EX-13 4 exhibit13.htm EXHIBIT (13) exhibit13.htm
EXHIBIT (13)

The Annual Report to Security Holders is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
APPENDIX A

ANNUAL REPORT
OF
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

General Description of Business
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (the “Company”), was formed in 1999 to serve as the holding company for Peoples Bank (the “Bank”).  The Company is a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”).  The Company’s principal source of income is dividends declared and paid by the Bank on its capital stock, if any.  The Company has no operations and conducts no business of its own other than owning the Bank and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC (“CBRES”).  Accordingly, the discussion of the business which follows concerns the business conducted by the Bank, unless otherwise indicated.

The Bank, founded in 1912, is a state-chartered commercial bank serving the citizens and business interests of the Catawba Valley and surrounding communities through 22 banking offices located in Lincolnton, Newton, Denver, Catawba, Conover, Maiden, Claremont, Hiddenite, Hickory, Charlotte, Monroe, Cornelius, Mooresville and Raleigh, North Carolina.  The Bank also operates a loan production office in Denver, North Carolina.  At December 31, 2012, the Company had total assets of $1.0 billion, net loans of $605.6 million, deposits of $781.5 million, total securities of $303.4 million, and shareholders’ equity of $97.7 million.

The Bank operates four offices focused on the Latino population under the name Banco de la Gente (“Banco”).  These offices are operated as a division of the Bank.  Banco offers normal and customary banking services as are offered in the Bank’s other branches such as the taking of deposits and the making of loans and therefore is not considered a reportable segment of the Company.

The Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, with no foreign loans and few agricultural loans.  Real estate loans are predominately variable rate commercial property loans, which include residential development loans to commercial customers.  Commercial loans are spread throughout a variety of industries with no one particular industry or group of related industries accounting for a significant portion of the commercial loan portfolio.  The majority of the Bank’s deposit and loan customers are individuals and small to medium-sized businesses located in the Bank’s market area.  The Bank’s loan portfolio also includes Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) mortgage loans generated thorough the Bank’s Banco offices.  Additional discussion of the Bank’s loan portfolio and sources of funds for loans can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on pages A-4 through A-27 of the Annual Report, which is included in this Form 10-K as Exhibit (13).

The operations of the Bank and depository institutions in general are significantly influenced by general economic conditions and by related monetary and fiscal policies of depository institution regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the “Commissioner”).

At December 31, 2012, the Company employed 247 full-time employees and 38 part-time employees, which equated to 273 full-time equivalent employees.

Subsidiaries
The Bank is a subsidiary of the Company.  The Bank has two subsidiaries, Peoples Investment Services, Inc. and Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc.  Through a relationship with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Peoples Investment Services, Inc. provides the Bank’s customers access to investment counseling and non-deposit investment products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, tax deferred annuities, and related brokerage services.  Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc. provides real estate appraisal and real estate brokerage services.

In June 2006, the Company formed a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust, PEBK Capital Trust II (“PEBK Trust II”), which issued $20.0 million of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures.  All of the common securities of PEBK Trust II are owned by the Company.  The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by PEBK Trust II to purchase $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company, which pay a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were used in December 2006 to repay the trust preferred securities issued in December 2001 by PEBK Capital Trust, a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust of the Company, and for general purposes.  The debentures represent the sole asset of PEBK Trust II.  PEBK Trust II is not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The trust preferred securities issued by PEBK Trust II accrue and pay quarterly at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The Company has guaranteed distributions and other payments due on the trust preferred securities to the extent PEBK Trust II does not have funds with which to make the distributions and other payments.  The net
 
 
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combined effect of the trust preferred securities transaction is that the Company is obligated to make the distributions and other payments required on the trust preferred securities.
 
These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on June 28, 2036, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by PEBK Trust II, in whole or in part, which became effective on June 28, 2011.  As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

The Company established a new subsidiary, CBRES, in 2009. CBRES serves as a “clearing-house” for appraisal services for community banks.  Other banks are able to contract with CBRES to find and engage appropriate appraisal companies in the area where the property is located.  This type of service ensures that the appraisal process remains independent from the financing process within the bank.
 
This report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (the “Company”).  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management of the Company and on the information available to management at the time that these disclosures were prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions.  Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by Peoples Bank, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectibility of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations and (7) other risks and factors identified in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
 
 
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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts
                 
 
2012
2011
2010
2009
  2008
Summary of Operations
               
Interest income
$ 39,245   45,259   47,680   50,037   56,322
Interest expense
  7,696   10,946   14,348   17,187   23,526
Net interest earnings
  31,549   34,313   33,332   32,850   32,796
Provision for loan losses
  4,924   12,632   16,438   10,535   4,794
Net interest earnings after provision
                   
for loan losses
  26,625   21,681   16,894   22,315   28,002
Non-interest income
  12,537   14,513   13,884   11,823   10,495
Non-interest expense
  31,782   29,572   28,948   29,883   28,893
Earnings before taxes
  7,380   6,622   1,830   4,255   9,604
Income taxes
  1,587   1,463   (11 ) 1,339   3,213
Net earnings
  5,793   5,159   1,841   2,916   6,391
Dividends and accretion of preferred stock
  1,010   1,393   1,394   1,246   -
Net earnings available to common
                   
shareholders
$ 4,783   3,766   447   1,670   6,391
                     
Selected Year-End Balances
                   
Assets
$ 1,013,516   1,067,063   1,067,652   1,048,494   968,762
Available for sale securities
  297,823   321,388   272,449   195,115   124,916
Loans, net
  605,551   653,893   710,667   762,643   770,163
Mortgage loans held for sale
  6,922   5,146   3,814   2,840   -
Interest-earning assets
  931,738   1,004,131   1,010,983   988,017   921,101
Deposits
  781,525   827,111   838,712   809,343   721,062
Interest-bearing liabilities
  770,546   820,452   850,233   826,838   758,334
Shareholders' equity
$ 97,747   103,027   96,858   99,223   101,128
Shares outstanding
  5,613,495   5,544,160   5,541,413   5,539,056   5,539,056
                     
Selected Average Balances
                   
Assets
$ 1,029,612   1,074,250   1,078,136   1,016,257   929,799
Available for sale securities
  289,010   295,413   219,797   161,135   115,853
Loans
  648,595   697,527   757,532   782,464   747,203
Interest-earning assets
  965,994   1,015,451   999,054   956,680   876,425
Deposits
  786,976   835,550   840,343   772,075   720,918
Interest-bearing liabilities
  770,546   836,382   849,870   796,260   740,478
Shareholders' equity
$ 103,805   102,568   101,529   101,162   76,241
Shares outstanding
  5,559,401   5,542,548   5,539,308   5,539,056   5,588,314
                     
Profitability Ratios
                   
Return on average total assets
  0.56%   0.48%   0.17%   0.29%   0.69%
Return on average shareholders' equity
  5.58%   5.03%   1.81%   2.88%   8.38%
Dividend payout ratio*
  20.96%   11.78%   100.11%   86.22%   41.93%
                     
Liquidity and Capital Ratios (averages)
                   
Loan to deposit
  82.42%   83.48%   90.15%   101.35%   103.65%
Shareholders' equity to total assets
  10.08%   9.55%   9.42%   9.95%   8.20%
                     
Per share of Common Stock
                   
Basic net income
$ 0.86   0.68   0.08   0.30   1.14
Diluted net income
$ 0.86   0.68   0.08   0.30   1.13
Cash dividends
$ 0.18   0.08   0.08   0.26   0.48
Book value
$ 15.18   14.06   12.96   13.39   13.73
 
*As a percentage of net earnings available to common shareholders.
 
 
 
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our financial position and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the information set forth under Item 1A Risk Factors and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto on pages A-28  through A-64.

Introduction
Management’s discussion and analysis of earnings and related data are presented to assist in understanding the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.  The Company is a registered bank holding company operating under the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board and the parent company of Peoples Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a North Carolina-chartered bank, with offices in Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander, Mecklenburg, Iredell, Union and Wake counties, operating under the banking laws of North Carolina and the rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

Overview
Our business consists principally of attracting deposits from the general public and investing these funds in commercial loans, real estate mortgage loans, real estate construction loans and consumer loans. Our profitability depends primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between the income we receive on our loan and investment securities portfolios and our cost of funds, which consists of interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest income also is affected by the relative amounts of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-bearing liabilities, a positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income. Our profitability is also affected by the level of other income and operating expenses. Other income consists primarily of miscellaneous fees related to our loans and deposits, mortgage banking income and commissions from sales of annuities and mutual funds. Operating expenses consist of compensation and benefits, occupancy related expenses, federal deposit and other insurance premiums, data processing, advertising and other expenses.

Our operations are influenced significantly by local economic conditions and by policies of financial institution regulatory authorities. The earnings on our assets are influenced by the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations.  Lending activities are affected by the demand for commercial and other types of loans, which in turn is affected by the interest rates at which such financing may be offered.  Our cost of funds is influenced by interest rates on competing investments and by rates offered on similar investments by competing financial institutions in our market area, as well as general market interest rates. These factors can cause fluctuations in our net interest income and other income. In addition, local economic conditions can impact the credit risk of our loan portfolio, in that (1) local employers may be required to eliminate employment positions of individual borrowers, and (2) small businesses and commercial borrowers may experience a downturn in their operating performance and become unable to make timely payments on their loans. Management evaluates these factors in estimating the allowance for loan losses and changes in these economic factors could result in increases or decreases to the provision for loan losses.

The unfavorable economic conditions experienced from 2008 to 2010 moderated in 2011 and 2012 but continue to have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.  Unfavorable economic indicators, such as high unemployment, falling real estate prices and higher than normal levels of loan defaults demonstrate the difficult business conditions that are affecting the general economy and therefore our operating results.  The unemployment rates in our primary market area continued to be higher than state and national averages throughout 2012.

Although we are unable to control the external factors that influence our business, by maintaining high levels of balance sheet liquidity, managing our interest rate exposures and by actively monitoring asset quality, we seek to minimize the potentially adverse risks of unforeseen and unfavorable economic trends.

Our business emphasis has been to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community-oriented financial institution dedicated to providing quality customer service. We are committed to meeting the financial needs of the communities in which we operate. We believe that we can be more effective in serving our customers than many of our non-local competitors because of our ability to quickly and effectively provide senior management responses to customer needs and inquiries. Our ability to provide these services is enhanced by the stability of our senior management team.

 
A-4

 
 
The Federal Reserve has maintained the Federal Funds Rate at 0.25% since December 31, 2008.  This has had a negative impact on 2010, 2011 and 2012 earnings and will continue to have a negative impact on the Bank’s net interest income in the future periods.  The negative impact from the Federal Funds Rate has been partially offset by the increase in earnings realized on interest rate contracts, including interest rate swaps and interest rate floors, utilized by the Bank.  Additional information regarding the Bank’s interest rate contracts is provided below in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management.”

On December 23, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with the U.S. Department of the Treasury  (“UST”) pursuant to the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”).  Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell 25,054 shares of Series A preferred stock and a Warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of the Company’s common stock.  Proceeds from this issuance of Series A preferred shares were allocated between preferred stock and the Warrant based on their relative fair values at the time of the sale.  Of the $25.1 million in proceeds, $24.4 million was allocated to the Series A preferred stock and $704,000 was allocated to the Warrant.  The discount recorded on the Series A preferred stock that resulted from allocating a portion of the proceeds to the Warrant was being accreted directly to retained earnings over a five-year period applying a level yield.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had accreted a total of $478,000 of the discount related to the Series A preferred stock.

The Series A preferred stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital and will pay cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and 9% per annum thereafter.  The Series A preferred stock may be redeemed at the stated amount of $1,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.  Under the terms of the original Purchase Agreement, the Company could not redeem the Series A preferred shares until December 23, 2011 unless the total amount of the issuance, $25.1 million, was replaced with the same amount of other forms of capital that would qualify as Tier 1 capital. However, with the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), the Company can now redeem the Series A preferred shares at any time, if approved by the Company’s primary regulator.  The Series A preferred stock is non-voting except for class voting rights on matters that would adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series A preferred stock.

The UST sold all of the Company’s CPP preferred stock in a public auction in June 2012, and, as a result, the Company is no longer subject to the executive compensation and corporate governance standards imposed by TARP.  The Company purchased 12,530 shares of the Company’s 25,054 outstanding shares of  Series A preferred stock from the UST, which was issued to the UST in connection with the Company’s participation in the CPP under TARP in 2008.  The shares were purchased for $933.36 per share, for a total purchase price of $11,778,576, including $83,575 accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A preferred stock.  The Company retired the 12,530 shares purchased.  The $834,999 difference between the $12,530,000 face value of the Series A preferred stock retired and the $11,695,001 purchase price of the Series A preferred stock retired was credited to retained earnings effective June 30, 2012.  Remaining Series A preferred shares are redeemable at any time at par.  The Company expects to be able to repurchase the shares from future earnings, however, there are no immediate plans to repurchase these shares.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company completed its repurchase of the Warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of the Company's common stock that was issued to the UST on December 23, 2008, as part of the CPP under TARP.  The Company repurchased the Warrant for a total price of $425,000.  The exercise price of the Warrant was $10.52 per common share and was exercisable at anytime on or before December 18, 2018.

Management expects to look for branching opportunities in nearby markets in the future but there are no additional offices planned in 2013.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Bank and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC, along with the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Investment Services, Inc. and Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition.  Many of the Company’s accounting policies require significant judgment regarding valuation of assets and liabilities and/or significant interpretation of specific accounting guidance.  The following is a summary of some of the more subjective and complex accounting policies of the Company.  A more complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report to Shareholders which is Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 2, 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 
A-5

 
 
Many of the Company’s assets and liabilities are recorded using various techniques that require significant judgment as to recoverability.  The collectability of loans is reflected through the Company’s estimate of the allowance for loan losses.  The Company performs periodic and systematic detailed reviews of its lending portfolio to assess overall collectability.  In addition, certain assets and liabilities are reflected at their estimated fair value in the consolidated financial statements.  Such amounts are based on either quoted market prices or estimated values derived from dealer quotes used by the Company, market comparisons or internally generated modeling techniques.  The Company’s internal models generally involve present value of cash flow techniques.  The various techniques are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in management’s discussion and analysis and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

There are other complex accounting standards that require the Company to employ significant judgment in interpreting and applying certain of the principles prescribed by those standards.  These judgments include, but are not limited to, the determination of whether a financial instrument or other contract meets the definition of a derivative in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

The disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities have the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The disclosure requirements include qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

The Company records all material derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.  The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company. The Company had an interest rate swap contract that expired in June 2011.  The Company did not have any interest rate derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2012.

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and floors as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, the interest rate floor designated as a cash flow hedge involves the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates fall below the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2011 and 2010, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash inflows associated with existing pools of prime-based loan assets.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company’s derivatives did not have any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 
A-6

 
 
The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Accumulated OCI on
Derivatives
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
   
Years ended
December 31,
     
Years ended
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
     
2012
   
2011
 
                           
Interest rate derivative contracts
  $ -     $ (20 )
Interest income
  $ -     $ 628  
 
GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. There is a three-level fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  The table below presents the balance of securities available for sale, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
   
December 31, 2012
   
Fair Value Measurements
   
Level 1
Valuation
   
Level 2
Valuation
   
Level 3
Valuation
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 148,024       -       148,024       -
U.S. Government
                             
sponsored enterprises
  $ 18,837       -       18,837       -
State and political subdivisions
  $ 125,658       -       125,658       -
Corporate bonds
  $ 2,586       -       2,586       -
Trust preferred securities
  $ 1,250       -       -       1,250
Equity securities
  $ 1,468       1,468       -       -
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
   
December 31, 2011
   
Fair Value Measurements
   
Level 1
Valuation
   
Level 2
Valuation
   
Level 3
Valuation
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 213,693       -       208,349       5,344
U.S. Government
                             
sponsored enterprises
  $ 7,694       -       7,694       -
State and political subdivisions
  $ 97,097       -       97,097       -
Corporate bonds
  $ 543       -       543       -
Trust preferred securities
  $ 1,250       -       -       1,250
Equity securities
  $ 1,111       1,111       -       -
 
Fair values of investment securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges when available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined using matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.
 
The following is an analysis of fair value measurements of investment securities available for sale using Level 3, significant unobservable inputs, for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2012 are attributable to one available for sale security reported in Level 3 at December 31, 2011 because market pricing was unavailable from the Bank’s third party bond accounting provider at that time.  This security was reported in Level 2 at December 31, 2012, as the market valuation was provided by the Bank’s third party bond accounting provider.
 
 
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(Dollars in thousands)
     
   
Investment Securities
Available for Sale
 
   
Level 3 Valuation
 
         
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 6,594  
Change in book value
    -  
Change in gain/(loss) realized and unrealized
    -  
Purchases/(sales)
    -  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
    (5,344 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 1,250  
         
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) for assets still held in Level 3
  $ -  
 
The Bank’s December 31, 2012 and 2011 fair value measurements for impaired loans and other real estate on a non-recurring basis are presented below.  The fair value measurement process uses certified appraisals and other market-based information; however, in many cases, it also requires significant input based on management’s knowledge of and judgment about current market conditions, specific issues relating to the collateral, and other matters.  As a result, all fair value measurements for impaired loans and other real estate are considered Level 3.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
 
Fair Value
Measurements
December 31, 2012
 
Level 1
Valuation
 
Level 2
Valuation
 
Level 3
Valuation
 
Total Gains/(Losses) for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2012
                     
Impaired loans
$ 46,738   -   -   46,738   (7,986)
Other real estate
$ 6,254   -   -   6,254   (1,136)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
 
Fair Value
Measurements
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
Valuation
 
Level 2
Valuation
 
Level 3
Valuation
 
Total Gains/(Losses) for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2011
                     
Impaired loans
$ 49,901   -   431   49,470   (11,864)
Other real estate
$ 7,576   -   -   6,673   (1,322)
 
At each reporting period, the Bank determines which loans are impaired.  Accordingly, the Bank’s impaired loans are reported at their estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis.  An allowance for each impaired loan that is collateral-dependent is calculated based on the fair value of its collateral.  The fair value of the collateral is based on appraisals performed by REAS, a subsidiary of the Bank.  REAS is staffed by certified appraisers that also perform appraisals for other companies.  Factors including the assumptions and techniques utilized by the appraiser are considered by management.  If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value of the collateral, a valuation allowance is recorded as a component of the allowance for loan losses.  An allowance for each impaired loan that is non-collateral dependent is calculated based on the present value of projected cash flows.  If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the present value of projected cash flows, a valuation allowance is recorded as a component of the allowance for loan losses.  Impaired loans under $250,000 are not individually evaluated for impairment, with the exception of the Bank’s troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans in the residential mortgage loan portfolio, which are individually evaluated for impairment.  Accruing impaired loans were $30.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011.  Interest income recognized on accruing impaired loans was $1.5 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  No interest income is recognized on non-accrual impaired loans subsequent to their classification as non-accrual.

