SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Commission file number: 000-33063

Sierra Bancorp

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

California	33-0937517
(State of Incorporation)	(IRS Employer Identification No)

86 North Main Street, Porterville, California 93257

(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

(559) 782-4900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  R           No  £

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  R           No  £

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer þ
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  £           No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common stock, no par value, 14,196,659 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2013

 

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

	Page
Part I - Financial Information	1
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)	1
Consolidated Balance Sheets	1
Consolidated Statements of Income	2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	4
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition & Results of Operations	27
Forward-Looking Statements	27
Critical Accounting Policies	27
Overview of the Results of Operations and Financial Condition	28
Earnings Performance	29
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin	29
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	33
Non-interest Income and Non-Interest Expense	34
Provision for Income Taxes	36
Balance Sheet Analysis	37
Earning Assets	37
Investments	37
Loan and Lease Portfolio	38
Nonperforming Assets	40
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses	41
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements	43
Other Assets	43
Deposits and Interest-Bearing Liabilities	44
Deposits	44
Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities	45
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities	46
Liquidity and Market Risk Management	46
Capital Resources	48
Item 3. Qualitative & Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk 50
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	50
Part II - Other Information	51
Item 1. - Legal Proceedings	51
Item 1A. - Risk Factors	51
Item 2. - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	51
Item 3. - Defaults upon Senior Securities	51
Item 4. - (Removed and Reserved)	51
Item 5. - Other Information	51
Item 6. - Exhibits	52
Signatures	53

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Financial Statements

SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(unaudited)		(audited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	48,651	$	42,079
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		12,318		19,739
Total Cash & Cash Equivalents		60,969		61,818
Investment securities available for sale		406,089		380,188
Loans held for sale		267		210
Loans and leases:
Gross loans and leases		810,328		879,795
Allowance for loan and lease losses		(11,824)		(13,873)
Deferred loan and lease fees, net		1,246		1,156
Net Loans and Leases		799,750		867,078
Premises and equipment, net		20,493		21,830
Operating leases, net		-		12
Foreclosed assets		8,904		19,754
Goodwill		5,544		5,544
Other assets		81,283		81,469
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,383,299	$	1,437,903
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	354,814	$	352,597
Interest bearing		796,664		821,437
Total Deposits		1,151,478		1,174,034
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements		5,696		1,419
Short-term borrowings		-		36,650
Long-term borrowings		-		5,000
Junior subordinated debentures		30,928		30,928
Other liabilities		17,141		15,980
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,205,243		1,264,011
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par value; 24,000,000 shares   authorized; 14,194,659 and 14,106,959 shares issued   and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and		65,505		64,384
December 31, 2012, respectively
Additional paid in capital		2,624		2,660
Retained earnings		109,942		103,128
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(15)		3,720
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY		178,056		173,892
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	1,383,299	$	1,437,903

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

1

 

SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(dollars in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans	$	10,932	$	11,954	$	33,207	$	34,251
Interest on investment securities:
Taxable		1,132		1,523		3,328		5,159
Tax-exempt		699		700		1,990		2,052
Interest on federal funds sold and interest-     bearing deposits		28		15		72		51
Total interest income		12,791		14,192		38,597		41,513
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits		606		796		1,894		2,490
Interest on short-term borrowings		4		23		16		41
Interest on long-term borrowings		-		51		33		231
Interest on mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities		180		193		536		586
Total interest expense		790		1,063		2,479		3,348
Net Interest Income		12,001		13,129		36,118		38,165
Provision for loan losses		800		4,700		2,850		10,610
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses		11,201		8,429		33,268		27,555
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		2,354		2,525		6,642		7,229
Gains on investment securities available-for-sale		-		90		6		161
Other income, net		1,965		1,765		5,808		5,213
Total non-interest income		4,319		4,380		12,456		12,603
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,394		5,278		16,717		15,855
Occupancy expense		1,554		1,669		4,702		4,721
Other		4,542		4,548		12,608		13,441
Total non-interest expenses		11,490		11,495		34,027		34,017
Income before income taxes		4,030		1,314		11,697		6,141
Provision for income taxes		663		(321)		2,198		54
Net Income	$	3,367	$	1,635	$	9,499	$	6,087
PER SHARE DATA
Book value	$	12.54	$	12.37	$	12.54	$	12.37
Cash dividends	$	0.07	$	0.06	$	0.19	$	0.18
Earnings per share basic	$	0.24	$	0.12	$	0.67	$	0.43
Earnings per share diluted	$	0.23	$	0.12	$	0.67	$	0.43
Average shares outstanding, basic		14,176,732		14,103,543		14,139,697		14,102,880
Average shares outstanding, diluted		14,329,177		14,138,682		14,256,782		14,114,962
Total shareholder Equity (in thousands)	$	178,056	$	174,473	$	178,056	$	174,473
Shares outstanding		14,194,659		14,103,849		14,194,659		14,103,849
Dividends Paid (in thousands)	$	992	$	846	$	2,686	$	2,538

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Net Income	$	3,367	$	1,635	$	9,499	$	6,087
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period		(100)		1,926		(6,342)		3,635
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (1) included in net income		-		(90)		(6)		(161)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax		(100)		1,836		(6,348)		3,474
Income tax expense related to items of other    comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		41		(756)		2,613		(1,434)
Other comprehensive (loss) income		(59)		1,080		(3,735)		2,040
Comprehensive income	$	3,308	$	2,715	$	5,764	$	8,127

⁽¹⁾ Amounts are included in net gains on investment securities available-for-sale on the Consolidated Statements of Income in non-interest revenue. Income tax expense associated with the reclassification adjustment for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was zero and $37 thousand, respectively. Income tax expense associated with the reclassification adjustment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2 thousand and $66 thousand, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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SIERRA BANCORP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	9,499	$	6,087
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash      provided by operating activities:
Gain on sales of securities		(6)		(161)
Gain on sales of loans		(92)		(139)
(Gain) Loss on disposal of fixed assets		(15)		10
Loss on sale on foreclosed assets		568		709
Writedowns on foreclosed assets		695		1,610
Share-based compensation expense		218		183
Provision for loan losses		2,850		10,610
Depreciation		1,639		1,813
Net amortization on securities premiums and discounts		6,441		6,214
Increase in unearned net loan fees		(90)		(304)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies		(1,389)		(30)
Proceeds from sales of loans portfolio		3,662		5,717
Increase in loans held-for-sale		(3,627)		(4,842)
Decrease (Increase) in interest receivable and other assets		3,119		(677)
Increase in other liabilities		1,161		1,179
Net Decrease in FHLB Stock		438		670
Deferred Income Tax Provision		378		318
Excess tax benefit from equity based compensation		(253)		(39)
Net cash provided by operating activities		25,196		28,928
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities of securities available for sale		1,399		1,080
Proceeds from sales/calls of securities available for sale		3,454		11,319
Purchases of securities available for sale		(120,352)		(99,084)
Principal pay downs on securities available for sale		76,815		75,953
Net Decrease (Increase) in loans receivable, net		61,039		(125,316)
Purchases of premises and equipment, net		(275)		(3,204)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets		13,116		13,898
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		35,196		(125,354)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Decrease) Increase in deposits		(22,556)		59,585
(Decrease) Increase in borrowed funds		(41,650)		20,780
Increase in repurchase agreements		4,277		597
Cash dividends paid		(2,686)		(2,538)
Stock options exercised		1,121		22
Excess tax benefit from equity based compensation		253		39
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(61,241)		78,485
Decrease in cash and due from banks		(849)		(17,941)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Beginning of period		61,818		63,036
End of period	$	60,969	$	45,095

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

4

Sierra Bancorp

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

Note 1 – The Business of Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp (the “Company”) is a California corporation headquartered in Porterville, California, and is a registered bank holding company under federal banking laws. The Company was formed to serve as the holding company for Bank of the Sierra (the “Bank”), and has been the Bank’s sole shareholder since August 2001. The Company exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and of such other subsidiaries it may acquire or establish. At the present time, the Company’s only other subsidiaries are Sierra Statutory Trust II and Sierra Capital Trust III, which were formed in March 2004 and June 2006, respectively, solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities (TRUPS). Pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB’s) standard on the consolidation of variable interest entities, these trusts are not reflected on a consolidated basis in the Company’s financial statements. References herein to the “Company” include Sierra Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiary, the Bank, unless the context indicates otherwise.

The Bank is a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Porterville, California, that offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services primarily to communities in the central and southern regions of the San Joaquin Valley. Our branch footprint stretches from Fresno on the north to Bakersfield on the south, and on the southern end extends east through the Tehachapi plateau and into the northwestern tip of the Mojave Desert. The Bank was incorporated in September 1977 and opened for business in January 1978, and in the ensuing years has grown to be the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Our growth has primarily been organic, but includes the acquisition of Sierra National Bank in 2000. We currently operate 25 full service branch offices throughout our geographic footprint, as well as an internet branch which provides the ability to open deposit accounts online. The Bank’s most recent branching activity includes the relocation of our Clovis branch to a larger facility in a more convenient location in the third quarter of 2012. In addition to our full-service branches, the Bank has a real estate industries group, an agricultural credit division, an SBA lending unit, and offsite ATM’s at six different non-branch locations. The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to maximum insurable amounts.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a condensed format, and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for such period. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has taken subsequent events into consideration and recognized them where appropriate. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter, or for the full year. Certain amounts reported for 2012 have been reclassified to be consistent with the reporting for 2013. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note 3 – Current Accounting Developments

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, with the goal of improving the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, by component. In addition, if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period, an entity is required to present significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. For public entities, this update became effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted ASU 2013-02 commencing with our report on Form 10-Q filed for the first quarter of 2013.

5

 

Note 4 – Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, cash paid for interest due on interest-bearing liabilities was $2.621 million and $3.087 million, respectively. There was no cash paid for income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Assets totaling $4.068 million and $20.724 million were acquired in settlement of loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. We received $11.926 million in cash from the sale of foreclosed assets during the first nine months of 2013 relative to $10.134 million during the first nine months of 2012, which represents sales proceeds less loans extended to finance such sales totaling $1.190 million for the first nine months of 2013 and $3.735 million for the first nine months of 2012.

Note 5 – Share Based Compensation

The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) was adopted by the Company in 2007. Our 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) was concurrently terminated, although options to purchase 149,350 shares that were granted under the 1998 Plan were still outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and remain unaffected by that plan’s termination. The 2007 Plan provides for the issuance of both “incentive” and “nonqualified” stock options to officers and employees, and of “nonqualified” stock options to non-employee directors of the Company. The 2007 Plan also provides for the potential issuance of restricted stock awards to these same classes of eligible participants, on such terms and conditions as are established at the discretion of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. The total number of shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2007 Plan was initially 1,500,000 shares, although the number remaining available for grant as of September 30, 2013 was 774,640. The dilutive impact of stock options outstanding is discussed below in Note 6, Earnings per Share. No restricted stock awards have been issued by the Company.

Pursuant to FASB’s standards on stock compensation, the value of each option granted is reflected in our income statement as employee compensation or directors’ expense, by amortizing the value over the vesting period of such option or by expensing it as of the grant date for immediately vested options. The Company is utilizing the Black-Scholes model to value stock options, and the “multiple option” approach is used to allocate the resulting valuation to actual expense. Under the multiple option approach, an employee’s options for each vesting period are separately valued and amortized. This appears to be the preferred method for option grants with graded vesting, which is applicable for most options granted by the Company. A pre-tax charge of $67,000 was reflected in the Company’s income statement during the third quarter of 2013 and $61,000 was charged during the third quarter of 2012, as expense related to stock options. For the first nine months, the charges amounted to $218,000 in 2013 and $183,000 in 2012.

Note 6 – Earnings per Share

The computation of earnings per share, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. There were 14,176,732 weighted average shares outstanding during the third quarter of 2013, and 14,103,543 during the third quarter of 2012. There were 14,139,697 weighted average shares outstanding during the first nine months of 2013, and 14,102,880 during the first nine months of 2012.

Diluted earnings per share include the effect of the potential issuance of common shares, which for the Company is limited to shares that would be issued on the exercise of “in-the-money” stock options. The dilutive effect of options outstanding was calculated using the treasury stock method, excluding anti-dilutive shares and adjusting for unamortized expense and windfall tax benefits. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 the dilutive effect of options outstanding calculated under the treasury stock method totaled 152,445 and 117,085, respectively, which were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Likewise, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 shares totaling 35,139 and 12,082, respectively, were added to basic weighted average shares outstanding in order to calculate diluted earnings per share.

Note 7 – Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, includes net income and other comprehensive income. The Company’s only source of other comprehensive income is unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities. Gains or losses on investment securities that were realized and included in net income of the current period, which had previously been included in other comprehensive income as unrealized holding gains or losses in the period in which they arose, are considered to be reclassification adjustments that are excluded from other comprehensive income in the current period.

6

 

Note 8 – Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off–balance–sheet risk in the normal course of business, in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. Those financial instruments consist of unused commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and issuing letters of credit as it does for originating loans included on the balance sheet. The following financial instruments represent off–balance–sheet credit risk (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Commitments to extend credit	$	438,054	$	225,400
Standby letters of credit	$	8,616	$	6,690
Commercial letters of credit	$	8,071	$	8,539

Commitments to extend credit consist primarily of the unused or unfunded portions of the following: home equity lines of credit; commercial real estate construction loans, where disbursements are made over the course of construction; commercial revolving lines of credit; mortgage warehouse lines of credit; unsecured personal lines of credit; and formalized (disclosed) deposit account overdraft lines. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the unused portions of committed amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. 

Standby letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party, while commercial letters of credit represent the Company’s commitment to pay a third party on behalf of a customer upon fulfillment of contractual requirements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as the risk involved in extending loans to customers.

The Company is also utilizing a $78 million letter of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank on the Company’s behalf as security for certain deposits. The letter of credit is backed by specific loans which are pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank by the Company.

Note 9 – Fair Value Disclosures and Reporting, the Fair Value Option and Fair Value Measurements

FASB’s standards on financial instruments, and on fair value measurements and disclosures, require all entities to disclose in their financial statement footnotes the estimated fair values of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate such values. In addition to those disclosure requirements, FASB’s standard on investments requires that our debt securities, which are classified as available for sale, and our equity securities that have readily determinable fair values, be measured and reported at fair value in our statement of financial position. Certain impaired loans are also reported at fair value, as explained in greater detail below, and foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. FASB’s standard on financial instruments permits companies to report certain other financial assets and liabilities at fair value, but we have not elected the fair value option for any additional financial assets or liabilities.

Fair value measurements and disclosure standards also establish a framework for measuring fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Further, they establish a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standards describe three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

· Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

7

· Level 2: Significant observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

· Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the factors that market participants would likely consider in pricing an asset or liability.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments. The estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to realized gains and losses could have a significant effect on fair value estimates but have not been considered in any estimates. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value disclosures are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. The estimates are subjective and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments disclosed at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

· Cash and cash equivalents and fed funds sold: For cash and cash equivalents and fed funds sold, the carrying amount is estimated to be fair value.

· Investment securities: The fair values of investment securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on their relationship to other benchmark quoted securities when quoted prices for specific securities are not readily available.

· Loans and leases: For variable-rate loans and leases that re-price frequently with no significant change in credit risk or interest rate spread, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for other loans and leases are estimated by discounting projected cash flows at interest rates being offered at each reporting date for loans and leases with similar terms, to borrowers of comparable creditworthiness. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value.

