10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q FORM 10-Q
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2008

Commission File No.: 000-52195

 

 

BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA   20-4989192

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

135 Boxwood Village Drive

Mocksville, North Carolina

  27028
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (336) 751-5755

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See 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   x

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

On August 13, 2008 there were 3,987,374 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

June 30, 2008

INDEX

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

   5
  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

   6
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   10

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

   N/A

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   15

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   16

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   N/A

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   16

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   16

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   16

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   17

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   17

SIGNATURES

   18

EXHIBIT INDEX

   19


Table of Contents

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Bank of the Carolinas Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     June 30
2008
    December 31
2007*
 
     (Unaudited)        

Assets

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 8,047     $ 8,192  

Interest-bearing deposits in banks

     7,834       12,756  

Securities held to maturity

     1,000       —    

Securities available for sale

     57,448       60,717  

Loans

     406,713       395,052  

Less, Allowance for loan losses

     (4,538 )     (4,245 )
                

Total Loans, net

     402,175       390,807  

Premises and equipment

     15,181       13,888  

Accrued interest receivable

     2,873       3,239  

Other real estate owned

     2,432       2,528  

Deferred tax assets

     735       578  

Goodwill

     591       591  

Bank owned life insurance

     9,463       9,283  

Other assets

     4,134       3,419  
                

Total assets

   $ 511,913     $ 505,998  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Deposits:

    

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

   $ 32,683     $ 29,835  

Interest bearing demand deposits

     59,408       62,883  

Savings deposits

     31,672       19,655  

Large denomination time deposits

     153,779       174,181  

Other time deposits

     136,803       135,374  
                

Total deposits

     414,345       421,928  

Borrowings

     41,000       34,000  

Subordinated debt

     5,155       —    

Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements

     10,203       7,657  

Other liabilities

     1,446       2,173  
                

Total liabilities

     472,149       465,758  
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)

    

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Common stock, par value $5 per share: 15,000,000 shares authorized; Issued and outstanding 3,987,374 shares in 2008 and 3,920,752 in 2007

     19,937       19,604  

Additional paid-in capital

     11,828       11,716  

Retained earnings

     7,815       8,476  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     184       444  
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     39,764       40,240  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 511,913     $ 505,998  
                

 

* Derived from audited consolidated financial statements.

See accompanying notes.

 

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Bank of the Carolinas Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30
   Six Months Ended
June 30
     2008     2007    2008     2007

Interest Income

         

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 6,603     $ 7,285    $ 13,694     $ 14,594

Interest on securities

     710       699      1,436       1,313

Interest on federal funds sold

     38       183      114       361

Interest on deposits in other banks

     2       2      6       5
                             

Total interest income

     7,353       8,169      15,250       16,273
                             

Interest Expense

         

Interest on deposits

     3,808       4,311      8,194       8,561

Interest on borrowed funds

     388       303      661       588
                             

Total interest expense

     4,196       4,614      8,855       9,149
                             

Net Interest Income

     3,157       3,555      6,395       7,124

Provision for loan losses

     781       412      1,095       474
                             

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     2,376       3,143      5,300       6,650
                             

Non-interest income

         

Customer service fees

     347       266      639       502

Mortgage loan broker fees

     31       31      67       62

Investment services

     6       56      15       99

Income from bank owned life insurance

     92       86      180       168

Other income

     42       33      69       70
                             

Total non-interest income

     518       472      970       901
                             

Noninterest Expense

         

Salaries and benefits

     1,802       1,418      3,696       2,935

Occupancy and equipment

     481       421      980       839

Data processing expense

     212       186      422       376

Other

     796       754      1,574       1,416
                             

Total non-interest expense

     3,291       2,779      6,672       5,566
                             

Income (Loss) before income taxes

     (397 )     836      (402 )     1,985

Income taxes

     (138 )     244      (138 )     613
                             

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (259 )   $ 592    $ (264 )   $ 1,372
                             

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

         

Basic

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.15    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.36
                             

Diluted

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.15    $ (0.07 )   $ 0.35
                             

Dividends Declared

   $ 0.05     $ 0.05    $ 0.10     $ 0.10
                             

See accompanying notes.

