Critical Accounting Policies: Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company has adopted various accounting policies, which govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in the preparation of our financial statements.  Our significant accounting policies are described in the footnotes to the audited consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2012 included in our 2012 Annual Report to Stockholders.  Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported.  We consider these accounting policies to be critical accounting policies.  The judgments and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions we make, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates which could have a material impact on our carrying values of assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

The Company believes the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  The impact of an unexpected and sudden large loss could deplete the allowance and potentially require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would negatively affect earnings. The Company provides for loan losses using the allowance method.  Accordingly, all loan losses are charged to the related allowance and all recoveries are credited to the allowance for loan losses.  Additions to the allowance for loan losses are provided by charges to operations based on various factors, which, in management’s judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating possible losses.  Such factors considered by management include the fair value of the underlying collateral, stated guarantees by the borrower (if applicable), the borrower’s ability to repay from other economic resources, growth and composition of the loan portfolio, the relationship of the allowance for loan losses to the outstanding loans, loss experience, delinquency trends, and general economic conditions.  Management evaluates the carrying value of the loans periodically and the allowance is adjusted accordingly.

While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments may be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making these evaluations.  The allowance for loan losses is subject to periodic evaluations by various authorities and may be subject to adjustments based upon the information that is available at the time of their examination. For additional information see the risk factor entitled: “Our provision for loan losses and net loan charge offs have remained at elevated levels and we may be required to make further increases in our provisions for loan losses and to charge off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations ,” in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our 2012 Form 10-K. The Company values impaired loans at the loan’s fair value if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the terms of the loan agreement at the present value of expected cash flows, the market price of the loan, if available, or the value of the underlying collateral.  Expected cash flows are required to be discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.  When the ultimate collectibility of an impaired loan’s principal is in doubt, wholly or partially, all cash receipts are applied to principal.  When this doubt does not exist, cash receipts are applied under the contractual terms of the loan agreement first to interest and then to principal.  Once the recorded principal balance has been reduced to zero, future cash receipts are applied to interest income to the extent that any interest has been foregone.  Further cash receipts are recorded as recoveries of any amounts previously charged off.

The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax liabilities and assets for events recognized differently in its financial statements and income tax returns, and income tax expense. Determining these amounts requires analysis of certain transactions and interpretation of tax laws and regulations. The Company exercises considerable judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. These judgments and estimates are reevaluated on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. No assurance can be given that either the tax returns submitted by us or the income tax reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements will not be adjusted by either adverse rulings by the United States Tax Court, changes in the tax code, or assessments made by the Internal Revenue Service.