10-Q

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____________________ to  ___________________________

Commission file number 000-30497

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

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

Tennessee (State of Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 62-1173944 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

5319 Highway 153

Hixson, TN 37343

(423) 385-3000

(Address, and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices

and Principal Place of Business)

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. YES o NO x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES o   NO x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

There were 3,253,159 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2006.

1

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

	Unaudited
	September 30,			December 31,
ASSETS	2006			2005
Cash and due from banks	$	10,688,808		$	14,590,499
Federal Funds Sold		16,240,000			-
Total Cash and Due From Banks		26,928,808			14,590,499
Securities available for sale		32,538,739			30,127,486
Securities held to maturity		255,788			322,180
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		1,313,100			1,033,900
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of
$4,399,602 at September 30, 2006, and $3,545,042 at
December 31, 2005		282,912,979			262,008,632
Bank premises and equipment, net		5,376,400			7,207,146
Accrued interest receivable		2,082,859			1,739,460
Goodwill and amortizable intangibles		3,269,967			3,376,892
Other assets		6,723,733			3,205,706
Total Assets	$	361,402,373		$	338,202,400
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	41,678,654		$	42,118,351
Interest-bearing demand deposits		34,648,459			33,080,446
Savings deposits and money market accounts		62,629,684			55,410,928
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		46,552,734			38,707,366
Time deposits of less than $100,000		92,860,015			83,118,799
Total deposits		278,369,546			252,435,890
Federal funds purchased and securites sold under
agreements to repurchase		2,980,800			4,790,737
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		41,000,000			30,000,000
Accrued interest payable		348,702			242,864
Other liabilities		1,838,797			3,676,047
Total Liabilities		324,537,845			291,145,538
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock - no par value; 2,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued		-			-
Common stock - $1.00 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005;
issued 3,255,924; outstanding 3,253,159 at Setpember 30, 2006,
issued 3,201,334; outstanding 3,200,863 at December 31, 2005		3,253,159			3,200,863
Additional paid-in capital		21,727,064			21,201,903
Retained earnings		12,010,957			8,229,552
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(126,652	)		(165,955	)
		36,864,528			32,466,363
Total stockholders' equity		36,864,528			32,466,363
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	361,402,373		$	323,611,901

 

The Notes to Consolidated Finanical Statements are an integral part of these statements.

2

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

	Unaudited				Unaudited
	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2006		2005		2006		2005
INTEREST INCOME
Loans, including fees	$	7,022,051	$	5,102,644	$	19,929,219	$	13,631,816
Investment securities		418,497		303,200		1,170,239		883,224
Federal funds sold		77,953		30,663		104,733		83,570
Other earning assets		15,300		1,374		24,818		5,765
Total interest income		7,533,801		5,437,881		21,229,009		14,604,375
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest bearing demand accounts		113,932		91,369		311,174		238,216
Money market accounts		575,757		282,958		1,517,266		712,245
Savings accounts		18,102		19,899		57,060		52,172
Time deposits of less than $100,000		1,055,168		580,386		2,774,423		1,531,219
Time deposits of more than $100,000		528,067		343,196		1,417,879		781,314
Federal funds purchased		15,555		35,643		224,619		56,153
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		36,531		16,400		86,134		44,243
Other borrowings		438,243		271,740		986,315		788,678
Total interest expense		2,781,355		1,641,591		7,374,870		4,204,240
Net interest income before provision for loan losses		4,752,446		3,796,290		13,854,139		10,400,135
Provision for loan losses		204,800		349,600		1,057,800		899,600
Net interest income after the provision for loan losses		4,547,646		3,446,690		12,796,339		9,500,535
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges		228,441		171,365		635,094		488,655
Other income		189,661		320,383		900,386		575,186
Total noninterest income		418,102		491,748		1,535,480		1,063,841
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		1,465,236		1,139,569		4,430,732		3,306,804
Occupancy and equipment expense		281,483		230,874		772,293		657,259
Other operating expense		675,515		599,204		2,018,735		1,767,010
Total noninterest expense		2,422,234		1,969,647		7,221,760		5,731,073
Income before provision for income taxes		2,543,514		1,968,791		7,110,059		4,833,303
Provision for income taxes		997,065		738,000		2,745,323		1,850,500
NET INCOME	$	1,546,449	$	1,230,791	$	4,364,736	$	2,982,803
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic net income per common share	$	0.48	$	0.40	$	1.35	$	0.99
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.45	$	0.37	$	1.28	$	0.90
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.06	$	-	$	0.18	$	0.08

The Notes to Consolidated Finanical Statements are an integral part of these statements.

3

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the nine months ended September 30,

	Unaudited
	2006			2005
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	4,364,736		$	2,982,803
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating actvities:
Provision for loan losses		1,057,800			899,600
Depreciation and amortization		422,590			258,878
Gain on sale of loans held for sale		(116,979	)		-
Net (gain) loss on sale of other real estate and repossessed assets		(26,341	)		-
Net (gain) loss on sale of fixed assets		(200,549	)		-
Income from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary		(46,451	)		-
Compensation expense on stock options		110,944			-
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable		(343,399	)		(335,836	)
Accrued interest payable		105,838			102,249
Other assets and liabilities		(2,665,245	)		(107,589	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,662,944			3,800,105
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of equity investment		(3,000,000	)		-
Purchase of investment securities: AFS		(3,977,766	)		(13,900,263	)
Proceeds from security transactions: AFS		1,602,824			10,348,160
Proceeds from security transactions: HTM		66,999			55,619
Purchase of FHLB Stock		(279,200	)		(167,200	)
Loan originations and principal collections, net		(22,022,147	)		(48,577,271	)
Proceeds from sale of bank equipment		1,950,435			-
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate		806,906			-
Purchase of bank premises and equipment		(479,587	)		(125,546	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(25,331,536	)		(52,366,501	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in deposits		25,933,656			47,582,861
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(1,809,937	)		8,703,866
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings		11,000,000			5,000,000
Dividends paid on common stock		(387,974	)		(526,476	)
Repurchase of common stock		(62,273	)		-
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		333,429			2,222,603
Net cash provided by financing activities		35,006,901			62,982,854
NET INCREASE CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		12,338,309			14,416,458
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		14,590,499			6,900,054
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENETS, end of period	$	26,928,808		$	21,316,511
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	7,269,032		$	4,101,989
Cash paid during the period for taxes	$	2,353,663		$	1,106,200

 

The Notes to Consolidated Statements are an integral part of these statements.

