EX-13 2 ex13201110k.htm EXHIBIT 13 Ex 13 2011 10K



Exhibit 13

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations analyzes the major elements of our consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations. This section should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes.
 
Executive Summary
 
The banking landscape changed in 2011 in ways that created opportunities for Metro Bancorp, Inc. (Metro or the Company). As both large and small competitors created inconveniences and raised fees, Metro Bank (the Bank) welcomed more customers through its doors and delivered an exceptional level of service. By providing a superior customer experience and staying true to its retail philosophy, the Bank achieved a double-digit increase in core deposits, grew net loans in a tough lending environment and boosted total revenues in 2011, all leading to strong earnings for the fourth quarter.  The Bank also continued to resolve its asset quality concerns in 2011 and strengthened its balance sheet for future operations.

The extended low interest rate environment continued to be a challenge for the banking industry throughout 2011 and is expected to remain as such for the foreseeable future. Metro was able to offset this interest rate pressure, growing total revenues and reducing noninterest expenses in 2011.

Looking to the future, Metro will continue to leverage its retail, deposit-driven model and differentiate itself through the unparalleled customer service and convenience for which it is known.
 
Our 2011 highlights are summarized below:
 
Total deposits increased to $2.07 billion, up $239.4 million, or 13%, over the past twelve months.

Core deposits grew $258.1 million, or 15%, over the previous twelve months and now exceed $2.0 billion.

Net loans grew $57.5 million, or 4%, over the past twelve months to $1.42 billion.

Nonperforming asset balances declined $17.7 million in 2011 to 1.73% of total assets at December 31, 2011 compared to 2.67% at December 31, 2010. During the past twelve months, the allowance for loan losses (ALL) to nonperforming loan coverage ratio has increased from 41% to 62%.

Total assets reached $2.42 billion, an 8% increase, over one year ago.

Stockholders' equity increased by $14.7 million, or 7%, for the year 2011 to a total of $220.0 million at December 31, 2011.

The Company's consolidated capital levels remained strong with a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.36%, a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.99% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 9.05%.

The Company recorded net income of $289,000 for 2011, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in 2010. Fully-diluted net earnings per common share was $0.02 for 2011 versus a fully-diluted net loss per common share of $(0.33) for the prior year. 

Total revenues for 2011 were $113.5 million, up $4.3 million, or 4%, compared to 2010.  

The Company's net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis for 2011 was a very strong 3.82%.

The provision for loan losses of $20.6 million versus $21.0 million for the prior year.

Noninterest income increased $1.1 million, or 4%, over 2010.

Noninterest expense decreased $3.1 million, or 3%, compared to the prior year.
 
For the eighth straight year, Metro Bank was voted Best Bank by the Harrisburg Magazine Simply the Best Reader's Poll.





1




Key financial highlights for 2011 compared to 2010 are summarized in the following table:
 
TABLE 1
 
December 31,
%
(dollars in millions)
2011
2010
Change
Total assets
$
2,421.2

$
2,234.5

8
 %
Total loans (net)
1,415.0

1,357.6

4

Total deposits
2,071.6

1,832.2

13

Stockholders' equity
220.0

205.4

7

 
 

 

 

 
Years Ended December 31,
%
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
2011
2010
Change
Total revenues
$
113.5

$
109.2

4
 %
Provision for loan losses
20.6

21.0

(2
)
Noninterest expenses
94.0

97.1

(3
)
Net income (loss)
0.3

(4.3
)
107

Diluted net income (loss) per common share
0.02

(0.33
)
106

 
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2011 included herein. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These principles require our management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Since future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from those estimates. Management makes adjustments to its assumptions and estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and predicate those estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management believes the following critical accounting policies encompass the more significant assumptions and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses. The ALL represents the amount available for estimated probable losses embedded in our loan portfolio. While the ALL is maintained at a level believed to be adequate by management for estimated probable losses in the loan portfolio, the determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it involves significant estimates by management, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
 
While management uses available information to make such evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance and the provision for loan losses may be necessary if economic conditions or loan credit quality differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in making the evaluations. The use of different assumptions could materially impact the level of the ALL and, therefore, the provision for loan losses to be charged against earnings. Such changes could impact future financial results.
 
Monthly, systematic reviews of our loan portfolios are performed to identify probable losses and assess the overall probability of collection. These reviews include an analysis of historical loss experience, which results in the identification and quantification of loss factors. These loss factors are used in determining the appropriate level of allowance to cover the estimated probable losses in specific loan types. Management's judgment involving the estimates of loss factors can be impacted by many variables, such as the number of years of actual loss history included in the evaluation.

During the third quarter of 2010, as part of the quantitative analysis of the adequacy of the ALL, management adjusted its projection of probable loan losses based upon a much shorter and more recent period of actual historical losses. This was done as a result of the higher level of loan charge-offs experienced by the Company over the preceding two years as compared to the previous years. Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers and on loan collateral values, management feels this is currently a better predictor of probable additional loan losses until such time that the economy, borrower repayment ability and loan collateral values show sustained signs of improvement. The change in this estimate resulted in an additional $3.6 million of provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2010. The impact of this additional provision for 2010 was an additional after tax loss of $2.4 million, or $0.17 per share.

2





The methodology used to determine the appropriate level of the ALL and related provisions differs for commercial, residential and consumer loans and involves other overall evaluations. In addition, significant estimates are involved in the determination of any loss related to impaired loans. The evaluation of an impaired loan is based on either (1) discounted cash flows using the loan's effective interest rate, (2) the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans, or (3) the observable market price of the impaired loan. Each of these variables involves management's judgment and the use of estimates.

In addition to calculating the loss factors, we may periodically adjust the factors for changes in levels and trends of charge-offs, delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, material changes in the mix, volume, or duration of the loan portfolio, changes in lending policies and procedures including underwriting standards, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations and changes in national and local economic trends and conditions, among other things. Management judgment is involved at many levels of these evaluations.
 
An integral aspect of our risk management process is allocating the ALL to various components of the loan portfolio based upon an analysis of risk characteristics, demonstrated losses, industry and other segmentations and other more judgmental factors. There were no significant changes during 2011 to the process and procedures we follow to determine our ALL.
 
Other-than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) of Investment Securities. We perform no less than quarterly reviews of the fair value of the securities in the Company's investment portfolio and evaluate individual securities for declines in fair value that may be other-than-temporary. If declines are deemed other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized against earnings for the portion of the impairment deemed to be related to credit.  The remaining portion of the impairment that is not related to credit is written down to its current fair value through other comprehensive income.
 
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions to fair value measurement guidance regarding Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.  This critical accounting policy is more fully described in Note 1 and Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognizes compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions in the income statement based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. The grant-date fair value and ultimately, the amount of compensation expense recognized, are dependent upon certain assumptions we make such as the expected term the options will remain outstanding, the volatility and dividend yield of our Company stock and a risk free interest rate. This critical accounting policy is more fully described in Note 1 and Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Fair Value Measurements. The Company is required to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments that are measured at fair value within a fair value hierarchy. The  fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, giving the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These disclosures appear in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. Judgment is involved not only with deriving the estimated fair values but also with classifying the particular assets recorded at fair value in the fair value hierarchy. Estimating the fair value of impaired loans or the value of collateral securing foreclosed assets requires the use of significant unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). At December 31, 2011, the fair value of assets based on level 3 measurements constituted 2% of the total assets measured at fair value. The fair value of collateral securing impaired loans or constituting foreclosed assets is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, recent offers, or prices on comparable properties in the proximate vicinity. Such estimates can differ significantly from the amounts the Company would ultimately realize from the loan or disposition of underlying collateral.
 
The Company's available for sale (AFS) investment security portfolio constitutes 98% of the total assets measured at fair value and all securities are classified as a level 2 fair value measurement (quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability). The Company receives information from a third party provider which management evaluates and corroborates to determine the fair value of the portfolio. Most securities are not quoted on an exchange, but are traded in active markets and fair values were obtained from matrix pricing on similar securities.

Deferred Taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be used.  

The Company assesses whether or not the deferred taxes will be realized in the future if it does not have future taxable income to use as

3




an offset. If future taxable income is not expected to be available to use, a valuation allowance is required to be recognized. A valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period. The Company assesses if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The determination of a valuation allowance is subjective and dependent upon judgment concerning both positive and negative evidence to support the net deferred tax assets will be utilized. In order to evaluate whether or not a valuation allowance is necessary, the Company uses current forecasts of future income, reviews possible tax planning strategies and assesses current and future economic and business conditions. Negative evidence utilized would include any cumulative losses in previous years and general business and economic trends. At December 31, 2011, the Company conducted such an analysis to determine if a valuation allowance was required and concluded that a valuation allowance was not necessary, largely based on the Company's available tax planning strategies and projections of future taxable income. A valuation allowance, if required, could have a significant impact on the Company's future earnings.

Results of Operations
 
 We derive total revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) from various sources, including:
Lending;
Our securities portfolio;
Customer deposits;
Loan servicing;
Sales of loans and securities; and
Electronic banking services.

We also earn fees from issuing loan commitments, standby letters of credit and from various cash management services.

For the year 2011, total revenues were $113.5 million, up $4.3 million, or 4%, compared to $109.2 million earned in 2010.

Average Balances and Average Interest Rates

Table 2 on the following page sets forth balance sheet items on a daily average basis for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and presents the daily average interest rates earned on assets and the daily average interest rates paid on liabilities for such periods. During 2011, average interest-earning assets were $2.20 billion, an increase of $169.1 million, or 8%, over 2010. This was the result of an increase in the average balance of investment securities of $149.2 million, or 25%, and by an increase in the average balance of loans receivable (including loans held for sale) of $21.8 million, or 2%. The growth in the average balance of interest-earning assets was funded, primarily by a $36.0 million, or 2%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits as well as an increase in the average balance of noninterest-bearing funds of $41.4 million, or 12%, and an increase in the average balance of short-term borrowings of $75.8 million.
 
The tax-equivalent yield on total interest-earning assets decreased by 37 basis points (bps), from 4.86% in 2010 to 4.49% in 2011.  This decrease resulted from lower yields on our securities and loan portfolios during 2011 as well as a shift in the mix of interest-earning assets. For 2011, investment securities comprised 34% of our total average interest-earning assets compared to 29% for 2010. Conversely, loans receivable represented 66% of our total average interest-earning assets in 2011, down from 70% in 2010. Based on the amortized cost, approximately 91% of our investment securities have a fixed interest rate, however, yields received on most new investment securities purchased in 2011 were lower than yields received on the existing portfolio due to the overall lower level of market interest rates in 2011 versus prior years. Also, floating rate loans represent approximately 52% of our total loans receivable portfolio at December 31, 2011 compared to 48% at December 31, 2010. The interest rates charged on the majority of these loans are tied to the New York prime lending rate of 3.25% and are much lower than the interest rates associated with the fixed rate loans in our portfolio.. Given the continued low level of general market interest rates and the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee's desire to keep such rates lower for an indefinite future period, we expect the yields we receive on our interest-earning assets will continue to remain at their current levels, or even slightly lower, until short-term interest rates begin to increase.
 
The aggregate cost of our interest-bearing liabilities decreased 22 bps from 1.06% in 2010 to 0.84% in 2011. Our average deposit cost of funds decreased from 0.72% in 2010 to 0.59% for 2011. The aggregate average cost of all funding sources for the Company was 0.69% in 2011, down 19 bps, or 22%, from 0.88% in 2010. The decrease in the Company's deposit cost of funds is primarily related to the combination of time deposits that matured and renewed at lower rates as well as lower rates paid on certain interest checking and money market deposit accounts. These decreases were primarily related to the continued low level of general market interest rates present throughout 2011.

The average rate paid on savings deposits decreased by 4 bps from 0.47% in 2010 to 0.43% in 2011. The average rate paid on interest checking and money market accounts decreased by 13 bps from 0.69% to 0.56% as management lowered the interest rates paid on these deposits to help offset lower yields on interest-earning assets. For time deposits, the average rate paid in 2011 was 2.07%, down 33 bps

4




from 2.40% in 2010. Time deposits that were originated in previous years at much higher interest rates matured during 2011 and were either renewed into new certificates of deposit (CDs) with much lower interest rates or shifted by our customers to their checking and/or savings accounts which typically pay even lower rates of interest than CDs. The rate on public fund time deposits decreased by 10 bps from 0.63% in 2010 to 0.53% in 2011. At December 31, 2011, approximately 13% of our total deposits were those of local municipalities, school districts, not-for-profit organizations or corporate cash management customers, indexed to either the 91-day Treasury bill, the overnight federal funds rate, or the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The average interest rate of the 91-day Treasury bill decreased from 0.13% for 2010 to 0.06% in 2011 thereby reducing the average interest rate paid on these deposits.
 
Average low interest rate short-term borrowings increased by $75.8 million from $52.2 million in 2010 to $128.0 million in 2011. The average cost of this non-deposit funding source in 2011 was 0.34%, a decrease of 26 bps compared to 2010. The average outstanding balance of long-term debt decreased slightly from $51.7 million in 2010 to $48.9 million in 2011. In November 2010, the Company prepaid a $25.0 million Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) convertible select borrowing with an interest rate of 4.29%. Subsequently, during the second quarter of 2011 the Bank borrowed a FHLB fixed borrowing of $25.0 million with a two year maturity and interest rate of 1.01%. In addition, in December 2011 the Company repurchased and retired $5.0 million of 11% fixed rate Trust Capital Securities that were issued in June 2000 and scheduled to mature in June 2030. For 2012 and going forward, this will serve to reduce the Company's pretax interest expense by $550,000 annually. See the Long-Term Debt section later in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion regarding our long-term debt. The aggregate cost of all non-deposit funding sources decreased 194 bps in 2011 to 1.83% from 3.77% in 2010. 

In Table 2, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balances. Securities include securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and restricted investments in bank stock. Securities available for sale are carried at amortized cost for purposes of calculating the average rate received on taxable securities. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are computed on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a 34% tax rate for the years ending 2011 and 2010 and assuming a 35% tax rate for the year ending 2009.


5




TABLE 2
 
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Earning Assets
Average Balance
Interest
Average Rate
Average Balance
Interest
Average Rate
Average  Balance
Interest
Average Rate
Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
744,903

$
22,362

3.00
%
$
595,378

$
22,275

3.74
%
$
488,415

$
19,858

4.07
%
Tax-exempt
39

2

4.26

334

20

6.09

1,624

100

6.16

Total securities
744,942

22,364

3.00

595,712

22,295

3.74

490,039

19,958

4.07

Federal funds sold
9,176

5

0.05

11,106

14

0.12

1,375

2

0.13

Total loans receivable
1,448,056

77,398

5.29

1,426,225

77,274

5.36

1,477,222

80,796

5.41

Total earning assets
$
2,202,174

$
99,767

4.49
%
$
2,033,043

$
99,583

4.86
%
$
1,968,636

$
100,756

5.08
%
Sources of Funds
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regular savings
$
336,720

$
1,446

0.43
%
$
324,698

$
1,514

0.47
%
$
329,799

$
1,930

0.59
%
Interest checking and money
market
967,982

5,433

0.56

946,982

6,501

0.69

795,835

7,342

0.92

Time deposits
206,178

4,272

2.07

216,434

5,189

2.40

254,086

7,750

3.05

Public funds time
54,824

292

0.53

41,608

263

0.63

17,557

265

1.51

Total interest-bearing deposits
1,565,704

11,443

0.73

1,529,722

13,467

0.88

1,397,277

17,287

1.24

Short-term borrowings
127,975

439

0.34

52,170

317

0.60

172,870

1,038

0.59

Long-term debt
48,935

2,814

5.74

51,660

3,613

6.99

70,222

4,452

6.34

Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,742,614

14,696

0.84

1,633,552

17,397

1.06

1,640,369

22,777

1.39

Demand deposits (noninterest-
bearing)
373,494

 
 
332,099

 

 

303,963

 

 
Sources to fund earning assets
2,116,108

14,696

0.69
%
1,965,651

17,397

0.88
%
1,944,332

22,777

1.17
%
Noninterest-bearing funds (net)
86,066

 

 

67,392

 

 

24,304

 

 

Total sources to fund earning
assets
$
2,202,174

$
14,696

0.67
%
$
2,033,043

$
17,397

0.85
%
$
1,968,636

$
22,777

1.16
%
Net interest income and margin
on a tax-equivalent basis
 

$
85,071

3.82
%
 

$
82,186

4.00
%
 

$
77,979

3.92
%
Tax-exempt adjustment
 

2,072

 

 
2,336

 

 

2,373

 

Net interest income and margin
 

$
82,999

3.73
%
 

$
79,850

3.89
%
 

$
75,606

3.80
%
Other Balances:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash & due from banks
$
43,868

 
 
$
44,583

 

 

$
43,665

 

 

Other assets
103,474

 
 
114,281

 

 

86,456

 

 

Total assets
2,349,516

 

 

2,191,907

 

 

2,098,757

 

 

Other liabilities
17,750

 
 
18,804

 

 

12,270

 

 

Stockholders' equity
215,658

 
 
207,452

 

 

142,155

 

 

 

6




Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
 
Net interest income is the difference between interest income on loans, investment securities and other interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Changes in net interest income and net interest margin result from the interaction between the volume and composition of earning assets, related yields and associated funding costs. Net interest income is our primary source of earnings. There are several factors that affect net interest income, including:
 
the volume, pricing, mix and maturity of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities;
market interest rate fluctuations; and
the level of nonperforming loans.
  
Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis (which adjusts for the tax-exempt status of income earned on certain loans and investment securities in order to show such income as if it were taxable) increased $2.9 million, or 4%, to $85.1 million for 2011 over $82.2 million in 2010.  Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for 2011 totaled $99.8 million, an increase of $184,000, over 2010. This increase was related to a volume increase in the level of interest-earning assets, offset by lower yields on our interest-earning assets due to the continued low interest rate environment throughout 2011 as discussed earlier. Interest expense for 2011 decreased $2.7 million, or 16%, from $17.4 million in 2010 to $14.7 million in 2011. This decrease was related to the lower interest rate environment which is reflected in all interest-bearing liabilities, slightly offset by a volume increase in the level of deposits and short-term borrowings. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits in 2011 was 15 bps less than in 2010 and the average rate paid on short-term borrowings and long-term debt decreased by 26 bps and 125 bps, respectively, compared to 2010.
 
The overnight federal funds rate remained at 0.25% throughout both 2010 and 2011. The continued lower level of market interest rates in general has led to a lower level of interest rates associated with our overnight short-term borrowings as well as allowed us to significantly reduce the rates we paid on our interest-bearing deposits in an effort to partially offset corresponding decreases on the yields we received on our interest-earning assets.  
 
Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. Our net interest rate spread decreased to 3.65% in 2011 from 3.80% in 2010 on a fully tax-equivalent basis. The net interest margin (non-tax-equivalent) decreased 16 bps from 3.89% in 2010 to 3.73% in 2011.  The net interest rate spread and net interest margin decreases in 2011 primarily were the result of a shift in the mix of interest-earning assets as well as a decrease in the yield on those earning assets due to the continued low interest rate environment that has existed over the past several years. This decrease was partially offset by continued efforts to manage the cost of funds downward through the Company's strategic deposit pricing process, combined with the positive impact of higher rate CDs maturing and renewing into new term CDs at lower current rates or being deposited by customers into lower cost checking and savings accounts.

Table 3 demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by us on such assets and liabilities. For purposes of this table, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balances and tax-exempt loans and securities are reported on a fully-taxable equivalent basis.


7




TABLE 3
 
2011 v. 2010
2010 v. 2009
 
Increase (Decrease)
Increase (Decrease)
 
Due to Changes in (1)
Due to Changes in (1)
(in thousands)
Volume
Rate
Total
Volume
Rate
Total
Interest on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
4,853

$
(4,766
)
$
87

$
4,191

$
(1,774
)
$
2,417

Tax-exempt
(18
)

(18
)
(80
)

(80
)
Federal funds sold
(1
)
(8
)
(9
)
12


12

Interest on loans receivable
1,286

(1,162
)
124

(3,712
)
190

(3,522
)
Total interest income
6,120

(5,936
)
184

411

(1,584
)
(1,173
)
Interest on deposits:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Regular savings
101

(169
)
(68
)
(138
)
(278
)
(416
)
Interest checking and money market
(29
)
(1,039
)
(1,068
)
1,436

(2,277
)
(841
)
Time deposits
(89
)
(828
)
(917
)
(503
)
(2,058
)
(2,561
)
Public funds time
70

(41
)
29

152

(154
)
(2
)
Short-term borrowings
260

(138
)
122

(725
)
4

(721
)
Long-term debt
(56
)
(743
)
(799
)
(822
)
(17
)
(839
)
Total interest expense
257

(2,958
)
(2,701
)
(600
)
(4,780
)
(5,380
)
Net increase (decrease)
$
5,863

$
(2,978
)
$
2,885

$
1,011

$
3,196

$
4,207

(1)
Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated on a pro rata basis to either rate or volume.

Provision for Loan Losses
 
Management undertakes a rigorous and consistently applied process in order to evaluate the ALL and to determine the level of provision for loan losses, as stated in the Application of Critical Accounting Policies section in this Management's Discussion and Analysis. During the third quarter of 2010, as part of the quantitative analysis of the adequacy of the ALL, management adjusted its projection of probable loan losses based upon a much shorter and more recent period of actual historical losses. This was done as a result of the higher level of loan charge-offs experienced by the Company over the preceding two years as compared to the previous years. Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers and on loan collateral values, management feels this is currently a better predictor of probable additional loan losses until such time that the economy, borrower repayment ability and loan collateral values show sustained signs of improvement. 

We recorded $20.6 million as a provision for loan losses in 2011 compared to $21.0 million in 2010. The provision for loan losses in 2011 was a direct result of write-downs due to decreases in collateral values of nonperforming loans throughout the year. The level of nonperforming loans decreased from $52.8 million, or 3.83%, of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010 to $34.8 million, or 2.42%, of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011. See the Nonperforming Loans and Assets section later in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion regarding the decrease in nonperforming loans. Net charge-offs during 2011 were $20.6 million, or 1.43%, of average loans outstanding as compared to $13.8 million, or 0.98%, of average loans outstanding in 2010. Approximately $16.5 million, or 80%, of total net charge-offs for 2011 were associated with seven different specific relationships. Of the net charge-offs associated with these seven relationships, approximately $10.2 million, or 62%, were construction and land development loans and $6.2 million, or 38%, were commercial and industrial loans. See the Application of Critical Accounting Policies section in this Management's Discussion and Analysis regarding the ALL as well as Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 included herein for further discussion regarding additional important factors and our methodology for determining the provision for loan losses. Also see our Forward-Looking Statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis and risk factors associated with the provision for loan losses in Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Noninterest Income
 
Noninterest income increased by $1.1 million, or 4%, from $29.4 million in 2010 to $30.5 million in 2011. The largest component of noninterest income, service charges, fees and other operating income, comprised primarily of deposit and loan service charges, increased$1.1 million, or 4%, over the same period in 2010 to a total of $27.8 million. In 2011, total gains on sales of loans were $2.7 million compared to $2.4 million in 2010. Gains on the sale of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans were $1.9 million in 2011 compared

8




to $1.5 million in 2010 and gains on the sale of residential loans were $857,000 and $885,000 for 2011 and 2010, respectively. We do not anticipate similar gains on the sale of SBA loans in 2012 since we are no longer originating SBA loans with the intent to sell as more fully described under the Loans Held for Sale section later in this Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Included in noninterest income are net gains on sales of investment securities totaling $350,000 for 2011 and $2.8 million for 2010. These gains were offset by net OTTI charges on private-label collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) totaling $324,000 in 2011 and $962,000 in 2010. See the Securities section in Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding OTTI.
 
