10-Q 1 f10q_081310.htm FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
     

FORM 10-Q
     
 
[ x ]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010
or
 
[  ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ______ to _____
 
Commission File Number 0-23971
     
  
Citizens South Banking Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     

Delaware    54-2069979
(State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)
   519 South New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054  
  (Address of principal executive offices)  
     
  (704) 868-5200  
  (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  
     


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [ x ]   No [  ] ­

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports).  Yes [ x ]   No [  ] ­

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
 
 
 Large accelerated filer [  ]      Accelerated filer [  ]    
       
 Non-accelerated filer [  ]          Smaller Reporting Company [ x ]     

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

As of August 13, 2010, there were 10,850,695 shares outstanding shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value.

 
 

 

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Index
 
 
Page
 
 
Item 1.  
     
  Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009 1
     
  Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Six  Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)  2
     
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited) 3
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six  Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited) 4
     
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5
     
Item 1A. 16
     
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations 18
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   31
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 31
     
 
     
Item 1. 31
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 31
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities  32
     
Item 4. {Reserved} 32
     
Item 5. Other Information  32
     
Item 6. Exhibits 32
 

Certifications

 
 

 

Part I.               Financial Information
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
           
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
           
 
           
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(unaudited)
       
             
Assets
 
 
   
 
 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 8,223     $ 8,925  
Interest-earning bank balances
    101,723       44,255  
    Cash and cash equivalents
    109,946       53,180  
Investment securities available for sale
    71,802       50,990  
Investment securities held to maturity
    25,876       32,380  
Loans, non-covered
    605,232       610,201  
Loans, covered by FDIC loss-share
    171,002       -  
Allowance for loan losses
    (9,796 )     (9,189 )
    Loans, net of deferred fees
    766,438       601,012  
Other real estate owned - non-covered
    8,239       5,067  
Other real estate owned - covered by FDIC loss-share
    2,343       -  
Premises and equipment, net
    15,458       15,436  
FDIC loss-share receivable
    36,470       -  
Accrued interest receivable
    3,405       2,430  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    6,397       4,149  
Intangible assets
    1,988       570  
Bank-owned life insurance
    17,930       17,522  
Other assets
    11,139       8,796  
      Total assets
  $ 1,077,431     $ 791,532  
 
               
Liabilities
               
Deposits
  $ 853,526     $ 609,345  
Borrowed money
    89,386       82,165  
Subordinated debt
    15,464       15,464  
Retail repurchase agreements
    9,765       8,970  
Other liabilities
    12,879       3,266  
    Total liabilities
    981,020       719,210  
Comitments and contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 1,000,000 shares;
               
  Issued and outstanding: 20,500 shares at June 30, 2010 and
               
  December 31, 2009, respectively
    20,630       20,589  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 20,000,000 shares; 11,011,414
               
  Issued: 11,011,414 and 9,062,727 shares at June 30, 2010 and
               
  December 31, 2009, respectively, Outstanding: 10,965,941 and 7,526,854
               
  shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    124       91  
Additional paid-in-capital
    62,857       48,528  
Retained earnings, substantially restricted
    12,774       3,411  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    26       (297 )
    Total stockholders' equity
    96,411       72,322  
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,077,431     $ 791,532  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
               

 
1

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
                   
                       
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                     
                       
Interest Income:
                     
Loans
$ 11,143     $ 8,441     $ 19,354     $ 16,799  
Investment securities
  864       1,224       1,672       2,547  
Interest-bearing deposits
  99       13       149       18  
Total interest income
  12,106       9,678       21,175       19,364  
Interest Expense:
                             
Deposits
  2,904       3,196       5,169       6,724  
Borrowed funds
  1,179       1,150       2,308       2,324  
Total interest expense
  4,083       4,346       7,477       9,048  
                               
Net interest income
  8,023       5,332       13,698       10,316  
Provision for loan losses
  3,000       1,950       6,050       2,850  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  5,023       3,382       7,648       7,466  
Noninterest Income:
                             
Service charges on deposit accounts
  971       822       1,761       1,569  
Mortgage banking income
  357       462       567       760  
Other loan fees
  88       80       131       138  
Commissions on sales of financial products
  188       39       306       94  
Income from bank-owned life insurance
  243       182       432       368  
Gain from acquisition
  605       -       19,338       -  
Gain on sale of investments
  10       308       44       308  
Loss on sale of other assets
  (203 )     (73 )     (266 )     (244 )
Other income
  244       196       418       272  
Total noninterest income
  2,503       2,016       22,731       3,265  
Noninterest Expense:
                             
Compensation and benefits
  3,652       2,526       6,295       5,018  
Occupancy and equipment expense
  1,039       652       1,722       1,326  
Advertising
  93       110       150       188  
Professional services
  233       237       467       474  
Data processing
  190       131       331       259  
Deposit insurance
  354       491       614       593  
Amortization of intangible assets
  154       81       218       162  
Valuation adjustment on other real estate owned
  210       50       694       175  
Impairment on investment securities
  -       91       -       214  
Acquisition and integration expenses
  94       -       882       -  
Other expenses
  1,260       870       2,262       1,767  
Total noninterest expense
  7,279       5,239       13,635       10,176  
                               
Income before income tax expense (benefit)
  247       159       16,744       555  
Income tax expense (benefit)
  (108 )     (155 )     6,093       (216 )
Net income
  355       314       10,651       771  
Dividends on preferred stock
  257       259       513       513  
                               
Net income available to common stockholders
$ 98     $ 55     $ 10,138     $ 258  
                               
Net income per common share:
                             
Basic
$ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 1.20     $ 0.03  
Diluted
  0.01       0.01       1.20       0.03  
                               
                               
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                         

 
2

 

CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)
                     
Retained
   
Accumulated
       
               
Additional
   
Earnings
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
Preferred
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Substantially
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
   
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Restricted
   
Income (Loss)
   
Equity
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
                                     
 Balances, January 1, 2009
  $ 20,507     $ 91     $ 48,009     $ 36,088     $ 25     $ 104,720  
                                                 
 Comprehensive results:
                                               
    Net income
    -       -       -       258       -       258  
   Other comprehensive results, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       (200 )     (200 )
 Accretion of discount on preferred stock
    41       -       -       (41 )     -       -  
 Allocation from shares purchased with loan to ESOP
    -       -       91       -       -       91  
 Vesting of Recognition and Retention Plan (RRP)
    -       -       171       -       -       171  
 Stock-based compensation
    -       -       53       -       -       53  
 Stock options exercised
    -       -       20       (20 )     -       -  
 Cash dividends paid ($0.125 per common share)
    -       -       -       (935 )     -       (935 )
                                              -  
 Balances, June 30, 2009
  $ 20,548     $ 91     $ 48,344     $ 35,350     $ (175 )   $ 104,158  
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
 Balances, January 1, 2010
  $ 20,589     $ 91     $ 48,528     $ 3,411     $ (297 )   $ 72,322  
                                                 
 Comprehensive results:
                                               
    Net income
    -       -       -       10,138       -       10,138  
   Other comprehensive results, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       323       323  
 Issuance of 1,490,400 shares of common stock
    -       15       5,745       -       -       5,760  
 Issuance of 8,280 shares of preferred stock
    8,280       -       -       -       -       8,280  
 Conversion of 8,280 shares of preferred stock to   1,839,999 shares of common stock
    (8,280 )     18       8,262       -       -       -  
 Accretion of discount on preferred stock
    41       -       -       (41 )     -       -  
 Allocation from shares purchased with loan to ESOP
    -       -       92       -       -       92  
 Vesting of Recognition and Retention Plan (RRP)
    -       -       181       -       -       181  
 Stock-based compensation
    -       -       49       -       -       49  
 Cash dividends paid ($0.08 per common share)
    -       -       -       (734 )     -       (734 )
                                              -  
 Balances, June 30, 2010
  $ 20,630     $ 124     $ 62,857     $ 12,774     $ 26     $ 96,411  
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                 

 
3

 

CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
         
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
 
 (Dollars in thousands)
         
           
 Cash flows from operating activities:
         
 Net income
$ 10,138     $ 258  
 Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
             
 Provision for loan losses
  6,050       2,850  
 Depreciation of premises and equipment
  520       537  
 Impairment of securities
  -       214  
 Deferred income tax expense
  2,359       137  
 Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale
  (44 )     (308 )
 Loss on sale of other real estate owned
  266       244  
 Gain on acquisition
  (19,338 )     -  
 Valuation adjustment on other real estate owned
  694       175  
 Net purchase accounting adjustments - discount accretion
  471       -  
 Deferred loan origination fees
  11       7  
 Amortization of intangible assets
  218       162  
 Allocation of shares to the ESOP
  92       91  
 Stock-based compensation expense
  49       53  
 Vesting of shares issued for the RRP
  181       171  
 (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
  (974 )     94  
 (Increase) decrease in other assets
  5,045       (2,101 )
 Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
  884       (1,233 )
 Net cash provided by operating activities
  6,622       1,351  
               
 Cash flows from investing activities:
             
