Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 March 31, 2010

Commission File Number 000-32627

 

 

LOGO

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Georgia   58-1423423

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

P. O. Box 455, 1010 North Way, Darien, Georgia 31305

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(912) 437-4141

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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 definitions 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   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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

As of May 20, 2010, 3,129,388 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $1.25 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Part I – Financial Information

 

     Page
Item 1.    Financial Statements:   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

   5
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   6
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   8
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.    19
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.    43
Item 4/4T.    Controls and Procedures.    43

Part II – Other Information

  
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.    45
Item 1A.    Risk Factors.    45
Item 2    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.    45
Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities.    45
Item 4.    (Removed and Reserved).    45
Item 5.    Other Information.    45
Item 6.    Exhibits.    45

Signatures

   47

 

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Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Southeastern Banking Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     (Unaudited)
March 31,

2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Assets

    

Cash and due from banks

   $ 14,289,063      $ 24,614,878   

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     49,439,292        15,867,581   

Federal funds sold

     2,150,000        2,150,000   
                

Cash and cash equivalents

     65,878,355        42,632,459   

Investment securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $72,931,489 and $76,256,916 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009)

     72,927,431        74,626,130   

Loans, gross

     258,559,155        275,828,915   

Unearned income

     (93,191     (103,059

Allowance for loan losses

     (6,629,578     (7,169,703
                

Net loans

     251,836,386        268,556,153   

Premises and equipment, net

     11,534,139        11,706,110   

Bank-owned life insurance, at cash surrender value

     5,559,245        5,500,430   

Other real estate

     10,124,916        8,529,562   

Other assets

     9,594,652        9,504,781   
                

Total Assets

   $ 427,455,124      $ 421,055,625   
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities

    

Deposits:

    

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

   $ 56,205,108      $ 55,320,379   

Interest-bearing demand, savings, and time deposits

     306,702,258        296,450,962   
                

Total deposits

     362,907,366        351,771,341   

U. S. Treasury demand note

     1,176,016        753,595   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     5,000,000        10,000,000   

Other liabilities

     2,102,290        1,972,006   
                

Total liabilities

     371,185,672        364,496,942   
                

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common stock, $1.25 par value

     4,475,996        4,475,996   

Additional paid-in-capital

     1,463,237        1,449,696   

Retained earnings

     59,135,928        60,512,342   

Treasury stock, at cost

     (8,803,031     (8,803,031

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,678     (1,076,320
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     56,269,452        56,558,683   
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 427,455,124      $ 421,055,625   
                

Common shares issued

     3,580,797        3,580,797   

Common shares authorized

     10,000,000        10,000,000   

Common shares outstanding

     3,138,531        3,138,531   

Treasury shares

     442,266        442,266   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Southeastern Banking Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010     2009

Interest income:

    

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 3,653,226      $ 4,113,636

Interest on investment securities:

    

Taxable

     662,416        1,008,785

Tax-exempt

     204,414        281,713

Other interest income

     23,653        2,468
              

Total interest income

     4,543,709        5,406,602
              

Interest expense:

    

Interest on deposits

     1,181,509        1,471,314

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     93,968        96,810

Interest on other borrowings

     —          10,995
              

Total interest expense

     1,275,477        1,579,119
              

Net interest income

     3,268,232        3,827,483

Provision for loan losses

     2,985,000        940,000
              

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     283,232        2,887,483
              

Noninterest income:

    

Service charges on deposit accounts

     641,912        664,448

Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale

     —          197,871

Other noninterest income

     337,114        343,385
              

Total noninterest income

     979,026        1,205,704
              

Noninterest expense:

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     1,826,314        1,899,805

Occupancy and equipment expense, net

     694,070        683,374

Other noninterest expense

     790,892        715,869
              

Total noninterest expense

     3,311,276        3,299,048
              

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

     (2,049,018     794,139

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (876,609     156,267
              

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,172,409   $ 637,872
              

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ (0.37   $ 0.20
              

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     3,138,531        3,174,731

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Southeastern Banking Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock   

Additional

   Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Other
    Total  
     Shares     Stated
Value
   Paid-In
Capital
       Comprehensive
Loss
   

Balance, December 31, 2008

   3,176,331      $ 4,475,996    $ 1,406,788    $ 60,726,000      $ (8,350,032   $ (1,075,209   $ 57,183,543   

Comprehensive income:

                

Net income

   —          —        —        637,872        —          —          637,872   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale arising during the period, net of tax (benefit) of $(206,264)

   —          —        —        —          —          (400,395     (400,395

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on sales of investment securities available-for-sale included in net income, net of tax (benefit) of $67,275

   —          —        —        —          —          (130,596     (130,596

Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) on investment securities transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale category, net of tax (benefit) of $155,587

   —          —        —        —          —          302,023        302,023   
                      

Total comprehensive income

                   408,904   
                      

Cash dividends declared, $0.085 per share

   —          —        —        (269,989     —          —          (269,989

Stock-based compensation

   —          —        8,479      —          —          —          8,479   

Purchase of treasury stock

   (18,000     —        —        —          (226,086     —          (226,086
                                                    

Balance, March 31, 2009

   3,158,331      $ 4,475,996    $ 1,415,267    $ 61,093,883      ($ 8,576,118   ($ 1,304,177   $ 57,104,851   
                                                    

Balance, December 31, 2009

   3,138,531      $ 4,475,996    $ 1,449,696    $ 60,512,342      $ (8,803,031   $ (1,076,320   $ 56,558,683   

Comprehensive loss:

                

Net loss

   —          —        —        (1,172,409     —          —          (1,172,409

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale arising during the period, net of tax (benefit) of $553,088

   —          —        —        —          —          1,073,642        1,073,642   
                      

Total comprehensive loss

                   (98,767
                      

Cash dividends declared, $0.065 per share

   —          —        —        (204,005     —          —          (204,005

Stock-based compensation

   —          —        13,541      —          —          —          13,541   
                                                    

Balance, March 31, 2010

   3,138,531      $ 4,475,996    $ 1,463,237    $ 59,135,928      $ (8,803,031   $ (2,678   $ 56,269,452   
                                                    