Netted against noninterest income for 2011 was a $75,000 charge associated with the repurchase and retirement of $5.0 million of Trust Capital Securities. Going forward, this repurchase will save the Company $550,000 of pretax interest expense annually. Comparatively, there was a $1.6 million charge recorded in 2010 for the early retirement of a $25.0 million fixed rate borrowing from the FHLB.
 
Noninterest Expenses
 
Noninterest expenses totaled $94.0 million for 2011, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 3%, from 2010. This overall decrease was primarily the result of significantly lower consulting costs, advertising and marketing and regulatory fees in 2011 from those incurred in 2010 as well as lower levels of salaries and employee benefits and loan processing expenses, all partially offset by higher foreclosed real estate and rebranding costs incurred during 2011. A comparison of noninterest expenses for certain categories for 2011 and 2010 is discussed below.
 
Salary expenses and employee benefits, which represent the largest component of our noninterest expenses, decreased $1.2 million, or 3%, in 2011 from 2010. The Company began experiencing a reduction in total salary expense during the second half of 2010 which continued throughout 2011 as a result of a decrease in the number of full time equivalent employees from 923 during the third quarter of 2010 to 898 at the end of 2011 from natural attrition. The reduction of salary expense was partially offset by an increase in health care plan costs and other benefits for employees in 2011 over 2010.
 
Occupancy expenses were $726,000, or 9%, higher in 2011 compared to 2010.  This was primarily due to increased costs associated with higher real estate taxes paid on each of our store locations as well as higher levels of maintenance on our 33 stores and headquarter locations.
 
Furniture and equipment expenses increased by $331,000, or 6%, over 2010, due to a total net loss of $219,000 on the disposal of certain fixed assets combined with increased levels of depreciation expense on assets related to disaster recovery and security initiatives which were put in service during 2011.
 
Advertising and marketing expenses totaled $2.0 million in 2011, a $1.0 million, or 32%, decrease from 2010. General advertising efforts were lower during the majority of 2011 as the Company focused its efforts on brand enhancement and logo modification. The Company expects a slight increase in general advertising expenses in 2012.
 
Data processing expenses totaled $14.2 million in 2011, a $1.1 million, or 8%, increase over 2010.  Approximately half of the increase related to an increase in license fees and costs associated with software implementation. Higher volumes of transactions in both statement rendering services and automated teller machine (ATM)/debit card processing made up the rest of the increase in data processing expenses.
 
Regulatory assessments and related fees of $3.6 million in 2011 reflected a 21% decrease, or $1.0 million, from 2010. Lower Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance assessment fees, effective April 1, 2011 for most FDIC-insured banks provided the Company's decrease in regulatory expenses which were partially offset by increased asset levels.  The Bank, like all financial institutions whose deposits are guaranteed by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), pays a quarterly premium to the FDIC for deposit insurance coverage.
 
Loan expenses totaled $1.1 million in 2011, a decrease of $560,000, or 34%, from 2010. During 2011, the Company recouped $287,000 of loan expenses from borrowers associated with problem loans that had been expensed in prior years. In 2010, the Company incurred expenses associated with the development and launch of a new Metro Credit Card. In 2011, loan expenses related to the credit card leveled out. In addition, in 2011 the Bank discontinued originating large numbers of SBA loans to be sold immediately on the secondary market which decreased the associated SBA referral fees.
 
Foreclosed real estate expenses of $2.3 million for 2011 increased by $895,000, or 65%, compared to 2010. The increase was primarily the result of write-downs of foreclosed assets totaling $2.1 million in 2011 compared to $860,000 of write-downs in 2010. During 2011, the Company wrote down one particular foreclosed asset by a total of $1.6 million due to the lack of interest in the property by prospective buyers and to a level more reflective of recent offer prices on the subject property. The increase in the total amount of write-downs in 2011 over 2010 was partially offset by a reduction of foreclosed real estate operating expenses in 2011.

9




 
The Company expensed $1.9 million of costs during 2011 associated with modification to its logos and with overall brand enhancement. The logo modifications were related to the settlement reached with another financial institution which dismissed a trademark infringement action brought against Metro Bank in June 2009. Any remaining future costs related to this issue are not expected to be material.

Consulting fees totaled $1.5 million in 2011, down $3.0 million, or 67%, from 2010. The decrease is related to the much lower need for consulting services in 2011 compared to the level utilized in 2010 in assisting the Bank with its procedures and controls to ensure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
 
Other noninterest expenses totaled $8.1 million for 2011 compared to $9.4 million for 2010, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 14%. Primary components related to the decrease include lower expenses related to customer relations activities, lower provisions for non-credit-related losses and reduced legal fees. In addition, the Company recorded a $238,000 charge in 2010 related to a canceled potential branch site of which it did not have any corresponding costs in 2011.
 
One key measure used to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of net noninterest expenses to average assets. For purposes of this calculation, net noninterest expenses equal total noninterest expenses less nonrecurring expenses minus noninterest income. This ratio equaled 2.62% for 2011, compared to 3.09% for 2010. Another productivity measure is the operating efficiency ratio. This ratio expresses the relationship of noninterest expenses to net interest income plus noninterest income (excluding gains or losses on sales of investment securities). For 2011, the Company's operating efficiency ratio was 81.20% compared to 88.88% for 2010. For 2012, management expects to continue its efforts to control and/or reduce the levels of noninterest expenses compared to both 2011 and 2010 and thus would expect to see continued improvement in these two expense control ratios.
  
Benefit for Federal Income Taxes
 
The benefit realized for federal income taxes was $1.4 million for 2011 compared to $4.5 million for 2010. The effective tax benefit rate, which is the ratio of income tax benefit to loss before taxes, was 125.08% in 2011 compared to 51.1% in 2010 and was due to a pretax net loss incurred in both 2011 and 2010 as well as to the proportion of tax-exempt income to total pretax loss for both years.  See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for an additional analysis of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities.
 
At December 31, 2011, deferred tax assets amounted to $12.7 million and deferred tax liabilities amounted to $7.8 million. Deferred tax assets are realizable primarily through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. With two preceding years of net operating losses in 2009 and 2010, which the Company fully utilized by carrying back to previous taxable income years of 2008 and 2007, the Company will only be permitted to carryforward any net operating losses against taxable earnings in future years. The Company expects to have taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2011 and management currently anticipates the Company's future earnings will be adequate to utilize all of its net deferred tax assets. The Company used current forecasts of future expected income, possible tax planning strategies, current and future economic and business conditions (such as the possibility of a decrease in real estate value for properties the Bank holds as collateral on loans), the probability that taxable income will continue to be generated in future periods and the cumulative losses in previous years to make the determination. The Company could also potentially sell investment securities at a gain in future periods or eliminate the use of bonus depreciation on its 2011 federal income tax return as possible additional increases to taxable income. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for an additional analysis of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
 
The Company recorded net income of $289,000 for 2011, an increase of $4.6 million from the $4.3 million net loss recorded in 2010. This increase in 2011 was due to an increase in net interest income of $3.1 million, a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $408,000 , an increase in noninterest income of $1.1 million and a decrease in noninterest expenses of $3.1 million, all of which were partially offset by a decrease in the benefit for federal income taxes of $3.1 million.
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.02 for 2011 compared to basic and diluted loss per common share of $(0.33) in 2010. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for an analysis of earnings (loss) per share.



10




Return on Average Assets and Average Equity
 
Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income (loss) in relation to our total average assets. Our ROA was 0.01% for 2011 compared to (0.20)% for 2010. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income (loss) on the capital invested by our shareholders. ROE is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by average stockholders' equity. ROE for 2011 was 0.13%, compared to (2.09)% for 2010.
 
2010 versus 2009
 
Net loss for 2010 was $4.3 million, compared to net loss of $1.9 million recorded in 2009.
 
Basic and fully-diluted loss per common share was $(0.33) for 2010 compared to basic and fully-diluted loss per common share of $(0.24)in 2009.
 
Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for 2010 was $82.2 million, an increase of $4.2 million, or 5%, over 2009. Interest income on earnings assets on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $99.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 1%, from 2009. Interest expense for 2010 was $17.4 million, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 24%, from 2009.
 
Our net interest rate spread increased to 3.80% in 2010 from 3.69% in 2009 on a fully tax-equivalent basis. The net interest margin increased 9 bps from 3.80% in 2009 to 3.89% in 2010 on a non tax-equivalent basis.
 
The provision for loan losses totaled $21.0 million in 2010 compared to $12.4 million in 2009. The level of nonperforming loans increased from $37.7 million, or 2.61%, of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2009 to $52.8 million, or 3.83%, of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010. Net charge-offs in 2010 totaled $13.8 million, or 0.98%, of average loans outstanding as compared to $14.8 million, or 1.02%, of average loans outstanding in 2009.
 
Noninterest income for 2010 increased by $4.9 million, or 20%, over 2009 to $29.4 million.  Included in total noninterest income in 2010 were net gains of $2.4 million on the sale of residential loans and SBA loans and a $2.8 million gain on the sale of investment securities, partially offset by $962,000 of net impairment charges on investment securities. In addition, netted against 2010 noninterest income was a $1.6 million charge for the early retirement of FHLB borrowing debt. Comparably, included in total noninterest income in 2009 were gains of $1.2 million on the sale of residential loans and SBA loans, a $627,000 loss on the sale of a majority of the Bank's student loan portfolio and a $1.6 million gain on the sale of investment securities, offset by $2.3 million of net impairment charges on investment securities.
 
Noninterest expenses totaled $97.1 million for 2010, an increase of $5.4 million, or 6%, over 2009. This overall increase was primarily the result of significantly higher data processing and consulting costs in 2010 over those incurred in 2009. Throughout 2009, Metro converted all of its data processing and retail-delivery systems and developed an in-house technological infrastructure in addition to rebranding the entire company.  During 2010, the Company had an increased level of recurring costs associated with maintaining the infrastructure. Metro also incurred higher levels of expenses associated with foreclosed assets, problem loans and regulatory-related costs in 2010.
 
Salary expenses and employee benefits decreased by $1.9 million, or 4%, in 2010 from 2009.
 
Occupancy expenses for 2010 were $263,000, or 3%, higher in 2010 compared to 2009 and furniture and equipment expenses increased by $368,000, or 8%, to $5.1 million.
 
Advertising and marketing expenses were $3.0 million for 2010, an increase of 8%, over 2009. Data processing expenses increased by $4.0 million, or 43%, in 2010 over 2009, primarily related to building a new network infrastructure in-house to support daily operations of the Company post conversion. Regulatory expenses of $4.6 million in 2010 were $606,000 higher than 2009.

Foreclosed real estate expenses of $1.4 million in 2010 were $802,000 higher than 2009.

Consulting fees increased $3.7 million to $4.5 million in 2010 compared to $762,000 in 2009 due to the hiring of consultants in 2010 to assist the Bank in developing and implementing a system of procedures and controls designed to ensure full compliance with the Bank BSA and OFAC.
 
Other noninterest expenses totaled $9.4 million for 2010, compared to $8.4 million for 2009.



11




Financial Condition
 
Securities
 
Securities are purchased and sold as part of our overall asset and liability management function. The classification of all securities is determined at the time of purchase. Securities expected to be held for an indefinite period of time are classified as securities available for sale and are carried at fair value. Decisions by management to purchase or sell these securities are based on an assessment of financial and economic conditions, including changes in prepayment risks and interest rates, liquidity needs, capital adequacy, collateral requirements for pledging, alternative asset and liability management strategies, tax considerations and regulatory requirements.
 
Securities are classified as held to maturity (HTM) if, at the time of purchase, management has both the intent and ability to hold the securities until maturity. Securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Sales of securities in this portfolio should only occur in unusual and rare situations where significant unforeseeable changes in circumstances may cause a change in intent. Examples of such instances would include deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness that is evidently supportable and significant or a change in tax law that eliminates or reduces the tax-exempt status of interest (but not the revision of marginal tax rates applicable to interest income). HTM securities cannot be sold based upon any of the decisions used to sell securities available for sale as listed above. See Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for further analysis of our securities portfolio.
 
Based on the amortized cost, approximately 91% of our investment securities carry fixed rate coupons that do not change over the life of the securities. Since many of the amortizing securities are purchased at premiums or discounts, their yield and average life will change depending on any change in the estimated rate of prepayments. We amortize premiums and accrete discounts over the estimated average life of the amortizing securities. Premiums and discounts on non-amortizing securities, such as government and municipal bonds, are amortized or accreted to their maturity date. Changes in the estimated average life of the securities portfolio will lengthen or shorten the period in which the premium or discount must be amortized or accreted, thus affecting the yields we recognize. At December 31, 2011, the yield on our total investment securities portfolio was 2.85%, down 59 bps from 3.44% at December 31, 2010. This decrease was due to prepayments, calls and maturities of securities with higher interest rates combined with purchases of new securities in 2011 at lower yields than those purchased in previous years, due to the low level of general market interest rates present in 2011 as compared to previous years.
 
At December 31, 2011, the weighted-average life and duration of our total securities portfolio was approximately 2.5 years and 2.1 years, respectively, as compared to 6.0 years and 4.7 years, respectively, at December 31, 2010. The weighted-average life of the portfolio is calculated by estimating the average rate of repayment of the underlying collateral of each security. Mortgage-backed obligations historically experience repayment rates in excess of the scheduled repayments, causing a shorter weighted-average life of the security. Our securities portfolio contained no derivatives as of December 31, 2011 or 2010.
 
The fair value of the Bank's securities available for sale portfolio increased by $175.4 million in 2011, primarily as a result of purchases of $368.5 million offset partially by $193.1 million of principal repayments, sales, calls, maturities, premium and discount amortization and write-downs related to OTTI and excluding net gains on sales. At December 31, 2011, the unrealized gain on securities available for sale included in stockholders' equity totaled $3.8 million, net of tax, compared to a $5.6 million unrealized loss on securities, net of tax, at December 31, 2010. The AFS portfolio is comprised of U.S. Government agency securities, agency residential mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), agency CMOs, private-label CMOs and corporate bonds. The market prices for certain securities held in the Company's portfolio improved in 2011 and management believes that the unrealized gains on these securities at December 31, 2011were primarily the result of changes in general market interest rates and prices. At December 31, 2011, the weighted-average life, duration and weighted- average yield of our AFS portfolio was approximately 2.8 years, 2.5 years and 2.62%, respectively, as compared to 4.5 years, 3.6 years and 3.25%, respectively, at December 31, 2010.
 
During 2011, the carrying value of securities in the HTM portfolio decreased by $30.9 million, primarily as a result of principal repayments, sales, calls, maturities and premium and discount amortization of $88.0 million, excluding net gains on sales offset by purchases of $57.1 million. The securities held in this portfolio include U.S. Government agency securities, agency residential MBSs, agency CMOs, corporate debt securities and municipal bonds. At December 31, 2011, the weighted-average life, duration and weighted-average yield of our HTM portfolio was approximately 1.4 years, 1.1 years and 3.56%, respectively, as compared to 9.1 years, 7.0 years and 3.83%, respectively, at December 31, 2010.
 
The Company sold a total of 13 securities with a combined fair market value of $126.2 million and realized net pretax gains of $350,000 during 2011. All of the securities sold were agency CMOs. Of this total, 12 securities with a combined fair market value of $125.3 million had been classified as available for sale. One agency CMO with a fair market value of $852,000 had been classified as held to maturity, however, its current par value had fallen to less than 9% of its original par value and could be sold without tainting the remaining HTM portfolio. The Company uses the specific identification method to record security sales. In addition, the Company had a total of $60.0

12




million of agency debentures called, at par, by their issuing agencies during 2011. The called securities were classified as held to maturity and carried at par, therefore no gain or loss was recognized as a result of the calls.
 
No investment in securities of a single non-U.S. Government or government agency issuer exceeded ten percent of shareholders' equity at December 31, 2011.

The amortized cost of AFS and HTM securities are summarized below in Table 4 as of December 31, for each of the years 2009 through 2011:

TABLE 4
 
December 31,
 (in thousands)
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,500

 
$
22,500

 
$
55,004

Residential MBSs
21,087

 
2,383

 
80,916

Agency CMOs
519,167

 
388,414

 
149,233

Private-label CMOs
24,974

 
33,246

 
120,407

Corporate debt securities
19,952

 

 

Total available for sale
$
607,680

 
$
446,543

 
$
405,560

Held to Maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agency securities
$
97,750

 
$
140,000

 
$
25,000

Residential MBSs
37,658

 
48,497

 
54,822

Agency CMOs
45,122

 
29,079

 
30,362

Private-label CMOs

 

 
4,010

Corporate debt securities
15,000

 
10,000

 
1,997

Municipal securities
1,105

 

 
1,624

Total held to maturity
$
196,635

 
$
227,576

 
$
117,815

 
The contractual maturity distribution and weighted-average yield of our AFS and HTM portfolios at December 31, 2011 are summarized in Table 5. For mortgage-backed obligations, the contractual maturities may be significantly different than actual maturities. Changes in payment patterns and prepayments may occur depending on the market conditions and other economic variables. Weighted-average yield is calculated by multiplying the book yield times the book value for each security within each maturity range. Tax-exempt obligations have been tax effected, assuming a tax rate of 34%.


13




TABLE 5
December 31, 2011
Due Under 1 Year
Due 1-5 Years
Due 5-10 Years
Due Over 10 Years
Total
(dollars in thousands)
Amount/Yield
Amount/Yield
Amount/Yield
Amount/Yield
Amount/Yield
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency
obligations
$

%
$

%
$

%
$
22,500

3.00
%
$
22,500

3.00
%
Residential MBSs






21,087

2.89

21,087

2.89

Agency CMOs




1,112

5.51

518,055

2.37

519,167

2.38

Private-label CMOs






24,974

5.71

24,974

5.71

Corporate debt securities




19,952

4.43



19,952

4.43

Total available for sale
$

%
$

%
$
21,064

4.49
%
$
586,616

2.56
%
$
607,680

2.62
%
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to Maturity:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agency
obligations
$

%
$

%
$
12,750

2.72
%
$
85,000

3.56
%
$
97,750

3.45
%
Residential MBSs




2,785

4.16

34,873

4.68

37,658

4.64

Agency CMOs






45,122

3.23

45,122

3.23

Corporate debt securities


15,000

2.51





15,000

2.51

Municipal obligations






1,105

4.55

1,105

4.55

Total held to maturity
$

%
$
15,000

2.51
%
$
15,535

2.98
%
$
166,100

3.71
%
$
196,635

3.56
%
 
Note: Securities available for sale are carried at amortized cost in the table above for purposes of calculating the weighted-average yield received on such securities.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
Loans held for sale are comprised of student loans and selected residential mortgage loans the Company originates with the intention of selling in the future. Prior to September 30, 2011, loans held for sale also included SBA loans the Company originated with the intention of selling. Occasionally, loans held for sale also includes business and industry loans that the Company decides to sell. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, calculated in the aggregate. At the present time, the majority of the Company's residential loans are originated with the intent to sell to the secondary market unless the loan is nonconforming to secondary market standards or if we agree not to sell the loan due to a customer's request. The residential mortgage loans that are designated as held for sale are sold to other financial institutions in correspondent relationships and the Bank does not retain the servicing. The sale of these loans takes place typically within 30 days of funding. At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no residential mortgage loans held for sale were past due or impaired. At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 there was $567,000, $367,000 and $224,000, respectively, of student loans held for sale that were past due.

In previous years, as well as for the first half of 2011, the Company was originating SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portions of the loans. The Bank recognized total gains of $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $47,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, on the sales of SBA loans. During the second quarter of 2011, as a result of a much lower level of SBA loan originations in 2011 compared to 2010, the Company's management made the decision to hold SBA loans in the Company's loan receivable portfolio unless or until the Company's management determines a sale of certain loans is appropriate. At the time such a decision would be made, the SBA loans will be moved from the loans receivable portfolio to the loans held for sale portfolio.

Total loans held for sale were $9.4 million and $18.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of $5.2 million of student loans and $4.2 million of residential mortgages as compared to $6.0 million of student loans, $5.2 million of SBA loans and $7.4 million of residential mortgages at December 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily the result of Metro's strategic decision to record and hold SBA loans in its loan portfolio as discussed above. Loans held for sale, as a percentage of total consolidated assets, were less than 1% at December 31, 2011 and 2010. At December 31, 2010 there was a deferred gain of $930,000 which was recognized in the first quarter of 2011 at the expiration of the 90-day warranty period.

Loans Receivable
 
In order to add clarity and improve credit quality disclosures, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued additional guidance in 2010 that requires the Company to disclose its various classes of loans outstanding based on the same portfolio segment that it develops and documents a systematic method for determining its ALL. Accordingly, we have reclassified our loans receivable for the three years

14




prior to 2010 into the portfolio segments as shown throughout the discussion that follows. The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio by segment as of December 31, for each of the years 2007 through 2011. During the first quarter of 2011, certain types of loans were reclassified due to their purpose and overall risk characteristics. Therefore, the balances associated with those particular loans as of December 31, for each of the years 2007 through 2010 were reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

TABLE 6
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Commercial and industrial
$
321,988

$
337,398

$
401,759

$
369,496

$
327,048

Commercial tax-exempt
81,532

85,863

102,218

79,404

35,027

Owner occupied real estate
279,372

241,553

263,413

269,280

254,138

Commercial construction and land
  development
103,153

112,094

115,013

104,122

75,110

Commercial real estate
364,405

313,194

265,655

291,816

165,120

Residential
83,940

81,124

85,035

91,775

90,132

Consumer
202,278

207,979

210,690

233,890

210,796

Total loans outstanding
$
1,436,668

$
1,379,205

$
1,443,783

$
1,439,783

$
1,157,371

 
Our commercial and industrial loans are typically made to small and medium-sized businesses and represented 22% of our total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011. The average loan size originated in 2011 in this category was approximately $364,000. Our underwriting policy has maximum terms for these loans depending on the loan type within the commercial and industrial loans category. The primary source of repayment is the cash flow from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the business. Collateral for these types of loans varies depending upon the type and purpose of the loans as well as management's credit evaluations of the respective borrowers and generally includes business assets and/or personal assets of the borrower. The value of the collateral in this category may vary depending on market conditions. The Company maintains advance rate guidelines for particular collateral categories to mitigate the risk that upon default, the collateral is insufficient to cover the outstanding loan balance.

Commercial tax exempt loans represented 6% of our total loans at December 31, 2011 and are made primarily to municipalities and school districts and rely on the cash flows of the borrowing entity for repayment. The average loan size originated in 2011 in this category was $2.5 million. We underwrite these loans based upon our established underwriting guidelines and our analysis of the cash flow, operating results and financial condition of the borrower.

Owner occupied real estate loans represented 20% of our total loans at December 31, 2011 and are for commercial properties and are typically made to small and medium-sized businesses. The primary source of repayment is the cash flow from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the business or a related interest of the business or an affiliate of the party who owns the property. Based on our underwriting standards, loans in this category are secured by real property and typically require owner guarantees. The average loan size originated in 2011 in this category was approximately $701,000.