 Net increase in loans
  (218,659 )     (5,473 )
 Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
  22,056       21,566  
 Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
  -       6  
 Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
  2,252       1,552  
 Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities available for sale
  7,800       11,523  
 Proceeds from maturities/issuer calls of securities held to maturity
  18,995       11  
 Purchases of securities available for sale
  (50,099 )     (16,518 )
 Purchases of securities held to maturity
  (12,492 )     (5,085 )
 Net cash received in acquisition
  19,638       -  
 (Purchases) sales of FHLB stock
  (2,248 )     644  
 Purchases of premises and equipment
  (540 )     (92 )
 Net cash provided by (used in) investment activities
  (213,297 )     8,134  
               
 Cash flows from financing activities:
             
 Net increase in deposits
  243,413       34,746  
 Dividends paid to common stockholders
  (734 )     (935 )
 Issuance of common stock
  14,040       -  
 Proceeds from (repayment of) borrowed money
  6,433       (14,144 )
 Increase in advances from borrowers for insurance and taxes
  289       264  
 Net cash provided by financing activities
  263,441       19,931  
               
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
  56,766       29,416  
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
  53,180       10,057  
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$ 109,946     $ 39,473  
               
 Supplemental non-cash investing activity:
             
 Foreclosed loans transferred to other real estate owned
$ 6,860     $ 1,688  
               
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
             


 
4

 

CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by such accounting principles for complete financial statements, and therefore should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009, was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The more significant estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairments on securities, and fair value of acquired loans.  Additional information regarding these estimates is presented in Part I. Item 2. of this report under the “Critical Accounting Policies” section.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements as of and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 and have been included as required by Regulation S-X Rule 10-01.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Citizens South Banking Corporation (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens South Bank (the “Bank”).  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain amounts reported in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  Such reclassifications had no effect on total assets, net income, or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.  Results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods, including the year ending December 31, 2010.
 
Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements that could impact the accounting, reporting, and/or disclosure of financial information by the Company.

In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC 860, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets”, which eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures, including information about continuing exposure to risks related to transferred financial assets. This update is effective for financial asset transfers occurring after the beginning of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The disclosure requirements must be applied to transfers that occurred before and after the effective date. The adoption of the new practices did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC 810, “Consolidation”, which contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary, eliminates the exception to consolidating qualifying special purpose entities, requires continual reconsideration of conclusions reached in determining the primary beneficiary, and requires additional disclosures. This update for consolidations is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 and is applied using a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for any carrying amount adjustments (e.g., for newly- consolidated Variable Interest Entities). The adoption of the new practices did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
5

 

In the first quarter of 2010, additional guidance was issued under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, requiring disclosures of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value and the reasons for the transfers. Certain additional disclosures are now required in interim and annual periods to discuss the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The adoption of the new accounting disclosures did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Several other new accounting standards became effective during the periods presented or will be effective subsequent to June 30, 2010. None of these new standards had or is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 – Acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee
 
On March 19, 2010, Citizens South Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens South Banking Corporation, entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as receiver for Bank of Hiawassee, to acquire substantially all of the assets and assume substantially all of the liabilities of Bank of Hiawassee (the “acquisition”). The Bank of Hiawassee was a Georgia state-chartered bank headquartered in Hiawassee, Georgia, and operated five full-service offices in the North Georgia area.

The loans acquired in this transaction, also referred to as “covered loans,” are covered by loss-share agreements between the FDIC and Citizens South Bank which afford Citizens South Bank significant protection against future loan losses.  Under these loss-share agreements, the FDIC will cover 80% of net loan losses up to $102 million and 95% of net loan losses that exceed $102 million.  The term of the loss-share agreements is ten years for losses and recoveries on residential real estate loans and five years for losses on all other loans and eight years for recoveries on all other loans. The Bank recorded an estimated receivable from the FDIC in the amount of $36.3 million, which represents the discounted value of the FDIC’s estimated portion of the expected future loan losses.  New loans made after the acquisition date are not covered by the FDIC loss-share agreements.

Citizens South Bank received a $33.0 million discount on the assets acquired and paid a $2.5 million, or 1%, deposit premium, resulting in net proceeds of $30.5 million to Citizens South Bank funded by the FDIC.   Also, as a part of this acquisition, the Company recorded a $1.6 million core deposit intangible that will be amortized over an eight-year period under the accelerated method.  After applying purchase accounting adjustments to the acquired assets and liabilities, the Company recognized a $19.3 million pre-tax gain from the acquisition which is included as a component of noninterest income.  The fair value estimates and the resulting gain should be considered preliminary, as GAAP allows for adjustments for a period of one year after the acquisition as relevant information becomes available regarding the estimated fair value on the date of acquisition.

The operating results of Citizens South Banking Corporation for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010, includes the results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

Note 4 – Issuance of Common and Preferred Stock
 
The Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, as amended, effective as of March 17, 2010 (the “Purchase Agreement”), with accredited investors (collectively, the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company raised, in the aggregate, approximately $15 million through direct sales to such Investors of equity securities of the Company (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement was completed on March 17, 2010. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Investors purchased, in the aggregate, 1,490,400 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $4.50 per share and 8,280 shares of a newly authorized series of the Company’s preferred stock, designated as Mandatorily Convertible Cumulative, Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) at a purchase price and liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. After the receipt of certain approvals, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock converted into the Company’s common stock effective June 29, 2010, at an initial conversion price of $4.50 per share of common stock. Upon conversion of the 8,280 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 1,839,999 shares of the Company’s common stock was issued to the Investors.

 
6

 

Note 5 – Earnings per Common Share

The Company is required to report both basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”).  Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and potential common stock. Potential common stock consists of additional common stock that would have been outstanding as a result of the exercise of dilutive stock options.  In determining the number of shares of potential common stock, the treasury stock method was applied.  The treasury method assumes that the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the stock options is reduced by the number of common shares assumed purchased at market prices with the proceeds from the assumed exercise of the common stock options plus any tax benefits received as a result of the assumed exercise.

The following is a reconciliation of the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:



                         
   
Three Months
   
Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                         
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 98     $ 55     $ 10,138     $ 258  
                                 
Basic EPS
  $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 1.20     $ 0.03  
                                 
Shares used in the computation of basic EPS:
                               
Weighted avg. number of shares outstanding
    9,077,042       7,403,359       8,435,494       7,398,079  
                                 
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options and restricted stock
    -       -       -       -  
Weighted average number of shares   outstanding - diluted
    9,077,042       7,403,359       8,435,494       7,398,079  
                                 
Diluted EPS
  $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 1.20     $ 0.03  

For the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, options to purchase 770,639 shares and 796,967 shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise price exceeded the average closing price of the associated shares of common stock during the respective periods.

 
7

 

Note 6 – Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the change in the Company’s equity during the period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are comprised of unrealized gains and losses on certain investment securities. Information concerning the Company’s other comprehensive income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 
   
Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 10,138     $ 258  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Items of other comprehensive income, before tax
               
Unrealized (gains) losses arising during period
    (482 )     633  
Reclassification for realized gains included in net income
    (44 )     (308 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
    (526 )     325  
Tax (expense) benefit
    203       (125 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (323 )     200  
Total comprehensive income
  $ 9,815     $ 458  
                 

 
8

 

Note 7 – Investment Securities

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of investment securities as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are summarized as follows:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30, 2010
                       
Available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government Agency obligations
  $ 6,073     $ 33     $ -     $ 6,106  
Municipal bonds
    11,970       55       95       11,930  
Mortgage-backed securities
    50,551       495       21       51,025  
Other securities
    3,166       109       534       2,741  
Subtotal
    71,760       692       650       71,802  
                                 
Held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Government Agency obligations
    17,479       140       -       17,619  
Mortgage-backed securities
    8,397       625       -       9,022  
Subtotal
    25,876       765       -       26,641  
                                 
Total at June 30, 2010
  $ 97,636     $ 1,457     $ 650     $ 98,443  
                                 
                                 
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009
                               
Available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government Agency obligations
  $ 9,000     $ 32     $ 13     $ 9,019  
Municipal bonds
    20,118       98       345       19,871  
Mortgage-backed securities
    19,258       216       115       19,359  
Other securities
    3,098       141       498       2,741  
Subtotal
    51,474       487       971       50,990  
                                 
Held to maturity:
                               
U.S. Government Agency obligations
    26,464       84       305       26,243  
Mortgage-backed securities
    5,916       117       -       6,033  
Subtotal
    32,380       201       305       32,276  
                                 
Total at December 31, 2009
  $ 83,854     $ 688     $ 1,276     $ 83,266  
                                 

The Bank pledges investment securities as collateral for public deposits.  These pledged investments totaled $15.6 million at December 31, 2009 and $32.6 million at June 30, 2010.

