectively. OREO expenses, net of income earned, for the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, was $826,686 and $1,362,522.

 

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Deposits and Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $81,078,850, or 21.36%, to $298,591,234 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 from $379,670,084 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

Deposits - For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, average total deposits were $333,495,700 and $410,146,392, respectively, which is a decrease of $76,650,692, or 18.69%. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, total deposits were $310,976,317 and $349,314,134 respectively, a decrease of $38,337,817, or 10.98%. This decrease largely mirrors reductions in the Bank’s loan portfolio.

 

Average interest-bearing deposits decreased $81,595,167, or 23.06%, to $272,311,934 for the six months ended June 30, 2013, from $353,907,101 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

The average balance of non-interest bearing deposits increased $4,944,475, or 8.79%, to $61,183,766 for the six months ended June 30, 2013, from $56,239,291 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

 

The following table shows the average balance amounts and the average rates paid on deposits held by us for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2013   2012 
   Average   Average   Average   Average 
   Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate 
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  $61,183,766    0.00%  $56,239,291    0.00%
Interest bearing demand deposits   43,545,850    0.12    42,247,296    0.16 
Savings accounts   98,879,396    0.20    118,248,247    0.30 
Time deposits   129,886,688    1.75    193,411,558    2.07 
Total  $333,495,700    0.76%  $410,146,392    1.11%

 

Core deposits, which exclude time deposits of $100,000 or more, provide a relatively stable funding source for our loan portfolio and other earning assets. Our core deposits were $253,718,756 and $265,610,288 at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our core deposits were 81.59% and 76.04% of total deposits, respectively. Overall, we have placed a high priority on securing low-cost local deposits over other, more costly, funding sources in the current low-rate environment.

 

Included in time deposits of $100,000 and over, at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are brokered time deposits of $36,005,000 and $57,885,000, respectively, equating to a decrease of $21,880,000. In accordance with our asset/liability management strategy, we do not intend to renew or replace the brokered deposits outstanding at June 30, 2013, when they mature.

Deposits, and particularly core deposits, have been our primary source of funding and have enabled us to meet successfully both our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We anticipate that such deposits will continue to be our primary source of funding in the future. Our loan-to-deposit ratio was 76.67% and 74.51% on June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

The maturity distribution of our time deposits of $100,000 or more at June 30, 2013, is set forth in the following table:

 

   June 30, 
   2013 
Three months or less  $16,813,037 
Over three through twelve months   25,452,084 
Over one year through three years   14,558,336 
Over three years   434,104 
Total  $57,257,561 

 

Approximately 73.82 % of our time deposits of $100,000 or more had scheduled maturities within one year. Large certificate of deposit customers tend to be extremely sensitive to interest rate levels, making these deposits less reliable sources of funding for liquidity planning purposes than core deposits. We expect most certificates of deposit with maturities less than one year to be renewed upon maturity. However, there is the possibility that some certificates may not be renewed. We believe that, should these certificates of deposit not be renewed, the impact would be minimal on our operations and liquidity due to the availability of other funding sources.

 

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Other Borrowings – Other borrowings at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, consist of the following:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  $5,246,235   $4,377,978 
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank   11,000,000    11,000,000 
Junior subordinated debentures   10,310,000    10,310,000 

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase mature on a one to seven day basis. These agreements are secured by U.S. government agency securities. Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank mature at different periods, as discussed in the footnotes to the financial statements, and are secured by our one to four family residential mortgage loans and our investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank stock. The junior subordinated debentures mature on November 23, 2035 and have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.83%.

 

Capital Resources

 

Total shareholders' equity at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $41.1 million and $41.2 million, respectively. The $0.1 million decrease during the first six months of 2013 resulted mainly from our other comprehensive loss of $0.8 million, our net loss from operations of $0.2 million, and to the expenses related to the auction of our Series A and B Preferred stock of $0.2 million.