· Loans held for sale: Since loans designated by the Company as available-for-sale are typically sold shortly after making the decision to sell them, realized gains or losses are usually recognized within the same period and fluctuations in fair values are thus not relevant for reporting purposes. If available-for-sale loans stay on our books for an extended period of time, the fair value of those loans is determined using quoted secondary-market prices.

· Collateral-dependent impaired loans: Impaired loans carried at fair value are those for which it is probable that the bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement, and the carrying value has been written down to the fair value of the loan. The carrying value is equivalent to the fair value of the collateral, net of expected disposition costs where applicable, for collateral-dependent loans.

· Cash surrender value of life insurance policies: The fair values are based on net cash surrender values at each reporting date.

· Investments in, and capital commitments to, limited partnerships: The fair values of our investments in WNC Institutional Tax Credit Fund Limited Partnerships and any other limited partnerships are estimated using quarterly indications of value provided by the general partner. The fair values of undisbursed capital commitments are assumed to be the same as their book values.

· Other investments: Certain investments for which no secondary market exists are carried at cost unless an impairment analysis indicates the need for adjustments, and the carrying amount for those investments approximates their estimated fair value.

· Deposits: Fair values for demand deposits and other non-maturity deposits are equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, which is the carrying amount. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a cash flow analysis, discounted at interest rates being offered at each reporting date by the Bank for certificates with similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.

8

· Short-term borrowings: The carrying amounts approximate fair values for federal funds purchased, overnight FHLB advances, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days of the reporting dates. Fair values of other short-term borrowings are estimated by discounting projected cash flows at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

· Long-term borrowings: The fair values of the Company’s long-term borrowings are estimated using projected cash flows discounted at the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

· Subordinated debentures: The fair values of subordinated debentures are determined based on the current market value for like instruments of a similar maturity and structure.

· Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit: If funded, the carrying amounts for currently unused commitments would approximate fair values for the newly created financial assets at the funding date. However, because of the high degree of uncertainty with regard to whether or not those commitments will ultimately be funded, fair values for loan commitments and letters of credit in their current undisbursed state cannot reasonably be estimated, and only notional values are disclosed in the table below.

9

Estimated fair values for the Company’s financial instruments are as follows, as of the dates noted:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013
			Estimated Fair Value
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant		Significant
			for		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Amount		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	60,969	$	60,969	$	-	$	-	$	60,969
Investment securities available for sale		406,089		2,089		404,000		-		406,089
Loans and leases, net		784,330		-		825,383		-		825,383
Collateral dependent impaired loans		15,420		-		15,420		-		15,420
Loans held-for-sale		267		267		-		-		267
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		39,396		-		39,396		-		39,396
Other investments		5,932		-		5,932		-		5,932
Investment in Limited Partnership		9,551		-		9,551		-		9,551
Accrued interest receivable		4,897		-		4,897		-		4,897
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	354,814	$	354,814	$	-	$	-	$	354,814
Interest-bearing		796,664		-		718,978		-		718,978
Fed Funds Purchased and      Repurchase Agreements		5,696		-		5,696		-		5,696
Short-term borrowings		-		-		-		-		-
Long-term borrowings		-		-		-		-		-
Subordinated debentures		30,928		-		19,373		-		19,373
Limited partnership capital commitment		1,015		-		1,015		-		1,015
Accrued Interest Payable		162		-		162		-		162

	Notional Amount
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
Commitments to extend credit	$	438,054
Standby letters of credit		8,616
Commercial lines of credit		8,071

	December 31, 2012
			Estimated Fair Value
			Quoted Prices in
			Active Markets		Significant		Significant
			for		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Amount		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	61,818	$	61,818	$	-	$	-	$	61,818
Investment securities available for sale		380,188		1,809		378,379		-		380,188
Loans and leases, net		839,629		-		873,309		-		873,309
Collateral dependent impaired loans		27,449		-		27,449		-		27,449
Loans held-for-sale		210		210		-		-		210
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		38,007		-		38,007		-		38,007
Other Investments		6,370		-		6,370		-		6,370
Investment in Limited Partnership		10,316		-		10,316		-		10,316
Accrued Interest Receivable		5,095		-		5,095		-		5,095
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	352,597	$	352,597	$	-	$	-	$	352,597
Interest-bearing		821,437		-		821,911		-		821,911
Fed Funds Purchased and      Repurchase Agreements		1,419		-		1,419		-		1,419
Short-term borrowings		36,650		-		36,650		-		36,650
Long-term borrowings		5,000		-		5,038		-		5,038
Subordinated debentures		30,928		-		12,141		-		12,141
Limited partnership capital commitment		962		-		962		-		962
Accrued Interest Payable		304		-		304		-		304

	Notional Amount
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
Commitments to extend credit	$	225,400
Standby letters of credit		6,690
Commercial lines of credit		8,539

10

For financial asset categories that were actually reported at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company used the following methods and significant assumptions:

· Investment securities: The fair values of securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities by relying on the their relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

· Collateral-dependent impaired loans: Impaired loans carried at fair value are those for which it is probable that the bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (including both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement, and the carrying value has been written down to the fair value of the loan. The carrying value is equivalent to the fair value of the collateral based on current appraisals, net of expected disposition costs where applicable, for collateral-dependent loans.

· Foreclosed assets: Repossessed real estate (OREO) and other assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is the appraised value less expected selling costs for OREO and some other assets such as mobile homes, and for all other assets fair value is represented by the estimated sales proceeds as determined using reasonably available sources. Foreclosed assets for which appraisals can be feasibly obtained are periodically measured for impairment using updated appraisals. Fair values for other foreclosed assets are adjusted as necessary, subsequent to a periodic re-evaluation of expected cash flows and the timing of resolution. If impairment is determined to exist, the book value of a foreclosed asset is immediately written down to its estimated impaired value through the income statement, thus the carrying amount is equal to the fair value and there is no valuation allowance.

11

 

Assets reported at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: 

Fair Value Measurements - Recurring
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013, Using
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets		Significant		Significant
	for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Investment Securities
U.S. Government agencies	$	-	$	4,030	$	-	$	4,030
Obligations of states and     political subdivisions		-		91,726		-		91,726
U.S. Government agencies     collateralized by mortgage     obligations		-		307,968		-		307,968
Other Securities		2,089		276		-		2,365
Total availabe-for-sale securities	$	2,089	$	404,000	$	-	$	406,089

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012, Using
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets		Significant		Significant
	for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Investment Securities
U.S. Government agencies	$	-	$	2,973	$	-	$	2,973
Obligations of states and     political subdivisions		-		73,986		-		73,986
U.S. Government agencies collateralized by mortgage     obligations		-		301,389		-		301,389
Other Securities		1,809		31		-		1,840
Total availabe-for-sale securities	$	1,809	$	378,379	$	-	$	380,188

12

Assets reported at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below: 

Fair Value Measurements - Nonrecurring
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013, Using
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets		Significant		Significant
	for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans	$	-	$	15,420	$	-	$	15,420
Foreclosed Assets	$	-	$	8,904	$	-	$	8,904

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012, Using
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets		Significant		Significant
	for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans	$	-	$	27,449	$	-	$	27,449
Foreclosed Assets	$	-	$	19,754	$	-	$	19,754

The table above includes collateral-dependent impaired loan balances for which a specific reserve has been established or on which a write-down has been taken. Information on the Company’s total impaired loan balances, and specific loss reserves associated with those balances, is included in Note 11 below, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in the “Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections.

The unobservable inputs are based on management’s best estimates of appropriate discounts in arriving at fair market value. Increases or decreases in any of those inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. For example, a change in either direction of actual loss rates would have a directionally opposite change in the calculation of the fair value of unsecured impaired loans.

Note 10 – Investments

Although the Company currently has the intent and the ability to hold the securities in its investment portfolio to maturity, the securities are all marketable and are classified as “available for sale” to allow maximum flexibility with regard to interest rate risk and liquidity management. Pursuant to FASB’s guidance on accounting for debt and equity securities, available for sale securities are carried on the Company’s financial statements at their estimated fair market values, with monthly tax-effected “mark-to-market” adjustments made vis-à-vis accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

13

The table below summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities by type, as of the dates indicated:

Amortized Cost And Estimated Fair Value

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available-for-sale are as follows

(dollars in thousands, unaudited):

	September 30, 2013
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Government agencies	$	4,147	$	-	$	(117)	$	4,030
Obligations of state and     political subdivisions		92,423		1,802		(2,499)		91,726
U.S. Government agencies     collateralized by mortgage     obligations		308,207		2,450		(2,689)		307,968
Equity Securities		1,336		1,029		-		2,365
	$	406,113	$	5,281	$	(5,305)	$	406,089

	December 31, 2012
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Government agencies	$	2,987	$	3	$	(17)	$	2,973
Obligations of state and     political subdivisions		70,736		3,430		(180)		73,986
U.S. Government agencies     collateralized by mortgage     obligations		298,806		3,547		(964)		301,389
Equity Securities		1,336		508		(4)		1,840
	$	373,865	$	7,488	$	(1,165)	$	380,188

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had 196 securities and 89 securities, respectively, with unrealized losses. Management has evaluated those securities as of the respective dates, and does not believe that any of the associated unrealized losses are other than temporary. Information pertaining to our investment securities with unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, is disclosed in the table below.

14

Investment Portfolio - Unrealized Losses
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)	September 30, 2013
	Less than Twelve Months				Over Twelve Months
	Gross				Gross
	Unrealized				Unrealized
	Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Government Agencies	$	(117)	$	4,030	$	-	$	-
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions		(2,411)		38,766		(88)		1,576
U.S. Government agencies collateralized by mortgage     obligations		(2,583)		150,312		(106)		6,526
Other Securities		-		-		-		-
Total	$	(5,111)	$	193,108	$	(194)	$	8,102

	December 31, 2012
	Less than Twelve Months				Over Twelve Months
	Gross				Gross
	Unrealized				Unrealized
	Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Government Agencies	$	(17)	$	1,996	$	-	$	-
Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions		(180)		9,324		-		-
U.S. Government agencies collateralized by mortgage     obligations		(903)		106,799		(61)		6,965
Other Securities		(4)		242		-		-
Total	$	(1,104)	$	118,361	$	(61)	$	6,965

Note 11 – Credit Quality and Nonperforming Assets

Credit Quality Classifications

The Company monitors the credit quality of loans on a continuous basis using the regulatory and accounting classifications of pass, special mention, substandard and impaired to characterize the associated credit risk. Balances classified as “loss” are immediately charged off. The Company conforms to the following definitions for risk classifications utilized:

· Pass: Larger non-homogeneous loans not meeting the risk rating definitions below, and smaller homogeneous loans that are not assessed on an individual basis.

· Special mention: Loans which have potential issues that deserve the close attention of management. If left uncorrected, those potential weaknesses could eventually diminish the prospects for full repayment of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, or could result in deterioration of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

· Substandard: Loans that have at least one clear and well-defined weakness which could jeopardize the ultimate recoverability of all principal and interest, such as a borrower displaying a highly leveraged position, unfavorable financial operating results and/or trends, uncertain repayment sources or a deteriorated financial condition.

· Impaired: A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans include all nonperforming loans, restructured troubled debt (TDRs), and certain other loans that are still being maintained on accrual status. A TDR may be nonperforming or performing, depending on its accrual status and the demonstrated ability of the borrower to comply with restructured terms (see “Troubled Debt Restructurings” section below for additional information on TDRs).

15

Credit quality classifications for the Company’s loan balances were as follows, as of the dates indicated:

Credit Quality Classifications
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013
			Special
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Impaired		Total
Real Estate:
1-4 Family residential construction	$	1,471	$	272	$	149	$	-	$	1,892
Other construction/Land		17,550		346		207		6,966		25,069
1-4 Family - closed end		66,791		1,498		789		18,925		88,003
Equity Lines		51,388		525		1,781		1,827		55,521
Multi-family residential		7,937		428		-		-		8,365
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		147,932		19,535		4,138		7,579		179,184
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		85,430		3,800		242		14,252		103,724
Farmland		110,423		2,541		845		449		114,258
Total Real Estate		488,922		28,945		8,151		49,998		576,016
Agricultural		26,059		665		-		20		26,744
Commercial and Industrial		156,653		2,788		428		4,250		164,119
Small Business Administration		11,537		876		864		3,127		16,404
Direct finance leases		3,179		-		-		-		3,179
Consumer loans		19,509		363		229		3,765		23,866
Total Gross Loans and Leases	$	705,859	$	33,637	$	9,672	$	61,160	$	810,328

	December 31, 2012
			Special
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Impaired		Total
Real Estate:
1-4 Family residential construction	$	1,599	$	1,333	$	89	$	153	$	3,174
Other construction/Land		13,270		952		1,132		12,648		28,002
1-4 Family - closed end		73,003		2,484		1,208		23,222		99,917
Equity Lines		58,160		96		1,949		1,258		61,463
Multi-family residential		5,351		609		-		-		5,960
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		144,207		22,895		6,562		8,950		182,614
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		67,407		6,864		568		17,969		92,808
Farmland		64,176		2,216		3,526		1,933		71,851
Total Real Estate		427,173		37,449		15,034		66,133		545,789
Agricultural		21,333		462		24		663		22,482
Commercial and Industrial		248,157		5,020		1,845		3,656		258,678
Small Business Administration		15,002		1,551		743		3,227		20,523
Direct finance leases		4,076		22		-		135		4,233
Consumer loans		23,099		445		198		4,348		28,090
Total Gross Loans and Leases	$	738,840	$	44,949	$	17,844	$	78,162	$	879,795

16

Past Due and Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets are comprised of loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest, and foreclosed assets, including mobile homes and other real estate owned (OREO). OREO consists of properties acquired by foreclosure or similar means, which the Company is offering or will offer for sale. Nonperforming loans and leases result when reasonable doubt surfaces with regard to the ability of the Company to collect all principal and interest. At that point, we stop accruing interest on the loan or lease in question, and reverse any previously-recognized interest to the extent that it is uncollected or associated with interest-reserve loans. Any asset for which principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more is also placed on non-accrual status, even if interest is still being received, unless the asset is both well secured and in the process of collection. An aging of the Company’s loan balances, by number of days past due as of the indicated dates, is presented in the following tables:

Loan Portfolio Aging
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013
											Total
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days Past		90 Days Or More		Total Past				Financing		Non-Accrual
	Past Due		Due		Past Due(2)		Due		Current		Receivables		Loans(1)
Real Estate:
1-4 Family residential construction	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1,892	$	1,892	$	-
Other construction/Land		3,984		221		-		4,205		20,864		25,069		5,729
1-4 Family - closed end		2,377		-		1,038		3,415		84,588		88,003		14,122
Equity Lines		508		-		568		1,076		54,445		55,521		1,085
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		8,365		8,365		-
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		1,475		-		1,928		3,403		175,781		179,184		5,520
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		-		382		7,339		7,721		96,003		103,724		8,128
Farmland		251		219		156		626		113,632		114,258		449
Total Real Estate		8,595		822		11,029		20,446		555,570		576,016		35,033
Agricultural		1,035		20		-		1,055		25,689		26,744		20
Commercial and Industrial		619		96		992		1,707		162,412		164,119		1,706
Small Business Administration		395		478		-		873		15,531		16,404		2,116
Direct finance leases		-		-		-		-		3,179		3,179		-
Consumer loans		292		2		27		321		23,545		23,866		1,166
Total Gross Loans and Leases	$	10,936	$	1,418	$	12,048	$	24,402	$	785,926	$	810,328	$	40,041

⁽¹⁾ Included in Total Financing Receivables

⁽²⁾ As of September 30, 2013 there were no loans over 90 days past due and still acrruing.

