Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

NOTE (11) – Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is not more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will be realized. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management evaluates both positive and negative evidence, including the existence of any cumulative losses in the current year and the prior two years, the amount of taxes paid in available carry-back years, the forecasts of future income and tax planning strategies. This analysis is updated quarterly. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that a valuation allowance of $8.3 million was required as of March 31, 2012. The Company had recorded a valuation allowance of $8.2 million as of December 31, 2011. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $772 thousand at March 31, 2012 is supported by a near term tax planning strategy of selling the Bank’s headquarters building at a gain. The sale closed in the second quarter of 2012.