Our commercial real estate and our construction and land development loans are typically made to small and medium-sized investors, builders and developers and made up 25% and 7%, respectively, of our total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011. These loans are secured by mortgages on real property (principally one to four family rental, multi-family rental, office and other commercial properties) located primarily in South Central Pennsylvania. The average loan size originated in 2011 in these categories was approximately $470,000. Our underwriting guidelines establish maximum terms and advanced rates depending on the type of loan within the commercial real estate category. A five-year call option is standard on commercial mortgages. Our underwriting guidelines also establish maximum loan-to-value ratios depending upon the type of primary collateral, typically require owner guarantees and may require other collateral depending on our assessment of the overall risk. 
  
Residential real estate mortgage loans represented approximately 6% of our total loans at December 31, 2011. Loans in this category are collateralized by first mortgages on residential properties located primarily in South Central Pennsylvania. We underwrite these loans based upon our established underwriting guidelines.
 
Consumer term loans and consumer lines of credit represented 14% of our total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011 and are secured by first and second mortgages, personal assets of the borrower, or may be unsecured. As of December 31, 2011, approximately $194.0 million, or 96%, of the total for this category were secured by real estate, 17% of which were secured by second mortgages, $1.4 million were loans collateralized by personal assets of the borrower and $6.9 million were unsecured. Our underwriting policy sets limitations

15




on the terms of the loans, defines allowable collateral and the method of valuation of the collateral, outlines acceptable debt to income ratios as well as acceptable credit sources to determine if the applicant meets our standards. We review lines of credit annually and remove availability if the borrower is no longer compliant with our underwriting standards or is delinquent. As of December 31, 2011, unused commitments under consumer lines of credit were $86.3 million.
 
Total gross loans receivable increased by $57.5 million from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011. Total loan originations in 2011 exceeded those in 2010 by approximately $107.2 million, or 31%. However, gross loans receivable have not yet returned to levels experienced in 2009. This was due to a combination of lower loan demand, higher net charge-offs and the current economic conditions during 2011 and 2010 combined with our tightening of underwriting guidelines for new and existing loans in the current economic environment.  As the economy improves, we expect loan demand to increase and, therefore, expect the level of originations to continue to grow in 2012 as compared to 2011. During 2011, commercial real estate loans increased $51.2 million, or 16%, owner occupied real estate loans increased $37.8 million, or 16%, while commercial and industrial loans decreased $15.4 million, or 5%, and commercial construction and land development loans decreased $8.9 million, or 8%. Changes in total loan balances outstanding for commercial tax-exempt, residential and consumer loans were not material. Also included in gross loans are deposit accounts that are reclassified as loans as a result of overdrawn deposit account balances. The total of overdrawn deposit accounts reclassified as loans aggregated $497,000 at December 31, 2011 compared to $431,000 at December 31, 2010.
 
Total loans outstanding represented 69% of total deposits and 59% of total assets at December 31, 2011, excluding the loans held for sale, compared to 75% and 62%, respectively, at December 31, 2010.

 

16




The maturity ranges of the loan portfolio and the amounts of loans with fixed interest rates and floating interest rates in each maturity range, as of December 31, 2011, are presented in the following table:

TABLE 7
 
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
Due Within
One Year
Due 1-5 
Years
Due Over 
Five Years
Total
Commercial and industrial
$
126,124

$
126,290

$
69,574

$
321,988

Commercial tax exempt

5,003

76,529

81,532

Owner occupied real estate
9,687

20,404

249,281

279,372

Commercial construction and land development
73,314

12,152

17,687

103,153

Commercial real estate
16,310

57,602

290,493

364,405

Residential
7,671

9,999

66,270

83,940

Consumer
36,348

14,165

151,765

202,278

Total loans
$
269,454

$
245,615

$
921,599

$
1,436,668

Interest rates:
 

 

 

 

  Fixed
$
33,192

$
133,898

$
645,692

$
812,782

  Floating
236,262

111,717

275,907

623,886

Total loans
$
269,454

$
245,615

$
921,599

$
1,436,668

 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
We manage risk associated with our loan portfolio in part through diversification and through what we believe are sound policies and underwriting procedures that are reviewed, updated and approved at least annually, as well as through our ongoing loan monitoring efforts. Additionally, we monitor and manage concentrations of loans or loan relationships by purpose, collateral or industry. Management reviews various concentration reports regularly and reports areas of risk in the portfolio and quantifies, if any, exceptions made to policies and procedures to our board of directors no less than quarterly. At December 31, 2011, we did not have a concentration to any one borrower, or group of borrowers with similar economic characteristics.

Commercial real estate and commercial construction and land development loans, including tax exempt commercial real estate loans aggregated $467.6 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $425.3 million at December 31, 2010. These loans were 32% of our total loans outstanding and made up the largest portion of loans on our balance sheet at December 31, 2011. Our commercial real estate loan portfolio is principally to borrowers throughout Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties of Pennsylvania where we have full-service store locations.

Commercial and industrial loans represented 22% of total loans, owner occupied real estate loans collateralized by real estate equaled 20% of total loans and consumer loans comprised 14% of total loans at December 31, 2011.

Loan and Asset Quality
 
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and foreclosed assets. During 2011 the Bank adopted FASB guidance on determination of whether a loan restructuring is a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The guidance was applicable to restructurings on or after January 1, 2011. A TDR is a loan in which the contractual terms have been modified resulting in the Bank granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties in order for the Bank to have a greater opportunity of collecting the indebtedness from the borrower.  Nonaccruing TDRs are included in nonperforming loans.
The following table presents information regarding the Bank's nonperforming assets at December 31, 2007 through 2011. Nonaccruing as well as accruing TDRs are broken out at the bottom portion of the table. Additionally, relevant asset quality ratios are presented as well as details on the interest income related to nonaccrual loans.


17




TABLE 8
 
 
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
 
$
10,162

 
$
23,103

 
$
14,254

 
$
6,863

 
$
534

Commercial tax-exempt
 

 

 

 

 

Owner occupied real estate
 
2,895

 
4,318

 
3,201

 

 

Commercial construction and land development
 
8,511

 
14,155

 
11,771

 
6,915

 

Commercial real estate
 
7,820

 
5,424

 
5,497

 
9,893

 
176

Residential
 
2,912

 
3,609

 
2,368

 
2,959

 
2,168

     Consumer
 
1,829

 
1,579

 
654

 
492

 
57

Total nonaccrual loans
 
34,129

 
52,188

 
37,745

 
27,122

 
2,935

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
 
692

 
650

 

 

 

Total nonperforming loans
 
34,821

 
52,838

 
37,745

 
27,122

 
2,935

Foreclosed assets
 
7,072

 
6,768

 
7,821

 
743

 
489

     Total nonperforming assets
 
$
41,893

 
$
59,606

 
$
45,566

 
$
27,865

 
$
3,424

Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonaccruing TDRs
 
$
10,075

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Accruing TDRs
 
12,835

 
177

 

 

 

Total TDRs
 
$
22,910

 
$
177

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans to total loans
 
2.42
%
 
3.83
%
 
2.61
%
 
1.88
%
 
0.25
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
 
1.73
%
 
2.67
%
 
2.12
%
 
1.30
%
 
0.17
%
Interest income received on nonaccrual loans
 
$
586

 
$
340

 
$
976

 
$
1,268

 
$
157

Interest income that would have been recorded under
  the original terms of the loans
 
$
2,880

 
$
3,363

 
$
1,880

 
$
1,776

 
$
280


Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2011, were $41.9 million, or 1.73%, of total assets, as compared to $59.6 million, or 2.67%, of total assets, at December 31, 2010.

Nonperforming Loans

Total nonperforming loans were $34.8 million at December 31, 2011, down from $52.8 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease in nonperforming loans experienced by the Company during 2011 resulted from a combination of net charge-offs of $20.6 million, pay downs of $10.2 million, upgrades totaling $6.0 million and the reclassification of $5.3 million into foreclosed assets, all partially offset by $24.1 million of additional loans designated as nonaccrual during the year.
The Bank has experienced a decline in total nonperforming loan balances over the most recent six quarters, much like most of the banking industry. The decline is attributable in part to the improvement of economic conditions allowing some borrowers to experience stabilized or improved cash flow. The remainder of the decline is the result of the Bank charging down balances of nonperforming loans where necessary.
Partially charged off loans with updated appraisal values remain on nonperforming status and are subject to the Bank's standard recovery policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, foreclosure proceedings, a forbearance agreement, or classification as a TDR, unless collectability of the entire balance of principal and interest is no longer in doubt and the loan is current or will be brought current within a short period of time.
Nonaccrual Loans

The Bank generally places a loan on nonaccrual status and ceases accruing interest when loan payment performance is deemed unsatisfactory and the loan is past due 90 days or more, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection.



18




The following table details the change in total nonaccrual loan balances during 2011:

TABLE 9
 
Twelve Months Ended
(in thousands)
December 31, 2011
Balance at January 1, 2011
$
52,188

Total additions
24,060

Net charge-offs
(20,590
)
Total pay downs
(10,162
)
Total upgrades to accruing status
(6,031
)
Total transfers to foreclosed assets
(5,336
)
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
34,129


During 2011, the additions to nonaccrual status consisted of 48 commercial relationships and 43 consumer loans. The largest relationship totaled $5.3 million and consisted primarily of commercial real estate loans. This resulted from a borrower filing for reorganization bankruptcy during the third quarter. At the present time, management believes, based upon appraisals and evaluation of the collateral that the Bank holds sufficient collateral for this relationship. One additional relationship that was added, had an aggregate specific loss allocation of $500,000 at year end 2011. The average total balance of commercial relationships added during the 2011 was $463,000.

Of the total net loan charge-offs by the Bank in 2011, $17.3 million was related to loans that were nonaccruing at December 31, 2010. During 2011, $3.6 million, or 21%, of this amount was related to loans for which the Bank had a specific loss allocation as of December 31, 2010. During 2011, collection of these nonaccrual loans became less likely due to unforeseen developments including, an extreme decline in the value of the real estate collateral for one seven figure loan in particular, a participation transaction that dissolved as a result of the lead lender electing not to proceed with a large refinance and the realization through lack of market interest that the value of the collateral for a large collateral dependent loan was significantly less than the appraisal value, among other things. The remaining $3.3 million of net loan charge-offs was associated with loans classified as nonaccruing during 2011. One relationship that was added had an aggregate specific loss allocation of $500,000 at year end 2011. Five commercial construction and land development relationships totaled $10.2 million, or 50%, of total net charge-offs during 2011 and three relationships totaling $6.2 million, or 30%, were commercial and industrial loans.

Three commercial relationships totaling $4.7 million and one consumer loan for $863,000 were upgraded to accruing status during 2011 in addition to other smaller consumer and residential loans that were also upgraded.

The table and discussion that follows provides additional details of the components of our nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans, commercial construction and land development loans and commercial real estate loans, our three largest nonaccrual categories.

19




TABLE 10
 
Nonaccrual Loans
(dollars in thousands)
2011
 
2010
Commercial and Industrial:
 
 
 
Number of loans
44

 
53

Number of loans greater than $1 million
3

 
6

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
2,229

 
$
2,954

Less than $1 million
$
85

 
$
118

Commercial Construction and Land Development:
 
 
 
Number of loans
19

 
8

Number of loans greater than $1 million
3

 
5

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
1,261

 
$
2,560

Less than $1 million
$
295

 
$
452

Commercial Real Estate:
 
 
 
Number of loans
25

 
14

Number of loans greater than $1 million
1

 
1

Average outstanding balance of those loans:
 
 
 
Greater than $1 million
$
3,719

 
$
3,719

Less than $1 million
$
171

 
$
131


At December 31, 2011, 44 loans were in the nonaccrual commercial and industrial category with outstanding balances ranging from $1,000 to $3.4 million. Of the 44 loans, three loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and aggregated $6.7 million, or 66%, of total nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans. The average outstanding balance was $2.2 million per loan. The remaining 41 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $85,000 per loan.
There were 19 loans in the nonaccrual commercial construction and land development category with outstanding balances ranging from $72,000 to $1.5 million. Of the 19 loans, three loans were in excess of $1.0 million each and aggregated to $3.8 million, or 44%, of total nonaccrual commercial construction and land development loans, with an average outstanding balance of $1.3 million per loan. The remaining 16 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $295,000 per loan.
There were 25 loans in the nonaccrual commercial real estate category with outstanding balances ranging from $23,000 to $3.7 million. Of the 25 loans, one loan totaled $3.7 million, or 48%, of total nonaccrual commercial real estate loans. The remaining 24 loans account for the difference at an average outstanding balance of $171,000 per loan. One relationship that was placed on nonaccrual had $3.6 million in commercial real estate loans and accounted for 17 of the 25 loans.
Foreclosed Assets
Foreclosed assets totaled $7.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $6.8 million at December 31, 2010. The total comprised 27 properties at December 31, 2011, with the largest property balance valued at $2.2 million compared to 20 properties at December 31, 2010, the largest property balance valued at $4.0 million. The increase in foreclosed real estate during 2011 is the result of the transfer of 34 properties into this category totaling approximately $5.3 million, partially offset by the sale of 27 properties for a total of $2.8 million, write-downs of $2.1 million on 10 properties and five pay downs totaling $284,000.
The Company obtains third party appraisals by one of several Board pre-approved certified general appraisers on nonperforming loans secured by real estate at the time a loan is determined to be nonperforming to support the fair market value of the collateral.  Appraisals are ordered by the Company's Real Estate Loan Administration Department which is independent of both the loan workout and loan production functions. The Company properly charges down loans based on the fair value of the collateral as determined by the current appraisal or other collateral valuations less any costs to sell before the properties are transferred to foreclosed real estate.



20




Troubled Debt Restructurings
As mentioned previously, a TDR is a loan in which the contractual terms have been modified resulting in the Bank granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties in order for the Bank to have a greater opportunity of collecting the indebtedness from the borrower. Concessions could include, but are not limited to, interest rate reductions below current market interest rates, atypical maturity extensions and principal forgiveness. An additional benefit to the Company in granting a concession is to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral at a time when real estate values are at historical lows, in attempt to minimize losses.

As of December 31, 2011 TDRs totaled $22.9 million, of which $10.1 million were included in nonaccruing loans. The remaining $12.8 million of TDRs were accruing at December 31, 2011. TDR loans totaled $177,000 at December 31, 2010.
There were fifteen relationships consisting of 35 loans which were restructured during 2011. The majority of these loans, approximately $10.0 million, were commercial construction and land development loans and $4.3 million were other commercial real estate loans. The commercial construction and land development loans were considered to be TDRs by management as a result of maturity date extensions of residential tract development loans that were granted. Additionally, $3.1 million of the commercial real estate loans were extended beyond their original maturity date. Commercial and industrial loans that were restructured totaled $8.0 million and the majority of those loans were restructured as the result of forbearance agreements.
Nonaccrual TDRs may be reclassified to accruing TDRs when the borrower has consistently made full payments for at least six months and the Bank expects repayment of the modified loan's principal and interest. The loan will no longer be considered a TDR when the interest rate is equal to or greater than the rate that the Bank was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and the loan is no longer impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.
Impaired and Other Problem Loans
Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans in addition to loans which the Company, based on current information, does not expect to receive both the principal and interest amounts due from a borrower according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. These loans totaled $63.5 million at December 31, 2011 with an aggregate specific allocation of $3.6 million compared to impaired loans of $71.8 million at December 31, 2010 with a $3.6 million aggregate specific allocation. The specific allocation related to three relationships at December 31, 2011 versus four different relationships at December 31, 2010.
Impaired loans have been evaluated as to risk exposure in determining the adequacy of the ALL. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for an age analysis of loans receivable and for further detail regarding impaired loans.
The Bank obtains third party appraisals ordered by the Real Estate Loan Administration Department on nonperforming loans secured by real estate at the time the loan is determined to be impaired. The Bank properly charges down loans based on the fair value of the collateral as determined by the current appraisal or other collateral valuations less any costs to sell.
The charge down of any impaired loan is done upon receipt and satisfactory review of the appraisal or other collateral valuation and, in no event, later than the end of the quarter in which the appraisal or valuation was accepted by the Bank. No significant time lapses during this process have occurred for any period presented.
The Bank also considers the volatility of the fair value of the collateral, timing and reliability of the appraisal, timing of the third party's inspection of the collateral, confidence in the Bank's lien on the collateral, historical losses on similar loans and other factors based on the type of real estate securing the loan. As deemed necessary, the Bank will perform inspections of the collateral to determine if an adjustment of the value of the collateral is necessary.
The Bank may create a specific allowance for all or a part of a particular loan in lieu of a charge-off as a result of management's evaluation of the impaired loan. In these instances, the Bank has determined that a loss is probable but not imminent based upon available information surrounding the credit at the time of the analysis, however, management believes an allowance is appropriate to acknowledge the potential risk of loss.
Management's Allowance for Loan Loss Committee has performed a detailed review of the impaired loans and of the collateral related to these credits and believes, to the best of its knowledge, that the ALL remains adequate for the level of risk inherent in these loans at December 31, 2011.
Any criticized or classified loan not considered impaired is reviewed to determine if it is a potential problem loan. Such loan classifications totaled $44.4 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $47.3 million at December 31, 2010 and were comprised of $18.2 million of special mention rated loans and $26.2 million of substandard accruing loans which were not deemed impaired. These problem loans were included in the general pool of loans to determine the adequacy of the ALL at December 31, 2011.

21





While it is difficult to forecast impaired loans due to numerous variables, the Bank, through its credit risk management tools and other credit metrics, believes it has currently identified the material problem loans in the portfolio.
As a result of continued economic uncertainty affecting unemployment, consumer spending, home sales and collateral values, it is possible that the Company may experience increased levels of nonperforming assets and additional losses in the foreseeable future.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The ALL is established in the form of a provision expense for loan losses and is reduced by loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. When loans are deemed to be uncollectible, they are charged off. Management has established a reserve that it believes is adequate for estimated losses in the loan portfolio. In conjunction with an outsourced third party loan review function that operates independently of the lending function, management monitors the loan portfolio to identify risks on a timely basis so that an appropriate allowance is maintained. Based on an evaluation of the loan portfolio, management presents a quarterly review of the ALL to the board of directors, indicating any changes in the allowance since the last review. In making the evaluation, management considers the results of recent regulatory examinations, which typically include a review of the ALL as an integral part of the examination process.
 
In establishing the allowance, management evaluates, on a quantitative basis, classified loans to determine an aggregate reserve for those loans based on that review. In addition, an allowance for the remainder of the loan portfolio is determined based on historical loss experience within certain components of the portfolio. These allocations may be modified if current conditions indicate that loan losses may differ from historical experience. In addition, a portion of the allowance is established for losses inherent in the loan portfolio, which have not been identified by the quantitative processes described above. This determination inherently involves a higher degree of subjectivity and considers risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in historical loss experience. These factors include:

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards;
Changes in levels and trends of collection, charge-off and recovery practices; changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans;
Material changes in the mix, volume or duration of the portfolio;
Changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans;
Changes in the quality of our loan review system;
Changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff;
The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and
Changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectibility of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments and the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.

More specifically, the methodology utilized to assess the adequacy of the allowance includes:

Identifying loans for individual review under current guidance as required by GAAP. Generally, the loans identified for individual review consist of larger balance commercial business loans and commercial mortgages;
Assessing whether the loans identified for review are “impaired” based on the probability that all amounts due under the loan will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement;
For loans identified as impaired, calculating the estimated fair value of the loans, using one of the following methods, a) observable market price, b) discounted cash flow or c) the value of the underlying collateral;
Identifying other loans for evaluation collectively as required by GAAP. In general, these other loans include residential mortgages and consumer loans;
Segmenting loans into groups with similar characteristics and allocating an ALL to each segment based on recent loss history and other relevant information; and
Reviewing the results to determine the appropriate amount of the ALL.

While the ALL is maintained at a level believed to be adequate by management to cover estimated losses in the loan portfolio, determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. Changes in these

22




estimates may impact the provisions charged to expense in future periods. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, included herein, for further discussion regarding the ALL.
 
The Company recorded provisions of $20.6 million to the ALL in 2011, compared to $21.0 million for 2010. During 2011, net charge-offs for the year totaled to $20.6 million, or 1.43%, of average loans outstanding, excluding loans held for sale, compared to $13.8 million, or 0.98%, of average loans outstanding for 2010. Approximately $16.5 million, or 80%, of total net charge-offs for 2011 were concentrated in a total of seven different loan relationships. Comparatively, ten different loan relationships accounted for approximately $10.5 million, or 76%, of the total net charge-off figure for 2010. The ALL as a percentage of loans receivable decreased from 1.57% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010, to 1.50% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2011. The allowance at December 31, 2011 provided coverage of 62% of total nonperforming loans compared with 41% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2010. See the Application of Critical Accounting Policies section in this Management's Discussion and Analysis regarding the ALL as well as Notes 1 and 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 included herein for further discussion regarding our ALL.

Table 11 summarizes the transactions in the ALL for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and each of the preceding four years. The table is presented in summary due to the FASB guidance issued in July 2010 related to an entity's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables requiring the activity by portfolio segment be disclosed only for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010.


23




TABLE 11
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Balance at beginning of year
$
21,618

$
14,391

$
16,719

$
10,742

$
9,685

Provisions charged to operating expenses
20,592

21,000

12,425

7,475

1,762

 
42,210

35,391

29,144

18,217

11,447

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
 
 

 

 

 

   Commercial and industrial
156

407

92

145

11

   Commercial tax-exempt





   Owner occupied real estate
60

3




   Commercial construction and land development
11

58

1



   Commercial real estate
15

25

121


8

   Residential
68

5

87



   Consumer
135

24

7

25

53

Total recoveries
445

522

308

170

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans charged-off:
 
 

 

 

 

   Commercial and industrial
(7,945
)
(5,995
)
(6,807
)
(1,426
)
(610
)
   Commercial tax-exempt





   Owner occupied real estate
(254
)
(614
)
(342
)


   Commercial construction and land development
(10,629
)
(3,779
)
(3,652
)


   Commercial real estate
(852
)
(2,138
)
(3,634
)

(2
)
   Residential
(188
)
(705
)
(299
)
(69
)
(72
)
   Consumer
(1,167
)
(1,064
)
(327
)
(173
)
(93
)
Total charged-off
(21,035
)
(14,295
)
(15,061
)
(1,668
)
(777
)
Net charge-offs
(20,590
)
(13,773
)
(14,753
)
(1,498
)
(705
)
Balance at end of year
$
21,620

$
21,618

$
14,391

$
16,719

$
10,742

Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
1.43
%
0.98
%
1.02
%
0.11
%
0.07
%
ALL to year-end loans
1.50
%
1.57
%
1.00
%
1.16
%
0.93
%

Allocation of the ALL
 
The allocation of the ALL is made for analytical purposes and it is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future credit losses may occur. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any segment of loans. The allocations in the following table were determined by a combination of the following factors: specific allocations made on loans considered impaired as determined by management and the loan review committee, a general allocation on certain other impaired loans and historical losses in each loan type category combined with a weighting of the current loan composition. The following table details the allocation of the ALL to the various categories. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation format.