	December 31, 2012
											Total
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days Past		90 Days Or More		Total Past				Financing		Non-Accrual
	Past Due		Due		Past Due(2)		Due		Current		Receivables		Loans(1)
Real Estate:
1-4 Family residential construction	$	-	$	-	$	153	$	153	$	3,021	$	3,174	$	153
Other construction/Land		374		211		-		585		27,417		28,002		11,163
1-4 Family - closed end		1,335		88		376		1,799		98,118		99,917		15,381
Equity Lines		473		40		66		579		60,884		61,463		1,026
Multi-family residential		177		-		-		177		5,783		5,960		-
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		1,372		813		1,289		3,474		179,140		182,614		5,314
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		7,831		-		1,499		9,330		83,478		92,808		11,642
Farmland		231		-		1,679		1,910		69,941		71,851		1,933
Total Real Estate		11,793		1,152		5,062		18,007		527,782		545,789		46,612
Agricultural		24		157		506		687		21,795		22,482		664
Commercial and Industrial		1,419		518		7		1,944		256,734		258,678		2,386
Small Business Administration		905		-		1,574		2,479		18,044		20,523		2,159
Direct finance leases		-		34		123		157		4,076		4,233		135
Consumer loans		238		189		87		514		27,576		28,090		1,138
Total Gross Loans and Leases	$	14,379	$	2,050	$	7,359	$	23,788	$	856,007	$	879,795	$	53,094

⁽¹⁾ Included in Total Financing Receivables

⁽²⁾ As of December 31, 2012 there were no loans over 90 days past due and still accruing.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A loan that is modified for a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR), if the modification constitutes a concession. At September 30, 2013, the Company had a total of $42.4 million in TDRs, including $25.5 million in TDRs that were on non-accrual status. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified as a TDR remains on non-accrual status for a period of at least six months to demonstrate the borrower’s ability to comply with the modified terms. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, could result in a loan’s return to accrual status after a shorter performance period or even at the time of loan modification. TDRs may have the TDR designation removed in the calendar year following the restructuring, if the loan is in compliance with all modified terms and is yielding a market rate of interest. Regardless of the period of time that has elapsed, if the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain then the loan will be kept on non-accrual status. Moreover, a TDR is generally considered to be in default when it appears that the customer will not likely be able to repay all principal and interest pursuant to the terms of the restructured agreement.

17

The Company may agree to different types of concessions when modifying a loan or lease. The tables below summarize TDRs which were modified during the noted periods, by type of concession:

Troubled Debt Restructurings, by Type of Loan Modification
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
													Rate, Term
									Rate &		Term &		& Interest
	Rate		Term		Interest Only		Rate & Term		Interest Only		Interest Only		Only
	Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Total
Trouble Debt Restructurings
Real Estate:
Other construction/Land	$	-	$	416	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	416
1-4 family - closed-end		-		3,338		-		89		-		-		27		3,454
Equity Lines		-		-		40		-		-		-		-		40
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		-		-		-		557		-		-		-		557
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total Real Estate Loans		-		3,754		40		646		-		-		27		4,467
Commercial and Industrial		-		1,563		-		138		-		-		-		1,701
Small Business Administration Loans		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		-		469		-		-		-		-		-		469
	$	-	$	5,786	$	40	$	784	$	-	$	-	$	27	$	6,637

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
													Rate, Term
									Rate &		Term &		& Interest
	Rate		Term		Interest Only		Rate & Term		Interest Only		Interest Only		Only
	Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Modification		Total
Trouble Debt Restructurings
Real Estate:
Other construction/Land	$	-	$	458	$	-	$	375	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	833
1-4 family - closed-end		-		313		-		200		-		222		616		1,351
Equity Lines		-		29		-		-		-		-		-		29
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		-		1,006		-		1,184		-		-		-		2,190
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied		-		330		-		60		-		-		-		390
Total Real Estate Loans		-		2,136		-		1,819		-		222		616		4,793
Commercial and Industrial		-		625		2		658		-		-		-		1,285
Small Business Administration Loans		-		200		-		475		-		-		-		675
Consumer loans		-		1,328		-		269		-		-		117		1,714
	$	-	$	4,289	$	2	$	3,221	$	-	$	222	$	733	$	8,467

18

 

The following tables present, by class, additional details related to loans classified as TDRs during the referenced periods, including the recorded investment in the loan both before and after modification and balances that were modified during the period:

Troubled Debt Restructurings
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Pre-		Post-
			Modification		Modification
			Outstanding		Outstanding
	Number of		Recorded		Recorded		Reserve
	Loans		Investment		Investment		Difference(1)		Reserve
Real Estate:
Other Construction/Land		1	$	169	$	169	$	32	$	1
1-4 family - closed-end		3		86		86		3		7
Equity Lines		1		40		40		40		40
Commercial RE- owner occupied		1		557		557		-		-
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-
Total Real Estate Loans				852		852		75		48
Commercial and Industrial		3		181		194		113		130
Small Business Administration Loans		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		4		166		166		15		30
			$	1,199	$	1,212	$	203	$	208

⁽¹⁾ This represents the change in the ALLL reserve for these credits measured as the difference between the specific post-modification impairment reserve and the pre-modification reserve calculated under our general allowance for loan loss methodology.

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Pre-		Post-
			Modification		Modification
			Outstanding		Outstanding
	Number of		Recorded		Recorded		Reserve
	Loans		Investment		Investment		Difference(1)		Reserve
Real Estate:
Other Construction/Land		2	$	418	$	416	$	38	$	1
1-4 family - closed-end		6		3,455		3,454		20		11
Equity Lines		1		40		40		40		40
Commercial RE- owner occupied		1		557		557		-		-
Commercial RE- non-owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-
Total Real Estate Loans				4,470		4,467		98		52
Commercial and Industrial		7		1,688		1,701		93		220
Small Business Administration Loans		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		11		469		469		49		82
			$	6,627	$	6,637	$	240	$	354

⁽¹⁾ This represents the change in the ALLL reserve for these credits measured as the difference between the specific post-modification impairment reserve and the pre-modification reserve calculated under our general allowance for loan loss methodology.

19

The table below summarizes TDRs that defaulted during the periods noted, and any charge-offs on those TDRs resulting from such default.

Troubled Debt Restructurings
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	Subsequent default three months ended September 30, 2013
	Number of		Recorded
	Loans		Investment		Charge-Offs
Real Estate:
Other Construction/Land		-	$	-	$	-
1-4 family - closed-end		-		-		-
Equity Lines		-		-		-
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		-		-		-
Total Real Estate Loans				-		-
Commercial and Industrial		-		-		-
Small Business Administration Loans		-		-		-
Consumer Loans		2		94		46
			$	94	$	46

	Subsequent default nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Number of		Recorded
	Loans		Investment		Charge-Offs
Real Estate:
Other Construction/Land		1	$	152	$	47
1-4 family - closed-end		2		779		133
Equity Lines		-		-		-
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		1		308		245
Total Real Estate Loans				1,239		425
Commercial and Industrial		5		239		238
Small Business Administration Loans		-		-		-
Consumer Loans		6		161		112
			$	1,639	$	775

Note 12 – Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The allowance for loan and lease losses, a contra-asset, is established through a provision for loan and lease losses. It is maintained at a level that is considered adequate to absorb probable losses on certain specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred losses inherent in the remaining loan portfolio. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when cash payments are received subsequent to the charge off. We employ a systematic methodology, consistent with FASB guidelines on loss contingencies and impaired loans, for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan and lease losses and adjusting it at least quarterly. Pursuant to that methodology, impaired loans and leases are individually analyzed and a criticized asset action plan is completed specifying the financial status of the borrower and, if applicable, the characteristics and condition of collateral and any associated liquidation plan. A specific loss allowance is created for each impaired loan, if necessary. The following tables disclose the unpaid principal balance, recorded investment (including accrued interest), average recorded investment, and interest income recognized for impaired loans on our books as of the dates indicated. Balances are shown by loan type, and are further broken out by those that required an allowance and those that did not, with the associated allowance disclosed for those that required such. Included in the valuation allowance for impaired loans shown in the tables below are specific reserves allocated to TDRs, totaling $4.043 million at September 30, 2013 and $4.140 million at December 31, 2012.

20

Impaired Loans	September 30, 2013
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)	Unpaid						Average
	Principal		Recorded		Related		Recorded		Interest Income
	Balance(1)		Investment(2)		Allowance		Investment		Recognized(3)
With an Allowance Recorded
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Other Construction/Land		3,340		3,289		525		3,313		72
1-4 Family - closed-end		13,833		13,833		1,389		13,912		203
Equity Lines		1,032		1,032		430		1,033		13
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		2,124		2,124		370		2,140		100
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		4,519		4,519		873		4,613		206
Farmland		-		-		-		-		-
Total Real Estate		24,848		24,797		3,587		25,011		594
Agriculture		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial and Industrial		2,192		2,155		740		2,239		65
Small Business Administration		3,131		2,821		1,548		2,821		43
Direct finance leases		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		3,722		3,703		751		3,859		137
		33,893		33,476		6,626		33,930		839
With no Related Allowance Recorded
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction		-		-		-		-		-
Other Construction/Land		3,990		3,677		-		3,735		-
1-4 Family - closed-end		5,431		5,092		-		5,546		-
Equity Lines		965		795		-		808		-
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		7,258		5,455		-		5,507		-
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		10,142		9,733		-		9,784		91
Farmland		450		449		-		455		-
Total Real Estate		28,236		25,201		-		25,835		91
Agriculture		20		20		-		52		-
Commercial and Industrial		2,095		2,095		-		2,139		46
Small Business Administration		521		306		-		306		-
Direct finance leases		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		280		62		-		78		-
		31,152		27,684		-		28,410		137
Total	$	65,045	$	61,160	$	6,626	$	62,340	$	976

⁽¹⁾Contractual principal balance due from customer.

⁽²⁾Principal balance on Company's books, less any direct charge offs.

⁽³⁾Interest income is recognized on performing balances on a regular accrual basis.

21

	December 31, 2012
	Unpaid						Average
	Principal		Recorded		Related		Recorded		Interest Income
	Balance(1)		Investment(2)		Allowance		Investment		Recognized(3)
With an Allowance Recorded
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction	$	153	$	153	$	23	$	91	$	-
Other Construction/Land		10,313		10,313		1,244		10,755		86
1-4 Family - closed-end		19,218		18,910		955		19,024		401
Equity Lines		1,142		1,142		163		1,144		9
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		5,846		5,585		563		5,666		126
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		18,539		17,579		1,230		18,079		481
Farmland		254		254		2		259		-
Total Real Estate		55,465		53,936		4,180		55,018		1,103
Agriculture		28		28		28		28		-
Commercial and Industrial		2,955		2,920		934		3,100		51
Small Business Administration		2,704		2,507		1,038		2,507		53
Direct finance leases		135		135		67		135		-
Consumer loans		4,349		4,344		878		4,493		183
		65,636		63,870		7,125		65,281		1,390
With no Related Allowance Recorded
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction		-		-		-		-		-
Other Construction/Land		2,335		2,335		-		2,346		-
1-4 Family - closed-end		4,312		4,312		-		4,491		-
Equity Lines		116		116		-		155		1
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		4,298		3,365		-		3,540		-
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		390		390		-		421		3
Farmland		1,679		1,679		-		1,686		-
Total Real Estate		13,130		12,197		-		12,639		4
Agriculture		1,008		635		-		1,017		-
Commercial and Industrial		735		736		-		740		-
Small Business Administration		1,008		720		-		720		-
Direct finance leases		-		-		-		-		-
Consumer loans		4		4		-		7		-
		15,885		14,292		-		15,123		4
Total	$	81,521	$	78,162	$	7,125	$	80,404	$	1,394

⁽¹⁾Contractual principal balance due from customer.

⁽²⁾Principal balance on Company's books, less any direct charge offs.

⁽³⁾Interest income is recognized on performing balances on a regular accrual basis.

22

Similar but condensed information is provided in the following table, as of the dates noted:

Impaired Loans
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance	$	27,684	$	14,292
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance	$	33,476	$	63,870
Total impaired loans (1)	$	61,160	$	78,162
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans	$	6,626	$	7,125
Total non-accrual loans	$	40,041	$	53,094
Total loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing	$	-	$	-

⁽¹⁾ Principal balance on Company's books less any direct charge-off

The specific loss allowance for an impaired loan generally represents the difference between the face value of the loan and either the fair value of underlying collateral less estimated disposition costs, or the loan’s net present value as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow approach is typically used to measure impairment on loans for which it is anticipated that repayment will be provided from cash flows other than those generated solely by the disposition or operation of underlying collateral. However, historical loss rates may be used to determine a specific loss allowance if they indicate a higher potential reserve need than the discounted cash flow analysis. Any change in impairment attributable to the passage of time is accommodated by adjusting the loss allowance accordingly.

For loans where repayment is expected to be provided by the disposition or operation of the underlying collateral, impairment is measured using the fair value of the collateral.  If the collateral value, net of the expected costs of disposition where applicable, is less than the loan balance, then a specific loss reserve is established for the shortfall in collateral coverage. If the discounted collateral value is greater than or equal to the loan balance, no specific loss reserve is required. At the time a collateral-dependent loan is designated as nonperforming, a new appraisal is ordered and typically received within 30 to 60 days if a recent appraisal is not already available. We generally use external appraisals to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral for nonperforming real estate loans, although the Company’s licensed staff appraisers may update older appraisals based on current market conditions and property value trends. Until an updated appraisal is received, the Company uses the existing appraisal to determine the amount of the specific loss allowance that may be required, and adjusts the specific loss allowance, as necessary, once a new appraisal is received. Updated appraisals are generally ordered at least annually for collateral-dependent loans that remain impaired. Current appraisals were available for 84% of the Company’s impaired real estate loan balances at September 30, 2013. Furthermore, the Company analyzes collateral-dependent loans on at least a quarterly basis, to determine if any portion of the recorded investment in such loans can be identified as uncollectible and would therefore constitute a confirmed loss. All amounts deemed to be uncollectible are promptly charged off against the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses, with the loan then carried at the fair value of the collateral, as appraised, less estimated costs of disposition if applicable. Once a charge-off or write-down is recorded, it will not be restored to the loan balance on the Company’s accounting books.

Our methodology also provides that a “general” allowance be established for probable incurred losses inherent in loans and leases that are not impaired. Unimpaired loan balances are segregated by credit quality, and are then evaluated in pools with common characteristics. At the present time, pools are based on the same segmentation of loan types presented in our regulatory filings. While this methodology utilizes historical loss data and other measurable information, the classification of loans and the establishment of the allowance for loan and lease losses are both to some extent based on management’s judgment and experience. Our methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan and lease losses that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Quantitative information includes our historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, and current collateral values. Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in our markets and, in particular, the condition of the agricultural industry and other key industries in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Lending policies and procedures (including underwriting standards), the experience and abilities of lending staff, the quality of loan review, credit concentrations (by geography, loan type, industry and collateral type), the rate of loan portfolio growth, and changes in legal or regulatory requirements are additional factors that are considered. The total general reserve established for probable incurred losses on unimpaired loans was $5.198 million at September 30, 2013.