 
9

 

Note 8 - Loans

As referenced in Note 3 of this report, the Company acquired $183.2 million of loans, net of fair value adjustments of $46.7 million, in the acquisition of the Bank of Hiawassee.  The acquired loans are covered by loss share agreements between the FDIC and Citizens South Bank which affords Citizens South Bank significant protection against future loan losses.  Under the loss share agreements, the FDIC will cover 80% of loan losses up to $102 million and 95% of loan losses that exceed $102 million.  The Bank recorded an estimated receivable from the FDIC in the amount of $36.3 million, which represents the discounted value of the FDIC’s estimated portion of the expected future loan losses.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, total loans increased by $160.0 million, or 29.1%, to $776.2 million.  These loans are comprised of $605.2 million of non-covered loans and $171.0 million of loans covered by the FDIC loss-share agreements.  The following is a summary of non-covered loans outstanding by category at the periods presented:


   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Non-covered Loans:
           
One-to-four family residential
  $ 100,484     $ 90,666  
Construction
    17,285       22,325  
Multi-family residential
    25,220       25,577  
Commercial real estate
    309,740       315,563  
Commercial business
    35,325       38,442  
Consumer
    117,092       117,473  
Gross non-covered loans
    605,146       610,046  
Less:
               
Deferred loan fees, net and other items
    (86 )     (155 )
Net non-covered loans
  $ 605,232     $ 610,201  
                 
The following is a summary of non-covered construction loans outstanding at the respective dates:
 
                 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Construction loans:
               
One-to-four family residential owner-occupied
  $ 597     $ 1,109  
One-to-four family residential speculative
    7,026       10,911  
Commercial
    9,662       10,305  
Total construction loans
  $ 17,285     $ 22,325  
                 
The following is a summary of non-covered commercial real estate loans at the periods presented:
 
                 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial real estate loans:
               
Residential acquisition and development
  $ 29,037     $ 35,694  
Commercial land
    39,812       40,191  
Other commercial real estate
    240,891       239,678  
Total commercial real estate loans
  $ 309,740     $ 315,563  

 
10

 


Note 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses and Nonperforming Assets

The Company has established a systematic methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  This methodology is set forth in a formal policy and considers all non-covered loans in the portfolio.  Loans totaling $171.0 million that are covered under the FDIC loss-share agreements are not included in the Company’s evaluation of the adequacy of loan loss allowances since potential losses are covered up to at least 80% by the FDIC.  These covered loans were recorded at their estimated fair value at the time of the acquisition, resulting in a discount of $46.7 million, or 20.3%, of their contractual balance at the time of the acquisition.   Specific allowances are established for certain individual non-covered loans that management considers impaired.  The remainder of the portfolio of non-covered loans is segmented into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics for evaluation and analysis. Management’s periodic evaluation of the allowance is consistently applied and based on inherent losses in the portfolio, past loan loss experience, risks inherent in the different types of loans, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic conditions, the borrower’s financial position, and other relevant internal and external factors that may affect loan collectibility. The allowance for loan losses is increased by charging provisions for loan losses against income.  As of June 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $9.8 million, or 1.62% of total non-covered loans.  Management believes that this amount meets the requirement for losses on loans that management considers to be impaired, for known losses, and for losses inherent in the remaining non-covered loan portfolio.  Although management believes that it uses the best information available to make such determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be significantly adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations.  A reconciliation of the allowance for loan losses is as follows:


     
Three Months
   
Six Months
 
     
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
     
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                           
Balance - Beginning of period
  $ 9,230     $ 8,730     $ 9,189     $ 8,026  
Add:
Provision for loan losses
    3,000       1,950       6,050       2,850  
 
Loan recoveries
    238       1       288       142  
Less:
Loan charge-offs
    2,672       1,996       5,731       2,333  
Balance - End of period
  $ 9,796     $ 8,685     $ 9,796     $ 8,685  

The Company evaluates impairment of its non-covered residential mortgage and consumer loans on a collective basis, while non-covered commercial and construction loans are evaluated individually for impairment.  The Company identifies a non-covered loan as impaired when it is probable that principal and interest will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  At June 30, 2010, management determined that non-covered impaired loans totaled $16.0 million.  Such loans had valuation allowances totaling $1.1 million.  At December 31, 2009, management determined that non-covered impaired loans totaled $20.7 million.  These loans had valuation allowances totaling $2.3 million.


 
11

 

The following is a summary of nonperforming assets at the periods presented:


   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Nonaccrual loans - non-covered
  $ 11,694     $ 8,135  
Accruing non-covered loans past due 90 days or more
    1,312       3,855  
Non-covered nonperforming loans
    13,006       11,990  
Nonaccrual loans - covered by FDIC loss-share
    24,924       -  
Total nonperforming loans
    37,930       11,990  
Other real estate owned - non-covered
    8,239       5,067  
Other real estate owned - covered by FDIC loss-share
    2,343       -  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 48,512     $ 17,057  

The following is a detail of nonperforming non-covered loans at the periods presented:
 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
    $ 1,646     $ 898  
      -       -  
                 
One-to-four family residential owner-occupied
    -       -  
One-to-four family residential speculative
    896       1,048  
Commercial
    -       -  
                 
Residential acquisition and development
    691       3,419  
Commercial land
    3,252       3,640  
Other commercial real estate
    4,127       1,841  
      742       140  
      1,652       1,004  
Total nonperforming non-covered loans
  $ 13,006     $ 11,990  

 
12

 

Note 10 – Deposits

Deposit balances for June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are detailed as follows:
 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Noninterest-bearing demand
  $ 69,272     $ 45,830  
Interest-bearing demand
    159,022       113,564  
Money market deposit
    143,034       118,687  
Savings
    17,416       10,584  
Time deposits
    464,782       320,680  
Total deposits
  $ 853,526     $ 609,345  
                 

Note 11 – Commitments to Extend Credit

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  These commitments represent no more than normal lending risk that the Bank commits to its borrowers and management believes that these commitments can be funded through normal operations.

Commitments to extend credit that include both fixed and variable rates are as follows:

 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Loan commitments
           
Residential mortgage loans
  $ 17,481     $ 12,560  
Non-residential mortgage loans
    4,056       13,656  
Commercial loans
    1,155       1,435  
Consumer loans
    3,191       849  
Total loan commitments
  $ 25,883     $ 28,500  
                 
Unused lines of credit
               
Commercial
    14,046       18,448  
Consumer
    78,580       75,261  
Total unused lines of credit
  $ 92,626     $ 93,709  
                 
Undisbursed Construction Loan Proceeds
  $ 980     $ 1,100  

 
13

 

Note 12 – Fair Value Measurement

The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and to determine fair value disclosures.  The Company has not elected the fair value option for liabilities.  Investment securities, available-for-sale, are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Additionally, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans and other real estate owned.  These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower of cost or market accounting for these other assets.   A fair value hierarchy is used based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine the fair value.  These levels are as follows:

Level 1:                      Inputs to the valuation methodology are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

Level 2:                      Inputs to the valuation methodology are derived from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving similar types of instruments in active markets.
 
Level 3:                      Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon estimates, are often calculated based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset and other factors.  Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.  Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.  The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets recorded at fair value. The determination of where an instrument falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment.

Investment Securities, Available-for-SaleInvestment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on at least a monthly basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 fair value is used for those securities traded on an active exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by brokers or dealers in an active over-the-counter market, and money market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises, municipal bonds, and corporate debt securities.  Securities valued using Level 3 include equity securities that are not traded on an active exchange, investments in closely held subsidiaries, and asset-backed securities traded in less liquid markets.
 
Loans - The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market price and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At June 30, 2010, substantially all of the total impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral.  Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.
 
Other Real Estate Owned –Other real estate owned are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to other real estate owned. Subsequently, these assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value.  Fair value is based upon a current appraised value less estimated disposition costs or other management estimate.  These assets are recorded as nonrecurring Level 3.

 
14

 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
 

   
Level 1
     
Level 2
     
Level 3
   
Total
 
      (Dollars in thousands)  
June 30, 2010
                       
Investment securities, available-for-sale
  $ -     $ 68,861     $ 2,941     $ 71,802  
                                 
December 31, 2009
                               
Investment securities, available-for-sale
  $ -     $ 48,049     $ 2,941     $ 50,990  
                                 
Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis:
                               
                                 
June 30, 2010
                               
Impaired loans
  $ -     $ -     $ 16,012     $ 16,012  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       10,582       10,582  
                                 
December 31, 2009
                               
Impaired loans
  $ -     $ -     $ 20,678     $ 20,678  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       5,067       5,067  

Note 13 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments.  For cash and due from banks, interest-earning bank balances, Federal Home Loan Bank stock, accrued interest receivable, and retail repurchase agreements fair value approximates carrying value due to their short-term nature.  The fair value for investment securities is based on quoted market prices, if available.  If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using market prices for similar securities.  Fair value for variable rate loans that reprice frequently is based on the carrying value reduced by an estimate of credit losses inherent in the portfolio.  Fair value for all other loans is estimated by discounting their future cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for loans of comparable terms and credit quality.  Fair value for deposits with a stated maturity date (time deposits) are estimated by discounting cash flows from expected maturities using interest rates currently being offered for similar instruments.  The fair value for borrowed money is based on discounted cash flows using current interest rates.  The fair value of off-balance sheet financial instruments is not considered to be material, so they are not included in the following table.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.  The estimates are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows.  These estimates may differ substantially from amounts that could be realized in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. The Company has used management’s best estimates of fair values of financial instruments based on the above assumptions.  This presentation does not include certain financial instruments, nonfinancial instruments or certain intangible assets such as customer relationships, deposit base intangibles, or goodwill.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

The estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:

 
15

 


   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 8,223     $ 8,223     $ 8,925     $ 8,925  
Interest-earning bank balances
    101,723       101,723       44,255       44,255  
Investment securities
    97,678       98,443       83,370       83,266  
Loans
    776,234       779,857       610,201       596,371  
Accrued interest receivable
    3,405       3,405       2,430       2,430  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    6,397       6,397       4,149       4,149  
                                 
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
    853,526       846,116       609,345       610,787  
Borrowed money and subordinated debt
    104,850       114,670       97,629       93,039  
Retail repurchase agreements
    9,765       9,765       8,970       8,970  

Note 14 – Subsequent Events

On July 26, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and declared a regular cash dividend of four cents ($0.04) per share of common stock to stockholders of record as of August 1, 2010, payable on August 15, 2010. The Company has paid cash dividends in each of the 49 quarters since the Company’s conversion to public ownership.
 
ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors

In addition to those risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, we add the following risk factors.

Financial reform legislation recently enacted will, among other things, create a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tighten capital standards and result in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations.

On July 21, 2010 the President signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impacts of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years.

The Dodd-Frank Act provides that the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) will cease to exist one year from the date of the new law’s enactment. All functions of OTS relating to federal savings associations, and all rulemaking authority for federal and state savings associations, will be transferred to Office of Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”).  All functions of OTS – other than rulemaking – with respect to state savings associations, such as the Bank, will be transferred to FDIC.  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) will supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies that were formerly regulated by the OTS.  Savings and loan holding companies, such as the Company, will be subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements

 
16

 

imposed on bank holding companies by the FRB; currently savings and loan holding companies do not have minimum regulatory capital requirements.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires minimum leverage (Tier 1) and risk based capital requirements for bank and savings and loan holding companies that are no less than those applicable to banks, which will exclude certain instruments that previously have been eligible for inclusion by bank holding companies as Tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities (“TPS”).  TPS issued before May 19, 2010 by a bank holding company that had total assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009 are permanently grandfathered.

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.

Effective one year after the date of enactment is a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that eliminates the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse impact on our interest expense.

The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012.  The legislation also increases the required minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund, from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits, and directs the FDIC to offset the effects of increased assessments on depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets.

The Dodd-Frank Act will require publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. It also provides that the listing standards of the national securities exchanges shall require listed companies to implement and disclose “clawback” policies mandating the recovery of incentive compensation paid to executive officers in connection with accounting restatements. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives.

It is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs and could increase our interest expense.



 
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ITEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Statements

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control.  These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change based on changes in the economic and competitive environment in which we operate.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company is under no duty to update these forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  A number of factors could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements.   Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the timing and amount of revenues that may be recognized by the Company, changes in local or national economic trends, increased competition among depository and financial institutions, continuation of current revenue and expense trends (including trends affecting chargeoffs and provisions for loan losses), changes in interest rates, changes in the shape of the yield curve, changes in the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs, changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements, the level of future deposit premium assessments, our ability to raise capital to fund our growth plans or operations, the impact of the current governmental effort to restructure the U.S. financial and regulatory system, the quality and composition of the Company’s investment portfolio, our ability to integrate the operations of Bank of Hiawassee, our fair value estimates and resulting gain on the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee and adverse legal, regulatory or accounting changes. Because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements.    Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

Executive Summary

Citizens South Banking Corporation is a Delaware corporation that owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Citizens South Bank (the "Bank").  The Company’s principal business activities are overseeing and directing the business of the Bank. The Company’s assets consist primarily of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank, deposits held at the Bank, and investment securities. The shares of common stock of the Company trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “CSBC.”  Citizens South Bank, which was chartered in 1904, is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Gastonia, North Carolina.  The Bank’s principal business activity is offering FDIC-insured deposits to local customers through its 21 branch offices and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in residential and nonresidential real estate loans, construction loans, commercial business loans, consumer loans, investment securities, and mortgage-backed securities.  The Bank also acts as a broker in the origination of loans secured by one-to-four family dwellings and sells uninsured financial products through a third party. The Bank’s results of operations are heavily dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans and securities and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings.  Results of operations are also materially affected by the Bank’s provision for loan losses, noninterest income, and noninterest expense.  Noninterest income includes fee income generated from deposit and loan accounts, mortgage banking fees, increases in the cash value of bank-owned life insurance policies, net gains (losses) from the sale of assets and other noninterest income items.  The Bank’s noninterest expense primarily consists of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy expense, professional services, amortization of intangible assets, FDIC deposit insurance premiums and other noninterest expenses.  Results of operations are also significantly affected by local economic and competitive conditions, changes in interest rates, and actions of regulatory and governmental authorities.

The following discussion is provided to assist in understanding and evaluating the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and is designed to provide a general overview of the Company’s performance for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.  Readers seeking a more in-depth analysis should
 
 
 
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read the detailed discussions below, as well as the consolidated financial statements and related notes.  Financial highlights for the comparable periods are presented in the following table.
 
Quarterly Financial Highlights (unaudited)
2010
   
2009
 
 
At and For the Quarters Ended
 
 
June 30
   
March 31
   
December 31
   
September 30
   
June 30
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                           
                             
Summary of Operations:
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Interest income - taxable equivalent
$ 12,220     $ 9,167     $ 9,317     $ 9,620     $ 9,820  
Interest expense
  4,083       3,393       3,531       3,947       4,346  
Net interest income - taxable equivalent
  8,137       5,774       5,786       5,673       5,474  
Less: Taxable-equivalent adjustment
  114       98       106       139       142  
Net interest income
  8,023       5,676       5,680       5,534       5,332  
Provision for loan losses
  3,000       3,050       4,155       3,975       1,950  
Net interest income after loan loss provision
  5,023       2,626       1,525       1,559       3,382  
Noninterest income
  2,503       20,228       2,451       2,501       2,016  
Noninterest expense
  7,279       6,356       34,867       5,229       5,239  
Net income (loss) before income taxes
  247       16,498       (30,891 )     (1,169 )     159  
Income tax expense (benefit)
  (108 )     6,201       (611 )     (672 )     (155 )
Net income (loss)
  355       10,297       (30,280 )     (497 )     314  
Dividends on preferred stock
  257       257       259       262       259  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
$ 98     $ 10,040     $ (30,539 )   $ (759 )   $ 55  
                                       
Per Common Share Data:
                                     
Net income:
                                     
  Basic
$ 0.01     $ 1.29     $ (4.11 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.01  
  Diluted
  0.01       1.29       (4.11 )     (0.10 )     0.01  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                                     
  Basic
  9,077,042       7,786,819       7,426,992       7,419,206       7,404,218  
  Diluted
  9,077,042       7,786,819       7,426,992       7,419,206       7,404,218  
End of period shares outstanding
  10,965,941       9,125,942       7,526,854       7,526,854       7,526,854  
Cash dividends declared
$ 0.04     $ 0.04     $ 0.04     $ 0.04     $ 0.04  
Book value
  6.91       7.39       6.87       11.08       11.11  
Tangible book value
  6.73       7.16       6.80       7.06       7.07  
                                       
End of Period Balances:
                                     
Total assets
$ 1,077,431     $ 1,132,652     $ 791,532     $ 820,608     $ 836,283  
Loans, net of deferred fees
  776,234       787,643       610,201       616,793       629,962  
Investment securities
  97,678       100,161       83,369       90,174       97,452  
Interest-earning assets
  927,757       987,669       725,835       734,938       751,733  
Deposits
  853,526       884,127       609,345       606,614       616,233  
Stockholders' equity
  96,410       96,390       72,322       103,990       104,158  
                                       
Quarterly Average Balances:
                                     
Total assets
$ 1,105,788     $ 873,418     $ 823,608     $ 831,268     $ 841,169  
Loans, net of deferred fees
  780,209       599,826       610,568       624,112       635,645  
Investment securities
  100,501       89,020       87,061       94,673       107,140  
Interest-earning assets
  949,130       732,124       736,134       741,974       751,381  
Deposits
  859,408       614,007       605,608       609,243       616,926  
Stockholders' equity
  96,282       78,292       103,313       103,913       104,813  
                                       
Financial Performance Ratios (annualized):
                                     
Return on average assets
  0.04 %     4.66 %     -14.71 %     -0.36 %     0.03 %
Return on average common equity
  0.56 %     73.21 %     -146.44 %     -3.61 %     0.26 %
Noninterest income to average total assets  (1)
  0.91 %     9.26 %     1.19 %     1.20 %     0.96 %
Noninterest expense to average total assets (2)
  2.63 %     2.91 %     16.93 %     2.52 %     2.49 %
Efficiency ratio  (1) (2)
  68.41 %     24.44 %     423.30 %     63.97 %     69.95 %

 
19

 
 
 
Quarterly Financial Highlights (unaudited)
 
2010
   
2009
 
   
At and For the Quarters Ended
 
   
June 30
   
March 31
   
December 31
   
September 30
   
June 30
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                             
                               
Net Interest Margin (annualized):
                             
Yield on earning assets
    4.96 %     5.02 %     4.98 %     5.13 %     5.26 %
Cost of funds
    1.72 %     2.01 %     2.09 %     2.30 %     2.54 %
Net Interest spread
    3.24 %     3.01 %     2.89 %     2.83 %     2.72 %
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent)
    3.34 %     3.20 %     3.12 %     3.03 %     2.92 %
                                         