 

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Bank of the Carolinas Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (264 )   $ 1,372  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to netcash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     1,095       474  

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

     (80 )     52  

Stock based compensation expense

     11       11  

Depreciation and amortization

     445       348  

(Gain) loss on sale of other real estate owned

     (23 )     12  

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     7       3  

Income from bank owned life insurance

     (180 )     (168 )

Net amortization/accretion of premiums and discounts on investments

     16       39  

Net change in other assets

     58       (895 )

Net change in other liabilities

     (727 )     (588 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     358       660  
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Decrease in federal funds sold

     —         5,480  

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (1,075 )     (1,512 )

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

     (11,156 )     (19,979 )

Proceeds from sales, calls, maturities and principal repayments of securities available for sale

     12,991       10,726  

Sale (purchase) of FHLB stock

     (408 )     165  

Acquisition of other real estate owned

     (12 )     —    

Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned

     1,163       282  

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

     8    

Net Increase in loans

     (14,092 )     (2,124 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (12,581 )     (6,962 )
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Net increase (decrease) in deposits

     (7,583 )     4,272  

Net originations (repayments) of other borrowings

     8,153       (4,500 )

Issuance of subordinated debt

     5,000       —    

Increase in repurchase agreements

     1,547       2,111  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     424       167  

Tax effect of stock options exercised

     10       14  

Cash dividends paid

     (395 )     (383 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     7,156       1,681  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (5,067 )     (4,621 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     20,948       13,403  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 15,881     $ 8,782  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 9,560     $ 9,632  
                

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ —       $ 794  
                

Noncash investing and financing activities:

    

Decrease in fair value of securities available for sale, net of tax

   $ (260 )   $ (201 )
                

Dividends declared

     199       193  
                

Foreclosed real estate

     1,709       287  
                

Transfer from OREO to premises and equipment

     677       —    
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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Bank of the Carolinas Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Common Stock    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
     Shares    Amount          

Balance, December 31, 2006

   3,826,792    $ 19,134    $ 11,444    $ 7,293     $ (157 )   $ 37,714  

Stock options exercised

   26,200      131      36          167  

Current Income tax benefit on options exercised

           14          14  

Stock based compensation expense

           11          11  

Cash dividends declared ($.10 per share)

              (384 )       (384 )

Comprehensive income:

               

Net income

              1,372         1,372  

Other comprehensive loss

                (201 )     (201 )
                     

Total comprehensive income

                  1,171  
                                           

Balance, June 30, 2007

   3,852,992    $ 19,265    $ 11,505    $ 8,281     $ (358 )   $ 38,693  
                                           

Balance, December 31, 2007

   3,920,752    $ 19,604    $ 11,716    $ 8,476     $ 444     $ 40,240  

Stock options exercised

   66,622      333      91          424  

Current Income tax benefit on options exercised

           10          10  

Stock based compensation expense

           11          11  

Cash dividends declared ($.10 per share)

              (397 )       (397 )

Comprehensive loss:

               

Net loss

              (264 )       (264 )

Other comprehensive loss

                (260 )     (260 )
                     

Total comprehensive loss

                  (524 )
                                           

Balance, June 30, 2008

   3,987,374    $ 19,937    $ 11,828    $ 7,815     $ 184     $ 39,764  
                                           

See accompanying notes

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2008 and 2007

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management, the financial information included in these unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information as of and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

The results presented here are for Bank of the Carolinas Corporation (“BankCorp”), the parent company of Bank of the Carolinas (“the Bank”). The organization and business of BankCorp, accounting policies followed by BankCorp and other relevant information are contained in the notes to the financial statements filed as part of BankCorp’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the annual report. Because BankCorp has no separate operations and conducts no business on its own other than owning the Bank, this discussion concerns primarily the business of the Bank. However, because the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis, BankCorp and the Bank are collectively referred to as the “Company” unless otherwise noted.

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. When applicable, the weighted average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share computations are adjusted to reflect the assumed conversion of shares available under stock options using the treasury stock method.

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following:

 

     Six months ended
June 30,
     2008    2007

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share

   3,944,205    3,833,146

Additional potential common shares due to stock options

   —      114,237
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share

   3,944,205    3,947,383
         
     Three months ended
June 30,
     2008    2007

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share

   3,967,400    3,837,533

Additional potential common shares due to stock options

   —      105,831
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share

   3,967,400    3,943,364
         

 

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There were 32,581 shares for the three month and 46,274 shares for the six month period ended June 30, 2008 that are anti-dilutive due to the net loss for the three and six month periods then ended.