24




TABLE 12
 
December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
% Gross Loans
 
Amount
 
% Gross Loans
 
Amount
 
% Gross Loans
 
Amount
 
% Gross Loans
 
Amount
 
% Gross Loans
Commercial and industrial
$
8,400

 
22
%
 
$
9,679

 
24
%
 
$
5,002

 
28
%
 
$
5,750

 
26
%
 
$
3,567

 
28
%
Commercial tax-exempt
79

 
6

 
86

 
6

 
1,258

 
7

 
852

 
6

 
435

 
3

Owner occupied real estate
729

 
20

 
910

 
18

 
2,419

 
18

 
2,020

 
19

 
1,914

 
22

Commercial construction
and land development
7,840

 
7

 
5,420

 
8

 
914

 
8

 
2,231

 
7

 
62

 
7

Commercial real estate
3,241

 
25

 
4,002

 
23

 
2,343

 
18

 
2,890

 
20

 
1,737

 
14

Residential
435

 
6

 
442

 
6

 
738

 
6

 
1,002

 
6

 
893

 
8

Consumer
831

 
14

 
702

 
15

 
1,687

 
15

 
1,899

 
16

 
1,800

 
18

Unallocated
65

 

 
377

 

 
30

 

 
75

 

 
334

 

Total
$
21,620

 
100
%
 
$
21,618

 
100
%
 
$
14,391

 
100
%
 
$
16,719

 
100
%
 
$
10,742

 
100
%
 
Deposits
 
Total deposits at December 31, 2011, were $2.07 billion, an increase of $239.4 million, or 13%, over total deposits one year ago.  We regard core deposits as all deposits other than public time deposits. Core deposits increased by $258.1 million, or 15%, from $1.77 billion at December 31, 2010 to $2.03 billion at December 31, 2011. Total core demand noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $56.3 million, or 17%, core demand interest-bearing deposits increased by $111.2 million, or 12%, and core savings account balances increased by $113.9 million, or 39%, year over year. Commercial core deposits grew by $34.9 million, or 6%, in 2011 to $587.1 million and governmental core deposits increased by $169.2 million, or 52%, to $492.1 million. Core consumer deposits totaled $949.1 million at December 31, 2011 and comprise 47% of our total core deposits. Total average deposits for 2011 were $1.94 billion, an increase of $77.4 million, or 4%, over the 2010 average of $1.86 billion.
 
The average balances and weighted-average rates paid on deposits for 2011, 2010 and 2009 are presented below:
 
TABLE 13
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
(dollars in thousands)
Average Balance/Rate
 
Average Balance/Rate
 
Average Balance/Rate
Demand deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Noninterest-bearing
$
373,494

 
 
 
$
332,099

 
 
 
$
303,963

 
 
   Interest-bearing (money market and checking)
967,982

 
0.56
%
 
946,982

 
0.69
%
 
795,835

 
0.92
%
Savings
336,720

 
0.43

 
324,698

 
0.47

 
329,799

 
0.59

Time
261,002

 
1.75

 
258,042

 
2.11

 
271,643

 
2.95

Total deposits
$
1,939,198

 
0.59
%
 
$
1,861,821

 
0.72
%
 
$
1,701,240

 
1.02
%
 
The decrease in the average rates paid on deposits over the past three years are a direct result of the general level of short-term market interest rates and the Company's pricing of its deposit rates paid in accordance with such market rates.  See the Results of Operations section earlier in this Management's Discussion and Analysis regarding the Company's cost of deposits.

The remaining maturities for time deposits with balances of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2011 are presented in Table 14.


25




TABLE 14
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
3 months or less
$
20,747

3 to 6 months
37,720

6 to 12 months
21,036

Over 12 months
26,248

Total
$
105,751

 
Short-Term Borrowings
 
Short-term borrowings used to meet temporary funding needs consist of overnight federal funds purchased as well as overnight and short-term advances from the FHLB. For 2011, short-term borrowings averaged $128.0 million, a $75.8 million, or 145%, increase over 2010. The increase in 2011 as compared to 2010 was attributable to an asset/liability strategy to utilize low-cost borrowings to purchase investment securities during the first six months of 2011 and then repay the borrowings throughout the second half of the year with deposit growth. The Company's deposit growth is typically higher in the second half of the year due to the seasonal influx of deposits associated with government and municipal deposit customers.

Rates paid by Metro on short-term borrowings are set by the respective creditors and are directly related to the level of overall general market interest rates. Therefore, due to the lower level of market rates prevalent throughout 2011 compared to 2010 and 2009, the average rate paid on such borrowings by Metro decreased by 26 bps in 2011 compared to 2010. The following table details the above discussion:

TABLE 15
 
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Outstanding balance
$
65,000

$
140,475

$
51,075

Weighted-average interest rate at period-end
0.15
%
0.60
%
0.62
%
Maximum amount outstanding at any one month-end
$
206,275

$
140,475

$
317,700

Average outstanding balance
$
127,975

$
52,170

$
172,870

Weighted-average interest rate on average outstanding balances
0.34
%
0.60
%
0.59
%

Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt totaled $49.2 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $29.4 million at December 31, 2010. Our long-term debt consists of $24.2 million of Trust Capital Securities through Commerce Harrisburg Capital Trust II and Commerce Harrisburg Capital Trust III, our Delaware business trust subsidiaries. As part of the Company's Asset/Liability management strategy, management utilized a FHLB fixed borrowing product during the second quarter of 2011 by obtaining $25.0 million in borrowings with a two year maturity and interest rate of 1.01%. The entire $25.0 million was outstanding at December 31, 2011. Due to strong regulatory capital levels and in an effort to increase future net interest income, the Company repurchased and retired $5.0 million of 11% fixed rate Trust Capital Securities during the fourth quarter of 2011 and, in doing so, incurred a $75,000 repayment charge. For 2012 and going forward, this will serve to reduce the Company's pretax interest expense by $550,000 annually. During the fourth quarter of 2010 the Company elected to pay off a $25.0 million FHLB convertible select borrowing product which had a five year maturity and a six month conversion term at an initial rate of 4.29% and, in doing so, incurred a $1.6 million prepayment charge. At December 31, 2011, all of the Capital Trust Securities qualified as Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. Proceeds of the trust capital securities were used for general corporate purposes, including additional capitalization of our wholly-owned banking subsidiary. See Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 for further analysis of our long-term debt.
 
Stockholders' Equity and Capital Adequacy
 
At December 31, 2011, total stockholders' equity totaled $220.0 million, up $14.7 million, or 7%, over total stockholders' equity at December 31, 2010. Average stockholders' equity to average assets for the year 2011 was 9.18% compared to 9.46% in 2010. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 included herein, for additional discussion regarding Stockholders' Equity.
 

26




On August 6, 2009, Metro Bancorp, Inc. filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which will allow the Company, from time to time, to offer and sell up to a total aggregate of $250.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or warrants, either separately or together in any combination. The shelf registration statement also registered trust preferred securities, however, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) excludes from regulatory capital the inclusion of trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010. Consequently, the Company has no foreseeable plans to issue additional trust preferred securities. The Company has always been well-capitalized under federal regulatory guidelines, however the shelf registration better positions us to take advantage of potential opportunities for growth and to address current economic conditions.

The Company offers a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and received proceeds from stock purchases through this plan of $3.8 million during 2011 and $3.2 million during 2010. Beginning January 1, 2012, the voluntary cash payments maximum was reduced from $25,000 to $10,000 per month and the 3% discount on such purchases was eliminated. These changes could reduce the voluntary cash payments the Company may receive during future periods.
 
Risk-based capital provides the basis for which all banks are evaluated in terms of capital adequacy. The risk-based capital standards require all banks to have Tier 1 capital of at least 4% and total capital, including Tier 1 capital, of at least 8% of risk-adjusted assets. Tier 1 capital includes common stockholders' equity and qualifying perpetual preferred stock together with related surpluses and retained earnings. Total capital may be comprised of total Tier 1 capital plus limited life preferred stock, qualifying debt instruments and the ALL.
 
The following table provides a comparison of the Company's risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios to the minimum regulatory requirements for the periods indicated:

TABLE 16
 
Company
 
Bank
Minimum Regulatory Requirements
Well-Capitalized Threshold
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
(Bank Only)
Total Capital
15.36
%
 
15.83
%
 
14.12
%
 
14.06
%
8.00
%
10.00
%
Tier 1 Capital
14.11

 
14.58

 
12.87

 
12.81

4.00

6.00

Leverage ratio (to total average assets)
9.99

 
10.68

 
9.10

 
9.38

4.00

5.00

 
At December 31, 2011, the capital levels of the Bank met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” financial institution, i.e., a leverage capital ratio exceeding 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%.
 
Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol METR. The table below sets forth the prices on the NASDAQ Global Select Market known to us for the period beginning January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 3,500 holders of record of the Company's common stock.
 
TABLE 17
 
Sales Price
Quarter Ended:
High
Low
December 31, 2011
$
9.30

$
7.75

September 30, 2011
11.90

8.30

June 30, 2011
12.90

10.30

March 31, 2011
12.85

10.88

December 31, 2010
$
11.33

$
9.30

September 30, 2010
13.45

9.05

June 30, 2010
14.76

11.72

March 31, 2010
14.22

10.82

 





27




The following graph shows the yearly percentage change in the Company's cumulative total shareholder return on its common stock from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2011 compared with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Bank Index and the NASDAQ Composite Market Index.


Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
The management of interest rate sensitivity seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to provide consistent net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.
 
Our risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, or market risk, is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The primary objective of our asset/liability management activities is to maximize net interest income while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate risk. Our Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for establishing policies to limit exposure to interest rate risk and to ensure procedures are established to monitor compliance with those policies. Our board of directors reviews the guidelines established by ALCO.
 
An interest rate sensitive asset or liability is one that, within a defined time period, either matures or experiences an interest rate change in line with general market interest rates. Historically, the most common method of estimating interest rate risk was to measure the maturity and repricing relationships between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at specific points in time, referred to as “GAP,” typically one year. Under this method, a company is considered liability sensitive when the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities exceeds the amount of its interest-earning assets within the one-year horizon. However, assets and liabilities with similar repricing characteristics may not reprice at the same time or to the same degree. As a result, our GAP does not necessarily predict the impact of changes in general levels of interest rates on net interest income. Table 18 shows our GAP position as of December 31, 2011. The repricing assumptions used in the table are as follows:

Fixed rate loans receivable are scheduled according to their contractual amortization and payment schedules specific to each loan. A market consensus Constant Prepayment Rate (CPR) based on historical actual experience is applied to fixed rate commercial and consumer loans;
Floating rate loans receivable are tied to a floating index such as the New York Prime lending rate and are scheduled according to their repricing characteristics;

28




Securities with pre-payment characteristics such as MBSs and CMOs are scheduled based upon their remaining weighted-average lives as calculated utilizing a market consensus CPR. Securities with call options are analyzed in the context of the existing interest rate environment to estimate the likelihood of their call and to project their resulting payment schedule. All other securities are assumed to reprice at their contractual maturity;
Fixed rate deposit transaction accounts are scheduled to reprice in accordance with their estimated decay rates as determined in a core deposit study produced by an independent consultant. Floating rate deposit transaction accounts are scheduled in the 1-90 day category as they are tied to a floating index such as the 91-Day Treasury bill; and
Time deposit accounts, short-term borrowings and trust capital securities are scheduled based upon their contractual maturity dates.

TABLE 18
 
December 31, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
1 - 90
Days
91 - 180
Days
181 - 365
Days
1 - 5
Years
Beyond 5
Years
Total
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable, including loans
held for sale
$
659,370

$
41,053

$
80,478

$
501,124

$
164,002

$
1,446,027

Securities
222,819

40,516

95,989

276,906

180,379

816,609

Federal Funds Sold
8,075





8,075

Total interest-earning assets
890,264

81,569

176,467

778,030

344,381

2,270,711

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction accounts, excluding
noninterest-bearing demand
330,712

54,574

57,251

240,467

762,651

1,445,655

Time deposits
58,828

55,494

42,686

71,660


228,668

Short-term borrowings
65,000





65,000

Long-term debt



25,000

24,200

49,200

Total interest-bearing liabilities
454,540

110,068

99,937

337,127

786,851

1,788,523

Period GAP
435,724

(28,499
)
76,530

440,903

(442,470
)
$
482,188

Cumulative GAP
$
435,724

$
407,225

$
483,755

$
924,658

$
482,188

 

Cumulative RSA / RSL
195.86
%
172.13
%
172.79
%
192.31
%
126.96
%
 

 
Notes: Securities are reported at face value for purposes of this table. Securities include restricted investments in bank stock for purposes of this table. RSA means rate sensitive assets; RSL means rate sensitive liabilities.
 
Shortcomings are inherent in any GAP analysis since certain assets and liabilities may not move proportionately as interest rates change. As the interest rate environment has become more dynamic, we have continued to place greater reliance on interest income sensitivity modeling and less on GAP reporting.
 
Our management understands that the preparation of GAP reports can only provide a guide to the impact of the movement of interest rates. Modeling is the best means to predict the movement in interest rates. This is true because even with the achievement of a perfectly matched balance sheet (per a GAP report), we may be subject to interest rate risk due to: differences in the timing of repricing, basis risk, market risk, customer ability to prepay loans or withdraw funds and yield curve risk.
 
Our management believes the simulation of net interest income in different interest rate environments provides a more meaningful measure of interest rate risk. Income simulation analysis captures not only the potential of all assets and liabilities to mature or reprice, but also the probability that they will do so. Income simulation also attends to the relative interest rate sensitivities of these items and projects their behavior over an extended period of time. Finally, income simulation permits management to assess the probable effects on the balance sheet not only of changes in interest rates, but also of proposed strategies for responding to them.
 
Our income simulation model analyzes interest rate sensitivity by projecting net interest income over the next 24 months in a flat rate scenario versus net interest income in alternative interest rate scenarios. Our management continually reviews and refines its interest rate risk management process in response to the changing economic climate. Currently, our model projects up to a plus 500 bp increase and a 100 bp decrease during the next year, with rates remaining constant in the second year. The minus100 bp scenario is not considered

29




very likely, given the low absolute level of short-term interest rates.  In 2010, the Bank modeled up to a 300 bp increase in rates as an increasing rate environment projection.
 
Our ALCO policy has established that income sensitivity will be considered acceptable if overall net interest income volatility in the above mentioned interest rate scenarios are within 6% of forecasted net interest income in the first year and within 7% using a two-year time frame.

The following table compares the impact on forecasted net income at December 31, 2011 and 2010 of a plus 300, plus 200 and plus 100 bp change in interest rates.
 
TABLE 19
 
Plus 300
Plus 200
Plus 100
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
Twelve Months
(0.04
)%
0.04
 %
0.08
 %
Twenty-Four Months
2.39
 %
1.66
 %
0.79
 %
December 31, 2010
 

 

 

Twelve Months
(0.35
)%
(0.25
)%
(0.02
)%
Twenty-Four Months
2.65
 %
1.71
 %
0.88
 %
 
Management continues to evaluate strategies in conjunction with the Company's ALCO to effectively manage the interest rate risk position. Such strategies could include the sale of a portion of our AFS investment portfolio, purchasing floating rate securities, altering the mix of our deposits by type and therefore rate paid, the use of risk management tools such as interest rate swaps and caps, adjusting the investment leverage position funded by short-term borrowings extending the maturity structure of the Bank's short-term borrowing position or fixing the cost of our short-term borrowings.
 
Management uses many assumptions to calculate the impact of changes in interest rates. Actual results may not be similar to our projections due to several factors including the timing and frequency of rate changes, market conditions and the shape of the yield curve. In general, a flattening of the interest rate yield curve would result in reduced net interest income compared to a normal-shaped interest rate yield curve scenario and proportionate rate shift assumptions. Actual results may also differ due to management's actions, if any, in response to the changing rates.
 
Management also monitors interest rate risk by utilizing a market value of equity model. The model assesses the impact of a change in interest rates on the market value of all our assets and liabilities, as well as any off balance sheet items. Market value of equity is defined as the market value of assets less the market value of liabilities plus the market value of off-balance sheet items. The model calculates the market value of equity in the current rate scenario and then compares the market value of equity given an immediate 200 bp increase in rates.  Our ALCO policy indicates that the level of interest rate risk is unacceptable in the 100 basis point immediate interest rate change scenarios if there is a resulting loss of more than 15% of the market value calculated in the current rate scenario. In the 200 basis point immediate interest rate change scenario a loss of more than 25% loss of market value is deemed unacceptable. A loss of more than 35% is defined as unacceptable in the 300 basis point immediate rate change scenario, while a loss of more than 40% is unacceptable in immediate rate change scenarios of 400 basis points or more. At December 31, 2011 the market value of equity calculation indicated acceptable levels of interest rate risk in all scenarios per the policies established by our ALCO.
 
The market value of equity model reflects certain estimates and assumptions regarding the impact on the market value of our assets and liabilities given an immediate plus 200 change in rates. One of the key assumptions is the market value assigned to our core deposits, or the core deposit premiums. Using an independent consultant, we have completed and updated comprehensive core deposit studies in order to assign our own core deposit premiums as permitted by regulation. The studies have consistently confirmed management's assertion that our core deposits have stable balances over long periods of time, are generally insensitive to changes in interest rates and have significantly longer average lives and durations than our loans and investment securities. Thus, these core deposit balances provide an internal hedge to market fluctuations in our fixed rate assets. The most recent study calculates an average life of our core deposit transaction accounts of 8.4 years. Management believes the core deposit premiums produced by its market value of equity model at December 31, 2011 provide an accurate assessment of our interest rate risk.  
 
Liquidity
 
The objective of liquidity risk management is to ensure our ability to meet our financial obligations. These obligations include the payment of deposits on demand at their contractual maturity; the repayment of borrowings as they mature; the payment of lease obligations as

30




they become due; the ability to fund new and existing loans and other funding commitments; and the ability to take advantage of new business opportunities. There are two fundamental risks in our liquidity risk management. The first is if we were unable to meet our funding requirements at a reasonable and profitable cost. The second is the potential inability to operate our business because adequate contingency liquidity is not available in a stressed environment or under adverse conditions.

We manage liquidity risk at both the bank and parent company levels to help ensure that we can obtain cost-effective funding to meet current and future obligations and to help ensure that we maintain an appropriate level of contingent liquidity. The board of directors is responsible for approving our Liquidity Policy to be implemented by the ALCO and management.
 
Liquidity is measured and monitored daily, allowing management to better understand and react to balance sheet trends. On a quarterly basis, a comprehensive liquidity analysis is reviewed by our board of directors. The analysis provides a summary of the current liquidity measurements, projections and future liquidity positions given various levels of liquidity stress. Management also maintains a detailed Liquidity Contingency Plan designed to respond to an overall decline in the financial condition of the banking industry or a problem specific to Metro.

Bank Level Liquidity - Uses

At the bank level, primary liquidity obligations include funding loan commitments, satisfying deposit withdrawal requests and maturities and debt service related to bank borrowings. We also maintain adequate bank liquidity to meet future potential loan demand, purchase investment securities and provide for other business needs as necessary.

Bank Level Liquidity - Sources

Liquidity sources are found on both sides of the balance sheet. Our single largest source of bank liquidity is the deposit base that comes from our retail, commercial business and government deposit customers. Liquidity is also provided on a continuous basis through scheduled and unscheduled principal reductions and interest payments on outstanding loans and investments, maturing short-term assets, the ability to sell marketable securities and from short-term borrowings.
 
Our investment portfolio consists mainly of CMOs and MBSs. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. As rates increase, cash flows generally decrease as prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans slow. As rates decrease, cash flows generally increase as prepayments increase. The current market environment has positively impacted the fair market value of certain securities in the Company's investment portfolio, however, the Company is not inclined to act on a sale of such securities for liquidity purposes at this time.  With interest rates near record-lows, the Company would more likely be inclined to borrow from one of the sources discussed in the following paragraph.

We also maintain secondary sources of liquidity which can be drawn upon if needed. These secondary sources of liquidity include a $15.0 million line of credit through a correspondent bank, a $20.0 million line of credit through another correspondent bank and $515.5 million of borrowing capacity at the FHLB. Metro Bank is a member of the FHLB-Pittsburgh and, as such, has access to advances secured generally by residential mortgage and other mortgage-related loans. In addition we have the ability to borrow at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's (FRB) Discount Window to meet short-term liquidity requirements. The FRB, however, is not viewed as the primary source of our borrowings, but rather as a potential source of liquidity under certain circumstances or in a stressed environment or during a market disruption. These potential borrowings are secured by residential mortgage backed securities and agency collateralized mortgage obligations. At December 31, 2011, our total potential liquidity through FHLB and other secondary sources was $550.5 million, of which $460.5 million was available, as compared to $388.4 million available out of our total potential liquidity of $528.9 million at December 31, 2010. The $21.6 million increase in potential liquidity was mainly due to the addition of a line of credit from a correspondent bank. FHLB borrowing capacity is determined based on asset levels on a quarterly lag.
 
The Bank opted to remain in the FDIC-sponsored Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program which provided 100% federal deposit insurance coverage for any individual noninterest-bearing demand checking account and for low-interest NOW checking accounts whose balance exceeds $250,000. The original program expired on December 31, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act provides temporary unlimited coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at all FDIC-insured depository institutions. The separate coverage for these accounts became effective on December 31, 2010 and terminates on December 31, 2012. Upon such expiration, customer deposit and withdrawal behavior for such accounts could fluctuate materially and, as a result, have an adverse impact on our liquidity position.
 
Parent Company Liquidity - Uses

The Parent and the Bank's liquidity are managed separately. At the parent level, primary liquidity obligations include debt service related to parent company long-term debt or borrowings, unallocated corporate expenses, funding its subsidiaries, and could also include paying dividends to Metro shareholders, share repurchases or acquisitions if Metro chose to do so.

31





Parent Company Liquidity - Sources

The principal source of the Parent's liquidity is dividends it receives from the subsidiary Bank, which may be impacted by: Bank-level capital needs, laws and regulations, corporate policies, or other factors. Although the Bank did not issue dividends to the Parent in 2011, the Parent has cash on hand to support its operating needs for the foreseeable future. The Bank is subject to regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Parent. See Note 15 Regulatory Matters in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2011, included herein, for additional information regarding dividend restrictions.

In addition to dividends from Metro Bank, other sources of liquidity for the parent company include proceeds from common stock options exercised as well as proceeds from the issuance of common stock under Metro's stock purchase plan. We can also generate liquidity for Metro and its subsidiaries through the issuance of debt and equity securities. Metro has an effective shelf registration statement, as previously discussed, whereby we can issue additional debt and equity securities. See Notes 10 and 12 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2011, included herein, for additional information regarding capital securities.

The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included herein, provide additional information on our sources and uses of funds. From a funding standpoint, we have been able to rely over the years on a stable base of strong “core” deposit growth. Cash from operating activities during 2011 increased to $47.9 million from $8.7 million during 2010. This increase was primarily attributable to net income in 2011 as compared to a net loss in 2010, a decrease in originations of loans held for sale, an increase in other assets and a decrease in the charge of a deferred tax benefit, partially offset by a decrease in other liabilities. Investing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of $213.1 million during 2011 compared to $99.6 million in 2010, primarily due to an increase in loans receivable in 2011 as compared to 2010. Financing activities resulted in net cash of $187.4 million provided in 2011 compared to a net cash of $83.5 million in 2010. The net cash inflow in 2011 was mostly from an increase in deposits of $239.4 million compared to a $17.4 million increase in 2010, partially offset by a decrease in short-term borrowings and proceeds from long-term debt.