Credit Quality Information and Ratios:
                                       
Past due loans (30-89 days) accruing - non-covered
  $ 10,145     $ 7,003     $ 10,224     $ 10,860     $ 9,706  
Past due loans - non-covered to total non-covered loans
    1.68 %     1.15 %     1.68 %     1.76 %     1.54 %
                                         
Past due loans (30-89 days) accruing - covered by FDIC loss-
share (3)
  $ 5,257     $ 11,030       -       -       -  
Past due loans - covered to total covered loans
    3.07 %     6.09 %     -       -       -  
                                         
Allowance for loan losses - beginning of period
  $ 9,230     $ 9,189     $ 9,499     $ 8,685     $ 8,730  
Add:  Provision for loan losses
    3,000       3,050       4,155       3,975       1,950  
Less:  Net charge-offs (NCOs)
    2,434       3,009       4,465       3,161       1,995  
Allowance for loan losses - end of period
    9,796       9,230       9,189       9,499       8,685  
 
                                       
Allowance for loan losses to total non-covered loans
    1.62 %     1.52 %     1.51 %     1.54 %     1.38 %
Net charge-offs to average non-covered loans (annualized)
    1.61 %     1.98 %     2.93 %     2.04 %     1.28 %
Nonperforming non-covered loans to non-covered loans
    2.15 %     2.26 %     1.96 %     1.73 %     1.64 %
Nonperforming non-covered assets to total assets
    1.97 %     1.69 %     2.15 %     1.72 %     1.49 %
Nonperforming non-covered assets to total non-covered loans
and other real estate owned
    3.46 %     3.12 %     2.77 %     2.28 %     1.97 %
                                         
Nonperforming Assets (NPAs):
                                       
Nonperforming loans:
                                       
Non-covered loans:
                                       
  Residential
  $ 1,646     $ 1,618     $ 898     $ 345     $ 432  
  Construction
    896       443       1,048       1,554       1,335  
  Acquisition and development
    691       2,890       3,419       3,510       379  
  Commercial land
    3,252       6,148       3,640       1,884       1,813  
  Other commercial real estate
    4,127       1,422       1,841       2,197       5,307  
  Commercial business
    742       131       140       -       94  
  Consumer
    1,652       1,083       1,004       1,208       1,000  
Total non-covered nonperforming loans
    13,006       13,735       11,990       10,698       10,360  
Total nonperforming loans covered by FDIC loss-share  (4)
    24,924       15,846       -       -       -  
Other real estate owned - non-covered
    8,239       5,386       5,067       3,444       2,111  
Other real estate owned - covered by FDIC loss share
    2,343       2,009       -       -       -  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 48,512     $ 36,976     $ 17,057     $ 14,142     $ 12,471  
                                         
Capital Ratios:
                                       
Tangible common equity
    6.86 %     5.78 %     6.47 %     6.72 %     6.61 %
Total Risk-Based Capital (Bank only)
    16.78 %     15.53 %     14.07 %     14.68 %     14.31 %
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (Bank only)
    15.52 %     14.47 %     12.98 %     13.53 %     13.27 %
Tier 1 Total Capital (Bank only)
    9.74 %     9.18 %     10.44 %     10.70 %     10.35 %
                                         
 
(1) 
Includes the gain on acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee of $605,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and $18.7 million for the quarterended March 31, 2010.
(2) 
Includes the acquisition and integration expenses of $94,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and $787,000 for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2010 and $29.6 million impairment of goodwill for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.
(3) 
The contractual balance of past due loans covered by  FDIC loss-share agreements totaled $6.4 million at June 30, 2010 and $13.8 millionat March 31, 2010.
(4) 
The contractual balance of nonperforming loans covered by  FDIC loss-share agreements totaled $35.4 million at June 30, 2010 and $29.0 millionat March 31, 2010.
 
 
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Critical Accounting Policies

The accounting and financial policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices in the banking industry.  We consider accounting policies that require significant judgment and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies.  Changes in underlying factors, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations.  Based on the size of the item or significance of the estimate, we have identified three policies as being more sensitive in terms of judgments and estimates – 1) the allowance for loan losses, 2) other-than-temporary impairment of securities, and 3) the valuation of acquired loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb estimated probable loan losses inherent in the Bank’s non-covered loan portfolio at the measurement date. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on quarterly evaluations of the loan portfolio and other relevant factors.  However, this evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires an estimate of the loss for each type of loan and for each impaired loan, an estimate of the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows, and an estimate of the value of the collateral. Management has established a systematic method for periodically evaluating the credit quality of the loan portfolio in order to establish an allowance for loan losses.  The methodology is set forth in a formal policy and includes a review of all loans in the portfolio on which full collectability may or may not be reasonably assured.  The loan review considers among other matters, the estimated fair value of the collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, our knowledge of inherent losses in the portfolio that are probable and reasonably estimable and other factors that warrant recognition in providing an appropriate loan loss allowance.  Specific allowances are established for certain individual loans that management considers impaired.  The remainder of the portfolio is segmented into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics for evaluation and analysis.  In originating loans, we recognize that losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower, the term of the loan, general economic conditions, and in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the collateral.  We increase our allowance for loan losses by charging provisions for loan losses against our current period income.  Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is consistently applied and is based on our past loan loss experience, particular risks inherent in the different kinds of lending that we engage in, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic conditions, and other relevant internal and external factors that affect loan collectability.  Management believes this is a critical accounting policy because this evaluation involves a high degree of complexity and requires us to make subjective judgments that often require assumptions or estimates about various matters.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities.  On at least a quarterly basis management reviews all investment securities with significant declines in fair value for potential other-than-temporary impairment.  The fair value of the investment securities is obtained from an independent third party that specializes in investment security valuation and accounting.  Using this information, management evaluated the Company’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2010 and determined that all other unrealized losses were the direct result of temporary changes in interest rates and that such losses may be recovered in the foreseeable future.  The Company has the ability to hold these investments to maturity if necessary in order to recover any temporary losses that may presently exist.  As a result, management did not consider any unrealized losses as “other-than-temporary” as of June 30, 2010.

Effective June 30, 2009, management evaluated the Company’s investment portfolio and determined that the $91,000 impairment on its equity investment in the Company’s correspondent bank was other-than-temporary. The correspondent bank had been placed into receivership by the FDIC, resulting in a permanent impairment on the Company’s entire equity investment in the correspondent bank.

Fair Value of Acquired Loans.  The initial fair value of loans acquired in the March 19, 2010, FDIC-assisted acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee and the related FDIC loss-share receivable involved a high degree of judgment and complexity.  The carrying value of the acquired loans and the FDIC receivable reflect management’s best estimate based on information available at the time of the acquisition.  The amount we actually receive on these loans could

 
21

 
differ materially from the carrying value reflected in the financial statements based upon the timing and collections on the acquired loans in the future.  To the extent that actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the initial estimates, the FDIC loss-share receivable will generally be impacted in an offsetting manner due to the nature of the FDIC loss-share agreements.
 
Comparison of Financial Condition

Assets.  Total assets of the Company increased by $285.9 million, or 36.1%, from $791.5 million at December 31, 2009, to $1.1 billion at June 30, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee on March 19, 2010, which included $343.3 million in total assets at fair value as described in further detail in Note 3 of this report.
 
Total cash and cash equivalents, which include cash and due from banks, interest-earning bank balances and federal funds sold, increased by $56.7 million from $53.2 million at December 31, 2009, to $109.9 million at June 30, 2010. This increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily attributable to the $66.4 million paid by the FDIC to the Company as a part of the acquisition of the Bank of Hiawassee.  This payment by the FDIC represented the $35.3 million difference between the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the Company’s $31.1 million negative bid, net of a 1% deposit premium paid, for the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee.  In addition, the Company sold $15 million of common stock during the six-month period and acquired $28.7 million in cash from Bank of Hiawassee.  This excess liquidity was being held in the Company’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank.  Management expects that a large portion of these low-yielding deposits will be invested in higher-yielding loans and investments over the next several quarters.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, loans receivable increased by $166.0 million, or 27.2%, to $776.2 million.  This increase in loans was due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee that included $171.0 million of loans at June 30, 2010.  Excluding the loans acquired in the Bank of Hiawassee transaction, the Company’s total loans decreased by $5.0 million.  This decrease was primarily due to reduced loan demand in the Company’s primary lending area and management’s efforts to reduce exposures in its construction and residential acquisition and development portfolios.  As a result of these efforts, speculative residential construction loans decreased by $3.9 million, or 35.6%, and acquisition and development loans decreased by $6.7 million, or 18.7%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2010.  The Company remains focused on originating owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, commercial small business loans and consumer loans to qualified borrowers.