NOTE 3. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, lines of credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized in the accompanying financial statements.

The Company’s risk of loss with the unfunded loans and lines of credit or standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments under such instruments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. At June 30, 2008, outstanding financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk were approximately:

 

     (in thousands)

Loan commitments

   $ 59,870

Letters of credit

   $ 2,683

NOTE 4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses be included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component in the equity section of the balance sheet. Such items, along with net income, are considered components of comprehensive income. Accounting principles do not require per share amounts of comprehensive income to be disclosed. The information that follows reconciles net income (loss) to comprehensive income (loss).

 

     Three-months ended
June 30,
    Six-months ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

(In thousands)

        

Net Income (loss)

   $ (259 )   $ 592     (264 )   $ 1,372  

Net unrealized loss on AFS securities, net of taxes

     (638 )     (290 )   (260 )     (201 )
                              

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (897 )   $ 302     (524 )   $ 1,171  
                              

NOTE 5. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” FASB 159 allows companies to measure financial instruments at fair value. The statement will be effective as of the beginning of each fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption had no effect on the Company’s financial statements as management has not elected the fair value option on any assets or liabilities.

In December 2007, the FASB issue SFAS NO. 141R “Business Combinations”, which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141R establishes principals and requirements for recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, and any noncontrolling interest acquired due to a business combination. SFAS 141R requires that the acquirer record 100 percent of all assets and liabilities of the acquired business generally at fair value, including goodwill. The acquirer will not be able to recognize the allowance for loan losses of the acquiree. Under SFAS 141R, acquisition related and restructuring costs will be expensed as incurred rather than treated as part of the cost of the acquisition and included in the amount recorded for assets acquired. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Accordingly, for acquisitions completed after December 31, 2008, the Company will apply the provisions of SFAS 141R.

 

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In March 2008, the FASB issue SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS 161 applies to all derivatives and hedge agreements covered under FASB 133. SFAS 161 requires greater transparency regarding how and why they are using derivative instruments, how they are accounting for those instruments as well as how they affect a company’s financial position, results of operation and cash flow. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 161 to have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 157 which requires that certain assets and liabilities be measured at fair value and to record any adjustments to the fair value of those assets. Securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis while other assets are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis such as impaired loans.

The Company uses three levels of measurement to group those assets measured at fair value. These groupings are made based on the markets the assets are traded in and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The groupings include:

 

   

Level 1 pricing for an asset or liability is derived from the most likely actively traded markets and considered very reliable. Quoted prices on actively traded equities, for example, fall into this category.

 

   

Level 2 pricing is derived from observable data including market spreads, current and projected rates, prepayment data and credit quality. Our bond price adjustments fall into this category as well as impaired loans that use appraisals or brokered price opinions to determine fair value.

 

   

Level 3 pricing is used without the use of observable data. In such cases, market-to-market strategies are typically employed. Often, these types of instruments have no active market, possess unique characteristics and are thinly traded. Our impaired and other real estate loan balances fall into this category. We currently have no assets or liabilities that fall into this category.

The Company’s securities are measured on a recurring basis through a model used by our bond agent. All of our bond price adjustments meet level 2 criteria. Prices are derived from a model which uses actively quoted rates, prepayment models and other underlying credit and collateral data.

Our impaired loans and assets held in other real estate fall into the level 2 criteria. These assets are marked to market value, if lower than the current loan balance, from either their most recent appraisals or a broker’s price opinion, whichever is most recent.

 

     Total at
6/30/2008
   Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

(In thousands)

           

Assets valued on a recurring basis

           

AFS securities

   $ 57,448    $      $ 57,448   

Assets valued on a non-recurring basis

           

Impaired loans

     1,192         1,192   
                           

Total

   $ 58,640    $ 0      58,640    $ 0
                           

 

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Note 7. SUBORDINATED DEBT

The Company has issued $5.2 million of junior subordinated debentures to its wholly owned capital trust, (Bank of the Carolinas Trust I), to fully and unconditionally guarantee the preferred securities issued by the trust. This long term obligation constitutes a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the trust’s obligations.