Aggregate Contractual Obligations
 
The following table represents our on-and-off balance sheet aggregate contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2011:

TABLE 20
 
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
Less than
1 Year
1 to 3
Years
3 to 5
Years
Over 5
Years
Total
Time deposits
$
157,007

$
58,177

$
13,483

$

$
228,667

Long-term debt

25,000


24,200

49,200

Fiserv Solutions, Inc. obligation
6,826

14,678

8,027


29,531

Operating leases
2,599

4,944

4,607

19,983

32,133

Sponsorship obligation
338

677

677

676

2,368

Total
$
166,770

$
103,476

$
26,794

$
44,859

$
341,899

 
For further discussion regarding our commitments and contingencies, please see Notes 7 and 18 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2011, included herein.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
During the conduct of ordinary business operations we routinely enter into contracts for services. These contracts may require payment for services to be provided in the future and may also contain penalty clauses for the early termination of the contract. Management is not aware of any additional commitments or contingent liabilities, which may have a material adverse impact on our liquidity or capital resources.
 
We are also party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. See Note 5 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2011, included herein, for additional information.
 



32




Forward-Looking Statements
 
This annual report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, with respect to the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance and business of Metro Bancorp, Inc. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond our control).   The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 
 
While we believe our plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that any of them will be achieved.  You should understand that various factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K and incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K, could affect our future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, including: 

the effects of and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
general economic or business conditions, either nationally, regionally or in the communities in which we do business, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and loan performance or a reduced demand for credit;
continued effects of the aftermath of recessionary conditions and the impacts on the economy in general and our customers in particular, including adverse impacts on loan utilization rates as well as delinquencies, defaults and customers ability to meet credit obligations;
our ability to manage current elevated levels of impaired assets;
the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and other changes in financial services’ laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance);
changes resulting from legislative and regulatory actions with respect to the current economic and financial industry environment;
changes in the FDIC deposit fund and the associated premiums that banks pay to the fund;
interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;
the results of the regulatory examination and supervision process;
unanticipated regulatory or legal proceedings and liabilities and other costs;
compliance with laws and regulatory requirements of federal, state and local agencies;
our ability to continue to grow our business internally and through acquisitions and successful integration of new or acquired entities while controlling costs;
continued levels of loan volume origination;
the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses;
deposit flows;
the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for our products and services and vice versa, based on price, quality, relationship or otherwise;
changes in consumer spending and saving habits relative to the financial services we provide;
the ability to hedge certain risks economically;
the loss of certain key officers;
changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines;
the timely development of competitive new products and services by us and the acceptance of such products and services by customers;

33




rapidly changing technology;
continued relationships with major customers;
effect of terrorist attacks and threats of actual war;
continued compliance with the April 29, 2010 consent order may result in increased noninterest expenses;
expenses associated with modifications we are making to our logos in response to the Members 1st litigation and dismissal order;
other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products and services; and
our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

Because such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.  The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these factors or any of our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the dates of those documents. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us except as required by applicable law.
 
The Company may, from time to time, make written or oral “forward-looking statements”, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the SEC (including the annual report on Form 10-K and the exhibits thereto), in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
Interest rates, which may be affected by inflation, have a more significant impact on our performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation, since most of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services as measured by Personal Consumption Expenditures price index. The liquidity and maturity structure of our assets and liabilities are critical to the maintenance of acceptable performance levels.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk principally includes interest rate risk, which was previously discussed. Historically, our net interest margin has remained fairly stable. Our net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 3.73%, a decrease of 16 bps from 3.89% for the year ended December 31, 2010. See the section titled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin” in this Management's Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding our net interest margin performance.
 
Currently, we have 98% of our deposits in accounts which we consider core deposits. These accounts, which have a relatively low interest cost, have historically contributed significantly to our net interest margin.


34




Metro Bancorp, Inc.
Report on Management's Assessment of Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting
 
Metro Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.  The consolidated financial statements and notes included in this annual report have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles and necessarily include some amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments.
 
We, as management of Metro Bancorp, Inc., are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company; provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statement in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that receipts and expenditures of the Company are only being made in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  The system of internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for liability through a program of internal audits.  Actions are taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified.
 
Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.  Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.  Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.
 
Management assessed the Company's system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2011, its system of internal control over financial reporting is effective and meets the criteria of Internal Control - Integrated Framework.

ParenteBeard LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2011, appearing elsewhere in this annual report, and has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, as stated in their report, which is included herein.



 
 /s/ Gary L. Nalbandian
 
Gary L. Nalbandian
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 /s/ Mark A. Zody
 
Mark A. Zody
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
March 14, 2012
 

                                                                                                                              


 

35





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Metro Bancorp, Inc.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
 
We have audited Metro Bancorp, Inc.'s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Metro Bancorp, Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report on Management's Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Metro Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Metro Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 and our report dated March 14, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 /s/ ParenteBeard LLC    

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 14, 2012
 

 

36





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Metro Bancorp, Inc.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Metro Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. Metro Bancorp, Inc.'s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Metro Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Metro Bancorp, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 14, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion.
 
 /s/ ParenteBeard LLC

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 14, 2012


37




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2011
 
2010
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
46,998

 
$
32,858

Federal funds sold
8,075

 

Cash and cash equivalents
55,073

 
32,858

Securities, available for sale at fair value
613,459

 
438,012

Securities, held to maturity at cost (fair value 2011: $199,857;  2010: $224,202)
196,635

 
227,576

Loans, held for sale
9,359

 
18,605

Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses (allowance 2011: $21,620;  2010: $21,618)
1,415,048

 
1,357,587

Restricted investments in bank stock
16,802

 
20,614

Premises and equipment, net
82,114

 
88,162

Other assets
32,729

 
51,058

Total assets
$
2,421,219

 
$
2,234,472

 
 

 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
$
397,251

 
$
340,956

Interest-bearing
1,674,323

 
1,491,223

      Total deposits
2,071,574

 
1,832,179

Short-term borrowing
65,000

 
140,475

Long-term debt
49,200

 
29,400

Other liabilities
15,425

 
27,067

Total liabilities
2,201,199

 
2,029,121

Stockholders' Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock - Series A noncumulative; $10.00 par value;
 
 
 
      (1,000,000 shares authorized; 40,000 shares issued and outstanding)
400

 
400

Common stock - $1.00 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
 
 
 
      (issued and outstanding shares 2011: 14,125,346;  2010: 13,748,384)
14,125

 
13,748

Surplus
156,184

 
151,545

Retained earnings
45,497

 
45,288

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
3,814

 
(5,630
)
Total stockholders' equity
220,020

 
205,351

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
2,421,219

 
$
2,234,472

 
See accompanying notes.


38




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Interest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable, including fees:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
71,307

 
$
70,423

 
$
74,113

Tax-exempt
4,020

 
4,521

 
4,345

Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
22,362

 
22,275

 
19,858

Tax-exempt
1

 
14

 
65

Federal funds sold
5

 
14

 
2

Total interest income
97,695

 
97,247

 
98,383

Interest Expense
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
11,443

 
13,467

 
17,287

Short-term borrowings
439

 
317

 
1,038

Long-term debt
2,814

 
3,613

 
4,452

Total interest expense
14,696

 
17,397

 
22,777

Net interest income
82,999

 
79,850

 
75,606

Provision for loan losses
20,592

 
21,000

 
12,425

 Net interest income after provision for loan losses
62,407

 
58,850

 
63,181

Noninterest Income
 

 
 

 
 

Service charges, fees and other operating income
27,773

 
26,681

 
24,681

Gains on sales of loans
2,728

 
2,434

 
546

Total fees and other income
30,501

 
29,115

 
25,227

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(324
)
 
(4,904
)
 
(17,011
)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)

 
3,942

 
14,670

Net impairment loss on investment securities
(324
)
 
(962
)
 
(2,341
)
Net gains on sales/call of securities
350

 
2,801

 
1,571

Debt prepayment charge
(75
)
 
(1,574
)
 

Total noninterest income
30,452

 
29,380

 
24,457

Noninterest Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
40,318

 
41,494

 
43,426

Occupancy
9,155

 
8,429

 
8,166

Furniture and equipment
5,465

 
5,134

 
4,766

Advertising and marketing
2,016

 
2,967

 
2,751

Data processing
14,211

 
13,121

 
9,155

Telephone, postage and supplies
4,356

 
4,412

 
6,412

Regulatory assessments and related fees
3,638

 
4,598

 
3,992

Loan expense
1,098

 
1,658

 
1,581

Foreclosed real estate
2,275

 
1,380

 
578

Branding/core system conversion (net)
1,891

 

 
917

Merger/acquisition

 
17

 
765

Consulting fees
1,496

 
4,508

 
762

Other
8,095

 
9,385

 
8,439

Total noninterest expenses
94,014

 
97,103

 
91,710

Loss before taxes
(1,155
)
 
(8,873
)
 
(4,072
)
Benefit for federal income taxes
(1,444
)
 
(4,536
)
 
(2,174
)
Net income (loss)
$
289

 
$
(4,337
)
 
$
(1,898
)
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.02

 
$
(0.33
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Diluted
0.02

 
(0.33
)
 
(0.24
)
Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
13,919

 
13,563

 
8,241

Diluted
13,919

 
13,563

 
8,241

See accompanying notes.

39




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Surplus
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 1, 2009
$
400

$
6,446

$
73,221

$
51,683

$
(17,280
)
$
114,470

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss



(1,898
)

(1,898
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax impact




6,409

6,409

Total comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

4,511

Dividends declared on preferred stock



(80
)

(80
)
Common stock of 48,007 shares issued under
stock option plans, including tax benefit of $76

48

661



709

Common stock of 400 shares issued under
employee stock purchase plan


7



7

Proceeds from issuance of 78,619 shares of common
stock in connection with dividend reinvestment
and stock purchase plan

79

1,095



1,174

Common stock share-based awards


1,439



1,439

Proceeds from issuance of 6,875,000 shares of
common stock in connection with stock offering

6,875

70,917



77,792

December 31, 2009
400

13,448

147,340

49,705

(10,871
)
200,022

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss



(4,337
)

(4,337
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax impact




5,241

5,241

Total comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

904

Dividends declared on preferred stock



(80
)

(80
)
Common stock of 11,378 shares issued under
stock option plans, including tax benefit of $25

12

91



103

Common stock of 210 shares issued under
employee stock purchase plan


2



2

Proceeds from issuance of 288,349 shares of
common stock in connection with dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan

288

2,868



3,156

Common stock share-based awards


1,244



1,244

December 31, 2010
400

13,748

151,545

45,288

(5,630
)
205,351

Comprehensive income:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income



289


289

Other comprehensive income, net of tax impact




9,444

9,444

Total comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

9,733

Dividends declared on preferred stock



(80
)

(80
)
Common stock of 100 shares issued under
employee stock purchase plan


1



1

Proceeds from issuance of 376,862 shares of
common stock in connection with dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan

377

3,425



3,802

Common stock share-based awards


1,213



1,213

December 31, 2011
$
400

$
14,125

$
156,184

$
45,497

$
3,814

$
220,020

 
See accompanying notes.


40




Metro Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                                              
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
289

$
(4,337
)
$
(1,898
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 

 

Provision for loan losses
20,592

21,000

12,425

Provision for depreciation and amortization
6,476

6,142

5,517

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(1,511
)
(4,772
)
1,667

Amortization of securities premiums and accretion of discounts (net)
2,506

122

416

Gains on sales/calls of securities (net)
(350
)
(2,801
)
(1,571
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investment securities
324

962

2,341

Proceeds from sales and transfers of SBA loans originated for sale
12,063

30,573


Proceeds from sales of other loans originated for sale
52,492

65,892

152,668

Loans originated for sale
(52,581
)
(98,994
)
(123,686
)
Gains on sales of loans originated for sale
(2,728
)
(2,434
)
(546
)
Loss on write-down on foreclosed real estate
2,060

860

272

(Gains) losses on sales of foreclosed real estate (net)
(116
)
(51
)
18

Loss on disposal of furniture and equipment
1,254

89

839

Stock-based compensation
1,250

1,244

1,439

Amortization of deferred loan origination fees and costs (net)
2,069

1,928

2,092

Debt prepayment charge
75

1,574


Decrease (increase) in other assets
15,437

(6,856
)
(8,221
)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
(11,679
)
(1,392
)
14,982

Net cash provided by operating activities
47,922

8,749

58,754

Investing Activities
 

 

 

Securities available for sale:
 

 

 

   Proceeds from principal repayments, calls and maturities
79,695

153,786

98,557

   Proceeds from sales
125,299

292,899

46,125

   Purchases
(368,537
)
(485,985
)
(183,303
)
Securities held to maturity:
 

 

 

Proceeds from principal repayments, calls and maturities
87,074

64,481

56,485

Proceeds from sales
852

3,327

3,404

Purchases
(57,059
)
(177,535
)
(25,000
)
Proceeds from sales of loans receivable


5,782

Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate
2,930

3,513

2,108

(Increase) decrease in loans receivable (net)
(85,458
)
45,505

(45,376
)
Redemption of restricted investments in bank stock (net)
3,812

1,016


Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
2

25

19

Purchases of premises and equipment
(1,684
)
(638
)
(13,095
)
Net cash used by investing activities
(213,074
)
(99,606
)
(54,294
)
Financing Activities
 

 

 

Increase in demand, interest checking, money market, and savings deposits (net)
281,381

17,505

139,620

(Decrease) increase in time deposits (net)
(41,986
)
(59
)
41,128

(Decrease) increase in short-term borrowings (net)
(75,475
)
89,400

(249,050
)
Repayment of long-term borrowings
(5,275
)
(26,574
)
(25,000
)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
25,000



Proceeds from common stock options exercised

78

633

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and common stock purchase plan
3,802

3,156

1,174

Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with stock offering


77,792

Tax benefit on exercise of stock options

25

76

Cash dividends on preferred stock
(80
)
(80
)
(80
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
187,367

83,451

(13,707
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
22,215

(7,406
)
(9,247
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
32,858

40,264

49,511

Cash and cash equivalents at year-end
$
55,073

$
32,858

$
40,264

Supplementary cash flow information:
 

 

 

Transfer of loans to foreclosed assets
$
5,336

$
3,372

$
9,348

See accompanying notes.

41




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
NOTE 1.   
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
 
Metro Bancorp, Inc. (Metro or the Company) is a Pennsylvania business corporation, which is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company was incorporated on April 23, 1999 and became an active bank holding company on July 1, 1999 through the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. The Company is a one-bank holding company head-quartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and provides full banking services through its subsidiary Metro Bank (the Bank). The Company is subject to regulation of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB). Metro Bank is the Company's operating entity and is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Bank became a state-chartered bank on November 7, 2008, following approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking of the Bank's application to convert from a national bank charter to a state bank charter. As a Pennsylvania state-chartered bank, Metro Bank is supervised jointly by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank is a financial services retailer with 33 stores in the counties of Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York, Pennsylvania.
 
Pursuant to a Transition Agreement with TD Bank, N.A. (TD) and Commerce Bancorp LLC (formerly Commerce Bancorp, Inc.), which terminated the Network Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Commerce Bank N.A. (now known as TD Bank, N.A.), the Company had a non-exclusive royalty-free license to continue using the name “Commerce Bank” and, subject to certain limitations, the red “C” logo, within its primary service area.  Effective June 15, 2009, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to change its name from Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc. to Metro Bancorp, Inc. and on July 21, 2009 the Bank changed its name from Commerce Bank/Harrisburg to Metro Bank. The Company entered into a master agreement with Fiserv Solutions, Inc. (Fiserv), to provide many of the administrative and data processing services that were provided by TD. The conversion to Fiserv's system was completed in 2009.
  
The consolidated financial statements presented include the accounts of Metro Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Metro Bank. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Events occurring subsequent to the date of the balance sheet have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

Estimates
 
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and require disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses (ALL), impaired loans, the valuation of foreclosed assets, the valuation of securities available for sale, the valuation of deferred tax assets, the determination of other-than-temporary impairment on the Company's investment securities portfolio and fair value measurements.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Most of the Company's activities are with customers located within the South Central Pennsylvania Region. Note 3 discusses the types of securities that the Company invests in. Notes 4 and 6 discuss the types of lending that the Company engages in as well as loan concentrations. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one customer, or group of customers with similar economic characteristics.
 
Securities
 
Securities classified as held to maturity are those debt securities that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs, or general economic conditions. These securities are carried at cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed by the interest method over the estimated average life of the securities.
 
Securities classified as available for sale are those debt securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as available for sale would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of the Company's assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital considerations and other similar factors. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses are reported in other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax effect. Realized gains or losses, determined on the basis of the cost of the specific securities sold, are included in earnings. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the estimated average life of the securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of

42




purchase.
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI)

Prior to April 1, 2009, unrealized losses that were determined to be temporary were recorded, net of tax, in other comprehensive income for available-for-sale (AFS) securities, whereas unrealized losses related to held to maturity (HTM) securities determined to be temporary were not recognized. Declines in the fair value of HTM and AFS securities below their cost that were deemed to be other-than-temporary were reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating OTTI losses, management considered (1) adverse changes in the general market condition of the industry in which the investment is related, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) the seniority of the tranche owned by the Company in relation to the entire bond issue, (4) current prepayment behavior, (5) current credit agency ratings, (6) the credit support available in the bond structure to absorb losses and (7) each of the following with respect to the underlying collateral: (a) delinquency percentages and trends, (b) weighted-average loan-to-value ratios, (c) weighted-average Financing Corporation (FICO) scores and (d) the level of foreclosure and other real estate owned (OREO) activity. Also considered was 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.
 
During the second quarter of 2009 the Company adopted fair value measurement guidance that clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired. For debt securities, management must assess whether we have the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to its anticipated recovery. Previously, this assessment required management to assert we had both the intent and the ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value to avoid recognizing an OTTI. This change does not affect the need to forecast recovery of the value of the security through either cash flows or market price.
 
In instances when a determination is made that an OTTI exists but we do not intend to sell the debt security and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, the OTTI is separated into (a) the amount of the total OTTI related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the OTTI related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount of the OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
Loans held for sale are comprised of student loans and selected residential mortgage loans the Company originates with the intention of selling in the future. Prior to September 30, 2011, loans held for sale also included Small Business Administration (SBA) loans the Company originated with the intention of selling. Occasionally, loans held for sale also include selected business and industry loans that the Company decides to sell. Held for sale loans are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, calculated in the aggregate. At the present time, the majority of the Company's residential loans are originated with the intent to sell to the secondary market unless a loan is nonconforming to the secondary market standards or if we agree not to sell the loan due to a customer's request. The residential mortgage loans that are designated as held for sale are sold to other financial institutions in correspondent relationships. The sale of these loans takes place typically within 30 days of funding. The Bank does not retain the servicing on its residential mortgage loans or its student loans.

In previous years, as well as for the first half of 2011, the Company was originating SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion of the loans. The Company received proceeds of $12.1 million on sales of SBA loans in 2011 and recognized a gain of $1.9 million on those sales. During the second quarter of 2011, as a result of a much lower level of SBA loan originations in 2011 compared to 2010, the Company's management made the decision to hold SBA loans in the Company's loan receivable portfolio unless or until the Company's management determines a sale of certain loans is appropriate. At the time such a decision would be made, the SBA loans will be moved from the loans receivable portfolio to the loans held for sale portfolio.

Total loans held for sale were $9.4 million and $18.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  At December 31, 2011, loans held for sale were comprised of $5.2 million of student loans and $4.2 million of residential mortgages as compared to $6.0 million of student loans, $5.2 million of SBA loans and $7.4 million of residential mortgages at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2010 there was a deferred gain of $930,000 which was recognized in the first quarter of 2011 at the expiration of the 90-day warranty period. 

Loans Receivable
 
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an ALL and any deferred fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees and costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans. The Company is generally amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan or to the loan's call date.

43




 
A loan is considered past due or delinquent if payment is not received on or before the due date. The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectibility of principal or interest, even though the loan may be currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the ALL. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management's judgment as to the collectibility of principal.  If a loan is substandard and accruing, interest is recognized as accrued. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and the ultimate collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The ALL is established through provisions for loan losses charged against income. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the ALL and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Loans are evaluated for impairment once the loan has been internally risk rated substandard or below.
 
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, net collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative factors represent a portion of the allowance established for losses inherent in the loan portfolio, which have not been identified by the quantitative processes. This determination inherently involves a higher degree of subjectivity and considers risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in historical loss experience. These factors include:

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards;
Changes in levels and trends of collection, charge-off and recovery practices; changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans;
Material changes in the mix, volume or duration of the portfolio;
Changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans;
Changes in the quality of our loan review system;
Changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff;
The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and
Changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectibility of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments and the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our existing portfolio.

Additionally, the general component factors in uncertainties that could affect management's estimates of probable losses.
 
The ALL is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. During the third quarter of 2010, as part of the quantitative analysis of the adequacy of the ALL, management adjusted its projection of probable loan losses based upon a much shorter and more recent period of actual historical losses. This was done as a result of the higher level of loan charge-offs experienced by the Company over the preceding two years as compared to the previous years. Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers and on loan collateral values, management feels this is currently a better predictor of probable additional loan losses until such time that the economy, borrower repayment ability and loan collateral values show sustained signs of improvement. The change in this estimate resulted in an additional $3.6 million of provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2010. The impact of this additional provision for 2010 was an additional after tax loss of $2.4 million, or $0.17 per share.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, borrower's financial condition, market conditions for the borrowers type of industry and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant

44




payment delays generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay and the borrower's prior payment record. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
 
All nonaccrual loans, including any non-homogeneous portfolio residential mortgages and home equity loans are evaluated individually to determine whether a charge-off is necessary due to a collateral deficiency.
 
Restricted Investments in Bank Stock
 
Restricted investments in bank stock consists of stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Pittsburgh and the Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (ACBB). Federal law requires a member institution of the FHLB system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula.  At December 31, 2011, the Company held $16.7 million of FHLB stock and $65,000 of ACBB stock.  Of this amount, $4.1 million was required for membership, $4.5 million was required to cover the Company's borrowing level at the FHLB and the remaining $8.1 million was excess that the FHLB has not repurchased at this time due to a repurchase suspension the FHLB put in place in December of 2008. The suspension was partially lifted during the fourth quarter of 2010 and three times during 2011. Approximately $3.8 million of the stock was redeemed in 2011. The stock is carried at cost.
 
Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance on Accounting by Certain Entities (including Entities with Trade Receivables that Lend to or Finance the Activities of Others). Management determines whether this investment is impaired based on an assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of the cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the FHLB. Management believes no impairment charge is necessary related to the FHLB restricted stock as of December 31, 2011.
 
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Depreciation and amortization are determined on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes.

Foreclosed Assets
 
Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosures are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell the assets at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell the asset. Revenue and expenses from operations, changes in the valuation allowance and gains/losses on sales of foreclosed real estate are included in foreclosed real estate expense. Foreclosed assets are included in other assets and totaled $7.1 million as of December 31, 2011 as compared to $6.8 million as of December 31, 2010.