23

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, there were no material changes to the methodology used to determine our allowance for loan and lease losses. As we add new products and expand our geographic coverage, and as the economic environment changes, we expect to continue to enhance our methodology to keep pace with the size and complexity of the loan and lease portfolio and respond to pressures created by external forces. We engage outside firms on a regular basis to assess our methodology and perform independent credit reviews of our loan and lease portfolio. In addition, the Company’s external auditors, the FDIC, and the California DBO review the allowance for loan and lease losses as an integral part of their audit and examination processes. Management believes that the current methodology is appropriate given our size and level of complexity. The tables that follow detail the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the periods noted:

24

Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investment in Financing Receivables

(dollars in thousands, unaudited)

	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Agricultural		Commercial and		Small Business		Direct Finance
	Real Estate		Products		Industrial		Administration		Leases		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning Balance	$	6,857	$	62	$	2,146	$	1,650	$	39	$	1,426	$	-	$	12,180
Charge-offs		(907)		-		(440)		-		-		(182)		-		(1,529)
Recoveries		74		-		252		6		7		34		-		373
Provision		101		6		293		255		(42)		105		82		800
Ending Balance	$	6,125	$	68	$	2,251	$	1,911	$	4	$	1,383	$	82	$	11,824

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
				Agricultural		Commercial and		Small Business		Direct Finance
		Real Estate		Products		Industrial		Administration		Leases		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning Balance	$	8,034	$	258	$	2,797	$	1,246	$	165	$	1,373	$	-	$	13,873
Charge-offs		(3,467)		(28)		(1,754)		(44)		(106)		(787)		-		(6,186)
Recoveries		377		-		782		7		11		110		-		1,287
Provision		1,181		(162)		426		702		(66)		687		82		2,850
Ending Balance	$	6,125	$	68	$	2,251	$	1,911	$	4	$	1,383	$	82	$	11,824
Reserves:
Specific	$	3,587	$	-	$	740	$	1,548	$	-	$	751	$	-	$	6,626
General		2,538		68		1,511		363		4		632		82		5,198
Ending Balance	$	6,125	$	68	$	2,251	$	1,911	$	4	$	1,383	$	82	$	11,824
Loans evaluated for impairment:
Individually	$	49,998	$	20	$	4,250	$	3,127	$	-	$	3,765	$	-	$	61,160
Collectively		526,018		26,724		159,869		13,277		3,179		20,101		-		749,168
Ending Balance	$	576,016	$	26,744	$	164,119	$	16,404	$	3,179	$	23,866	$	-	$	810,328

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
			Agricultural		Commercial and		Small Business		Direct Finance
	Real Estate		Products		Industrial		Administration		Leases		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning Balance	$	8,260	$	19	$	4,638	$	1,447	$	311	$	2,608	$	-	$	17,283
Charge-offs		(11,108)		(634)		(4,283)		(753)		(198)		(1,802)		-		(18,778)
Recoveries		302		-		589		95		-		172		-		1,158
Provision		10,580		873		1,853		457		52		395		-		14,210
Ending Balance	$	8,034	$	258	$	2,797	$	1,246	$	165	$	1,373	$	-	$	13,873
Reserves:
Specific	$	4,180	$	28	$	934	$	1,038	$	67	$	878	$	-	$	7,125
General		3,854		230		1,863		208		98		495		-		6,748
Ending Balance	$	8,034	$	258	$	2,797	$	1,246	$	165	$	1,373	$	-	$	13,873
Loans evaluated for impairment:
Individually	$	66,133	$	663	$	3,656	$	3,227	$	135	$	4,348	$	-	$	78,162
Collectively		479,656		21,819		255,022		17,296		4,098		23,742		-		801,633
Ending Balance	$	545,789	$	22,482	$	258,678	$	20,523	$	4,233	$	28,090	$	-	$	879,795

25

 

Note 13 – Recent Developments

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved final rules that implement changes to the regulatory capital framework for financial institutions. The new rules include, among other things, the following elements:

1)	a new regulatory capital component referred to as “Common Equity Tier 1 capital”, and threshold ratios for this new component;
2)	a “capital conservation buffer” above the minimum required level of regulatory capital, and restrictions on dividend payments, share buybacks, and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers if a capital conservation buffer of at least 2.5% of risk-weighted assets is not achieved;
3)	the inclusion of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) in Tier 1 capital, although banks with less than $250 billion in total assets will be allowed a one-time opt-out from this requirement;
4)	additional constraints on the inclusion of minority interests, mortgage servicing assets, and deferred tax assets in regulatory capital;
5)	increased risk-weightings for certain assets, including equity exposures, certain acquisition/development and construction loans, and loans that are more than 90-days past due or are on non-accrual status; and
6)	an increase in minimum required risk-based capital ratios effective January 1, 2015, and an increase in the threshold for a “well-capitalized” classification for the Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio.

These changes begin to take effect January 2015, and our preliminary estimates indicate that we are well-positioned to absorb the impact without constraining organic growth plans, although no assurance can be provided in that regard.

26

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, and “estimates” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecast in, or implied by such forward-looking statements.

A variety of factors could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, and should be considered when evaluating the Company’s potential future financial performance. They include, but are not limited to, unfavorable economic conditions in the Company’s service areas; risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates; liquidity risks; increases in nonperforming assets and net credit losses that could occur, particularly in times of weak economic conditions or rising interest rates; the Company’s ability to secure buyers for foreclosed properties; reductions in the market value of available-for-sale securities that could result if interest rates change substantially or an issuer has real or perceived financial difficulties; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the Company’s ability to successfully deploy new technology; the success of branch expansion; and risks associated with the multitude of current and prospective laws and regulations to which the Company is and will be subject.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The financial information and disclosures contained within those statements are significantly impacted by management’s estimates and judgments, which are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under current circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates under divergent conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments, and have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s stated results of operations. In management’s opinion, the Company’s critical accounting policies deal with the following areas: the establishment of the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses, as explained in detail in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements and the “Provision for Loan and Lease Losses” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections of this discussion and analysis; the valuation of impaired loans and foreclosed assets, which is discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements and in the “Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” sections of this discussion and analysis; income taxes, especially with regard to the ability of the Company to recover deferred tax assets, as discussed in the “Provision for Income Taxes” and “Other Assets” sections of this discussion and analysis; and goodwill, which is evaluated annually for impairment based on the fair value of the Company as discussed in the “Other Assets” section of this discussion and analysis. Critical accounting areas are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Company’s financial statements incorporate the most recent expectations with regard to those areas.

27

OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

results of operations Summary

Third Quarter 2013 compared to Third Quarter 2012

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $3.367 million, representing an increase of $1.732 million, or 106%, relative to net income of $1.635 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2013 were $0.24 and $0.23, respectively, compared to $0.12 basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2012. The Company’s annualized return on average equity was 7.60% and annualized return on average assets was 0.97% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to a return on equity of 3.74% and return on assets of 0.46% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The primary drivers behind the variance in third quarter net income are as follows:

· Net interest income was down $1.128 million, or 9%, due to a 28 basis point drop in the Company’s net interest margin combined with contraction in average interest-earning assets.

· The largest factor impacting net income was a reduction of $3.900 million, or 83%, in our loan loss provision.

· Total non-interest expense was relatively flat, although there were some significant swings in the subcategories comprising non-interest expense. Sizeable increases in salaries and benefits and loan costs were effectively offset by reductions in occupancy expense and debit card losses.

· The Company’s provision for income taxes was 16% of pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2013 but was negative in the third quarter of 2012, with the variance resulting from an increase in taxable income relative to a decline in available tax credits.

First Nine Months 2013 compared to First Nine Months 2012

Net income for the first nine months of 2013 was $9.499 million, representing an increase of $3.412 million, or 56%, relative to net income of $6.087 million for the first nine months of 2012. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2013 were $0.67, compared to $0.43 basic and diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2012. The Company’s annualized return on average equity was 7.23% and annualized return on average assets was 0.91% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a return on equity of 4.73% and return on assets of 0.59% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The primary drivers behind the variance in year-to-date net income are as follows:

· Net interest income fell $2.047 million, or 5%, due to a 29 basis point drop in the Company’s net interest margin partially offset by the impact of a $22 million increase in average interest-earning assets.

· The loan loss provision was reduced by $7.760 million, or 73%.

· Total non-interest income declined by $147,000, or 1%, in the first nine months of 2013 due to an increase in pass-through operating costs associated with tax credit investments, which are netted out of non-interest income, and lower investment gains, partially offset by increases in other areas.

· Total non-interest expense increased by only $10,000, as higher personnel expense was largely offset by lower credit-related costs, and other significant variances within non-interest expense effectively offset one another.

· The Company’s provision for income taxes was 19% of pre-tax income for the first nine months of 2013, relative to only 1% for the first nine months of 2012.

28

Financial Condition Summary

September 30, 2013 relative to December 31, 2012

The most significant characteristics of, and changes in, the Company’s balance sheet during the first nine months of 2013 are outlined below:

· The Company’s assets totaled $1.383 billion at September 30, 2013, a drop of $55 million, or 4%, relative to total assets of $1.438 billion at December 31, 2012, due to a $69 million drop in gross loan balances that was partially offset by growth in investment securities.

· Loan volume was largely impacted by a $90 million decline in mortgage warehouse loans resulting from lower credit line utilization, and a $13 million reduction in nonperforming loans. The Company did show relatively strong growth in agricultural loans and commercial real estate loans, however.

· Total nonperforming assets, including nonperforming loans and foreclosed assets, were reduced by $24 million, or 33%, to $49 million at September 30, 2013 from $73 million at December 31, 2012.

· The Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses was $11.8 million as of September 30, 2013, a drop of $2.0 million, or 15%, relative to year-end 2012 due to a reduction in general reserves consistent with lower loan balances and improvement in asset quality, and lower specific reserves consistent with the reduction in impaired loans. The ratio of the allowance to gross loans was 1.46% at September 30, 2013, relative to 1.58% at December 31, 2012.

· Despite a $6 million drop in the net unrealized gain on investments, investment securities reflect a net increase of $26 million, or 7%, for the first nine months of 2013 due primarily to the addition of municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities.

· Total deposits were down $23 million, or 2%, due to the maturity of a $5 million wholesale brokered time deposit and the runoff of $29 million in other time deposits, partially offset by a $12 million increase in non-maturity deposits.

· There was no change in the balance of junior subordinated debentures (trust preferred securities), but other interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, were reduced by a net $37 million, or 87%, during the first nine months of 2013.

· Total capital increased by $4 million, or 2%, during the first nine months of 2013, ending the period with a balance of $178 million. Risk-based capital ratios increased, as well, due to the increase in capital and a drop in risk-adjusted assets. Our consolidated total risk-based capital ratio increased to 21.04% at September 30, 2013 from 19.36% at year-end 2012. Our tier one risk-based capital ratio was 19.75% and our tier one leverage ratio was 14.15% at September 30, 2013.

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

The Company earns income from two primary sources. The first is net interest income, which is interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. The second is non-interest income, which consists mainly of customer service charges and fees but also comes from non-customer sources such as bank-owned life insurance. The majority of the Company’s non-interest expenses are operating costs that relate to providing a full range of banking services to our customers.

Net interest income AND NET INTEREST MARGIN

Net interest income continues to decline due primarily to net interest margin compression, dropping by $1.128 million, or 9%, for the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, and by $2.047 million, or 5%, for the first nine months of 2013 compared to the first nine months of 2012. The level of net interest income recognized in any given period depends on a combination of factors including the average volume and yield for interest-earning assets, the average volume and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and the mix of products which comprise the Company’s earning assets, deposits, and other interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is also impacted by the reversal of interest for loans placed on non-accrual status during the reporting period, and the recovery of interest on loans that had been on non-accrual and were either sold or returned to accrual status.

The following tables show average balances for significant balance sheet categories, and the amount of interest income or interest expense associated with each applicable category for the noted periods. The tables also display the calculated yields on each major component of the Company’s investment and loan portfolios, the average rates paid on each key segment of the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities, and our net interest margin for the noted periods.

29

Average Balances and Rates	For the Three Months Ended							For the Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Ended September 30, 2013							Ended September 30, 2012
	Average		Income/		Average			Average		Income/		Average
	Balance  (1)		Expense		Rate/Yield  (2)(3)			Balance  (1)		Expense		Rate/Yield  (2)(3)
Assets
Investments:
Federal funds sold/Due from time	$	44,791	$	28		0.24	%	$	22,858	$	15		0.26	%
Taxable		299,278		1,132		1.48	%		335,979		1,513		1.76	%
Non-taxable		87,902		699		4.71	%		81,521		700		5.09	%
Equity		2,359		-		-			1,840		10		2.13	%
Total Investments		434,330		1,859		2.00	%		442,198		2,238		2.30	%
Loans and Leases:(4)
Agricultural		27,086		279		4.09	%		17,905		232		5.15	%
Commercial		176,241		2,308		5.20	%		202,175		2,762		5.43	%
Real Estate		524,451		7,898		5.97	%		527,474		8,402		6.34	%
Consumer		23,771		409		6.83	%		29,499		505		6.81	%
Direct Financing Leases		2,779		38		5.43	%		3,983		53		5.29	%
Other		41,866		-		-			32,926		-		-
Total Loans and Leases		796,194		10,932		5.45	%		813,962		11,954		5.84	%
Total Interest Earning Assets (5)		1,230,524		12,791		4.24	%		1,256,160		14,192		4.61	%
Other Earning Assets		5,932							6,389
Non-Earning Assets		139,755							143,075
Total Assets	$	1,376,211						$	1,405,624
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Demand Deposits	$	84,181	$	74		0.35	%	$	67,331	$	60		0.35	%
NOW		193,289		88		0.18	%		194,628		123		0.25	%
Savings Accounts		135,255		73		0.21	%		109,070		61		0.22	%
Money Market		67,859		20		0.12	%		79,184		32		0.16	%
CDAR's		13,812		10		0.29	%		18,768		16		0.34	%
Certificates of Deposit<$100,000		85,406		102		0.47	%		112,412		157		0.56	%
Certificates of Deposit>$100,000		210,273		201		0.38	%		225,905		297		0.52	%
Brokered Deposits		11,793		38		1.28	%		15,000		50		1.33	%
Total Interest Bearing Deposits		801,868		606		0.30	%		822,298		796		0.39	%
Borrowed Funds:
Federal Funds Purchased		4		-		-			-		-		-
Repurchase Agreements		3,255		4		0.49	%		5,434		8		0.59	%
Short Term Borrowings		-		-		0.00	%		24,019		15		0.25	%
Long Term Borrowings		-		-		-			5,000		51		4.06	%
TRUPS		30,928		180		2.31	%		30,928		193		2.48	%
Total Borrowed Funds		34,187		184		2.14	%		65,381		267		1.62	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		836,055		790		0.37	%		887,679		1,063		0.48	%
Demand Deposits		353,110							327,368
Other Liabilities		11,340							16,513
Shareholders' Equity		175,706							174,064
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,376,211						$	1,405,624
Interest Income/Interest Earning Assets						4.24	%						4.61	%
Interest Expense/Interest Earning Assets						0.25	%						0.34	%
Net Interest Income and Margin(6)			$	12,001		3.99	%			$	13,129		4.27	%

(1)	Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2)	Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 34% effective tax rate.
(3)	Annualized
(4)	Loan costs have been included in the calculation of interest income. Loan costs were approximately $52 thousand and $(81) thousand for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.
(5)	Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.
(6)	Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