A description of the junior subordinated debenture outstanding is as follows:

 

Issuing Entity

   Date of
Issuance
   Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
   Principal
Amount

Bank of the Carolinas Trust I

   3/26/2008    Libor + 3.00 %   3/26/2038    $ 5,155,000

The Company has the right to redeem the trust preferred securities in whole or in part, on or after March 26, 2013. If the trust preferred securities are redeemed on or after March 26, 2013, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the Company may redeem the trust preferred securities in whole (but not in part) at any time within 90 days following the occurrence of a tax event, an investment company event or a capital treatment event at a special redemption price (as defined in the indenture).

Note 8. IMPAIRED LOANS

We had impaired loans of $14.8 million at June 30, 2008. Of those loans $1.9 million had specific reserves of $745,000 at June 30, 2008. Loans classified as impaired with no specific reserve totaled $12.9 million for the same period. The average recorded balance of impaired loans was $3.9 million for the period ending June 30, 2008. The interest accrued but not recognized on non-accrual loans was $197,000 for the period ended June 30, 2008.

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Introduction

Bank of the Carolinas Corporation (“BankCorp”) is the parent holding company of Bank of the Carolinas (“the Bank”). Because BankCorp has no separate operations and conducts no business on its own other than owning the Bank, the discussion contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis concerns primarily the business of the Bank. However, because the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis, BankCorp and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as the “Company” unless otherwise noted.

The Bank began in December 1998 as a state chartered bank and currently has ten offices in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The Bank competes for loans and deposits throughout the markets it serves. The Bank, like other financial institutions, derives most of its revenue from net interest income which is the difference between the income it earns from loans and securities minus the interest expense it incurs on deposits and borrowings.

Recent Developments

On June 25, 2008, the Company declared a cash dividend of $.05 per share on its common stock, payable July 23, 2008 to shareholders of record on July 09, 2008.

The Company also announced a stock repurchase plan on June 25, 2008. The plan grants the Company authority to repurchase up to 10% of the Company’s shares over the course of one year and can be rescinded at any time.

 

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CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total Assets

At June 30, 2008, total assets were $511.9 million compared to $506.0 million at December 31, 2007, and $456.9 million at June 30, 2007 representing a 12.0 percent year over year increase.

Investment Securities

Investment securities totaled $58.4 million at June 30, 2008, compared to $60.7 million at December 31, 2007 and $64.6 million at June 30, 2007. Total investments decreased $2.3 million or 3.8 percent from December 31, 2007 and $6.2 million or 9.6 percent from June 30, 2007. The Company held one security that was classified as held to maturity at June 30, 2008.

The investment portfolio includes U.S. Government Agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and treasuries and debt securities.

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At June 30, 2008, the loan portfolio totaled $406.7 million and represented 79.4 percent of total assets compared to $395.0 million or 78.1 percent of total assets at December 31, 2007 and $355.8 million or 77.9 percent of total assets at June 30, 2007. Total loans increased $11.7 million from December 31, 2007 and $50.9 million or 14.3 percent from June 30, 2007. Real estate loans constituted approximately 69.1 percent of the loan portfolio, and commercial loans comprised approximately 27.2 percent of the total loan portfolio at June 30, 2008.

The allowance for loan losses is created by direct charges to income. Losses on loans are charged against the allowance in the period in which such loans, in management’s opinion, become uncollectible. Recoveries during the period are credited to this allowance. The factors that influence management’s judgment in determining the amount charged to operating expense include past loan experience, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and probable losses.

The appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is measured on a quarterly basis using an allocation model that assigns reserves to various components of the loan portfolio in order to provide for probable inherent losses. It must be emphasized, however, that the determination of the reserve using the Company’s procedures and methods rests upon various judgments and assumptions about current economic conditions and other factors affecting loans. No assurance can be given that the Company will not in any particular period sustain loan losses that are sizable in relation to their amounts reserved or that subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio, in light of conditions and factors then prevailing, will not require significant changes in the allowance for loan losses or future charges to earnings. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their routine examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance. Those agencies may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations. The Company believes the allowance is appropriate based on management’s current analysis.

The allowance for loan loss has increased substantially from June 30, 2007 primarily due to management’s evaluation of necessary specific reserves for impaired loans.

The following table describes the activity in our allowance for loan losses for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

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     Six-months ended
June 30,
 
     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 4,245     $ 3,732  

Provision for loan losses

     1,095       474  

Charge-offs

     (876 )     (805 )

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off

     74       24  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 4,538     $ 3,425  
                

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period

     1.12 %     0.96 %

Certain credit risks are inherent in making loans, particularly commercial and consumer loans. Management prudently assesses these risks and attempts to manage them effectively. The Company also attempts to reduce repayment risks by adhering to internal credit underwriting policies and procedures. These policies and procedures include officer and customer limits, periodic loan documentation review and follow up on exceptions to credit policies. A loan is placed in nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of interest appears doubtful.

The following table summarizes information regarding our nonaccrual loans, other real estate owned, and certain other repossessed assets and loans, as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. On those dates, we had no loans categorized as troubled debt restructuring within the meaning of SFAS 15.

 

     June 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

    

Real estate loans:

    

Mortgage

   $ 31     $ —    

Commercial

     3,318       300  

Construction

     850       —    

Home Equity

     —         —    

Commercial business and consumers

     6,164       248  

Total nonaccrual loans

     10,363       548  

Accruing loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more

     1,644       6,661  
                

Total non-performing loans

     12,007       7,209  

Other real estate owned, net

     2,432       2,528  
                

Total non-performing assets

   $ 14,439     $ 9,737  
                

Non-performing loans as a percentage of net loans

     2.99 %     1.82 %

Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

     2.82 %     1.92 %

The Company’s non-performing assets were $14.4 million at June 30, 2008, or 3.0% of net loans. While the reported amount is at a historically high level, it includes one credit relationship of approximately $4.9 million for which 75% of any loss incurred by the Bank is guaranteed by the US Department of Agriculture. Presently the Bank expects no significant loss with regard to that particular credit. Excluding this credit, non-performing assets would amount to $9.5 million, or 2.3% of outstanding loans.

 

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Deposits

The Company’s deposit services include business and individual checking accounts, savings accounts, NOW accounts, certificates of deposit and money market checking accounts. At June 30, 2008, total deposits were $414.3 million compared to $421.9 million at December 31, 2007 and $387.0 million at June 30, 2007. These figures represent a decrease of 1.8 percent over December 31, 2007 and an increase of 7.1 percent over June 30, 2007. At June 30, 2008, time deposits of $100,000 and over made up approximately 37.0 percent of total deposits versus 43.5 percent at December 31, 2007 and 36.8 percent at June 30, 2007. Our deposits are generated primarily within our banking market. However, the Company had $67.1 million in brokered deposits at June 30, 2008 compared to $97.1 million at December 31, 2007 and $68.0 million at June 31, 2007.

Liquidity

Liquidity management is the process of managing assets and liabilities as well as their maturities to insure adequate funding for loan and deposit activity as well as continued growth of the Company. Sources of funding come from both the asset and liability side of the balance sheet. Asset side sources include cash and cash equivalents, federal funds sold and unpledged available for sale securities. These totaled $62.1 million at June 30, 2008 and $67.0 million at December 31, 2007. Liquidity sources from liabilities include deposits and lines of credit with other institutions. These sources are largely affected by our ability to attract and maintain deposits. Our deposits, together with equity capital, funded 88.7 percent of total assets at June 30, 2008. The Company has borrowing lines available from various correspondent banks and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) for short-term or long-term funding. At June 30, 2008, the Company had total borrowings of $41.0 million from the FHLB, with maturity dates on these borrowings extending through 2013. A blanket lien on loans secured by residential 1-4 family dwellings, qualifying non-residential loans and home equity lines of credit is in place with the FHLB to secure these advances. The Company closely monitors and evaluates its overall liquidity position. The Company believes its liquidity position at June 30, 2008 is adequate to meet its operating needs.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Fluctuating interest rates, increased competition and changes in the regulatory environment continue to significantly affect the importance of interest-rate sensitivity management. Rate sensitivity arises when interest rates on assets change in a different period of time or in a different proportion to interest rates on liabilities. The primary objective of interest-rate sensitivity management is to prudently structure the balance sheet so that movements of interest rates on assets and liabilities are highly correlated and produce a reasonable net interest margin even in periods of volatile interest rates. The Company uses an asset/liability simulation model to project potential changes to the Company’s net interest margin, net income, and economic value of equity based on simulated changes to market interest rates, namely the prime rate. The Company is slightly liability sensitive over the next twelve months, which means that interest-earning liabilities could re-price more quickly than interest bearing assets. Theoretically, the Company’s net interest margin will decline if market interest rates rise or improve if market interest rates fall.

Capital Adequacy

Regulatory guidelines require banks to hold minimum levels of capital based upon the risk weighting of certain categories of assets as well as any off-balance sheet contingencies. Federal regulators have adopted risk-based capital and leverage capital guidelines for measuring the adequacy of a bank’s capital, and all applicable capital standards must be satisfied for us to be considered in compliance with regulatory requirements. On June 30, 2008, the Bank’s Total Capital Ratio and Tier 1 Capital Ratio were 10.97 percent and 9.92 percent, respectively, which were well above the minimum levels required by regulatory guidelines. At June 30, 2008, the Bank’s Leverage Capital Ratio was 8.41 percent, which was also well above the minimum level required by the regulatory guidelines. Banks are placed into one of four capital categories based on the above three separate capital ratios. The four categories are “well-capitalized”, “adequately capitalized”, “under-capitalized”, and “critically under-capitalized.” The Company is considered “well-capitalized” as of June 30, 2008.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007

The Company had a net loss of $259,000 or $(0.07) per diluted share for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 while reporting income of $592,000 or $.15 per diluted share for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007.

 

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Net interest income, or the difference between income generated by earning assets (primarily loans, investment securities, and interest-bearing balances) and the expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and borrowed funds used to fund earning assets), is the Company’s primary source of earnings. The Company’s net interest income for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $3.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income on loans, which was in large part due to several loans that were placed in non-accrual status during the quarter as well as the continued effects of the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts of 325 basis points since September 2007.

The loan loss provision increased $369,000 in the second quarter of 2008 and was mainly due to an increase in non-performing assets as well as the identification of specific impairment on loans identified by management as has been previously discussed.

Interest expense for the three-month period ending June 30, 2008 was $4.2 million compared to $4.6 million during the same period in 2007. This decrease of $418,000 or 9.1% was primarily attributable to an increase in more cost effective savings deposits during the period.

Non-interest income was $518,000 for the three-months compared to $472,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007. The non-interest income total includes service charges on deposit accounts, bank owned life insurance, and mortgage broker fees. The $46,000 period over period increase was largely the result of an $81,000 increase in income from customer service fees in conjunction with a $50,000 decrease in investment services income. The Company experienced growth in non-interest income of 9.7% for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 versus 2007.

Non-interest expense was $3.3 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2007 an increase of $512,000 or 18.4 percent. Salaries and benefits increased $384,000, occupancy expense increased $60,000 and other non-interest expense increased $68,000 for the current year period. The increased salary and benefit and occupancy expense levels are comprised of normal salary adjustments plus increased staffing and occupancy costs associated with two banking offices opened in mid-2007.

The Company accrued a tax benefit of $138,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2008 based on the loss in the quarter. This compares to tax expense of $244,000 in the second quarter of 2007.

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007

The Company had net loss of $264,000 or $.07 per diluted share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 and net income $1,372,000 or $.35 per diluted share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007.

Net interest income, or the difference between income generated by earning assets (primarily loans, investment securities, and interest-bearing balances) and the expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and borrowed funds used to fund earning assets), is the Company’s primary source of earnings. The Company’s net interest income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 was $6.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

Interest expense for the six-month period ending June 30, 2008 was $8.9 million compared to $9.1 million during the same period in 2007. The $294,000 decrease left the Company relatively flat year over year.

Principal factors leading to the decrease in net income for the six-month period ended in 2008, relative to 2007, was a decline in the Company’s net interest income, an increase in the provision for loan losses and increased non-interest expense. For the six-month period ended in 2008, the net interest margin declined to 2.75% from 3.35% in 2007. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, approximately $197,000 or 15.0% of the decline in our net interest margin was attributable to the loss of income associated with non-accrual loans. The provision for loan losses increased $621,000 from the previous year primarily due to charge offs and the identification of impaired loans by Bank’s management.

Non-interest income was $970,000 for the six-months compared to $901,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007. The non-interest income total includes service charges on deposit accounts, bank owned life insurance, and mortgage broker fees. The $70,000 year over year increase was largely a result of $137,000 increase in customer service fees in conjunction with an $84,000 decrease in income from our investment services division.

 

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Non-interest expense was $6.7 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2007 an increase of $1,106,000 or 19.9 percent. Salaries and benefits increased $761,000, occupancy expense increased $141,000 and other non-interest expense increased $204,000 for the current year period. The increased salary and benefit and occupancy expense levels are comprised of normal salary adjustments plus increased staffing and occupancy costs associated with two banking offices opened in mid-2007.

The bank accrued a tax benefit of $138,000 for the six months ending June 30, 2008 compared to tax expense of $613,000 for the same time period in 2007. The tax benefit was a result of the Company’s loss for the six month period.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report and its exhibits contain statements relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, strategies, trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, expectations or beliefs about future events or results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts. Those statements may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “forecasts”, “potential” or “continue,” or similar terms or the negative of these terms, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of the Company’s management about future events. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Copies of those reports are available directly through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could influence the accuracy of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (a) changes in competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions or in the Company’s ability to compete successfully against the larger financial institutions in its banking markets; (b) the financial success or changing strategies of the Company’s customers; (c) actions of government regulators, or changes in laws, regulations or accounting standards, that adversely affect the Company’s business; (d) changes in the interest rate environment and the level of market interest rates that reduce the Company’s net interest margins and/or the volumes and values of loans it makes and securities it holds; (e) changes in general economic or business conditions and real estate values in the Company’s banking markets (particularly changes that affect the Company’s loan portfolio, the abilities of its borrowers to repay their loans, and the values of loan collateral); (f) the impact on financial institutions in general of recent adverse conditions in the banking industry and the credit and securities markets; and (g) other developments or changes in our business that the Company does not expect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. The Company has no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that it is able to record, process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information required to be disclosed in reports it filed under the Exchange Act.

In connection with the above evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was identified that occurred during the most recent quarterly period and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Not applicable

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Company’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 28, 2008. At the meeting, the shareholders:

 

   

elected 14 directors for terms of one year each; and

 

   

voted on a proposal to amend our articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of preferred stock.

 

Name of Nominee or Description of Other Matter Voted On

   Shares
Voted “For”
   Shares
“Withheld” or
Voted “Against”
   Shares
Abstained
   Broker
“NonVotes”
        Election of Directors            

Jerry W. Anderson

   3,003,513    90,466    N/A    N/A

Alan M. Bailey

   3,003,513    90,466    N/A    N/A

William A. Burnette

   3,001,785    92,194    N/A    N/A

John A. Drye

   3,002,113    91,866    N/A    N/A

Thomas G. Fleming

   3,017,103    76,876    N/A    N/A

John W. Googe

   3,003,129    90,850    N/A    N/A

Henry H. Land

   3,002,113    91,866    N/A    N/A

Michel D. Larrowe

   3,002,113    91,866    N/A    N/A

Steven G. Laymon

   3,015,375    78,604    N/A    N/A

Robert E. Marziano

   3,019,044    74,935    N/A    N/A

Grady L. McClamrock, Jr.

   3,003,513    90,466    N/A    N/A

Lynne S. Safrit

   3,003,513    90,466    N/A    N/A

Francis W. Slate

   3,003,129    90,850    N/A    N/A

Stephen R. Talbert

   2,977,162    116,817    N/A    N/A
Proposal to Approve an Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to Authorize the Issuance of Preferred Stock    1,680,088    543,989    24,683    845,219

 

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Table of Contents
Item 5. Other Information

None

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are being furnished or filed with this report.

 

  3.01    The Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (filed herewith)
10.01    Resignation and Consultation Agreement and Release between the Bank and Eric E. Rhodes (filed herewith)
31.01    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (furnished herewith)
31.02    Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (furnished herewith)
32.01    Certification of our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (furnished herewith)

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORPORATION
Date: August 14, 2008   By:  

/s/ Robert E. Marziano

    Robert E. Marziano
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 14, 2008   By:  

/s/ Michelle L. Clodfelter

    Michelle L. Clodfelter
    Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  3.01    The Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (filed herewith)
10.01    Resignation and Consultation Agreement and Release between the Bank and Eric E. Rhodes (filed herewith)
31.01    Certification of our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (furnished herewith)
31.02    Certification of our Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (furnished herewith)
32.01    Certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (furnished herewith)

 

19