A majority of the Company’s loans are to borrowers that are located in the Charlotte region.  While the economy in the Charlotte region has generally outperformed most other large metropolitan areas of the country during the ongoing economic slowdown, the economy in the Charlotte region remains slow in 2010.  As a result, the Company’s loan production slowed to $47.0 million during the first six months of 2010 as compared to $75.7 million during the first six months of 2009.  The Company’s expansion into the North Georgia market will allow us to geographically diversify our loan portfolio.  Although the North Georgia market has sustained significant decreases in real estate values over the past two years, management believes that when economic conditions normalize, this new market will be able to provide additional loan growth for the Company’s loan portfolio. While continued economic slowdowns in the local markets that we serve would have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to generate loan growth, management will seek to grow the loan portfolio in a prudent manner with an emphasis on borrowers that have a demonstrated capacity to meet their debt obligations, even if the local economies continue to slow.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, investment securities increased by $14.3 million, or 17.2%, to $97.7 million.  The increase was due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee which added $22.3 million of investment securities.  These acquired securities consisted of U.S. Government agency bonds, U.S. government issued mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds, which are comparable to the types of investment securities that were in the Company’s existing investment portfolio.  During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, the Company sold $22.1 million of investment securities and experienced normal maturities and principal amortization of $26.8 million. Also, during the six-month period, the Company purchased $40.3 million of investments securities, excluding the $22.3 million acquired from Bank of Hiawassee.  The sales of investment securities during the period

 
22

 
were primarily due to a restructuring of the investment portfolio in an effort to reduce potential interest rate risk in a rising interest rate environment.  Management expects the investment portfolio to increase as a percentage of total assets over the next 12 months as the Bank’s excess liquidity is invested in higher-yielding assets.
 
Other real estate owned, which includes all properties acquired by the Company through foreclosure, totaled $10.6 million at June 30, 2010, compared to $5.1 million at December 31, 2009.   Of the $10.6 million of other real estate owned at June 30, 2010, $2.3 million are covered by FDIC loss-share agreements.  The remaining $8.3 million of non-covered other real estate owned consisted of 15 one-to-four family residential dwellings, 27 residential lots and parcels of commercial land, and four commercial office buildings.  All foreclosed properties are written down to their estimated fair value (market value less estimated disposition costs) at acquisition and are located in the Bank’s primary lending area.  Management will continue to aggressively market foreclosed properties for a timely disposition.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, premises and equipment remained flat at $15.5 million.  During the six months of 2010, the Company recognized normal depreciation of $520,000 on its premises and equipment.  This depreciation was largely offset by the purchase of furniture and equipment for the Company’s new full-service leased office in Indian Trail, North Carolina.  This new office replaced the previous leased full-service office in Stallings, North Carolina.  As part of the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee, the Company has a 90-day option from the acquisition date to purchase the acquired bank’s existing four full-service offices and its operations center along with the existing premises and equipment which had a book balance of $10.8 million at the time of the acquisition.  The Company and the FDIC have agreed on the fair market value of the properties and are in the process of finalizing the acquisition of the Bank of Hiawassee’s four branch offices and related furniture and equipment. The Company also assumed the lease for the Bank of Hiawassee’s fifth branch office.

Liabilities. Total liabilities increased by $261.8 million, or 36.4%, from $719.2 million at December 31, 2009, to $981.0 million at June 30, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee that added total liabilities of $313.8 at acquisition date.

During the first six months of 2010, total deposits increased by $244.2 million, or 40.1%, to $853.5 million at June 30, 2010. This increase in deposits was primarily fueled by the $274.0 million in deposits assumed by Bank of Hiawassee during the first quarter of 2010.  Total core deposits increased by $7.1 million, or 2.5%, excluding the deposits assumed in the Bank of Hiawassee transaction. This core deposit growth, separate from the acquisition, included a $4.3 million increase in demand deposits, a $1.8 million increase in money market accounts, and a $1.0 million increase in savings accounts.   We believe our core deposit growth was partly due to a flight to safety as funds moved from weaker financial institutions and brokerage accounts as well as a continued emphasis on increasing the Company’s number of retail and business customers through employee incentive plans and enhanced treasury service products.  The growth in core deposits was partly offset by a $12.1 million, or 3.8%, decrease in time deposits during the six-month period.  This decrease was partly due to some above-market pricing by some local competitors.  The Company will continue to actively market the Company’s deposit products at pricing points that management believes to be profitable. Management has always focused on increasing deposits by building customer relationships and typically avoids growing deposits by offering the highest rates in the market.   While the Company does not actively solicit or obtain brokered deposits, this is an alternative funding source that may be used from time to time for additional loan growth or liquidity needs. At June 30, 2010, brokered deposits totaled $99,000.  This deposit was assumed in a previous acquisition.
 
During the first half of 2010 borrowed money increased by $8.0 million, or 7.5%, to $114.6 million at June 30, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to $31.6 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances that were assumed in the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  The Company repaid $12.5 million of the FHLB advances assumed in the Bank of Hiawassee transaction in the second quarter of 2010.  The Company plans to use excess liquidity to repay these FHLB advances as they mature.  From time to time additional borrowed money may be used to fund additional loan growth, or to purchase investment securities.

 
23

 
 
Stockholders’ Equity.  Total stockholders’ equity increased by $24.1 million, or 33.3%, from $72.3 million at December 31, 2009, to $96.4 million at June 30, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to net income of $10.1 million during the first six months of 2010 and the issuance of $14.0 million of common stock.  These increases were partly offset by the payment of $734,000 in dividends on common stock.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

General.  Net income available to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2010, amounted to $98,000, or $.01 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $55,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in net income was largely related to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee which contributed to a $2.7 million, or 50.5%, increase in net interest income and a $605,000 pre-tax gain on the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee.  Partly offsetting these increases were a $1.0 million increase in the loan loss provision arising as a result of a slowing local economy and a $2.0 million, or 39.0%, increase in noninterest expenses resulting from operating the Bank of Hiawassee offices.
 
Net interest income.  Net interest income increased by $2.7 million, or 50.5%, to $8.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 as compared to $5.3 million second quarter of 2009. The Company’s net interest margin increased by 42 basis points to 3.34% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to 2.92% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.  This increase in the net interest margin was the result of the cost of funds falling at a faster rate than the yield on assets. On a linked-quarter basis, the Company’s net interest margin increased by 14 basis points from 3.20% for the first quarter of 2010 to 3.34% for the second quarter of 2010.  While the Company maintains a relatively neutral interest rate risk position on a cumulative one-year basis, the Federal Reserve Board’s action to lower short-term interest rates by 200 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2008 had a more pronounced negative impact in the first three months following the decrease.  The short-term negative effects of this decrease in short-term interest rates have been mostly offset by time deposits that matured over the next 12 months and repriced at a lower cost to the Company.  As a result, the Company’s net interest margin has increased for five consecutive quarters.

Interest income increased by $2.4 million, or 25.1%, to $12.1 million for the second quarter of 2010, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee which included $183.2 million of loans and $22.3 of investment securities. As a result, average interest-earning assets increased by $197.7 million during the comparable quarters to $949.1 million for the second quarter of 2010.  The positive effects of the increase in interest-earning assets was partly offset by a 30 basis point decrease in the average yield on earning assets during the respective periods to 4.96% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The decrease in yield was largely due to lower market rates and higher levels of lower-yielding liquid assets held during the second quarter of 2010.

Interest expense decreased by $263,000, or 6.1%, for the comparable periods to $4.1 million for the second quarter of 2010.  This decrease in interest expense was largely due to lower market interest rates, which resulted in an 82 basis point decrease in the average cost of funds to 1.72% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The decrease in cost of funds offset the $239.0 million increase in the average interest-bearing liabilities to $924.1 million for the second quarter of 2010.  This change in interest-bearing liabilities included a $217.4 million increase in average interest-bearing deposits and a $21.5 increase in average borrowings.
 
Provision for loan losses.  Due to the general weakness in the local economy and an increase in nonperforming assets, the Company increased its provision for loan losses to $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2009.  As a result, the allowance for loan losses was $9.8 million, or 1.62% of total loans, as of June 30, 2010, compared to $8.7 million, or 1.38% of total loans, as of June 30, 2009.  While the Company’s credit quality continues to compare favorably with industry peers, the continued decline in local economic conditions has resulted in an upward trend in the Company’s loan delinquency ratios.   The Company’s ratio of nonperforming non-covered assets to total assets increased from 1.49% at June 30, 2009, to 1.97% at June 30, 2010. A substantial portion of the Company’s nonperforming non-covered loans at June 30, 2010, was secured by real estate located in the Company’s normal lending market.  Net chargeoffs of non-covered loans totaled $2.4 million, or 1.61% of average non-covered loans annualized, during the second quarter of 2010 compared to $2.0 million, or 1.28% of average non-covered loans, during the second quarter of 2009. Based on minor improvements in
 
 
24

 
the local economy, management believes that its problem loans are manageable.  However, management expects that the Company will continue to experience larger than normal loan loss provisions for the remainder of 2010 and possibly beyond.
 
Noninterest income.  Noninterest income increased by $487,000 to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The following table presents the detail for the three-month periods ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009.

