SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 for Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”). In the opinion of the Management of the Corporation, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Interim Financial Statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2012 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

Principles of Consolidation: The Corporation considers that all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the statement of the financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for these periods have been made. Results for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The consolidated financial statements of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Peapack-Gladstone Bank. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Securities: Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when Management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, Management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent of requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings.

Loans: Loans are considered past due when they are not paid in accordance with contractual terms. The accrual of income on loans, including impaired loans, is discontinued if, in the opinion of Management, principal or interest is not likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and collateral, if any, is insufficient to cover principal and interest. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are recorded as principal payments. A nonaccrual loan is returned to accrual status only when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured, usually when the Bank receives contractual payments for six consecutive months. Commercial loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. Consumer loans are generally charged off after they become 120 days past due. Subsequent payments are credited to income only if collection of principal is not in doubt. If principal and interest payments are brought contractually current and future collectability is reasonably assured, loans are returned to accrual status. Mortgage loans are generally charged off when the value of the underlying collateral does not cover the outstanding principal balance. The majority of the Corporation’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charges against the allowance when Management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in Management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component of the allowance relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings and are evaluated for impairment. Factors considered by Management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

All loans are individually evaluated for impairment when loans are classified as substandard by Management. If a loan is considered impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral less estimated disposition costs if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment while they are performing assets. If and when a residential mortgage is placed on nonaccrual status and in the process of collections, such as through a foreclosure action, then they are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis and the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral less estimated disposition costs.

A troubled debt restructuring is a renegotiated loan with concessions made by the lender to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty. Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposition costs. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Corporation determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

The general component of the allowance covers loans collectively evaluated for impairment and is based primarily on the Bank’s historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Corporation on a weighted average basis over the previous seven years. This actual loss experience is adjusted by other qualitative factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.

In determining an appropriate amount for the allowance, the Bank segments and evaluates the loan portfolio based on Federal call report codes. The material portfolio segments are discussed below:

Primary Residential Mortgages. The Bank originates one to four family residential mortgage loans within or near its primary geographic market area. When reviewing residential mortgage loan applications, the Bank obtains detailed verifiable information regarding income, assets and indebtedness, a credit report, and an independent appraisal of the property to be mortgaged. The Bank makes residential mortgage loans up to 80% of the appraised value and up to 95% with private mortgage insurance. The Bank uses lower loan to value ratios for large loans and loans on either second (vacation) homes or investment property. The Bank’s underwriting guidelines include (i) minimum credit report scores of 680 and (ii) a maximum debt to income ratio of 40% if the loan to value is 70% or higher and 45% if the loan to value is less than 70%. The Bank may consider an exception to any guideline if the remaining characteristics of the application are sufficiently strong to compensate. The Bank retains in its portfolio residential mortgage loans with maturities of up to 15 years while loans with longer maturities are sold to third party financial institutions. The Bank does not originate, purchase or carry any sub-prime mortgage loans.

Primary risk characteristics associated with residential mortgage loans typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. In addition, residential mortgage loans that have adjustable rates could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.

Bank management believes that the underwriting guideline previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic residential mortgage loans.

Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank provides revolving lines of credit against one to four family residences within or near its primary geographic market. When reviewing residential mortgage loan applications, the Bank obtains detailed verifiable information regarding income, assets and indebtedness, a credit report, and an independent appraisal of the property to be mortgaged. For home equity lines of credit, the Bank utilizes the same underwriting standards as for primary residential mortgages. Primary risk characteristics associated with home equity lines of credit typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. In addition, home equity lines of credit typically are made with variable or floating interest rates, such as the Prime Rate, which could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.

Bank management believes that the underwriting guidelines previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic home equity lines of credit.