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Southeastern Banking Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,172,409   $ 637,872   

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

    

Depreciation

     209,850        219,384   

Amortization and accretion, net

     62,544        66,766   

Provision for loan losses

     2,985,000        940,000   

Deferred income tax expense

     327,684        —     

Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale

     —          (197,871

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance

     (58,815     (60,782

Net gain on sales of other real estate

     (3,820     (13,255

Stock-based compensation

     13,541        8,479   

Decrease in interest receivable

     192,104        310,135   

Decrease in interest payable

     (78,001     (168,723

Net change in income tax receivable or payable

     (1,209,543     69,158   

Decrease in prepaid FDIC assessments

     134,267        —     

Net (increase) decrease in other assets

     (92,721     (26,789

Net increase in other liabilities

     208,285        49,697   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,517,966        1,834,071   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale

     —          13,417,091   

Proceeds from maturities, calls, and paydowns of investment securities:

    

Available-for-sale

     3,268,134        7,236,272   

Held-to-maturity

     —          799,700   

Net (increase) decrease in loans

     12,029,706        (2,912,660

Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     —          150,700   

Capital expenditures, net

     (37,879     (24,825

Proceeds from sales of other real estate

     113,528        32,421   
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     15,373,489        18,698,699   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net increase (decrease) in deposits

     11,136,025        (1,861,664

Net decrease in federal funds purchased

     —          (6,258,000

Net increase (decrease) in U. S. Treasury demand note

     422,421        (1,256,071

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     —          7,000,000   

Repayment of advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     (5,000,000     (14,000,000

Purchase of treasury stock

     —          (226,086

Dividends paid

     (204,005     (269,989
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     6,354,441        (16,871,810
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     23,245,896        3,660,960   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     42,632,459        16,387,348   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 65,878,355      $ 20,048,308   
                

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010    2009  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

     

Cash paid during the year for:

     

Interest

   $ 1,353,478    $ 1,747,842   

Income taxes, net of refunds

     —        100,000   

Noncash investing and financing transactions:

     

(Increase) decrease in unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale

     1,626,728      (346,920

Transfer of investment securities from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale category

     —        28,811,418   

Real estate acquired through foreclosure

     1,962,779      237,075   

Loans made in connection with sales of other real estate

     257,718      —     

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Southeastern Banking Corporation and subsidiary (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

The accounting and reporting policies followed in the presentation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are consistent with those described in Note 1 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K, as updated by the information contained in this Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to fairly present such information for the periods and dates indicated. Such adjustments, which include transactions typically determined or settled at year-end, are normal and recurring in nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 has been extracted from the audited consolidated balance sheet included in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. Certain reclassifications, with no effect on total assets or net income, have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of trend or results to be expected for the full year, due in part to seasonal variations and unusual or infrequently occurring items.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options using the treasury stock method. In any periods of net loss, diluted earnings per share is calculated in the same manner as basic earnings per share. Since they were non-dilutive, 83,500 and 42,000 equivalent shares related to stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share at March 31, 2010 and 2009.

2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new pronouncement updating guidance on transfers of financial assets and servicing. This standard eliminates the concept of qualifying special purpose entities, provides guidance on when a portion of a transferred financial asset can be evaluated for sale accounting, provides additional guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets, and requires additional disclosures. This guidance became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2010, with adoption applied prospectively for transfers that occur on or after the effective date. Adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement requiring additional disclosures on transfers in and out of the fair value hierarchy and the activity within Level 3 financial instruments. This pronouncement also provides clarification on classification of financial instruments and the discussion of inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and clarification are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures related to the activity within Level 3 financial instruments. Those disclosures are effective for periods after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those years.

3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities are summarized below:

 

March 31, 2010

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value

Available-for-sale:

           

Debt securities:

           

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ 3,841,746    $ 153,978    $ —      $ 3,995,724

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     19,454,141      379,118      —        19,833,259

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     15,262,449      775,347      —        16,037,796

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     21,026,409      550,976      96,920      21,480,465

Corporate debt obligations

     13,346,744      —        1,766,557      11,580,187
                           

Total investment securities

   $ 72,931,489    $ 1,859,419    $ 1,863,477    $ 72,927,431
                           

December 31, 2009

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value

Available-for-sale:

           

Debt securities:

           

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ 4,242,856    $ 161,450    $ —      $ 4,404,306

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     19,537,557      395,251      591      19,932,217

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     16,872,230      693,503      —        17,565,733

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     22,263,080      509,739      125,853      22,646,966

Corporate debt obligations

     13,341,193      —        3,264,285      10,076,908
                           

Total investment securities

   $ 76,256,916    $ 1,759,943    $ 3,390,729    $ 74,626,130
                           

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2010 are shown in the table below. In some cases, issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties prior to the contractual maturity date. Mortgage-backed securities are shown separately from other debt securities due to customary prepayment features which cause average lives to differ significantly from contractual maturities.

 

     Available-for-Sale

March 31, 2010

   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value

Due within one year

   $ 19,752,513    $ 20,105,820

Due from one to five years

     11,045,313      11,267,729

Due from five to ten years

     15,419,429      15,049,815

Due after ten years

     11,451,785      10,466,271
             
     57,669,040      56,889,635

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     15,262,449      16,037,796
             

Total investment securities

   $ 72,931,489    $ 72,927,431
             

Securities with carrying values of $57,125,769 and $62,797,149 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and other borrowings as required by law.

Gross realized gains and losses from sales of securities available-for-sale for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010    2009

Gross realized gains

   $ —      $ 282,572

Gross realized losses

     —        84,701
             

Net realized gain

   $ —      $ 197,871
             

Tax provision

   $ —      $ 67,275
             

Proceeds from sales

   $ —      $ 13,417,091
             

The cost of investment securities sold, and the resultant gain or loss, was based on the specific identification method.