   
Three Months Ended
       
   
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
   
Variance
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Noninterest income:
                 
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 971     $ 822     $ 149  
Mortgage banking income
    357       462       (105 )
Other loan fees
    88       80       8  
Commissions on sales of financial products
    188       39       149  
Income from bank-owned life insurance
    243       182       61  
Gain from acquisition
    605       -       605  
Gain on sale of investments
    10       308       (298 )
Loss on sale of other assets
    (203 )     (73 )     (130 )
Other income
    244       196       48  
Total noninterest income
  $ 2,503     $ 2,016     $ 487  
 
Most of the increases in noninterest income were largely attributable to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee.  Service charges on deposit accounts was higher due to the increased number of demand deposit accounts which generate monthly service charges and non-sufficient (“NSFs”) funds fees on overdrafts. However, recent legislation limiting the assessment of NSF fees from overdrafts generated from debit cards beginning in the third quarter of 2010 will have an adverse impact on future fee income on deposit accounts.  The Company is working to lessen the negative impact of this legislation by asking customers to “opt-in” to allowing overdrafts on their debit cards.  Mortgage banking income was lower in the second quarter of 2010.  However, substantial decreases in long-term residential interest rates toward the end of the second quarter resulted in increased mortgage activity and fee income. Commissions on sales of financial products were higher largely due to increased activity and additional fees generated from Bank of Hiawassee.  Income from bank-owned life insurance increased due to improved performance of the life insurance policies.  The gain on acquisition was an adjustment to the $18.7 million gain that was booked in the first quarter of 2010 as a result of the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee.  This gain may be adjusted for a period of up to one year as additional information about the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is received. The gain on sale of investments was lower during the second quarter of 2010, due to the fact that there were fewer investments sold at a gain as compared to the second quarter of 2009.  During the second quarter of 2010, the Company sold $12.7 investment securities compared to the sale of $21.5 million in investment securities during the second quarter of 2009.  These sales were primarily for the purpose of shortening the duration of the investment portfolio and reduce the adverse effects on rising rates on the Company’s equity position.  Other income increased primarily due to an increase in the fair value adjustment on deferred compensation assets, which is directly offset by a corresponding decrease in noninterest expense, resulting in no net impact on earnings and additional income generated from the Bank of Hiawassee.

Noninterest expense.  Noninterest expense increased by $2.0 million, or 38.9%, to $7.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The following table presents the detail of noninterest expense for the three-month periods ending June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009.
 

 
 
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Three Months Ended
       
   
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
   
Variance
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Noninterest Expense:
                 
Compensation and benefits
  $ 3,652     $ 2,526     $ 1,126  
Occupancy and equipment expense
    1,039       652       387  
Advertising
    93       110       (17 )
Professional services
    233       237       (4 )
Data processing
    190       131       59  
Deposit insurance
    354       491       (137 )
Amortization of intangible assets
    154       81       73  
Valuation adjustment on other real estate owned
    210       50       160  
Impairment on investment securities
    -       91       (91 )
Acquisition and integration expenses
    94       -       94  
Other expenses
    1,260       870       390  
Total noninterest expense
  $ 7,279     $ 5,239     $ 2,040  
 
The primary reason for the increases in noninterest expense was the acquisition and integration of Bank of Hiawassee.  Compensation and benefits increased due to the increased number of employees resulting from the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  The Company will consolidate the data processing and back office functions of the Bank of Hiawassee into the existing Citizens South Bank systems which will result in a reduction of employees during the third quarter of 2010.  Occupancy and equipment expense also increased due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee which added five branch offices and an operations center.  These offices are currently leased from the FDIC.  The Company plans to purchase the existing branch offices and related equipment from the FDIC during the third quarter of 2010.  Data processing increased due to the operation of two separate data processing systems resulting from the acquisition.  The acquired data processing system is expected to be converted into the existing data processing system in the third quarter of 2010.  Deposit insurance decreased during the second quarter of 2010 due to the fact that the Company was charged a special assessment of $380,000 during the second quarter of 2009.  The FDIC charged all FDIC-insured institutions a special assessment of five basis points on total assets as of June 30, 2009, in order to recapitalize the insurance fund.  Amortization of intangible assets was higher due to the amortization expense related to the $1.6 million core deposit intangible that was created as a result of the acquisition.  This intangible asset is being amortized over an eight-year period using the accelerated method.  The increased number of foreclosed properties and the lower real estate values resulted in the increased valuation adjustment on other real estate owned.  Acquisition and integration expenses were related to costs associated with the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  Other expenses increased primarily as a result of higher collection costs and expenses associated with the Company’s other real estate owned.  These expenses include the payment of delinquent taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

Income taxes.  The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $108,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to a benefit of $155,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease in the benefit was largely due to the fact that a smaller portion of the Company’s income was generated from tax-advantaged sources.  The Company generates nontaxable income from interest earned on bank-qualified municipal securities and loans and increases in cash value on bank-owned life insurance policies in order to reduce its overall tax burden.  However, as the Company continues to increase the amount of income derived from interest income on loans and fee income on loans and deposits, the effective tax rate will increase.






 
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Comparison of Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

General.  Net income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010, amounted to $10.1 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $258,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  This increase was largely due to a $19.3 million pre-tax gain on the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee, which resulted in an after-tax gain of $11.9 million for the first six months of 2010.  Partly offsetting this gain was a $3.2 million increase in the loan loss provision arising as a result of a slowing local economy and $881,000 of expenses related to the acquisition and integration of the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  Also, the results of operations include the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Bank of Hiawassee following the March 19, 2010, acquisition date.

Net interest income.  Net interest income increased by $3.4 million, or 32.8%, to $13.7 million for the first six months of 2010 as compared to $10.3 million for the first six months of 2009. The Company’s net interest margin increased by 47 basis points to 3.34% for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to 2.87% for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  This increase in the net interest margin was the result of the cost of funds falling at a faster rate than the yield on assets. While the Company maintains a relatively neutral interest rate risk position on a cumulative one-year basis, the Federal Reserve Board’s action to lower short-term interest rates by 200 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2008 had a more pronounced negative impact in the first six months following the decrease.  The short-term negative effects of this decrease in short-term interest rates have been mostly offset by time deposits that matured over the next 12 months and repriced at a lower cost to the Company.  As a result, the Company’s net interest margin has increased for five consecutive quarters.

Interest income increased by $1.8 million, or 9.4%, to $21.2 million for the first six months of 2010, primarily as a result of the increased interest-earning assets acquired in the Bank of Hiawassee transaction which was partly offset by a decrease in short-term market interest rates.  The Company’s average interest-earning assets increased by $94.7 million, or 12.7%, to $840.6 million largely due to the acquisition.  Partly offsetting the effects of the increase in average interest-earning assets, the Company’s average yield on interest-earning assets decreased by 33 basis points over the comparable periods to 4.99% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Interest expense decreased by $1.6 million, or 17.4%, for the comparable periods to $7.5 million for the first six months of 2010.  This decrease in interest expense was largely due to lower market interest rates, which resulted in an 85 basis point decrease in the average cost of funds to 1.87% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  Partly offsetting the positive effects of lower cost of funds, the Company’s average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $119.6 million, or 17.6%, to $798.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased primarily as a result of the acquisition.

Provision for loan losses.  Due to the general weakness in the local economy and an increase in nonperforming assets, the Company increased its provision for loan losses to $6.1 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to $2.9 million for the first six months of 2009.  As a result, the allowance for loan losses was $9.8 million, or 1.62% of total loans, as of June 30, 2010, compared to $8.7 million, or 1.38% of total loans, as of June 30, 2009.  While the Company’s credit quality continues to compare favorably with industry peers, the continued decline in local economic conditions has resulted in an upward trend in the Company’s loan delinquency ratios.   The Company’s ratio of nonperforming non-covered assets to total assets increased from 1.49% at June 30, 2009, to 1.97% at June 30, 2010. A substantial portion of the Company’s nonperforming non-covered loans at June 30, 2010, was secured by real estate located in the Company’s normal lending market.  Net chargeoffs of non-covered loans totaled $2.4 million, or 1.61% of average non-covered loans annualized, during the first six months of 2010 compared to $2.0 million, or 1.28% of average non-covered loans, during the first six months of 2009. Based on minor improvements in the local economy, management believes that its problem loans are manageable.  However, management expects that the Company will continue to experience larger than normal loan loss provisions for the remainder of 2010 and possibly beyond.
 
 
27

 
Noninterest income.  Noninterest income increased by $19.4 million to $22.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The following table presents the detail of noninterest income for the six-month periods ending June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009.
 
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
   
Variance
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Noninterest income:
                 
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 1,761     $ 1,569     $ 192  
Mortgage banking income
    567       760       (193 )
Other loan fees
    131       138       (7 )
Commissions on sales of financial products
    306       94       212  
Income from bank-owned life insurance
    432       368       64  
Gain from acquisition
    19,338       -       19,338  
Gain on sale of investments
    44       308       (264 )
Loss on sale of other assets
    (266 )     (244 )     (22 )
Other income
    418       272       146  
Total noninterest income
  $ 22,731     $ 3,265     $ 19,466  
 
The increases in noninterest income were largely attributable to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee.  Service charges on deposit accounts was higher due to the increased number of demand deposit accounts which generate monthly service charges and non-sufficient (“NSFs”) funds fees on overdrafts. However, recent legislation limiting the assessment of NSF fees from overdrafts generated from debit cards beginning in the third quarter of 2010 will have an adverse impact on future fee income on deposit accounts.  The Company is working to lessen the negative impact of this legislation by asking customers to “opt-in” to allowing overdrafts on their debit cards.  Mortgage banking income was lower in the first half of 2010.  However, substantial decreases in long-term mortgage interest rates toward the end of the first half of 2010 resulted in increased mortgage activity and fee income. Commissions on sales of financial products were higher largely due to increased activity and additional fees generated from Bank of Hiawassee.  Income from bank-owned life insurance increased due to improved performance of the life insurance policies.  The gain on acquisition was due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee in the first quarter of 2010.  This gain may be adjusted for a period of up to one year as additional information about the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is received. The gain on sale of investments was lower during the first half of 2010 due to the fact that the investments sold during the first half of 2009 had larger gains than those investment securities sold during the first half of 2010.  During the first half of 2010, the Company sold $22.1 million of investment securities compared to the sale of $21.6 million in investment securities during the first half of 2009.  These sales were primarily for the purpose of shortening the duration of the investment portfolio and reduce the adverse effects on rising rates on the Company’s equity position.  Other income increased primarily due to an increase in the fair value adjustment on deferred compensation assets, which is directly offset by a corresponding decrease in noninterest expense, resulting in no net impact on earnings and additional income generated from the Bank of Hiawassee.

