Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE–A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Camco Financial Corporation (“Camco” or the “Corporation”) is a bank holding company whose business activities are limited primarily to holding the common stock of Advantage Bank (“Advantage” or the “Bank”). Advantage conducts a general banking business within Ohio, West Virginia and northern Kentucky which consists of attracting deposits from the general public and applying those funds to the origination of loans for residential, consumer and nonresidential purposes. Advantage’s profitability is significantly dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income generated from interest-earning assets (i.e. loans and investments) and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities (i.e. customer deposits and borrowed funds). Net interest income is affected by the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest received or paid on these balances. The level of interest rates paid or received by Advantage can be significantly influenced by a number of factors, such as governmental monetary policy, that are outside of management’s control. On March 31, 2011, Camco liquidated its investment in Camco Title Agency. Camco Title provided title insurance, title services, and loan closing services primarily for Advantage. The balance sheet and results of operations of Camco Title are not material to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and general accounting practices within the financial services industry. In preparing financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

The following is a summary of the Corporation’s significant accounting policies which have been consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Some items in the prior-year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

1. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

2. Investment Securities

Investment securities are classified as held to maturity or available for sale upon acquisition. Securities classified as held to maturity are carried at cost only if the Corporation has the positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Securities designated as available for sale are carried at fair value with resulting unrealized gains or losses recorded to stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are recognized on the trade date using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. When evaluating investment securities, consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions and whether the Corporation has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, the Corporation may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer’s financial condition. The assessment of whether an OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

When OTTI occurs, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether an entity intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, but the entity does not intend to sell the security, only the credit portion of the estimated loss is recognized in earnings, with the other portion of the loss recognized in other comprehensive income.

3. Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Cincinnati. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on their level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is classified as restricted stock and is recorded at redemption value which approximates fair value. The Corporation periodically evaluates the stock for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value.

4. Loans Receivable

Loans held in the portfolio are stated at the principal amount outstanding, adjusted for deferred loan origination fees and costs and the allowance for loan losses.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is three monthly payments delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in the process of collection. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Uncollectible interest on loans that are contractually past due is charged off, or an allowance is established based on management’s periodic evaluation. The allowance is established by a charge to interest income equal to all interest previously accrued and not received, and income is not recognized until, in management’s judgment, the borrower’s ability to make periodic interest and principal payments has returned to normal, in which case the loan is returned to accrual status.

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost (less principal payments received) or fair value (market value), calculated on an aggregate basis. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, loans held for sale were carried at cost.

5. Loan Origination and Commitment Fees

The Corporation accounts for loan origination fees and costs by deferring all loan origination fees received, net of certain direct origination costs, on a loan-by-loan basis and amortizing the interest income using the interest method, giving effect to actual loan prepayments. Fees received for loan commitments are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loan using the interest method.

6. Allowance for Loan Losses

It is the Corporation’s policy to provide valuation allowances for estimated losses on loans based upon past loss experience, current trends in the level of delinquent and problem loans, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions in the Bank’s primary market areas. When the collection of a loan becomes doubtful, or otherwise troubled, the Corporation records a charge-off or an allowance equal to the difference between the fair value of the property securing the loan and the loan’s carrying value. Such provision is based on management’s estimate of the fair value of the underlying collateral, taking into consideration the current and currently anticipated future operating or sales conditions. As a result, such estimates are particularly susceptible to changes that could result in a material adjustment to results of operations in the near term. Recovery of the carrying value of such loans is dependent to a great extent on economic, operating, and other conditions that may be beyond the Corporation’s control.

The Corporation accounts for impaired loans by measurements based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as an alternative, at the loan’s observable market price or fair value of the collateral.

A loan is defined as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. In applying the provisions, the Corporation considers its investment in owner-occupied one- to four-family residential loans, home equity lines of credit and consumer installment loans to be homogeneous and therefore excluded from separate identification for evaluation of impairment. With respect to the Corporation’s investment in multi-family, non-owner occupied residential, commercial and nonresidential loans, and its evaluation of any impairment thereon, such loans are generally collateral-dependent and as a result are carried as a practical expedient at the lower of cost or fair value. It is the Corporation’s policy to charge off unsecured credits that are more than ninety days delinquent.

7. Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure

Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at the lower of the loan’s unpaid principal balance (cost) or fair value less estimated selling expenses at the date of acquisition. Real estate loss provisions are recorded if the fair value of the property subsequently declines below the amount determined at the recording date. In determining the lower of cost or fair value at acquisition, costs relating to development and improvement of property are capitalized. Costs relating to holding real estate acquired through foreclosure, net of rental income, are charged against earnings as incurred.

8. Office Premises and Equipment

Office premises and equipment are carried at cost and include expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing assets. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. For financial reporting, depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets, estimated to be ten to fifty years for buildings and improvements and three to twenty-five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. An accelerated depreciation method is used for tax reporting purposes.

9. Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Corporation accounts for mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) as separate assets. MSRs result from the origination of mortgage loans and the subsequent sale of those loans with servicing rights retained. At that time, an allocation of the cost of the loan is considered the MSR asset.

The Corporation assesses the rights for impairment quarterly. Impairment is measured based on fair value. The MSRs recorded by the Bank are segregated into pools for valuation purposes, using as pooling criteria the loan term and coupon rate.

To determine the fair value of the MSRs each reporting quarter, information is transmitted to a third party provider who assists in determining the fair value of MSRs, as described below.

MSRs are recognized as separate assets when loans are sold with servicing retained. A pooling methodology to the servicing valuation, in which loans with similar characteristics are “pooled” together, is applied for valuation purposes. Once pooled, each grouping of loans is evaluated on a discounted earnings basis to determine the present value of future earnings that a purchaser could expect to realize from the portfolio. Earnings are projected from a variety of sources including loan service fees, interest earned on float, net interest earned on escrow balances, miscellaneous income and costs to service the loans. The present value of future earnings is the estimated market value for the pool, calculated using consensus assumptions that a third party purchaser would utilize in evaluating a potential acquisition of the servicing. Events that may significantly affect the estimates used are changes in interest rates and the related impact on mortgage loan prepayment speeds and the payment performance of the underlying loans. The interest rate for float is also calculated utilizing the current period fed funds rate. Mortgage loan prepayment speeds are calculated by taking into consideration Advantage Bank’s historical trends when estimating prepayment speeds and helped provide scenarios with each evaluation. Based on the assumptions, pre-tax projections are prepared for each pool of loans serviced. These earning figures approximate the cash flow that could be received from the servicing portfolio. Valuation results are presented quarterly to management. At that time, the information is reviewed and MSRs are marked to the lower of amortized cost or fair value for the current quarter.

The Corporation recorded capitalization related to MSRs totaling approximately $681,000, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Corporation recorded amortization related to MSRs totaling approximately $1.3 million, $1.6 million and $360,000, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The carrying value of the Corporation’s MSRs, which approximated their fair value, totaled approximately $3.3 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Fair value was determined using discount rates ranging from 7.5% to 9.0% in 2011 and 2010, and prepayment speeds ranging from 6.0% to 25.5% in 2011 and from 6.0% to 33.6% in 2010.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Bank was servicing residential mortgage loans of approximately $446.1 million and $485.6 million, respectively, which were sold to the Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and other investors.

10. Federal Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided based on the liability method of accounting, which includes the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. In general, the Corporation records deferred tax assets when the event giving rise to the tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce any deferred tax assets that, based upon available information, it is more-likely-than-not all, or any portion, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Assessing the need for, and amount of, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets requires significant judgment and analysis of evidence regarding realization of the deferred tax assets. In most cases, the realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Corporation generating a sufficient level of taxable income in future periods, which can be difficult to predict. In 2011 and 2010, the Corporation recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferral tax asset.

The calculation of tax liabilities is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgment since it involves the application of complex tax laws that are subject to different interpretations by the Corporation and the various tax authorities. These interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management’s ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law.

From time-to-time and in the ordinary course of business, the Corporation is involved in inquiries and reviews by tax authorities that normally require management to provide supplemental information to support certain tax positions taken in the tax returns. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Management believes it has taken appropriate positions on its tax returns, although the ultimate outcome of any tax review cannot be predicted with certainty. Still, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the current and historical financial statements.

11. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is computed including the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under outstanding stock options. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is not computed for periods in which an operating loss is sustained. The computations were as follows for the years ended December 31:

For the years ended (in thousands, except per share information)	2011		2010			2009
BASIC:
Net earnings (loss)	$	214	$	(14,559	)	$	(11,217	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		7,206		7,206			7,202
Earnings (Loss) per share – Basic	$	0.03	$	(2.02	)	$	(1.56	)
DILUTED:
Net earnings (loss)	$	214	$	(14,559	)	$	(11,217	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding		7,206		7,206			7,202
Dilutive effect of stock options		0		0			0
Total common shares and dilutive potential common shares		7,206		7,206			7,202
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.03	$	(2.02	)	$	(1.56	)

Options to purchase 587,342 shares of common stock were outstanding during 2011 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. Options to purchase 463,642 and 260,833 shares of common stock at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for those years because of the loss incurred.

12. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions with original maturities of three months or less.

13. Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.

14. New Accounting Pronouncements

FASB ASU 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring. In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, which provides additional guidance to help creditors in determining whether a creditor has granted a concession and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties for purposes of determining whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The amendments in this update were effective for the Corporation beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and were applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. In addition, the modification disclosures described in ASU 2010-20, which were subsequently deferred by ASU 2011-01, Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings, began in the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

FASB ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, which represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the IASB (the Boards) on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Boards and their staffs, reflected in ASU 2011-04, have resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value.” The Boards have concluded the common requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments to the Codification in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The impact of adoption of this ASU is not expected to be material.

FASB ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, which provides entities with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income, along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. Regardless of whether an entity chooses to present comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. This update should be applied retrospectively effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12. This standard defers the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of OCI in both net income and OCI on the face of the financial statements.

15. Reclassifications

Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.