Junior Lien Loan on Residence. The Bank provides junior lien loans (“JLL”) against one to four family properties within or near its primary geographic market area. Junior liens loans can be either in the form of an amortizing home equity loan or a revolving home equity line of credit. These loans are subordinate to a first mortgage which may be from another lending institution. The Bank will require that the mortgage securing the JLL be no more junior than a second lien position The Bank will evaluate these applications in the same manner as it underwrites primary residential mortgages. The combined first mortgage and junior lien loan must be no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property when the combined debt is less than or equal to $800,000. For JLL amounts where the combined debt exceeds $800,000, the maximum LTV ratio is 65%. Primary risk characteristics associated with junior lien loans typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.

Bank management believes that the underwriting guideline previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic junior lien loans.

Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Bank provides mortgage loans for multifamily properties (i.e. buildings which have five or more residential units) and other commercial real estate that is either owner occupied or managed as an investment property. Commercial real estate properties primarily include office and medical buildings, retail space, and warehouse or flex space. Some properties are considered “mixed use” as they are a combination of building types, such as an apartment building that may have also have retail space. In these cases the Bank determines which component provides the majority of the rental income for the property and utilizes that component for the loan classification.

The terms and conditions of all commercial mortgage loans are tailored to the specific attributes of the borrower, the property or project, and any guarantors. In the case of multifamily and investment commercial real estate properties, the Bank reviews, among other things, the nature of and diversity of the underlying tenants and leases, the resources and experience of the sponsor, and the condition and location of the subject property. With an owner occupied property, a detailed credit assessment is also made of the operating business. While the Bank’s policy allows loan to value ratios of up to 80% of an appraised value, the majority of the loans are originated at loan to value ratios of 70% or lower. Commercial mortgage loans are generally made on a fixed rate basis with periodic rate resets every five or seven years over an underlying market index. The Bank requires an independent appraisal, a property conditions assessment from an engineering firm, and appropriate environmental due diligence.

Multifamily loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flow of the underlying property so the collective amount of rents must be sufficient to cover all operating expenses, property management and maintenance, taxes and debt service. Increases in vacancy rates, interest rates or other changes in general economic conditions can all have an impact on the borrower and their ability to repay the loan. Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk than multifamily loans as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to economic conditions. To mitigate this risk, the Bank will require a standby assignment of leases, greater direct recourse to the owners, and a risk appropriate interest rate and loan structure. In underwriting a commercial mortgage loan, the Bank evaluates the property’s historical operating income as well as its projected sustainability and generally requires a minimum debt service coverage ratio that provides for an adequate cushion for unexpected or uncertain future events such as the potential impact of changes in interest rates, vacancy levels and lease rates.

Commercial and Industrial Loans. The Bank provides lines of credit and term loans to operating companies for business purposes. The loans are generally secured by business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. When underwriting business loans, among other things, the bank evaluates the historical profitability and debt servicing capacity of the borrowing entity and the financial resources and character of the principal owners and guarantors.

Commercial and industrial loans are typically repaid first by the cash flow generated by the borrower’s business operation. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and resulting positive cash flow. Factors that may influence a business’s profitability include, but are not limited to, demand for its products or services, quality and depth of management, degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured by business assets; however, the ability of the Bank to foreclose and realize sufficient value from the assets is often highly uncertain.

To mitigate the risk characteristics of commercial and industrial loans, the Bank will often require more frequent reporting requirements from the borrower in order to better monitor its business performance.

Commercial Construction. The Bank has substantially wound down its commercial construction lending activity given the current economic environment. New construction loans would be considered only to experienced and reputable local builders and developers that have the capital and liquidity to carry a project to completion and stabilization and for projects that are supported by either a permanent take-out or acceptable executed leases or sales contracts. When evaluating a construction loan request, the Bank will also review the construction plans and drawings, costs estimates from architects, and an independent appraisal. Construction loans typically have a 12-24 month period of interest only and at a maximum 70% LTV ratio. Construction loans are considered riskier than commercial financing on improved and established commercial real estate. The risk of potential loss increases if the original cost estimates or time to complete are significantly off.