 

The following table shows the return on average assets (net income divided by average total assets), return on average equity (net income divided by average equity), and equity to assets ratio (average equity divided by average total assets) for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. While we have not paid a cash dividend on our common stock since our inception, the Company has declared and paid dividends on its outstanding shares of preferred stock, and made quarterly interest payments on its trust-preferred securities as agreed. Under the terms of the Company MOU, the terms of which are more fully described as part of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Regulatory Matters,” the Company must request prior approval from the Federal Reserve prior to declaring or paying dividends on our common stock or preferred stock, or making scheduled interest payments on our trust-preferred securities. Such approval was not granted by the Federal Reserve for payment of the Company’s dividends and interest payments due and payable in the seven consecutive quarters ended June 30, 2013. Also, such approval was not granted for payments due in the third quarter of 2013.

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2013   2012 
Return on average assets   0.00%   0.19%
Return on average equity   (0.01)   2.21 
Average equity to average assets ratio   10.15    8.67 

 

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank 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 classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.  Currently, the Bank MOU requires that the Bank maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8%, and our other regulatory capital ratios at such levels so as to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes.  We continue to be in full compliance with this requirement of the Bank MOU.  Additional discussion of the Bank MOU is included above as part of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Regulatory Matters.”

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum ratios of Tier 1 and total capital as a percentage of assets and off-balance-sheet exposures, adjusted for risk weights ranging from 0% to 100%.  Tier 1 capital of the Company consists of common shareholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, minus certain intangible assets.  The Company’s Tier 2 capital consists of the allowance for loan losses subject to certain limitations.  Total capital for purposes of computing the capital ratios consists of the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. The regulatory minimum requirements are 4% for Tier 1 capital and 8% for total risk-based capital; under the provisions of the Bank MOU, the Bank will be required to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 10%.

 

-39-
 

 

The Company and the Bank are also required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on quarterly average assets, which is known as the leverage ratio. Only the strongest banks are allowed to maintain capital at the minimum requirement of 3%. All others are subject to maintaining ratios 1% to 2% above the minimum

 

The Company and the Bank were each considered to be “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The following table shows the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Bank at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

   June 30, 2013   December 31, 2012 
   Holding       Holding     
   Company   Bank   Company   Bank 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)   18.16%   16.75%   17.16%   15.72%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)   16.96%   15.54%   15.91%   14.47%
Leverage or Tier 1 capital (to total average assets)   12.61%   11.52%   11.48%   10.40%

 

Effect of Inflation and Changing Prices

 

The effect of relative purchasing power over time due to inflation has not been taken into account in our consolidated financial statements.  Rather, our financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Unlike most industrial companies, the assets and liabilities of financial institutions such as our bank subsidiary are primarily monetary in nature. Therefore, interest rates have a more significant effect on our performance than do the general rate of inflation and of goods and services. In addition, interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. As discussed previously in "Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Rate/Volume Analysis," we seek to manage the relationships between interest sensitive-assets and liabilities in order to protect against wide interest rate fluctuations, including those resulting from inflation.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

 

Through our operations, we have made contractual commitments to extend credit in the ordinary course of our business activities. These commitments are legally binding agreements to lend money to our customers at predetermined interest rates for a specified period of time. At June 30, 2013 we had issued commitments to extend credit of $37.5 million and standby letters of credit of $83 thousand through various types of commercial lending arrangements. Approximately $33.8 million of these commitments to extend credit had variable rates.

 

The following table sets forth the length of time until maturity for unused commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit at June 30, 2013:

 

           After             
       After One   Three             
   Within   Through   Through   Within   Greater     
(Dollars in Thousands)  One   Three   Twelve   One   Than     
   Month   Months   Months   Year   One Year   Total 
Unused commitments to extend credit  $6,182   $3,539   $6,854   $16,575   $20,942   $37,517 
Standby letters of credit   -    -    83    83    -    83 
Totals  $6,182   $3,539   $6,937   $16,658   $20,942   $37,600 

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates and principally arises from interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, deposit gathering, and borrowing activities.  Other types of market risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not generally arise in the normal course of our business.  Our finance committee monitors and considers methods of managing exposure to interest rate risk.  We have both an internal finance committee consisting of senior management and directors that meets at various times during each quarter and a management finance committee that meets weekly as needed.  The finance committees are responsible for maintaining the level of interest rate sensitivity of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities within board-approved limits.

