10-K 1 form10k.htm SOUTHCREST FINANCIAL GROUP, INC 10-K 12-31-2008 form10k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
___________________
 
FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)
T
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
 
OR

£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                              to
 
Commission File Number:  000-51287
___________________
 
SOUTHCREST FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Georgia
 
58-2256460
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
600 North Glynn Street, Suite B, Fayetteville, Georgia
 
30214
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(770) 461-2781
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, no par value stated

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 Yes £   No T

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
 Yes £   No T

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 and 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 T   No £

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer    £
Accelerated filer    £
Non-accelerated filer    £
Smaller reporting company    T

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes £   No T

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s outstanding common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2008, was approximately $37,552,700, based on the registrant’s closing sales price as reported on the NASDAQ Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.  There were 3,921,528 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2009.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Document
Parts Into Which Incorporated
Annual Report to Shareholders for the Year Ended December 31, 2008
Part II
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009
Part III
 


 
 

 
 
 
 
Page
     
PART I
 
1
     
ITEM 1.
1
     
ITEM 1A.
14
     
ITEM 1B.
21
     
ITEM 2.
22
     
ITEM 3.
22
     
ITEM 4.
23
     
PART II
 
23
     
ITEM 5.
23
     
ITEM 6.
24
     
ITEM 7.
24
     
ITEM 7A.
24
     
ITEM 8.
24
     
ITEM 9.
24
     
ITEM 9A(T).
24
     
ITEM 9B.
26
     
PART III
 
26
     
ITEM 10.
26
     
ITEM 11.  
26
     
ITEM 12.
26
     
ITEM 13.
27
     
ITEM 14.
27
     
PART IV
 
28
     
ITEM 15.
28
     
   
     
   
 


BUSINESS

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this Report, including, without limitation, matters discussed under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” of SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements about the competitiveness of the banking industry, potential regulatory obligations, our entrance and expansion into other markets, integration of recently acquired banks, pending or proposed acquisitions, our other business strategies, our expectations with respect to our allowance for loan losses and impaired loans, anticipated capital expenditures for our operations center, and other statements that are not historical facts. When we use words like “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “expect”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “will”, and similar expressions, you should consider them as identifying forward-looking statements, although we may use other phrasing. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on our beliefs and assumptions, and on the information available to us at the time that these disclosures were prepared. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly; (2) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce margins; (3) general economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduction in demand for credit; (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, may adversely affect the businesses in which we are engaged; (5) costs or difficulties related to the integration of our businesses, may be greater than expected; (6) deposit attrition, customer loss or revenue loss following acquisitions may be greater than expected; (7) competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable such competitors to compete more successfully than us; and (8) adverse changes may occur in the equity markets.

Many of such factors are beyond our ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Information About SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc.

Description of Business

SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “SouthCrest”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Fayetteville, Georgia.  SouthCrest was incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia on August 15, 1996 as Upson Bankshares, Inc. and is registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and under the bank holding company laws of the State of Georgia.  SouthCrest conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Banks”), Bank of Upson (“Upson”), The First National Bank of Polk County (“FNB Polk”), Peachtree Bank (“Peachtree”) and Bank of Chickamauga (“Chickamauga”).  The Company was created on September 30, 2004 when Upson Bankshares, Inc. and First Polk Bankshares, Inc. merged and adopted the name SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc.


Bank of Upson / Meriwether Bank and Trust / SouthCrest Bank

Bank of Upson was chartered in 1951 under the laws of the State of Georgia.  Upson is headquartered in Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia and operates a total of seven full-service banking locations and seventeen 24-hour ATM sites in Meriwether, Spalding, Fayette and Upson Counties in western Georgia.  In Upson County, Georgia, Upson operates its main office and a full-service branch.  In Meriwether County, Georgia, Upson operates three full-service branches under the trade name "Meriwether Bank & Trust:" the Manchester and Warm Springs branches were purchased in 1999, and the Luthersville branch was purchased in 2002.  In Fayette County, Georgia, Upson has two full-service de-novo branches which it operates under the trade name “SouthCrest Bank” – the Fayetteville branch was opened in 2004 and the Tyrone branch was opened in 2007.  Effective April 30, 2009 the Fayette County operations will be consolidated at the Tyrone branch office.

Bank of Upson is a full service commercial bank focusing on meeting the banking needs of individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses.  Upson offers a broad line of banking and financial products and services customary for full service banks of similar size and character.  These services include consumer loans, real estate loans, and commercial loans as well as maintaining deposit accounts such as checking accounts, money market accounts, and a variety of certificates of deposit.  Bank of Upson attracts most of its deposits and conducts most of its lending transactions from and within its primary service area encompassing Upson, Fayette, and Meriwether Counties Georgia.

The First National Bank of Polk County

The First National Bank of Polk County was chartered in 1920 under the laws of the United States.  FNB Polk is headquartered in Cedartown, Polk County, Georgia and operates a total of three full-service banking locations and three ATM sites in Polk County in northwest Georgia.  FNB Polk operates out of its main office in Cedartown, Polk County, Georgia.  In addition to its main office, FNB Polk operates a branch office in Cedartown and another in the Rockmart, also in Polk County.  FNB Polk also operates three ATM machines; one at each of the branches.

FNB Polk is a full service commercial bank that provides community-banking services to the individuals and business in Polk County in northwest Georgia.  FNB Polk performs banking services customary for full service banks of similar size and character.  Such services include making real estate, commercial and consumer loans, providing other banking services such as traveler's checks, and maintaining deposit accounts such as checking, money market, consumer certificates of deposit and IRA accounts.

Peachtree Bank

Peachtree Bank was chartered in 1919 under the laws of the State of Alabama.  Peachtree is headquartered in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama and operates a total of two full-service banking locations in central Alabama.  On October 31, 2006, Peachtree became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company as a result of the merger of Maplesville Bancorp, Peachtree’s holding company, with SouthCrest.  Peachtree maintains its main office in Maplesville, Alabama and operates a branch office in Clanton, Alabama. Peachtree is a full-service community bank providing banking services in its primary trade area of Chilton County, Alabama. Such services include making real estate, commercial and consumer loans, as well as providing deposit accounts such as checking, money market, consumer certificates of deposit and IRA accounts.


Bank of Chickamauga

Bank of Chickamauga was chartered in 1910 under the laws of the State of Georgia.  Chickamauga is headquartered in Chickamauga, Walker County, Georgia and operates a total of two full-service banking locations in north Georgia.  On July 1, 2007, Chickamauga became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company as a result of a share exchange between Chickamauga and SouthCrest.  Chickamauga maintains its main office and an additional branch office in Chickamauga, Georgia.  Chickamauga is a full-service community bank providing banking services in its primary trade area of Walker County, Georgia, which falls within the Chattanooga, Tennessee, MSA.  Such services include making real estate, commercial and consumer loans, as well as providing deposit accounts such as checking, money market, consumer certificates of deposit and IRA accounts.

Business Activities of the Company

Deposit Services.  Deposits are a key component of the Banks’ business, serving as a source of funding for lending as well as for increasing customer account relationships.  The Banks offer a variety of deposit services, including non-interest bearing checking accounts, interest bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits of maturities ranging from three months to five years.  The primary sources of deposits for the Banks are businesses and individuals in their primary market areas.