30

Average Balances and Rates	For the Nine Months								For the Nine Months
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Ended September 30, 2013								Ended September 30, 2012
	Average		Income/		Average			Average		Income/		Average
	Balance (1)		Expense		Rate/Yield (2)(3)			Balance (1)		Expense		Rate/Yield (2)(3)
Assets
Investments:
Federal funds sold/Due from time	$	38,720	$	72		0.25	%	$	26,694	$	51		0.25	%
Taxable		308,138		3,311		1.42	%		339,873		5,116		1.98	%
Non-taxable		83,719		1,990		4.75	%		77,146		2,052		5.30	%
Equity		2,149		17		1.04	%		1,698		43		3.33	%
Total Investments		432,726		5,390		1.95	%		445,411		7,262		2.45	%
Loans and Leases:(4)
Agricultural		25,040		760		4.06	%		15,985		547		4.57	%
Commercial		197,859		7,780		5.26	%		151,010		6,569		5.81	%
Real Estate		511,703		23,221		6.07	%		528,233		25,326		6.40	%
Consumer		25,055		1,324		7.07	%		31,007		1,630		7.02	%
Direct Financing Leases		3,018		122		5.40	%		4,416		179		5.41	%
Nonperforming Loans		46,940		-		-			44,744		-		-
Total Loans and Leases		809,615		33,207		5.48	%		775,395		34,251		5.90	%
Total Interest Earning Assets (5)		1,242,341		38,597		4.26	%		1,220,806		41,513		4.66	%
Other Earning Assets		6,155							6,650
Non-Earning Assets		140,634							141,799
Total Assets	$	1,389,130						$	1,369,255
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Demand Deposits	$	85,035	$	225		0.35	%	$	67,862	$	190		0.37	%
NOW		195,016		281		0.19	%		193,977		457		0.31	%
Savings Accounts		129,911		209		0.22	%		104,793		178		0.23	%
Money Market		71,359		74		0.14	%		80,011		97		0.16	%
CDAR's		13,933		30		0.29	%		18,583		43		0.31	%
Certificates of Deposit<$100,000		92,362		326		0.47	%		105,548		482		0.61	%
Certificates of Deposit>$100,000		212,597		630		0.40	%		224,064		892		0.53	%
Brokered Deposits		11,648		119		1.37	%		15,000		151		1.34	%
Total Interest Bearing Deposits		811,861		1,894		0.31	%		809,838		2,490		0.41	%
Borrowed Funds:
Federal Funds Purchased		2		-		-			-		-		-
Repurchase Agreements		2,314		10		0.58	%		3,994		18		0.60	%
Short Term Borrowings		4,675		6		0.17	%		12,871		23		0.24	%
Long Term Borrowings		1,392		33		3.17	%		7,628		231		4.05	%
TRUPS		30,928		536		2.32	%		30,928		586		2.53	%
Total Borrowed Funds		39,311		585		1.99	%		55,421		858		2.07	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		851,172		2,479		0.39	%		865,259		3,348		0.52	%
Non-interest Bearing Demand Deposits		345,939							314,804
Other Liabilities		16,314							17,133
Shareholders' Equity		175,705							172,059
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,389,130						$	1,369,255
Interest Income/Interest Earning Assets						4.26	%						4.66	%
Interest Expense/Interest Earning Assets						0.26	%						0.37	%
Net Interest Income and Margin(6)			$	36,118		4.00	%			$	38,165		4.29	%

(1)	Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2)	Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 34% effective tax rate.
(3)	Annualized
(4)	Loan costs have been included in the calculation of interest income. Loan costs were approximately $84 thousand and $149 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses.
(5)	Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of total earning assets.
(6)	Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

31

 

The Volume and Rate Variances table below sets forth the dollar difference in interest earned or paid for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the noted periods, and the amount of such change attributable to changes in average balances (volume) or changes in average interest rates. Volume variances are equal to the increase or decrease in average balance multiplied by prior period rates, and rate variances are equal to the increase or decrease in rate times prior period average balances. Variances attributable to both rate and volume changes are calculated by multiplying the change in rate by the change in average balance, and have been allocated to the rate variance. The fact that the first nine months of 2013 had one less day than the first nine months of 2012, which was a leap year, also contributed to the decline in net interest income in 2013 (the $139,000 unfavorable variance attributable to one less day in the first nine months impacted both rate and volume variances in the table below).

Volume & Rate Variances	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2013 over 2012						2013 over 2012
	Increase(decrease) due to						Increase(decrease) due to
Assets:	Volume		Rate		Net		Volume		Rate		Net
Investments:
Federal funds sold / Due from time	$	14	$	(1)	$	13	$	23	$	(2)	$	21
Taxable		(165)		(216)		(381)		(478)		(1,327)		(1,805)
Non-taxable(1)		55		(56)		(1)		175		(237)		(62)
Equity		3		(13)		(10)		11		(37)		(26)
Total Investments		(93)		(286)		(379)		(269)		(1,603)		(1,872)
Loans and Leases:
Agricultural		119		(72)		47		310		(97)		213
Commercial		(354)		(100)		(454)		2,038		(827)		1,211
Real Estate		(48)		(456)		(504)		(793)		(1,312)		(2,105)
Consumer		(98)		2		(96)		(313)		7		(306)
Direct Financing Leases		(16)		1		(15)		(57)		-		(57)
Total Loans and Leases		(397)		(625)		(1,022)		1,185		(2,229)		(1,044)
Total Interest Earning Assets	$	(490)	$	(911)	$	(1,401)	$	916	$	(3,832)	$	(2,916)
Liabilities
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Demand Deposits	$	15	$	(1)	$	14	$	48	$	(13)	$	35
NOW		(1)		(34)		(35)		2		(178)		(176)
Savings Accounts		15		(3)		12		43		(12)		31
Money Market		(5)		(7)		(12)		(10)		(13)		(23)
CDAR's		(4)		(2)		(6)		(11)		(2)		(13)
Certificates of Deposit < $100,000		(38)		(17)		(55)		(60)		(96)		(156)
Certificates of Deposit > $100,000		(21)		(75)		(96)		(46)		(216)		(262)
Brokered Deposits		(11)		(1)		(12)		(34)		2		(32)
Total Interest Bearing Deposits		(50)		(140)		(190)		(68)		(528)		(596)
Borrowed Funds:
Repurchase Agreements		(3)		(1)		(4)		(8)		-		(8)
Short Term Borrowings		(15)		-		(15)		(15)		(2)		(17)
Long Term Borrowings		(51)		-		(51)		(189)		(9)		(198)
TRUPS		-		(13)		(13)		-		(50)		(50)
Total Borrowed Funds		(69)		(14)		(83)		(212)		(61)		(273)
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	$	(119)	$	(154)	$	(273)	$	(280)	$	(589)	$	(869)
Net Interest Margin/Income	$	(371)	$	(757)	$	(1,128)	$	1,196	$	(3,243)	$	(2,047)

⁽¹⁾ Yields on tax exempt income have not been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

The volume variance calculated for the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012 was negative $371,000, due primarily to a reduction of $26 million in average interest-earning assets. We also experienced volume shifts within average investment balances, from higher-yielding bonds into lower-yielding balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), and within average loans, from higher-yielding loan categories into lower-yielding loan types and non-accrual loans. Favorable movement in average liability and equity balances, however, partially offset the negative impact of balance sheet contraction and earning asset fluctuations on our volume variance for the quarter. Total interest-bearing deposits dropped by $20 million and the average balance of higher-cost non-deposit borrowings was $31 million lower. We also saw some migration within deposit balances from aggregate average time deposits into lower-cost non-maturity deposits for the comparative quarters, including a $26 million increase in the average balance of non-interest bearing demand deposits.

32

The impact of interest rate changes resulted in a $757,000 unfavorable rate variance in net interest income for the comparative quarters. Our weighted average yield on interest-earning assets fell 37 basis points due to lower loan rates stemming from intense competition for quality loans, and lower investment yields resulting from the runoff of higher-yielding bonds and an increase in relatively low-yielding FRB balances. By comparison, our weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was just 11 basis points lower. The negative rate variance is exacerbated by our sizeable net interest position, which is the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Our average net interest position for the third quarter of 2012, the base period for the rate variance calculation, was $368 million, meaning that the yield decrease for interest-earning assets was applied to a much higher balance than the rate decrease for interest-bearing liabilities and had a greater impact on net interest income. Partially alleviating the negative pressures on our rate variance for the quarterly comparison were $39,000 in net interest recoveries in the third quarter of 2013, relative to only $2,000 in net interest recoveries in the third quarter of 2012.

The Company’s net interest margin, which is tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets, is affected by the same factors discussed above relative to rate and volume variances. Our net interest margin was 3.99% in the third quarter of 2013, a decline of 28 basis points relative to the third quarter of 2012. The principal adverse factors impacting our net interest margin in the third quarter of 2013 include competitive pressures on loan yields and an increase in low-yielding average balances at the FRB. Partially offsetting the negative developments were a shift in average balances from non-deposit borrowings and higher-cost time deposits into lower-cost non-maturity deposits, an increase in the average balance non-interest bearing demand deposits, and the favorable differential in net interest recoveries.

The change in net interest income for the first nine months of 2013 relative to the first nine months of 2012 includes a favorable volume variance of $1.196 million and a negative rate variance of $3.243 million. The volume variance for the year-to-date period was due primarily to a $22 million increase in average interest-earning assets, which was enhanced by relatively strong growth in the average balances of low-cost customer deposits. A shift within loans from higher-yielding real estate and consumer loans into lower-yielding commercial and agricultural loans partially offset some of the favorable dynamics impacting our volume variance for the comparative year-to-date periods.

Some of the same factors discussed for the quarterly rate variance were applicable with regard to the rate variance for the year-to-date period. For the first nine months of 2013 relative to the first nine months of 2012 the weighted average yield on the Company’s earning assets was 40 basis points lower, while the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell by only 13 basis points. There was a slight favorable impact on the year-to-date comparison from net interest recoveries, which totaled $161,000 in the first nine months of 2013 relative to $148,000 in the first nine months of 2012. The Company’s net interest margin for the first nine months of 2013 was 4.00%, a drop of 29 basis points relative to the net interest margin of 4.29% in the first nine months of 2012.

Provision for loan and LEASE losses

Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. The Company sets aside an allowance for loan and lease losses, a contra-asset account, through periodic charges to earnings which are reflected in the income statement as the provision for loan and lease losses. The Company’s loan loss provision totaled $800,000 for the third quarter of 2013 and $2.850 million for the first nine months of 2013, representing reductions of $3.900 million, or 83%, in the third quarter and $7.760 million, or 73% in the first nine months relative to the same periods in 2012.

The Company’s loan loss provision has been sufficient to maintain our allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable loan losses related to specifically-identified impaired loans, as well as probable incurred losses in the remaining loan portfolio. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable loan losses are immediately charged off against the allowance. Net loans charged off in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 totaled $1.156 million and $4.899 million, respectively, relative to $5.757 million in the third quarter of 2012 and $15.087 million in the first nine months of 2012. Many of the charge-offs in 2013 were taken against previously-established specific reserves on impaired loans, and did not directly result in the need for reserve replenishment via the loan loss provision. Our loan loss provision in 2013 has been utilized primarily to provide specific reserves for certain other impaired loans, however. Our general reserve for non-impaired loans has been declining, consistent with lower loan balances and improved credit quality.

33

The Company’s policies for monitoring the adequacy of the allowance and determining loan amounts that should be charged off, and other detailed information with regard to changes in the allowance, are discussed in note 12 to the consolidated financial statements and below under “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.” The process utilized to establish an appropriate allowance for loan and lease losses can result in a high degree of variability in the Company’s loan loss provision, and consequently in our net earnings.

NON-INTEREST INCOME and NON-INTEREST expense

The following table provides details on the Company’s non-interest income and non-interest expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

Non Interest Income/Expense
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
NON-INTEREST INCOME:	2013			% of Total		2012			% of Total		2013			% of Total		2012			% of Total
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	2,354		54.50	%	$	2,525		57.65	%	$	6,642		53.32	%	$	7,229		57.36	%
Other service charges, commissions & fees		1,420		32.88	%		1,259		28.74	%		4,283		34.39	%		3,773		29.94	%
Gains on sales of loans		24		0.56	%		45		1.03	%		92		0.74	%		139		1.10	%
Gains on securities		-		0.00	%		90		2.05	%		6		0.05	%		161		1.28	%
Loan servicing income		2		0.05	%		4		0.09	%		6		0.05	%		10		0.08	%
Bank owned life insurance		435		10.07	%		392		8.95	%		1,259		10.11	%		1,135		9.01	%
Other		84		1.94	%		65		1.49	%		168		1.34	%		156		1.23	%
Total non-interest income	$	4,319		100.00	%	$	4,380		100.00	%	$	12,456		100.00	%	$	12,603		100.00	%
As a % of average interest-earning assets (1)				1.39	%				1.39	%				1.34	%				1.38	%
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits	$	5,394		46.95	%	$	5,278		45.92	%	$	16,717		49.13	%	$	15,855		46.61	%
Occupancy costs
Furniture & equipment		455		3.96	%		529		4.60	%		1,489		4.38	%		1,533		4.51	%
Premises		1,099		9.56	%		1,140		9.92	%		3,213		9.44	%		3,188		9.37	%
Advertising and marketing costs		352		3.06	%		372		3.24	%		1,195		3.51	%		1,323		3.89	%
Data processing costs		509		4.43	%		480		4.18	%		1,485		4.36	%		1,327		3.90	%
Deposit services costs		514		4.47	%		574		4.99	%		1,513		4.45	%		1,743		5.12	%
Loan services costs
Loan processing		339		2.95	%		304		2.64	%		711		2.09	%		862		2.53	%
Foreclosed assets		887		7.72	%		766		6.66	%		1,679		4.93	%		2,410		7.08	%
Other operating costs
Telephone & data communications		350		3.05	%		378		3.29	%		1,223		3.59	%		1,109		3.26	%
Postage & mail		202		1.76	%		175		1.52	%		544		1.60	%		517		1.52	%
Other		241		2.10	%		185		1.61	%		529		1.55	%		558		1.65	%
Professional services costs
Legal & accounting		367		3.19	%		298		2.59	%		1,320		3.88	%		1,021		3.00	%
Other professional service		563		4.90	%		617		5.37	%		1,723		5.06	%		1,592		4.68	%
Stationery & supply costs		142		1.24	%		151		1.31	%		455		1.34	%		562		1.65	%
Sundry & tellers		76		0.66	%		248		2.16	%		231		0.69	%		417		1.23	%
Total non-interest expense	$	11,490		100.00	%	$	11,495		100.00	%	$	34,027		100.00	%	$	34,017		100.00	%
As a % of average interest-earning assets (1)				3.70	%				3.64	%				3.66	%				3.72	%
Efficiency Ratio (2)		68.20	%				64.03	%				67.83	%				65.17	%

⁽¹⁾ Annualized

⁽²⁾ Tax Equivalent

34

The Company’s results reflect a drop in total non-interest income of $61,000, or 1%, for the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, and a reduction of $147,000, or 1%, for the first nine months. Non-interest income would have increased in 2013 if not for the impact of 2012 accrual adjustments to pass-through expenses associated with tax credit investments. There were also significant fluctuations within non-interest income due in part to fees that are reflected in other service charges, commissions and fees in 2013 but were included with service charges on deposits in 2012, as well as certain non-recurring items. Total non-interest income was an annualized 1.39% of average interest-earning assets in the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, and was 1.34% for the first nine months of 2013 relative to 1.38% for the first nine months of 2012. The lower ratio for the year-to-date comparison is due in part to an increase in average interest-earning assets.