Securities with unrealized losses that were not deemed other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are shown in the table on the next page.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     Less than Twelve Months    Twelve Months or More    Total

March 31, 2010

   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Available-for-sale:

                 

Debt securities:

                 

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     —        —        —        —        —        —  

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     —        —        —        —        —        —  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     263,608      544      846,834      96,376      1,110,442      96,920

Corporate debt obligations

     —        —        11,580,187      1,766,557      11,580,187      1,766,557
                                         

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 263,608    $ 544    $ 12,427,021    $ 1,862,933    $ 12,690,629    $ 1,863,477
                                         
     Less than Twelve Months    Twelve Months or More    Total

December 31, 2009

   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Available-for-sale:

                 

Debt securities:

                 

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     1,999,409      591      —        —        1,999,409      591

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     —        —        —        —        —        —  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     875,198      13,842      1,188,222      112,011      2,063,420      125,853

Corporate debt obligations

     —        —        10,076,908      3,264,285      10,076,908      3,264,285
                                         

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 2,874,607    $ 14,433    $ 11,265,130    $ 3,376,296    $ 14,139,737    $ 3,390,729
                                         

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

On March 31, 2010, the Company held certain investment securities having unrealized loss positions. Market changes in interest rates and credit spreads will result in temporary unrealized losses as the market price of securities fluctuates. The turmoil and illiquidity in the financial markets during 2009 and 2010 year-to-date increased market yields on certain securities as a result of credit spreads widening. This shift in market yields resulted in unrealized losses on certain securities within the Company’s portfolio.

Unrealized losses continued to be concentrated in corporate debt obligations at March 31, 2010. The unrealized loss of $1,766,557 related to 10 corporate debt obligations was attributable exclusively to issues of banks or bank holding companies domiciled in the southeastern United States. At March 31, 2010, one corporate holding with a fair value of $1,407,016 and unrealized loss of $66,850 was rated “Baa1” or “BBB-” by at least one nationally recognized rating agency; two other holdings, both pertaining to the same issuer, with fair values of $2,901,079 and unrealized losses of $542,371, were rated “BB+,” and four additional holdings of a separate issuer, with fair values of $4,226,251 and unrealized losses of $719,605, were rated “B+.” Subsequent to March 31, the Company sold three of the “B+” holdings, recognizing a loss of approximately $141,000; a significant improvement in market value resulting from an exchange offer announced by the issuer in April 2010 precipitated the sale. The sold securities had fair values of $3,336,250 and unrealized losses of $631,230 at March 31, 2010. Three non-rated trust preferred securities had an aggregate carrying value of $3,045,841 and unrealized loss of $437,731 at March 31, 2010. The total unrealized loss on these 10 corporate securities, including the trust preferred holdings, is largely reflective of the illiquidity and risk premiums reflected in the market for bank-issued securities due to pervasive capital, asset quality, and other issues which continue to affect the banking industry. Although a) major rating agencies have downgraded certain of these securities during 2010 and b) recent profitability and near-term profit forecasts by industry analysts reflect continuing pressure due to loan losses and other issues, the Company currently expects the issuers to settle the securities at par. In particular, the issuers of the “BB+” and “B+” rated securities were recipients of government capital and continue to meet their obligations. However, management’s position regarding the impairment of these securities is subject to change as circumstances evolve.

Within the municipal portfolio, three or $846,834 of total holdings had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or more at March 31, 2010 and one or $263,608 in a continuous loss position less than twelve months. The unrealized loss position resulted primarily from changes in market yields and withdrawn ratings on municipals that had received credit support from bond insurance. Ratings withdrawals have been widespread during the current economic crisis as many bond insurers faltered. As discussed further below, the Company does not rely solely on bond insurance in making investment decisions and did not consider these particular securities to be impaired at March 31, 2010. Except for seventeen non-rated issues with fair values aggregating $4,472,613, these municipals were all rated, investment grade securities. The majority, or 82%, of the non-rated issues were based in Georgia. In analyzing non-rated municipals, management considers debt service coverage and whether the bonds support essential services such as water/sewer systems and education. None of the Company’s a) U.S. Government and federal agency securities, which comprise U.S. Small Business Administration participation certificates; b) U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, which principally comprise Federal Farm Credit Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) obligations; or c) agency residential mortgage-backed securities, which comprise Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae issues, had an unrealized loss at March 31, 2010. The Company does not own any private label mortgage-backed securities.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when conditions warrant. This analysis requires management to consider various factors, including the duration and magnitude of the decline in value; the financial condition of the issuer or issuers; structure of the security; and, notwithstanding classification of the portfolio as available-for-sale, the Company’s intent to sell the security or whether it’s more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery in market value. At March 31, 2010, management reviewed securities with an unrealized loss and concluded that no material individual securities were other-than-temporarily impaired; however, an impairment charge could become necessary in the future if the economic crisis facing the banking industry does not abate and various issuers’ financial condition continues to weaken.

The Company held stock in the FHLB of Atlanta totaling $1,313,800 at March 31, 2010. The Company carries the stock, which is included in other assets, at cost and evaluates it for impairment based on ultimate recoverability of par value. The Company evaluated its holding in FHLB stock at March 31, 2010 and believes its holdings are recoverable at par. In addition, the Company does not have operational or liquidity needs that would require a redemption of the stock in the foreseeable future and therefore determined that the stock was not other-than-temporarily impaired.

Concentrations of credit risk pertaining to investment securities are discussed in other sections of this Form 10-Q.

4. FAIR VALUE

Determination of Fair Value

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and for disclosure purposes. Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures specifies that the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best defined using quoted market prices, but in many instances, quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments may not be available. Under these circumstances, fair values are estimated using present value or other variation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the underlying assumptions, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows; accordingly, the resulting fair value estimate may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

Recent fair value guidance clarifies that exit prices based on orderly transactions between market participants under current market conditions, not forced liquidations or distressed sales, should be the basis for determining fair value. If the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has declined significantly, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In this instance, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact depends on the various facts and circumstances and requires significant judgment. The resulting fair value is a reasonable point within the determined range that best indicates fair value under current conditions.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company groups its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities trade and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value:

Level 1 – Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 1 assets and liabilities generally include debt and equity securities that are traded on an active exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving such assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Valuation is based on inputs other than level 1 prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The valuation may be based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs may incorporate interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, and default rates.

Level 3 – Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments whose valuation requires significant management judgment or estimation. Level 3 valuation also includes observable inputs for single dealer nonbinding quotes not corroborated by observable market data.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Risk premiums that a market participant would require must be considered.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Fair value is the primary basis of accounting for investment securities available-for-sale. The Company does not currently measure any other assets or liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. When quoted market prices for identical securities are available in an active market, these securities are classified within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly liquid government bonds, such as U.S. Treasury notes or exchange-traded equities. If quoted market prices for identical securities are not available, then fair values are estimated using matrix models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Examples of such instruments, which would generally be classified within level 2, include U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and certain corporate debt obligations. Due to limited activity and less transparency regarding input factors, certain corporate debt obligations were classified in level 3 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the next table.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     Fair Value Measurements Using

March 31, 2010

   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Total
Carrying
Value

Investment securities available-for-sale:

           

Debt securities:

           

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ —      $ 3,995,724    $ —      $ 3,995,724

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     —        19,833,259      —        19,833,259

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     —        16,037,796      —        16,037,796

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —        21,480,465      —        21,480,465

Corporate debt obligations

     —        11,080,187      500,000      11,580,187
                           

Total investment securities

   $ —      $ 72,427,431    $ 500,000    $ 72,927,431
                           
     Fair Value Measurements Using

December 31, 2009

   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Total
Carrying
Value

Investment securities available-for-sale:

           

Debt securities:

           

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ —      $ 4,404,306    $ —      $ 4,404,306

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities

     —        19,932,217      —        19,932,217

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     —        17,565,733      —        17,565,733

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —        22,646,966      —        22,646,966

Corporate debt obligations

     —        3,916,694      6,160,214      10,076,908
                           

Total investment securities

   $ —      $ 68,465,916    $ 6,160,214    $ 74,626,130
                           

The corporate debt obligations measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs at March 31, 2010 comprised one trust-preferred security with a cost basis of $500,000, for which there is currently no active market. Like the Company’s other corporate debt holdings, this security is also an issue of a bank/bank holding company domiciled in the southeastern United States.

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following is a reconciliation of activity for the corporate debt obligations measured at fair value based on significant unobservable inputs (level 3):

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010

Level 3 assets:

  

Balance, December 31, 2009

   $ 6,160,214

Unrealized losses included in comprehensive income

     —  

Obligations transferred from Level 3

     5,660,214
      

Balance, March 31, 2010

   $ 500,000
      

The corporate debt obligations transferred from level 3 to level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2010 were the “B+” rated and trust-preferred securities discussed in Note 3. The transfer, effective the beginning of the period, resulted from increased transparency in input factors provided by a third party pricing service; should this transparency diminish, these obligations could be reclassified as level 3 assets in the future. No other movements were made between levels 1, 2, or 3 during the first three months of 2010.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain instruments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; in other words, these instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances – for example, when evidence of impairment exists. Such instruments include impaired loans and other real estate. Loan impairment is reported when full payment under the original loan terms is not expected. Impaired loans are carried at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. When management believes the uncollectibility of all or any portion of a loan is confirmed, a loss is charged against the allowance. Any necessary increase to the allowance resulting from impaired loans is recorded as a component of the provision for loan losses. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recognized losses of $5,302,299 on impaired loans outstanding through the allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2010, impaired loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $39,638,663 were measured and reported net of specific allowance at a fair value of $37,491,588. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the loan impairment as a level 2 instrument. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is impaired beyond appraised value and no observable market price exists, the Company records the loan impairment in level 3. Given the current difficulties in obtaining comparable sales and other observable inputs due to high inventories and distressed sales prevalent in the market, particularly for certain real estate collateral, the Company classified all impaired loans in level 3 at March 31, 2010.

Other real estate is adjusted to the lower of cost or fair value upon transfer of the underlying loan to foreclosed balances. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values, or management’s estimate of collateral value. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company classifies other real estate as level 2; otherwise, other real estate is classified as level 3. Any write-down to fair value at foreclosure is charged to the allowance for loan losses while subsequent devaluations are included

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

in noninterest expense. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, no devaluations of other real estate currently outstanding were charged to expense. All foreclosed real estate balances were classified in level 3 at March 31, 2010.

Level 3 assets also include FHLB stock, which is only redeemable with the issuer at par and cannot be traded in the market; as such, no observable market data for this holding is available. The Company evaluated its holding in FHLB stock at March 31, 2010 and determined no impairment charge was necessary. Other assets are similarly evaluated under fair value accounting on a nonrecurring basis.

The table below presents the Company’s outstanding assets for which a nonrecurring change in fair value was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2010, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall. Assets reviewed for impairment such as level 3 FHLB stock, but for which no corresponding impairment charge was recorded, are not included in these totals.

 

     Fair Value Measurements Using  

March 31, 2010

   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Net
Carrying
Value
   Total Gains
(Losses) for
the Three
Months
 

Assets:

              

Impaired loans

   $ —      $ —      $ 37,491,588    $ 37,491,588    $ (5,302,299
                                    

Total fair value of assets on a nonrecurring basis

   $ —      $ —      $ 37,491,588    $ 37,491,588    $ (5,302,299
                                    

As disclosed on the prior page, the loss amount shown for impaired loans includes charge-offs as well as the allowance currently allocated for these loans at March 31, 2010. No transfers were made between levels 1, 2, and 3 assets evaluated under fair value accounting on a nonrecurring basis. Additionally, no nonrecurring change in fair value was recognized on any liabilities in 2010 year-to-date.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above. For certain other financial assets and liabilities, fair value approximates carrying value due to the nature of the financial instrument. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, demand and other non-maturity deposits, and overnight borrowings. The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of other financial instruments:

 

   

Variable rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk are fairly valued at their carrying amounts. For fixed rate loans, fair values are estimated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The Company did not use

 

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Southeastern Banking Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

an incremental market risk and liquidity discount in deriving loan fair values as management has no present intention to sell any portion of the loan portfolio. Impaired loans are valued using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, as discussed.

 

   

Fair values for certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current interest rates to a schedule of aggregated expected maturities. The intangible value of long-term relationships with depositors is not considered in estimating fair values.

 

   

The U. S. Treasury demand note and other variable rate borrowings are fairly valued at their carrying amounts. Fair values for other borrowings, including FHLB advances with fixed rates, are based on quoted market prices for similar instruments or estimated using discounted cash flow analysis and the Company’s current incremental borrowing rate for similar instruments.

 

   

The carrying amount of accrued interest and other financial assets approximates their fair values.

The table below presents the fair value of financial assets and liabilities carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, including those financial assets and liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:

 

     March 31, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Carrying
Amount
   Fair
Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair
Value

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 65,878,355    $ 65,878,355    $ 42,632,259    $ 42,632,259

Investment securities available-for sale

     72,927,431      72,927,431      74,626,130      74,626,130

Net loans

     251,836,386      253,128,222      268,556,153      269,404,186

Accrued interest receivable

     1,673,279      1,673,279      1,865,383      1,865,383

Other financial assets

     1,313,800      1,313,800      1,313,800      1,313,800

Financial liabilities:

           

Deposits

   $ 362,907,366    $ 363,921,722    $ 351,771,341    $ 353,217,255

U.S. Treasury demand note

     1,176,016      1,176,016      753,595      753,595

FHLB advances

     5,000,000      5,132,000      10,000,000      10,099,933

Accrued interest payable

     1,428,207      1,428,207      1,506,208      1,506,208

Bank premises and equipment, customer relationships, deposit base, and other information needed to compute the Company’s aggregate fair value are not included in the table above. Accordingly, the fair values above are not intended to represent the underlying market value of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents
  Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Analysis should be read in conjunction with the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the consolidated financial statements & related notes on pages 3 – 18 of this quarterly filing. The Company’s accounting policies, which are described in detail in Form 10-K, are integral to understanding the results reported. The Company’s accounting policies require management’s judgment in valuing assets, liabilities, commitments, and contingencies. A variety of factors could affect the ultimate value that is obtained when earning income, recognizing an expense, recovering an asset, or relieving a liability. This Analysis contains forward-looking statements with respect to business and financial matters. Actual results may vary significantly from those contained in these forward-looking statements. See the sections entitled Critical Accounting Policies and Forward-Looking Statements within this Analysis.

Description of Business

Southeastern Banking Corporation, with assets exceeding $427,455,000, is a financial services company with operations in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. Southeastern Bank (“SEB”), the Company’s wholly-owned commercial bank subsidiary chartered in 1888, offers a full line of commercial and retail services to meet the financial needs of its customer base through its seventeen branch locations and ATM network. Services offered include traditional deposit and credit services, long-term mortgage originations, and credit cards. SEB also offers 24-hour delivery channels, including internet and telephone banking.

Financial Condition

Consolidated assets totaled $427,455,124 at March 31, 2010, up $6,399,499 or 1.52% from year-end 2009. A substantial increase in cash & cash equivalents offset by a decline in net loans was the primary factor in the first quarter results. Specifically, cash & cash equivalents, which includes correspondent balances at the Federal Reserve and federal funds sold, increased $23,245,896, while other real estate grew $1,595,354; net loans declined $16,719,767, and investment securities, $1,698,699. A net $6,558,446 increase in deposits and other funding liabilities precipitated the asset rise. Loans comprised approximately 67%, investment securities, 19%, and interest-bearing deposits in other banks, 13%, of earning assets at March 31, 2010 versus 75%, 20%, and 4%, at December 31, 2009. Overall, earning assets approximated 90% of total assets at March 31, 2010. During the year-earlier period, total assets declined $16,504,294 or 3.79%. A $21,649,075 decline in investment securities was the primary factor in the 2009 results. Refer to the Liquidity section of this Analysis for details on deposits and other funding sources as well as the higher cash balances being maintained currently.

Investment Securities

Overall, investment securities declined $1,698,699 or 2.28% since December 31, 2009. No securities were purchased during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, as management sought to improve the Company’s overall liquidity position by maintaining available cash in interest-bearing deposits in other banks; additionally, participation in the FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”) reduced the need for securities collateral for public funds deposits. No securities were sold during the quarter; redemptions were mostly attributable to various issuers’ exercise of call options and other prepayments in the normal course of business and also, the relatively low-rate interest environment. The effective repricing of redeemed securities impacts current and future earnings results; refer to the Interest Rate and Market Risk/Interest Rate Sensitivity and Operations sections of this Analysis for more details. At March 31, 2010, residential mortgage-backed securities, municipals, and corporates comprised 22%, 29%, and 16% of the portfolio; other agency and U.S. Government enterprise securities together comprised 33%. Overall, securities comprised 19% of earning assets at March 31, 2010,

 

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down from 20% at year-end 2009. The portfolio yield approximated 5.22% during the first three months of 2010 versus 5.36% in 2009. Yields are expected to decline moderately during 2010 due largely to year-over-year reductions in corporate securities; on a weighted average basis, these corporate securities had higher yields than many of the other holdings in the portfolio.