Net expenses associated with foreclosed assets are detailed below:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Operating expenses, net of rental income
$
331

 
$
571

 
$
288

Loss on write-down on foreclosed real estate
2,060

 
860

 
272

Net (gain) loss on sales of real estate
(116
)
 
(51
)
 
18

Total
$
2,275

 
$
1,380

 
$
578

 



45




Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes are provided on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. The Company analyzes each tax position taken in its tax returns and determines the likelihood that the position will be realized. Only tax positions that are "more likely than not" to be realized can be recognized in the Company's financial statements. For tax positions that do not meet this recognition threshold, the Company will record an unrecognized tax benefit for the difference between the position taken on the tax return and the amount recognized in the financial statements. The Company does not have any material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2011 or 2010 or during the years then ended. No unrecognized tax benefits are expected to arise within the next twelve months. The Company's policy is to account for interest as a component of interest expense and penalties, if any, as a component of other expenses.

Transfers of Financial Assets
 
Transfers of financial assets, including sales of loans and loan participations, are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
 
Per Share Data
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share represents income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued as well as any adjustments to income (loss) that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding common stock options and are determined using the treasury stock method.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded on the balance sheet when they become payable by the borrower to the Company.
 
Cash Flow Information
 
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold as cash and cash equivalents. Generally, federal funds, a component of cash and cash equivalents are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Cash paid during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 for interest expense on deposits, borrowings and debt was $14.9 million, $17.6 million and $23.0 million, respectively. Income taxes paid totaled $700,000, $0 and $1.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company recognizes compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions in the income statement based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award.
 
The cash flows resulting from the tax benefits due to deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for options (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing cash flows.
 
Advertising Costs
 
The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred.





46




Recent Accounting Standards
 
In April 2011, the FASB issued guidance that clarified whether a loan restructuring constitutes a concession and defines whether or not a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. The effective date for this guidance for public companies was for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011 and applies retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 
In May 2011, the FASB amended fair value measurement guidance to clarify its previous guidance for items such as: the application of the highest and best use concept to non-financial assets and liabilities; the application of fair value measurement to financial instruments classified in a reporting entity's stockholders' equity; and disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of level 3 assets. The update also creates an exception to fair value measurement guidance for entities which carry financial instruments within a portfolio or group, under which the entity is now permitted to base the price used for fair valuation upon a price that would be received to sell the net asset position or transfer a net liability position in an orderly transaction. In addition, the update allows for the application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement if the financial instrument is categorized in level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Lastly, the updated standard contains new disclosure requirements regarding fair value amounts categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy such as: disclosure of the valuation process used; effects of and relationships between unobservable inputs; usage of nonfinancial assets for purposes other than their highest and best use when that is the basis of the disclosed fair value; and categorization by level of items disclosed at fair value, but not measured at fair value for financial statement purposes. The effective date of this update for public entities was for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption was not permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB updated the guidance on Comprehensive Income. The update prohibits the presentation of the components of comprehensive income in the statements of stockholders' equity. Reporting entities are allowed to present either: a statement of comprehensive income, which reports both net income and other comprehensive income; or separate statements of net income and other comprehensive income. Under previous GAAP, all three presentations were acceptable. In December of 2011, the FASB amended this guidance to defer the implementation date for the requirement to present all reclassifications between other comprehensive and net income on the face of the new statement or statements. The other provisions of this update are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2011 for public entities. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 Segment Reporting
 
The Bank acts as an independent community financial services provider and offers traditional banking and related financial services to individual consumer, business and government customers. Through its stores, the Company offers a full array of commercial and retail financial services.
 
Management does not separately allocate expenses, including the cost of funding loan demand, between the commercial and retail operations of the Company. As such, discrete financial information is not available and segment reporting would not be meaningful.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain amounts in the 2010 and 2009 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation format. Such reclassifications had no impact on the Company's net operations and stockholders' equity.
 
NOTE 2. 
Restrictions on Cash and Due from Bank Accounts
 
The Bank is required to maintain average reserves, in the form of cash and balances with the FRB, against its deposit liabilities. The average amount of these reserve balances maintained for 2011 and 2010 was approximately $10.9 million and $15.1 million, respectively.  The Company has no due from balances with institutions in excess of FDIC insurance limitations.


47




NOTE 3.
Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities are summarized in the following tables:
 
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,500

 
$
58

 
$

 
$
22,558

Residential mortgage-backed securities
21,087

 
325

 

 
21,412

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
519,167

 
9,171

 
(175
)
 
528,163

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
24,974

 

 
(1,968
)
 
23,006

Corporate debt securities
19,952

 

 
(1,632
)
 
18,320

Total
$
607,680

 
$
9,554

 
$
(3,775
)
 
$
613,459

Held to Maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agency securities
$
97,750

 
$
88

 
$

 
$
97,838

Residential mortgage-backed securities
37,658

 
2,769

 

 
40,427

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
45,122

 
840

 
(1
)
 
45,961

Corporate debt securities
15,000

 

 
(484
)
 
14,516

Municipal securities
1,105

 
10

 

 
1,115

Total
$
196,635

 
$
3,707

 
$
(485
)
 
$
199,857

 
 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,500

 
$

 
$
(1,091
)
 
$
21,409

Residential mortgage-backed securities
2,383

 
3

 

 
2,386

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
388,414

 
2,025

 
(7,225
)
 
383,214

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
33,246

 

 
(2,243
)
 
31,003

Total
$
446,543

 
$
2,028

 
$
(10,559
)
 
$
438,012

Held to Maturity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agency securities
$
140,000

 
$

 
$
(6,408
)
 
$
133,592

Residential mortgage-backed securities
48,497

 
2,727

 
(311
)
 
50,913

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
29,079

 
878

 
(209
)
 
29,748

Corporate debt securities
10,000

 

 
(51
)
 
9,949

Total
$
227,576

 
$
3,605

 
$
(6,979
)
 
$
224,202



48





The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2011 are shown in the table that follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
 
 
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
(in thousands)
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Due after one year through five years

 

 
15,000

 
14,516

Due after five years through ten years
19,952

 
18,320

 
12,750

 
12,751

Due after ten years
22,500

 
22,558

 
86,105

 
86,202

 
42,452

 
40,878

 
113,855

 
113,469

Residential mortgage-backed securities
21,087

 
21,412

 
37,658

 
40,427

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
519,167

 
528,163

 
45,122

 
45,961

Private-label collateralized mortgage obligations
24,974

 
23,006

 

 

Total
$
607,680

 
$
613,459

 
$
196,635

 
$
199,857

 
During 2011, the Company sold a total of 13 securities with a combined fair market value of $126.2 million. All of the securities were U.S. agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). The Company realized net pretax gains of $350,000, with related tax expense of $119,000, on the combined sales. Of this total, 12 securities with a combined fair market value of $125.3 million had been classified as available for sale. One agency mortgage-backed security (MBS) with a fair market value of $852,000 had been classified as held to maturity, however, its current par value had paid down to less than 9% of its original par value, below the 15% threshold,  so it could be sold without tainting the remaining HTM portfolio. Also during 2011, the Company had three agency debentures totaling $60.0 million called at par. The bonds had a combined market value of $60.0 million and no gain or loss was realized.   

During 2010, the Company sold a total of 56 securities with a combined fair market value of $296.2 million and realized a net pretax gain of $2.8 million. The securities sold included 23 private-label CMOs with a combined fair market value of $62.6 million; 13 agency CMOs with a fair market value of $138.1 million; 18 residential MBSs with a combined fair market value of $74.5 million and two agency debentures with a combined fair market value of $21.0 million. Of this total, 53 securities with a combined fair market value of $292.9 million had been classified as available for sale. Two agency MBSs with a combined fair market value of $440,000 had been classified as held to maturity, however, their current par value had fallen to less than 15% of their original par value and could be sold without tainting the remaining HTM portfolio. One private-label CMO with a fair market value of $2.9 million had been classified as held to maturity. Previously, the Company had recognized an OTTI charge due to a projected credit loss of $3,000 and this deterioration in creditworthiness was the basis for selling the security without tainting the remaining HTM portfolio. Also during 2010, the Company had ten agency debentures and four municipal bonds called at par. The bonds had a combined market value of $106.6 million.

In 2009, the Company sold a total of 65 MBSs with a combined fair market value of $49.5 million. Of this total, 42 securities had been classified as available for sale with a combined carrying value of $44.7 million. The Company realized proceeds of $46.1 million for net pretax gains of $1.4 million. The securities sold also included 23 MBSs with a combined fair market value of $3.4 million and a carrying value of $3.2 million that had been classified as held to maturity and were sold due to their small remaining size. In every case, the current face had fallen below 15% of the original purchase amount. A pretax gain of $170,000 was recognized on the sale of securities classified as held to maturity. Also during 2009, the Company had a total of $41.5 million of agency debentures called, at par, by their issuing agencies. Of this total, $5.0 million were classified as available for sale and $36.5 million were classified as held to maturity. All of the securities were carried at par.

The Company does not maintain a trading portfolio and there were no transfers of securities between the AFS and HTM portfolios. The Company uses the specific identification method to record security sales.
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, securities with a carrying value of $621.6 million and $437.6 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.
 

49






The following table summarizes the Company's gains and losses on the sales or calls of debt securities and losses recognized for the OTTI of investments:

(in thousands)
Gross Realized Gains
 
Gross Realized (Losses)
 
OTTI Credit Losses
 
Net Gains (Losses)
Years Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
$
983

 
$
(633
)
 
$
(324
)
 
$
26

December 31, 2010
6,690

 
(3,889
)
 
(962
)
 
1,839

December 31, 2009
1,581

 
(10
)
 
(2,341
)
 
(770
)

In determining fair market values for its portfolio holdings, the Company receives information from a third party provider which Management evaluates and corroborates. Under the current guidance, these values are considered Level 2 inputs, based upon mathematically derived matrix pricing and observed data from similar assets.  They are not Level 1 direct quotes, nor do they reflect Level 3 inputs that would be derived from internal analysis or judgment. As the Company does not manage a trading portfolio and typically only sells from its AFS portfolio in order to manage interest rate risk or credit exposure, direct quotes, or street bids, are warranted on an as-needed basis only.

The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with the Company's investment portfolio, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 (in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency CMOs
$
49,793

 
$
(175
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
49,793

 
$
(175
)
Private-label CMOs
6,017

 
(268
)
 
16,989

 
(1,700
)
 
23,006

 
(1,968
)
Corporate debt securities
18,320

 
(1,632
)
 

 

 
18,320

 
(1,632
)
Total
$
74,130

 
$
(2,075
)
 
$
16,989

 
$
(1,700
)
 
$
91,119

 
$
(3,775
)
Held to Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Agency CMOs
1,312

 
(1
)
 

 

 
1,312

 
(1
)
Corporate debt securities
14,516

 
(484
)
 

 

 
14,516

 
(484
)
Total
$
15,828

 
$
(485
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
15,828

 
$
(485
)


50




 
December 31, 2010
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 (in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Available for Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
21,409

 
$
(1,091
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
21,409

 
$
(1,091
)
Agency CMOs
261,330

 
(7,216
)
 
9,092

 
(9
)
 
270,422

 
(7,225
)
Private-label CMOs
2,644

 
(9
)
 
28,359

 
(2,234
)
 
31,003

 
(2,243
)
Total
$
285,383

 
$
(8,316
)
 
$
37,451

 
$
(2,243
)
 
$
322,834

 
$
(10,559
)
Held to Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
133,592

 
$
(6,408
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
133,592

 
$
(6,408
)
Residential MBSs
7,287

 
(311
)
 

 

 
7,287

 
(311
)
Agency CMOs
7,957

 
(209
)
 

 

 
7,957

 
(209
)
Corporate debt securities
9,949

 
(51
)
 

 

 
9,949

 
(51
)
Total
$
158,785

 
$
(6,979
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
158,785

 
$
(6,979
)

The Company's investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government agency securities, U.S. Government sponsored agency mortgage-backed obligations, private-label CMOs and corporate bonds of the financial sector. The Company considers securities of the U.S. Government sponsored agencies and the U.S. Government MBSs to have little credit risk because their principal and interest payments are backed by an agency of the U.S. Government.
 
The unrealized losses in the Company's investment portfolio at December 31, 2011 were associated with three distinct types of securities. The first type, those backed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies,  includes seven government agency sponsored CMOs. Management believes that the unrealized losses on these investments were primarily caused by the movement of interest rates and notes the contractual cash flows of those investments are guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company's investment. Secondly, the Company owns five investment-grade corporate bonds that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2011. Due to their structure and credit rating, the Company does not anticipate incurring any credit-related losses on these bonds. Because management believes the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold those investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider any of these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

The third type of security in the Company's investment portfolio with unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 is private-label CMOs. Private-label CMOs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government nor are their principal and interest payments guaranteed. Historically, most private-label CMOs have carried a AAA bond rating on the underlying issuer, however, the subprime mortgage problems and decline in the residential housing market in the U.S. in recent years have led to ratings downgrades and subsequent OTTI of many CMOs. As of December 31, 2011, Metro owned eight such non-agency CMO securities in its investment portfolio with a total carrying value of $23.0 million. Management performs no less than quarterly assessments of these securities for OTTI to determine what, if any, portion of the impairment may be credit related. As part of this process, management asserts that (a) we do not have the intent to sell the securities and (b) it is more likely than not we will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the Company's cost basis. This assertion is based, in part, upon the most recent liquidity analysis prepared for the Company's Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) which indicates if the Company has sufficient excess funds to consider the potential purchase of investment securities and sufficient unused borrowing capacity available to meet any potential outflows. Furthermore, the Company knows of no contractual or regulatory obligations that would require these bonds to be sold.  
 
Next, in order to bifurcate the impairment into its components, the Company uses the Bloomberg analytical service to analyze each individual security. The Company looks at the overall bond ratings as well as specific, underlying characteristics such as pool factor, weighted-average coupon, weighted-average maturity, weighted-average life, loan to value, delinquencies, credit score, prepayment speeds, geographic concentration, etc. Using reported data for prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity rates and lag times, the Company analyzes each bond under a variety of scenarios. As the results may vary depending upon the historic time period analyzed, the Company uses this information for the purpose of managing the investment portfolio and its inherent risk. However, the Company reports it findings based upon the three month data points for Constant Prepayment Rate (CPR) speed, default rate and loss severity as it believes this time point best captures both current and historic trends. For management purposes, the Company also analyzes each bond using an assumed, projected default rate based upon each pool's most recent level of 90-day delinquencies, bankruptcies and foreclosed real estate. This projected analysis also assumes loss severity percentages subjectively assigned to each pool based upon credit ratings.

51




 
When the analysis shows a bond to have no projected loss, there is considered to be no credit-related loss. When the analysis shows a bond to have a projected loss, a cash flow projection is created, including the projected loss, for the duration of the bond. This projection is then used to calculate the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and compared to the amortized cost basis. The difference between these two figures is recognized as the amount of OTTI due to credit loss. The difference between the total impairment and this credit loss portion is determined to be the amount related to all other factors. The amount of impairment related to credit loss is to be recognized in current earnings while the amount of impairment related to all other factors is to be recognized in other comprehensive income.
 
Using this method, the Company determined that at December 31, 2011, a total of six private-label CMOs had losses attributable to credit. This was due to a number of factors including the bonds' credit ratings and rising trends for delinquencies, bankruptcies and foreclosures on the underlying collateral. Of the six bonds, one no longer indicated a loss position as of December 31, 2011 while the present value of the cash flows for four of the remaining five bonds was greater than the carrying value and no further write-downs were required. For the sixth bond, the present value of its cash flows was less than its carrying value and therefore a write-down of $9,000 was required as of December 31, 2011. In total, for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recognized $324,000 of losses on four private-label CMOs related to credit issues and did not recapture any of the previous write-downs.
 
The tables below rolls forward the cumulative life to date credit losses which have been recognized in earnings for the private-label CMOs previously mentioned for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
 
 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1, 2011
$
2,625

 
$

 
$
2,625

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is
   no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of
   amortized cost basis
324

 

 
324

Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held
   at December 31, 2011
$
2,949

 
$

 
$
2,949


 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1, 2010
$
2,338

 
$
3

 
$
2,341

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized
675

 

 
675

Additional increases for OTTI previously recognized when there is
   no intent to sell and no requirement to sell before recovery of
   amortized cost basis
287

 

 
287

Reduction due to credit impaired security sold
(675
)
 
(3
)
 
(678
)
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held
   at December 31, 2010
$
2,625

 
$

 
$
2,625


 
Private-label CMOs
 
 
 (in thousands)
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Total
Cumulative OTTI credit losses at January 1, 2009
$

 
$

 
$

Additions for which OTTI was not previously recognized
2,338

 
3

 
2,341

Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held
   at December 31, 2009
$
2,338

 
$
3

 
$
2,341



52




NOTE 4.  
Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an ALL and any deferred fees and costs. Certain qualifying loans of the Bank totaling $207.0 million, collateralize a letter of credit, a line of credit commitment and a long-term borrowing the Bank has with the FHLB. 

During the first quarter of 2011, certain types of loans were reclassified due to their purpose and overall risk characteristics. Therefore, certain loan balances as of December 31, 2010 were reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

A summary of the Bank's loans receivable at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:
 
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
Commercial and industrial
$
321,988

 
$
337,398

Commercial tax-exempt
81,532

 
85,863

Owner occupied real estate
279,372

 
241,553

Commercial construction and land development
103,153

 
112,094

Commercial real estate
364,405

 
313,194

Residential
83,940

 
81,124

Consumer
202,278

 
207,979

 
1,436,668

 
1,379,205

Less: allowance for loan losses
21,620

 
21,618

Net loans receivable
$
1,415,048

 
$
1,357,587

 
Certain directors and executive officers of the Company, including their associates and companies, have loans with the Bank. Such loans were made in the ordinary course of business at the Bank's normal credit terms including interest rates and collateralization, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender and do not represent more than a normal risk of collection. Total loans to these persons and companies amounted to approximately $11.4 million and $12.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During 2011, $3.2 million of new advances were made and repayments totaled $3.8 million.

The following table summarizes nonaccrual loans by loan type at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
10,162

 
$
23,103

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

   Owner occupied real estate
2,895

 
4,318

   Commercial construction and land development
8,511

 
14,155

   Commercial real estate
7,820

 
5,424

   Residential
2,912

 
3,609

   Consumer
1,829

 
1,579

Total nonaccrual loans
$
34,129

 
$
52,188


No additional funds were committed on nonaccrual loans including restructured loans that were nonaccruing. Typically, commitments are canceled and no additional advances are made when a loan is placed on nonaccrual.

Generally, the Bank's policy is to move a loan to nonaccrual status as soon as it becomes 90 days past due or when the Company does not believe it will collect all of its principal and interest payments. In addition, when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to

53




management's judgment as to the collectibility of principal.  If a loan is substandard and accruing, interest is recognized as accrued. Once a loan is on nonaccrual status, it is not returned to accrual status unless the loan has been current for at least six consecutive months and the borrower and/or any guarantors demonstrate evidence of the ability to repay the loan. Under certain circumstances such as bankruptcy, if a loan is under collateralized, or if the borrower and/or guarantors do not show evidence of the ability to pay, the loan may be placed on nonaccrual status even though it is not past due by 90 days or more. Therefore, the total nonaccrual loan balance of $34.1 million exceeds the balance of total loans that are 90 days past due of $22.1 million at December 31, 2011 as presented in the aging analysis in the tables below.

During 2011, the Company adopted the FASB guidance on the determination of whether a loan restructuring is considered to be a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).  A TDR is a loan whose contractual terms have been modified resulting in the Bank granting a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties in order for the Bank to have a greater chance of collecting the indebtedness from the borrower.  Concessions could include, but are not limited to: interest rate reductions, maturity extensions or principal forgiveness. An additional benefit to the Bank in granting a concession is to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral at a time when real estate values are the lowest in recent history. TDRs are discussed in further detail later in this footnote.

The following table is an age analysis of past due loan receivables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
 
Past Due Loans
 
 
Recorded Investment in Loans 90 Days and Greater and Still Accruing
(in thousands)
Current
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days Past Due and Greater
Total Past Due
Total Loan Receivables
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
317,190

$
696

$
1,083

$
3,019

$
4,798

$
321,988

$

Commercial tax-exempt
81,532





81,532


Owner occupied real estate
274,720

2,423

328

1,901

4,652

279,372


Commercial construction and
land development
95,240

470

219

7,224

7,913

103,153


Commercial real estate
354,818

2,191

1,272

6,124

9,587

364,405


Residential
75,841

4,587

607

2,905

8,099

83,940

621

Consumer
199,671

1,314

350

943

2,607

202,278

71

Total
$
1,399,012

$
11,681

$
3,859

$
22,116

$
37,656

$
1,436,668

$
692


 
 
Past Due Loans
 
 
Recorded Investment in Loans 90 Days and Greater and Still Accruing
(in thousands)
Current
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days Past Due and Greater
Total Past Due
Total Loan Receivables
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
316,750

$
1,213

$
521

$
18,914

$
20,648

$
337,398

$
23

Commercial tax-exempt
85,863





85,863


Owner occupied real estate
235,738

1,314

258

4,243

5,815

241,553


Commercial construction and
land development
97,939



14,155

14,155

112,094


Commercial real estate
306,032

1,214

77

5,871

7,162

313,194

624

Residential
73,670

3,724

1,606

2,124

7,454

81,124


Consumer
203,235

2,547

903

1,294

4,744

207,979

3

Total
$
1,319,227

$
10,012

$
3,365

$
46,601

$
59,978

$
1,379,205

$
650





54




A summary of the ALL by loan class and by impairment method as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is detailed in the tables that follow. As mentioned previously, during the first quarter of 2011, certain types of loans were reclassified due to their purpose and overall risk characteristics. This impacted the allocation of the ALL as reported at December 31, 2010; therefore, the allocation as of that date has been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construc-tion and land devel-opment
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Con-sumer
Unallo-cated
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated
for impairment
$
1,000

$

$
30

$
2,600

$

$

$

$

$
3,630

Collectively evaluated
for impairment
7,400

79

699

5,240

3,241

435

831

65

17,990

Total ALL
$
8,400

$
79

$
729

$
7,840

$
3,241

$
435

$
831

$
65

$
21,620

Loans receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans evaluated
  individually
$
15,504

$

$
7,492

$
23,216

$
12,117

$
3,346

$
1,829

$

$
63,504

Loans evaluated
  collectively
306,484

81,532

271,880

79,937

352,288

80,594

200,449


1,373,164

Total loans receivable
$
321,988

$
81,532

$
279,372

$
103,153

$
364,405

$
83,940

$
202,278

$

$
1,436,668


(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construc-tion and land devel-opment
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Con-sumer
Unallo-cated
Total
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated
for impairment
$
2,055

$

$
260

$
1,310

$

$

$

$

$
3,625

Collectively evaluated
for impairment
7,624

86

650

4,110

4,002

442

702

377

17,993

Total ALL
$
9,679

$
86

$
910

$
5,420

$
4,002

$
442

$
702

$
377

$
21,618

Loans receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans evaluated
  individually
$
30,597

$

$
9,237

$
20,749

$
6,045

$
3,609

$
1,579

$

$
71,816

Loans evaluated
  collectively
306,801

85,863

232,316

91,345

307,149

77,515

206,400


1,307,389

Total loans receivable
$
337,398

$
85,863

$
241,553

$
112,094

$
313,194

$
81,124

$
207,979

$

$
1,379,205


The Bank may create a specific allowance for all of or a part of a particular loan in lieu of a charge-off or charge-down as a result of management's evaluation of impaired loans. These circumstances are often credits in transition or in which a legal matter is pending. In these instances, the Bank has determined that a loss is not imminent based upon available information surrounding the credit at the time of the analysis; however, management believes an allowance is appropriate to acknowledge the risk of loss.