Lending Services.  The Banks’ lending business consists primarily of making consumer loans to individuals, commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses and professional organizations, and secured real estate loans, including residential and commercial construction loans, and first and second mortgage loans for the acquisition and improvement of personal residences.

Investment Services.  The Company provides investment services through its partnership with a full-service brokerage firm, and offering its customers brokerage services for stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRA's, 529 plans, retirement plans, certificates of deposit, and insurance products.  The customer base for this service consists of individual investors, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.  This service is offered at the Bank of Upson through its division operating under the trade name “SouthCrest Investments” which was created in 1999 and has been in full service since 2001.  In 2005 FNB Polk began offering this service to its customers under the trade name “SouthCrest Investment Services.”

Trust Services.  SouthCrest also operates a full-service personal trust department through Bank of Upson.  The trust department provides estate analysis, consultation, estate and agency accounts, as well as non-profit agency services.  All trust-related record-keeping, back-office, and securities servicing is provided through a third-party.

Asset and Liability Management.  The Banks manage their assets and liabilities in an effort to provide adequate liquidity, and at the same time, to achieve the maximum net interest rate margin.  These management functions are conducted within the framework of written loan and investment policies.  The banks attempt to maintain a balanced position between rate sensitive assets and rate sensitive liabilities.

Market Area and Competition.  The Company operates in a highly competitive environment.  The Banks compete for deposits and loans with commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial entities operating locally and elsewhere.  In addition, because the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act now permits banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to affiliate, a number of larger financial institutions and other corporations offering a wider variety of financial services than the Banks currently offer could enter our area and aggressively compete in the markets that the Banks serve.  Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits than the Banks and may offer certain services that they do not or cannot provide.


We currently conduct business principally through the Banks’ fourteen branches in their market areas of Fayette, Meriwether, Polk, Upson and Walker Counties, Georgia and Chilton County, Alabama.  Based upon data available on the FDIC website as of June 30, 2008, SouthCrest’s total deposits ranked 1st among financial institutions in our market area, representing approximately 14.0% of the total deposits in our market area.  The table below shows our deposit market share collectively and by each Bank in the counties we serve according to data from the FDIC website as of June 30, 2008.

Market
 
Number of
Branches
   
Our Market
Deposits
   
Total
Market
Deposits
   
Ranking
   
Market Share
Percentage
(%)
 
   
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
Upson
                             
Fayette County
    2     $ 8     $ 1,854       16       0.8 %
Meriwether County
    3       88       233       1       37.9 %
Upson County
    2       167       373       1       44.6 %
Upson Total
    7       270       2,460       2       11.0 %
                                         
FNB Polk
                                       
Polk County
    3       143       421       1       34.0 %
FNB Polk Total
    3       143       421       1       34.0 %
                                         
Chickamauga
                                       
Walker County
    2       61       502       4       12.2 %
Chickamauga Total
    2       61       502       4       12.2 %
                                         
Georgia Total
    12       474       3,384       1       14.0 %
                                         
Peachtree
                                       
Chilton County
    2       56       412       4       13.5 %
Peachtree Total
    2       56       412       4       13.5 %
                                         
Alabama Total
    2       56       412       4       13.5 %
                                         
SouthCrest
    14     $ 530     $ 3,796       1       14.0 %

Employees.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company and the Banks had a total of 226  full-time equivalent employees.  Certain executive officers of the Banks also serve as officers of SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc.  We consider our employee relations to be good, and we have no collective bargaining agreements with any employees.


SUPERVISION AND REGULATION


Both the Company and the Banks are subject to extensive state and federal banking laws and regulations that impose restrictions on and provide for general regulatory oversight of their operations.  These laws and regulations are generally intended to protect depositors and not shareholders.  Legislation and regulations authorized by legislation influence, among other things:
 
 
·
how, when and where we may expand geographically;
     
 
·
into what product or service market we may enter;
     
 
·
how we must manage our assets; and
     
 
·
under what circumstances money may or must flow between the parent bank holding company and a subsidiary bank.

Set forth below is an explanation of the major pieces of legislation affecting our industry and how that legislation affects our actions.  The following summary is qualified by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed.  Changes in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on our business and prospects, and legislative changes and the policies of various regulatory authorities may significantly affect our operations.  We cannot predict the effect that fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state legislation may have on our business and earnings in the future.

SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc.

Since the Company owns all of the capital stock of Upson, FNB Polk, Peachtree and Chickamauga, it is a bank holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.  As a result, we are primarily subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations of the Federal Reserve.  As a bank holding company located in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance also regulates and monitors all significant aspects of our operations.
 
Acquisitions of Banks.  The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the Federal Reserve’s prior approval before:
 
 
acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company will directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the bank’s voting shares;
     
 
acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank; or
     
 
merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company.

Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served.  The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served.  The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below.


Under the Bank Holding Company Act, if we are adequately capitalized and adequately managed, we or any other bank holding company located in Georgia may purchase a bank located outside of Georgia.  Conversely, an adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding company located outside of Georgia may purchase a bank located inside of Georgia.  In each case, however, restrictions may be placed on the acquisition of a bank that has only been in existence for a limited amount of time or will result in specified concentrations of deposits.  Currently, Georgia law prohibits acquisitions of banks that have been chartered for less than three years.  Because Upson, FNB Polk and Chickamauga have been chartered more than three years, this limitation under Georgia law would not affect SouthCrest’s ability to sell Upson, FNB Polk or Chickamauga.  Similarly, Alabama law prohibits the acquisition of Alabama state banks that have been chartered for less than five years.  However, since Peachtree has been chartered for more than five years, this law does not apply to sales of Peachtree.

Change in Bank Control.  Subject to various exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company.  Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company.  Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities and either:
 
 
the bank holding company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1934; or
     
 
no other person owns a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction.

Our common stock is currently registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The regulations also provide a procedure for challenging the rebuttable presumption of control.

Permitted Activities.  The Bank Holding Company Act has generally prohibited a bank holding company from engaging in activities other than banking or managing or controlling banks or other permissible subsidiaries and from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect control of any company engaged in any activities other than those determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act have expanded the permissible activities of a bank holding company that qualifies as a financial holding company.  Under the regulations implementing the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, a financial holding company may engage in additional activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activity.  Those activities include, among other activities, certain insurance and securities activities.

To qualify to become a financial holding company, the Banks and any other depository institution subsidiary of the Company must be well capitalized and well managed and must have a Community Reinvestment Act rating of at least “satisfactory.”  Additionally, the Company must file an election with the Federal Reserve to become a financial holding company and must provide the Federal Reserve with 30 days’ written notice prior to engaging in a permitted financial activity. While the Company meets the qualification standards applicable to financial holding companies, we have not elected to become a financial holding company at this time.

Support of Subsidiary Institutions.  Under Federal Reserve policy, we are expected to act as a source of financial strength for the Banks and to commit resources to support the Banks.  This support may be required at times when, without this Federal Reserve policy, we might not be inclined to provide it.  In addition, any capital loans made by us to the Bank will be repaid only after its deposits and various other obligations are repaid in full.  In the unlikely event of our bankruptcy, any commitment by it to a federal banking regulator to maintain the capital of the Banks will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.


