1.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(A)

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ECB Bancorp, Inc. (Bancorp) and its wholly owned subsidiary, The East Carolina Bank (the Bank) (collectively referred to hereafter as the Company). The Bank has one wholly-owned subsidiary, ECB Financial Services, Inc., which formerly provided courier services to the Bank but is currently inactive. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

(B)

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, real estate and repossessions acquired in settlement of loans, net and the valuation of the deferred tax asset.

(C)

Business

Bancorp is a bank holding company incorporated in North Carolina on March 4, 1998. The principal activity of Bancorp is ownership of the Bank. The Bank provides financial services through its branch network located in eastern North Carolina. The Bank competes with other financial institutions and numerous other non-financial services commercial entities offering financial services products. The Bank is further subject to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. The Company has no foreign operations, and the Company's customers are principally located in eastern North Carolina.

(D)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand and time deposits (with original maturities of ninety days or less) at other financial institutions and overnight investments. Overnight investments include federal funds sold which are generally outstanding for one-day periods.

(E)

Investment Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as "held to maturity" and recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as "available for sale" and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income.

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment exists, management considers many factors, including (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

(F)

Loans

Loans are generally stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs. Loan origination fees net of certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a yield adjustment over the contractual life of the related loans using the level-yield method.

Impaired loans are defined as those which management believes it is probable we will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, as well as those loans whose terms have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring.

Interest on loans is recorded based on the principal amount outstanding. The Company ceases accruing interest on loans (including impaired loans) when, in management's judgment, the collection of interest appears doubtful or the loan is past due 90 days or more. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Management may return a loan classified as nonaccrual to accrual status when the obligation has been brought current, has performed in accordance with its contractual terms over an extended period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

Troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") are loans in which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the time of restructure, and the Company has granted an economic concession to the borrower. Prior to modifying a borrower's loan terms, the Company performs an evaluation of the borrower's financial condition and ability to service under the potential modified loan terms. The types of concessions generally granted are extensions of the loan maturity date, reductions in the original contractual interest rate and forgiveness of principal. The Company measures the impairment loss of a TDR using the methodology for individually impaired loans. If a loan is accruing at the time of modification, the loan remains on accrual status and is subject to the Company's charge-off and nonaccrual policies. If a loan is on nonaccrual before it is determined to be a TDR then the loan remains on nonaccrual. TDRs may be returned to accrual status if there has been at least a six month sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower.

(G)

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale represent residential real estate loans originated by the mortgage department. Generally, commitments to sell these loans are made after the intent to proceed with mortgage applications are initiated with borrowers, and all necessary components of the loan are approved according to secondary market underwriting by the investor that purchases the loan. Loans held for sale are recorded at fair value when loans are originated and subsequently measured at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing mortgage origination business. The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments and commitments to sell mortgages. The primary risks managed by derivative instruments are these interest rate lock commitments and forward-loan-sale commitments. Interest rate lock commitments are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with the Company's fixed rate loan commitments. The period of time between the issuance of a loan commitment and the closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 10 to 60 days. Such interest rate lock commitments and forward-loan-sale commitments represent derivative instruments which are required to be carried at fair value. These derivative instruments do not qualify as hedges under the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The fair value of the Company's interest rate lock commitments are based on current secondary market pricing and included on the balance sheet in other assets and on the income statement in gain on sale of mortgages. The balance of forward loan sales commitments is deemed insignificant. The gains and losses from the future sales of the mortgages is recognized when the Company, the borrower and the investor enter into the loan contract and the resulting gain or loss is recorded on the consolidated results of operations.

(H)

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses (AFLL) is established through provisions for losses charged against income. Loan amounts deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the AFLL, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The AFLL represents management's estimate of the amount necessary to absorb estimated probable losses in the loan portfolio. Management's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on individual loan reviews, past loan loss experience, economic conditions in the Company's market areas, the fair value and adequacy of underlying collateral, and the growth and loss attributes of the loan portfolio. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. Thus, future changes to the AFLL may be necessary based on the impact of changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company's AFLL. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the AFLL based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

In evaluating the allowance for loan losses, the Company prepares an analysis of its current loan portfolio through the use of historical loss rates, homogeneous risk analysis grouping to include probabilities for loss in each group by risk grade, estimation of years to impairment in each homogeneous grouping, analysis of internal credit processes, past due loan portfolio performance and overall economic conditions, both regionally and nationally.