Noninterest expense. Noninterest expense increased by $3.4 million, or 34.0%, to $13.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The following table presents the detail of noninterest expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009.
 

 
 
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Six Months Ended
       
   
June 30, 2010
   
June 30, 2009
   
Variance
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Noninterest Expense:
                 
Compensation and benefits
  $ 6,295     $ 5,018     $ 1,277  
Occupancy and equipment expense
    1,722       1,326       396  
Advertising
    150       188       (38 )
Professional services
    467       474       (7 )
Data processing
    331       259       72  
Deposit insurance
    614       593       21  
Amortization of intangible assets
    218       162       56  
Valuation adjustment on other real estate owned
    694       175       519  
Impairment on investment securities
    -       214       (214 )
Acquisition and integration expenses
    882       -       882  
Other expenses
    2,262       1,767       495  
Total noninterest expense
  $ 13,635     $ 10,176     $ 3,459  
 
The primary reason for the increases in noninterest expense was the acquisition and integration of Bank of Hiawassee.  Compensation and benefits increased due to the increased number of employees resulting from the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  The Company will consolidate the data processing and back office functions of the Bank of Hiawassee into the existing Citizens South Bank systems which will result in a reduction of employees during the third quarter of 2010.  Occupancy and equipment expense also increased due to the acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee which added five branch offices and an operations center.  These offices are currently leased from the FDIC.  The Company plans to purchase the existing branch offices and related equipment from the FDIC during the third quarter of 2010.  Data processing increased due to the operation of two separate data processing systems resulting from the acquisition.  The acquired data processing system is expected to be converted into the existing data processing system in the third quarter of 2010.  Amortization of intangible assets was higher due to the amortization expense related to the $1.6 million core deposit intangible that was created as a result of the acquisition.  This intangible asset is being amortized over an eight-year period using the accelerated method.  The increased number of foreclosed properties and the lower real estate values resulted in the increased valuation adjustment on other real estate owned.  Acquisition and integration expenses were related to costs associated with the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition.  The integration of Bank of Hiawassee is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010.  Other expenses increased primarily as a result of higher collection costs and expenses associated with the Company’s other real estate owned.  These expenses include the payment of delinquent taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

Income taxes. Income taxes amounted to $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to a benefit of $216,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  This increase was largely due to the $16.2 million increase in income before income taxes.  The Company’s effective tax rate for the first six months of 2010 was 36.4%, which is higher than its historical effective tax rate due to the fact that a significant portion of the Company’s income generated during the six-month period was not generated from tax-advantaged sources.  The Company generates nontaxable income from interest earned on bank-qualified municipal securities and loans and increases in cash value on bank-owned life insurance policies in order to reduce its overall tax burden.  However, as the Company continues to increase the amount of income derived from interest income on loans and fee income on loans and deposits, the effective tax rate will increase.

Liquidity

The objectives of the Company’s liquidity management policy include providing adequate funds to meet the cash needs of both borrowers and depositors, to provide for the on-going operations of the Company, and to capitalize on opportunities for expansion.  Liquidity management addresses the Company’s ability to meet deposit withdrawals on demand or at contractual maturity, to repay borrowings as they mature, and to fund new loans and investments as opportunities arise.  The primary sources of internally generated funds are principal and interest

 
29

 
payments on loans receivable, increases in local deposits, cash flows generated from operations, and cash flows generated by investments.  If the Company requires funds beyond its internal funding capabilities, it may rely upon external sources of funds such as brokered deposits, repurchase agreements, and advances.  The Company has $63.8 million available to draw from its line of credit with the FHLB.  The FHLB functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for member financial institutions. As a member of the FHLB, we are required to own capital stock in the FHLB and we are authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of our mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, U.S. Government Agencies, or Government Sponsored Enterprises) provided certain creditworthiness standards have been met. Advances are made pursuant to several different credit programs. Each credit program has its own interest rate and range of maturities. Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based on the financial condition of the member institution and the adequacy of collateral pledged to secure the credit.  The Company also has $16.0 million available from an unsecured federal funds accommodation with Pacific Coast Bankers Bank (“PCBB”).  PCBB is the Company’s primary correspondent bank. The federal funds facility is for a term of 12 months and is used for the purpose of providing daily liquidity as needed by the Company.  Outstanding advances made under this facility are generally repaid on a daily basis at a rate determined by PCBB based on their marginal cost of funds.  Advances are limited to not more than 10 consecutive days at a time.  The Company may also solicit brokered deposits for providing funds for asset growth.  As of June 30, 2010, the Company had outstanding brokered deposits of $99,000, which were acquired  from the acquisition of another financial institution.  The Company believes that it has sufficient sources of liquidity to fund the cash needs of both borrowers and depositors, to provide for the ongoing operations of the Company, and to capitalize on opportunities for expansion.
 
In the normal course of business, various commitments are outstanding that are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.  Commitments to extend credit and undisbursed advances on customer lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  The funding of these commitments and previously approved undisbursed lines of credit could affect the Company's liquidity position.  At June 30, 2010, the Company had loan commitments of $25.8 million, unused lines of credit of $92.6 million, and undisbursed construction loan proceeds of $980,000.  The Company believes that it has adequate resources to fund loan commitments and lines of credit as they arise.  The Company does not have any special purpose entities or other similar forms of off-balance-sheet financing.

Capital Resources

Effective March 17, 2010, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company raised $15.0 million of capital through the sale of 1,490,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $4.50 per share and 8,280 shares of a newly authorized preferred stock designated as Mandatorily Convertible Cumulative, Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, at a purchase price of $1,000 per share.  Effective June 28, 2010, each share of Series B Preferred Stock converted into the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $4.50 per share of common stock, resulting in the issuance of 1,839,999 shares of common stock (see PART II – Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds below for additional details).

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the banking regulatory agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings, and other factors.

The Bank’s actual capital levels and regulatory capital ratios as of June 30, 2010, are presented in the following table.
 
 
 
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Minimum Requirements to
 
   
Actual
   
be Well Capitalized
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Regulatory Capital Ratios:
                       
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 112,714       16.78 %   $ 67,181       10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    104,294       15.52 %     40,309       6.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)
    104,294       9.74 %     53,550       5.00 %
Tangible capital (to adjusted total assets)
    104,294       9.74 %     32,130       3.00 %


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, asset/liability management involves the evaluation, monitoring and management of interest rate risk, liquidity and funding. While the Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the Company’s asset/liability management policies, the Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee monitors loan, investment, and liability portfolios to ensure comprehensive management of interest rate risk and adherence to the Bank’s policies.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  Based upon their evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the quarterly evaluation that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II.  Other Information

Item 1.                      Legal Proceedings

There are various claims and lawsuits in which the Bank is periodically involved incidental to the Company's business.  In the opinion of management, no material loss is expected from any of such pending claims or lawsuits.
 
Item 2.                      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
On March 17, 2010, in the Private Placement, the Company issued and sold 1,490,400 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $4.50 per share and 8,280 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $1,000 per share. The Private Placement was made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and was exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock converted into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $4.50 per share (subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments) effective June 28, 2010, resulting in the issuance of 1,839,999 shares of common stock.

 
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During the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock.  As of June 30, 2010, the Company had 190,524 shares remaining to be repurchased under its most recent stock repurchase plan.  On December 12, 2008, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement with the U.S. Treasury pursuant to which the Company has issued and sold to the U.S. Treasury: (i) 20,500 shares of the Company's Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, having a liquidation amount per share equal to $1,000, for a total price of $20,500,000 and (ii) a warrant to purchase 428,870 shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an exercise price per share of $7.17.  As a condition for issuing the preferred stock, the U.S. Treasury limited the Company’s ability to repurchase common stock of the Company and increase its dividend payments to stockholders without receiving prior approval from the U.S. Treasury.   As a result, future repurchases of Company common stock are not anticipated while the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding.
 
Item 3.                      Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.
 
Item 4.                      {Reserved}
 
Item 5.                      Other Information

None.
 
Item 6.                      Exhibits

31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  Written statement of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  Written statement of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Citizens South Banking Corporation


Date: August 13, 2010                                                                           By:    /s/ Kim S. Price
Kim S. Price
President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: August 13, 2010                                                                           By:    /s/ Gary F. Hoskins
Gary F. Hoskins
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer