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Summary of Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements 
Summary of Accounting Policies

Note A Summary of Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Louisiana (the Bank), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, BOL Assets, LLC. These consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X, and do not include information or footnotes for a complete presentation of financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the allowance for loan losses.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents include amounts due from banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.

 

Loans

 

Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned discount and an allowance for loan losses. Unearned discounts on loans are recognized as income over the term of the loans on the interest method. Interest on other loans is calculated and credited to operations on a simple-interest basis. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs, when material, are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield on the related loan.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expenses. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely. The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb known and inherent losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible, based on evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loss experience. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired.

 

For loans individually evaluated for impairment, the estimated amount of loss is based on several factors, which include fair value of collateral and expected cash flows from the loan.