Historical loss calculations for each homogeneous risk group are based on a three year average loss ratio calculation with the most recent quarter's loss history included in the model. The impact is to more quickly recognize and increase the loss history in a respective grouping. For those groups with little or no loss history, management increases the historical factor through a positive adjustment to more accurately represent current economic conditions and their potential impact on that particular loan group.

Homogeneous loan groups are assigned risk factors based on their perceived loss potential, current economic conditions and on their respective risk ratings. The probability of loss is increased as the risk grade increases within each risk grouping to more accurately reflect the Bank's exposure in that particular group of loans. The Bank utilizes a system of eight possible risk ratings. The risk ratings are established based on perceived probability of loss. Most loans risk rated "substandard", "doubtful" and "loss" are removed from their homogeneous group and individually analyzed for impairment. Some smaller loans risk rated "substandard", "doubtful" and "loss" with balances less than $100 thousand are not removed from their homogeneous group and individually analyzed for impairment. Other groups of loans based on loan size may be selected for impairment review. Loans are considered impaired if, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impaired loans is based on either the fair value of the underlying collateral, the present value of the future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate stipulated in the loan agreement, or the estimated market value of the loan. In measuring the fair value of the collateral, management uses a comparison to the recent selling price of similar assets, which is consistent with those that would be utilized by unrelated third parties.

A portion of the Bank's AFLL is not allocated to any specific category of loans. This general portion of the allowance reflects the elements of imprecision and estimation risk inherent in the calculation of the overall allowance. Due to the subjectivity involved in determining the overall allowance, including the portion determined through general qualitative and quantitative internal and external factors, the general portion may fluctuate from period to period based on management's evaluation of the factors affecting the assumptions used in calculating the allowance, including historical loss experience, current and expected economic conditions and geographic conditions. While the Company believes that our management uses the best information available to determine the allowance for loan losses, unforeseen market conditions could result in adjustments to the AFLL, and net income could be significantly affected, if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the final determination. Because these factors and management's assumptions are subject to change, the allocation is not necessarily indicative of future loan portfolio performance.

Unsecured loans are charged-off in full against the Company's AFLL as soon as the loan becomes uncollectible. Unsecured loans are considered uncollectible when no regularly scheduled monthly payment has been made within three months, the loan matured over 90 days ago and has not been renewed or extended or the borrower files for bankruptcy. Secured loans are considered uncollectible when the liquidation of collateral is deemed to be the most likely source of repayment. Once secured loans reach 90 days past due, they are placed into non-accrual status. If the loan is deemed to be collateral dependent, the principal balance is written down immediately to reflect the current market valuation based on current independent appraisal. Included in the write-down is the estimated expense to liquidate the property and typically an additional allowance for the foreclosure discount.

(I)

Real Estate and Repossessions Acquired in Settlement of Loans

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans consists of property acquired through a foreclosure proceeding or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Real estate acquired in settlement of loans is recorded initially at estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs at the date of foreclosure. The initial recorded value may be subsequently reduced by additional allowances, which are charged to earnings if the estimated fair value of the property less estimated selling costs declines below the initial recorded value. Costs related to the improvement of the property are capitalized, whereas those related to holding the property are expensed. Such properties are held for sale and, accordingly, no depreciation or amortization expense is recognized. Repossessions are recorded at the lower of cost or market.

(J)

Membership/Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB). Membership, along with a signed blanket collateral agreement, provided the Company with the ability to draw $184.3 million and $184.0 million of advances from the FHLB at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had outstanding advances totaling $34.5 million and $42.5 million, respectively, from the FHLB.

As a requirement for membership, the Company invests in stock of the FHLB in the amount of 1% of its outstanding residential loans or 5% of its outstanding advances from the FHLB, whichever is greater. Such stock is pledged as collateral for any FHLB advances drawn by the Company. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company owned 34,558 and 45,708 shares, respectively, of the FHLB's $100 par value capital stock. No ready market exists for such stock, which is carried at cost. Due to the redemption provisions of the FHLB, cost approximates market value.