 
A-8

 
 
The following tables present the Bank’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
December 31, 2012
                                   
(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
   
Unpaid Contractual Principal
Balance
   
Recorded Investment
With No Allowance
   
Recorded Investment
With
Allowance
   
Recorded Investment
in Impaired
Loans
   
Related Allowance
   
Average Outstanding Impaired
Loans
 
Real estate loans
                                   
     Construction and land development
  $ 17,738       11,795       680       12,475       61       12,810  
     Single-family residential
    9,099       766       7,799       8,565       177       7,590  
     Single-family residential -
                                               
Banco de la Gente stated income
    21,806       -       21,000       21,000       1,278       21,158  
     Commercial
    5,830       4,569       467       5,036       6       5,433  
     Multifamily and farmland
    193       -       193       193       1       200  
          Total impaired real estate loans
    54,666       17,130       30,139       47,269       1,523       47,191  
                                                 
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
    983       347       592       939       12       1,125  
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
    68       -       66       66       1       41  
     Total impaired loans
  $ 55,717       17,477       30,797       48,274       1,536       48,357  

December 31, 2011
                                   
(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
   
Unpaid Contractual Principal
Balance
   
Recorded Investment
With No Allowance
   
Recorded Investment
With
Allowance
   
Recorded Investment
in Impaired
Loans
   
Related Allowance
   
Average Outstanding Impaired
Loans
 
Real estate loans
                                   
     Construction and land development
  $ 28,721       14,484       6,098       20,582       3,264       17,848  
     Single-family residential
    6,361       969       5,117       6,086       131       6,324  
     Single-family residential -
                                               
Banco de la Gente stated income
    20,021       -       19,602       19,602       1,296       18,778  
     Commercial
    7,717       3,845       3,139       6,984       77       4,518  
     Multifamily and farmland
    209       -       209       209       1       214  
          Total impaired real estate loans
    63,029       19,298       34,165       53,463       4,769       47,682  
                                                 
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
    1,111       -       1,083       1,083       26       1,485  
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
    157       -       152       152       2       140  
     Total impaired loans
  $ 64,297       19,298       35,400       54,698       4,797       49,307  
 
In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU No. 2013-01 provides additional guidance to clarify the intended scope of ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.  ASU No. 2013-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In February 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  The objective of ASU No. 2013-02 is to improve the reporting of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  For public entities, ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.
 
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The remainder of management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s results of operations and financial position should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes presented on pages A-28 through A-64.
 
 
A-9

 
 
Results of Operations
 
Summary.  The Company reported earnings of $5.8 million in 2012, or $1.04 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to $5.2 million, or $0.93 basic and diluted net earnings per share, for the same period one year ago.  After adjusting for dividends and accretion on preferred stock, net earnings available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $4.8 million, or $0.86 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, as compared to $3.8 million, or $0.68 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.  The increase in year-to-date earnings is primarily attributable to a decrease in the provision for loan losses, which was partially offset by aggregate decreases in net interest income and non-interest income and aggregate increases in non-interest expense.

Net earnings for 2011 represented an increase of 180% as compared to 2010 net earnings of $1.8 million, or $0.33 basic and diluted net earnings per common share.  The increase in 2011 net earnings was primarily attributable to aggregate increases in net interest income and non-interest income and a decrease in the provision for loan losses, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense.

The return on average assets in 2012 was 0.56%, compared to 0.48% in 2011 and 0.17% in 2010. The return on average shareholders’ equity was 5.58% in 2012 compared to 5.03% in 2011 and 1.81% in 2010.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income, the major component of the Company’s net income, is the amount by which interest and fees generated by interest-earning assets exceed the total cost of funds used to carry them.  Net interest income is affected by changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in the yields earned and rates paid.  Net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax-equivalent net interest income by average interest-earning assets, and represents the Company’s net yield on its interest-earning assets.

Net interest income for 2012 decreased to $31.5 million compared to $34.3 million in 2011.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income resulting from decreases in loans and investment securities and a decrease in the yield on earning assets, which were partially offset by a decrease in interest expense due to a reduction in the cost of funds and a reduction in interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income increased slightly in 2011 from $33.3 million in 2010.

Table 1 sets forth for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the average amounts outstanding, the interest incurred on such amounts and the average rate earned or incurred for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. The table also sets forth the average rate earned on total interest-earning assets, the average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities, and the net yield on average total interest-earning assets for the same periods.  Yield information does not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity.  Yields and interest income on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to tax equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 38.55% for securities that are both federal and state tax exempt, an effective tax rate of 31.65% for federal tax exempt securities and an effective tax rate of 6.90% for state tax exempt securities.  Non-accrual loans and the interest income that was recorded on these loans, if any, are included in the yield calculations for loans in all periods reported.

 
A-10

 
 
 
Table 1- Average Balance Table
                                 
                                           
   
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield /
Rate
   
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield /
Rate
   
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield /
Rate
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                         
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 648,595     32,758     5.05 %   697,527     36,374     5.21 %   757,532     40,204     5.31 %
Investments - taxable
    187,060     2,851     1.52 %   173,766     4,688     2.70 %   119,841     3,593     3.00 %
Investments - nontaxable*
    108,363     5,248     4.84 %   128,543     5,865     4.56 %   109,353     5,096     4.66 %
Other
    21,977     51     0.23 %   15,615     33     0.21 %   12,328     63     0.51 %
                                                         
Total interest-earning assets
    965,995     40,908     4.23 %   1,015,451     46,960     4.62 %   999,054     48,956     4.90 %
                                                         
Cash and due from banks
    24,760                 23,844                 46,124              
Other assets
    55,618                 50,829                 49,765              
Allowance for loan losses
    (16,760 )               (15,874 )               (16,807 )            
                                                         
Total assets
  $ 1,029,613                 1,074,250                 1,078,136              
                                                         
                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                       
                                                         
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  $ 351,748     1,180     0.34 %   344,860     2,263     0.66 %   312,155     3,472     1.11 %
Time deposits
    282,218     3,205     1.14 %   357,094     5,035     1.41 %   405,300     6,786     1.67 %
FHLB / FRB borrowings
    70,350     2,744     3.90 %   70,027     2,956     4.22 %   71,989     3,285     4.56 %
Trust preferred securities
    20,619     438     2.12 %   20,619     407     1.97 %   20,619     411     1.99 %
Other
    45,611     129     0.28 %   43,782     285     0.65 %   39,807     394     0.99 %
                                                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    770,546     7,696     1.00 %   836,382     10,946     1.31 %   849,870     14,348     1.69 %
                                                         
Demand deposits
    153,009                 133,596                 122,887              
Other liabilities
    4,746                 4,174                 3,513              
Shareholders' equity
    103,805                 102,568                 101,529              
                                                         
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity
  $ 1,032,106                 1,076,720                 1,077,799              
                                                         
Net interest spread
        $ 33,212     3.23 %         36,014     3.31 %         34,608     3.21 %
                                                         
Net yield on interest-earning assets
                3.44 %               3.55 %               3.46 %
                                                         
Taxable equivalent adjustment
                                                       
        Investment securities
        $ 1,663                 1,701                 1,276        
                                                         
Net interest income
        $ 31,549                 34,313                 33,332        
 
*Includes U.S. government agency securities that are non-taxable for state income tax purposes of $5.3 million in 2012, $39.0 million in 2011 and $50.3 million in 2010.  An effective tax rate of 6.90% was used to calculate the tax equivalent yield on these securities.
 
Changes in interest income and interest expense can result from variances in both volume and rates.  Table 2 describes the impact on the Company’s tax equivalent net interest income resulting from changes in average balances and average rates for the periods indicated.  The changes in interest due to both volume and rate have been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the changes in each.
 
 
A-11

 
 
 
Table 2 - Rate/Volume Variance Analysis-Tax Equivalent Basis
                   
                                     
   
December 31, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Changes
in average
volume
   
Changes in average
rates
   
Total
Increase (Decrease)
   
Changes
in average
volume
   
Changes in average
rates
   
Total
Increase (Decrease)
 
Interest income:
                                   
Loans: Net of unearned income
  $ (2,512 )     (1,104 )     (3,616 )     (3,157 )     (673 )     (3,830 )
                                                 
Investments - taxable
    281       (2,118 )     (1,837 )     1,564       (469 )     1,095  
Investments - nontaxable
    (949 )     332       (617 )     885       (116 )     769  
Other
    15       3       18       12       (42 )     (30 )
Total interest income
    (3,165 )     (2,887 )     (6,052 )     (696 )     (1,300 )     (1,996 )
                                                 
Interest expense:
                                               
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
    34       (1,117 )     (1,083 )     289       (1,498 )     (1,209 )
Time deposits
    (953 )     (877 )     (1,830 )     (744 )     (1,007 )     (1,751 )
FHLB / FRB Borrowings
    13       (225 )     (212 )     (86 )     (243 )     (329 )
Trust Preferred Securities
    -       31       31       -       (4 )     (4 )
Other
    9       (165 )     (156 )     33       (142 )     (109 )
Total interest expense
    (897 )     (2,353 )     (3,250 )     (508 )     (2,894 )     (3,402 )
Net interest income
  $ (2,268 )     (534 )     (2,802 )     (188 )     1,594       1,406  
 
Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis totaled $31.5 million in 2012 as compared to $34.3 million in 2011.  The interest rate spread, which represents the rate earned on interest-earning assets less the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, was 3.23% in 2012, a decrease from the 2011 net interest spread of 3.31%.  The net yield on interest-earning assets in 2012 decreased to 3.44% from the 2011 net yield on interest-earning assets of 3.55%.

Tax equivalent interest income decreased $6.1 million or 13% in 2012 due to decreases in loans and investment securities and a decrease in the yield on earning assets.  The yield on interest-earning assets decreased to 4.23% in 2012 from 4.62% in 2011.  Average interest-earning assets decreased $49.5 million primarily as the result of a $48.9 million decrease in the average outstanding balance of loans.  All other interest-earning assets including federal funds sold were $22.0 million in 2012 and $22.5 million in 2011.

Interest expense decreased $3.3 million or 30% in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  The cost of funds decreased to 1.00% in 2012 from 1.31% in 2011.  This decrease in the cost of funds was primarily attributable to decreases in the average rate paid on interest-bearing checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit.  The $65.8 million decrease in average interest-bearing liabilities in 2012 was primarily attributable to a $74.9 million decrease in certificates of deposit, which was partially offset by a $6.9 million increase in interest-bearing checking and savings accounts.

In 2011 net interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased to $34.3 million from $33.3 million in 2010.  The interest rate spread was 3.31% in 2011, an increase from the 2010 net interest spread of 3.21%.  The net yield on interest-earning assets in 2011 increased to 3.55% from the 2010 net yield on interest-earning assets of 3.46%.

Provision for Loan Losses.  Provisions for loan losses are charged to income in order to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management of the Company based on factors such as management’s judgment as to losses within the Bank’s loan portfolio, including the valuation of impaired loans, loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies and management’s assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio and general economic climate.
 
The provision for loan losses was $4.9 million, $12.6 million, and $16.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $4.4 million decrease in net charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the same period one year ago and a $4.2 million reduction in non-accrual loans from December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2012.  Please see the section below entitled “Allowance for Loan Losses” for a more complete discussion of the Bank’s policy for addressing potential loan losses.
 
 
A-12

 
 
Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income for 2012 totaled $12.5 million, a decrease of $2.0 million or 14% from non-interest income of $14.5 million for 2011.  This decrease is primarily attributable to $3.2 million decrease in the gains on sale of securities, which was partially offset by a $472,000 increase in mortgage banking income and a $362,000 increase in income from the Company’s appraisal management company subsidiary, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.

Non-interest income for 2011 increased $629,000 or 5% from non-interest income of $13.9 million for 2010. The increase in non-interest income for 2011 is primarily due to an increase in gains on the sale of securities, which was partially offset by a reduction in service charges and fees.

The Company periodically evaluates its investments for any impairment which would be deemed other-than-temporary.   No investment impairments were deemed other-than-temporary in 2012.  As part of its evaluation in 2011, the Company determined that the fair value of one equity security was less than the original cost of the investment and that the decline in fair value was not temporary in nature.  As a result, the Company wrote down its investment by $144,000.  The remaining fair value of the investment at December 31, 2011 was approximately $264,000.  Similarly, as part of its evaluation in 2010, the Company wrote down two equity securities by $291,000.  The remaining fair value of the investments at December 31, 2010 was $409,000.
 
Net losses on other real estate and repossessed assets were $1.2 million, $1.3 million and $704,000 for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increased level of net losses on other real estate and repossessed assets during 2012 and 2011 were primarily attributable to increased write-downs on foreclosed property during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.  Management determined that the market value of these assets had decreased significantly and charges were appropriate in 2012 and 2011.

Table 3 presents a summary of non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Table 3 - Non-Interest Income
           
             
(Dollars in thousands)
    2012
    2011
    2010
                   
Service charges
$ 4,764   $ 5,106   $ 5,626  
Other service charges and fees
  1,940     2,090     2,195  
Other than temporary impairment losses
  -     (144 )   (291 )
Gain on sale of securities
  1,218     4,406     3,348  
Mortgage banking income
  1,229     757     532  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  517     471     390  
Loss on sale and write-down of other real estate
  (1,136 )   (1,322 )   (704 )
Visa debit card income
  2,092     1,783     150  
Net appraisal management fee income
  737     375     326  
Miscellaneous
  1,176     991     2,312  
Total non-interest income
$ 12,537   $ 14,513   $ 13,884  
 
Non-Interest Expense.  Total non-interest expense amounted to $31.8 million for 2012, an increase of 7% from 2011 primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense.  Non-interest expense for 2011 increased 2% to $29.6 million from non-interest expense of $28.9 million for 2010.

Salary and employee benefit expense was $16.4 million in 2012, compared to $14.8 million during 2011, an increase of $1.7 million or 11%, following a $642,000 or 5% increase in salary and employee benefit expense in 2011 from 2010.  The increase in salary and employee benefits in 2012 was primarily due to salary increases and bonuses accrued in 2012, along with an increase in commissions on mortgage and real estate appraisal sales.  The increase in salary and employee benefits in 2011 was primarily due to salary increases given in 2011 along with an increase in commissions on mortgage, real estate and investment sales.

 
A-13

 
 
Table 4 presents a summary of non-interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Table 4 - Non-Interest Expense
         
           
(Dollars in thousands)
    2012
    2011
    2010
                 
Salaries and wages
$ 12,762   $ 12,003   $ 11,408
Employee benefits
  3,664     2,763     2,716
     Total personnel expense
  16,426     14,766     14,124
Occupancy expense
  5,236     5,339     5,436
Office supplies
  369     403     391
FDIC deposit insurance
  894     1,061     1,434
Visa debit card expense
  729     658     606
Professional services
  560     428     467
Postage
  284     326     352
Telephone
  554     605     629
Director fees and expense
  266     223     263
Advertising
  695     660     714
Consulting fees
  499     316     288
Taxes and licenses
  325     289     320
Foreclosure/OREO expense
  677     904     569
Internet banking expense
  593     509     445
Other operating expense
  3,675     3,085     2,910
Total non-interest expense
$ 31,782   $ 29,572   $ 28,948
 
Income Taxes.  The Company reported income tax expense of $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company reported an income tax benefit of $11,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The Company’s effective tax rates were 21.50%, 22.09% and -0.60% in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The 2012, 2011 and 2010 effective tax rates are lower than historical levels due to increases in tax exempt investment income, which had a greater impact on the effective tax rate at the reduced level of earnings before income taxes as experienced in 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Liquidity. The objectives of the Company’s liquidity policy are to provide for the availability of adequate funds to meet the needs of loan demand, deposit withdrawals, maturing liabilities and to satisfy regulatory requirements.  Both deposit and loan customer cash needs can fluctuate significantly depending upon business cycles, economic conditions and yields and returns available from alternative investment opportunities.  In addition, the Company’s liquidity is affected by off-balance sheet commitments to lend in the form of unfunded commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  As of December 31, 2012, such unfunded commitments to extend credit were $133.9 million, while commitments in the form of standby letters of credit totaled $3.3 million.

The Company uses several funding sources to meet its liquidity requirements.  The primary funding source is core deposits, which includes demand deposits, savings accounts and non-brokered certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000.  The Company considers these to be a stable portion of the Company’s liability mix and the result of on-going consumer and commercial banking relationships.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s core deposits totaled $646.4 million, or 83% of total deposits.

The other sources of funding for the Company are through large denomination certificates of deposit, including brokered deposits, federal funds purchased, securities under agreement to repurchase and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings.  The Bank is also able to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) on a short-term basis.  The Bank’s policies include the ability to access wholesale funding up to 40% of total assets.  The Bank’s wholesale funding includes FHLB borrowings, FRB borrowings, brokered deposits and internet certificates of deposit.  The Company’s ratio of wholesale funding to total assets was 9% as of December 31, 2012.
 
At December 31, 2012, the Bank had a significant amount of deposits in amounts greater than $100,000, including brokered deposits of $21.4 million, which have an average original term of 10 months.  Brokered deposits include certificates of deposit participated through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) on behalf of local customers.  CDARS balances totaled $20.1 million as of December 31, 2012.  The balance and cost of brokered deposits are more susceptible to changes in the interest rate environment than other deposits.   Access to the brokered deposit market could be restricted if the Bank were to fall below the well capitalized level.  For additional information, please see the section below entitled “Deposits.”
 