The Banks

General.  The Banks are subject to extensive state and federal banking regulations that impose restrictions on and provide for general regulatory oversight of our operations.  These laws are generally intended to protect depositors and not shareholders.  The following discussion describes the material elements of the regulatory framework that applies to us.

Since Upson and Chickamauga are commercial banks chartered under the laws of the State of Georgia, they are primarily subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the FDIC and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  The FDIC and Georgia Department of Banking and Finance regularly examine each of Upson’s and Chickamauga’s operations and have the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions.  Both regulatory agencies have the power to prevent the continuance or development of unsafe or unsound banking practices or other violations of law.

Since FNB Polk is chartered as a national bank, it is primarily subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the National Bank Act and the regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regularly examines FNB Polk’s operations and has the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also has the power to prevent the continuance or development of unsafe or unsound banking practices or other violations of law.

Since Peachtree is a commercial bank chartered under the laws of the State of Alabama, it is primarily subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the FDIC and the Superintendent of Banking of the Alabama State Banking Department (the “Alabama State Banking Department”).  The FDIC and the Superintendent regularly examine Peachtree’s operations and have the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions.  Both regulatory agencies also have the power to prevent the continuance or development of unsafe or unsound banking practices or other violations of law.

Because the Banks’ deposits are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent provided by law, they are also subject to certain FDIC regulations.  The Banks are also subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that affect their business, activities and operations.

Branching.  Under current Georgia law, each of Upson and Chickamauga may open branch offices throughout Georgia with the prior approval of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  In addition, with prior regulatory approval, each of Upson and Chickamauga may acquire branches of existing banks located in Georgia.  National Banks are required by the National Bank Act to adhere to branching laws applicable to state banks in the states in which they are located.  Therefore, FNB Polk may open branch offices or acquire branches of existing banks located in Georgia with the approval of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  Similarly, under current Alabama law, Peachtree may open branch offices throughout Alabama, or acquire branches of existing banks located in Alabama, with the prior approval of the Alabama State Banking Department.  The Banks and any other national or state-chartered bank generally may branch across state lines by merging with banks in other states if allowed by the applicable states’ laws.  Both Georgia and Alabama law, with limited exceptions, currently permit branching across state lines through interstate mergers.


Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, states may “opt-in” and allow out-of-state banks to branch into their state by establishing a new start-up branch in the state.  Currently, Alabama has opted in to this provision, while Georgia has not.  Therefore, interstate merger is the only method through which a bank located outside of Georgia may branch into Georgia.  This provides a limited barrier of entry into the Georgia banking markets, which protects us from an important segment of potential competition.  However, because Georgia has elected not to opt-in, Upson, FNB Polk and Chickamauga’s ability to establish a new start-up branch in another state may be limited.  Many states that have elected to opt-in have done so on a reciprocal basis, meaning that an out-of-state bank may establish a new start-up branch only if their home state has also elected to opt-in.  Consequently, until Georgia changes its election, the only way Upson, FNB Polk or Chickamauga will be able to branch into states that have elected to opt-in on a reciprocal basis will be through interstate merger.

Because Alabama has elected to opt-in on a reciprocal basis, any out-of-state bank may establish a new start-up branch in Alabama so long as that state’s banking law would also allow Alabama banks to establish start-up branches in that state.  Similarly, Peachtree may establish a new start-up branch in any state that has elected to opt-in on a reciprocal basis.

Prompt Corrective Action.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions.  Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized) in which all institutions are placed.  The federal banking agencies have also specified by regulation the relevant capital levels for each of the other categories.  At December 31, 2008, the Banks qualified for the well-capitalized category.

Federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories.  The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed.  Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized.

FDIC Insurance Assessments. The FDIC is an independent agency of the United States government that uses the Deposit Insurance Fund to protect against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. The FDIC must maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund within a range between 1.15 percent and 1.50 percent of all insured deposits. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system for insured depository institutions that takes into account the risks attributable to different categories and concentrations of assets and liabilities.  The system assesses higher rates on those institutions that pose greater risks to the Deposit Insurance Fund (the DIF).  The FDIC places each institution in one of four risk categories using a two-step process based first on capital ratios (the capital group assignment) and then on other relevant information (the supervisory group assignment).  Within the lowest risk category, Risk Category I, rates vary based on each institution’s CAMELS component ratings, certain financial ratios, and long-term debt issuer ratings, if any.
 
Capital group assignments are made quarterly and an institution is assigned to one of three capital categories: (1) well capitalized,; (2) adequately capitalized; and (3) undercapitalized.  These three categories are substantially similar to the prompt corrective action categories described above, with the “undercapitalized” category including institutions that are undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized for prompt corrective action purposes.  The FDIC also assigns an institution to one of three supervisory subgroups based on a supervisory evaluation that the institution’s primary federal banking regulator provides to the FDIC and information that the FDIC determines to be relevant to the institution’s financial condition and the risk posed to the deposit insurance funds.  For 2008, assessments ranged from 5 to 43 cents per $100 of deposits, depending on the institution’s risk category. capital group and supervisory subgroup. Institutions in the lowest risk category, Risk Category I, were charged a rate between 5 and 7 cents per $100 of deposits.  Risk Categories II, III, and IV were charged 10 basis points, 28 basis points and 43 basis points, respectively.


Because the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve fell below 1.15 percent as of June 30, 2008, and was expected to remain below 1.15 percent, the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 required the FDIC to establish and implement a restoration plan to restore the reserve ratio to no less than 1.15 percent within five years, absent extraordinary circumstances.

On December 16, 2008, the FDIC adopted, as part of its restoration plan, a uniform increase to the assessment rates by 7 basis points (annualized) for the first quarter 2009 assessments.  As a result, institutions in Risk Category I will be charged a rate between 12 and 14 cents per $100 of deposits.  Risk Categories II, III, and IV will be charged 17 basis points, 35 basis points, and 50 basis points, respectively.

On February 27, 2009, the FDIC amended its restoration plan to extend the period for restoration to seven years and further revised the risk-based assessment system.  Starting with the second quarter of 2009, institutions in Risk Category I will have a base assessment rate between 12 and 16 cents per $100 of deposits.  Risk Categories II, III, and IV will be have base assessment rates of 22 basis points, 32 basis points, and 45 basis points, respectively.  These base assessments will be subject to adjustments based on each institution’s unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and use of brokered deposits.  As a result of these adjustments, institutions in Risk Category I will be charged rate between 7 and 24 cents per $100 of deposits.  Risk Categories II, III, and IV will be charged between 17 and 43 basis points, 27 and 58 basis points, and 40 and 77.5 basis points, respectively.

Under an interim rule adopted on February 27, 2009, the FDIC will impose an emergency special assessment of 20 basis points as of June 30, 2009, and may impose additional emergency special assessments of up to 10 basis points thereafter if the reserve ratio is estimated to fall to a level that the FDIC believes would adequately affect public confidence or to a level that shall be close to zero or negative at the end of a calendar quarter.