 

We actively monitor and manage our interest rate risk exposure principally by measuring our interest sensitivity "gap," which is the positive or negative dollar difference between assets and liabilities that are subject to interest rate repricing within a given period of time.  Interest rate sensitivity can be managed by repricing assets or liabilities, selling securities available for sale, replacing an asset or liability at maturity, or adjusting the interest rate during the life of an asset or liability.  Managing the amount of assets and liabilities repricing in this same time interval helps to hedge the risk and minimize the impact on net interest income of rising or falling interest rates.  We generally would benefit from increasing market rates of interest when we have an asset-sensitive gap position and generally would benefit from decreasing market rates of interest when we are liability-sensitive.

 

-40-
 

 

We were liability-sensitive during the year ended December 31, 2012 and during the six months ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2013, we expect to be liability-sensitive for the next six months because a majority of our deposits reprice over a 12-month period. Approximately 33% of our loans were variable rate loans at June 30, 2013. The ratio of cumulative gap to total earning assets after 12 months was a negative 24.56% because $79.7 million more liabilities will reprice in a 12-month period than assets. However, our gap analysis is not a precise indicator of our interest sensitivity position. The analysis presents only a static view of the timing of maturities and repricing opportunities, without taking into consideration that changes in interest rates do not affect all assets and liabilities equally.  For example, rates paid on a substantial portion of core deposits may change contractually within a relatively short time frame, but those rates are viewed by us as significantly less interest-sensitive than market-based rates such as those paid on noncore deposits. Net interest income may be affected by other significant factors in a given interest rate environment, including changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

Liquidity represents the ability of a company to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and the ability to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities.  Liquidity management involves monitoring our sources and use of funds in order to meet our day-to-day cash flow requirements while maximizing profits.  Liquidity management is made more complicated because different balance sheet components are subject to varying degrees of management control.  For example, the timing of maturities of securities in our investment portfolio is fairly predictable and is subject to a high degree of control at the time investment decisions are made.  However, net deposit inflows and outflows are far less predictable and are not subject to the same degree of control.

 

At June 30, 2013, our liquid assets, consisting of cash and cash equivalents amounted to $34.7 million, or 9.13% of total assets.  Our investment securities, excluding nonmarketable securities, at June 30, 2013, amounted to $50.2 million, or 13.21% of total assets.  Investment securities traditionally provide a secondary source of liquidity since they can be converted into cash in a timely manner.  However, $13.7 million of these securities were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and borrowings as of June 30, 2013.  At December 31, 2012, our liquid assets, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, amounted to $38.1 million, or 9.10% of total assets.  Our investment securities, excluding nonmarketable securities, at December 31, 2012 amounted to $60.1 million, or 14.36% of total assets.  Investment securities traditionally provide a secondary source of liquidity since they can be converted into cash in a timely manner.  However, $14.9 million of these securities were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and borrowings as of December 31, 2012.

 

Our ability to maintain and expand our deposit base and borrowing capabilities serves as our primary source of liquidity.  For the near future, it is our intention to reduce the use of wholesale funding to fund loan demand, instead relying on lower-cost funding sources, particularly core deposits.  We plan to meet our future cash needs through the liquidation of temporary investments, the generation of deposits, and from additional borrowings.  In addition, we will receive cash upon the maturity and sale of loans and the maturity of investment securities. At June 30, 2013, we had a $5.0 million unused line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank and had sufficient unpledged securities that would have allowed us to borrow an additional $36.5 million from the Federal Reserve Bank.  Also, as member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, (the “FHLB”) we can make applications for borrowings that can be made for leverage purposes.  The FHLB requires that securities, qualifying mortgage loans, and stock of the FHLB owned by the bank be pledged to secure any advances from them. We have an available line to borrow funds from the FHLB up to 30% of the Bank’s total assets, which provide additional available funds of $121.2 million at June 30, 2013.  At that date the bank had drawn $11.0 million on this line.  We believe that the sources described above will be sufficient to meet our future liquidity needs.

