Dividends and Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dividends and Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Dividends and Earnings Per Share

15. Dividends and Earnings Per Share

Total cash dividends during 2011 were $9,158,000 or $11.75 per share of common stock, an increase of 3.5% per share from $8,855,000 or $11.35 per share in 2010. In 2009, cash dividends totaled $8,596,000 or $11.00 per share.

Earnings per share amounts are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The following table calculates the earnings per share for the periods indicated.

(net income in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Net Income	$	22,209	$	21,118	$	20,013
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding		779,424		780,619		782,754
Per Share Amount	$	28.49	$	27.05	$	25.57