Stock-Based Compensation: The Corporation has stock option plans that allow the granting of shares of the Corporation’s common stock as incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights to directors, officers, employees and independent contractors of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The options granted under these plans are exercisable at a price equal to the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant and expire not more than ten years after the date of grant. Stock options may vest during a period of up to five years after the date of grant.

For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Corporation recorded total compensation cost for stock options of $83 thousand and $61 thousand respectively, with a recognized tax benefit of $15 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and $11 thousand for the September 30, 2011 quarter. The Corporation recorded total compensation cost for stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, of $253 thousand and $273 thousand, respectively, with a recognized tax benefit of $45 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $46 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

There was approximately $580 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Corporation’s stock incentive plans at September 30, 2012. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

For the Corporation’s stock option plans, changes in options outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Options			Price		Term		(In Thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2012		577,782		$	23.45
Granted during 2012		62,560			11.01
Exercised during 2012		(2,190	)		11.10
Expired during 2012		(12,338	)		25.51
Forfeited during 2012		(1,018	)		15.02
Balance, September 30, 2012		624,796		$	22.22		4.27 years	$	591
Vested and expected to vest (1)		594,387		$	22.71		4.27 years	$	513
Exercisable at September 30, 2012		455,858		$	25.57		2.80 years	$	80

(1) Does not include shares which are not expected to vest as a result of anticipated forfeitures.

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Corporation’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2012 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options). The Corporation’s closing stock price on September 30, 2012 was $16.34.

For the third quarter of 2012, the per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $5.29 as compared to $3.68 for the same quarter of 2011. The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the first nine months of 2012 and 2011 was $3.91 and $3.88, respectively on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Dividend Yield		1.24	%		2.02	%		1.47	%		1.60	%
Expected volatility		39	%		38	%		39	%		32	%
Expected life		7 years			7 years			7 years			7 years
Risk-free interest rate		1.08	%		2.02	%		1.43	%		2.08	%

In January 2012 and 2011, the Corporation issued 36,263 and 28,732 restricted stock awards, respectively, at a fair value equal to the market price of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of the grant. The awards vest 40 percent after two years and 20 percent each year thereafter until fully vesting on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. The Corporation recorded total compensation cost for restricted stock awards of $111 thousand for the third quarter of 2012 and $67 thousand for the same quarter of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Corporation recorded total compensation cost for restricted stock awards of $332 thousand and $191 thousand, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, there was approximately $790 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards granted under the Corporation’s stock incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.

Changes in non-vested, restricted common shares for 2012 were as follows:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Balance, January 1, 2012		84,725		$	13.46
Granted during 2012		36,263			10.72
Vested during 2012		(22,393	)		10.75
Balance, September 30, 2012		98,595		$	13.07

Earnings per Common share – Basic and Diluted: The following is a reconciliation of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net income per common share is computed similarly to that of basic net income per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all common shares underlying potentially dilutive stock options were issued or restricted stock would vest during the reporting period utilizing the Treasury stock method.

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Net income to common shareholders	$	2,832	$	5,113	$	8,164	$	8,633
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		8,778,649		8,742,955		8,775,022		8,739,482
Plus:  common stock equivalents		40,782		110		30,837		1,620
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		8,819,431		8,743,065		8,805,859		8,741,102
Net income per common share
Basic	$	0.32	$	0.58	$	0.93	$	0.98
Diluted		0.32		0.58		0.93		0.98

Stock options and restricted stock totaling 569,642 and 600,047 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively, because they were considered antidilutive. Stock options and restricted stock totaling 590,867 and 571,993 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, because they were considered antidilutive.

Income Taxes: The Corporation files a consolidated Federal income tax return and separate state income tax returns for each subsidiary based on current laws and regulations.

The Corporation is no longer subject to examination by the U.S. Federal tax authorities for years prior to 2008 or by New Jersey tax authorities for years prior to 2007.

The Corporation recognizes interest related to income tax matters as interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as other expense. The Corporation did not have any amounts accrued for interest and penalties at September 30, 2012.

Reclassification: Certain reclassifications may have been made in the prior periods’ financial statements in order to conform to the 2012 presentation.