Management believes the credit quality of the investment portfolio remains fundamentally sound, with 54.67% of the carrying value of debt securities, including mortgage-backed securities, being backed by U.S. Government agency and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises at March 31, 2010. The Company does not own any collateralized debt obligations, widely known as CDOs, secured by subprime residential mortgage-backed securities. Additionally, the Company does not own any private label mortgage-backed securities. The Company held $15,716,506 residential mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae (“FNMA”) and Freddie Mac (“FHLMC”) at March 31, 2010. Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC are collateralized foremost by the underlying mortgages and secondly, by FNMA and FHLMC themselves. In September 2008, the U.S. Government placed FNMA and FHLMC under regulatory conservatorship, easing credit concerns about these two entities. In early 2010, the U.S. Treasury again reiterated its support of FNMA and FHLMC. Besides FNMA and FHLMC, the Company also owned Ginnie Mae residential mortgage securities with a carrying value of $321,290 at March 31, 2010. U.S. Government and federal agency holdings comprised U.S. Small Business Administration obligations, and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise holdings comprised FHLB, FHLMC, and Federal Farm Credit Bank obligations at March 31, 2010. Credit concern surrounding the FHLB system continues to be widespread. The FHLB obligations owned by the Company carry the highest rating available from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. Nonetheless, the Company reviewed its holdings of FHLB debt securities and stock and concluded that its bond and stock holdings are recoverable at par. The Company’s ownership of FHLB stock, which totaled $1,313,800 at March 31, 2010, is included in other assets and recorded at cost.

At March 31, 2010 and also, year-end 2009, the entire corporate portfolio comprised issues of banks and bank holding companies domiciled in the southeastern United States. These corporate debt obligations were all rated “B+” or higher by at least one nationally recognized rating agency at March 31, 2010 except for three non-rated trust preferred securities with an aggregate carrying value of $3,045,841 and unrealized loss of $437,731. The $1,766,557 net unrealized loss on the total corporate portfolio, down $1,497,728 or 45.88% from year-end 2009 and including the trust preferred holdings, is largely reflective of the illiquidity and risk premiums reflected in the market for bank-issued securities due to pervasive capital, asset quality, and other issues currently affecting the banking industry. Subsequent to March 31, the Company sold three of the “B+” holdings, recognizing a loss of approximately $141,000; a significant improvement in market value resulting from an exchange offer announced by the issuer in April 2010 precipitated the sale. The sold securities had fair values of $3,336,250 and unrealized losses of $631,230 at March 31, 2010. Except for seventeen non-rated issues with fair values aggregating $4,472,613, all securities in the municipal portfolio were rated, investment grade securities. In analyzing non-rated municipals, management considers debt service coverage and whether the bonds support essential services such as water/sewer systems and education.

Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when conditions warrant. This analysis requires management to consider various factors, including the duration and magnitude of the decline in value; the financial condition of the issuer or issuers; structure of the security; and, notwithstanding classification of the portfolio as available-for-sale, the Company’s intent to sell the security or whether it’s more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery in market value. At March 31, 2010, management reviewed securities with an unrealized loss and concluded that no material individual securities were other-than-temporarily impaired; however, an impairment charge could become necessary in the future if the economic crisis facing the banking industry does not abate and various issuers’ financial condition continues to weaken.

 

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Table of Contents

The weighted average life of the portfolio approximated 3.50 years at March 31, 2010; management does not expect any material extension in duration during 2010. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities are delineated in the following table:

 

Investment Securities by Category

March 31, 2010

   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gains
   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
(In thousands)                    

U. S. Government and federal agency securities

   $ 3,842    $ 154    $ —      $ 3,996

U. S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities1

     19,454      379      —        19,833

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities

     15,262      776      —        16,038

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     21,026      551      97      21,480

Corporate debt obligations

     13,347      —        1,767      11,580
                           

Total investment securities

   $ 72,931    $ 1,860    $ 1,864    $ 72,927
                           

 

1

Includes agency discount notes with original maturities of three months or less, as applicable.

At March 31, 2010, the market value of the investment portfolio reflected $1,863,477 in gross unrealized losses, mostly in the corporate portfolio. Management continues to monitor these market values closely and hopes for an eventual recovery as issues facing banks and their affiliates are fully addressed. Initiatives enacted by the Treasury Department, including various capital and other programs, have been positive developments for these corporate holdings; nonetheless, ratings downgrades and losses have occurred and may continue. For more details on investment securities and related fair value, refer to the Capital Adequacy section of this Analysis.

The Company did not have a concentration in the obligations of any issuer at March 31, 2010 other than U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Government enterprises, and certain corporate holdings. At March 31, 2010, the Company held $7,127,329 in corporate securities issued by two separate regional bank holding companies; these holdings comprised 9.77% of the total securities portfolio and 61.55% of the corporate portfolio. As discussed on the prior page, $3,336,250 of these corporate holdings were sold subsequent to March 31.

Loans

Loans, net of unearned income, fell 6.26% or $17,259,892 since year-end 2009. The net loans to deposits ratio aggregated 71.22% at March 31, 2010 versus 78.38% at December 31, 2009 and 81.14% a year ago. The loan categorization table below reflects declines of $9,395,319 in the commercial portfolio; $6,207,784 in real estate - construction balances; $1,183,932 in consumer loans; and $482,725 in real estate – residential mortgage balances at March 31, 2010 compared to year-end 2009. Specifically within the commercial portfolio, nonfarm real estate declined $3,422,689; agricultural loans, $1,300,097; other commercial/industrial loans, $1,472,370; and tax-free governmental loans, $3,200,163. The tax-free loans serve as a bridge for local government bodies anticipating property and other tax collections and are intended to be short-term. The $6,207,784 or 5.59% decline in real estate - construction balances resulted from multiple factors, including pay-downs, and as further discussed in the next two subsections, significant charge-offs and foreclosures. These loans, widely known as acquisition and development loans, continued to be predominantly residential in nature and concentrated in the Company’s coastal markets at March 31. These type loans are typically short-term and somewhat cyclical; swings in these account balances are normal and to be expected. Due to the current slowdown in real estate activity, overall duration of these particular loans increased during the last year and is expected to increase further throughout 2010. The escalation in nonperforming assets attributable to these loans is also expected to continue throughout 2010. With the exception of existing commitments, the Company is originating new acquisition and development loans only to customers with extraordinary equity injections, outside financial strength, or other performance metrics with low dependence on the underlying collateral.

 

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Although the Company, comparable to peer institutions of similar size, originates permanent mortgages for new construction, it historically has not held or serviced long-term mortgage loans of any volume in its own portfolio. Rather, permanent mortgages are typically brokered through a mortgage underwriter or government agency. The Company receives mortgage origination fees for its participation in these origination transactions; refer to the disclosures provided under Results of Operations for more details. Tighter credit policies and less demand throughout SEB’s seventeen locations both contributed to the 8.78% decline in consumer loans in the first quarter of 2010. Recent staff changes at various branches are expected to increase SEB’s market presence and consumer loan production going forward.

Due to economic uncertainties within the Company’s markets, particularly in the real estate sector, and resultant concerns regarding credit opportunities, management expects loan volumes to flatten or decline the remainder of 2010. Additionally, as further discussed in the next subsection of this Analysis, management expects problem asset volumes to increase given the Company’s significant real estate portfolio. During the same period in 2009, net loans grew 0.92% or $2,577,926. The commercial portfolio posted 84% of 2009 growth, increasing $2,168,667. Loans outstanding are presented by type in the following table.

 

Loans by Category

   March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 
(In thousands)                   

Commercial, financial, and agricultural1

   $ 89,677      $ 99,073      $ 98,661   

Real estate – construction3

     104,895        111,103        121,500   

Real estate – residential mortgage2,3

     51,682        52,165        48,302   

Consumer, including credit cards

     12,305        13,488        13,995   
                        

Loans, gross

     258,559        275,829        282,458   

Unearned income

     (93     (103     (123
                        

Loans, net

   $ 258,466      $ 275,726      $ 282,335   
                        

 

1

Includes obligations of states and political subdivisions.

2

Typically have final maturities of 15 years or less.

3

The majority of real estate loans are residential in nature.

The amount of commercial and real estate - construction loans outstanding at March 31, 2010, based on remaining contractual repayments of principal, are shown by maturity and interest rate sensitivity in the following table. The maturities shown are not necessarily indicative of future principal reductions or cash flow since borrowers may prepay balances, and additionally, loans may be renewed in part or total at maturity.

 

Loan Maturity and

Interest Rate Sensitivity – Selected Loans

March 31, 2010

   Total    Within
One Year
   One-Five
Years
   After  Five
Years
(In thousands)                    

Loan maturity:

           

Commercial, financial, and agricultural1

   $ 87,954    $ 41,034    $ 42,214    $ 4,706

Real estate – construction1

     83,050      66,706      15,819      525
                           

Total

   $ 171,004    $ 107,740    $ 58,033    $ 5,231
                           

Interest rate sensitivity:

           

Selected loans with:

           

Predetermined interest rates2

         $ 54,579    $ 3,222

Floating or adjustable interest rates

           3,454      2,009
                   

Total

         $ 58,033    $ 5,231
                   

 

1

Excludes nonaccrual loans totaling approximately $1,723 in commercial, financial, and agricultural category and $21,845 in real estate - construction category.

2

Includes loans with floating rates that have reached a contractual floor or ceiling.

 

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Table of Contents

Many commercial and real estate credits with floating rates have reached their contractual floors. Additionally, many recent originations and renewals have been priced at fixed rather than adjustable rates, unless floors applied. Loans with floating rates that had reached a contractual floor approximated $111,900,000 at March 31, 2010 compared to $134,500,000 at December 31, 2009 and $105,047,000 at March 31, 2009. The decline in loans with floors since year-end 2009 resulted from the transfer of numerous large loans to nonaccrual status and the overall drop in loans outstanding. The average yield on these particular outstandings, which included all loan types, was 5.31%, or 206 basis points above New York prime, at March 31, 2010. In 2009 and also, the first quarter of 2010, management shortened maturity options on commercial credits, a move that should mitigate the Company’s interest sensitivity position when prime adjusts upward.

Although the Company’s loan portfolio is diversified, significant portions of its loans are collateralized by real estate. At March 31, 2010, approximately 85.57% of the loan portfolio was comprised of loans with real estate as the primary collateral, including land tracts and lots. As required by policy, real estate loans are collateralized based on certain loan-to-appraised value ratios. A geographic concentration in loans arises given the Company’s operations within a regional area of northeast Florida and particularly, southeast Georgia. The Company continues to closely monitor real estate valuations in its markets and consider any implications on the allowance for loan losses and the related provision. On an aggregate basis, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit approximated $39,585,000 at March 31, 2010, compared to $34,374,000 year-end 2009 and $41,286,000 at March 31, 2009. The increase in commitments at March 31, 2010 was attributable to governmental and other commercial customers that paid down available lines significantly since December 31, 2009. The Company has not increased commitments to higher risk areas, including acquisition and development lending; rather, the Company has and continues to reduce these exposures. Because a substantial amount of these contracts expire without being drawn upon, total contractual amounts do not necessarily represent future credit exposure or liquidity requirements. The Company has not funded or incurred any losses on letters of credit in 2010 year-to-date.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, foreclosed real estate, and other repossessions. The escalation in nonperforming assets continued the first quarter of 2010, as balances jumped $11,881,807 or 40.17% at March 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009. As a percent of total assets, nonperforming assets totaled 9.70% at March 31, 2010 versus 7.03% at December 31, 2009 and 2.96% at March 31, 2009. Nonperforming assets materially and adversely affected the Company’s business, resources, and operating results during the first quarter of 2010. Acquisition and development loans were the primary factor in the nonperforming trends. Management expects continuing adverse effects the remainder of 2010.