(K)

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Buildings and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from 25 to 50 years for bank premises and 3 to 10 years for furniture and equipment. Construction in progress includes buildings and equipment carried at cost and depreciated once placed into service.

Maintenance, repairs, renewals and minor improvements are charged to expense as incurred. Major improvements are capitalized and depreciated.

(L)

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings consist of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, overnight sweep accounts, federal funds purchased and short-term FHLB advances.

(M)

Long-Term Obligations

Long-term obligations consist of advances from FHLB with maturities greater than one year. Our long-term borrowing from the FHLB totaled $25.5 million on December 31, 2011, compared to $34.5 million long-term FHLB advances on December 31, 2010.

(N)

Income Taxes

The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

Tax positions are analyzed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and are discussed in Note 6. Interest recognized as a result of our analysis of tax positions would be classified as interest expense. Penalties would be classified as noninterest expense.

(O)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

(P)

Stock Option Plan

The Company recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The expense measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and recognizes the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award.

During 2008, the Company adopted the 2008 Omnibus Equity Plan (the Plan) which replaced the expired 1998 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Plan provides for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock of the Company in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards and performance share awards. It is the Company's policy to issue new shares to satisfy option exercises. Stock options generally vest one-third each year beginning three years after the grant date and expire after 10 years. However, certain grants vest one-third each year, beginning one year after the grant date. Restricted stock generally vests one-third each year beginning three years after the grant date.

(Q)

Shares Outstanding and Net Income Per Share

A special meeting of the stockholders of the Company was held on October 12, 2011 at which the stockholders approved amending the Company's Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of the Company's common stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 and to authorize 2,000,000 shares of a new class of mandatorily convertible non-voting common stock.

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For purposes of basic net income per share, unvested restricted stock is considered "contingently issuable" and is not included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Diluted net income per share is computed by assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Restricted stock is considered outstanding for purposes of diluted net income per share. The amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized is considered "proceeds" using the treasury stock method. Restricted stock had no affect on diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

In computing diluted net income per share, it is assumed that all dilutive stock options are exercised during the reporting period at their respective exercise prices, with the proceeds from the exercises used by the Company to buy back stock in the open market at the average market price in effect during the reporting period. The difference between the number of shares assumed to be exercised and the number of shares bought back is added to the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. The sum is used as the denominator to calculate diluted net income per share for the Company. Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding did not increase for 2011 or 2010 due to the Company's reported net losses, and increased 1 thousand shares for 2009 due to the dilutive impact of options. As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 the warrant, covering approximately 145 thousand shares, issued to the U.S. Treasury Department was not included in the computation of net income per share for the period because its exercise price exceeded the average market price of the Company's stock for the periods.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per share.


	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic net loss per share	$	(2,087	)		2,850	$	(0.73	)

Effect of dilutive securities		—			—

Diluted net loss per share	$	(2,087	)		2,850	$	(0.73	)

At December 31, 2011, there were 29 thousand options outstanding and a warrant covering 145 thousand shares which would have had an anti-dilutive affect on the loss per share.


	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	Income (Numerator)			Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic net income per share	$	(203	)		2,850	$	(0.07	)

Effect of dilutive securities		—			—

Diluted net income per share	$	(203	)		2,850	$	(0.07	)

At December 31, 2010, there were 29 thousand options outstanding and a warrant covering 145 thousand shares which would have had an anti-dilutive affect on the loss per share.


	Year Ended December 31, 2009
	Income (Numerator)		Shares (Denominator)		Per Share Amount
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic net income per share	$	499		2,845	$	0.18

Effect of dilutive securities		—		1

Diluted net income per share	$	499		2,846	$	0.18

At December 31, 2009, there were 54 thousand options outstanding and a warrant covering 145 thousand shares with an exercise price above the average market value of the Company's stock for the period.