4

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Unaudited

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006

						Additional						Other			Total
	Comprehensive		Common			Paid-in			Retained			Comprehensive			Stockholders'
	Income		Stock			Capital			Earnings			Income			Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2005			$	3,200,863		$	21,201,903		$	8,229,552		$	(165,955	)	$	32,466,363
Issuance of common stock				54,590			269,252			-			-			323,842
under stock option plans
Tax benefit received from Director's				-			202,012			-			-			202,012
stock option exercise
Employee compensation stock				-			110,944			-			-			110,944
option expense
Net repurchase of common stock				(2,294	)		(57,047	)		-			-			(59,341	)
Dividend - $0.18 per share				-			-			(583,331	)		-			(583,331	)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	4,364,736		-			-			4,364,736			-			4,364,736
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on
securities available for sale, net of
reclassification adjustment		39,303		-			-			-			39,303			39,303
Total comprehensive income	$	4,404,039
BALANCE, September 30, 2006			$	3,253,159		$	21,727,064		$	12,010,957		$	(126,652	)	$	36,864,528

The Notes to Consolidated Finanical Statements are an integral part of these statements.

5

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The financial information in this report for September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005 has not been audited. The information included herein should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders which was furnished to each shareholder of Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) in March of 2006. The consolidated financial statements presented herein conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to general industry practices.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cornerstone and its subsidiaries Cornerstone Community Bank (the “Bank”) and Eagle Financial, Inc. (“Eagle”). Substantially all intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated.

Accounting Policies

During interim periods, Cornerstone follows the accounting policies set forth in its 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since December 31, 2005 there have been no significant changes in any accounting principles or practices, or in the method of applying any such principles or practices, with the exception of implementation of SFAS No. 123(R), effective January 1, 2006, which is addressed in the “Stock Based Compensation” note.

Interim Financial Data (Unaudited)

In the opinion of Cornerstone’s management, the accompanying interim financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition, the results of operations, and cash flows for the interim period. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period (denominator). Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator). The adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding reflects the potential dilution occurring if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock resulting in the issuance of common stock that share in the earnings of the entity.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, 61,400 options to purchase common stock are excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation because they are anti-dilutive.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the December 31, 2005 financial statements to conform to the September 30, 2006 presentation.

6

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

The following computation illustrates the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share for the three month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2006		2005
Numerator:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,546,449	$	1,230,791
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		3,250,815		3,061,399
Effect of potential dilution		161,965		292,433
Diluted Shares		3,412,780		3,353,832
Basic Earnings per share	$	0.48	$	0.40
Diluted Earnings per share	$	0.45	$	0.37

The following computation illustrates the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2006		2005
Numerator:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	4,364,736	$	2,982,803
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		3,235,682		3,012,760
Effect of potential dilution		167,434		292,433
Diluted Shares		3,403,116		3,305,193
Basic Earnings per share	$	1.35	$	0.99
Diluted Earnings per share	$	1.28	$	0.90

Stock Based Compensation

In the years previous to 2006, Cornerstone accounted for these plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and the related interpretations, as permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) SFAS No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. No stock-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of Operations for years prior to 2006. Beginning January 1, 2006, Cornerstone, as required by FASB, adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) Share-Based Payment using the modified-prospective method. As a result, for the period ended September 30, 2006, the compensation cost charged to earnings related to the vested incentive stock options was approximately $111thousand, which reduced basic earnings per share by $ 0.03 per share.

7

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

Directors Stock Option Plan:

Cornerstone has a stock options plan under which members of the Board of Directors, at the formation of the Bank, were granted options to purchase shares of the Bank’s common stock. The option price was $5.00 per share ($10.00 before stock split on September 16, 2004) which was the fair value of the stock at the June 30, 1996 grant date. On October 15, 1997, the Bank stock options were converted to Cornerstone stock options. During 2006, Cornerstone granted the directors 20,000 shares with an exercise price of $26.50 per share which was the fair value of the stock at the grant date. These stock options vest at 50% on the first and second anniversary of the grant date.

A summary of the status of this plan is presented in the following table:

				Weighted Average		Weighted Average		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Number			Exercise Price		Contractual Term		( in thousands)
Outstanding December 31, 2005		45,000		$	7.59
Options granted		20,000			26.50
Options forfeited		-
Options exercised		(31,500	)		5.00
Outstanding, September 30, 2006		33,500		$	21.22		8.7 years	$	186
Exercisable at September 30, 2006		11,250		$	12.39		7.6 years	$	134

A summary of the status of Cornerstone’s non-vested shares as of December 31, 2005 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is presented as follows:

				Weighted Average
Nonvested Shares	Number			Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested, December 31, 2005		9,000		$	14.67
Granted		20,000		$	26.50
Vested		(6,750	)	$	13.40
Forfeited		0		$	0.00
Nonvested, September 30, 2006		22,250		$	25.69

The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted through September 30, 2006 was $6.40. As of September 30, 2006, there was $143 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $637 thousand. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $181 thousand.

8

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC

Employees Stock Option Plan:

As of September 30, 2006, Cornerstone has two stock options plans, the 1996 Cornerstone Statutory and Non-statutory Stock Option Plan and the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan under which officers and employees can be granted incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Cornerstone’s common stock. The plans are administered by the Cornerstone Human Resource Committee which selects persons eligible to receive awards and determines the number of options subject to each award. Under the incentive option plan, the awards vest 30% on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date and 40% on the fourth anniversary. During 2006, Cornerstone granted 41,400 shares with an exercise price of $26.50 per share which was the fair value of the stock at the grant date.

A summary of the status of this plan is presented in the following table:

				Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
				Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
	Number			Exercise Price		Contractual Term		( in thousands)
Outstanding December 31, 2005		316,250		$	9.29
Options granted		41,400			26.50
Options forfeited		-
Options exercised		(23,090	)		7.08
Outstanding, September 30, 2006		334,560		$	16.92		6.4 years	$	5,089
Exercisable at September 30, 2006		183,776		$	7.42		5 years	$	3,558

A summary of the status of Cornerstone’s non-vested shares as of December 31, 2005 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is presented as follows:

				Weighted Average
Nonvested Shares	Number			Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested, December 31, 2005		165,800		$	11.41
Granted		41,400		$	26.50
Vested		(56,416	)	$	8.57
Forfeited		0		$	0.00
Nonvested, September 30, 2006		150,784		$	16.63

9

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted through September 30, 2006 was $6.40. As of September 30, 2006, there was $631 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.13years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $419 thousand. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1,511 thousand.