 
A-14

 

The Bank has a line of credit with the FHLB equal to 20% of the Bank’s total assets, with an outstanding balance of $70.0 million at December 31, 2012.  At December 31, 2012, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral totaled approximately $138.7 million.  As additional collateral, the Bank has pledged securities to the FHLB.  At December 31, 2012, the market value of securities pledged to the FHLB totaled $17.8 million.  The remaining availability under the line of credit with the FHLB was $20.4 million at December 31, 2012.  The Bank had no borrowings from the FRB at December 31, 2012.  The FRB borrowings are collateralized by a blanket assignment on all qualifying loans that the Bank owns which are not pledged to the FHLB.  At December 31, 2012, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral to the FRB totaled approximately $313.7 million.

The Bank also had the ability to borrow up to $47.5 million for the purchase of overnight federal funds from five correspondent financial institutions as of December 31, 2012.

The liquidity ratio for the Bank, which is defined as net cash, interest-bearing deposits with banks, federal funds sold and certain investment securities, as a percentage of net deposits and short-term liabilities was 35.14% at December 31, 2012, 32.19% at December 31, 2011 and 25.87% at December 31, 2010.  The minimum required liquidity ratio as defined in the Bank’s Asset/Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management Policy for on balance sheet liquidity is 10%.

As disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included elsewhere herein, net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $19.0 million during 2012.  Net cash provided in investing activities of $64.8 million consisted primarily of purchases of available for sale investments totaling $88.3 million, which were offset by maturities, calls and sales of available for sale investments, which totaled $110.3 million.  Net cash used by financing activities amounted to $64.2 million, primarily due to a $45.6 million net decrease in deposits and a $12.1 million decrease in preferred stock.

Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management.  The objective of the Company’s Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk strategies is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest income to changing interest rates and to minimize the interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at various maturities.  This is done in conjunction with the need to maintain adequate liquidity and the overall goal of maximizing net interest income. Table 5 presents an interest rate sensitivity analysis for the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Table 5 - Interest Sensitivity Analysis
                               
                                 
(Dollars in thousands)
Immediate
 
1-3
months
 
4-12
months
 
Total
Within One
Year
Over One
Year & Non-sensitive
Total
Interest-earning assets:
                               
Loans
$ 305,809     3,390     17,251     326,450     293,524     619,974
Mortgage loans held for  sale
  6,922     -     -     6,922     -     6,922
Investment securities available for sale
  -     14,090     34,130     48,220     249,603     297,823
Interest-bearing deposit accounts
  16,226     -     -     16,226     -     16,226
Other interest-earning assets
  -     -     -     -     6,218     6,218
Total interest-earning assets
  328,957     17,480     51,381     397,818     549,345     947,163
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                 
NOW, savings, and money market deposits
  371,719     -     -     371,719     -     371,719
Time deposits
  30,334     39,302     88,071     157,707     90,516     248,223
FHLB borrowings
  -     -     -     -     70,000     70,000
Securities sold under
                                 
agreement to repurchase
  34,578     -     -     34,578     -     34,578
Trust preferred securities
  -     20,619     -     20,619     -     20,619
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  436,631     59,921     88,071     584,623     160,516     745,139
                                   
Interest-sensitive gap
$ (107,674 )   (42,441 )   (36,690 )   (186,805 )   388,829     202,024
                                   
Cumulative interest-sensitive gap
$ (107,674 )   (150,115 )   (186,805 )   (186,805 )   202,024      
                                   
Interest-earning assets as a percentage of interest-bearing liabilities
  75.34%     29.17%     58.34%     68.05%     342.24%      
 
 
The Company manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates through policies established by the Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) of the Bank.  The ALCO meets quarterly and has the responsibility for approving asset/liability management policies, formulating and implementing strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and/or
 
 
A-15

 
 
earnings and reviewing the interest rate sensitivity of the Company.  ALCO tries to minimize interest rate risk between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities by attempting to minimize wide fluctuations in net interest income due to interest rate movements.  The ability to control these fluctuations has a direct impact on the profitability of the Company. Management monitors this activity on a regular basis through analysis of its portfolios to determine the difference between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities.

The Company’s rate sensitive assets are those earning interest at variable rates and those with contractual maturities within one year.  Rate sensitive assets therefore include both loans and available-for-sale securities.  Rate sensitive liabilities include interest-bearing checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, time deposits and borrowed funds.  Rate sensitive assets at December 31, 2012 totaled $947.2 million, exceeding rate sensitive liabilities of $745.1 million by $202.1 million.

Included in the rate sensitive assets are $324.8 million in variable rate loans indexed to prime rate subject to immediate repricing upon changes by the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”).  The Bank utilizes interest rate floors on certain variable rate loans to protect against further downward movements in the prime rate.  At December 31, 2012, the Bank had $245.5 million in loans with interest rate floors.  The floors were in effect on $242.8 million of these loans pursuant to the terms of the promissory notes on these loans.   The weighted average rate on these loans is 1.11% higher than the indexed rate on the promissory notes without interest rate floors.

The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company. The Company did not have any interest rate derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2012.

An analysis of the Company’s financial condition and growth can be made by examining the changes and trends in interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  A discussion of these changes and trends follows.

Analysis of Financial Condition
Investment Securities.  The composition of the investment securities portfolio reflects the Company’s investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity while providing a relatively stable source of income.  The investment portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as required collateral for certain deposits.

All of the Company’s investment securities are held in the available for sale (“AFS”) category. At December 31, 2012, the market value of AFS securities totaled $297.8 million, compared to $321.4 million and $272.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The decrease in 2012 AFS securities reflects maturities, calls and sales of available for sale investments exceeding purchases of available for sale investments during 2012.  Table 6 presents the market value of the AFS securities held at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
 
Table 6 - Summary of Investment Portfolio
           
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
2011
   2010
                   
U. S. Government sponsored enterprises
  $ 18,837   $ 7,694   $ 42,640
State and political subdivisions
    125,658     97,097     87,829
Mortgage-backed securities
    148,024     213,693     139,361
Corporate bonds
    2,586     543     -
Trust preferred securities
    1,250     1,250     1,250
Equity securities
    1,468     1,111     1,369
Total securities
  $ 297,823   $ 321,388   $ 272,449
 
The Company’s investment portfolio consists of U.S. Government sponsored enterprise securities, municipal securities, U.S. Government enterprise sponsored mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, trust preferred securities and equity securities.  AFS securities averaged $289.0 million in 2012, $295.4 million in 2011 and $219.8 million in 2010.  Table 7 presents the amortized cost of AFS securities held by the Company by maturity category at December 31, 2012.   Yield information does not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of shareholders’ equity.  Yields are calculated on a tax equivalent basis.  Yields and interest income on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis using an effective tax rate 38.55% for securities that are both federal and state tax exempt, an effective tax rate of 31.65% for federal tax exempt securities and an effective tax rate of 6.90% for state tax exempt securities.
 
 
A-16

 
 
 
Table 7 - Maturity Distribution and Weighted Average Yield on Investments
                         
                                                             
               
After One Year
   
After 5 Years
                         
   
One Year or Less
   
Through 5 Years
   
Through 10 Years
   
After 10 Years
   
Totals
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
Book value:
                                                           
U.S. Government
                                                           
sponsored enterprises
  $ 442       2.57 %     3,136       3.35 %     2,774       2.57 %     12,485       2.57 %     18,837       2.86 %
State and political subdivisions
    3,721       3.40 %     10,635       3.24 %     100,883       3.31 %     10,419       3.88 %     125,658       3.41 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    44,080       2.12 %     71,144       2.25 %     15,514       2.55 %     17,286       2.42 %     148,024       2.23 %
Corporate bonds
    -       -       997       1.64 %     1,589       3.40 %     -       -       2,586       2.32 %
Trust preferred securities
    -       -       -       -       1,000       4.54 %     250       5.38 %     1,250       5.05 %
Equity securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,468       0.00 %     1,468       0.00 %
Total securities
  $ 48,243       2.29 %     85,912       2.50 %     121,760       2.87 %     41,908       2.95 %     297,823       2.64 %
 
Loans.  The loan portfolio is the largest category of the Company’s earning assets and is comprised of commercial loans, real estate mortgage loans, real estate construction loans and consumer loans. The Bank grants loans and extensions of credit primarily within the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina, which encompasses Catawba, Alexander, Iredell and Lincoln counties and also in Mecklenburg, Union and Wake counties in North Carolina.

Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, which is dependent upon the real estate market.  Real estate mortgage loans include both commercial and residential mortgage loans.  At December 31, 2012, the Bank had $108.4 million in residential mortgage loans, $86.9 million in home equity loans and $261.5 million in commercial mortgage loans, which include $209.6 million using commercial property as collateral and $51.9 million using residential property as collateral.   Residential mortgage loans include $56.0 million made to customers in the Bank’s traditional banking offices and $52.4 million in mortgage loans originated in the Bank’s Latino banking operations.  All residential mortgage loans are originated as fully amortizing loans, with no negative amortization.

At December 31, 2012, the Bank had $73.2 million in construction and land development loans.  Table 8 presents a breakout of these loans.
 
Table 8 - Construction and Land Development Loans
         
           
(Dollars in thousands)
Number of
Loans
Balance Outstanding
Non-accrual Balance
               
Land acquisition and development - commercial purposes
68   $ 15,874   $ 1,671
Land acquisition and development - residential purposes
308     48,872     6,825
1 to 4 family residential construction
24     3,864     757
Commercial construction
5     4,566     -
Total acquisition, development and construction
405   $ 73,176   $ 9,253
 
The mortgage loans originated in the traditional banking offices are generally 15 to 30 year fixed rate loans with attributes that  prevent the loans from being sellable in the secondary market.  These factors may include higher loan-to-value ratio, limited documentation on income, non-conforming appraisal or non-conforming property type.  These loans are generally made to existing Bank customers and have been originated throughout the Bank’s five county service area, with no geographic concentration.  At December 31, 2012, there were 29 mortgage loans originated in the traditional banking offices with an outstanding balance of $3.0 million that were 30 days or more past due and 14 loans with an outstanding balance of $1.1 million in non-accrual.
 
Banco de la Gente single family residential stated income loans originated from 2005 to 2009 were primarily adjustable rate mortgage loans that adjust annually after the end of the first five years of the loan.  The loans are tied to the one-year T-Bill index and, if they were to adjust at December 31, 2012, would have a reduction in the interest rate on the loan.  The underwriting on these loans includes both full income verification and no income verification, with loan-to-value ratios of up to 95% without private mortgage insurance.  A majority of these loans would be considered subprime loans, as they were underwritten using stated income rather than fully documented income verification.  No other loans in the Bank’s portfolio would be considered subprime.  The majority of these loans have been originated within the Charlotte, North Carolina metro area (Mecklenburg County).  At this time, Charlotte has experienced a decline in values within the residential real estate market.  At December 31, 2012, there were 153 loans with an outstanding balance of
 
 
A-17

 
 
$14.7 million 30 days or more past due and 24 loans with an outstanding balance of $2.2 million in non-accrual.  Total losses on this portfolio, since the first loans were originated in 2004, have amounted to approximately $3.3 million through December 31, 2012.

The composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio is presented in Table 9.

Table 9 - Loan Portfolio
                                           
                                                 
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
% of
Loans
 
Amount
% of
Loans
 
Amount
% of
Loans
 
Amount
% of
Loans
 
Amount
% of
Loans
Real estate loans
                                               
Construction and land development
$ 73,176   11.80 %   93,812   13.99 %   124,048   17.08 %   169,680   21.81 %   216,188   27.67 %
Single-family residential
  195,003   31.45 %   212,993   31.77 %   232,294   31.99 %   226,651   29.13 %   198,779   25.45 %
Single-family residential- Banco de la
                                                 
Gente stated income
  52,019   8.39 %   54,058   8.06 %   55,013   7.58 %   55,035   7.07 %   57,907   7.41 %
Commercial
  200,633   32.36 %   214,415   31.98 %   213,487   29.40 %   224,975   28.92 %   211,835   27.12 %
Multifamily and farmland
  8,951   1.44 %   4,793   0.71 %   6,456   0.89 %   6,302   0.81 %   6,232   0.80 %
Total real estate loans
  529,782   85.45 %   580,071   86.51 %   631,298   86.94 %   682,643   87.74 %   690,941   88.45 %
                                                   
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  64,295   10.38 %   60,646   9.05 %   60,994   8.40 %   67,487   8.67 %   76,842   9.82 %
Farm loans (not secured by real estate)
  11   0.00 %   -   0.00 %   -   0.00 %   -   0.00 %   81   0.01 %
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  10,148   1.64 %   10,490   1.56 %   11,500   1.58 %   12,943   1.66 %   12,088   1.55 %
All other loans (not secured by real estate)
  15,738   2.54 %   19,290   2.88 %   22,368   3.08 %   14,983   1.93 %   1,236   0.16 %
Total loans
  619,974   100.00 %   670,497   100.00 %   726,160   100.00 %   778,056   100.00 %   781,188   100.00 %
                                                   
Less: Allowance for loan losses
  14,423         16,604         15,493         15,413         11,025      
                                                   
Net loans
$ 605,551         653,893         710,667         762,643         770,163      
 
As of December 31, 2012, gross loans outstanding were $620.0 million, a decrease of $50.5 million from the December 31, 2011 balance of $670.5 million.  This decrease was primarily due to a $50.3 million reduction in real estate loans.  Loans originated or renewed during the year ended December 31, 2012 were $86.2 million and were offset by paydowns, payoffs and charge-offs of existing loans.  Average loans represented 67% and 69% of total earning assets for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Bank had $6.9 million and $5.1 million in mortgage loans held for sale as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

At December 31, 2012, TDR loans amounted to $23.9 million, including $2.0 million in performing TDR loans. Effective March 31, 2012, performing TDR balances reflect current year TDR loans only, in accordance with GAAP.  Previously reported TDR amounts reflect cumulative TDR loans from prior periods in addition to current year TDR loans.  At December 31, 2011, TDR loans were $44.1 million, including $15.1 million in performing TDR loans.   The terms of these loans have been renegotiated to provide a reduction in principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower.
 
Table 10 identifies the maturities of all loans as of December 31, 2012 and addresses the sensitivity of these loans to changes in interest rates.
 
 
A-18

 
 
 
Table 10 - Maturity and Repricing Data for Loans
             
                 
(Dollars in thousands)
Within one
year or less
After one year through five
years
After five
years
Total loans
Real estate loans
               
    Construction and land development
$ 58,954   9,185   5,037   73,176  
    Single-family residential
  101,249   55,091   38,663   195,003  
    Single-family residential- Banco de la Gente
                 
    stated income
  20,583   -   31,436   52,019  
    Commercial
  116,000   63,221   21,412   200,633  
    Multifamily and farmland
  4,094   4,491   366   8,951  
          Total real estate loans
  300,880   131,988   96,914   529,782  
                   
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  51,110   9,364   3,821   64,295  
Farm loans (not secured by real estate)
  -   11   -   11  
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  4,690   5,242   216   10,148  
All other loans (not secured by real estate)
  11,017   2,976   1,745   15,738  
Total loans
$ 367,697   149,581   102,696   619,974  
                   
Total fixed rate loans
$ 41,247   129,137   102,696   273,080  
Total floating rate loans
  326,450   20,444   -   346,894  
                   
Total loans
$ 367,697   149,581   102,696   619,974  
 
In the normal course of business, there are various commitments outstanding to extend credit that are not reflected in the financial statements. At December 31, 2012, outstanding loan commitments totaled $133.9 million.  Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Additional information regarding commitments is provided below in the section entitled “Contractual Obligations” and in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s assessment and estimate of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio.  The Bank periodically analyzes the loan portfolio in an effort to review asset quality and to establish an allowance for loan losses that management believes will be adequate in light of anticipated risks and loan losses.  In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, size, quality and risk of loans in the portfolio are reviewed. Other factors considered are:

·  
the Bank’s loan loss experience;
·  
the amount of past due and non-performing loans;
·  
specific known risks;
·  
the status and amount of other past due and non-performing assets;
·  
underlying estimated values of collateral securing loans;
·  
current and anticipated economic conditions; and
·  
other factors which management believes affect the allowance for potential credit losses.
 
Management uses several measures to assess and monitor the credit risks in the loan portfolio, including a loan grading system that begins upon loan origination and continues until the loan is collected or collectibility becomes doubtful. Upon loan origination, the Bank’s originating loan officer evaluates the quality of the loan and assigns one of nine risk grades. The loan officer monitors the loan’s performance and credit quality and makes changes to the credit grade as conditions warrant. When originated or renewed, all loans over a certain dollar amount receive in-depth reviews and risk assessments by the Bank’s Credit Administration. Before making any changes in these risk grades, management considers assessments as determined by the third party credit review firm (as described below), regulatory examiners and the Bank’s Credit Administration. Any issues regarding the risk assessments are addressed by the Bank’s senior credit administrators and factored into management’s decision to originate or renew the loan. The Bank’s Board of Directors reviews, on a monthly basis, an analysis of the Bank’s reserves relative to the range of reserves estimated by the Bank’s Credit Administration.
 
 
A-19

 
 
As an additional measure, the Bank engages an independent third party to review the underwriting, documentation and risk grading analyses. This independent third party reviews and evaluates loan relationships greater than $1.0 million, excluding loans in default, loans in process of litigation or liquidation and loans that have been reviewed by regulatory examiners within six months prior to the independent third party review.  The third party’s evaluation and report is shared with management and the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Management considers certain commercial loans with weak credit risk grades to be individually impaired and measures such impairment based upon available cash flows and the value of the collateral. Allowance or reserve levels are estimated for all other graded loans in the portfolio based on their assigned credit risk grade, type of loan and other matters related to credit risk.

Management uses the information developed from the procedures described above in evaluating and grading the loan portfolio. This continual grading process is used to monitor the credit quality of the loan portfolio and to assist management in estimating the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is comprised of three components: specific reserves, general reserves and unallocated reserves.  After a loan has been identified as impaired, management measures impairment.  When the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the amount of the impairment is recorded as a specific reserve. These specific reserves are determined on an individual loan basis based on management’s current evaluation of the Bank’s loss exposure for each credit, given the appraised value of any underlying collateral. Loans for which specific reserves are provided are excluded from the general allowance calculations as described below.

The general allowance reflects reserves established under GAAP for collective loan impairment.  These reserves are based upon historical net charge-offs using the greater of the last two or three years’ loss experience.  This charge-off experience may be adjusted to reflect the effects of current conditions.  The Bank considers information derived from its loan risk ratings and external data related to industry and general economic trends in establishing reserves.