The FDIC may, without further notice-and-comment rulemaking, adopt rates that are higher or lower than the stated base assessment rates, provided that the FDIC cannot (i) increase or decrease the total rates from one quarter to the next by more than three basis points, or (ii) deviate by more than three basis points from the stated assessment rates.

The FDIC may terminate its insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC.

FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced that its Board of Directors, under the authority to prevent “systemic risk” in the U.S. banking system, approved the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”). The purpose of the TLGP is to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in the banking system.  The TLGP is composed of two components, the Debt Guarantee Program and the Transaction Account Guarantee Program, and institutions had the opportunity, prior to December 5, 2008, to opt-out of either or both components of the TLGP.

The Debt Guarantee Program. Under the TLGP, the FDIC is permitted to guarantee certain newly issued senior unsecured debt issued by participating financial institutions.  The annualized fee that the FDIC will assess to guarantee the senior unsecured debt varies by the length of maturity of the debt.  For debt with a maturity of 180 days or less (excluding overnight debt), the fee is 50 basis points; for debt with a maturity between 181 days and 364 days, the fee is 75 basis points, and for debt with a maturity of 365 days or longer, the fee is 100 basis points.  The Bank did not opt-out of the Debt Guarantee component of the TLGP.


The Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under the TLGP, the FDIC is permitted to fully insure non-interest bearing deposit accounts held at participating FDIC-insured institutions, regardless of dollar amount. The temporary guarantee will expire at the end of 2009.  For the eligible non-interest-bearing transaction deposit accounts (including accounts swept from a non-interest bearing transaction account into an non-interest bearing savings deposit account), a 10 basis point annual rate surcharge will be applied to non-bearing transaction deposit amounts over $250,000. Institutions will not be assessed on amounts that are otherwise insured.  The Bank did not opt-out of the Transaction Account Guarantee component of the TLGP.

Community Reinvestment Act.  The Community Reinvestment Act requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their respective jurisdictions, the federal bank regulators shall evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods.  These facts are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility.  Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose additional requirements and limitations on the Banks.  Additionally, the Banks must publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.  The Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (the “ALLL”) represents one of the most significant estimates in the Bank’s financial statements and regulatory reports.  Because of its significance, the Banks have developed systems by which they develop, maintain and document comprehensive, systematic and consistently applied processes for determining the amounts of the ALLL and the provision for loan and lease losses.  The Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, issued on December 13, 2006, encourages all banks to ensure controls are in place to consistently determine the ALLL in accordance with GAAP, the bank’s stated policies and procedures, management’s best judgment and relevant supervisory guidance.  Consistent with supervisory guidance, the Banks maintain a prudent and conservative, but not excessive, ALLL, that is at a level appropriate to cover estimated credit losses on individually evaluated loans determined to be impaired as well as estimated credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan and lease portfolio.  The Banks’ estimates of credit losses reflect consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Critical Accounting Policies.”

Commercial Real Estate Lending.  The Banks’ lending operations may be subject to enhanced scrutiny by federal banking regulators based on their concentrations of commercial real estate loans.  On December 6, 2006, the federal banking regulators issued final guidance to remind financial institutions of the risk posed by commercial real estate (“CRE”) lending concentrations.  CRE loans generally include land development, construction loans and loans secured by multifamily property, and nonfarm, nonresidential real property where the primary source of repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property.

The guidance prescribes the following guidelines for its examiners to help identify institutions that are potentially exposed to significant CRE risk and may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny:

 
total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of the institutions total capital, or


 
total commercial real estate loans represent 300% or more of the institution’s total capital, and the outstanding balance of the institution’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more.


Other Regulations. Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by the Banks are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates.  The Banks’ loan operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
 
 
Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
 
·
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
 
·
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
 
 
·
Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies, certain identity theft protections, and certain credit and other disclosures;
 
 
·
Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;
 
 
·
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended by the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act, governing the repayment terms of, and property rights underlying, secured obligations of persons currently on active duty with the United States military;
 
 
·
Talent Amendment in the 2007 Defense Authorization Act, establishing a 36% annual percentage rate ceiling, which includes a variety of charges including late fees, for consumer loans to military service members and their dependents; and
 
 
·
rules and regulations of the various federal banking regulators charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws.

The Banks’ deposit operations are subject to federal laws applicable to depository accounts, such as the:

 
·
Truth-In-Savings Act, requiring certain disclosures for consumer deposit accounts;
 
 
·
Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
 
 
·
Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve to implement that act, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services; and
 
 
·
rules and regulations of the various federal banking regulators charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws.


Capital Adequacy

The Company and the Banks are required to comply with the capital adequacy standards established by the Federal Reserve, in the case of the Company, the FDIC, in the case of Upson, Peachtree and Chickamauga, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, in the case of FNB Polk.  The Federal Reserve has established a risk-based and a leverage measure of capital adequacy for bank holding companies.  The Banks are also subject to risk-based and leverage capital requirements adopted by their respective federal agency, both of which are substantially similar to those adopted by the Federal Reserve for bank holding companies.

The risk-based capital standards are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance-sheet exposure, and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets.  Assets and off-balance-sheet items, such as letters of credit and unfunded loan commitments, are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate risk weights.  The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance-sheet items.

The minimum guideline for the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets is 8%.  Total capital consists of two components; Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital.  Tier 1 Capital generally consists of common stockholders’ equity, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, and a limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets.  Tier 1 Capital must equal at least 4% of risk-weighted assets.  Tier 2 Capital generally consists of subordinated debt, other preferred stock and hybrid capital, and a limited amount of loan loss reserves.  The total amount of Tier 2 Capital is limited to 100% of Tier 1 Capital.

In addition, the Federal Reserve has established minimum leverage ratio guidelines for bank holding companies.  These guidelines provide for a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to average assets, less goodwill and other specified intangible assets, of 3% for bank holding companies that meet specified criteria, including having the highest regulatory rating and implementing the Federal Reserve’s risk-based capital measure for market risk.  All other bank holding companies generally are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 4%. The guidelines also provide that bank holding companies experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without reliance on intangible assets.  The Federal Reserve considers the leverage ratio and other indicators of capital strength in evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits and certain other restrictions on its business.  As described above, significant additional restrictions can be imposed on FDIC-insured depository institutions that fail to meet applicable capital requirements.  See “The Banks – Prompt Corrective Action” above.

See Note 14 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for the capital ratios of SouthCrest, Upson, FNB Polk, Peachtree and Chickamauga.


Payment of Dividends

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Banks.  The principal sources of the Company’s cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to its shareholders, are dividends that the Banks pay to their sole shareholder, the Company.  Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Banks’ payment of dividends.  If, in the opinion of the federal banking regulator, any of our Banks were engaged in or about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the federal banking regulator could require, after notice and a hearing, that it stop or refrain from engaging in the questioned practice.  The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice.  Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, a depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized.  Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.  See “The Banks—Prompt Corrective Action.”

The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance also regulates each of Upson’s and Chickamauga’s dividend payments and must approve dividend payments by either bank that would exceed 50% of their respective net incomes for the prior year.  Our payment of dividends may also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines.