The fair value of each options grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Merton option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	September 30, 2006			December 31, 2005
Dividend yield		0.98	%		0.98	%
Expected life		6.55 years			6.9 years
Expected volatility		11.13	%		11.80	%
Risk-free interest rate		5.11	%		4.19	%

For comparability of September 30, 2006 income statement information to the September 30, 2005 income statement, the following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if Cornerstone had applied during 2005, the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 (R) Accounting for Stock- Based Compensation to stock-based compensation.

		Nine months ended
		September 30, 2005
Net Income, as reported	$	2,982,803
Deduct: Total Stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under
fair value method for all awards, net of
the related tax effects		($54,048	)
Pro Forma Net Income	$	2,928,755
Earnings Per Share:
Basic-as reported	$	0.99
Basic-pro forma	$	0.97
Diluted-as reported	$	0.90
Diluted-pro forma	$	0.89

10

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CORNERSTONE BANCSHARES, INC.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Bank, in the normal course of business, is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risks to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include standby letters of credit, which are contingent liabilities issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These letters of credit totaled $2,455,424 as of September 30, 2006. Unfunded commitments to extend credit totaled $58,734,374 as of September 30, 2006.The Bank’s potential credit exposure for the financial instruments is represented by their contractual amounts, and collateral, if any, is held based on the credit evaluation of the customer. The Bank does not anticipate any significant losses as a result of the commitments under standby letters of credit and un-disbursed loan commitments.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain written and oral statements made by or with the approval of an authorized executive officer of Cornerstone may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “should result,” “are expected to,” “we anticipate,” “we estimate,” “we project” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cornerstone’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, unanticipated economic changes, interest rate fluctuations and the impact of competition. Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date they are made.

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

Introduction

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) is a bank holding company and the parent of Cornerstone Community Bank, (the “Bank”) a Tennessee banking corporation, and Eagle Financial, Inc., (“Eagle”), an accounts receivable financing company that operates in and around Hamilton County, Tennessee. The Bank’s business consists primarily of attracting deposits from the general public and, with these and other funds, originating real estate loans, consumer loans, business loans, and residential and commercial construction loans. The principal sources of income for the Bank are interest and fees collected on loans, fees collected on deposit accounts, and interest and dividends collected on other investments.  The principal expenses of the Bank are interest paid on deposits, employee compensation and benefits, office expenses, and other overhead expenses. Eagle’s principal source of income is revenue received from the purchase of receivables. Expenses are related to employee compensation and benefits, office and overhead expenses.

The following discussion and analysis sets forth the major factors that affect Cornerstone’s results of operations and financial condition reflected in the unaudited financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Cornerstone’s Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and notes attached thereto.

Overview

As of September 30, 2006 Cornerstone had total consolidated assets of $361.4 million, total loans of $282.9 million, total deposits of $278.4 million and stockholders equity of $36.9 million. Net income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 was $1,546,448 and $4,364,736 respectively. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 was $1.35 and $1.28 on 3.2 million and 3.4 million shares respectively.

11

Financial Condition

Earning Assets.

Earning assets for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, increased by $39.8 million, or 13.6% compared to December 31, 2005. Asset growth is directly related to deposit growth and funds available to invest. Large balance money market accounts and growth in the time deposit products allowed the Bank to increase investments in areas such as Federal Funds.

Loan Portfolio.

During the nine month period ended September 20, 2006, the Bank's loan portfolio grew $21 million, or 7.96% compared to December 31, 2005. Eagle’s loan portfolio grew $807 or 32.8% during the same nine month period. Cornerstone anticipates loan growth to remain consistent throughout the last quarter of 2006. The major portion of the growth is in commercial real estateand commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans. The C&I loans are collateralized generally by accounts receivable and inventory. Commercial real estate loans contributed $9.3 million or 6.0% to the overall growth, C&I loans increased $11.3 million or 13.4%. Consumer loans remained stable throughout the year. Commercial real estate loans were primarily construction and land development which represent approximately 17% of the loan portfolio.

The Bank’s lending staff continues to be successful in attracting new loans and selling participations to banks outside of the Bank’s market area. As in previous quarters, these efforts provided an avenue for increased interest and fee income and allowed the opportunity to pursue new and cultivate existing deposit accounts relative to these loans. During the quarter, the Bank added a senior level lender who will focus on growth in the loan portfolio and attracting new deposits in the current market area. Additionally, the Bank also hired a senior relationship manager who will be concentrating on the further development and expansion of the Bank’s market presence in the North Georgia area. During the remainder of 2006, and the first quarter of 2007, the Bank plans to continue to add highly trained staff and personnel to adequately support the growth. Management also anticipates Eagle to positively impact net earnings as it continues to grow its loan volume.

Asset Quality

On the qualitative side, the Bank’s asset quality remained at the above average level, which is quantified by the Bank’s 0.38 % non-performing asset ratio (non-performing loans plus repossessed and foreclosed assets to net loans outstanding). The Bank's policy is to place a loan on non-accrual status when payment of principal or interest is contractually 90 or more days past due. At the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected may be reversed and charged against current earnings. The details are discussed under “Non-Performing Assets” listed in sections following.

Investment Portfolio.

The Bank's securities portfolio and Federal Funds sold increased by 59.9 % or $18.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to December 31, 2005. The increase was largely due to increases in large balance money market accounts which allowed the Bank to increase its investment in Federal Funds (“Fed Funds”) by $16.2 million. The overnight investment in Fed Funds offset the volatility in these accounts while allowing the Bank to maximize the yield on the investment. The securities portfolio grew $2.6 million or 8.3%. The largest increase was $3.9 million in Federal Agency securities. During the quarter, the collateralized mortgage obligation securities continued to pay down, averaging approximately $100 thousand per month.