The unallocated allowance is determined through management’s assessment of probable losses that are in the portfolio but are not adequately captured by the other two components of the allowance, including consideration of current economic and business conditions and regulatory requirements. The unallocated allowance also reflects management’s acknowledgement of the imprecision and subjectivity that underlie the modeling of credit risk.  Due to the subjectivity involved in determining the overall allowance, including the unallocated portion, the unallocated portion may fluctuate from period to period based on management’s evaluation of the factors affecting the assumptions used in calculating the allowance.

Management considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover the estimated losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. Management believes it has established the allowance in accordance with GAAP and in consideration of the current economic environment. Although management uses the best information available to make evaluations, significant future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions, thus adversely affecting the operating results of the Company.

There were no significant changes in the estimation methods or fundamental assumptions used in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.   Revisions, estimates and assumptions may be made in any period in which the supporting factors indicate that loss levels may vary from the previous estimates.

Effective December 31, 2012, stated income mortgage loans from the Banco de la Gente division of the Bank were analyzed separately from other single family residential loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio.  These loans are first mortgage loans made to the Latino market, primarily in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.  These loans are non-traditional mortgages in that the customer normally did not have a credit history, so all credit information was accumulated by the loan officers.  These loans were made as stated income loans rather than full documentation loans because the customer may not have had complete documentation on the income supporting the loan.

Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examinations.  Management believes it has established the allowance for credit losses pursuant to GAAP, and has taken into account the views of its regulators and the current economic environment.
 
Net charge-offs for 2012 were $7.1 million.  The ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans was 1.10% in 2012, 1.65% in 2011 and 2.16% in 2010.  The Bank strives to proactively work with its customers to identify potential
 
 
A-20

 
 
problems.  If found, the Bank works to quickly recognize identifiable losses and to establish a plan, with the borrower, if possible, to have the loans paid off.  This process increased the levels of charge-offs and provision for loan losses in 2010, 2011 and 2012 as compared to historical periods prior to 2009.  Management expects the ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans to remain at a level above historical norms in 2013 due to current economic conditions and the decrease in real estate values after four years of declining new home sales.   The allowance for loan losses was $14.4 million or 2.33% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2012.  For December 31, 2011 and 2010, the allowance for loan losses amounted to $16.6 million or 2.48% of total loans outstanding and $15.5 million, or 2.13% of total loans outstanding, respectively.

Table 11 presents the percentage of loans assigned to each risk grade along with the general reserve percentage applied to loans in each risk grade at December 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
Table 11 - Loan Risk Grade Analysis
     
 
Percentage of Loans
 
By Risk Grade
Risk Grade
2012
 
2011
       
Risk Grade 1 (Excellent Quality)
2.93%   3.12%
Risk Grade 2 (High Quality)
16.94%   16.58%
Risk Grade 3 (Good Quality)
47.74%   49.30%
Risk Grade 4 (Management Attention)
20.70%   19.65%
Risk Grade 5 (Watch)
5.07%   4.76%
Risk Grade 6 (Substandard)
6.26%   6.21%
Risk Grade 7 (Low Substandard)
0.00%   0.00%
Risk Grade 8 (Doubtful)
0.00%   0.00%
Risk Grade 9 (Loss)
0.00%   0.00%
 
Table 12 presents an analysis of the allowance for loan losses, including charge-off activity.

Table 12 - Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses
                 
                   
(Dollars in thousands)
2012
2011
2010
2009
  2008
                       
Allowance for loan losses at beginning
$ 16,604   $ 15,493   15,413   11,025   9,103
                       
Loans charged off:
                     
Commercial
  555     314   1,730   697   249
Real estate - mortgage
  2,491     4,196   4,194   3,384   1,506
Real estate - construction
  4,728     7,164   10,224   1,754   644
Consumer
  557     586   763   835   748
Total loans charged off
  8,331     12,260   16,911   6,670   3,147
                       
Recoveries of losses previously charged off:
                     
Commercial
  104     121   62   111   87
Real estate - mortgage
  446     225   162   161   8
Real estate - construction
  528     241   89   36   30
Consumer
  148     152   240   215   150
Total recoveries
  1,226     739   553   523   275
Net loans charged off
  7,105     11,521   16,358   6,147   2,872
                       
Provision for loan losses
  4,924     12,632   16,438   10,535   4,794
                       
Allowance for loan losses at end of year
$ 14,423   $ 16,604   15,493   15,413   11,025
                       
Loans charged off net of recoveries, as
                     
a percent of average loans outstanding
  1.10%     1.65%   2.16%   0.79%   0.38%
                       
Allowance for loan losses as a percent
                     
of total loans outstanding at end of year
  2.33%     2.48%   2.13%   1.98%   1.41%
 
Non-performing Assets.  Non-performing assets totaled $26.3 million at December 31, 2012 or 2.60% of total assets, compared to $32.1 million at December 31, 2011, or 3.01% of total assets.  Non-accrual loans were $17.6 million at December 31, 2012 and $21.8 million at December 31, 2011.  As a percentage of total loans outstanding, non-accrual loans were 2.84% at December 31, 2012 compared to 3.25% at December 31, 2011.  Non-performing loans include $9.2 million in construction and land development loans, $10.4 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and
 
 
A-21

 
 
$416,000 in other loans at December 31, 2012, as compared to $13.2 million in construction and land development loans, $10.7 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $555,000 in other loans as of December 31, 2011.  The Bank had loans 90 days past due and still accruing totaling $2.4 million and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Other real estate owned totaled $6.3 million as of December 31, 2012 as compared to $7.6 million at December 31, 2011. The Bank had repossessed assets amounting to $10,000 as of December 31, 2012 and no repossessed assets as of December 31, 2011.
 
At December 31, 2012, the Bank had non-performing loans, defined as non-accrual and accruing loans past due more than 90 days, of $20.0 million or 3.23% of total loans.  Non-performing loans at December 31, 2011 were $24.5 million, or 3.65% of total loans.

Management continually monitors the loan portfolio to ensure that all loans potentially having a material adverse impact on future operating results, liquidity or capital resources have been classified as non-performing.  Should economic conditions deteriorate, the inability of distressed customers to service their existing debt could cause higher levels of non-performing loans.  Management anticipates little growth in the housing market, which combined with the current economic conditions could result in non-performing loans remaining at a level above historical norms in 2013.

It is the general policy of the Bank to stop accruing interest income when a loan is placed on non-accrual status and any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current income.  Generally a loan is placed on non-accrual status when it is over 90 days past due and there is reasonable doubt that all principal will be collected.

A summary of non-performing assets at December 31 for each of the years presented is shown in Table 13.
 
Table 13 - Non-performing Assets
                   
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
2011
2010
2009
  2008
                               
Non-accrual loans
  $ 17,630     21,785     40,062     22,789     11,815
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
    2,403     2,709     210     1,977     514
Total non-performing loans
    20,033     24,494     40,272     24,766     12,329
All other real estate owned
    6,254     7,576     6,673     3,997     1,867
Repossessed assets
    10     -     -     -     -
Total non-performing assets
  $ 26,297     32,070     46,945     28,763     14,196
                               
As a percent of total loans at year end
                             
Non-accrual loans
    2.84%     3.25%     5.52%     2.93%     1.51%
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
    0.39%     0.40%     0.03%     0.25%     0.07%
Total non-performing assets
    4.24%     4.78%     6.46%     3.70%     1.82%
                               
Total non-performing assets
                             
as a percent of total assets at year end
    2.60%     3.01%     4.40%     2.74%     1.47%
                               
Total non-performing loans
                             
 as a percent of total loans at year-end
    3.23%     3.65%     5.55%     3.18%     1.58%

Deposits.  The Company primarily uses deposits to fund its loan and investment portfolios. The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts to individuals and businesses. Deposit accounts include checking, savings, money market and time deposits. As of December 31, 2012, total deposits were $781.5 million, compared to $827.1 million at December 31, 2011.  Core deposits, which include demand deposits, savings accounts and non-brokered certificates of deposits of denominations less than $100,000, amounted to $646.4 million at December 31, 2012, compared to $633.0 million at December 31, 2011.

Time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $134.7 million and $193.0 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  At December 31, 2012, brokered deposits amounted to $21.4 million as compared to $47.0 million at December 31, 2011.  CDARS balances included in brokered deposits amounted to $20.1 million and $28.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Brokered deposits are generally considered to be more susceptible to withdrawal as a result of interest rate changes and to be a less stable source of funds, as compared to deposits from the local market.  Brokered deposits outstanding as of December 31, 2012 have a weighted average rate of 0.29% with a weighted average original term of ten months.

 
A-22

 
 
Table 14 is a summary of the maturity distribution of time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2012.

Table 14 - Maturities of Time Deposits over $100,000
     
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
         
Three months or less
  $ 39,434  
Over three months through six months
    15,310  
Over six months through twelve months
    29,932  
Over twelve months
    50,057  
Total
  $ 134,733  
 
Borrowed Funds. The Company has access to various short-term borrowings, including the purchase of federal funds and borrowing arrangements from the FHLB and other financial institutions.  At December 31, 2012 and 2011, FHLB borrowings totaled $70.0 million. Average FHLB borrowings for 2012 and 2011 were $70.0 million. The maximum amount of outstanding FHLB borrowings was $82.5 million in 2012 and $75.0 million in 2011. The FHLB borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2012 had interest rates ranging from 2.23% to 4.45%.  At December 31, 2012, all of the Bank’s FHLB borrowings had maturities exceeding one year. Additional information regarding FHLB borrowings is provided in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Bank had no borrowings from the FRB at December 31, 2012 and 2011.  FRB borrowings are collateralized by a blanket assignment on all qualifying loans that the Bank owns which are not pledged to the FHLB.  At December 31, 2012, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral totaled approximately $313.7 million.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $34.6 million and $39.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Junior Subordinated Debentures (related to Trust Preferred Securities).  In June 2006, the Company formed a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust, PEBK Capital Trust II (“PEBK Trust II”), which issued $20.0 million of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures.  All of the common securities of PEBK Trust II are owned by the Company.  The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by PEBK Trust II to purchase $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company, which pay a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were used to repay in December 2006 the trust preferred securities issued in December 2001 by PEBK Capital Trust, a wholly owned Delaware statutory trust of the Company, and for general purposes.  The debentures represent the sole asset of PEBK Trust II.  PEBK Trust II is not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The trust preferred securities issued by PEBK Trust II accrue and pay quarterly at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The Company has guaranteed distributions and other payments due on the trust preferred securities to the extent PEBK Trust II does not have funds with which to make the distributions and other payments.  The net combined effect of the trust preferred securities transaction is that the Company is obligated to make the distributions and other payments required on the trust preferred securities.

These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on June 28, 2036, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by PEBK Trust II, in whole or in part, which became effective on June 28, 2011.  As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount and any accrued but unpaid interest.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  The Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments as of December 31, 2012 are summarized in Table 15 below.  The Company’s contractual obligations include the repayment of principal and interest related to FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures, as well as certain payments under current lease agreements.  Other commitments include commitments to extend credit.  Because not all of these commitments to extend credit will be drawn upon, the actual cash requirements are likely to be significantly less than the amounts reported for other commitments below.

 
A-23

 
 
 
Table 15 - Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
             
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
Within One
Year
One to
Three Years
Three to
Five Years
Five Years
or More
Total
                     
Contractual Cash Obligations
                   
Long-term borrowings
$ -   10,000   25,000   35,000   70,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  -   -   -   20,619   20,619  
Operating lease obligations
  542   998   910   1,667   4,117  
Total
$ 542   10,998   25,910   57,286   94,736  
                       
Other Commitments
                     
Commitments to extend credit
$ 42,875   6,432   8,877   75,735   133,919  
Standby letters of credit
                     
and financial guarantees written
  3,297   -   -   -   3,297  
Total
$ 46,172   6,432   8,877   75,735   137,216  
 
The Company enters into derivative contracts to manage various financial risks.  A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate.  Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date.  Derivative contracts are written in amounts referred to as notional amounts, which only provide the basis for calculating payments between counterparties and are not a measure of financial risk.  Therefore, the derivative amounts recorded on the balance sheet do not represent the amounts that may ultimately be paid under these contracts.  Further discussions of derivative instruments are included above in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management” beginning on page A-15 and in Notes 1, 10, 11 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital Resources.  Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2012 was $97.7 million compared to $103.0 million at December 31, 2011.  This decrease was primarily attributable to the Company’s repurchase and retirement of a portion of its preferred shares.  The Company purchased 12,530 shares of the Company’s 25,054 outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock from the UST, which was issued to the UST in connection with the Company’s participation in the CPP under TARP in 2008.  The shares were purchased for $933.36 per share, for a total purchase price of $11,778,576, including $83,575 accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A preferred stock.  The Company retired the 12,530 shares purchased.  The $834,999 difference between the $12,530,000 face value of the Series A preferred stock retired and the $11,695,001 purchase price of the Series A preferred stock retired was credited to retained earnings effective June 30, 2012.  Remaining Series A preferred shares are redeemable at any time at par.  The Company expects to be able to repurchase the shares from future earnings, however, there are no immediate plans to repurchase these shares.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company completed its repurchase of the Warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of the Company's common stock that was issued to the UST on December 23, 2008 as part of the CPP under TARP.  The Company repurchased the Warrant for a total price of $425,000.

Common stock at December 31, 2012 was $48.1 million compared to $48.3 million at December 31, 2011.  This decrease is due to the Company’s repurchase of the Warrant associated with the preferred stock that was issued to the UST, which was partially offset by stock options exercised during 2012.

Average shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total average assets is one measure used to determine capital strength.   Average shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total average assets was 10.08%, 9.55% and 9.42% for 2012, 2011 and 2010.   The return on average shareholders’ equity was 5.58% at December 31, 2012 as compared to 5.03% and 1.81% as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Total cash dividends paid on common stock amounted to $1.0 million, $443,000 and $447,000 during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company paid dividends totaling $1.0 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million on preferred stock during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Board of Directors, at its discretion, can issue shares of preferred stock up to a maximum of 5,000,000 shares.  The Board is authorized to determine the number of shares, voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights.

 
A-24

 
 
Under regulatory capital guidelines, financial institutions are currently required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, with a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater.  Tier 1 capital is generally defined as shareholders’ equity and trust preferred securities less all intangible assets and goodwill.  Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 includes $20.0 million in trust preferred securities. The Company’s Tier 1 capital ratio was 16.04%, 16.10% and 14.24% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Total risk-based capital is defined as Tier 1 capital plus supplementary capital.  Supplementary capital, or Tier 2 capital, consists of the Company’s allowance for loan losses, not exceeding 1.25% of the Company’s risk-weighted assets. Total risk-based capital ratio is therefore defined as the ratio of total capital (Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets.  The Company’s total risk-based capital ratio was 17.34%, 17.38% and 15.51% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  In addition to the Tier 1 and total risk-based capital requirements, financial institutions are also required to maintain a leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of 4.0% or greater.  The Company’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 11.12%, 11.06% and 10.70% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Bank’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.54%, 13.76% and 11.87% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The total risk-based capital ratio for the Bank was 16.84%, 15.04% and 13.15% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.   The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 10.76%, 9.44% and 8.91% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

A bank is considered to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0 % or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and has a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater.  Based upon these guidelines, the Bank was considered to be “well capitalized” at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The Company’s key equity ratios as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are presented in Table 16.

Table 16 - Equity Ratios
         
           
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
           
Return on average assets
0.56%   0.48%   0.17%
Return on average equity
5.58%   5.03%   1.81%
Dividend payout ratio *
20.96%   11.78%   100.11%
Average equity to average assets
10.08%   9.55%   9.42%
 
* As a percentage of net earnings available to common shareholders.
 
Quarterly Financial Data.  The Company’s consolidated quarterly operating results for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented in Table 17.
 
Table 17 - Quarterly Financial Data
                             
                               
 
2012
 
2011
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
First
Second
Third
Fourth
First
Second
Third
  Fourth
                                   
Total interest income
$ 10,362   9,835   9,655   9,393   $ 11,558   11,422   11,291   10,988
Total interest expense
  2,218   1,987   1,842   1,649     3,044   2,809   2,673   2,420
Net interest income
  8,144   7,848   7,813   7,744     8,514   8,613   8,618   8,568
                                   
Provision for loan losses
  2,049   1,603   761   511     2,950   3,368   3,378   2,936
Other income
  3,380   3,593   2,886   2,678     3,602   2,736   3,722   4,453
Other expense
  7,271   7,843   8,156   8,512     7,400   7,408   7,164   7,600
Income before income taxes
  2,204   1,995   1,782   1,399     1,766   573   1,798   2,485
                                   
Income taxes
  545   486   369   187     405   (56 ) 406   708
Net earnings
  1,659   1,509   1,413   1,212     1,361   629   1,392   1,777
                                   
Dividends and accretion of preferred stock
  348   348   157   157     348   348   348   349
Net earnings available
                                 
to common shareholders
$ 1,311   1,161   1,256   1,055   $ 1,013   281   1,044   1,428
                                   
Basic and diluted
                                 
earnings per common share
$ 0.24   0.21   0.23   0.18   $ 0.18   0.05   0.19   0.26
 
 
A-25

 
 
QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.  This risk of loss can be reflected in either diminished current market values or reduced potential net interest income in future periods.

The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. The structure of the Company’s loan and deposit portfolios is such that a significant decline (increase) in interest rates may adversely (positively) impact net market values and interest income. Management seeks to manage the risk through the utilization of its investment securities and off-balance sheet derivative instruments. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company used interest rate contracts to manage market risk as discussed above in the section entitled “Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Management.”

Table 18 presents in tabular form the contractual balances and the estimated fair value of the Company’s on-balance sheet financial instruments at their expected maturity dates for the period ended December 31, 2012. The expected maturity categories take into consideration historical prepayment experience as well as management’s expectations based on the interest rate environment at December 31, 2012.  For core deposits without contractual maturity (i.e. interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market accounts), the table presents principal cash flows based on management’s judgment concerning their most likely runoff or repricing behaviors.

