Note 2 - Cash and Due from Banks

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]

2. Cash and Due from Banks

Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Act requires that banks maintain noninterest reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank based principally on the type and amount of their deposits. During 2012, the Bank maintained balances at the Federal Reserve (in addition to vault cash) to meet the reserve requirements as well as balances to partially compensate for services.  Late in 2008, the Federal Reserve in connection with the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 began paying a nominal amount of interest on balances held, which interest on excess reserves was increased under provisions of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed in July 2010. Additionally, the Bank maintains interest-bearing balances with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and noninterest bearing balances with six domestic correspondent banks as compensation for services they provide to the Bank.