12

With current market conditions, bank management believes the existing level of $ 34.1 million in total investment securities is appropriate and intends to increase the portfolio cautiously. The Bank expects to maintain an investment strategy of making prudent investment decisions with active management of the portfolio to optimize, within the constraints of established policies, an adequate return and value. Investment objectives include, in order of priority, gap management, liquidity, pledging, return, and local community support. The Bank maintains two classifications of investment securities: "Held to Maturity" (HTM) and "Available for Sale" (AFS). The "Available for Sale" securities are carried at fair market value, whereas "Held to Maturity" securities are carried at book value. Net unrealized losses in the "Available for Sale" portfolio totaled to $192 thousand and $251 thousand at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Fixed assets

The Bank is currently in the process of upgrading its check processing center and installing new equipment to manage various processes that are required by federal regulations. In order to maximize effectiveness and efficiencies, during the first quarter of 2007, the Bank intends to implement a Bank Secrecy Act Anti-Money Laundering Management System (“BAM”), to manage monitoring and reporting of high risk transactions. Also, during the last quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, the Bank intends to add technology that will enhance the disaster recovery capabilities of the organization. This added expense will be capitalized and amortized over the functional lives of the assets. Total costs of these upgrades and additions will be approximately $250 thousand.

Deposits.

The Bank's deposits increased by $25.9 million or 10.3 % for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 compared to December 30, 2005. During the quarter, the Bank launched successful campaigns to raise funds by offering several certificate of deposit specials. The majority of the deposit growth from 2005 was attributed to the $26.3 million increase in money market and time accounts. Money market accounts increased $8.2 million or 17.2% from December 31, 2005. Management intends to continue focusing its efforts on attracting large balance money market accounts and expects certificates of deposits to increase over the remainder of 2006 as loan growth continues. Also, the Bank will begin to utilize software technology to capture deposits allowing the Bank to offer various deposit products to other market areas, including growth with electronic funds transactions.

Stockholder’s Equity.

Stockholders' equity increased $4.4 million or 13.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. Equity increased due to our earnings growth, exercise of options, and the related tax benefits thereof.

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

As of September 30, 2006 the Bank had $41 million of Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”) borrowings secured by a lien on its one to four family residential mortgage and commercial real estate loan portfolio. These borrowings consisted of $26 million designed with maturities of 10 years with call and put options after a stated conversion date; $15 million is overnight borrowings to use as a source of short term funding as needed. Management believes that FHLB borrowings provide an inexpensive method to reduce interest rate risks by obtaining longer term liabilities to match the typically longer term assets the Bank has on its balance sheet that are usually below the cost of certificates of deposit. The overnight borrowing provides a source of funds for short term shifts in deposit balances. Additionally, the Bank maintains unsecured federal funds lines in the aggregate amount of $37 million under which it can borrow to meet short-term liquidity needs.

13

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, management reduced the Bank’s asset sensitivity in anticipation of an ending of the Federal Reserve rate increases. This sensitivity made a positive impact on Cornerstone’s earnings in the rising rate environment. However, management believes for the remainder of 2006 the Bank will reposition the Balance Sheet to a more neutral position. Cornerstone’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”), comprised of senior management and members of the Board of Directors, is responsible for sensitivity risk management. The committee utilizes a static gap model and income simulation reports to monitor exposure to equity and income in changing rate environments.

Through the third quarter of 2006, the Bank continued to work on expanding its manpower and capital capacity to provide exceptional customer service in the rapidly growing environment. The Bank is determined to continue to add highly qualified commercial relationship managers as they become available in its market and build the appropriate operational staff to enable them.

The Bank, pursuant to its strategic plan, intends to continue to focus on providing a competitive footprint (convenient branches) to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area allowing it to compete with the three major regional banks located in the area. The Bank also intends to focus its efforts in the suburb branch network, while offering a downtown Chattanooga location for the convenience of our customers in that area. It is also intended that special emphasis will be placed on providing services specifically targeted to small businesses and individual customers. Additionally, the Bank hired a senior relationship manager who will concentrate in the North Georgia market to offer an asset based loan product.

During the first quarter of 2006, the Bank invested $3 million into a 24.99% ownership of the Appalachian Fund for Growth, II, LLC. The LLC was created to fund $12 million of New Market Investment Tax Credits with a seven year life span awarded by the U.S. Treasury Department to encourage investment in economic development projects in low to moderate income census tracts. The Bank joined three other Tennessee Banks and plans to assist the LLC with the underwriting of the loans and expects the funds to be deployed prior to the end of 2006. For their efforts the banks will receive tax credits for seven years. As of September 30, 2006, several loans were under evaluation and one loan should close before year end.

Results of Operations

Cornerstone’s total consolidated assets as of September 30, 2006 increased $37.8 million or 11.7% from December 31, 2005. Net income for the three month period ended September 30, 2006 was $1,546,499 or $0.48 basic earnings per share, compared to $1,230,791, or $0.40 basic earnings per share for the same period in 2005. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 Cornerstone’s net income was $4,364,736 or $1.35 basic earnings per share (“EPS”) compared to$2,982,803 or $0.99 basic EPS for the same period ended September 30, 2005.

The total number of outstanding shares as of the end of the third quarter ended September 30, 2006 was 3,253,159 compared to 3,200,863, an increase of 52,296 or 1.6% from December 31, 2005. Stockholders' equity increased $4.4 million or 13.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. Equity increased due to our organic growth, fee income and exercise of options and the related tax benefits thereof.

Overall, deposits grew $25.9 million or 10.3% during the first nine months of 2006. The Bank offered several Certificates of Deposit (“CDs”) specials throughout the period increasing time deposits $17.6million or 14.4%. Non-interest bearing checking accounts decreased $440 thousand or 1.0% and interest bearing checking accounts increased $1.6 million or 4.7%. The Bank continues to focus on attracting transaction accounts that should allow the Bank to maintain its above peer average net interest margin. Bank management selects longer-term maturities to reduce its general interest rate risk, and utilizes its federal funds lines of credit as an inexpensive source of funds. Deposits related to the increased electronic fund transactions also attributed to the increased overall deposit ratios.

14

The following table summarizes the components of income and expense and the changes in those components for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same periods ended September 30, 2005.