Table 18 - Market Risk Table
                         
                           
(Dollars in thousands)
Principal/Notional Amount Maturing in Year Ended December 31,
       
Loans Receivable
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016 &
2017
 
Thereafter
Total
Fair Value
                             
Fixed rate
$ 53,603   46,611   34,379   53,710   91,699   280,002   274,447
Average interest rate
  5.40%   5.57%   5.89%   5.27%   5.81%        
Variable rate
$ 90,305   60,744   41,926   47,497   106,422   346,894   346,894
Average interest rate
  4.78%   4.72%   4.85%   4.73%   4.46%        
                        626,896   621,341
Investment Securities
  .                        
Interest bearing cash
$ 16,226   -   -   -   -   16,226   16,226
Average interest rate
  0.23%   -   -   -   -        
Securities available for sale
$ 38,195   21,612   15,706   23,521   198,789   297,823   297,823
Average interest rate
  3.93%   4.89%   4.89%   4.73%   4.82%        
Nonmarketable equity securities
$ -   -   -   -   5,599   5,599   5,599
Average interest rate
  -   -   -   -   1.61%        
                             
Debt Obligations
                           
Deposits
$ 157,879   33,639   36,066   20,871   533,070   781,525   780,662
Average interest rate
  0.65%   1.10%   1.15%   1.27%   0.29%        
Advances from FHLB
$ -   5,000   5,000   25,000   35,000   70,000   76,375
Average interest rate
  -   -   3.71%   4.21%   3.72%        
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
$ 34,578                   34,578   34,578
Average interest rate
  0.24%                        
Junior subordinated debentures
$ -   -   -   -   20,619   20,619   20,619
Average interest rate
  -   -   -   -   1.92%        
 
 
 
A-26

 
 
Table 19 presents the simulated impact to net interest income under varying interest rate scenarios and the theoretical impact of rate changes over a twelve-month period referred to as “rate ramps.”  The table shows the estimated theoretical impact on the Company’s tax equivalent net interest income from hypothetical rate changes of plus and minus 1%, 2% and 3% as compared to the estimated theoretical impact of rates remaining unchanged.  The table also shows the simulated impact to market value of equity under varying interest rate scenarios and the theoretical impact of immediate and sustained rate changes referred to as “rate shocks” of plus and minus 1%, 2% and 3% as compared to the theoretical impact of rates remaining unchanged.  The prospective effects of the hypothetical interest rate changes are based upon various assumptions, including relative and estimated levels of key interest rates.  This type of modeling has limited usefulness because it does not allow for the strategies management would utilize in response to sudden and sustained rate changes.  Also, management does not believe that rate changes of the magnitude presented are likely in the forecast period presented.
 
Table 19 - Interest Rate Risk
       
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
 
Estimated Resulting Theoretical Net
Interest Income
 
Hypothetical rate change (ramp over 12 months)
Amount
% Change
           
+3% $ 32,967   4.44 %
+2% $ 32,292   2.30 %
+1% $ 31,701   0.43 %
0% $ 31,566   0.00 %
-1% $ 31,036   -1.68 %
-2% $ 30,247   -4.18 %
-3% $ 29,640   -6.10 %
 
   
Estimated Resulting Theoretical
Market Value of Equity
 
Hypothetical rate change (immediate shock)
 
Amount
% Change
             
+3%   $ 104,438   14.37 %
+2%   $ 105,504   15.54 %
+1%   $ 101,969   11.67 %
0%   $ 91,312   0.00 %
-1%   $ 79,237   -13.22 %
-2%   $ 73,426   -19.59 %
-3%   $ 75,453   -17.37 %
 
 
 
A-27

 
 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
INDEX
 
   
PAGE(S)
 
       
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Consolidated Financial Statements
    A-29  
         
Financial Statements
       
         
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 and 2011
    A-30  
         
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
    A-31  
         
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
    A-32  
         
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
    A-33  
         
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
    A-34 - A-35  
         
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    A-36 - A-64  
 
 
A-28

 



 
A-29

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
December 31, 2012 and 2011
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Assets
2012
2011
         
         
Cash and due from banks, including reserve requirements
$ 32,617   22,532  
of $9,625 and $8,492
         
Interest-bearing deposits
  16,226   6,704  
Cash and cash equivalents
  48,843   29,236  
           
Investment securities available for sale
  297,823   321,388  
Other investments
  5,599   5,712  
Total securities
  303,422   327,100  
           
Mortgage loans held for sale
  6,922   5,146  
           
Loans
  619,974   670,497  
Less allowance for loan losses
  (14,423 ) (16,604 )
Net loans
  605,551   653,893  
           
Premises and equipment, net
  15,874   16,896  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  13,273   12,835  
Other real estate
  6,254   7,576  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
  13,377   14,381  
Total assets
$ 1,013,516   1,067,063  
           
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
         
           
Deposits:
         
Non-interest bearing demand
$ 161,582   136,878  
NOW, MMDA & savings
  371,719   366,133  
Time, $100,000 or more
  134,733   193,045  
Other time
  113,491   131,055  
Total deposits
  781,525   827,111  
           
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  34,578   39,600  
FHLB borrowings
  70,000   70,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619   20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
  9,047   6,706  
Total liabilities
  915,769   964,036  
           
Commitments
         
           
Shareholders' equity:
         
           
Series A preferred stock, $1,000 stated value; authorized
         
5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
         
12,524 shares in 2012 and 25,054 shares in 2011
  12,524   24,758  
Common stock, no par value; authorized
         
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
         
5,613,495 shares in 2012 and 5,544,160 shares in 2011
  48,133   48,298  
Retained earnings
  31,478   26,895  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  5,612   3,076  
Total shareholders' equity
  97,747   103,027  
           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 1,013,516   1,067,063  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
A-30

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
2012
2011
2010
             
             
Interest income:
           
Interest and fees on loans
$ 32,758   36,374   40,204  
Interest on due from banks
  51   33   63  
Interest on investment securities:
             
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
  2,746   5,414   5,035  
States and political subdivisions
  3,403   3,180   2,173  
Other
  287   258   205  
Total interest income
  39,245   45,259   47,680  
               
Interest expense:
             
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  1,180   2,263   3,472  
Time deposits
  3,205   5,035   6,786  
FHLB borrowings
  2,744   2,956   3,285  
Junior subordinated debentures
  438   407   411  
Other
  129   285   394  
Total interest expense
  7,696   10,946   14,348  
               
Net interest income
  31,549   34,313   33,332  
               
Provision for loan losses
  4,924   12,632   16,438  
               
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  26,625   21,681   16,894  
               
Non-interest income:
             
Service charges
  4,764   5,106   5,626  
Other service charges and fees
  1,940   2,090   2,195  
Other than temporary impairment losses
  -   (144 ) (291 )
Gain on sale of securities
  1,218   4,406   3,348  
Mortgage banking income
  1,229   757   532  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  517   471   390  
Loss on sale and write-down of other real estate
  (1,136 ) (1,322 ) (704 )
Miscellaneous
  4,005   3,149   2,788  
Total non-interest income
  12,537   14,513   13,884  
               
Non-interest expense:
             
Salaries and employee benefits
  16,426   14,766   14,124  
Occupancy
  5,236   5,339   5,436  
Other
  10,120   9,467   9,388  
Total non-interest expense
  31,782   29,572   28,948  
               
Earnings before income taxes
  7,380   6,622   1,830  
               
Income tax expense (benefit)
  1,587   1,463   (11 )
               
Net earnings
  5,793   5,159   1,841  
               
Dividends and accretion of preferred stock
  1,010   1,393   1,394  
               
Net earnings available to common shareholders
$ 4,783   3,766   447  
               
Basic and diluted net earnings per common share
$ 0.86   0.68   0.08  
Cash dividends declared per common share
$ 0.18   0.08   0.08  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
A-31

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2012
2011
2010
             
             
Net earnings
$ 5,793   5,159   1,841  
               
Other comprehensive income (loss):
             
               
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale
  5,371   9,316   46  
               
Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairment losses included in net earnings
  -   144   291  
               
Reclassification adjustment for gains on securities available for sale included in net earnings
  (1,218 ) (4,406 ) (3,348 )
               
Unrealized holding losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges
  -   (648 ) (1,114 )
               
Total other comprehensive income (loss),
             
before income taxes
  4,153   4,406   (4,125 )
               
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income (loss):
             
               
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale
  2,091   3,629   18  
 
             
Reclassification adjustment for gains on securities available for sale included in net earnings
  (474 ) (1,660 ) (1,191 )
 
             
Unrealized holding losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges
  -   (252 ) (434 )
               
Total income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income (loss)
  1,617   1,717   (1,607 )
               
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
  2,536   2,689   (2,518 )
               
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$ 8,329   7,848   (677 )
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
A-32

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                     
Accumulated
   
             
Other
   
 
Stock Shares
 
Stock Amount
 
Retained
Comprehensive
   
 
Preferred
Common
Preferred
Common
Earnings
Income
Total
                               
Balance, December 31, 2009
25,054   5,539,056   $ 24,476   48,269   23,573   2,905   99,223  
                               
Accretion of Series A
                             
preferred stock
-   -     141   -   (141 ) -   -  
Cash dividends declared on
                             
Series A preferred stock
-   -     -   -   (1,253 ) -   (1,253 )
Cash dividends declared on
                             
common stock
-   -     -   -   (447 ) -   (447 )
Restricted stock payout
-   2,357     -   12   -   -   12  
Net earnings
-   -     -   -   1,841   -   1,841  
Change in accumulated other
                             
comprehensive income,
                             
net of tax
-   -     -   -   -   (2,518 ) (2,518 )
Balance, December 31, 2010
25,054   5,541,413   $ 24,617   48,281   23,573   387   96,858  
                               
Accretion of Series A
                             
preferred stock
-   -     141   -   (141 ) -   -  
Cash dividends declared on
                             
Series A preferred stock
-   -     -   -   (1,253 ) -   (1,253 )
Cash dividends declared on
                             
common stock
-   -     -   -   (443 ) -   (443 )
Restricted stock payout
-   2,747     -   17   -   -   17  
Net earnings
-   -     -   -   5,159   -   5,159  
Change in accumulated other
                             
comprehensive income,
                             
net of tax
-   -     -   -   -   2,689   2,689  
Balance, December 31, 2011
25,054   5,544,160   $ 24,758   48,298   26,895   3,076   103,027  
                               
Accretion of Series A
                             
preferred stock
-   -     70   -   (70 ) -   -  
Preferred stock and
                             
warrant repurchase
(12,530 ) -     (12,304 ) (704 ) 886   -   (12,122 )
Cash dividends declared on
                             
Series A preferred stock
-   -     -   -   (1,023 ) -   (1,023 )
Cash dividends declared on
                             
common stock
-   -     -   -   (1,003 ) -   (1,003 )
Stock options exercised
-   69,335     -   539   -   -   539  
Net earnings
-   -     -   -   5,793   -   5,793  
Change in accumulated other
                             
comprehensive income,
                             
net of tax
-   -     -   -   -   2,536   2,536  
Balance, December 31, 2012
12,524   5,613,495   $ 12,524   48,133   31,478   5,612   97,747  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
A-33

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2012
2011
2010
             
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
$ 5,793   5,159   1,841  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
             
net cash provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
  8,876   6,226   4,971  
Provision for loan losses
  4,924   12,632   16,438  
Deferred income taxes
  (213 ) (678 ) (523 )
Gain on sale of investment securities
  (1,218 ) (4,406 ) (3,348 )
Write-down of investment securities
  -   144   291  
Loss/(Gain) on sale of other real estate
  98   272   (191 )
Write-down of other real estate
  1,038   1,050   895  
Restricted stock expense
  -   7   10  
Change in:
             
Mortgage loans held for sale
  (1,776 ) (1,332 ) (974 )
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  (438 ) (296 ) (257 )
Other assets
  (399 ) 2,644   (2,316 )
Other liabilities
  2,342   930   961  
               
Net cash provided by operating activities
  19,027   22,352   17,798  
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Net change in certificates of deposit
  -   735   2,610  
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
  (88,304 ) (208,863 ) (232,915 )
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of investment securities
             
available for sale
  63,225   54,041   86,935  
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
  47,076   110,978   65,774  
Purchases of other investments
  (493 ) (215 ) -  
Proceeds from sale of other investments
  606   290   585  
Net change in loans
  38,170   38,561   28,703  
Purchases of premises and equipment
  (917 ) (1,601 ) (1,441 )
Purchases of bank owned life insurance
  -   (5,000 ) -  
Proceeds from sale of other real estate and repossessions
  5,434   3,355   5,725  
               
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
  64,797   (7,719 ) (44,024 )
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Net change in deposits
  (45,586 ) (11,601 ) 29,369  
Net change in demand notes payable to U.S. Treasury
  -   (1,600 ) 964  
Net change in securities sold under agreement to repurchase
  (5,022 ) 5,506   (2,782 )
Proceeds from FHLB borrowings
  25,400   40,000   -  
Repayments of FHLB borrowings
  (25,400 ) (40,000 ) (7,000 )
Proceeds from FRB borrowings
  2   1   -  
Repayments of FRB borrowings
  (2 ) (1 ) -  
Preferred stock and warrant repurchase
  (12,122 ) -   -  
Restricted stock payout
  -   17   12  
Stock options exercised
  539   -   -  
Cash dividends paid on Series A preferred stock
  (1,023 ) (1,253 ) (1,253 )
Cash dividends paid on common stock
  (1,003 ) (443 ) (447 )
               
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
  (64,217 ) (9,374 ) 18,863  
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalent
  19,607   5,259   (7,363 )
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
  29,236   23,977   31,340  
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 48,843   29,236   23,977  

 
 
A-34

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2012
2011
2010
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
         
Cash paid during the year for:
         
Interest
$ 7,838   10,900   14,419
Income taxes
$ 2,013   283   1,700
             
Noncash investing and financing activities:
           
Change in unrealized gain on investment securities
           
 available for sale, net
$ 2,536   (3,087 ) 1,838
Change in unrealized gain on derivative financial
           
 instruments, net
$ -   398   680
Transfer of loans to other real estate and repossessions
$ 6,323   10,787   9,105
Financed portion of sale of other real estate
$ 1,076   5,208   2,270
Accretion of Series A preferred stock
$ 70   141   141
Discount on preferred stock
$ 835   -   -
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
A-35

 
 
PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)
  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (“Bancorp”) received regulatory approval to operate as a bank holding company on July 22, 1999, and became effective August 31, 1999.  Bancorp is primarily regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and serves as the one-bank holding company for Peoples Bank (the “Bank”).

The Bank commenced business in 1912 upon receipt of its banking charter from the North Carolina State Banking Commission (the “SBC”). The Bank is primarily regulated by the SBC and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and undergoes periodic examinations by these regulatory agencies. The Bank, whose main office is in Newton, North Carolina, provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking services primarily in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Iredell, Union and Wake counties in North Carolina.

Peoples Investment Services, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank and began operations in 1996 to provide investment and trust services through agreements with an outside party.

Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc. (“REAS”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank and began operations in 1997 to provide real estate appraisal and property management services to individuals and commercial customers of the Bank.

Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp and began operations in 2009 as a “clearing house” for appraisal services for community banks.  Other banks are able to contract with Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC to find and engage appropriate appraisal companies in the area where the property is located.

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC, along with the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Peoples Investment Services, Inc. and REAS (collectively called the “Company”).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation
The accounting principles followed by the Company, and the methods of applying these principles, conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and with general practices in the banking industry. In preparing the financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Material estimates common to the banking industry that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include, but are not limited to, the determination of the allowance for loan losses and valuation of real estate acquired in connection with or in lieu of foreclosure on loans.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash, due from banks and interest-bearing deposits are considered cash and cash equivalents for cash flow reporting purposes.

Investment Securities
There are three classifications the Company is able to classify its investment securities: trading, available for sale, or held to maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for sale in the near term. Held to maturity securities are those securities for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities not included in trading or held to maturity are classified as available for sale. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company classified all of its investment securities as available for sale.

Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized.

Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on an annual basis. A decline in the market value of any investment below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary is charged to earnings for
 
 
A-36

 
 
the decline in value deemed to be credit related and a new cost basis in the security is established. The decline in value attributed to non-credit related factors is recognized in comprehensive income.

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to the yield.  Realized gains and losses for securities classified as available for sale are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

Other Investments
Other investments include equity securities with no readily determinable fair value. These investments are carried at cost.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at lower of aggregate cost or market value. The cost of mortgage loans held for sale approximates the market value.

Loans
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is calculated by using the simple interest method on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding. The recognition of certain loan origination fee income and certain loan origination costs is deferred when such loans are originated and amortized over the life of the loan.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or at the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period earnings.

Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s assessment and estimate of the risks associated with extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio. The Bank periodically analyzes the loan portfolio in an effort to review asset quality and to establish an allowance for loan losses that management believes will be adequate in light of anticipated risks and loan losses. In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, size, quality and risk of loans in the portfolio are reviewed. Other factors considered are:

  
the Bank’s loan loss experience;
  
the amount of past due and non-performing loans;
  
specific known risks;
  
the status and amount of other past due and non-performing assets;
  
underlying estimated values of collateral securing loans;
  
current and anticipated economic conditions; and
  
other factors which management believes affect the allowance for potential credit losses.

The allowance for loan losses is comprised of three components: specific reserves, general reserves and unallocated reserves. After a loan has been identified as impaired, management measures impairment. When the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the amount of the impairment is recorded as a specific reserve. These specific reserves are determined on an individual loan basis based on management’s current evaluation of the Bank’s loss exposure for each credit, given the appraised value of any underlying collateral or the present value of projected cash flows for non-collateral dependent loans. Loans for which specific reserves are provided are excluded from the general allowance calculations as described below.

The general allowance reflects reserves established under GAAP for collective loan impairment. These reserves are based upon historical net charge-offs using the greater of the last two or three years’ loss experience.  This charge-off experience may be adjusted to reflect the effects of current conditions.  The Bank considers information derived from its loan risk ratings and external data related to industry and general economic trends in establishing reserves.
 
 
A-37

 
 
The unallocated allowance is determined through management’s assessment of probable losses that are in the portfolio but are not adequately captured by the other two components of the allowance, including consideration of current economic and business conditions and regulatory requirements. The unallocated allowance also reflects management’s acknowledgement of the imprecision and subjectivity that underlie the modeling of credit risk.  Due to the subjectivity involved in determining the overall allowance, including the unallocated portion, this unallocated portion may fluctuate from period to period based on management’s evaluation of the factors affecting the assumptions used in calculating the allowance.

