COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

To meet the financing needs of its customers, the Bank is a party to financial instruments, in the normal course of business, with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk beyond the amount recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The Bank’s exposure to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank utilizes the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for balance sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is not a violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank, upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter parties. Collateral varies and may include real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank as security for a customer's obligations to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. To the extent deemed necessary, collateral of varying types and amounts is held to secure customer performance under certain of those letters of credit outstanding.

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, are commitments to extend credit (including availability of lines of credit), and standby letters of credit. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Bank evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral deemed necessary by the Bank is based on management’s credit evaluation and underwriting guidelines for the particular loan.

Commitments outstanding at September 30, 2012 are summarized in the following table:

(Dollars in thousands)	Commercial letters of credit		Other commercial loan commitments		Total commitments
Less than one year	$	435	$	17,290	$	17,725
One to three years	—		701		701
Three to five years	71		4,859		4,930
More than five years	—		2,150		2,150
Total	$	506	$	25,000	$	25,506