	For the three months				Change from						For the nine months				Change from
	Ended September 30,				the prior year						Ended September 30,				the prior year
	2006		2005		Amount			%			2006		2005		Amount		%
	(in thousands, except percentages)										(in thousands, except percentages)
Interest income	$	7,534	$	5,438	$	2,096			2.1	%	$	21,229	$	14,604	$	6,625		2.0	%
Interest expense		2,781		1,642		1,140			69.4	%		7,375		4,204		3,171		75.4	%
Net interest income before provision for loan loss		4,752		3,796		956			25.2	%		13,854		10,400		3,454		33.2	%
Provision for Loan Loss		205		350		(145	)		41.4	%		1,058		900		158		17.6	%
Net interest income after provision for loan loss		4,548		3,447		1,101			31.9	%		12,796		9,501		3,296		34.7	%
Total noninterest income		418		492		(74	)		15.0	%		1,535		1,064		472		44.3	%
Total noninterest expense		2,422		1,970		453			23.0	%		7,222		5,731		1,491		26.0	%
Income before provision for income taxes		2,544		1,969		575			29.2	%		7,110		4,833		2,277		47.1	%
Provision for income taxes		997		738		259			35.1	%		2,745		1,851		895		48.4	%
NET INCOME	$	1,546	$	1,231	$	316			25.6	%	$	4,365	$	2,983	$	1,382		46.3	%

Net Interest Income.

Net interest income is the principal component of a financial institution's income stream and represents the spread between interest and fee income generated from earning assets and the interest expense paid on deposits. The following discussion is on a fully taxable equivalent basis.

The increase in net interest income before loan loss provision for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 was $956 thousand and $3.5 million, or 25.2% and 33.2% respectively compared to the same periods ended September 30, 2005.

Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2006 grew $2.1 million or 2.1% from the same period ended September 30, 2005. Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $6.6 million or 2.0% over the same period of 2005. The increase was due to the $16 million invested in Fed Funds during the quarter and the $21 million or 7.96% increase in the loan portfolio. The yield on the loan portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was 9.51% compared to 7.99% for the same period ended September 30, 2005. Rate increases by the Federal Reserve, and increased volume and fees received from the participation of loans provided the majority of the additional income. The yield on Fed Funds sold was 4.86% compared to 2.97% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 respectively. The Bank’s lending staff continued to focus their expertise on commercial real estate, C&I and asset based loans, and anticipates this area to continue its pace throughout the remainder of 2006. As previously mentioned, the Bank also added highly qualified staff to expand lending opportunities to the existing customer base and develop new relationships. With the mix and volume changes and the Federal Reserve Bank’s continued rate adjustments through the first quarter of the year, yields on earning assets increased 139 basis points to 8.9 % for the period ended September 30, 2006 compared to 7.51% for the same period ended September 30, 2005.

15

As the deposit mix changed and market demands moved rates upward, interest expense also increased $1.1 million or 69.4% and $3.2 million or 75.4% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same periods ended September 30, 2005 respectively. Overall rate increases added to the additional expense, with the largest being in money market accounts, followed by interest expense related to overnight repurchase agreements. The large balance money market accounts are volatile accounts whose balances fluctuate throughout the month. As the balances are reduced, funding for investment purposes must be offset with Fed Funds borrowing, which also increases interest expense.

Interest expense on interest bearing liabilities increased to 3.71% for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 compared to 2.63% for the nine month period ended 2005. Cost of funds changed from 2.11% to 3.15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Cornerstone’s interest rate spread on a tax equivalent basis (which is the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities) increased from 4.88 % for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 to 5.19% for the same period ended September 30, 2006. This ratio measures the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average cost of interest bearing liabilities. As previously mentioned, additional investments in Fed Funds sold contributed to the increase.

The net interest margin is one ratio management uses to gauge the success of investing non-interest bearing deposits into earning assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 5.82% compared to 5.36% for the same period of 2005. During the remainder of 2006, management anticipates the net interest margin to decrease gradually as the Federal Reserve discontinues its rate adjustments. Several factors drive this ratio and the margin could decrease if the Federal Reserve begins to adjust rates downward.

The measure the Bank and many other financial institutions use to measure this interest rate sensitivity is a GAP report. The report determines the amount of difference between repricing assets and liabilities over a period of time. The period most commonly used by financial institutions is the one year cumulative GAP.Currently the Bank’s balance sheet structure is considered asset sensitive, which means the assets will reprice faster than liabilities. As of September 30, 2006, the Bank’s one year cumulative GAP was 9.55%. This change was largely due to the $15 million short term borrowings from FHLB mentioned in previous sections.

Management plans to actively manage the balance sheet and during the remainder of 2006 to reduce the asset sensitivity of the Bank to a more neutral position that would not negatively impact earnings if short term interest rates started a downward turn. Plans to accomplish this will be to lengthen the securities portfolio maturities and moving the loan portfolio to a more fixed rate environment.

Non-interest Income.

Non-interest income consists of revenues generated from a broad range of financial services and activities, including fee-based services and profits, commissions earned through credit life insurance sales and other activities. In addition, gains or losses realized from the sale of residential mortgage loans are included in non-interest income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, total non-interest income increased $470 thousand or 44.1% compared with the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. Increased electronic payment transactions such as wires, Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transactions, and payroll card processing had a positive impact adding $107 thousand to the income growth for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 over the same period ended September 30, 2005. Management anticipates the electronic payment processing to expand this area as new products and services are added. As previously reported during the second quarter, the gain related to the sale of fixed assets leased to a third party attributed $209 thousand to the total income reported for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006. Management considers this a non-recurring event. Without this gain, the increase would be $263 thousand or 24.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

16

During the three month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the non-interest income was $418 thousand and $492 thousand respectively, or 15.0% less in non-interest income. The reduction was primarily attributed to the sale of the aforementioned fixed assets leased to a third party.

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to September 30, 2005

NONINTEREST INCOME	Three Months							Nine months
	Ended September 30				%			Ended September 30				%
	2006		2005		Change			2006			2005	Change
Service charges on deposits	$	228	$	171		33.33	%	$	635	$	489	29.86	%
Other fee income		103		201		-48.76	%		374		463	-19.22	%
Other income		87		120		-27.50	%		526		113	365.49	%
TOTAL	$	418	$	492		-15.04	%	$	1,535	$	1,065	44.13	%

Non-interest Expense.

Non-interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 increased by $453 thousand or 23.0% and $1.5 million or 26.0% respectively, compared to the same periods in 2005. Salaries and employee benefit expenses represented the majority of the additional expense, and are attributed to the increased administrative lending and other operational staff to support the needs of an expanding financial institution. Additionally, normal pay increases and the addition of compensation expense relating to the staffing of Eagle, which was purchased in December 2005, have contributed to this increase. Increases in total occupancy and equipment expense for the three month and nine months were minimal. The increased rent and janitorial services costs were related to space expansion. However, these costs were offset by savings in maintenance and other occupancy expenses. The space was necessary to accommodate the additional operational staff necessary for proper infrastructure to support Cornerstone’s growth. All other non-interest expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 increased $79 thousand and $344 thousand over the non-interest expenses for the same periods ended September 30, 2005. Amortization expense of the intangible asset related to the purchase of Eagle was $122 thousand of the increases.