Management considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover the estimated losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. Management believes it has established the allowance in accordance with GAAP and in consideration of the current economic environment. Although management uses the best information available to make evaluations, significant future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions, thus adversely affecting the operating results of the Company.

There were no significant changes in the estimation methods or fundamental assumptions used in the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.   Revisions, estimates and assumptions may be made in any period in which the supporting factors indicate that loss levels may vary from the previous estimates.

Effective December 31, 2012, stated income mortgage loans from the Banco de la Gente division of the Bank were analyzed separately from other single family residential loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio.  These loans are first mortgage loans made to the Latino market, primarily in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.  These loans are non-traditional mortgages in that the customer normally did not have a credit history, so all credit information was accumulated by the loan officers.  These loans were made as stated income loans rather than full documentation loans because the customer may not have had complete documentation on the income supporting the loan.

Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examinations.  Also, an independent loan review process further assists with evaluating credit quality and assessing potential performance issues.

Mortgage Banking Activities
Mortgage banking income represents net gains from the sale of mortgage loans and fees received from borrowers and loan investors related to the Bank’s origination of single-family residential mortgage loans.

Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others was approximately $3.1 million, $4.0 million and $5.3 million at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Bank originates certain fixed rate mortgage loans and commits these loans for sale.  The commitments to originate fixed rate mortgage loans and the commitments to sell these loans to a third party are both derivative contracts.  The fair value of these derivative contracts is immaterial and has no effect on the recorded amounts in the financial statements.

Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the useful life of the respective asset is charged to earnings as incurred, whereas significant renewals and improvements are capitalized. The range of estimated useful lives for premises and equipment are generally as follows:
 
Buildings and improvements
10 - 50 years
Furniture and equipment
3 - 10 years
 
Other Real Estate
Foreclosed assets include all assets received in full or partial satisfaction of a loan.  Foreclosed assets are reported at fair value less estimated selling costs.  Any write-downs at the time of foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management, and a valuation allowance is established if fair value declines below carrying value.  Costs relating to the development and
 
 
A-38

 
 
improvement of the property are capitalized.  Revenues and expenses from operations are included in other expenses.  Changes in the valuation allowance are included in loss on sale and write-down of other real estate.  The balance of other real estate owned was $6.3 million and $7.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income 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. Additionally, the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, is required to the extent that the realization of such benefits is more likely than not to occur. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

In the event the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities results in a deferred tax asset, an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such asset is required. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of the deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realizability of a deferred tax asset, management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

Tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information.  A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more likely than not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met.  The Company assessed the impact of this guidance and determined that it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk by modifying the characteristics of the related balance sheet instruments in order to reduce the adverse effect of changes in interest rates. All material derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the financial statements.  The fair value of derivative contracts related to the origination of fixed rate mortgage loans and the commitments to sell these loans to a third party is immaterial and has no effect on the recorded amounts in the financial statements.

The disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities have the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  The disclosure requirements include qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a trading instrument. Changes in the fair value of instruments used as fair value hedges are accounted for in the earnings of the period simultaneous with accounting for the fair value change of the item being hedged. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges are accounted for in other comprehensive income rather than earnings. Changes in fair value of instruments that are not intended as a hedge are accounted for in the earnings of the period of the change.

If a derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge is terminated or the hedge designation removed, the difference between a hedged item’s then carrying amount and its face amount is recognized into income over the original hedge period. Likewise, if a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge is terminated or the hedge designation removed, related amounts accumulated in other accumulated comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings over the original hedge period during which the hedged item affects income.

The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives
 
 
A-39

 
 
designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge.  The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The Company formally documents all hedging relationships, including an assessment that the derivative instruments are expected to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items.

Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has an Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) whereby certain stock-based rights, such as stock options, restricted stock units, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or book value shares, may be granted to eligible directors and employees.  The 1999 Plan expired on May 13, 2009.

Under the 1999 Plan, the Company granted incentive stock options to certain eligible employees in order that they may purchase Company stock at a price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant.  The options granted in 1999 vested over a five-year period.  Options granted subsequent to 1999 vest over a three-year period.

 All options expire ten years after the date of grant.  A summary of the stock option activity in the 1999 Plan is presented below:
 
Stock Option Activity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
             
 
Shares
   
Weighted
Average Option
Price Per Share
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term (in
years)
               
Outstanding, December 31, 2009
169,462     $ 8.17    
               
Granted during the period
-     $ -    
Expired during the period
(19,391 )   $ 6.99    
Exercised during the period
-     $ -    
               
Outstanding, December 31, 2010
150,071     $ 8.32    
               
Granted during the period
-     $ -    
Expired during the period
(71,054 )   $ 8.71    
Exercised during the period
-     $ -    
               
Outstanding, December 31, 2011
79,017     $ 7.97    
               
Granted during the period
-     $ -    
Expired during the period
-     $ -    
Forfeited during the period
(6,052 )   $ 8.89    
Exercised during the period
(69,335 )   $ 7.77    
               
Outstanding, December 31, 2012
3,630     $ 10.31  
 1.35
               
Exercisable, December 31, 2012
3,630     $ 10.31  
 1.35
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2012 are exercisable at $10.31.  As of December 31, 2012, the exercise price on options outstanding is more than the current market value; therefore, options outstanding as of December 31, 2012 have no intrinsic value.  Such options have a weighted average remaining contractual life of
 
 
A-40

 
 
approximately one year.  No options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. 69,335 options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2012.  No options were exercised during the years ended December 31,  2011 and 2010.

The Company granted 3,000 restricted stock units in 2007 under the 1999 Plan at a grant date fair value of $17.40 per share. The Company granted 1,750 restricted stock units under the 1999 Plan at a grant date fair value of $12.80 per share during the third quarter of 2008 and 2,000 restricted stock units under the 1999 Plan at a fair value of $11.37 per share during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company recognizes compensation expense on the restricted stock units over the period of time the restrictions are in place (three years from the grant date for the grants to date under the 1999 Plan).  The amount of expense recorded each period reflects the changes in the Company’s stock price during the period.  As of December 31, 2012, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2007 and 2008 restricted stock unit grants.

The Company also has an Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan that was approved by its shareholders’ on May 7, 2009 (the “2009 Plan”) whereby certain stock-based rights, such as stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or book value shares, may be granted to eligible directors and employees.  A total of 330,486 shares are currently reserved for possible issuance under the 2009 Plan.   All rights must be granted or awarded within ten years from the May 7, 2009 effective date of the 2009 Plan.

The Company granted 29,514 restricted stock units under the 2009 Plan  at a grant date fair value of $7.90 per share during the first quarter of 2012.  5,355 restricted stock units were forfeited by the executive officers of the Company as required by the agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“UST”) in conjunction with the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) in 2008.  In July 2012, the Company granted 5,355 restricted stock units at a grant date fair value of $8.25. The Company recognizes compensation expense on the restricted stock units over the period of time the restrictions are in place (five years from the grant date for the grants to date under the 2009 Plan). The amount of expense recorded each period reflects the changes in the Company’s stock price during the period.  As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2012 restricted stock unit grants was $227,000.

The Company recognized compensation expense for restricted stock awards of $42,000, $7,000 and $10,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net Earnings Per Share
Net earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period while the effects of potential common shares outstanding during the period are included in diluted earnings per common share. The average market price during the year is used to compute equivalent shares.

The reconciliations of the amounts used in the computation of both “basic earnings per common share” and “diluted earnings per common share” for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
 
For the year ended December 31, 2012:
 
Net Earnings Available to Common Shareholders (Dollars in thousands)
   
Common
Shares
   
Per Share Amount
 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 4,783       5,559,401     $ 0.86  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
    -       3,206          
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 4,783       5,562,607     $ 0.86  
 
 
 
A-41

 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2011:
 
Net Earnings
Available to
Common Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
   
Common
Shares
   
Per Share Amount
 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 3,766       5,542,548     $ 0.68  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
    -       1,301          
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 3,766       5,543,849     $ 0.68  
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010:
 
Net Earnings
Available to
Common Shareholders
(Dollars in
thousands)
   
Common
Shares
   
Per Share Amount
 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 447       5,539,308     $ 0.08  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Stock options
    -       4,107          
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 447       5,543,415     $ 0.08  
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU No. 2013-01 provides additional guidance to clarify the intended scope of ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.  ASU No. 2013-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In February 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The objective of ASU No. 2013-02 is to improve the reporting of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  For public entities, ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

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

(2)
  Investment Securities

Investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
             
 
December 31, 2012
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities
$ 146,755   1,875   606   148,024
U.S. Government
               
sponsored enterprises
  18,714   203   80   18,837
State and political subdivisions
  118,591   7,171   104   125,658
Corporate bonds
  2,571   19   4   2,586
Trust preferred securities
  1,250   -   -   1,250
Equity securities
  748   720   -   1,468
Total
$ 288,629   9,988   794   297,823
 
 
 
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(Dollars in thousands)
                       
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross
Unrealized Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 213,378       1,371       1,056       213,693  
U.S. Government
                               
sponsored enterprises
    7,429       265       -       7,694  
State and political subdivisions
    92,996       4,157       56       97,097  
Corporate bonds
    546       -       3       543  
Trust preferred securities
    1,250       -       -       1,250  
Equity securities
    748       363       -       1,111  
Total
  $ 316,347       6,156       1,115       321,388  
 
The current fair value and associated unrealized losses on investments in debt securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in the tables below, with the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
     December 31, 2012  
    Less than 12 Months     12 Months or More      Total   
    Fair Value     Unrealized Losses     Fair  Value     Unrealized Losses     Fair  Value     Unrealized Losses  
Mortgage-backed securities
    48,126       468       12,913       138       61,039       606  
U.S. Government                                                
sponsored enterprises
    3,402       80       -       -       3,402       80  
State and political subdivisions
    9,490       104       -       -       9,490       104  
Corporate bonds
    1,035       4       -       -       1,035       4  
Total
    62,053       656       12,913       138       74,966       794  

(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 95,122       991       4,125       65       99,247       1,056  
State and political subdivisions
    4,444       56       -       -       4,444       56  
Corporate bonds
    542       3       -       -       542       3  
Total
  $ 100,108       1,050       4,125       65       104,233       1,115  
 
At December 31, 2012, unrealized losses in the investment securities portfolio relating to debt securities totaled $794,000. The unrealized losses on these debt securities arose due to changing interest rates and are considered to be temporary.  At December 31, 2012, ten out of 151 securities issued by state and political subdivisions contained unrealized losses, 36 out of 90 securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, including mortgage-backed securities, contained unrealized losses and two out of four securities issued by corporations contained unrealized losses. These unrealized losses are considered temporary because of acceptable investment grades on each security and the repayment sources of principal and interest are government backed.

The Company periodically evaluates its investments for any impairment which would be deemed other-than-temporary. No investment impairments were deemed other-than-temporary in 2012. As part of its evaluation in 2011, the Company determined that the fair value of one equity security was less than the original cost of the investment and that the decline in fair value was not temporary in nature.  As a result, the Company wrote down its investment by $144,000. The remaining fair value of the investment at December 31, 2011 was approximately $264,000.  Similarly, as part of its evaluation in 2010, the Company wrote down two equity securities by $291,000.  The remaining fair value of the investments at December 31, 2010 was $409,000.
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2012, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities of mortgage-backed securities will differ from
 
 
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contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

(Dollars in thousands)
           
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Due within one year
  $ 4,139       4,163  
Due from one to five years
    14,285       14,768  
Due from five to ten years
    100,595       106,246  
Due after ten years
    22,107       23,154  
Mortgage-backed securities
    146,755       148,024  
Equity securities
    748       1,468  
Total
  $ 288,629       297,823  
 
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale during 2012 were $47.1 million and resulted in gross gains of $1.3 million and gross losses of $103,000.  During 2011, the proceeds from sales of securities available for sale were $111.0 million and resulted in gross gains of $4.4 million and gross losses of $9,000. During 2010, the proceeds from sales of securities available for sale were $65.8 million and resulted in gross gains of $3.3 million.

Securities with a fair value of approximately $73.9 million and $83.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) borrowings and for other purposes as required by law.

GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. There is a three-level fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The table below presents the balance of securities available for sale, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(Dollars in thousands)
                       
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
Fair Value Measurements
   
Level 1
Valuation
   
Level 2
Valuation
   
Level 3
Valuation
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 148,024       -       148,024       -  
U.S. Government
                               
sponsored enterprises
  $ 18,837       -       18,837       -  
State and political subdivisions
  $ 125,658       -       125,658       -  
Corporate bonds
  $ 2,586       -       2,586       -  
Trust preferred securities
  $ 1,250       -       -       1,250  
Equity securities
  $ 1,468       1,468       -       -  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                       
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Fair Value Measurements
   
Level 1
Valuation
   
Level 2
Valuation
   
Level 3
Valuation
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  $ 213,693       -       208,349       5,344  
U.S. Government
                               
sponsored enterprises
  $ 7,694       -       7,694       -  
State and political subdivisions
  $ 97,097       -       97,097       -  
Corporate bonds
  $ 543       -       543       -  
Trust preferred securities
  $ 1,250       -       -       1,250  
Equity securities
  $ 1,111       1,111       -       -  
 
Fair values of investment securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges when available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined using matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.
 
 
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The following is an analysis of fair value measurements of investment securities available for sale using Level 3, significant unobservable inputs, for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Transfers out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2012 are attributable to one available for sale security reported in Level 3 at December 31, 2011 because market pricing was unavailable from the Bank’s third party bond accounting provider at that time.  This security was reported in Level 2 at December 31, 2012, as the market valuation was provided by the Bank’s third party bond accounting provider.

(Dollars in thousands)
     
   
Investment Securities
Available for Sale
 
   
Level 3 Valuation
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 6,594  
Change in book value
    -  
Change in gain/(loss) realized and unrealized
    -  
Purchases/(sales)
    -  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
    (5,344 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 1,250  
         
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) for assets still held in Level 3
  $ -  
 
(3)
  Loans

Major classifications of loans at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Real estate loans
     
     Construction and land development
$ 73,176   93,812
     Single-family residential
  195,003   212,993
     Single-family residential -
       
Banco de la Gente stated income
  52,019   54,058
     Commercial
  200,633   214,415
     Multifamily and farmland
  8,951   4,793
Total real estate loans
  529,782   580,071
         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  64,295   60,646
Farm loans (not secured by real estate)
  11   -
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  10,148   10,490
All other loans (not secured by real estate)
  15,738   19,290
         
     Total loans
  619,974   670,497
         
Less allowance for loan losses
  14,423   16,604
         
     Total net loans
$ 605,551   653,893
 
The Bank grants loans and extensions of credit primarily within the Catawba Valley region of North Carolina, which encompasses Catawba, Alexander, Iredell and Lincoln counties and also in Mecklenburg, Union and Wake counties of North Carolina.  Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by improved and unimproved real estate, the value of which is dependent upon the real estate market.  Risk characteristics of the major components of the Bank’s loan portfolio are discussed below:

  
Construction and land development loans – The risk of loss is largely dependent on the initial estimate of whether the property’s value at completion equals or exceeds the cost of property construction and the availability of take-out financing.  During the construction phase, a number of factors can result in delays or cost overruns.  If the estimate is inaccurate or if actual construction costs exceed estimates, the value of the property securing our loan may be insufficient to ensure full repayment when completed through a permanent loan, sale of the property, or by seizure of collateral. As of December 31, 2012, construction and land development loans comprised approximately 12% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.
 
 
 
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Single-family residential loans – Declining home sales volumes, decreased real estate values and higher than normal levels of unemployment could contribute to losses on these loans.  As of December 31, 2012, single-family residential loans comprised approximately 40% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio, including Banco de la Gente single-family residential stated income loans amounting to approximately 8% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

  
Commercial real estate loans – Repayment is dependent on income being generated in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service.  These loans also involve greater risk because they are generally not fully amortizing over a loan period, but rather have a balloon payment due at maturity.  A borrower’s ability to make a balloon payment typically will depend on being able to either refinance the loan or timely sell the underlying property.  As of December 31, 2012, commercial real estate loans comprised approximately 32% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

  
Commercial loans – Repayment is generally dependent upon the successful operation of the borrower’s business.   In addition, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, be difficult to appraise, be illiquid, or fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.  As of December 31, 2012, commercial loans comprised approximately 10% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Loans may be placed on non-accrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The following tables present an age analysis of past due loans, by loan type, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
December 31, 2012
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 
Loans 30-89
Days Past
 Due
 
Loans 90 or
More Days
Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
Loans
 
Total
Current
Loans
 
Total Loans
 
Accruing
Loans 90 or
More Days
Past Due
Real estate loans
                     
     Construction and land development
$ 1,280   6,858   8,138   65,038   73,176   -
     Single-family residential
  4,316   1,548   5,864   189,139   195,003   -
     Single-family residential -
                       
Banco de la Gente stated income
  11,077   3,659   14,736   37,283   52,019   2,378
     Commercial
  1,720   1,170   2,890   197,743   200,633   -
     Multifamily and farmland
  7   -   7   8,944   8,951   -
          Total real estate loans
  18,400   13,235   31,635   498,147   529,782   2,378
                         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  888   66   954   63,341   64,295   23
Farm loans (not secured by real estate)
  -   -   -   11   11   -
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  250   10   260   9,888   10,148   2
All other loans (not secured by real estate)
  -   -   -   15,738   15,738   -
     Total loans
$ 19,538   13,311   32,849   587,125   619,974   2,403
 
December 31, 2011
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 
Loans 30-89
Days Past
Due
 
Loans 90 or
More Days
Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
Loans
 
Total
Current
Loans
 
Total Loans
 
Accruing
Loans 90 or
More Days
Past Due
Real estate loans
                     
     Construction and land development
$ 10,033   3,338   13,371   80,441   93,812   -
     Single-family residential
  4,612   1,434   6,046   206,947   212,993   107
     Single-family residential -
                       
Banco de la Gente stated income
  11,924   4,755   16,679   37,379   54,058   2,602
     Commercial
  1,002   958   1,960   212,455   214,415   -
     Multifamily and farmland
  13   -   13   4,780   4,793   -
          Total real estate loans
  27,584   10,485   38,069   542,002   580,071   2,709
                         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  576   9   585   60,061   60,646   -
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  116   36   152   10,338   10,490   -
All other loans (not secured by real estate)
  -   -   -   19,290   19,290   -
     Total loans
$ 28,276   10,530   38,806   631,691   670,497   2,709
 
 
 
A-46

 
 
The following tables present the Bank’s non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
 
December 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Real estate loans
     
     Construction and land development
$ 9,253   13,257
     Single-family residential
  2,491   2,380
     Single-family residential -
       
     Banco de la Gente stated income
  2,232   3,142
     Commercial
  3,263   2,451
          Total real estate loans
  17,239   21,230
         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  344   403
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  47   152
     Total
$ 17,630   21,785
 
At each reporting period, the Bank determines which loans are impaired.  Accordingly, the Bank’s impaired loans are reported at their estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis.  An allowance for each impaired loan that is collateral-dependent is calculated based on the fair value of its collateral.  The fair value of the collateral is based on appraisals performed by REAS, a subsidiary of the Bank.  REAS is staffed by certified appraisers that also perform appraisals for other companies.  Factors including the assumptions and techniques utilized by the appraiser are considered by management.  If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value of the collateral, a valuation allowance is recorded as a component of the allowance for loan losses.  An allowance for each impaired loan that is non-collateral dependent is calculated based on the present value of projected cash flows.  If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the present value of projected cash flows, a valuation allowance is recorded as a component of the allowance for loan losses.  Impaired loans under $250,000 are not individually evaluated for impairment, with the exception of the Bank’s troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans in the residential mortgage loan portfolio, which are individually evaluated for impairment.  Accruing impaired loans were $30.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011.  Interest income recognized on accruing impaired loans was $1.5 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  No interest income is recognized on non-accrual impaired loans subsequent to their classification as non-accrual.

The following tables present the Bank’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:

December 31, 2012
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 
Unpaid Contractual Principal
Balance
 
Recorded Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
With
Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
in Impaired
Loans
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average Outstanding Impaired
Loans
Real estate loans
                     
     Construction and land development
$ 17,738   11,795   680   12,475   61   12,810
     Single-family residential
  9,099   766   7,799   8,565   177   7,590
     Single-family residential -
                       
     Banco de la Gente stated income
  21,806   -   21,000   21,000   1,278   21,158
     Commercial
  5,830   4,569   467   5,036   6   5,433
     Multifamily and farmland
  193   -   193   193   1   200
          Total impaired real estate loans
  54,666   17,130   30,139   47,269   1,523   47,191
                         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  983   347   592   939   12   1,125
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  68   -   66   66   1   41
     Total impaired loans
$ 55,717   17,477   30,797   48,274   1,536   48,357
 
 
 
A-47

 
 
 
December 31, 2011
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 
Unpaid Contractual Principal
Balance
 
Recorded Investment
With No Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
With
Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
in Impaired Loans
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average Outstanding Impaired
Loans
Real estate loans
                     
     Construction and land development
$ 28,721   14,484   6,098   20,582   3,264   17,848
     Single-family residential
  6,361   969   5,117   6,086   131   6,324
     Single-family residential -
                       
     Banco de la Gente stated income
  20,021   -   19,602   19,602   1,296   18,778
     Commercial
  7,717   3,845   3,139   6,984   77   4,518
     Multifamily and farmland
  209   -   209   209   1   214
          Total impaired real estate loans
  63,029   19,298   34,165   53,463   4,769   47,682
                         
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
  1,111   -   1,083   1,083   26   1,485
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
  157   -   152   152   2   140
     Total impaired loans
$ 64,297   19,298   35,400   54,698   4,797   49,307
 
The Bank’s December 31, 2012 and 2011 fair value measurements for impaired loans and other real estate on a non-recurring basis are presented below.  The fair value measurement process uses certified appraisals and other market-based information; however, in many cases, it also requires significant input based on management’s knowledge of and judgment about current market conditions, specific issues relating to the collateral, and other matters.  As a result, all fair value measurements for impaired loans and other real estate are considered Level 3.

(Dollars in thousands)
                 
 
Fair Value
Measurements
December 31, 2012
Level 1
Valuation
Level 2
Valuation
Level 3
Valuation
Total Gains/(Losses) for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2012
 
Impaired loans
$ 46,738   -   -   46,738   (7,986 )
Other real estate
$ 6,254   -   -   6,254   (1,136 )
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
 
Fair Value
Measurements
December 31, 2011
Level 1
Valuation
Level 2
Valuation
Level 3
Valuation
Total Gains/(Losses) for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2011
 
Impaired loans
$ 49,901   -   -   49,901   (11,864 )
Other real estate
$ 7,576   -   -   7,576   (1,322 )
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2012
                                 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                 
 
Real Estate Loans
                     
 
Construction and Land Development
 
Single-Family Residential
 
Single-Family Residential - Banco de la Gente
Stated Income
 
Commercial
 
Multifamily and
Farmland
 
Commercial
 
Farm
 
Consumer and All Other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                     
Beginning balance
$ 7,182   3,253   2,104   1,731   13   1,029   -   255   1,037   16,604  
Charge-offs
  (4,728 ) (886 ) (668 ) (937 ) -   (555 ) -   (557 ) -   (8,331 )
Recoveries
  528   72   -   374   -   104   -   148   -   1,226  
Provision
  1,417   792   562   881   15   510   -   399   348   4,924  
Ending balance
$ 4,399   3,231   1,998   2,049   28   1,088   -   245   1,385   14,423  
                                           
Ending balance: individually
                                     
   evaluated for impairment
$ 24   84   1,254   -   -   -   -   -   -   1,362  
Ending balance: collectively
                                     
   evaluated for impairment
  4,375   3,147   744   2,049   28   1,088   -   245   1,385   13,061  
Ending balance
$ 4,399   3,231   1,998   2,049   28   1,088   -   245   1,385   14,423  
                                           
Loans:
                                         
Ending balance
$ 73,176   195,003   52,019   200,633   8,951   64,295   11   25,886   -   619,974  
                                           
Ending balance: individually
                                     
   evaluated for impairment
$ 11,961   3,885   20,024   4,569   -   346   -   -   -   40,785  
Ending balance: collectively
                                     
   evaluated for impairment
$ 61,215   191,118   31,995   196,064   8,951   63,949   11   25,886   -   579,189  
 
 
 
A-48

 
 
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Real Estate Loans
                 
 
Construction and Land Development
 
Single-
Family Residential
 
Single-
Family Residential - Banco de la Gente
Stated
Income
 
Commercial
 
Multifamily and
Farmland
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and All Other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                   
Beginning balance
$ 5,774   3,992   2,105   1,409   17   1,174   430   592   15,493  
Charge-offs   (7,164 ) (2,233 ) (692 ) (1,271 ) -   (314 ) (586 ) -   (12,260 )
Recoveries   241   184   17   24   -   121   152   -   739  
Provision   8,331   1,310   674   1,569   (4 ) 48   259   445   12,632  
Ending balance $ 7,182   3,253   2,104   1,731   13   1,029   255   1,037   16,604  
                                       
Ending balance: individually
                                 
evaluated for impairment
$ 1,250   46   1,243   -   -   -   -   -   2,539  
Ending balance: collectively
                                     
evaluated for impairment
  5,932   3,207   861   1,731   13   1,029   255   1,037   14,065  
Ending balance
$ 7,182   3,253   2,104   1,731   13   1,029   255   1,037   16,604  
                                       
Loans:
                                     
Ending balance
$ 93,812   212,993   54,058   214,415   4,793   60,646   29,780   -   670,497  
                                       
Ending balance: individually
                                 
evaluated for impairment
$ 20,280   2,352   18,309   3,845   -   -   -   -   44,786  
Ending balance: collectively
                                     
evaluated for impairment
$ 73,532   210,641   35,749   210,570   4,793   60,646   29,780   -   625,711  

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2010 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
   
2010
 
       
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 15,413  
Amounts charged off
    (16,911 )
Recoveries on amounts previously charged off
    553  
Provision for loan losses
    16,438  
         
Balance at end of year
  $ 15,493  
 
The Bank utilizes an internal risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each of its loans.  Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9.  These risk grades are evaluated on an ongoing basis.  A description of the general characteristics of the nine risk grades is as follows:

  
Risk Grade 1 – Excellent Quality: Loans are well above average quality and a minimal amount of credit risk exists.  CD or cash secured loans or properly margined actively traded stock or bond secured loans would fall in this grade.
  
Risk Grade 2 – High Quality: Loans are of good quality with risk levels well within the Company’s range of acceptability.  The organization or individual is established with a history of successful performance though somewhat susceptible to economic changes.
  
Risk Grade 3 – Good Quality: Loans of average quality with risk levels within the Company’s range of acceptability but higher than normal. This may be a new organization or an existing organization in a transitional phase (e.g. expansion, acquisition, market change).
  
Risk Grade 4 – Management Attention: These loans have higher risk and servicing needs but still are acceptable. Evidence of marginal performance or deteriorating trends is observed.  These are not problem credits presently, but may be in the future if the borrower is unable to change its present course.
  
Risk Grade 5 – Watch: These loans are currently performing satisfactorily, but there has been some recent past due history on repayment and there are potential weaknesses that may, if not corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date.
  
Risk Grade 6 – Substandard: A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged (if there is any).  There is a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  There is a distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 
 
A-49

 
 
 
·  
Risk Grade 7 – Low Substandard: These loans have the general characteristics of a Grade 6 Substandard loan, with heightened potential concerns.  The exact amount of loss is not yet known because neither the liquidation value of the collateral nor the borrower’s predicted repayment ability is known with confidence.
·  
Risk Grade 8 – Doubtful: Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified Substandard, plus the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values highly questionable and improbable.  Doubtful is a temporary grade where a loss is expected but is presently not quantified with any degree of accuracy. Once the loss position is determined, the amount is charged off.
·  
Risk Grade 9 – Loss: Loans classified as Loss are considered uncollectable and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted.  This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this worthless loan even though partial recovery may be realized in the future.  Loss is a temporary grade until the appropriate authority is obtained to charge the loan off.
 
The following tables present the credit risk profile of each loan type based on internally assigned risk grade as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

December 31, 2012
                               
(Dollars in thousands)
                               
 
Real Estate Loans
                   
 
Construction and Land Development
 
Single-
Family Residential
 
Single-
Family Residential - Banco de la Gente
Stated
Income
 
Commercial
 
Multifamily and
Farmland
 
Commercial
 
Farm
 
Consumer
 
All Other
 
Total
                                       
1- Excellent Quality
$ 11   24,662   -   -   -   672   -   1,239   -   26,584
2- High Quality
  4,947   56,829   -   27,511   32   9,260   -   4,122   2,317   105,018
3- Good Quality
  24,952   62,018   24,724   114,001   4,975   40,814   11   4,186   13,416   289,097
4- Management Attention
18,891   35,727   11,366   47,603   3,039   11,844   -   392   5   128,867
5- Watch
  9,580   9,504   3,597   6,911   712   976   -   134   -   31,414
6- Substandard
  14,795   6,263   12,332   4,607   193   729   -   70   -   38,989
7- Low Substandard
  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
8- Doubtful
  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
9- Loss
  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   5   -   5
      Total
$ 73,176   195,003   52,019   200,633   8,951   64,295   11   10,148   15,738   619,974
 
December 31, 2011
                               
(Dollars in thousands)
                               
 
Real Estate Loans
               
 
Construction
and Land Development
 
Single-
Family Residential
 
Single-
Family Residential - Banco de la Gente
Stated
Income
 
Commercial
 
Multifamily and
Farmland
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
All Other
 
Total
                                   
1- Excellent Quality
$ 197   25,474   -   -   -   715   1,344   -   27,730
2- High Quality
  5,183   64,817   -   25,506   50   8,801   4,070   2,774   111,201
3- Good Quality
  27,675   74,824   25,564   136,137   3,448   36,585   4,259   16,509   325,001
4- Management Attention
  28,138   35,233   15,020   40,312   358   12,882   429   7   132,379
5- Watch
  15,923   6,141   5,626   2,795   728   622   89   -   31,924
6- Substandard
  16,696   6,504   7,848   9,665   209   1,041   154   -   42,117
7- Low Substandard
  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
8- Doubtful
  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
9- Loss
  -   -   -   -   -   -   145   -   145
      Total
$ 93,812   212,993   54,058   214,415   4,793   60,646   10,490   19,290   670,497

At December 31, 2012, TDR loans amounted to $23.9 million, including $2.0 million in performing TDR loans. Effective March 31, 2012, performing TDR balances reflect current year TDR loans only, in accordance with GAAP.  Previously reported TDR amounts reflect cumulative TDR loans from prior periods in addition to current year TDR loans.  At December 31, 2011, TDR loans were $44.1 million, including $15.1 million in performing
 
 
A-50

 
 
TDR loans.   The terms of these loans have been renegotiated to provide a reduction in principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower.

The following table presents an analysis of TDR loans by loan type as of December 31, 2012.

December 31, 2012
         
(Dollars in thousands)
         
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Real estate loans
         
     Construction and land development
11   $ 10,465   6,633
     Single-family residential
33     3,014   4,084
     Single-family residential -
           
        Banco de la Gente stated income
122     13,459   12,170
     Commercial
4     1,457   682
          Total real estate TDR loans
170     28,395   23,569
             
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
9     511   368
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
1     2   -
     Total TDR loans
180   $ 28,908   23,937
 
The following table presents an analysis of 2012 loan modifications included in the December 31, 2012 TDR table above.

December 31, 2012
         
(Dollars in thousands)
         
 
Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Real estate loans
         
     Single-family residential
5   $ 674   673
     Single-family residential -
           
        Banco de la Gente stated income
20     2,046   1,992
          Total real estate TDR loans
25     2,720   2,665
             
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
1     14   13
     Total TDR loans
26   $ 2,734   2,678
 
The following table presents an analysis of TDR loans by loan type as of December 31, 2011.

December 31, 2011
         
(Dollars in thousands)
         
 
Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Real estate loans
         
     Construction and land development
29   $ 19,762   12,840
     Single-family residential
48     4,684   5,244
     Single-family residential -
           
Banco de la Gente stated income
193     20,857   19,602
     Commercial
15     7,200   5,013
     Multifamily and farmland
1     322   209
          Total real estate TDR loans
286     52,825   42,908
             
Commercial loans (not secured by real estate)
21     1,711   1,083
Consumer loans (not secured by real estate)
8     124   142
     Total TDR loans
315   $ 54,660   44,133
 
 
 
A-51

 
 
 
(4)
  Premises and Equipment
 
Major classifications of premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
 
2012
 
2011
       
Land
$ 3,657   3,581
Buildings and improvements
  14,815   14,771
Furniture and equipment
  17,660   16,874
         
  Total premises and equipment
  36,132   35,226
         
Less accumulated depreciation
  20,258   18,330
         
Total net premises and equipment
$ 15,874   16,896
 
Depreciation expense was approximately $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The Company recognized approximately $2.0 and $2.1 million in depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
(5)
  Time Deposits
 
At December 31, 2012, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
       
2013
  $ 157,707  
2014
    33,579  
2015
    36,066  
2016
    10,269  
2017 and thereafter
    10,603  
         
Total
  $ 248,224  
 
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had approximately $21.4 million and $47.0 million, respectively, in time deposits purchased through third party brokers, including certificates of deposit participated through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) on behalf of local customers.  CDARS balances totaled $20.1 million and $28.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The weighted average rate of brokered deposits as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was 0.29% and 0.99%, respectively.
 
(6)
  Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Borrowings
 
The Bank has borrowings from the FHLB with monthly or quarterly interest payments at December 31, 2012.  The FHLB borrowings are collateralized by a blanket assignment on all residential first mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and loans secured by multi-family real estate that the Bank owns.  At December 31, 2012, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral totaled approximately $138.7 million.  As additional collateral, the Bank has pledged securities to the FHLB.  At December 31, 2012, the market value of securities pledged to the FHLB totaled $17.8 million.
 
Borrowings from the FHLB outstanding at December 31, 2012 consist of the following:
 
 
A-52

 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
         
           
Maturity Date
Call Date
Rate
Rate Type
Amount
           
June 24, 2015
N/A 3.710%
Convertible
$ 5,000  
             
March 25, 2019
N/A 4.260%
Convertible
  5,000  
             
October 5, 2016
N/A 4.450%
Convertible
  5,000  
             
November 12, 2014
N/A 2.230%
Fixed Rate Hybrid
  5,000  
             
November 13, 2017
N/A 4.260%
Fixed Rate Hybrid
  15,000  
             
October 17, 2016
N/A 3.820%
Adjustable Rate Hybrid
  5,000  
             
October 17, 2018
N/A 3.500%
Adjustable Rate Hybrid
  5,000  
             
October 17, 2018
N/A 3.740%
Adjustable Rate Hybrid
  15,000  
             
October 17, 2018
N/A 3.515%
Adjustable Rate Hybrid
  5,000  
             
October 17, 2018
N/A 3.570%
Adjustable Rate Hybrid
  5,000  
             
        $ 70,000  
 
The Bank is required to purchase and hold certain amounts of FHLB stock in order to obtain FHLB borrowings. No ready market exists for the FHLB stock, and it has no quoted market value. The stock is redeemable at $100 per share subject to certain limitations set by the FHLB. The Bank owned $4.7 million and $4.9 million of FHLB stock at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Bank had no borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”).  FRB borrowings are collateralized by a blanket assignment on all qualifying loans that the Bank owns which are not pledged to the FHLB.  At December 31, 2012, the carrying value of loans pledged as collateral totaled approximately $313.7 million.

(7)
  Junior Subordinated Debentures

In June 2006, the Company formed a second wholly-owned Delaware statutory trust, PEBK Capital Trust II (“PEBK Trust II”), which issued $20.0 million of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company’s junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures.  All of the common securities of PEBK Trust II are owned by the Company.  The proceeds from the issuance of the common securities and the trust preferred securities were used by PEBK Trust II to purchase $20.6 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company.  The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures were used to repay in December 2006 the trust preferred securities issued in December 2001 by PEBK Capital Trust, a wholly-owned Delaware statutory trust of the Company, and for general purposes.  The debentures represent the sole assets of PEBK Trust II.  PEBK Trust II is not included in the consolidated financial statements.

The trust preferred securities issued by PEBK Trust II accrue and pay interest quarterly at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 163 basis points.  The Company has guaranteed distributions and other payments due on the trust preferred securities to the extent PEBK Trust II has funds with which to make the distributions and other payments.  The net combined effect of all the documents entered into in connection with the trust preferred securities is that the Company is liable to make the distributions and other payments required on the trust preferred securities.

These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity of the debentures on June 28, 2036, or upon earlier redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the debentures purchased by PEBK Trust II, in whole or in part, which became effective on June 28, 2011.  As specified in the indenture, if the debentures are redeemed prior to maturity, the redemption price will be the principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest.
 
 
A-53

 
 
(8)
  Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes in summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
           
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Current
$ 1,800   2,141   512  
Deferred
  (213 ) (678 ) (523 )
Total
$ 1,587   1,463   (11 )
 
The differences between the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to earnings before income taxes are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
           
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Pre-tax income at statutory rate (34%)
$ 2,509   2,251   622  
Differences:
             
Tax exempt interest income
  (1,168 ) (1,052 ) (721 )
Nondeductible interest and other expense
  52   62   58  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  (149 ) (101 ) (87 )
State taxes, net of federal benefits
  324   233   (8 )
Nondeductible capital losses
  -   49   99  
Other, net
  19   21   26  
Total
$ 1,587   1,463   (11 )
 
The following summarizes the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.  The net deferred tax asset is included as a component of other assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

(Dollars in thousands)      
       
Deferred tax assets:
               2012           2011
Allowance for loan losses
$ 5,560   6,401
Accrued retirement expense
  1,409   1,213
Other real estate
  628   454
Other
  362   204
Total gross deferred tax assets
  7,959   8,272
         
Deferred tax liabilities:
       
Deferred loan fees
  794   1,082
Premises and equipment
  417   655
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
  3,581   1,964
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
  4,792   3,701
Net deferred tax asset
$ 3,167   4,571
 
(9) 
  Related Party Transactions

The Company conducts transactions with its directors and executive officers, including companies in which they have beneficial interests, in the normal course of business. It is the policy of the  Bank that loan transactions with directors and officers are made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time made for comparable loans to other persons. The following is a summary of activity for related party loans for 2012:
 
 
A-54

 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
       
Beginning balance
  $ 6,123  
New loans
    4,520  
Repayments
    (5,258 )
         
Ending balance
  $ 5,385  
 
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Bank had deposit relationships with related parties of approximately $13.9 million and $15.1 million, respectively.

(10)
  Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases various office spaces for banking and operational facilities and equipment under operating lease arrangements. Future minimum lease payments required for all operating leases having a remaining term in excess of one year at December 31, 2012 are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
       
Year ending December 31,
     
2013
  $ 542  
2014
    516  
2015
    482  
2016
    482  
2017
    428  
Thereafter
    1,667  
Total minimum obligation
  $ 4,117  
 
Total rent expense was approximately $643,000, $735,000 and $815,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees.  Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

In most cases, the  Bank requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

(Dollars in thousands)
     
 
Contractual Amount
 
2012
 
2011
Financial instruments whose contract amount represent credit risk:
     
       
    Commitments to extend credit
$ 133,919   131,565
         
    Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written
$ 3,297   3,288
 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and because they may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount of $137.2 million does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to businesses in
 
 
A-55

 
 
the Bank’s delineated market area. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Bank holds real estate, equipment, automobiles and customer deposits as collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary.

In the normal course of business, the Company is a party (both as plaintiff and defendant) to a number of lawsuits. In the opinion of management and counsel, none of these cases should have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the  Company.

Bancorp and the Bank have employment agreements with certain key employees. The agreements, among other things, include salary, bonus, incentive stock option, and change in control provisions.

The Company has $47.5 million available for the purchase of overnight federal funds from five correspondent financial institutions.
 
(11)
  Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Transactions

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company has an overall interest rate risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility.  By using derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk.  If the counterparty fails to perform, credit risk is equal to the extent of the fair-value gain in the derivative.  The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties that are reviewed periodically by the Company.  The Company had an interest rate swap contract that expired in June 2011.  The Company did not have any interest rate derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2012.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest income and expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and floors as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  For hedges of the Company’s variable-rate loan assets, the interest rate floors designated as a cash flow hedge involves the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates fall below the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.  The Company had an interest rate swap contract that expired in June 2011.  The Company did not have any interest rate derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2012.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  During 2011 and 2010, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash inflows associated with existing pools of prime-based loan assets.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.  The Company’s derivatives did not have any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Earnings
The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
(Dollars in thousands)  
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Accumulated OCI on
Derivatives
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
   
Years ended December 31,
     
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
     
2012
   
2011
 
Interest rate derivative contracts
  $ -     $ (20 )
Interest income
  $ -     $ 628  
 
 
 
A-56

 
 
(12)
  Employee and Director Benefit Programs

The Company has a profit sharing and 401(k) plan for the benefit of substantially all employees subject to certain minimum age and service requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, the Company matched employee contributions to a maximum of 3.50% of annual compensation in 2012 and 2.50% of annual compensation in 2011 and 2010.  The Company’s contribution pursuant to this formula was approximately $345,000, $219,000 and $208,000 for the years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Investments of the 401(k) plan are determined by the compensation committee consisting of selected outside directors and senior executive officers.  No investments in Company stock have been made by the 401(k) plan. The vesting schedule for the 401(k) plan begins at 20 percent after two years of employment and graduates 20 percent each year until reaching 100 percent after six years of employment.
 
In December 2001, the Company initiated a postretirement benefit plan to provide retirement benefits to key officers and its Board of Directors and to provide death benefits for their designated beneficiaries.  Under the postretirement benefit plan, the Company purchased life insurance contracts on the lives of the key officers and each director.  The increase in cash surrender value of the contracts constitutes the Company’s contribution to the postretirement benefit plan each year.  Postretirement benefit plan participants are to be paid annual benefits for a specified number of years commencing upon retirement. Expenses incurred for benefits relating to the postretirement benefit plan were approximately $546,000, $355,000 and $279,000 for the years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company is currently paying medical benefits for certain retired employees. Postretirement medical benefits expense, including amortization of the transition obligation, as applicable, was approximately $24,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and approximately $23,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The following table sets forth the change in the accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s two postretirement benefit plans described above:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
           
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
  $ 2,923       2,607  
Service cost
    430       303  
Interest cost
    89       64  
Benefits paid
    (60 )     (51 )
                 
Benefit obligation at end of period
  $ 3,382       2,923  

The amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following two tables:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
           
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Benefit obligation
  $ 3,382       2,923  
Fair value of plan assets
    -       -  
 
(Dollars in thousands)
           
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
Funded status
  $ (3,382 )     (2,923 )
Unrecognized prior service cost/benefit
    -       -  
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
    -       -  
                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (3,382 )     (2,923 )
                 
Unfunded accrued liability
  $ (3,382 )     (2,923 )
Intangible assets
    -       -  
                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (3,382 )     (2,923 )
 

 
 
A-57

 
 
Net periodic benefit cost of the Company’s post retirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
 
2012
 
2011
       
Service cost
$ 430   303
Interest cost
  89   64
         
Net periodic cost
$ 519   367
         
Weighted average discount rate assumption used to
       
determine benefit obligation
  5.43%   6.59%

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company paid benefits under the two postretirement plans totaling $60,000.  Information about the expected benefit payments for the Company’s two postretirement benefit plans is as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
   
     
Year ending December 31,
   
2013
$ 130  
2014
$ 219  
2015
$ 250  
2016
$ 251  
2017
$ 283  
Thereafter
$ 8,944  

(13)
  Regulatory Matters

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly 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 must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the 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 to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of capital in relation to both on- and off-balance sheet items at various risk weights. Total capital consists of two tiers of capital. Tier 1 Capital includes common shareholders’ equity and trust preferred securities less adjustments for intangible assets. Tier 2 Capital consists of the allowance for loan losses, up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and other adjustments.  Management believes, as of December 31, 2012, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 2012, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To 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 have been no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

 
A-58

 
 
The Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented below:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
                       
As of December 31, 2012:
                     
                       
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                     
Consolidated
$ 121,246   17.34%   55,928   8.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 117,453   16.84%   55,784   8.00%   69,730   10.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                       
Consolidated
$ 112,135   16.04%   27,964   4.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 108,379   15.54%   27,892   4.00%   41,838   6.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                       
Consolidated
$ 112,135   11.12%   40,342   4.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 108,379   10.76%   40,302   4.00%   50,377   5.00%
                         
As of December 31, 2011:
                       
                         
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                       
Consolidated
$ 129,495   17.38%   59,607   8.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 111,807   15.04%   59,463   8.00%   74,329   10.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                       
Consolidated
$ 119,950   16.10%   29,804   4.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 102,264   13.76%   29,731   4.00%   44,597   6.00%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                       
Consolidated
$ 119,950   11.06%   43,379   4.00%   N/A   N/A
Bank
$ 102,264   9.44%   43,328   4.00%   54,160   5.00%

(14)
  Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2012 was $97.7 million compared to $103.0 million at December 31, 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to the Company’s repurchase and retirement of a portion of its preferred shares.  The Company purchased 12,530 shares of the Company’s 25,054 outstanding shares of preferred stock from the UST, which was issued to the UST in connection with the Company’s participation in the CPP under TARP in 2008.  The shares were purchased for $933.36 per share, for a total purchase price of $11,778,576, including $83,575 accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock.  The Company retired the 12,530 shares purchased.  The $834,999 difference between the $12,530,000 face value of the preferred stock retired and the $11,695,001 purchase price of the preferred stock retired was credited to retained earnings effective June 30, 2012.  Remaining preferred shares are redeemable at any time at par.  The Company expects to be able to repurchase the shares from future earnings, however, there are no immediate plans to repurchase these shares.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Company completed its repurchase of the Warrant to purchase 357,234 shares of the Company's common stock that was issued to the UST on December 23, 2008 as part of the CPP under TARP.  The Company repurchased the Warrant for a total price of $425,000.

Common stock at December 31, 2012 was $48.1 million compared to $48.3 million at December 31, 2011.  This decrease is due to the Company’s repurchase of the Warrant associated with the preferred stock that was issued to the UST, which was partially offset by stock options exercised during 2012.

The Board of Directors, at its discretion, can issue shares of preferred stock up to a maximum of 5,000,000 shares. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the number of shares, voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights.

 
A-59

 

(15)
  Other Operating Income and Expense

Other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 included the following items that exceeded one percent of total revenues at some point during the following three-year period:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Visa debit card income
  $ 2,092       1,783       1,570  
Net appraisal management fee income
  $ 737       375       326  

Other operating expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 included the following items that exceeded one percent of total revenues at some point during the following three-year period:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Advertising
  $ 695       660       714  
FDIC insurance
  $ 894       1,061       1,434  
Visa debit card expense
  $ 729       658       606  
Telephone
  $ 554       605       629  
Foreclosure/OREO expense
  $ 677       904       569  
Internet banking expense
  $ 593       509       445  
 
(16)
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company is required to disclose fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the face of the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The assumptions used in the estimation of the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are detailed below. Where quoted prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flows and other valuation techniques. The use of discounted cash flows can be significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. The following disclosures should not be considered a surrogate of the liquidation value of the Company, but rather a good faith estimate of the increase or decrease in the value of financial instruments held by the Company since purchase, origination, or issuance.

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.  These levels are:

  
Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
  
Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
  
Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market.  These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash, due from banks and interest-bearing deposits, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale
Fair values of investment securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges when available. If quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined using matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.  Fair values for investment securities with quoted market prices are reported in the Level 1 fair value category. Fair value measurements obtained from independent pricing services are reported in the Level 2 fair value category. All other fair value measurements are reported in the Level 3 fair value category.
 
 
A-60

 
 
Other Investments
For other investments, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at lower of aggregate cost or market value.  The cost of mortgage loans held for sale approximates the market value.  Mortgage loans held for sale are reported  in the Level 3 fair value category.

Loans
The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For variable rate loans, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.  Impaired loans with current certified appraisals are included in the Level 2 fair value category.  All other loans are included in the Level 3 fair value category, as the pricing of loans is more subjective than the pricing of other financial instruments.

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
For cash surrender value of life insurance, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Other Real Estate
The fair value of other real estate is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral.  Other real estate is reported in the Level 3 fair value category.

Deposits
The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits and savings is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
For securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

FHLB Borrowings
The fair value of FHLB borrowings is estimated based upon discounted future cash flows using a discount rate comparable to the current market rate for such borrowings.

Junior Subordinated Debentures
Because the Company’s junior subordinated debentures were issued at a floating rate, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are generally short-term and at variable interest rates. Therefore, both the carrying value and estimated fair value associated with these instruments are immaterial.

Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on many judgments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include deferred income taxes and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.
 
 
A-61

 
 
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                           
         
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
Assets:
                           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 48,843       48,843       -       -       48,843
Investment securities available for sale
    297,823       1,468       295,105       1,250       297,823
Other investments
    5,599       -       -       5,599       5,599
Mortgage loans held for sale
    6,922       -       -       6,922       6,922
Loans, net
    605,551       -       -       599,996       599,996
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    13,273       -       13,273       -       13,273
                                       
Liabilities:
                                     
Deposits
  $ 781,525       -       780,662       -       780,662
Securities sold under agreements
                                     
to repurchase
    34,578       -       34,578       -       34,578
FHLB borrowings
    70,000       -       76,375       -       76,375
Junior subordinated debentures
    20,619       -       20,619       -       20,619

 
(Dollars in thousands)
         
   
December 31, 2011
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
Assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,236       29,236
Investment securities available for sale
    321,388       321,388
Other investments
    5,712       5,712
Mortgage loans held for sale
    5,146       5,146
Loans, net
    653,893       648,640
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    12,835       12,835
               
Liabilities:
             
Deposits and demand notes payable
  $ 827,111       826,810
Securities sold under agreements
             
to repurchase
    39,600       39,600
FHLB borrowings
    70,000       75,046
Junior subordinated debentures
    20,619       20,619
 
 
 
A-62

 
 
(17) 
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (Parent Company Only) Condensed Financial Statements
 
 
Balance Sheets
December 31, 2012 and 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Assets
 
2012
   
2011
 
             
Cash
  $ 324       316  
Interest-bearing time deposit
    800       15,000  
Investment in subsidiaries
    115,386       106,469  
Investment securities available for sale
    1,596       1,520  
Other assets
    260       341  
                 
Total assets
  $ 118,366       123,646  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
                 
Junior subordinated debentures
  $ 20,619       20,619  
Shareholders' equity
    97,747       103,027  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 118,366       123,646  
 
 
Statements of Earnings
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Revenues:
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
                   
Interest and dividend income
  $ 113       226       311  
Impairment of securities
    -       (144 )     (291 )
                         
Total revenues
    113       82       20  
                         
Expenses:
                       
                         
Interest
    438       407       411  
Other operating expenses
    476       190       191  
                         
Total expenses
    914       597       602  
                         
Loss before income tax benefit and equity in
                       
undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    (801 )     (515 )     (582 )
                         
Income tax benefit
    166       56       24  
                         
Loss before equity in undistributed
                       
earnings of subsidiaries
    (635 )     (459 )     (558 )
                         
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    6,428       5,618       2,399  
                         
Net earnings
  $ 5,793       5,159       1,841  

 
 
A-63

 
 
Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
                   
Net earnings
  $ 5,793       5,159       1,841  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
                       
cash used by operating activities:
                       
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
    (6,428 )     (5,618 )     (2,399 )
Impairment of investment securities
    -       144       291  
Change in:
                       
Other assets
    -       112       (66 )
Accrued income
    11       (11 )     -  
Accrued expense
    41       (216 )     147  
                         
Net cash used by operating activities
    (583 )     (430 )     (186 )
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
                         
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
    -       -       (36,000 )
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available for sale
    -       -       36,000  
Net change in interest-bearing time deposit
    14,200       2,000       2,000  
                         
Net cash provided by investing activities
    14,200       2,000       2,000  
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
                         
Cash dividends paid on Series A preferred stock
    (1,023 )     (1,253 )     (1,253 )
Cash dividends paid on common stock
    (1,003 )     (443 )     (448 )
Preferred stock and warrant repurchase
    (12,122 )     -       -  
Restricted stock payout
    -       17       12  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    539       -       -  
                         
Net cash used by financing activities
    (13,609 )     (1,679 )     (1,689 )
                         
Net change in cash
    8       (109 )     125  
                         
Cash at beginning of year
    316       425       300  
                         
Cash at end of year
  $ 324       316       425  
                         
Noncash investing and financing activities:
                       
Change in unrealized gain on investment securities
                       
 available for sale, net
  $ (46 )     (3 )     (172 )
 
 
 
A-64
 
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

DIRECTORS

Robert C. Abernethy – Chairman
Chairman of the Board, Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. and Peoples Bank;
President, Secretary and Treasurer, Carolina Glove Company, Inc. (glove manufacturer)
Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, Midstate Contractors, Inc. (paving company)

James S. Abernethy
Vice President, Carolina Glove Company, Inc. (glove manufacturer)
President and Assistant Secretary, Midstate Contractors, Inc. (paving company)
Vice President, Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alexander Railroad Company

Douglas S. Howard
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Denver Equipment of Charlotte, Inc.

John W. Lineberger, Jr.
President, Lincoln Bonded Warehouse Company (commercial warehousing facility)

Gary E. Matthews
President and Director, Matthews Construction Company, Inc. (general contractor)

Billy L. Price, Jr. MD
Managing Partner and Practitioner of Internal Medicine, Catawba Valley Internal Medicine, PA

Larry E. Robinson
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Blue Ridge Distributing Co., Inc. (beer and wine distributor)
Partner and Chief Operating Officer, United Beverages of North Carolina, LLC (beer distributor)

William Gregory (Greg) Terry
Executive Vice President, Drum & Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes and Crematory

Dan Ray Timmerman, Sr.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Timmerman Manufacturing, Inc. (wrought iron furniture, railings and gates manufacturer)

Benjamin I. Zachary
President, Treasurer, General Manager and Director, Alexander Railroad Company
 
OFFICERS

Lance A. Sellers
President and Chief Executive Officer

A. Joseph Lampron, Jr.
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer

William D. Cable, Sr.
Executive Vice President, Assistant Corporate Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary

Joseph F. Beaman, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary
 
 
A-65