Generally, construction and land development and commercial real estate loans present a greater risk of non-payment by a borrower than other types of loans. The market value of real estate, particularly real estate held for investment, can fluctuate significantly in a relatively short period of time. Commercial and industrial, tax exempt and owner occupied real estate loans generally carry a lower risk factor because the repayment of these loans relies primarily on the cash flow from a business, which is more stable and predictable. However, the significance and duration of the economic downturn caused the Bank to experience an elevated level of charge-offs in the commercial

55




and industrial loan category in 2011.

Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower's continued financial stability and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Consumer and residential loans also are impacted by the market value of real estate. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on these loans. The risk of non-payment is affected by changes in economic conditions, the credit risks of a particular borrower, the duration of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral and other factors.

The Company experienced an elevated level of loan charge-offs over the most recent three year period compared to previous years. As a result, management, beginning in the third quarter of 2010, bases its quantitative analysis of probable future loan losses (when determining the ALL) on those loans collectively reviewed for impairment on a two year period of actual historical losses. Previously, management had performed this analysis using a five year period of historical losses. Given the continued state of the economy and its impact on borrowers financial condition and on loan collateral values, management feels a two year period is an appropriate historical time frame, valid until such time that the economy, borrower repayment ability and loan collateral values show sustained signs of improvement.  Management may increase or decrease the historical loss period at some point in the future based on the state of the economy and other circumstances.

The qualitative factors such as: changes in levels and trends of charge-offs and delinquencies; material changes in the mix, volume or duration of the loan portfolio; changes in lending policies and procedures including underwriting standards; changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit; changes in the overall values of collateral; changes in the quality of the loan review program and changes in national and local economic trends and conditions among other things, are factors which have not been identified by the quantitative processes. The determination of qualitative factors inherently involves a higher degree of subjectivity and considers risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in historical loss experience.

The following tables summarize the transactions in the ALL for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011:
 
(in thousands)
Comm. and industrial
Comm. tax-exempt
Owner occupied real estate
Comm. construction and land development
Comm. real estate
Resi-dential
Consumer
Unallo-cated
Total
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1
$
9,679

$
86

$
910

$
5,420

$
4,002

$
442

$
702

$
377

$
21,618

Provision charged to operating expenses
6,510

(7
)
13

13,038

76

113

1,161

(312
)
20,592

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
156


60

11

15

68

135


445

Loans charged-off
(7,945
)

(254
)
(10,629
)
(852
)
(188
)
(1,167
)

(21,035
)
Balance at December 31
$
8,400

$
79

$
729

$
7,840

$
3,241

$
435

$
831

$
65

$
21,620


The following table summarizes the transactions in the ALL for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. The table is presented in summary as the FASB guidance issued in July 2010 related to an entity's allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables required the activity by portfolio segment be disclosed only for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010.

 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2010
 
2009
Balance at beginning of year
$
14,391

 
$
16,719

Provision charged to expense
21,000

 
12,425

Recoveries
522

 
308

Loans charged off
(14,295
)
 
(15,061
)
Balance at end of year
$
21,618

 
$
14,391

 


56




The following table presents additional information regarding the Company's impaired loans as of December 31, 2011:

(in thousands)
Recorded Invest-ment
Unpaid Principal Balance
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Loans with no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
14,504

$
19,672

$

$
12,901

$
141

   Commercial tax-exempt





   Owner occupied real estate
7,000

8,845


5,333

191

   Commercial construction and land
     development
11,203

19,756


11,803

231

   Commercial real estate
12,117

12,390


9,500

192

   Residential
3,346

3,729


3,557

6

   Consumer
1,829

2,168


1,945


Total impaired loans with no related
  allowance
49,999

66,560


45,039

761

Loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
1,000

1,000

1,000

7,974


   Owner occupied real estate
492

659

30

453


   Commercial construction and land
     development
12,013

12,013

2,600

4,637


Total impaired loans with an
  allowance recorded
13,505

13,672

3,630

13,064


Total impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
15,504

20,672

1,000

20,875

141

   Commercial tax-exempt





   Owner occupied real estate
7,492

9,504

30

5,786

191

   Commercial construction and land
     development
23,216

31,769

2,600

16,440

231

   Commercial real estate
12,117

12,390


9,500

192

   Residential
3,346

3,729


3,557

6

   Consumer
1,829

2,168


1,945


Total impaired loans as of
  December 31, 2011
$
63,504

$
80,232

$
3,630

$
58,103

$
761




57




The following table presents additional information regarding the Company's impaired loans as of December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
Loans with no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
21,630

 
$
24,817

 
$

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

 

   Owner occupied real estate
8,483

 
8,758

 

   Commercial construction and land development
16,401

 
17,173

 

   Commercial real estate
6,045

 
6,853

 

   Residential
3,609

 
3,609

 

   Consumer
1,579

 
1,579

 

Total impaired loans with no related allowance
57,747

 
62,789

 

Loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
8,967

 
9,022

 
2,055

   Owner occupied real estate
754

 
768

 
260

   Commercial construction and land development
4,348

 
8,108

 
1,310

Total impaired loans with an allowance recorded
14,069

 
17,898

 
3,625

Total impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
30,597

 
33,839

 
2,055

   Commercial tax-exempt

 

 

   Owner occupied real estate
9,237

 
9,526

 
260

   Commercial construction and land development
20,749

 
25,281

 
1,310

   Commercial real estate
6,045

 
6,853

 

   Residential
3,609

 
3,609

 

   Consumer
1,579

 
1,579

 

Total impaired loans as of December 31, 2010
$
71,816

 
$
80,687

 
$
3,625


Impaired loans averaged approximately $58.1 million, $74.6 million and $52.6 million during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. All nonaccrual loans are considered impaired and interest income is handled as discussed earlier in the nonaccrual section of this footnote. Interest income continued to accrue on impaired loans that were still accruing and totaled $761,000, $1.3 million and $1.6 million during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Bank assigns loan risk ratings as credit quality indicators of its loan portfolio: pass, special mention, substandard accrual and substandard nonaccrual. Monthly, we track commercial loans that are no longer pass rated. We review the cash flow, operating results and financial condition of the borrower and any guarantors, as well as the collateral position against established policy guidelines as a means of providing a targeted list of loans and loan relationships that require additional attention within the loan portfolio. We categorize loans possessing increased risk as either special mention, substandard accrual or substandard nonaccrual. Special mention loans are those loans that are currently adequately protected, but potentially weak. The potential weaknesses may, if not corrected, weaken the loan's credit quality or inadvertently jeopardize our credit position in the future.  Substandard accrual and substandard nonaccrual assets are characterized by well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and by the possibility that Metro will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected. Substandard accrual loans would move from accrual to nonaccrual when the Bank does not believe it will collect all of its principal and interest payments. Some identifiers to determine the collectability are as follows: when the loan is 90 days past due in principal or interest, there are triggering events in the borrower's or any guarantor's financial statements that show continuing deterioration, the borrower's or any guarantor's source of repayment is depleting, or if bankruptcy or other legal matters are present, regardless if the loan is 90 days past due or not. Pass rated loans are reviewed throughout the year through the recurring review process of an independent loan review function and through the application of other credit metrics.
Credit quality indicators for commercial loans broken out by loan type are presented in the following tables for the periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. As previously mentioned, certain December 31, 2010 balances have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.


58




 
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
Pass Rated Loans
Special Mention
Substandard Accrual
Substandard Nonaccrual
Total
Commercial credit exposure:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
280,884

$
9,176

$
21,766

$
10,162

$
321,988

   Commercial tax-exempt
77,657

3,875



81,532

   Owner occupied real estate
263,001

2,887

10,589

2,895

279,372

   Commercial construction and land development
76,374

3,071

15,197

8,511

103,153

   Commercial real estate
349,786

794

6,005

7,820

364,405

     Total
$
1,047,702

$
19,803

$
53,557

$
29,388

$
1,150,450

 
 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Pass Rated Loans
Special Mention
Substandard Accrual
Substandard Nonaccrual
Total
Commercial credit exposure:
 
 
 
 
 
   Commercial and industrial
$
301,075

$
5,726

$
7,494

$
23,103

$
337,398

   Commercial tax-exempt
85,863




85,863

   Owner occupied real estate
228,224

4,093

4,918

4,318

241,553

   Commercial construction and land development
84,155

7,190

6,594

14,155

112,094

   Commercial real estate
296,537

10,611

622

5,424

313,194

     Total
$
995,854

$
27,620

$
19,628

$
47,000

$
1,090,102


Consumer credit exposures are rated as performing or nonperforming as detailed below at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
Performing
Nonperforming
Total
Consumer credit exposure:
 
 
 
   Residential
$
81,028

$
2,912

$
83,940

   Consumer
200,449

1,829

202,278

     Total
$
281,477

$
4,741

$
286,218


 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Performing
Nonperforming
Total
Consumer credit exposure:
 
 
 
   Residential
$
77,515

$
3,609

$
81,124

   Consumer
206,400

1,579

207,979

     Total
$
283,915

$
5,188

$
289,103



59





The following table presents new TDRs, with the recorded investment at the time of restructure, being the same pre-modification and post-modification, as well as the number of loans modified during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011 and the period end balance and number of loans modified at December 31, 2011:

 
New TDRs for the Twelve Months Ended
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
(dollars in thousands)
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment at Time of Restructure
Balance of TDRs at December 31, 2011
   Commercial and industrial
10

$
13,490

$
7,984

   Commercial tax-exempt



   Owner occupied real estate
1

87

84

   Commercial construction and land
      development
16

10,932

9,952

   Commercial real estate
5

4,368

4,273

   Residential
3

628

617

   Consumer



Total
35

$
29,505

$
22,910


The loans included above are considered TDRs as a result of the Bank implementing one or more of the following concessions: granting a material extension of time, entering into a forbearance agreement, adjusting the interest rate, accepting interest only for a period of time or a change in amortization period. The following table presents the number of contracts and balance at time of TDR by concession type for the year ended December 31, 2011:
(dollars in thousands)
Granting a Material Extension of Time
Forbearance Agreement
Adjusting the Interest Rate
Accepting Interest Only for a Period of Time
Change in Amortization Period
Adjusting the Interest Rate & Change in Amortization Period
Commercial and industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Number of Contracts
2

4



4


   Balance at time of TDR
$
629

$
12,456

$

$

$
405

$

Owner occupied real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Number of Contracts

1





   Balance at time of TDR
$

$
87

$

$

$

$

Commercial construction and
      land development:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Number of Contracts
16






   Balance at time of TDR
$
10,932

$

$

$

$

$

Commercial real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Number of Contracts

1

1


3


   Balance at time of TDR
$

$
93

$
1,194

$

$
3,081

$

Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Number of Contracts


1


1

1

   Balance at time of TDR
$

$

$
195

$

$
355

$
78


As of December 31, 2011, TDRs totaled $22.9 million, of which $10.1 million were classified as nonaccruing loans. The remaining $12.8 million of TDRs were accruing. Also, as of December 31, 2011, all TDRs were considered impaired loans and therefore were individually evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the ALL. Prior to their classification as TDRs, certain of these loans had been collectively evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the ALL. 

Six commercial construction and land development relationships identified as accruing TDRs had additional unused commitments totaling

60




$778,000 and one commercial relationship had an additional unused commitment available of $329,000.

The following table represents loans receivable modified as a TDR, that subsequently payment defaulted within 12 months of the restructure date and where the payment defaults occurred during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. The Bank's policy is to consider a loan past due or delinquent if payment is not received on or before the due date.
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Payment Defaulted:
 
 
December 31, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Number of Contracts
Recorded Investment
   Commercial and industrial
4

$
5,531

   Commercial tax-exempt


   Owner occupied real estate


   Commercial construction and land
development
11

9,162

   Commercial real estate
2

747

   Residential
3

617

   Consumer


Total
20

$
16,057


Of the 20 contracts that subsequently payment defaulted during 2011, 18 contracts totaling $10.9 million were still in payment default at December 31, 2011.

NOTE 5.
Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit
 
Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of Metro's customers. Standby letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. They primarily are issued to facilitate the customers' normal course of business transactions. Standby performance letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Historically, almost all of the Company's standby letters of credit expire unfunded.
 
Letters of credit have risk essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers and are subject to the Company's normal credit policies. Since the majority of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future funding requirements. The Company requires collateral supporting these letters of credit as deemed necessary. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. The amount of the liability as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued was $0.
 
The Company's maximum exposure to credit loss for loan commitments (unfunded loans and unused lines of credit, including home equity lines of credit) and standby letters of credit outstanding were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
Unfunded commitments of existing commercial loans
$
269,180

$
267,804

Unfunded commitments of existing consumer/residential loans
86,273

73,731

Standby letters of credit
36,455

32,272

Commitments to grant loans
11,658

4,624

Total
$
403,566

$
378,431


NOTE 6.  
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
The Company's loan portfolio is principally to borrowers throughout Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Lebanon, Lancaster and Berks counties of Pennsylvania where it has full-service stores. Commercial real estate loans and loan commitments for commercial real estate projects aggregated $491.3 million at December 31, 2011. Owner occupied real estate loans and loan commitments for commercial properties

61




aggregated $284.9 million at December 31, 2011.
 
Commercial real estate loans are collateralized by the related project (principally multi-family residential, office building, lodging, land development and other properties) and typically require owner guarantees.  Maximum terms and maximum advance rates are established according to our underwriting guidelines based on our assessment of the overall risk of the project being financed.

NOTE 7.  
Premises, Equipment and Leases
 
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $6.5 million, $6.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, and is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as listed in the table below. The estimated life for leasehold improvements is based on the shorter of the useful life or the lease term.
 
 
Years
Buildings and leasehold improvements
4 - 40
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
1 - 10
Computer equipment and software
3 - 8
 
A summary of premises and equipment is as follows:

 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
Land
$
15,386

$
15,386

Buildings
66,913

67,114

Construction in process
1,535

1,453

Leasehold improvements
2,583

2,541

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
32,073

35,095

 
118,490

121,589

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
36,376

33,427

Total
$
82,114

$
88,162

 
Land, buildings and equipment are leased under noncancelable operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through 2032. Total rental expense for operating leases in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $3.1 million, $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2011 future minimum lease payments for noncancelable operating leases are payable as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
$
2,599

2013
2,545

2014
2,399

2015
2,352

2016
2,255

Thereafter
19,983

Total minimum lease payments
$
32,133



62




NOTE 8.
Deposits
 
The composition of the Bank's deposits at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
397,251

$
340,956

Interest checking and money market
1,038,760

927,575

Savings
406,896

292,995

Time certificates $100,000 or more
105,751

133,383

Other time certificates
122,916

137,270

Total
$
2,071,574

$
1,832,179

 
At December 31, 2011, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
$
157,007

2013
35,224

2014
22,953

2015
9,297

2016
4,186

Thereafter

Total
$
228,667


NOTE 9.  
Short-term Borrowings 

Short-term borrowings consist of several lines of credit. The Bank has a line of credit commitment from the FHLB for borrowings up to $515.5 million and certain qualifying assets of the Bank collateralize the line. There was $65.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2011 and $140.5 million outstanding at December 31, 2010 on this line of credit. At December 31, 2011 $116.9 million of loans collateralized the outstanding balance. In addition, the Bank has a $15.0 million federal funds line of credit with one correspondent bank and a $20.0 million federal funds line of credit with another correspondent bank as of December 31, 2011 of which $0 was outstanding on both lines. The average balance of short-term borrowings was $128.0 million in 2011. The weighted-average interest rate on total short-term borrowings was 0.15% at December 31, 2011 and 0.60% at December 31, 2010.

NOTE 10.
Long-term Debt
 
As part of the Company's Asset/Liability management strategy, management utilized a FHLB fixed borrowing product during the second quarter of 2011 when it obtained $25.0 million in borrowings with a two year maturity due March 18, 2013 and interest rate of 1.01%. There was $25.0 million outstanding on this borrowing at December 31, 2011 which was collateralized by $45.0 million of loans of the Bank.

During the fourth quarter of 2010 the Company paid off a $25.0 million FHLB convertible select borrowing product which had a five year maturity and a six month conversion term at an initial interest rate of 4.29% and incurred a $1.6 million prepayment charge.  

On June 15, 2000, the Company issued $5.0 million of 11% fixed rate Trust Capital Securities to Commerce Bancorp LLC through Trust I, a Delaware business trust subsidiary. The Trust Capital Securities evidenced a preferred ownership interest in the Trust, of which the Company owned 100% of the common equity. The proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Capital Securities were invested in substantially similar Junior Subordinated Debt of the Company. The Company unconditionally guaranteed the Trust Capital Securities. Interest on the debt was payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The Trust Capital Securities was scheduled to mature on June 15, 2030. The Company had the option to redeem in whole or in part beginning on or after June 15, 2010 at a premium to the principal amount plus accrued interest, with the redemption price set to decline annually until June 2020, at which time the securities could be redeemed at 100% of the principal. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company repurchased and retired the $5.0 million of Trust Capital Securities and incurred a $75,000 early repayment charge in doing so.

63




 
On September 28, 2001, the Company issued $8.0 million of 10% fixed rate Trust Capital Securities to Commerce Bancorp LLC through Trust II, a Delaware business trust subsidiary. The Trust Capital Securities evidence a preferred ownership interest in the Trust II of which the Company owns 100% of the common equity. The proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Capital Securities were invested in substantially similar Junior Subordinated Debt of the Company. The Company unconditionally guarantees the Trust Capital Securities. Interest on the debt is payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. . The Trust Capital Securities are scheduled to mature on September 28, 2031. The Trust Capital Securities may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of the Company on or after September 28, 2011 at 105.00% of the principal plus accrued interest, if any. The redemption price declines by 0.50% on September 28th of each year from 2012 through 2021 at which time the securities may be redeemed at 100% of the principal plus accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption, subject to certain conditions. All $8.0 million of the Trust Capital Securities qualifies as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.
 
On September 29, 2006, the Company issued $15.0 million of 7.75% fixed rate Trust Capital Securities to TD Bank, N.A. through Trust III, a Delaware business trust subsidiary. The issuance of the Trust Capital Securities has similar properties as Trust II. The Trust Capital Securities evidence a preferred ownership interest in Trust III of which the Company owns 100% of the common equity. The proceeds from the issuance of the Trust Capital Securities were invested in substantially similar Junior Subordinated Debt of the Company. The Company unconditionally guarantees the Trust Capital Securities. Interest on the debt is payable quarterly with similar terms as in Trust II. The Trust Capital Securities are scheduled to mature on September 29, 2036. The Trust Capital Securities may be redeemed in whole or in part at the option of the Company on or after September 29, 2011 at 100.00% of the principal plus accrued interest, if any. All $15.0 million of the Trust Capital Securities qualifies as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

The remaining $1.2 million in long-term debt represents the Company's ownership interest in the non-bank subsidiary Trusts.
 
The scheduled maturities for long-term debt over the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

(in thousands)
 
2012-2016
$
25,000

Thereafter
24,200

Total
$
49,200


NOTE 11.  
Income Taxes
 
A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the amount that would have been provided at statutory rates is as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Benefit at statutory rate on pretax loss
$
(392
)
$
(3,017
)
$
(1,425
)
Tax-exempt income on loans and investments
(1,314
)
(1,446
)
(1,263
)
Exercise of nonqualified stock options

(25
)
(76
)
Stock-based compensation
222

209

296

Merger related expenses

(358
)
161

Other
40

101

133

Total 
$
(1,444
)
$
(4,536
)
$
(2,174
)
 
The statutory tax rate used to calculate the provision (benefit) in 2011 and in 2010 was 34% and in 2009 a 35% statutory tax rate was used due to the projected pretax consolidated earnings of the Company.
 

64





The components of income tax benefit are as follows: 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Current expense (benefit)
$
67

$
236

$
(3,841
)
Deferred expense (benefit)
(1,511
)
(4,772
)
1,667

Total
$
(1,444
)
$
(4,536
)
$
(2,174
)
 
The components of the net deferred tax asset were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
7,351

$
7,350

Unrealized losses on securities

2,901

Other-than-temporary losses
1,003

892

Stock-based compensation
923

757

Nonaccrual interest
2,002

1,492

Gain on sale of SBA loans

316

Foreclosed real estate write-downs
703

144

Income from LLC subsidiary
254

111

Other
486

270

Total deferred tax assets
12,722

14,233

Deferred tax liabilities:
 

 

Premises and equipment
(4,486
)
(4,514
)
Unrealized gains on securities
(1,965
)

Prepaid expenses
(395
)
(571
)
Deferred loan fees
(968
)
(885
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(7,814
)
(5,970
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
4,908

$
8,263

 
At December 31, 2011, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $4.9 million. An analysis was conducted to determine if a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets was required. The Company used current forecasts of future expected income, possible tax planning strategies, current and future economic and business conditions (such as the possibility of a decrease in real estate value for properties the Bank holds as collateral on loans), the probability that taxable income will continue to be generated in future periods and the cumulative losses in previous years to make the assessment. Management concluded that a valuation allowance was not necessary, largely based on available tax planning strategies and our projections of future taxable income.  Additional evidence considered in the analysis included recent expenses such as rebranding and consulting costs that are not expected to have a repeat impact on the Company's profitability as well as the availability of AFS securities (currently at an unrealized gain position) that could be sold to generate taxable income.

Tax expense of $119,000, $952,000 and $550,000 was recognized on net securities gains during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For 2011, the Company will receive a tax benefit on its federal income tax return totaling $0 and for 2010 and 2009, the Company received a tax benefit totaling $25,000 and $76,000, respectively, related to the exercise of non-qualified stock options and disqualified dispositions of employee stock from options exercised. The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various states. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, state and local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2008.

NOTE 12.
Stockholders' Equity
 
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, TD Banknorth, Inc., owned 40,000 shares of the Company's Series A $10 par value noncumulative

65




nonvoting preferred stock.  The preferred stock is redeemable at the option of the Company at the price of $25 per share plus any unpaid dividends. Dividends on the preferred stock are payable quarterly at a rate of $2 per share per annum.
 
The Company has a dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan. Holders of common stock may participate in the plan in which reinvested dividends and voluntary cash payments of not less than $100 per month and not more than $10,000 per month, beginning January 1, 2012, may be reinvested in additional common shares. Officers are eligible immediately and employees who have been continuously employed for at least one year are also eligible to participate in the plan. The minimum investment is $25 per month for employees and $50 for officers with a maximum of $10,000 per month starting January 1, 2012. Previously, the maximum monthly purchase amount was $25,000. During 2011, 500,000 additional shares were registered to the plan. A total of 376,962, 288,559 and 79,019 common shares were issued pursuant to this plan in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company had reserved approximately 522,000 common shares to be issued in connection with the plan.

On August 6, 2009, Metro Bancorp filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which will allow the Company, from time to time, to offer and sell up to a total aggregate of $250.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, or warrants, either separately or together in any combination. The shelf registration statement also registered trust preferred securities. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) excludes from regulatory capital trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010. Consequently, Metro Bancorp has no plans to issue additional trust preferred securities. While Metro has always been well-capitalized under federal regulatory guidelines, the shelf registration better positions the Company to take advantage of potential opportunities for growth and to address current economic conditions.