The Alabama State Banking Department also regulates Peachtree’s dividend payments and must approve dividend payments that would exceed 50% of Peachtree’s net income for the prior year.  Our payment of dividends may also be affected or limited by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines.  Under Alabama law, a bank may not pay a dividend in excess of 90% of its net earnings until the bank’s surplus is equal to at least 20% of its capital.  Peachtree is also required by Alabama law to obtain the prior approval of the Alabama State Banking Department for its payment of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by Peachtree in any calendar year will exceed the total of (1) Peachtree’s net earnings (as defined by statute) for that year, plus (2) its retained net earnings for the proceeding two years, less any required transfers to surplus.  In addition, no dividends may be paid from Peachtree’s surplus without prior written approval of the Superintendent, and Peachtree may not pay any dividend that would cause its Tier 1 Capital ratio to fall below 8%.

FNB Polk is required by federal law to obtain prior approval of the OCC for payments of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any year will exceed (1) the total of the FNB Polk’s net profits for that year, plus (2) the FNB Polk’s retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus.

The payment of dividends by the Company and the Banks may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines.  At December 31, 2008, the Banks could pay $868,000 in aggregate cash dividends without prior regulatory approval, subject to the limitations described herein.

Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates

The Company and the Banks are subject to the provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act.  Section 23A places limits on the amount of:
 
 
·
a bank’s loans or extensions of credit to affiliates;
 
 
·
a bank’s investment in affiliates;
 
 
·
assets a bank may purchase from affiliates, except for real and personal property exempted by the Federal Reserve;


 
·
loans or extensions of credit made by a bank to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates; and
 
 
·
a bank’s guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate.

The total amount of the above transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of a bank’s capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of a bank’s capital and surplus.  In addition to the limitation on the amount of these transactions, each of the above transactions must also meet specified collateral requirements.  The Banks must also comply with other provisions designed to avoid the taking of low-quality assets.

The Company and the Banks are also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act which, among other things, prohibit an institution from engaging in the above transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies.

The Banks are also subject to restrictions on extensions of credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests.  These extensions of credit (1) must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties, and (2) must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

Proposed Legislation and Regulatory Action

New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging changes to the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of financial institutions operating or doing business in the United States.  We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new regulation or statute.

Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies

Our earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies.  The Federal Reserve’s monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession.  The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve affect the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its control over the issuance of United States government securities, its regulation of the discount rate applicable to member banks and its influence over reserve requirements to which member banks are subject.  We cannot predict the nature or impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves risks.  If any of the following risks or other risks, which have not been identified or which we may believe are immaterial or unlikely, actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.  In such a case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.  The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.


Risks Related to Our Business.

We could suffer loan losses from a decline in credit quality.

We could sustain losses if borrowers, guarantors and related parties fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans. We have adopted underwriting and credit monitoring procedures and policies, including the establishment and review of the allowance for credit losses that we believe are appropriate to minimize this risk by assessing the likelihood of nonperformance, tracking loan performance and diversifying our credit portfolio.  These policies and procedures, however, may not prevent unexpected losses that could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

Our net interest income could continue to be negatively affected by the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate adjustments, as well as by competition in our market area.

As a financial institution, our earnings are significantly dependent upon our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income that we earn on interest-earning assets, such as investment securities and loans, and the interest expense that we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Therefore, any change in general market interest rates, including changes resulting from changes in the Federal Reserve’s fiscal and monetary policies, affects us more than non-financial institutions and can have a significant effect on our net interest income and total income. Our assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or conditions because there may be mismatches between the repricing or maturity characteristics of the assets and liabilities. As a result, an increase or decrease in market interest rates could have material adverse effects on our net interest margin and results of operations.

In response to the dramatic deterioration of the subprime, mortgage, credit and liquidity markets, the Federal Reserve recently has taken action on six occasions to reduce interest rates by a total of 400 - 425 basis points since September 2007, which likely will continue to stress  our net interest income during the first half of 2009 and the foreseeable future. Any reduction in our net interest income will negatively affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, operating results, cash flows and/or the price of our securities. Additionally, in 2009, we expect to have continued margin pressure given these interest rate reductions, along with elevated levels of non-performing assets.

A prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our market areas, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our success depends upon the growth in population, income levels, deposits and housing starts in our primary market areas.  If the communities in which we operate do not grow, or if prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are unfavorable, our business may not succeed. Unpredictable economic conditions may have an adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio and our financial performance. Economic recession over a prolonged period or other economic problems in our market areas could have a material adverse impact on the quality of the loan portfolio and the demand for our products and services.  Future adverse changes in the economies in our market areas may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  Further, the banking industry in Georgia is affected by general economic conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment and other factors beyond our control.  As a community bank, we are less able to spread the risk of unfavorable local economic conditions than larger or more regional banks. Moreover, we cannot give any assurance that we will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in our primary market areas even if they do occur.


In addition to considering the financial strength and cash flow characteristics of borrowers, we often secure loans with real estate collateral.  The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower and may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is extended.  The market value of the real estate securing our loans as collateral has been adversely affected by the slowing economy and unfavorable changes in economic conditions in our market areas and could be further adversely affected in the future.

As of December 31, 2008, approximately 85% of our loans receivable were secured by real estate. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by the adverse market and economic conditions, including the downturn in the real estate market, in our markets will adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition.  Currently, we are experiencing such an economic downturn, and if it continues, our operations could be further adversely affected.

Most of our loans are concentrated in our primary market area.  Consequently, a decline in local economic conditions may have a proportionally greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are geographically diverse.
 
The Company may be unable to obtain a waiver or amendment to its outstanding line of credit, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and ability to pay dividends.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had $6,412,000 outstanding on its line of credit with Silverton Bank, N.A. (formerly The Bankers Bank).  The stock of our subsidiary banks is pledged as collateral for this loan.  The loan contains certain restrictive covenants including, among others, a required debt service coverage ratio of 1.25, defined as net income of subsidiary banks multiplied by 50%, divided by the annual debt service of the Company. The Company is working with Silverton Bank to obtain a waiver of this covenant.  If the Company remains outside this covenant and is unable to obtain a waiver or amendment of the loan agreement, Silverton Bank would have the right to give notice of default. If the Company is unable to cure the default within fifteen days of notice, then Silverton Bank would have the right to declare the entire balance of the loan due and payable, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's liquidity and ability to pay dividends.
 
Future impairment losses could be required on various investment securities, which may materially reduce the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital levels.

The Company establishes fair value estimates of securities available-for-sale in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s estimates can change from reporting period to reporting period, and we cannot provide any assurance that the fair value estimates of our investment securities would be the realizable value in the event of a sale of the securities.

A number of factors could cause the Company to conclude in one or more future reporting periods that any difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of one or more of the securities that we own constitutes an other-than-temporary impairment. These factors include, but are not limited to, an increase in the severity of the unrealized loss on a particular security, an increase in the length of time unrealized losses continue without an improvement in value, a change in our intent or ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for the forecasted recovery, or changes in market conditions or industry or issuer specific factors that would render us unable to forecast a full recovery in value, including adverse developments concerning the financial condition of the companies in which we have invested.