 

The Company is largely dependent upon dividends from the Bank as a source of cash.  The Bank MOU restricts the ability of the Bank to declare and pay dividends to the Company.  The Company MOU requires the Company to obtain approval of the Federal Reserve Bank prior to declaring dividends.  The Federal Reserve did not approve the Company’s request to pay dividends and interest payments relating to its outstanding classes of preferred stock and trust preferred securities due and payable in the seven consecutive quarters ended June 30, 2013, nor did Federal Reserve approve the Company's request to make the payments due in the third quarter of 2013. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Regulatory Matters” for additional information relating to the Company MOU.

 

Asset/liability management is the process by which we monitor and control the mix and maturities of our assets and liabilities. The essential purposes of asset/liability management are to ensure adequate liquidity and to maintain an appropriate balance between interest sensitive assets and liabilities in order to minimize potentially adverse impacts on earnings from changes in market interest rates. We have both an internal finance committee consisting of senior management that meets at various times during each quarter and a management finance committee that meets weekly as needed.  The finance committees are responsible for maintaining the level of interest rate sensitivity of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities within board-approved limits.

 

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Interest Sensitivity Analysis

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our rate sensitivity as of June 30, 2013, for each of the time intervals indicated. The information in the table may not be indicative of our rate sensitivity position at other points in time. In addition, the maturity distribution indicated in the table may differ from the contractual maturities of the earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities presented due to consideration of prepayment speeds under various interest rate change scenarios in the application of the interest rate sensitivity methods described above.

 

           After       Greater     
       After One   Three       Than One     
   Within   Through   Through   Within   Year or     
(Dollars in Thousands)  One   Three   Twelve   One   Non-     
   Month   Months   Months   Year   Sensitive   Total 
Interest-Earning Assets                              
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks  $32,172   $-   $-   $32,172   $-   $32,172 
Loans (1)   26,756    20,159    77,261    124,176    116,655    240,831 
Securities, taxable   -    -    -    -    50,247    50,247 
Nonmarketable securities   1,055    -    -    1,055    -    1,055 
Time deposits in other banks   -    -    101    101    -    101 
Total earning assets   59,983    20,159    77,362    157,504    166,902    324,406 
                               
Interest-Bearing Liabilities                              
Interest-bearing deposits:                              
Demand deposits  $45,712   $-   $-   $45,712   $-   $45,712 
Savings deposits   95,190    -    -    95,190    -    95,190 
Time deposits   13,165    19,693    48,168    81,026    26,623    107,649 
Total interest-bearing deposits   154,067    19,693    48,168    221,928    26,623    248,551 
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances   -    -    10,000    10,000    1,000    11,000 
Junior subordinated debentures   -    -    -    -    10,310    10,310 
Repurchase agreements   5,246    -    -    5,246    -    5,246 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   159,313    19,693    58,168    237,174    37,933    275,107 
                               
Period gap  $(99,330)  $466   $19,194   $(79,670)  $128,969      
                               
Cumulative gap  $(99,330)  $(98,864)  $(79,670)  $(79,670)  $49,299      
                               
Ratio of cumulative gap to total earning assets   (30.62)%   (30.48)%   (24.56)%   (24.56)%   15.20%     

 

(1) Including mortgage loans held for sale.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

See "Market Risk" and "Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity" in Item 2, Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Based upon their controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

 

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our second fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II - Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material, pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a)Not applicable.

 

(b)The following stock repurchases were made during the period covered by this report in connection with administration of the Company’s employee stock ownership plan.

  

Period  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 
April 1, 2013 – April 30, 2013   -   $-    -    - 
May 1, 2013 - May 31, 2013   -   $-    -    - 
June 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013   10,396   $1.71    -    - 
    10,396   $1.71    -    - 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

  

Exhibit Number   Exhibit
     
31.1   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101   Interactive Data Files providing financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 in XBRL.  Pursuant to Regulation 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are otherwise not subject to liability.

 

-44-
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with 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 RELIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.
   
Date: August 9, 2013 By: /s/ F. R. Saunders, Jr.
    F. R. Saunders, Jr.
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date: August 9, 2013 By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Paolucci
    Jeffrey A. Paolucci
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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