NOTE 13. 
Earnings (Loss) per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2011
2010
2009
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income
Weighted-average Shares
Per Share
Amount
Loss
Weighted-average Shares
Per Share
Amount
Loss
Weighted-average Shares
Per Share
Amount
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
289

 
 
$
(4,337
)
 
 
$
(1,898
)
 
 
Preferred stock dividends
(80
)
 
 
(80
)
 
 
(80
)
 
 
Income (loss) available to
common stockholders
209

13,919

$
0.02

(4,417
)
13,563

$
(0.33
)
(1,978
)
8,241

$
(0.24
)
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stock options
 

 
 

 
 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per
share:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) available to
common stockholders plus
assumed conversions
$
209

13,919

$
0.02

$
(4,417
)
13,563

$
(0.33
)
$
(1,978
)
8,241

$
(0.24
)
 
There were 1,076,067 common stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 which were exercisable between the prices of $8.46 and $33.50 per option. There were 1,069,774 options excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2010 which were exercisable between the prices of $11.55 and $33.50 per option. There were 1,030,267 options excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2009 which were exercisable between the prices of $6.93 and $33.50 per option. They were excluded because of their anti-dilutive impact.
 
NOTE 14.  
Stock Option Plans
 
In 2005, the board of directors adopted and the Company's stockholders approved the adoption of the 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan for the officers and employees of the Company. The Plan commenced January 1, 2006 and replaced the 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, which expired December 31, 2005. The Plan covers 1,000,000 authorized shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted or available for grant to employees and will expire on December 31, 2015. The Plan provides that the option price of qualified incentive stock options will be fixed by the Board of Directors, but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. In addition, the Plan provides that the option price of nonqualified stock options (NQSO's) also will be

66




fixed by the board of directors, however for NQSO's the option price may be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Options granted are exercisable one year after the grant date, will vest over a four-year period and expire ten years after the grant date.
 
In 2000, the board of directors adopted and the Company's stockholders approved the adoption of the 2001 Directors' Stock Option Plan. The Plan commenced January 1, 2001 and replaced the 1990 Directors' Stock Option Plan, which expired December 31, 2000. The Plan covered 343,100 authorized shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted or available for grant to non-employee directors and expired on December 31, 2010. In 2010, the Company's shareholders approved the adoption of the 2011 Directors' Stock Option Plan. The Plan commenced January 1, 2011 and replaced the 2000 Directors' Stock Option Plan which expired December 31, 2010. The Plan covers 200,000 authorized shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted or available for grant to directors,  directors emeritus, advisory directors, consultants and others with outstanding abilities to help the Company and will expire on December 31, 2020. Under the Company's Directors' Stock Option Plan, non-employee directors of the Company, consultants and others who are not regularly employed on a salaried basis by the Company may be entitled to an option to acquire shares, as determined by the board of directors, of the Company's common stock during each year in which the Director serves on the Board. The Plan provides that the option price will be fixed by the board of directors, but will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant.
 
As of December 31, 2011, there was $2.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards. The expense will be incurred over the next 4 year period with a weighted-average period of 2.5 years. Cash received from the exercise of options for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0, $78,000 and $633,000, respectively.
 
The fair value of each option grant was established at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the stock price volatility. Because the Company's stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company's stock options. The Company used the Black-Scholes model and the following weighted-average assumptions for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.0%, 3.3% and 2.5%; volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of .46, .45 and .32; assumed forfeiture rates of 1.67%, 1.72% and 2.12%; weighted-average expected lives of the options of 7.5 years for the three years presented and no cash dividends. Based upon these assumptions, the weighted-average fair value of options granted was $6.42, $6.47 and $6.18 per option share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The tax benefit associated with compensation expense was $203,000, $214,000 and $208,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Stock option transactions under the Plans were as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31, 
 
2011
2010
2009
 
Options
Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price
Options
Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price
Options
Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
1,069,774

$
21.74

1,030,267

$
22.92

943,915

$
24.42

Granted
242,300

12.01

192,900

12.31

211,270

15.69

Exercised


(13,508
)
7.92

(49,702
)
13.40

Forfeited/expired
(236,007
)
15.76

(139,885
)
18.75

(75,216
)
27.66

Outstanding at end of year
1,076,067

$
20.86

1,069,774

$
21.74

1,030,267

$
22.92

Exercisable at December 31
670,258

$
25.08

663,259

$
24.63

619,490

$
23.62

Options available for grant at December 31
549,003

 

511,525

 

624,085

 

Weighted-average fair value of options
  granted during the year
 
$
6.42

 
$
6.47

 

$
6.18

 
Options exercisable and outstanding at December 31, 2011 had an intrinsic value of $0. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $77,000 in 2010 and $282,000 in 2009. There were no options exercised in 2011.

67




 
The Company allows for option exercises to be paid for in cash or in whole or in part with Metro stock owned by the optionee. The value of the stock used to exercise the options is the fair market value on the date of exercise.  Stock option exercises paid for with the Company's stock were 2,130 shares and 1,695 shares for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 2011 are presented in the following table:
 
 
Options
Outstanding
Weighted
Avg. Exercise
 Price
Weighted Avg.
Remaining
Contractual
Life
Options
Exercisable
Weighted
Avg. Exercise
Price
Options with exercise prices ranging from
    $8.46 to $16.41
478,235

$
13.26

8.3 Years
103,249

$
14.82

Options with exercise prices ranging from
    $16.42 to $25.38
193,615

21.36

1.6 Years
192,715

21.37

Options with exercise prices ranging from
    $25.39 to $33.50
404,217

29.62

4.8 Years
374,294

29.83

Total options outstanding with exercise
    prices ranging from $8.46 to $33.50
1,076,067

$
20.86

5.8 Years
670,258

$
25.08

 
The remaining weighted-average contractual life for options exercisable at December 31, 2011 is 4.2 years.

The following table represents non-vested options as of December 31, 2011:
 
 
 
Number of
Shares
Weighted Avg.
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested options,
December 31, 2010
406,515

$
7.64

Granted
 
242,300

6.42

Vested
 
(140,210
)
8.42

Forfeited
 
(102,796
)
6.83

Non-vested options,
December 31, 2011
405,809

$
6.84

 
NOTE 15.  
Regulatory Matters
 
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiary, the Bank. There are various legal and regulatory limitations on the extent to which the Bank can, among other things, finance, or otherwise supply funds to, the Company. Specifically, dividends from the Bank are the principal source of the Company's cash funds and there are certain legal restrictions under Pennsylvania law and Pennsylvania banking regulations on the payment of dividends by state-chartered banks. The relevant regulatory agencies also have authority to prohibit the Company and the Bank from engaging in what, in the opinion of such regulatory body, constitutes an unsafe or unsound banking practice. The payment of dividends could, depending upon the financial condition of the Company and the Bank, be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice.

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2011, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
 
As of December 31, 2011 the Bank was categorized as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To

68




be categorized as well-capitalized the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank's category.
 
The following table presents the risk-based and leverage capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2011 and 2010 for the Company and the Bank:
 
 
Actual
 
For Capital 
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Company as of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-based capital ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital
$
260,405

15.36
%
$
135,637

8.0
%
N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital
239,206

14.11

67,818

4.0

N/A

N/A

Leverage ratio
239,206

9.99

95,797

4.0

N/A

N/A

Bank as of December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-based capital ratios:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total capital
$
238,919

14.12
%
$
135,358

8.0
%
$
169,197

10.0
%
Tier 1 capital
217,764

12.87

67,679

4.0

101,518

6.0

Leverage ratio
217,764

9.10

95,747

4.0

119,684

5.0

Company as of December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-based capital ratios:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total capital
$
259,479

15.83
%
$
131,092

8.0
%
N/A

N/A

Tier 1 capital
238,981

14.58

65,546

4.0

N/A

N/A

Leverage ratio
238,981

10.68

89,494

4.0

N/A

N/A

Bank as of December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-based capital ratios:
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total capital
$
229,682

14.06
%
$
130,647

8.0
%
$
163,308

10.0
%
Tier 1 capital
209,254

12.81

65,323

4.0

97,985

6.0

Leverage ratio
209,254

9.38

89,269

4.0

111,586

5.0


On April 29, 2010, the Bank consented and agreed to the issuance of a Consent Order (Order) by the FDIC, the Bank's federal banking regulator and a substantially similar consent order by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. The Order required the Bank to take all necessary steps, consistent with the Order and sound banking practices, to correct and prevent certain unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of law or regulation alleged by the FDIC to have been committed by the Bank. Among other things, the Order required certain analyses and assessments, including an analysis and assessment of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) staffing needs and qualifications and an analysis and assessment of the independence and performance of the Company's directors and senior executive officers. It also required the development, adoption and implementation of a system of internal controls designed to ensure full compliance with BSA and OFAC provisions; training programs to ensure that all appropriate personnel are aware of and can comply with applicable requirements of BSA and OFAC provisions; periodic reviews by internal and external auditors of compliance with BSA and OFAC provisions; and a review by an independent third party of the Bank's compliance with the Order. The Bank continues with its efforts to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order. Most of the related expenses are captured under consulting fees and make up the majority of this line item on the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

NOTE 16.
Employee Benefit Plan
 
The Company has established a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan for all of its employees who meet eligibility requirements. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their salary to the Plan. Beginning January 1, 2011, the Company currently provides a Safe Harbor matching contribution of 100% of the amount of the employee contribution up to 3% of the employee's salary and 50% of the amount of the employee contribution that exceeds 3% of the employee's salary for up to 5% of the employee's salary. In 2010 and 2009, the Company's

69




matching contribution was discretionary, not a Safe Harbor matching contribution and was set at 50% of the employee's salary deferral up to a maximum of 6% of the employee's salary. The amount charged to expense for employer matching contributions was $703,000, $490,000 and $494,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

NOTE 17.  
Comprehensive Income
 
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income are components of comprehensive income. The only comprehensive income item, other than net income, that the Company presently has is net unrealized gains on securities available for sale and unrealized losses for noncredit-related losses on debt securities. The federal income tax impact allocated to the net unrealized gains (losses) is presented in the table below. The 2010 and 2009 presentations have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation including grossing up the components of OTTI with no impact on the net impairment loss on investment securities included in net income.  These items had no impact on net income, stockholders' equity and total assets for 2010 and 2009.
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the year
$
14,329

$
6,057

$
(5,749
)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains on securities recorded in income
(343
)
(2,767
)
(1,401
)
Reclassification for OTTI credit losses recorded in income
324

962

2,341

Noncredit related OTTI losses on securities not expected to be sold

3,942

14,670

Subtotal
14,310

8,194

9,861

Income tax impact
(4,866
)
(2,953
)
(3,452
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax impact
$
9,444

$
5,241

$
6,409


NOTE 18.  
Commitments and Contingencies
 
In January 2005, the Company entered into an agreement for naming rights to Metro Bank Park located on Harrisburg City Island, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Metro Bank Park is home of the Harrisburg Senators, an AA team affiliated with Major League Baseball. The term of the naming rights agreement is 15 years with a total obligation of $3.5 million spread over the term.
 
The Company has purchased the land at the corner of Carlisle Road and Alta Vista Road in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to construct a full-service store on this property to be opened in the future.
 
The Company has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 2121 Lincoln Highway East, East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to construct a full-service store on this property to be opened in the future.
 
The Company has purchased land at 105 N. George Street, York City, York County, Pennsylvania. The Company plans to open a store on this property to be opened in the future.

On November 10, 2008, Metro announced it had entered into a services agreement with Fiserv. The agreement, effective November 7, 2008, is for a period of seven years, subject to automatic renewal for additional terms of two years unless either party gives the other written notice of non-renewal at least 180 days prior to the expiration date of the term. The initial investment with Fiserv was $3.4 million with a remaining expected obligation for support, license fees and processing services of $29.5 million over the next four years. The various services include: core system hosting, item processing, deposit and loan processing, electronic banking, data warehousing and other banking functions.
 
In addition, the Company is also subject to certain routine legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management's opinion that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

NOTE 19.  
Related Party Transactions
  
The Company has engaged in certain transactions with entities which are considered related parties. Payments for goods and services, including legal services, to these related parties totaled $841,000, $699,000 and $835,000, in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Management believes disbursements made to related parties were substantially equivalent to those that would have been paid to unaffiliated companies for similar goods and services.

TD Banknorth, Inc. (a 4.26% shareholder of common stock and 100% shareholder of Series A preferred stock of the Company), through an affiliate TD Bank, N.A., historically provided various services to the Company. These services included maintenance to the store LAN network, proof and encoding services, deposit account statement rendering, automated teller machine (ATM)/VISA card processing, data processing, implementation of new software for systems and call center support. On and effective as of December 30, 2008, the Company and the Bank entered into a Transition Agreement with TD and Commerce Bancorp LLC (formerly Commerce Bancorp, Inc.).  The Transition Agreement terminated the Network Agreement dated January 1, 1997, as thereafter amended in April 2002 and September 29, 2004 (the Network Agreement) and the Master Services Agreement dated July 21, 2006 and its addenda (the Master Services Agreement) by and between the Company, the Bank and TD (and/or their predecessors). With timely advance notice by TD under the Network and Master Services agreements, the agreements would have otherwise terminated on December 31, 2009.  The agreements were terminated prior to such date in connection with the March 2008 merger of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. into a subsidiary of TD Bank N.A.

Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, TD provided to the Bank certain transaction services, representing a continuation of the services provided to the Bank under the terms of the Master Services Agreement until the third quarter of  2009, at which time all such services were transitioned to other service providers. Because all services provided by TD under the Transition Agreement were terminated according to terms in the agreement, TD paid to the Bank a fee in the amount of $6.0 million, which was used to help defray the costs of transition and the rebranding of the Company and the Bank.

The Company did not receive nor pay for services from TD in 2011 and 2010; however, paid approximately $2.2 million for services provided during 2009.  A non-recourse loan in which the Company had participated was foreclosed in 2009 and resulted in the Company's ownership of a 15% interest in commercial property in which TD now owns a 70% interest.  The gross balance due on the loan was $45.9 million at the time of foreclosure.
 
NOTE 20.
Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique due to assumptions that are susceptible to significant change.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments and certain nonfinancial assets subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.
 
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses the following fair value hierarchy in selecting inputs with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements): 
 
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
 
As required, financial and certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table sets forth the Company's financial assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, by level within the fair value hierarchy:
 

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 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
22,558

$

$
22,558

$

Residential MBSs
21,412


21,412


Agency CMOs
528,163


528,163


Private-label CMOs
23,006


23,006


Corporate debt securities
18,320


18,320


Securities available for sale
$
613,459

$

$
613,459

$

 
 
 
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
$
21,409

$

$
21,409

$

Residential MBSs
2,386


2,386


Agency CMOs
383,214


383,214


Private-label CMOs
31,003


31,003


Securities available for sale
$
438,012

$

$
438,012

$


As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company did not have any liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Impaired Loans (Generally Carried at Fair Value)

Impaired loans are those that the Company has measured impairment based on the fair value of the loan's collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The fair value consists of the loan balances less any valuation allowance. The valuation allowance amount is calculated as the difference between the recorded investment in a loan and the present value of expected future cash flows or it is calculated based on discounted collateral values if the loans are collateral dependent. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of impaired loans with allowance allocations totaled $9.9 million, net of a valuation allowance of $3.6 million and impaired loans that were partially charged off during 2011 totaled $1.2 million, net of charge-offs of $10.1 million. At December 31, 2010, the fair value of impaired loans with allowance allocations totaled $10.4 million, net of a valuation allowance of $3.6 million and impaired loans that were partially charged off during 2010 totaled $9.6 million, net of charge-offs of $5.7 million.. The Company's impaired loans are more fully discussed in Note 4.

 Foreclosed Assets (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)
 
The fair value of real estate acquired through foreclosure was based on independent third party appraisals of the properties. The carrying value of foreclosed assets, with valuation allowances recorded subsequent to initial foreclosure, was $3.0 million and $4.8 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which are net of valuation allowances of $1.8 million and $410,000 that were established in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used were as follows:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans with specific allocation
$
9,875

$

$

$
9,875

Impaired loans net of partial charge-offs
1,151



1,151

Foreclosed assets
3,041



3,041

Total
$
14,067

$

$

$
14,067

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(in thousands)
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans with specific allocation
$
10,444

$

$

$
10,444

Impaired loans net of partial charge-offs
9,629



9,629

Foreclosed assets
4,774



4,774

Total
$
24,847

$

$

$
24,847


The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company's assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company's disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following valuation techniques were used to estimate the fair values of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010:
  
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Carried at Cost)
 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks and federal funds sold, all of which have original maturities of 90 days or less. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and short-term instruments approximate those assets' fair values.
 
Securities
 
The fair value of securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities' relationship to other benchmark prices. In determining fair market values for its portfolio holdings, the Company receives information from a third party provider which management evaluates and corroborates. Under the current guidance, these values are considered Level 2 inputs, based upon mathematically derived matrix pricing and observed data from similar assets.  They are not Level 1 direct quotes, nor do they reflect Level 3 inputs that would be derived from internal analysis or judgment. As the Company does not manage a trading portfolio and typically only sells from its AFS portfolio in order to manage interest rate risk or credit exposure, direct quotes, or street bids, are warranted on an as-needed basis only.
 
Loans Held for Sale (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)
 
The fair value of loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary-market prices.  If no such quoted prices exist, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar loan or loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan. The Company did not write down any loans held for sale during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.



73




Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair value of loans, excluding impaired loans with specific loan allowances, are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans.  Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity, projected repayments and prepayments of principal.  Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
 
Restricted Investment in Bank Stock (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amount of restricted investment in bank stock approximates fair value and considers the limited marketability of such securities.  The restricted investments in bank stock consisted of FHLB and ACBB stock at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.
 
Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposits (CDs) are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
 
Short-Term Borrowings (Carried at Cost)
 
The carrying amounts of short-term borrowings approximate their fair values.
 
Long-Term Debt (Carried at Cost)
 
The fair value of FHLB convertible select borrowing advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices for new FHLB advances with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. The price obtained from this active market represents a fair value that is deemed to represent the transfer price if the liability were assumed by a third party.  Other long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices from a third party broker for new debt with similar characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.  The price for the other long-term debt was obtained in an inactive market where these types of instruments are not traded regularly. 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments (Disclosed at Cost)
 
Fair values for the Company's off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing.
 

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The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
2011
2010
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
Fair 
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair 
Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
55,073

$
55,073

$
32,858

$
32,858

Securities
810,094

813,316

665,588

662,214

Loans, net (including loans held for sale)
1,424,407

1,445,797

1,376,192

1,358,509

Restricted investments in bank stock
16,802

16,802

20,614

20,614

Accrued interest receivable
7,378

7,378

7,347

7,347

Financial liabilities:
 

 

 

 

Deposits
$
2,071,574

$
2,074,139

$
1,832,179

$
1,835,782

Long-term debt
49,200

39,773

29,400

18,431

Short-term borrowings
65,000

65,000

140,475

140,475

Accrued interest payable
487

487

669

669

Off-balance sheet instruments:
 

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit
$

$

$

$

Commitments to extend credit




 


75




NOTE 21.  
Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
 
The following represents summarized unaudited quarterly financial data of the Company which, in the opinion of management, reflects adjustments (comprising only normal recurring accruals) necessary for fair presentation, note that certain balances may not cross foot due to rounding:
 
 
Three Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
December 31
September 30
June 30
March 31
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
24,726

$
24,415

$
24,659

$
23,895

Interest expense
3,336

3,640

3,842

3,878

Net interest income
21,390

20,775

20,817

20,017

Provision for loan losses
3,350

13,750

1,700

1,792

Net gains on sales of securities

7

309

34

Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes
888

(3,334
)
660

342

Net income (loss)
2,483

(5,718
)
1,992

1,532

Net income (loss) per share:
 

 

 

 

Basic
$
0.18

$
(0.41
)
$
0.14

$
0.11

Diluted
0.18

(0.41
)
0.14

0.11

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

2010
 
 

 

 

Interest income
$
24,508

$
24,248

$
24,396

$
24,095

Interest expense
4,062

4,261

4,412

4,662

Net interest income
20,446

19,987

19,984

19,433

Provision for loan losses
2,600

13,400

2,600

2,400

Net gains on sales of securities
1,765

117

298

621

Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes
376

(3,772
)
(238
)
(902
)
Net income (loss)
1,457

(6,160
)
360

6

Net income (loss) per share:
 

 

 

 

Basic
$
0.10

$
(0.46
)
$
0.02

$

Diluted
0.10

(0.46
)
0.02


 
 
 
 
 



76




NOTE 22.  
Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company
 
Balance Sheets
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
Assets
 
 
Cash
$
19,641

$
26,237

Investment in subsidiaries:
 

 

Banking subsidiary
221,578

203,623

Non-banking subsidiaries
1,200

1,400

Other assets
2,321

4,119

Total assets
$
244,740

$
235,379

Liabilities
 

 

Long-term debt
$
24,200

$
29,400

Other liabilities
520

628

Total liabilities
24,720

30,028

Stockholders' Equity
 

 

Preferred stock - Series A noncumulative; $10.00 par value;
 
 
      (1,000,000 shares authorized; 40,000 shares issued and outstanding)
400

400

Common stock - $1.00 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;
 
 
      (issued and outstanding shares 2011: 14,125,346;  2010: 13,748,384)
14,125

13,748

Surplus
156,184

151,545

Retained earnings
45,497

45,288

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
3,814

(5,630
)
Total stockholders' equity
220,020

205,351

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
244,740

$
235,379

 
Statements of Operations
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Income
 
 
 
Dividends from bank subsidiary
$

$

$
2,818

Interest income
122

124

124

Debt prepayment charge
(75
)


 
47

124

2,942

Expenses
 

 

 

Interest expense
2,611

2,645

2,645

Other
2,293

1,149

1,668

 
4,904

3,794

4,313

Loss before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
(4,857
)
(3,670
)
(1,371
)
Income tax benefit
1,651

1,248

1,466

 
(3,206
)
(2,422
)
95

Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of bank subsidiary
3,495

(1,915
)
(1,993
)
Net income (loss)
$
289

$
(4,337
)
$
(1,898
)

 

77




Statements of Cash Flows
 
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2011
2010
2009
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
289

$
(4,337
)
$
(1,898
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 

 

 

Amortization of financing costs
8

8

8

Stock-based compensation
1,250

1,244

1,439

Debt prepayment charge
75



(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
(108
)
(4,742
)
4,325

Decrease (increase) in other assets
1,990

610

(4,350
)
Equity in undistributed net (income) loss of bank subsidiary
(3,495
)
1,915

1,993

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
9

(5,302
)
1,517

Investing Activities
 

 

 

Investment in bank subsidiary
(5,052
)
(4,478
)
(48,970
)
Net cash used by investing activities
(5,052
)
(4,478
)
(48,970
)
Financing Activities
 

 

 

Proceeds from common stock options exercised

78

633

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock purchase plan
3,802

3,156

1,174

Repayment of long-term debt
(5,275
)


Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with stock offering


77,792

Cash dividends on preferred stock
(80
)
(80
)
(80
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(1,553
)
3,154

79,519

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(6,596
)
(6,626
)
32,066

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
26,237

32,863

797

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
19,641

$
26,237

$
32,863

 

78