The Company may be required to take other-than-temporary impairment charges on various securities in its investment portfolio.  In particular, the Company may be required recognize other-than-temporary impairment charges with respect to preferred stock having an original cost of $900,000 and subordinated debt securities having original cost of $2,000,000 issued by companies operating in the banking and financial services industry.  In addition, depending on various factors, including the fair values of other securities that we hold, we may be required to take additional other-than-temporary impairment charges on other investment securities.  Any other-than-temporary impairment charges would negatively affect our regulatory capital levels, and may result in a change to our capitalization category, which could limit certain corporate practices and could compel us to take specific actions.

A reduction in the fair value attributable to  acquired units of our business may result in the Company having to recognize a non-cash core deposit intangible or goodwill impairment charges, which would negatively impact our earnings and, consequently, our ability to pay dividends.


The Company completed its acquisition of FNB Polk in 2004, Peachtree Bank in 2006, and Bank of Chickamauga in 2007.  In connection with these acquisitions, we recorded a total of $14,255,000 in goodwill as an intangible asset on the balance sheets of the banks acquired.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires us to make a periodic assessment of any goodwill we carry on our balance sheet by comparing the current fair value of each unit for which goodwill has been recognized to that unit's book value.  In the event that the assessment shows that the book value of any unit exceeds its fair value, we must take a non-cash goodwill impairment charge equal to the difference between relevant book and fair values.  While such a goodwill impairment charge would have no impact on our regulatory capital ratios or liquidity position, it would result in a reduction of our earnings.  As the Company’s ability to pay dividends is dependent upon its level of retained earnings, any future goodwill impairment charge would generally reduce the funds from which such dividends may be drawn.  See “Supervision and Regulation,” on page 5.

The goodwill impairment assessment must occur on at least an annual basis, or more frequently as changing circumstances would dictate.  The Company normally performs its annual assessment on August 31 of each year. After its most recent regular annual assessment, we determined that no core deposit intangible or goodwill impairment charges were necessary.  However, the weakening of real estate markets, both nationally and locally in our primary market area, the tightening of credit, and other events of the past months have generally resulted in the lowered market valuation of financial institutions operating in the southeastern United States, including the Company.  As a result, we undertook a supplemental assessment of our core deposit intangible and goodwill assets as of December 31, 2008, and determined that a core deposit intangible impairment of $1.3 million and a goodwill impairment charge of $7.9 million was necessary.  After these impairment charges, the Company has $2,051,000 of core deposit intangible and $6,397,000 in goodwill remaining.  However, there can be no guarantee that the results of future impairment assessments may require that we realize additional impairment charges.

Opening new offices may not result in increased assets or revenues for us.

The investment necessary for branch expansion may negatively impact our efficiency ratio.  There is a risk that we will be unable to manage our growth, as the process of opening new branches may divert our time and resources.  There is also risk that we may fail to open any additional branches, and a risk that, if we do open these branches, they may not be profitable which would negatively impact our results of operations.

Our business strategy includes the continuation of growth plans, and our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth effectively.

We intend to continue pursuing a growth strategy for our business. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in growth stages of development. We cannot assure you we will be able to expand our market presence in our existing markets or successfully enter new markets or that any such expansion will not adversely affect our results of operations.  Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or future prospects, and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.  Also, if our growth occurs more slowly than anticipated or declines, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Our ability to grow successfully will depend on a variety of factors including the continued availability of desirable business opportunities, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market areas and our ability to manage our growth. While we believe we have the management resources and internal systems in place to manage our future growth, there can be no assurance that growth opportunities will be available or growth will be managed successfully.


Our plans for future expansion depend, in some instances, on factors beyond our control, and an unsuccessful attempt to achieve growth could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

We expect to continue to engage in new branch expansion in the future.  We may also seek to acquire other financial institutions, or parts of those institutions.  Expansion involves a number of risks, including:
 
 
the time and costs of evaluating new markets, hiring experienced local management and opening new offices;
 
 
the time lags between these activities and the generation of sufficient assets and deposits to support the costs of the expansion;
 
 
we may not be able to finance an acquisition without diluting the interests of our existing shareholders;
 
 
in the event of an acquisition, costs or difficulties related to the integration of our businesses may be greater than expected, and we may experience deposit attrition, customer loss or revenue loss that is greater than expected
 
 
the diversion of our management’s attention to the negotiation of a transaction may detract from their business productivity;
 
 
we may enter into new markets where we lack experience; and
 
 
we may introduce new products and services with which we have no prior experience into our business.

If we fail to retain our key employees, our growth and profitability could be adversely affected.

Our success is, and is expected to remain, highly dependent on our Chairman, Daniel Brinks, and President and CEO, Larry Kuglar.   This is particularly true because, as a community bank, we depend on our management team’s ties to the community to generate business for us. Our recent growth and the current challenging economic environment will continue to place significant demands on our management, and the loss of any such person’s services may have an adverse effect upon our growth and profitability.  In addition, loss of key loan officers can also adversely affect our loan growth, which may adversely impact future profitability.

Our recent results may not be indicative of our future results, and may not provide guidance to assess the risk of an investment in our common stock.

We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth or may not even be able to grow our business at all.  In addition, our recent and rapid growth may distort some of our historical financial ratios and statistics.  In the future, we may not have the benefit of several recently favorable factors, such as a generally increasing interest rate environment, a strong residential and commercial mortgage market or the ability to find suitable expansion opportunities. Various factors, such as economic conditions, regulatory and legislative considerations and competition, may also impede or prohibit our ability to expand our market presence.  If we experience a significant decrease in our historical rate of growth, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected due to a high percentage of our operating costs being fixed expenses.


Competition from other financial institutions may adversely affect our profitability.

The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience strong competition from many other financial institutions. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds and other financial institutions, which operate in our primary market areas and elsewhere.  Presently 35 banks serve our market area with a total of 99 branches.

We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans.  In addition, we have to attract our customer base from other existing financial institutions and from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established and much larger financial institutions. While we believe we can and do successfully compete with these other financial institutions in our markets, we may face a competitive disadvantage as a result of our smaller size and lack of geographic diversification.

Although we compete by concentrating our marketing efforts in our primary market area with local advertisements, personal contacts and greater flexibility in working with local customers, we can give no assurance that this strategy will be successful.

As a community bank, we have different lending risks than larger banks.

We provide services to our local communities.  Our ability to diversify our economic risks is limited by our own local markets and economies.  We lend primarily to small to medium-sized businesses, and, to a lesser extent, individuals which may expose us to greater lending risks than those of banks lending to larger, better-capitalized businesses with longer operating histories.

We manage our credit exposure through careful monitoring of loan applicants and loan concentrations in particular industries, and through loan approval and review procedures. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the establishment of loan losses is an estimate based on experience, judgment and expectations regarding our borrowers, the economies in which we and our borrowers operate, as well as the judgment of our regulators. We cannot assure you that our loan loss reserves will be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Our directors and executive officers own a significant portion of our common stock and can influence stockholder decisions.

Our directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned approximately 19.8% of our fully diluted outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2008.  As a result of their ownership, the directors and executive officers have the ability, if they voted their shares in concert, to influence the outcome of all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors.

Risks Related to our Industry

Ongoing deterioration in the housing market and the homebuilding industry may lead to increased losses and further worsening of delinquencies and nonperforming assets in our loan portfolios. Consequently, our results of operations may be adversely impacted.