During the last quarter of 2006, the Bank should complete the move of the Fountain Square office from its current location to a new location closer to the downtown area. Certain costs related to the move and the renovation will increase non-interest expenses during the last quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007. Additionally, until the move is completed, the Bank will incur rent expense in both locations. The move is expected to be completed by mid to late November, 2006 and management anticipates the new location will offer the Bank additional opportunities for greater presence in the downtown market.

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to September 30, 2005.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE	Three Months							Nine months
	Ended September 30				%			Ended September 30				%
	2006		2005		Change			2006		2005		Change
Salaries and benefits	$	1,465	$	1,140		28.51	%	$	4,431	$	3,306		34.03	%
Net occupancy expense		148		138		7.25	%		444		379		17.15	%
Furniture & Equipment		133		117		13.68	%		402		379		6.07	%
Other Operating Expense		677		575		17.74	%		1,944		1,667		16.62	%
TOTAL	$	2,423	$	1,970		22.99	%	$	7,221	$	5,731		26.00	%

17

The following table summarizes net interest income and average yields and rates paid for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

Interest Income / Expense and Yield Rates

Taxable equivalent basis

(in thousands)

	Three months ended
	September 30,
				2006								2005
Assets	Average			Income /		Yield /			Average			Income /		Yield /
	Balance			Expense		Rate			Balance			Expense		Rate
Loans, net of unearned income	$	287,354		$	7,022		9.70	%	$	245,014		$	5,103		8.26	%
Investment securities		37,078			418		4.63	%		29,000			303		4.30	%
Other earning assets		6,408			94		5.82	%		3,092			32		4.11	%
Total earning assets		330,840			7,534		9.05	%		277,106			5,438		7.80	%
Allowance for loan losses		(4,328	)							(3,103	)
Cash and other assets		22,996								20,364
TOTAL ASSETS		349,508								294,367
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand deposits	$	33,974		$	114		1.33	%	$	35,873		$	91		1.01	%
Savings deposits		7,141			18		1.00	%		7,824			20		1.01	%
MMDA's		50,910			576		4.49	%		39,550			283		2.84	%
Time deposits under $100,000		92,220			1,055		4.54	%		72,295			580		3.18	%
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		43,945			528		4.77	%		33,367			343		4.08	%
Federal funds and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase		5,708			53		3.68	%		7,125			52		2.90	%
Other borrowings		41,000			437		4.23	%		32,000			273		3.38	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		274,898			2,781		4.01	%		228,034			1,642		2.86	%
				$	4,753							$	3,796
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		35,752								35,371
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,499								2,061
Stockholders' equity		36,359								28,901
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		349,508								294,367
Net interest margin on earning assets							5.72	%							5.45	%
Net interest spread on earning assets							5.04	%							4.94	%

18

The following table summarizes net interest income and average yields and rates paid for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

 

Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

Interest Income / Expense and Yield Rates

Taxable equivalent basis

(in thousands)

	Nine months ended
	September 30,
				2006							2005
Assets		Average			Income /	Yield /			Average			Income /	Yield /
		Balance			Expense	Rate			Balance			Expense	Rate
Loans, net of unearned income	$	280,166		$	19,929	9.51	%	$	228,142		$	13,632	7.99	%
Investment securities		35,936			1,170	4.50	%		28,634			883	4.27	%
Other earning assets		2,881			129	5.99	%		3,759			89	3.17	%
Total earning assets		318,983			21,228	8.90	%		260,535			14,604	7.50	%
Allowance for loan losses		(4,003	)						(2,913	)
Cash and other assets		23,922							19,330
TOTAL ASSETS		338,902							276,952
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing demand deposits	$	34,889		$	311	1.19	%	$	34,033		$	238	0.93	%
Savings deposits		7,594			57	1.00	%		7,797			52	0.89	%
MMDA's		49,487			1,517	4.10	%		36,263			712	2.63	%
Time deposits under $100,000		87,106			2,774	4.26	%		67,802			1,531	3.02	%
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		42,799			1,418	4.43	%		30,625			781	3.41	%
Federal funds and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase		9,745			311	4.27	%		6,409			104	2.17	%
Other borrowings		33,971			986	3.88	%		30,919			786	3.40	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		265,591			7,374	3.71	%		213,848			4,204	2.63	%
				$	13,854						$	10,400
Noninterest bearing demand deposits		36,139							33,853
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,255							1,765
Stockholders' equity		34,917							27,486
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		338,902							276,952
Net interest margin on earning assets						5.81	%						5.34	%
Net interest spread on earning assets						5.19	%						4.87	%

19

Allowance for Loan Losses.

The allowance for loan losses represents Cornerstone’s assessment of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio. Management analyzes the loan portfolio to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the appropriate provisions required to maintain a level considered adequate to absorb anticipated loan losses. Management believes that the $4.4 million allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2006 reflects the full known extent of credit exposure. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, Cornerstone accrued $1.1 million to the provision for loan losses compared to $900 thousand during the same period of 2005. In prior periods, management raised the loan loss allowance to approximately 1.50% as a percentage of outstanding loans due primarily to two loans that were past due in excess of $5 million. One loan paid in full prior to third quarter end 2006, the second loan representing $3 million paid subsequent to the quarter end. The remaining loan represented a material risk to the allowance, and justified maintaining the level of loan loss allowance to 1.5% as of September 30, 2006. Due to this change in asset quality the Bank anticipates reducing the loan loss allowance as a percentage of outstanding loans over the next quarter. Although the Bank performs prudent credit underwriting, no assurances can be given, however, that adverse economic circumstances will not result in increased losses in the loan portfolio and require greater provisions for possible loan losses in the future. On a quarterly basis, the Credit Administration Department evaluates the adequacy of the loan loss allowances and based on these findings, the Bank may adjust the provision expense accordingly.