Service charge income on deposits fell by $171,000, or 7%, for the quarterly comparison and $587,000, or 8%, for the comparative nine-month periods, primarily due to debit card interchange fees that were included with service charges on deposits in 2012 but are reflected in other service charges in 2013. Other service charges, commissions, and fees increased by $161,000, or 13%, for the quarter and $510,000, or 14%, for the first nine months. For the quarterly comparison, other service charges include an increase of $263,000 in debit card interchange fees, due mainly to the reclassification noted above, and a $68,000 increase in dividends received on restricted stock. Those favorable variances were partially offset by an accrual adjustment in the third quarter of 2012 that contributed to a quarter over quarter increase of $208,000 in pass-through expenses associated with our tax credit investments, which are netted out of other service charges. The increase in other service charges for the first nine months is mainly the result of a $740,000 increase in interchange fees (due in large part to the reclassification), a $100,000 non-recurring signing incentive received in conjunction with our merchant processing vendor conversion in the first quarter of 2013, and a $204,000 increase in dividends on restricted stock, partially offset by a $542,000 increase in tax credit investment costs resulting in part from 2012 accrual adjustments.

There were no gains on securities in the third quarter of 2013, relative to $90,000 in gains on securities sold in the third quarter of 2012. We realized only $6,000 in gains on a few securities sold in the first nine months of 2013 relative to $161,000 in gains on securities sold in the first nine months of 2012, so the comparative year-to-date results reflect a decline of $155,000, or 96%. Loan sale and servicing income remained at minimal levels, and did not materially impact the Company’s results.

Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income increased by $43,000, or 11%, in the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, and $124,000, or 11%, for the comparative year-to-date periods, mainly from increases in income on BOLI associated with deferred compensation plans. The Company owns and derives income from two basic types of BOLI: “general account,” and “separate account.” At September 30, 2013 the Company had $35.5 million invested in single-premium general account BOLI. Income from our general account BOLI is used to fund expenses associated with executive salary continuation plans, director retirement plans and other employee benefits. Interest credit rates on general account BOLI do not change frequently and this income is typically fairly consistent from year to year, but rate reductions have led to slightly reduced income levels in recent periods. In addition to general account BOLI, the Company had $3.9 million invested in separate account BOLI at September 30, 2013, the earnings on which help offset deferred compensation accruals for certain directors and senior officers. These deferred compensation BOLI accounts have returns pegged to participant-directed investment allocations which can include equity, bond, or real estate indices, and are thus subject to gains or losses which often contribute to significant fluctuations in income (and associated expense accruals) from period to period. There was a gain on separate account BOLI totaling $182,000 in the third quarter of 2013 relative to a gain of $126,000 in the third quarter of 2012, for an increase of $56,000 in deferred compensation BOLI income for the quarterly comparison. For the first nine months, gains totaled $496,000 in 2013 relative to $321,000 in 2012, for an increase of $175,000. As noted, gains and losses on separate account BOLI are related to expense accruals or reversals associated with participant gains and losses on deferred compensation balances, thus their impact on taxable income tends to be neutral.

The “Other” category under non-interest income includes gains and losses on the disposition of assets other than OREO, and rental income generated by the Company’s alliance with Investment Centers of America (ICA). Other non-interest income did not change materially for the comparative periods.

Total non-interest expense did not change materially in the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, or for the comparative year-to-date periods. There were, however, sizeable fluctuations in certain line items comprising total non-interest expense. As detailed below, the largest variances for the comparative third quarters were higher compensation expense and elevated loan costs, which were offset by lower occupancy expense and reduced losses on debit cards. The most significant variances for the comparative year-to-date periods include higher compensation costs, and lower levels of OREO write-downs and other lending expenses. Non-interest expense was an annualized 3.70% of average interest-earning assets in the third quarter of 2013 relative to 3.64% in the third quarter of 2012, and was an annualized 3.66% of average interest-earning assets in the first nine months of 2013 relative to 3.72% in the first nine months of 2012.

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The largest component of non-interest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased by $116,000, or 2%, for the quarter, and $862,000, or 5%, for the first nine months. The increases are due in large part to regular annual salary adjustments and strategic additions to our lending staff. Included in compensation costs are deferred compensation expense accruals which, as explained above, are related to BOLI income and tend to be unpredictable. Those accruals totaled $114,000 and $174,000 for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and were $316,000 and $188,000 for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Salaries and benefits increased to 46.95% of total non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2013 from 45.92% in the third quarter of 2012, and to 49.13% in the first nine months of 2013 from 46.61% in the first nine months of 2012.

Total occupancy expense fell by $115,000, or 7%, for the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, but did not change materially for the comparative year-to-date periods. The quarterly decrease was primarily in depreciation expense on furniture and equipment. Marketing costs declined by $20,000 for the quarter and $128,000 for the first nine months, due in part to the timing of payments. Data processing costs were up by $29,000, or 6%, for the quarter, and $158,000, or 12% for the first nine months, due primarily to costs associated with software implemented during 2013 that should facilitate more efficient loan origination and processing, including loan document imaging. Deposit services costs were down $60,000, or 10%, for the third quarter and $230,000, or 13%, for the first nine months, due to lower electronic banking costs and, for the year-to-date comparison, lower costs associated with debit card processing.

Total loan services costs reflect an increase of $156,000, or 15%, for the third quarter, but were down $882,000, or 27%, for the first nine months. The primary contributor to both the quarterly and year-to-date fluctuations was net costs associated with foreclosed assets (principally OREO write-downs and gains/losses on the sale of OREO), which increased by $121,000 for the third quarter but fell by $731,000 for the first nine months. Loan processing costs also increased for the quarter but were down for the year-to-date comparison, since an increase in our provision for unfunded commitments in 2013 was more than offset for the first nine months by reductions in other lending expenses such as appraisals and demand/foreclosure costs.

Telecommunications costs were down by $28,000, or 7%, for the quarter due to favorable rate adjustments, but increased $114,000, or 10%, for the first nine months due to higher average rates as well as costs associated with the addition and enhancement of data circuits. Postage and mail costs increased by $27,000, or 15%, for the third quarter and $27,000, or 5%, for the year-to-date comparison. The “other” category under other operating costs increased by $56,000, or 30%, for the quarter, but fell by $29,000, or 5%, for the first nine months. The comparative results for “other” operating costs for both the three-month and year-to-date periods reflect lower depreciation expense on operating leases where the Bank is the lessor, due to the maturity of leases, but for the quarterly comparison that reduction was more than offset by increases in recruiting and training costs.

Under professional services costs, legal and accounting costs increased by $69,000, or 23%, for the third quarter and $299,000, or 29%, for the first nine months due largely to an increase in legal costs associated with loan collections and, for the year-to-date comparison, higher loan review costs. The cost of other professional services dropped by $54,000, or 9%, for the third quarter, but increased by $131,000, or 8% for the first nine months due in large part to variability in accruals for directors deferred compensation plans (related to the increase in BOLI income discussed above). Directors deferred compensation accruals totaled $131,000 and $170,000 for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and were $316,000 and $200,000 for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stationery and supply costs were about the same for the comparative third quarters, but reflect a decline of $107,000 for the first nine months due to a change in vendors. Sundry losses were reduced by $172,000, or 69%, for the third quarter, and $186,000, or 45%, for the first nine months, due to a surge in debit card fraud in the third quarter of 2012 that was subsequently brought under control.

The Company’s tax-equivalent overhead efficiency ratio increased to 68.20% in the third quarter of 2013 from 64.03% in the third quarter of 2012, and to 67.83% in the first nine months of 2013 from 65.17% in the first nine months of 2012. The overhead efficiency ratio represents total non-interest expense divided by the sum of fully tax-equivalent net interest and non-interest income, with the provision for loan losses, investment gains/losses, and other extraordinary gains/losses excluded from the equation.

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PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The Company sets aside a provision for income taxes on a monthly basis. The amount of that provision is determined by applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to estimated taxable income, which is pre-tax book income adjusted for permanent differences. Such permanent differences include but are not limited to tax-exempt interest income, increases in the cash surrender value of BOLI, California Enterprise Zone deductions, certain expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions, and tax credits. Our tax credits consist primarily of those generated by an $8 million investment in low-income housing tax credit funds, and California state employment tax credits. Because of the relatively high portion of the Company’s pretax income that consists of tax-exempt interest income and BOLI income, and the level of tax credits available in relation to our pre-credit tax liability, as calculated for book purposes, our tax accrual rate is currently very sensitive to changes in pretax income. The referenced factors resulted in an income tax provision of $663,000, or 16% of pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2013, relative to a negative provision of $321,000 in the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months, the Company’s income tax provision was $2.198 million, or 19% of pre-tax income in 2013, and only $54,000, or 1% of pre-tax income in 2012.

balance sheet analysis

EARNING ASSETS

The Company’s interest-earning assets are comprised of investments and loans, and the detailed composition and growth characteristics of both are significant determinants of the Company’s financial condition. Investments are analyzed in the section immediately below, while the loan and lease portfolio and other factors affecting earning assets are discussed in the sections following investments.

INVESTMENTS

The Company’s investments consist of debt securities and marketable equity securities (together, the “investment portfolio”), investments in the time deposits of other banks, surplus interest-earning balances in our Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) account, and overnight fed funds sold. Surplus FRB balances and fed funds sold to correspondent banks represent the investment of temporary excess liquidity. The Company’s investments serve several purposes: 1) they provide liquidity to even out cash flows from the loan and deposit activities of customers; 2) they provide a source of pledged assets for securing public deposits, bankruptcy deposits and certain borrowed funds which require collateral; 3) they constitute a large base of assets with maturity and interest rate characteristics that can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio, to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources of the Company; 4) they are an alternative interest-earning use of funds when loan demand is light; and 5) they can provide partially tax exempt income. Aggregate investments totaled $418 million, or 30% of total assets at September 30, 2013, compared to $400 million, or 28% of total assets at December 31, 2012.

We had no fed funds sold at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. Interest-bearing balances at other banks totaled $12 million at September 30, 2013, down from $20 million at the end of 2012 due to a lower balance in our FRB account. The Company’s investment portfolio reflects an increase of $26 million, or 7%, for the first nine months of 2013, ending the period with a book balance of $406 million. The Company carries investments on its books at their fair market values. Although the Company currently has the intent and the ability to hold the securities in its investment portfolio to maturity, the securities are all marketable and are classified as “available for sale” to allow maximum flexibility with regard to interest rate risk and liquidity management.

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The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair market value of Company’s investment portfolio by investment type as of the dates noted:

Investment Portfolio
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)	September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Amortized		Fair Market		Amortized		Fair Market
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
Available for Sale
US Government Agencies & Corporations	$	4,147	$	4,030	$	2,987	$	2,973
Mortgage-backed securities		308,207		307,968		298,806		301,389
State & political subdivisions		92,423		91,726		70,736		73,986
Equity securities		1,336		2,365		1,336		1,840
Total Investment Securities	$	406,113	$	406,089	$	373,865	$	380,188

The net unrealized loss on our investment portfolio, or the difference between the fair market value and amortized cost, was $24,000 at September 30, 2013, down from a net unrealized gain of $6.3 million at December 31, 2012 due to lower market values resulting from an increase in longer-term interest rates in 2013. The rate increase had a sizeable negative impact on the carrying values of mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds, in particular. The value of U.S. Government agency securities increased by $1 million, or 36%, during the first nine months of 2013, due to new bonds purchased primarily for pledging purposes. Mortgage-backed securities increased by $7 million, or 2%, since bond purchases exceeded prepayments and the drop in market value. New purchases also pushed the balance of municipal bonds up by $18 million, or 24%, despite their declining market value, as the Company has taken advantage of relative value in that sector. It should be noted that all newly purchased municipal bonds have strong underlying ratings. No equity securities were bought or sold during the first nine months of 2013, although the market value of those securities increased by $525,000, or 29%.

Investment portfolio securities that were pledged as collateral for FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements, public deposits and other purposes as required or permitted by law totaled $162 million at September 30, 2013 and $179 million at December 31, 2012, leaving $242 million in unpledged debt securities at September 30, 2013 and $199 million at December 31, 2012. Securities pledged in excess of actual pledging needs, and thus available for liquidity purposes if necessary, totaled $64 million at September 30, 2013 and $79 million at December 31, 2012.

Loan AND LEASE Portfolio

The Company’s loans and leases, gross of the associated allowance for losses and deferred fees and origination costs but not including loans held for sale, totaled $810 million at September 30, 2013, a drop of $69 million, or 8%, since December 31, 2012. The decline in 2013 is due to lower utilization on mortgage warehouse lines; reductions in other categories were more than offset by growth in agricultural loans and commercial real estate loans. It should also be noted that the drop in gross loans and leases includes a reduction of $13 million, or 25%, in nonperforming loans.

The distribution of the Company’s loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, including outstanding balance by loan type and each type as a percentage of total loans, is presented in the following Loan and Lease Distribution table. The balances shown are before deferred or unamortized loan origination, extension, or commitment fees, and deferred origination costs.

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Loan and Lease Distribution
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction	$	1,892		$	3,174
Other Construction/Land		25,069			28,002
1-4 family - closed-end		88,003			99,917
Equity Lines		55,521			61,463
Multi-family residential		8,365			5,960
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		179,184			182,614
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		103,724			92,808
Farmland		114,258			71,851
Total Real Estate		576,016			545,789
Agricultural products		26,744			22,482
Commercial and Industrial		83,959			88,354
Mortgage Warehouse Lines		80,160			170,324
Small Business Administration Loans		16,404			20,523
Direct finance leases		3,179			4,233
Consumer loans		23,866			28,090
Total Loans and Leases	$	810,328		$	879,795
Percentage of Total Loans and Leases
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction		0.23	%		0.35	%
Other Construction/land		3.09	%		3.18	%
1-4 family - closed-end		10.86	%		11.36	%
Equity Lines		6.85	%		6.99	%
Multi-family residential		1.03	%		0.68	%
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		22.11	%		20.76	%
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		12.80	%		10.55	%
Farmland		14.10	%		8.17	%
Total Real Estate		71.07	%		62.04	%
Agricultural products		3.30	%		2.56	%
Commercial and Industrial		10.38	%		10.04	%
Mortgage Warehouse Lines		9.89	%		19.36	%
Small Business Administration Loans		2.02	%		2.33	%
Direct finance leases		0.39	%		0.48	%
Consumer loans		2.95	%		3.19	%
Total Loans and Leases		100.00	%		100.00	%

Mortgage warehouse lines fell by $90 million, or 53%, because utilization on lines dropped to 26% at September 30, 2013 from close to 80% at December 31, 2012. As a percentage of total loans, mortgage warehouse balances were down to 9.89% at September 30, 2013, from 19.36% at December 31, 2012. To help counteract the drop in mortgage warehouse loans, we continue to add new mortgage warehouse customers and have encouraged increased credit line utilization for current customers. However, mortgage lending activity is strongly correlated to interest rates and refinancing activity and has historically been subject to significant fluctuations, so no assurance can be provided with regard to our ability to maintain or grow mortgage warehouse balances. In addition to the slump in mortgage warehouse lending we saw fairly significant contraction in construction/land loans, residential real estate loans (including equity lines), commercial loans, and SBA loans, due to weak loan demand, stringent underwriting standards, and intense competition.

39

The Company has strengthened lending efforts in other areas to help mitigate the volatility in mortgage warehouse balances. In the first nine months of 2013, those efforts led to significant growth in commercial real estate loans, which increased more than $7 million, or 3%, agricultural production loans, which were up $4 million, or 19%, and real estate loans secured by farmland, which increased by $42 million, or 59%. Farmland loans increased to 14.10% of total loans at September 30, 2013, from 8.17% at December 31, 2012.