There has been substantial industry concern and publicity over asset quality among financial institutions due in large part to issues related to subprime mortgage lending, declining real estate values and general economic concerns. Furthermore, the housing and the residential mortgage markets recently have experienced a variety of difficulties and changed economic conditions. If market conditions continue to deteriorate, they may lead to additional valuation adjustments on our loan portfolios and real estate owned as we continue to reassess the market value of our loan portfolio, the losses associated with the loans in default, and the net realizable value of real estate owned.

The homebuilding industry has experienced a significant and sustained decline in demand for new homes and an oversupply of new and existing homes available for sale in various markets, including some of the markets in which we lend. Our customers who are builders and developers face greater difficulty in selling their homes in markets where these trends are more pronounced. Consequently, we are facing increased delinquencies and non-performing assets as these builders and developers are forced to default on their loans with us. We do not know when the housing market will improve, and accordingly, additional downgrades, provisions for loan losses, and charge-offs related to our loan portfolio may occur.

Changes in monetary policies may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve.  Actions by monetary and fiscal authorities, including the Federal Reserve, could have an adverse effect on our deposit levels, loan demand or business and earnings.

Our ability to pay dividends is limited and we may be unable to pay future dividends.  As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock may be your sole opportunity for gains on your investment for the foreseeable future.

We cannot make assurances that we will have the ability to continuously pay dividends in the future.  Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.  The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, and if declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.  As part of our consideration to pay cash dividends, we intend to retain adequate funds from future earnings to support the development and growth of our business.  In addition, our ability to pay dividends is restricted by federal policies and regulations.  It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of net income available over the past year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition.  Further, our principal source of funds to pay dividends is cash dividends that we receive from our subsidiary banks.

Environmental liability associated with lending activities could result in losses.

In the course of our business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing our loans.  If hazardous substances are discovered on any of these properties, we may be liable to governmental entities or third parties for the costs of remediation of the hazard, as well as for personal injury and property damage.  Many environmental laws can impose liability regardless of whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination.  In addition, if we arrange for the disposal of hazardous or toxic substances at another site, we may be liable for the costs of cleaning up and removing those substances from the site, even if we neither own nor operate the disposal site.  Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially limit the use of properties that we acquire through foreclosure, reduce their value or limit our ability to sell them in the event of a default on the loans they secure.  In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability.


We are subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities and impose financial requirements or limitations on the conduct of our business, which limitations or restrictions could adversely affect our profitability.

As a bank holding company, we are primarily regulated by the Federal Reserve.  Our subsidiary banks are regulated by the FDIC, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, the Alabama State Banking Department and the OCC. Our compliance with these regulations is costly and may limit our growth and restrict certain of our activities, including payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits and locations of offices. We are also subject to capital requirements of our regulators.

The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry could change at any time, and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability.  Because government regulation greatly affects the business and financial results of all commercial banks and bank holding companies, our cost of compliance could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC that currently apply to us and the related exchange rules and regulations, have increased the scope, complexity and cost of corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices.  As a result, we may experience greater compliance costs.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not Applicable.


PROPERTIES

SouthCrest maintains its executive offices in leased office space at 600 North Glynn Street, Suite B, Fayetteville, Georgia.

Upson's main banking office is located at 108 South Church Street, Thomaston, Georgia  30286.  In 2005, Upson began rebuilding this facility, enlarging it from approximately 16,000 square feet to 26,000 square feet.  This project was completed in 2007.  Upson's operations center occupies 12,500 square feet in a facility located at 732 Technology Parkway, Thomaston, Georgia  30286.  Construction of this facility began in 2007 and was completed in 2008.  Upson also owns banking offices at the following locations:  (i) 943 North Church Street, Thomaston, Georgia  30286, (ii) 406 West Main Street, Manchester, Georgia  31816, (iii) 121 Broad Street, Warm Springs, Georgia 31830, and (iv) 14 North Main Street, Luthersville, Georgia  30251.  Upson leases two branches in Fayette County, Georgia, at 600 North Glynn Street, Fayetteville, Georgia  30214, and 105 St. Stephens Court, Suite A,  Tyrone, Georgia 30290.  The office in Fayetteville will be closed effective April 30, 2009 as the Fayette County operations will be consolidated at the Tyrone Branch.  Upson’s offices in Manchester, Warm Springs, and Luthersville, Georgia are located within Meriwether County, Georgia and do business as Meriwether Bank & Trust.  The offices in Fayetteville and Tyrone, Georgia are located in Fayette County and do business as SouthCrest Bank.  Bank of Upson owns 17 ATMs, which are located within Upson, Fayette, and Meriwether Counties.

FNB Polk’s main office is at 967 North Main Street, Cedartown, Georgia.  The main office was built in 1991 and occupies 26,500 square feet.  FNB Polk also owns and operates a full-service downtown branch at 117 West Avenue, Cedartown, Georgia.  The branch occupies 10,000 square feet.  In 1973, FNB Polk opened a full-service Rockmart branch at 131 West Elm Street, Rockmart, Georgia.  The branch was enlarged from 4,200 square feet to approximately 9,200 square feet in project completed in 2005 at a cost of $895,000.

Peachtree’s main office is at 9411 Highway 22, Maplesville, Alabama.  The main office was built in 1961 and occupies 4,200 square feet.  Peachtree also owns and operates a full service branch located at 1501 North 17th Street in Clanton, Alabama.  This branch was built in 1994 and occupies 3,500 square feet.

Chickamauga’s main office is at 201 Gordon Street, Chickamauga, Georgia.  The main office was built in 1910 and occupies 12,000 square feet.  Chickamauga also owns and operates a full service branch located at 112 Lafayette Road, Chickamauga, Georgia.  This branch was established in 1974 and occupies 2,300 square feet.  A new branch facility occupying 3,700 square feet is under construction on the same site.  The new facility is expected to be completed in April 2009 after which time the old building will be demolished.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or of which any of its properties are subject, nor are there material proceedings known to the Company to be contemplated by any governmental authority.   Additionally, the Company is unaware of any material proceedings, pending or contemplated, in which any existing or proposed director, officer or affiliate, or any principal security holder of the Company or any associate of any of the foregoing, is a party or has an interest adverse to the Company.


SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 to a vote of shareholders of SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc., through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.



MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

In December, 2004 our common stock began trading in the over-the-counter market under the symbol “SCSG.”   The development of an active secondary market requires the existence of an adequate number of willing buyers and sellers.  Historically, the reported trading volume would indicate a lack of activity in the secondary market for the Company’s common stock.  The lack of activity in the secondary market for the Company’s common stock may materially impact a shareholder’s ability to promptly sell Company common stock at a price acceptable to the selling shareholder.

The following table sets forth the high and low bid information for transactions in our common stock for the previous two years on the Nasdaq Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.  These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

   
2007
   
2008
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
                         
First Quarter
  $ 24.80     $ 23.02     $ 20.25     $ 14.51  
Second Quarter
  $ 25.50     $ 23.00     $ 17.00     $ 12.50  
Third Quarter
  $ 23.50     $ 21.40     $ 15.00     $ 12.25  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 22.00     $ 19.50     $ 13.25     $ 7.60  

On March 27, 2009, the Company had approximately 880 shareholders of record of our common stock.

The Company has generally declared a dividend on the first business day of each quarter, to be paid on the last business day of that month, with the record date normally being two weeks prior to the payment date.  The table below shows the quarterly dividends paid during 2007 and 2008.

   
2007
   
2008
 
First Quarter
  $ 0.130     $ 0.130  
Second Quarter
    0.130       0.130  
Third Quarter
    0.130       0.130  
Fourth Quarter
    0.130       0.130  

The principal source of the Company’s cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends to its shareholders, is dividends that the Bank pays to the Company as its sole shareholder.  Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Banks’ payment of dividends to the Company, as well as to the Company’s payment of dividends to its shareholders.  For a complete discussion of restrictions on dividends, see “Part I—Item 1.  Description of Business—Supervision and Regulation—Payment of Dividends.”


The table below sets forth information regarding purchases of the Company’s common stock by the Company and the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan whose trustees are executive officers of the Company.  All shares were purchased in open market transactions.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid Per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
October 2008
    -     $ -       -       -  
November 2008
          $         -       -  
December 2008
    2,722     $ 9.54       -       -  
Total
    2,722     $ 9.54       -       -  
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Pursuant to the revised disclosure requirements for smaller reporting companies effective February 4, 2008, no disclosure under this Item is required.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The response to this item is included in the section of the same title contained in the Company's 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.  See Exhibit 13.1.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Pursuant to the revised disclosure requirements for smaller reporting companies effective February 4, 2008, no disclosure under this Item is required.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The response to this item is included in the section of the same title contained in the Company's 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.  See Exhibit 13.2.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
Not Applicable.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”).  Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Based upon their controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, transactions are executed in accordance with appropriate management authorization and accounting records are reliable for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

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

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.  Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.  Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Based on this assessment, management believes that SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.


Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.
 
 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The response to this Item is partially included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009 under the headings “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive, financial and accounting officers.  A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained, without charge, upon written request addressed to SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc., 600 North Glynn Street, Suite B, Fayetteville, Georgia  30214, Attention:  Chief Financial Officer.  The request may be delivered by letter to the address set forth above or by fax to the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at (770) 461-2701.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The response to this Item is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009 under the headings “Proposal One: Election of Directors – Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The response to this Item is partially included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009 under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by reference.


The table below sets forth information regarding shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2008.  The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Shareholders on May 12, 2005.

   
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
   
Weighted-average exercise price of
outstanding options
   
Number of shares remaining available for future issuance under the Plan (excludes
outstanding options)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    185,400     $ 23.44       363,600  
                         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    --       --       --  
                         
Total
    185,400     $ 23.44       363,600  

ITEM13.   
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The response to this Item is included in the Company’ s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009 under the headings “Proposal One: Election of Directors – Director Independence” and “Related Party Transactions” and is incorporated herein by reference.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The response to this Item is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 14, 2009 under the heading “Audit Committee Matters” and is incorporated herein by reference.



EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Number
 
Exhibit
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation1
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws 1
3.3
 
Amendment to Bylaws 2
4.1
 
See Exhibits 3.1, and 3.2 for provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining rights of holders of the Common Stock
10.1
 
Lease Contract, dated September 14, 1993, between Truitt A. Mallory and Bank of Upson 1
10.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange with Bank of Chickamauga 3
10.3*
 
Employment Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 4
10.4*
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks
10.5*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 5
10.6*
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks
10.7*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 5
10.8*
 
Employment Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 6
10.9*
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar
10.10*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 5
10.11*
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar
10.12*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 5
10.13*
 
Employment Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 6
10.14*
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha
10.15*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 5
10.16*
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha
10.17*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 5
10.18*
 
Employment Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp 7
10.19*
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp
10.20*
 
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp 7
10.21*
 
First Amendment Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp
10.22*
 
SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 8
10.23*
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option under the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 5
_________________________
*
Indicates a compensatory plan or contract.
1
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-112845), as filed with the SEC on February 13, 2004.
2
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2006.
3
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 23, 2007.
4
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2004.
5
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
6
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005.
7
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2006.
8
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
28

 
Number        Exhibit
10.23*   Form of Incentive Stock Option under the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 5
10.24*
 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 5
13.1
 
Excerpts from the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders – Management’s Discussion and Analysis
13.2
 
Excerpts from the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders – Consolidated Financial Statements
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1
 
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (appears on the signature pages to the Annual Report on Form 10-K)
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of 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.

 

   SOUTHCREST FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Larry T. Kuglar
 
   
Larry T. Kuglar
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
 
Date:
April 3, 2009


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears on the signature page to this Report constitutes and appoints Daniel W. Brinks and Larry T. Kuglar, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits hereto, and other documents in connection herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ Daniel W. Brinks
 
Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
 
April 3, 2009
Daniel W. Brinks
       
         
/s/ Larry T. Kuglar
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
April 3, 2009
Larry T. Kuglar
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
/s/ Douglas J. Hertha
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
April 3, 2009
Douglas J. Hertha
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
/s/ Richard T. Bridges
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Richard T. Bridges
       
         
/s/ Harvey N. Clapp
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Harvey N. Clapp
       
         
/s/ Joan B. Cravey
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Joan B. Cravey
       
         
/s/ Zack D. Cravey, Jr.
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Zack D. Cravey, Jr.
       
         
/s/ Dr. Warren Patrick
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Dr. Warren Patrick
       
         
/s/ Michael D. McRae
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Michael D. McRae
     
 
         
/s/ Harold W. Wyatt, Jr.
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Harold W. Wyatt, Jr.
       
         
/s/ Harold W. Wyatt, III
 
Director
 
April 3, 2009
Harold W. Wyatt, III
       



 
Number
 
Exhibit
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation9
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws 1
3.3
 
Amendment to Bylaws 10
4.1
 
See Exhibits 3.1, and 3.2 for provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining rights of holders of the Common Stock
10.1
 
Lease Contract, dated September 14, 1993, between Truitt A. Mallory and Bank of Upson 1
10.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange with Bank of Chickamauga 11
10.3*
 
Employment Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 12
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks
10.5*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 13
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks
10.7*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Daniel W. Brinks 5
10.8*
 
Employment Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 14
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar
10.10*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 5
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar
10.12*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Larry T. Kuglar 5
10.13*
 
Employment Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 6
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha
10.15*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 5
 
First Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha
10.17*
 
Joint Beneficiary Designation Agreement with Douglas J. Hertha 5
10.18*
 
Employment Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp 15
 
First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp
10.20*
 
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp 7
 
First Amendment Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Harvey N. Clapp
10.22*
 
SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 16
10.23*
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option under the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 5
_________________________
*
Indicates a compensatory plan or contract.
1
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-112845), as filed with the SEC on February 13, 2004.
2
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2006.
3
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 23, 2007.
4
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2004.
5
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
6
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2005.
7
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2006.
8
Incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004.


Number
 
Exhibit
10.24*
 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option under the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan 5
 
Excerpts from the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders – Management’s Discussion and Analysis
 
Excerpts from the SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders – Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (appears on the signature pages to the Annual Report on Form 10-K)
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002