	2006									2005
Quarter Ending	September 30			June 30			March 31			December 31			September 30
Balance at beginning of period		4,284,585			3,891,711			3,545,042			3,275,486			3,054,841
Loans charged-off		(99,193	)		(94,342	)		(70,476	)		(239,781	)		(137,197	)
Loans recovered		9,410			12,216			39,145			7,337			8,242
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		89,783			82,126			31,331			232,444			128,955
Provision for loan losses charged
To expense		204,800			475,000			378,000			502,000			349,600
Balance at end of period		4,399,602			4,284,585			3,891,711			3,545,042			3,275,486
Allowance for loan losses as a
Percentage of average loans
outstanding for the period		1.531	%		1.523	%		1.499	%		1.365	%		1.321	%
Allowance for loan losses as a
percentage of nonperforming assets
And loans 90 days past due
outstanding for the period		404.747	%		373.547	%		118.507	%		233.923	%		310.422	%
Annualized QTD net charge-offs as
A percentage of average loans
outstanding for the period		0.124	%		0.118	%		0.047	%		0.158	%		0.206	%
Annualized YTD net charge-offs as		0.097	%		0.083	%		0.047	%		0.221	%		0.170	%
A percentage of average loans
outstanding for the period
YTD Average Outstanding Loans		280,166,000			276,512,000			271,650,000			236,108,032			228,142,004
QTD Average Outstanding Loans		287,354,000			281,320,890			271,650,000			259,746,354			247,938,155
Nonperforming assets and		1,087,000			1,147,000			3,436,082			1,515,473			1,055,173
loans 90 days past due

20

The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan loss on a quarterly basis over the past twelve (12) month period ended September 30, 2006.

Non-performing Assets.

Non-performing assets include loans ninety (90) days past due and still accruing, renegotiated and non-accrual loans, and foreclosed and repossessed properties. The Bank's policy is to place a loan on non-accrual status when payment of principal or interest is contractually 90 or more days past due. At the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected will be reversed and charged against current earnings. The Bank’s Credit Administration Department reviews the credit quality of the loan portfolio and reports the results of this analysis to ALCO on a quarterly basis.

The Bank had the following non-performing assets:

As of September 30, 2006

Loans past due greater than ninety (90) days and still accruing	$	0
Non-accrual loans	$	1,023,776
Repossessed assets	$	0
Foreclosed properties	$	62,700
As of December 31, 2005:
Loans past due greater than ninety (90) days and still accruing	$	0
Non-accrual loans	$	734,837
Repossessed assets	$	4,500
Foreclosed properties	$	776,136

The decline in the non-performing assets since December 31, 2005 reflects the Bank’s enhanced collection efforts and procedures. As of September 30, 2006, foreclosed properties consisted of one parcel of land, and the Bank owned no repossessed assets. The majority of the loans on non-accrual are collateralized with real estate.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis regarding market risk was disclosed in Cornerstone’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005. No material changes in the assumptions used in preparing, or results obtained from, the model have occurred since December 31, 2005.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Cornerstone’s Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer have evaluated the effectiveness of Cornerstone’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, Cornerstone’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to Cornerstone (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in Cornerstone’s periodic filings under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Controls

Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any significant changes in Cornerstone’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls.

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

There are various claims and lawsuits in which the Bank is periodically involved incidental to the Bank’s business. In the opinion of Management, no material loss is expected from any of such pending claims or lawsuits.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

Growth Strategy

Cornerstone intends to continue pursuing a growth strategy for its business through acquisitions and de novo branching. Cornerstone’s prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties occasionally encountered by financial services companies in growth stages, including maintaining loan quality, maintaining adequate management personnel and information systems to oversee such growth while maintaining adequate controls and compliance functions. Failure to successfully address the growth effectively and efficiently could have a material adverse effect on Cornerstone’s business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations and could adversely affect Cornerstone’s ability to successfully implement its business strategy.

Cornerstone may also consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services. Acquisitions and mergers involve a number of risks, including;

·   the time and costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and merger partners;

·   inaccuracies in the estimates and judgments used to evaluate credit, operations, management and market risks with respect to the target institution;

·   the time and costs of evaluating new markets, hiring experienced local management and opening new offices, and the time lags between these activities and the generation of sufficient assets and deposits to support the costs of the expansion;

·   Cornerstone’s ability to finance an acquisition and possible dilution to its existing shareholders;

·   the diversion of Cornerstone’s management’s attention to the negotiation of a transaction, and the integration of the operations and personnel of the combining businesses;

·   entry into new markets where Cornerstone lacks experience;

·   the introduction of new products and services into Cornerstone’s business;

·   the incurrence and possible impairment of goodwill associated with an acquisition and possible adverse short-term effects on Cornerstone’s results of operations; and

·   the risk of loss of key employees and customers.

In the case of acquisitions or mergers, the success of integrating the separate operations depends on the ability to consolidate systems, procedures, operations and controls while eliminating redundant costs. Integration difficulties may have an adverse affect on any economic benefits Cornerstone expects to achieve.

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Competition

Much of Cornerstone’s recent growth has been focused in the highly competitive Chattanooga metropolitan markets. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds, and other mutual funds, as well as other community banks and super-regional and national financial institutions that operate offices in Cornerstone’s primary market areas. Cornerstone’s continued expansion into this market may be impacted if it is unable to meet customer demands or compete effectively with the financial institutions operating in these markets. Cornerstone’s historical accomplishments may not be indicative of future results. There is no assurance that existing offices or future offices will maintain or achieve deposit levels, loan balances or other operating results necessary to avoid losses or produce profits.

Economic Conditions

Cornerstone’s success significantly depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits and housing starts in its market areas. If the communities in which Cornerstone operates do not grow or prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are unfavorable, Cornerstone’s business may not succeed. Adverse economic conditions in Cornerstone’s specific market areas could reduce its growth rate, affect the ability of its customers to repay their loans to Cornerstone and generally affect its financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the market value of the real estate securing loans as collateral could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by adverse market or economic conditions in the state of Tennessee could adversely affect the value of Cornerstone’s assets, revenues results of operations and financial condition.

Liquidity

Cornerstone relies on dividends from the Bank as its primary source of funds. The Bank’s primary source of funds is customer deposits and loan repayments. While scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, they are subject to the ability of borrowers to repay the loans. The borrowers’ resources can be adversely affected by changes in economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting business industry group, reductions in real estate values or markets, natural disasters or international instability. Accordingly, Cornerstone may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to accommodate any funding needs,. Such sources include Federal Home Loan Bank advances and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks. While Cornerstone believes that these sources are currently adequate, there can be no assurance they will be sufficient to meet future liquidity demands. Cornerstone may be required to slow or discontinue loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments or liquidate assets should such sources not be adequate.