Although not reflected in the loan totals above and not currently comprising a material segment of our lending activities, the Company occasionally originates and sells, or participates out portions of, loans to non-affiliated investors.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

Nonperforming assets are comprised of loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest, and foreclosed assets, including mobile homes and other real estate owned (“OREO”). If the Bank grants a concession to a borrower in financial difficulty, the loan falls into the category of a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). TDRs may be classified as either nonperforming or performing loans depending on their accrual status. The following table presents comparative data for the Company’s nonperforming assets and performing TDRs, as of the dates noted:

Nonperforming Assets and Performing TDR's
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012
NON-ACCRUAL LOANS:
Real Estate:
1-4 family residential construction	$	-		$	153		$	1,558
Other Construction/Land		5,729			11,163			1,349
1-4 family - closed-end		14,122			15,381			5,591
Equity Lines		1,085			1,026			732
Multi-family residential		-			-			-
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		5,520			5,314			6,409
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		8,128			11,642			5,193
Farmland		449			1,933			1,943
TOTAL REAL ESTATE	$	35,033		$	46,612		$	22,775
Agriculture Products		20			664			999
Commercial and Industrial		1,706			2,386			1,307
Small Business Administration Loans		2,116			2,159			2,331
Direct finance leases		-			135			190
Consumer loans		1,166			1,138			1,252
TOTAL NONPERFORMING LOANS	$	40,041		$	53,094		$	28,854
Foreclosed assets		8,904			19,754			19,835
Total nonperforming assets	$	48,945		$	72,848		$	48,689
Performing TDR's (1)	$	16,854		$	18,652		$	36,888
Nonperforming loans as a % of total gross loans and leases		4.94	%		6.03	%		3.41	%
Nonperforming assets as a % of total gross loans
and leases and foreclosed assets		5.97	%		8.10	%		5.62	%

⁽¹⁾ Performing TDRs are not included in nonperforming loans above, nor are they included in the numerators used to calculate the ratios disclosed in this table.

Total nonperforming assets dropped by $23.9 million, or 33%, during the first nine months of 2013. Nonperforming loans were down by $13.1 million, or 25%, and foreclosed assets fell by $10.9 million, or 55%. The balance of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2013 includes $20.4 million in TDRs and other loans that were paying as agreed under modified terms or forbearance agreements but were still classified as nonperforming. As shown in the table, we also had $16.9 million in loans classified as performing TDRs for which we were still accruing interest as of September 30, 2013, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 10%, relative to the balance of $18.7 million at December 31, 2012.

40

 

Non-accruing loan balances secured by real estate comprised $35.0 million of total nonperforming loans at September 30, 2013, and reflect a net decrease of $11.6 million, or 25%, for the first nine months of 2013. The reduction includes net pay-downs on nonperforming real estate loans of $12.9 million, transfers to OREO from nonperforming real estate loans totaling $3.2 million, and charge-offs on nonperforming real estate loans of $2.7 million. Those reductions were partially offset by $7.3 million in gross additions to nonperforming real estate loans during the first nine months of 2013.

Nonperforming commercial and SBA loans were reduced by a combined $723,000, or 16%, during the first nine months of 2013, ending the period at $3.8 million. Gross additions to nonperforming commercial and SBA loans totaled $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, but additions were more than offset by net pay-downs of $1.2 million and the charge-off of $764,000 in loan balances. Non-accrual direct finance leases fell by $135,000 during the first nine months of 2013, to a zero balance at period-end, and nonperforming consumer loans, which are largely unsecured, increased by $28,000, or 2%.

As noted above, foreclosed assets were reduced by $10.9 million during the first nine months of 2013, due mainly to OREO sold during the period. Write-downs on OREO totaling $695,000 and a net loss of $568,000 on the sale of OREO also contributed to the reduction in foreclosed assets during the period. The balance of foreclosed assets had an aggregate carrying value of $8.9 million at September 30, 2013, and was comprised of 38 properties classified as OREO and one mobile home. Much of the book value of our OREO at September 30, 2013 was centered in 12 commercial buildings, with a combined book balance of $5.5 million. OREO also included two residential properties with a combined value of $502,000, with the remainder consisting of vacant lots or land. At the end of 2012 foreclosed assets totaled $19.8 million, comprised of 69 properties in OREO and three mobile homes. All foreclosed assets are periodically evaluated and written down to their fair value less expected disposition costs, if lower than the then-current carrying value.

Total nonperforming assets were 5.97% of gross loans and leases plus foreclosed assets at September 30, 2013, down from 8.10% at December 31, 2012. An action plan is in place for each of our non-accruing loans and foreclosed assets and they are all being actively managed. Collection efforts are continuously pursued for all nonperforming loans, but we cannot provide assurance that all will be resolved in a timely manner or that nonperforming balances will not increase further.

Allowance for loan and lease Losses

The allowance for loan and lease losses, a contra-asset, is established through a provision for loan and lease losses. It is maintained at a level that is considered adequate to absorb probable losses on certain specifically identified loans, as well as probable incurred losses inherent in the remaining loan portfolio. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when cash payments are received subsequent to the charge off. An allowance for potential losses inherent in unused commitments, totaling $269,000 at September 30, 2013, is included in other liabilities.

The Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses was $11.8 million, or 1.46% of gross loans at September 30, 2013, relative to $13.9 million, or 1.58% of gross loans at December 31, 2012. The decline in the first nine months of 2013 was due to a reduction in general reserves consistent with lower loan balances and improvement in asset quality, and lower specific reserves consistent with the drop in impaired loans. The ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans was 29.53% at September 30, 2013, relative to 26.13% at December 31, 2012 and 44.38% at September 30, 2012.

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The table that follows summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the noted periods:

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)	For the Three Months			For the Three Months			For the Nine Months			For the Nine Months			For the Year
	Ended September 30,			Ended September 30,			Ended September 30,			Ended September 30,			Ended December 31,
Balances:	2013				2012			2013			2012			2012
Average gross loans and leases outstanding during period (1)	$	796,194		$	813,962		$	809,615		$	775,395		$	789,333
Gross loans and leases outstanding at end of period	$	810,328		$	847,130		$	810,328		$	847,130		$	879,795
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	12,180		$	13,863		$	13,873		$	17,283		$	17,283
Provision charged to expense		800			4,700			2,850			10,610			14,210
Charge-offs
Real Estate
1-4 family residential construction		-			46			-			46			46
Other Construction/Land		310			1,117			601			1,856			1,994
1-4 family - closed-end		31			205			399			1,239			1,763
Equity Lines		98			60			613			982			1,234
Multi-family residential		-			102			-			1,262			1,262
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		350			906			792			1,530			2,117
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		118			1,342			523			2,093			2,522
Farmland		-			-			539			171			170
TOTAL REAL ESTATE	$	907		$	3,778		$	3,467		$	9,179		$	11,108
Agricultural products		-			634			28			634			634
Commercial & industrial loans		440			952			1,754			3,731			4,283
Small Business Administration Loans		-			335			44			753			753
Direct Finance Leases		-			-			106			198			198
Consumer Loans		182			249			787			1,357			1,802
Unallocated		-			-			-			-			-
Total	$	1,529		$	5,948		$	6,186		$	15,852		$	18,778
Recoveries
Real Estate
1-4 family residential construction		-			-			-			-			7
Other Construction/Land		61			10			173			14			61
1-4 family - closed-end		2			6			5			30			40
Equity Lines		3			3			7			16			21
Multi-family residential		-			-			-			-			-
Commercial real estate- owner occupied		8			2			20			93			104
Commercial real estate- non-owner occupied		-			12			172			12			12
Farmland		-			-			-			57			57
TOTAL REAL ESTATE	$	74		$	33		$	377		$	222		$	302
Agricultural products		-			-			-			-			-
Commercial and Industrial		252			97			782			342			589
Small Business Administration Loans		6			35			7			82			95
Direct Finance Leases		7			-			11			-			-
Consumer Loans		34			26			110			119			172
Unallocated		-			-			-			-			-
Total	$	373		$	191		$	1,287		$	765		$	1,158
Net loan charge offs (recoveries)	$	1,156		$	5,757		$	4,899		$	15,087		$	17,620
Balance at end of period	$	11,824		$	12,806		$	11,824		$	12,806		$	13,873
RATIOS
Net Charge-offs to Average Loans and Leases (annualized)		0.58	%		2.81	%		0.81	%		2.60	%		2.23	%
Allowance for Loan Losses to     Gross Loans and Leases at End of Period		1.46	%		1.51	%		1.46	%		1.51	%		1.58	%
Allowance for Loan Losses to     NonPerforming Loans		29.53	%		44.38	%		29.53	%		44.38	%		26.13	%
Net Loan Charge-offs to Allowance     for Loan Losses at End of Period		9.78	%		44.96	%		41.43	%		117.81	%		127.01	%
Net Loan Charge-offs to     Provision for Loan Losses		144.50	%		122.49	%		171.89	%		142.20	%		124.00	%

⁽¹⁾ Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

42

As shown in the table immediately above, the Company’s provision for loan and lease losses was decreased by $3.900 million, or 83%, for the third quarter of 2013 relative to the third quarter of 2012, and by $7.760 million, or 73%, for the first nine months of 2013 relative to the first nine months of 2012. Net loans charged off were also down by $4.601 million, or 80%, for the quarterly comparison, and $10.188 million, or 68%, for the first nine months. Gross real estate loan charge-offs of $3.467 million in the first nine months of 2013 were partially comprised of write-downs on impaired collateral-dependent loans against previously-established specific reserves, and including those write-downs we have taken a cumulative total of $3.705 million in write-downs on collateral-dependent loans still on our books at September 30, 2013. Since our allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level to cover probable losses on specifically identified loans as well as probable incurred losses in the remaining loan portfolio, any shortfall in the allowance created by loan charge-offs is typically covered by month-end, and always by quarter-end. Additional details on our provision for loan and lease losses and its relationship to actual charge-offs is contained above in the “Provision for Loan and Lease Losses” section.

The Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses at September 30, 2013 represents management’s best estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio as of that date, but no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial losses relative to the size of the allowance. Furthermore, fluctuations in credit quality, changes in economic conditions, updated accounting or regulatory requirements, and/or other factors could induce us to augment or reduce the allowance. For example, in December 2012 the FASB issued a proposed accounting standards update on “Financial Instruments–Credit Losses,” with the goal of eliminating the overstatement of assets caused by a delayed recognition of credit losses associated with loans (and other financial instruments). Final standards have not yet been issued and no effective date for the guidance has been suggested. However, if ultimately implemented as proposed, the guidance would require us to modify the methodology we use to determine our allowance for loan and lease losses from the current “incurred loss” model to a new “expected credit loss” model that considers more forward-looking information. That change could potentially necessitate an increase in our allowance for loan and lease losses, which would negatively impact our profitability if our loan loss provision needs to be increased accordingly.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

In the normal course of business, the Company maintains commitments to extend credit as long as there are no violations of any conditions established in the outstanding contractual arrangements. Unused commitments to extend credit totaled $438 million at September 30, 2013 and $225 million at December 31, 2012, although it is not likely that all of those commitments will ultimately be drawn down. The increase during the first nine months of 2013 was primarily due to an increase in undisbursed commitments on mortgage warehouse lines, resulting from decreased line utilization and newly committed lines. Unused commitments represented approximately 54% of gross loans outstanding at September 30, 2013, and 26% at December 31, 2012. In addition to unused loan commitments, the Company had undrawn letters of credit totaling $17 million at September 30, 2013 and $15 million at December 31, 2012.

The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will ever be used. However, the “Liquidity” section in this Form 10-Q outlines resources available to draw upon, should we be required to fund a significant portion of unused commitments. For more information regarding the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 8 to the financial statements located elsewhere herein.

OTHER ASSETS

The Company’s balance of non-interest earning cash and due from banks was $49 million at September 30, 2013, and $42 million at December 31, 2012. The actual balance of cash and due from banks depends on the timing of collection of outstanding cash items (checks), and is subject to significant fluctuation in the normal course of business. While cash flows are normally predictable within limits, those limits are fairly broad and the Company manages its short-term cash position through the utilization of overnight loans to and borrowings from correspondent banks, including the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Should a large “short” overnight position persist for any length of time, the Company typically raises money through focused retail deposit gathering efforts or by adding brokered time deposits. If a “long” position is prevalent, the Company will let brokered deposits or other wholesale borrowings roll off as they mature, or might invest excess liquidity in higher-yielding, longer-term bonds.

43

Net premises and equipment decreased by slightly more than $1 million, or 6%, during the first nine months of 2013, due mainly to an increase in accumulated depreciation; no material capital expenditures were made in the first nine months of 2013. Foreclosed assets are discussed above, in the section titled “Nonperforming Assets.” Goodwill did not change during the period, ending the first nine months of 2013 with a balance of about $6 million. The Company’s goodwill is evaluated annually for potential impairment, and because the estimated fair value of the Company exceeded its book value (including goodwill) as of the measurement date and no impairment was indicated, no further testing was deemed necessary and it was determined that no goodwill impairment exists.

The aggregate balance of “other assets” did not change materially during the first nine months of 2013, ending the period at $81 million. At September 30, 2013, the balance of other assets included as its largest components $39.4 million in bank-owned life insurance (see discussion of BOLI in “Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense” section above), a net deferred tax asset of $15.0 million, an $8.0 million investment in low-income housing tax credit funds, a $5.9 million investment in restricted stock, accrued interest receivable totaling $4.9 million, and current prepaid income taxes totaling $1.3 million. Restricted stock is comprised primarily of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) stock held in conjunction with our FHLB borrowings, and is not deemed to be marketable or liquid. Our net deferred tax asset is evaluated as of every reporting date pursuant to FASB guidance, and we have determined that no impairment exists.

DEPOSITS AND INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

DEPOSITS

Another key balance sheet component impacting the Company’s net interest margin is our deposits. Deposits provide liquidity to fund growth in earning assets, and the Company’s net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits is concentrated in less volatile and typically less costly non-maturity deposits, which include demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, and money market demand accounts. Information concerning average balances and rates paid, by deposit type, for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, is included in the Average Balances and Rates tables appearing above in the section titled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.” A comparative schedule of the distribution of the Company’s deposits at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, by outstanding balance and percentage of total deposits, is presented in the following Deposit Distribution table.

44

 

Deposit Distribution
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits	$	77,809		$	84,655
Non-interest Bearing Demand Deposits		354,814			352,597
NOW		197,444			196,771
Savings		137,680			118,547
Money Market		67,691			71,222
CDAR's < $100,000		567			791
CDAR's > $100,000		12,938			14,274
Customer Time deposit < $100,000		83,020			101,893
Customer Time deposits > $100,000		209,515			218,284
Brokered Deposits		10,000			15,000
Total Deposits	$	1,151,478		$	1,174,034
Percentage of Total Deposits
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits		6.76	%		7.21	%
Non-interest Bearing Demand Deposits		30.81	%		30.03	%
NOW		17.15	%		16.76	%
Savings		11.96	%		10.10	%
Money Market		5.88	%		6.07	%
CDAR's < $100,000		0.05	%		0.07	%
CDAR's > $100,000		1.12	%		1.22	%
Customer Time deposit < $100,000		7.21	%		8.68	%
Customer Time deposits > $100,000		18.19	%		18.58	%
Brokered Deposits		0.87	%		1.28	%
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%

Total deposit balances were down $23 million, or 2%, during the first nine months of 2013. Total time deposits fell by $34 million, or 10%, including a decline of close to $1 million in CDARS, which represent time deposits that are primarily sourced from customers in our market areas, a drop of $28 million in other customer time deposits, and a $5 million reduction in wholesale brokered deposits. Much of the reduction in time deposits, including the drop in brokered deposits, was due to the intentional non-renewal of deposits managed by our Treasury Department. Total non-maturity deposits increased by $12 million, or 1%. Savings deposits increased $19 million, or 16%, and non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $2 million, or 1%, but interest-bearing demand deposits dropped almost $7 million, or 8%, and money market balances were down $4 million, or 5%. NOW account balances were roughly the same.