(R)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period for non-owner transactions and is divided into net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are excluded from earnings under current accounting standards. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) included in comprehensive income for the periods presented are as follows:


	2011			2010			2009
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains arising during the period	$	6,050		$	1,116		$	2,232
Tax expense		(2,329	)		(430	)		(860	)
Reclassification to realized gains		(2,631	)		(5,508	)		(2,565	)
Tax expense		1,013			2,121			988
Defined benefit pension adjustment		(184	)		—			—
Tax benefit		71			—			—

Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,990		$	(2,701	)	$	(205	)

(S)

New Accounting Pronouncements

The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements:

In July 2010, the Receivables topic of the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") was amended by Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-20 to require expanded disclosures related to a company's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. The amendments require the allowance disclosures to be provided on a disaggregated basis. The Company is required to include these disclosures in its interim and annual financial statements. See Note 4.

Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDRs") required by ASU 2010-20 were deferred by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in ASU 2011-01 issued in January 2011. In April 2011 the FASB issued ASU 2011-02 to assist creditors with their determination of when a restructuring is a TDR. The determination is based on whether the restructuring constitutes a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties as both events must be present. Disclosures related to TDRs under ASU 2010-20 have been presented in Note 4.

In April 2011, the criteria used to determine effective control of transferred assets in the Transfers and Servicing topic of the ASC was amended by ASU 2011-03. The requirement for the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms and the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion were removed from the assessment of effective control. The other criteria to assess effective control were not changed. The amendments are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2012 but are not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2011-04 was issued in May 2011 to amend the Fair Value Measurement topic of the ASC by clarifying the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and by changing particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments were effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2012 but are not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

The Comprehensive Income topic of the ASC was amended in June 2011 by ASU 2011-05. The amendment eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income as a part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity and requires consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income. The amendments will be applicable to the Company on January 1, 2012 and will be applied retrospectively. In December 2011, the topic was further amended to defer the effective date of presenting reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements. Companies should continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income consistent with the presentation requirements in effect prior to the amendments while FASB redeliberates future requirements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(T)

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period's consolidated financial statements to place them on a comparable basis with the current year. Net income and shareholders' equity previously reported were not affected by these reclassifications.

(U)

Subsequent Events

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued.

Termination of Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 8, 2012, the Company, and FIE I LLC, an affiliate of PIMCO BRAVO Fund, L.P. , Patriot Financial Partners, L.P. , an affiliate of Endicott Management Company and three other institutional investors the "Investors") mutually agreed to terminate their previously announced Securities Purchase Agreement, as amended and restated (the "Agreement"). As previously disclosed, the Company and each of the Investors had entered into the Agreement under which the Company would issue $79.7 million in Company common stock in a private placement offering at a price of $16.00 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company had also agreed to issue to the Investors warrants to purchase shares of either voting common stock or a new class of the Company's mandatorily convertible non-voting common stock at a purchase price of $8.00 per share and in an amount equal to 25% of the number of shares of common stock each Investor would purchase in the Offering. The Agreement was terminated on February 8, 2012 because not all the required regulatory approvals necessary to complete the transaction had been received by all of the Investors as of the termination date.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company had also agreed to reimburse the lead investors for certain out-of-pocket expenses such as legal fees, asset review fees and travel expense incurred during their due diligence process during 2011 of approximately $300 thousand dollars. In addition, pursuant to its engagement letter dated July 19, 2010 with its investment banking group, the Company agreed to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as legal fees, asset review fees and travel expense incurred on behalf of the Company in connection with the private placement that totaled approximately $425 thousand dollars. These reimbursable expenses are included in other liabilities on the balance sheet at December 31, 2011. The Bank incurred expense of approximately $965 thousand dollars related to the equity raise during 2011. As a result of the agreement termination, the Bank recorded a Securities Purchase Agreement termination expense of $1.7 million at December 31, 2011.

Termination of Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 14, 2012, the Bank and The Bank of Hampton Roads ("Hampton Roads") mutually agreed to terminate their previously announced Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of July 14, 2011 (the "P & A Agreement"). As previously disclosed, pursuant to the terms of the P & A Agreement, the Bank had agreed to purchase all deposits and selected assets associated with seven Gateway Bank branches in North Carolina.

The termination of the P & A Agreement was a direct result of the Company's termination of the Securities Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company had agreed to issue $79.7 million in Company common stock to the investors in a private placement offering. The Company had planned to consummate the transaction contemplated by the P & A Agreement with a portion of the capital raised in the private placement offering.