Credit Risks

The risk of credit losses varies with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. Management maintains an allowance for credit losses based upon historical experience and regular analysis of the ultimate collectibility of the loan portfolio. Capital could be significantly adversely affected if these assumptions and adjustments in the allowance for loan losses prove to be inadequate to absorb unforeseen losses.

Regulatory

Cornerstone’s growth and expansion plans may be adversely affected by a number of regulatory developments or events. Failure to obtain required regulatory approvals, changes in laws and regulations may prevent or adversely affect Cornerstone’s continued growth and expansion.

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Cornerstone operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various federal and state agencies including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), the FDIC and the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Cornerstone’s regulatory compliance is costly and restricts certain of its activities, including payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans, and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits and locations of offices. Cornerstone is also subject to capitalization guidelines established by its regulators, which require it to maintain adequate capital to support its growth.

Loss of Key Employees

Cornerstone depends on the strategies and management services of Gregory B. Jones, its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Although Cornerstone has entered into an employment agreement with him, the loss of Mr. Jones’ services could have a material adverse effect on Cornerstone’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Cornerstone is also dependent on certain other key officers who have important customer relationships or are instrumental to its daily operations. Changes in key personnel and their responsibilities may be disruptive to Cornerstone’s business and could have a material adverse effect on Cornerstone’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Cornerstone believes that its future results will also depend in part upon its attracting and retaining highly skilled and qualified management, sales and marketing personnel.

Interest Rate Fluctuations

Changes in interest rates may affect Cornerstone’s level of interest income, the primary component of its gross revenue, as well as the level of its interest expense. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond Cornerstone’s control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and regulatory authorities. Accordingly, changes in interest rates up or down could ultimately affect Cornerstone’s earnings. Changes in the level of interest rates also may negatively affect Cornerstone’s ability to originate real estate loans and may lower the value of Cornerstone’s assets.

Risks of Corporate Buyout

As a Tennessee corporation, Cornerstone is subject to various legislative acts which impose restrictions on and require compliance with procedures designed to protect shareholders against unfair or coercive mergers and acquisitions. These statutes may delay or prevent offers to acquire Cornerstone and increase the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if the acquisition of Cornerstone would be in its shareholders’ best interests.

The amount of common stock owned by, and other compensation arrangements with, Cornerstone’s officers and directors may make it more difficult to obtain shareholder approval of potential takeovers that they oppose. Also, these arrangements with Cornerstone’s senior management provide for significant payments under certain circumstances following a change in control.

Capital Adequacy and Market Fluctuations

Cornerstone is required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support its operations. While Cornerstone’s capital resources will satisfy its capital requirements for the foreseeable future, Cornerstone may at some point, however, need to raise additional capital to support its continued growth. Cornerstone’s ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time and on its financial performance. We cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital if needed on terms acceptable to us.

In order to maintain its capital at desired levels or required regulatory levels, or to fund future growth, Cornerstone’s board of directors may decide from time to time to issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or representing rights to acquire shares of its common stock. The sale of these shares may significantly dilute Cornerstone shareholders’ ownership interest and the per share book value of its common stock. New investors in the future may also have rights, preferences and privileges senior to its current shareholders, which may adversely impact its current shareholders.

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Cornerstone cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of its common stock in the market, or availability of shares of its common stock for sale in the market, will have on the market price of Cornerstone’s common stock. The market price of Cornerstone’s common stock may fluctuate in the future, and these fluctuations may be unrelated to its performance. General market price declines or overall market volatility in the future could adversely affect the price of our common stock, and the current market price may not be indicative of future market prices. Cornerstone cannot say with any certainty when a more active and liquid trading market for its common stock will develop or be sustained. Because of this, Cornerstone’s shareholders may not be able to sell their shares at the volumes, prices, or times that they desire.

Ability to Pay Dividends

Cornerstone derives its income solely from dividends on the shares of common stock of the Bank. The Bank’s ability to declare and pay dividends is limited by its obligations to maintain sufficient capital and by other general restrictions on its dividends that are applicable to banks that are regulated by the FDIC and the Department of Financial Institutions. In addition, the FRB may impose restrictions on Cornerstone’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock. As a result, Cornerstone cannot assure its shareholders that it will declare or pay dividends on shares of its common stock in the future.

Item 6.Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)	Exhibits
	Exhibit Number	Description
	31	Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	32	Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)	Reports on Form 8-K
	(1)	Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006 announcing the declaration of a $0.06 per share quarterly dividend with a record date of June 12, 2006 and a payment date of July 7, 2006.
	(2)	Form 8-K dated July 14, 2006 disclosing a press release related to the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006.
	(3)	Form 8-K dated September 1, 2006 announcing the declaration of a $0.06 per share quarterly dividend with a record d ate of September 15, 2006 and a payment date of October 6, 2006.
	(4)	Form 8-K dated October 13, 2006 disclosing a press release related to the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006.

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc.
Date: November 9, 2006	By:	/s/ Gregory B. Jones
		Gregory B. Jones,
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date:November 9, 2006		/s/ Nathaniel F. Hughes
		Nathaniel F. Hughes
		President and Treasurer

EXHIBIT INDEX

31Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

____________________

EX-31

EXHIBIT 31

CERTIFICATION

I, Gregory B. Jones, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc (the “Registrant”);

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Registrant and have:

(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervisions, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures; and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5.The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions);

(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control of internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: November 9, 2006	/s/ Gregory B. Jones
	Gregory B. Jones,
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION

I, Nathaniel F. Hughes, President and Treasurer, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc;

2.Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Registrant and have:

(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5.The Registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions);

(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control of internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: November 9, 2006	/s/ Nathaniel F. Hughes
	Nathaniel F. Hughes
	President and Treasurer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Gregory B. Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone and Chairman of Cornerstone’s Board of Directors, and Nathaniel F. Hughes, President and Treasurer of Cornerstone, respectively, do each hereby certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to his knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of Cornerstone.

/s/ Gregory B. Jones

Gregory B. Jones

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

November 9, 2006

/s/ Nathaniel F. Hughes

Nathaniel F. Hughes

President and Treasurer

November 9, 2006

[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Cornerstone Bancshares Inc. and will be retained by Cornerstone Bancshares, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]