Management is of the opinion that a relatively high level of core customer deposits is one of the Company’s key strengths and we continue to strive for retention and growth, although no assurance can be provided with regard to core deposit growth or potential runoff.

OTHER INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

The Company’s other interest-bearing liabilities may, at any given time, include a combination of fed funds purchased from correspondent banks, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank, securities sold under agreement to repurchase, and/or junior subordinated debentures. The Company uses short-term FHLB advances and fed funds purchased on uncommitted lines from correspondent banks to support liquidity needs created by seasonal deposit flows, to temporarily satisfy funding needs from increased loan demand, and for other short-term purposes. The FHLB line is committed, but the amount of available credit is dependent on the level of pledged collateral.

45

 

We reduced total non-deposit interest-bearing liabilities by $37 million, or 51%, in the first nine months of 2013, through the maturity of $5 million in longer-term FHLB advances and the elimination of $37 million in overnight FHLB borrowings, partially offset by a $4 million increase in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreement balances totaled close to $6 million at September 30, 2013. Repurchase agreements represent “sweep accounts”, where commercial deposit balances above a specified threshold are transferred at the close of each business day into non-deposit accounts secured by investment securities. We had no fed funds purchased on our books at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. The Company had junior subordinated debentures, in the form of long-term borrowings from trust subsidiaries formed specifically to issue trust preferred securities, totaling $31 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

OTHER NON-INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

Other liabilities are principally comprised of accrued interest payable, other accrued but unpaid expenses, and certain clearing amounts. Other liabilities increased by slightly more than $1 million, or 7%, during the first nine months of 2013, due to increases in our deferred compensation liability and accrued expenses payable.

liquidity and market RisK MANAGEMENT

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows that are adequate to fund operations and meet other obligations and commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner. Detailed cash flow projections are reviewed by management on a monthly basis, with various scenarios applied to simulate our ability to meet liquidity needs under adverse conditions. Liquidity ratios are also calculated and reviewed on a regular basis, and while those ratios are merely indicators and are not measures of actual liquidity, they are monitored closely and we are focused on maintaining adequate liquidity resources to draw upon should unexpected needs arise.

The Company, on occasion, experiences cash needs as the result of loan growth, deposit outflows, asset purchases or liability repayments. To meet short-term needs, the Company can borrow overnight funds from other financial institutions, draw advances against Federal Home Loan Bank lines of credit, or solicit brokered deposits if deposits are not immediately obtainable from local sources. Availability on lines of credit from correspondent banks, including the FHLB, totaled $199 million at September 30, 2013. An additional $191 million in credit is available from the Federal Home Loan Bank if the Company pledges sufficient additional collateral and maintains the required amount of FHLB stock. The Company is also eligible to borrow approximately $48 million at the Federal Reserve Discount Window, if necessary, based on pledged assets at September 30, 2013. Furthermore, funds can be obtained by drawing down the Company’s correspondent bank deposit accounts, or by liquidating unpledged investments or other readily saleable assets. In addition, the Company can raise immediate cash for temporary needs by selling under agreement to repurchase those investments in its portfolio which are not pledged as collateral. As of September 30, 2013, unpledged debt securities, plus pledged securities in excess of current pledging requirements, comprised $306 million of the Company’s investment portfolio balances, up from $279 million at December 31, 2012. Other forms of balance sheet liquidity include but are not necessarily limited to any outstanding fed funds sold and vault cash. The Company has a higher level of actual balance sheet liquidity than might otherwise be the case, since we utilize a letter of credit from the FHLB rather than investment securities for certain pledging requirements. The FHLB letter of credit, which is backed by specific loans that are pledged to the FHLB by the Company, totaled $78 million at September 30, 2013. Management is of the opinion that available investments and other potentially liquid assets, along with the standby funding sources it has arranged, are more than sufficient to meet the Company’s current and anticipated short-term liquidity needs.

The Company’s net loans to assets and net non-core funding dependence ratios were 59% and 18%, respectively, at September 30, 2013, as compared to internal policy guidelines of “less than 78%” and “less than 50%.” Other liquidity ratios reviewed by management and the Board include net loans to total deposits, wholesale funding to total assets (including ratios and sub-limits for the various components comprising wholesale funding), and available investments to assets, all of which were well within policy guidelines at September 30, 2013. Strong growth in core deposits and relatively high levels of potentially liquid investments have had a positive impact on our liquidity position in recent periods, although no assurance can be provided that our liquidity will continue at current robust levels.

46

 

INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does it have exposure to currency exchange rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk, and we have established policies and procedures to monitor and limit our earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The principal objective of interest rate risk management is to manage the financial components of the Company’s balance sheet in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital under a variety of interest rate scenarios. To identify areas of potential exposure to interest rate changes the Company performs an earnings simulation analysis on a monthly basis, and calculates the market value of portfolio equity under varying interest rate scenarios at least once every quarter.

The Company uses commercially-available modeling software to simulate the effects of potential interest rate changes on projected net interest income. The model imports relevant information for financial instruments on our balance sheet and incorporates management’s assumptions on pricing, duration, and optionality for anticipated new volumes. Various rate scenarios, consisting of key rate and yield curve projections, are then applied in order to calculate the expected effect of a given interest rate change on the Company’s projected interest income and interest expense. The rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), economic (based on current trends and econometric models) or stable (unchanged from current actual levels).

The Company uses eight standard interest rate scenarios in conducting its simulations: “stable,” upward shocks of 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points, and downward shocks of 100, 200, and 300 basis points. Pursuant to policy guidelines, we typically attempt to limit the projected 12-month decline in net interest income relative to the stable rate scenario to no more than 5% for a 100 basis point (b.p.) shock, 10% for a 200 b.p. shock, 15% for a 300 b.p. shock, and 20% for a 400 b.p. shock in interest rates. As of September 30, 2013 the Company had the following estimated net interest income sensitivity profile, without factoring in any potential negative impact on spreads resulting from competitive pressures or credit quality deterioration:

	Immediate Change in Rate
	-300 b.p.			-200 b.p.			-100 b.p.			+100 b.p.			+200 b.p.			+300 b.p.			+400 b.p.
Change in Net Int. Inc. (in $000’s)	$	-11,781		$	-8,565		$	-4,263		$	+1,262		$	+2,117		$	+2,702		$	+3,084
% Change		-22.89	%		-16.64	%		-8.28	%		+2.45	%		+4.11	%		+5.25	%		+5.99	%

Our current simulations indicate that the Company has an asset-sensitive profile, meaning that net interest income increases in rising interest rate scenarios but a drop in interest rates could have a negative impact. We have seen this profile steepen over the past couple of years as the Company has benefited from an increasing proportion of lower-cost non-maturity deposits, but that steepening has been partially counteracted in recent periods due to a disproportionate increase in fixed-rate assets.

If there were an immediate and sustained downward adjustment of 100 basis points in interest rates, all else being equal, net interest income over the next twelve months would likely be around $4.263 million lower than in a stable interest rate scenario, a negative variance of 8.28%. The unfavorable variance increases when rates drop 200 or 300 basis points, due to the fact that certain deposit rates are already relatively low (on NOW accounts and savings accounts, for example), and will hit a natural floor of close to zero while some variable-rate loan yields continue to drop. This effect is exacerbated by the fact that prepayments on fixed-rate loans and mortgage-backed securities tend to increase as rates decline, although rate floors on some of our variable-rate loans partially offset other negative pressures. While we view declining interest rates as highly unlikely, the potential percentage reduction in net interest income exceeds our internal policy guidelines in declining interest rate scenarios, and we will continue to monitor our interest rate risk profile and take corrective action as deemed appropriate.

Net interest income would likely improve by $1.262 million, or 2.45%, if interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points relative to a stable interest rate scenario, with the favorable variance expanding the higher interest rates rise. The initial increase in rising rate scenarios will likely be limited to some extent by the fact that many of our variable-rate loans are currently at rate floors, creating a re-pricing lag while variable rates are increasing to floored levels, but the Company still appears to be well-positioned to benefit from the eventuality of an upward shift in the yield curve.

47

 

The economic value (or “fair value”) of financial instruments on the Company’s balance sheet will also vary under the interest rate scenarios previously discussed. This variance is essentially a gauge of longer-term exposure to interest rate risk that is measured by modeling changes in the Company’s economic value of equity (EVE), which is derived by subtracting the projected fair value of liabilities from the fair value of assets. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at projected replacement interest rates for each account type, while the fair value of non-financial accounts is assumed to equal their book value for all rate scenarios. An economic value simulation is a static measure utilizing balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, and the measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of the Company’s balance sheet evolve and as interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

The change in economic value under different interest rate scenarios depends on the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including stated interest rates or spreads relative to current or projected market-level interest rates or spreads, the likelihood of principal prepayments, whether contractual interest rates are fixed or floating, and the average remaining time to maturity. As a general rule, fixed-rate financial assets become more valuable in declining rate scenarios and less valuable in rising rate scenarios, while fixed-rate financial liabilities gain in value as interest rates rise and lose value as interest rates decline. The longer the duration of the financial instrument, the greater the impact a rate change will have on its value. In our economic value simulations, estimated prepayments are factored in for financial instruments with stated maturity dates, and decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on historical patterns and management’s best estimates. We have found that model results are highly sensitive to changes in assumed decay rates for non-maturity deposits, in particular. The table below shows estimated changes in the Company’s EVE as of September 30, 2013, under different interest rate scenarios relative to a base case of current interest rates:

	Immediate Change in Rate
	-300 b.p.			-200 b.p.			-100 b.p.			+100 b.p.			+200 b.p.			+300 b.p.
Change in EVE (in $000’s)	$	-46,689		$	-65,599		$	-29,501		$	+36,011		$	+50,292		$	+58,846
% Change		-13.92	%		-19.56	%		-8.79	%		+10.74	%		+14.99	%		+17.54	%

The table shows that our EVE will generally deteriorate in declining rate scenarios, but will benefit from rising rates. While still negative relative to the base case, we see a decelerating decline in EVE as the drop in interest rates approaches 200 basis points and a favorable swing in EVE as interest rates drop further. This is due to the relative durations of our fixed-rate assets and fixed-rate liabilities, combined with the optionality inherent in our balance sheet. As noted previously, however, management is of the opinion that the probability of a significant rate decline is low.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 2013, the Company had total shareholders’ equity of $178.1 million, comprised of $65.5 million in common stock, $2.6 million in additional paid-in capital, $109.9 million in retained earnings, and an accumulated other comprehensive loss of $15,000. Total shareholders’ equity at the end of 2012 was $173.9 million. The increase in shareholders’ equity during the first nine months of 2013 was due in large part to an increase in retained earnings, resulting from the addition of $9.5 million in net earnings less $2.7 million in dividends paid. The increase in retained earnings was partially offset by a $3.7 million drop in accumulated other comprehensive income, which represents the decline in the unrealized gain on our investment securities net of the tax effect. The changes in common stock and additional paid in capital are related to the exercise of stock options and the expensing of unvested options.

The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate its capital adequacy, including risk-based capital and leverage ratios that are calculated separately for the Company and the Bank. Management reviews these capital measurements on a quarterly basis and takes appropriate action to help ensure that they meet or surpass established internal and external guidelines. The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated.

48

Regulatory Capital Ratios
	September 30,		December 31,
	2013		2012
Sierra Bancorp
Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets	21.04	%	19.36	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets	19.75	%	18.11	%
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio	14.15	%	13.34	%
Bank of the Sierra
Total Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets	20.64	%	19.14	%
Tier 1 Capital to Total Risk-weighted Assets	19.39	%	17.88	%
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio	13.89	%	13.17	%

As of September 30, 2013, the Company and the Bank were both classified as “well capitalized,” the highest rating of the categories defined under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) of 1991. Refer to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 13 – Recent Developments, for a summary of changes to risk-based capital calculations which have been adopted by federal banking regulators. We do not foresee any circumstances that would cause the Company or the Bank to be less than well capitalized, although no assurance can be given that this will not occur.

49

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 3

QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES

ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included in Part I, Item 2 above. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Market Risk Management.”

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 4

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”) have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report was being prepared.

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred in the third quarter of 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

50

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operation.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c) Stock Repurchases

The Company’s current stock repurchase plan became effective July 1, 2003 and has no expiration date. The plan was effectively dormant from April 2008 until January 2013, at which time the Company’s Board decided to reactivate the stock repurchase plan and increase the number of shares authorized and available for repurchase to a total of 700,000 shares. The reactivation does not provide assurance that a specific quantity of shares will be repurchased, however, and the Company has ultimate discretion with regard to potential share repurchases based upon market conditions and any other relevant considerations. There were no stock repurchases during the first nine months of 2013, so the number of shares available for repurchase as of September 30, 2013 remains 700,000.

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4: (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

51

Item 6: Exhibits

Exhibit
#	Description
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation of Sierra Bancorp (1)
3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (2)
10.1	1998 Stock Option Plan (3)
10.2	Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (4)
10.3	Salary Continuation Agreement for James C. Holly (4)
10.4	Salary Continuation Agreement and Split Dollar Agreement for James F. Gardunio (5)
10.5	Split Dollar Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (6)
10.6	Split Dollar Agreement and Amendment thereto for James C. Holly (6)
10.7	Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Vincent Jurkovich (6)
10.8	Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Robert Fields (6)
10.9	Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Gordon Woods (6)
10.10	Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Morris Tharp (6)
10.11	Director Retirement Agreement and Split dollar Agreement for Albert Berra (6)
10.12	401 Plus Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (6)
10.13	Indenture dated as of March 17, 2004 between U.S. Bank N.A., as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (7)
10.14	Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Statutory Trust II, dated as of March 17, 2004 (7)
10.15	Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of March 17, 2004 (7)
10.16	Indenture dated as of June 15, 2006 between Wilmington Trust Co., as Trustee, and Sierra Bancorp, as Issuer (8)
10.17	Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Sierra Capital Trust III, dated as of June 15, 2006 (8)
10.18	Guarantee Agreement between Sierra Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company dated as of June 15, 2006 (8)
10.19	2007 Stock Incentive Plan (9)
10.20	Sample Retirement Agreement Entered into with Each Non-Employee Director Effective January 1, 2007 (10)
10.21	Salary Continuation Agreement for Kevin J. McPhaill (10)
10.22	First Amendment to the Salary Continuation Agreement for Kenneth R. Taylor (10)
11	Statement of Computation of Per Share Earnings (11)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Section 302 Certification)
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Section 302 Certification)
32	Certification of Periodic Financial Report (Section 906 Certification)

___________________________

(1)	Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2)	Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)	Filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of Sierra Bancorp on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (Registration No. 333-53178) on January 4, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)	Filed as Exhibits 10.5 and 10.7 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5)	Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 11, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6)	Filed as Exhibits 10.10, 10.12, and 10.15 through 10.20 to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7)	Filed as Exhibits 10.9 through 10.11 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 14, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(8)	Filed as Exhibits 10.26 through 10.28 to the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
(9)	Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(10)	Filed as an Exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(11)	Computation of earnings per share is incorporated by reference to Note 6 of the Financial Statements included herein.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:

November 7, 2013	/s/ James C. Holly
Date	SIERRA BANCORP
	James C. Holly
	President & Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
November 7, 2013	/s/ Kenneth R. Taylor
Date	SIERRA BANCORP
	Kenneth R. Taylor
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)

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