Nonaccrual loans comprised $26,418,134 or 63.71% of nonperforming asset balances at March 31, 2010. Approximately $15,325,000 of loans were placed on nonaccrual status during the three-month period, $3,545,000 charged-off, $1,963,000 transferred out by foreclosure, and $1,062,000 reduced by payments or other repossession. At March 31, 2010, real estate-secured loans comprised $25,718,089 or 97.35% of total nonaccrual balances. Nonaccrual balances did not contain any other industry concentrations at March 31, 2010. The collateral underlying nonaccrual balances is presented in the next table.

 

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Table of Contents

Nonaccrual Loans by Collateral Type

   March 31,
2010
   December  31,
2009
(Dollars in thousands)          

Collateral type:

     

Real estate:

     

Land tracts

   $ 10,952    $ 6,869

Lots within developments

     8,522      5,005

Residential dwellings

     4,902      3,993

Commercial buildings

     1,343      965
             

Total real estate

   $ 25,719    $ 16,832

Equipment

     489      586

Other

     210      246
             

Total nonaccrual loans

   $ 26,418    $ 17,664
             

Approximately 80% of the real estate collateral underlying nonaccrual balances at March 31, 2010 was located in Georgia, predominantly coastal Georgia, with the balance in Florida. Nonaccrual balances included one purchased participation loan at March 31, 2010. This particular loan, with a balance of $697,186, is the only purchased participation loan on the Company’s books.

Relationships above $250,000 comprised 86.12% or $22,750,777 of nonaccrual balances at March 31, 2010. Cumulative charge-offs recognized on these 11 large relationships, primarily acquisition and development relationships, totaled $4,199,753 at March 31, 2010; $1,283,248 of these charge-offs were recognized in 2009 and $2,916,505 during the 2010 first quarter. The specific allowance allocated to these 11 relationships totaled $1,129,151 at March 31, 2010. No additional charge-offs have been recognized on these particular credits since March 31, 2010. The table below presents nonaccrual loans by relationship tiers.

 

Nonaccrual Loans by Relationship Tiers

March 31, 2010

   Number of
Relationships
   Balances    Percent
of Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Relationship tier:

          

< $250,000

   134    $ 3,668    13.88   $ 27

> $250,000 - $750,000

   3      1,540    5.83     513

> $750,000

   8      21,210    80.29     2,651
                    

Total

   145    $ 26,418    100.00   $ 182
                        

 

Nonaccrual Loans by Relationship Tiers

December 31, 2009

   Number of
Relationships
   Balances    Percent
of Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Relationship tier:

          

< $250,000

   127    $ 3,618    20.48   $ 28

> $250,000 - $750,000

   4      1,844    10.44     461

> $750,000

   6      12,202    69.08     2,034
                    

Total

   137    $ 17,664    100.00   $ 129
                        

Management continues to evaluate collateral underlying nonaccrual loans and adjusts valuations based on appraisal and similar information available. Unfortunately, valuation estimates can change, resulting in additional charge-offs and provisioning for loan losses. Unless collected, higher nonaccrual balances also adversely affect interest income versus performing loans. The impact of nonaccrual loans on the Company’s interest income and other operating results is further discussed in the Operations section of this Analysis.

 

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Table of Contents

Subsequent to March 31, loans with principal balances approximating $583,000 were placed on nonaccrual status, reduced by charge-offs totaling $77,357. The largest credit within this group, which is secured by raw land in coastal Georgia, had an $180,000 book balance after a $36,875 charge-off. Management is currently reappraising the underlying real estate on this credit and reviewing legal remedies and other solutions prior to foreclosure. Unless pricing and demand in the real estate markets improve, management expects other borrowers, including borrowers with loan balances above $250,000, to stop servicing their loans in 2010. As noted in the Operations section of this Analysis, management does not expect the Company to be profitable in 2010. The Company regularly stress tests its capital position to measure its ability to withstand deterioration in operating performance and asset quality. Nonaccrual and other impaired loans, including acquisition and development loans, figure prominently in these stress tests. Fortunately, the Company’s capital levels remain strong and able to withstand significant reductions before reaching regulatory minimums. At April 30, 2010, nonaccrual loans totaled $26,463,620, up $45,486 from March 31, 2010. Although nonaccrual levels are expected to increase in the near-term, management is optimistic that charge-offs and the associated provision will peak this year.

The troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) balance of $5,466,946 at March 31, 2010 comprised four loan relationships for which payment concessions were granted. Two large relationships comprised $5,063,031 or 92.61% of the quarter-end TDR balance. The largest relationship, secured by several large tracts, totaled $2,849,538; the second relationship, secured by a hotel, totaled $2,213,493. The remaining two relationships averaged $201,957 each. The specific allowance allocated to the aggregate TDR balance totaled $323,743 at March 31, 2010. Subsequent to March 31, three additional relationships approximating $13,001,261 and variously secured by commercial & residential real estate and accounts receivable, inventory, & equipment, also became TDR. A specific allowance of $261,717 was already allocated to one credit at March 31, 2010; management is currently reassessing the other two credits to determine if payment concessions alone are adequate or whether conversion to nonaccrual status is warranted. The TDR balance is projected to increase further the next 3 – 12 months as various credits are reworked to boost payment capabilities.

The allowance for loan losses approximated 0.21X the nonperforming loans balance at March 31, 2010 versus 0.33X at year-end 2009 and 0.63X a year ago. As noted earlier, management expects overall credit conditions and the performance of the loan portfolio to continue deteriorating in the near term, resulting in additional charge-offs and more provisioning until the real estate markets stabilize.

Foreclosures and constructive sales within foreclosed real estate balances totaled $1,962,779 and $364,583 during the 2010 first quarter. One residential foreclosure comprised 77% of the first quarter foreclosures; a $265,450 charge-off was recognized on this property in 2009. Charge-offs recognized on all underlying credits prior to their 2010 foreclosures approximated $374,000. The next table details foreclosed real estate by real estate type.

 

Foreclosed Real Estate by Type

   March 31,
2010
   December 31,
2009
(Dollars in thousands)          

Real estate:

     

Land tracts

   $ 3,723    $ 3,598

Lots within developments

     1,680      1,809

Residential dwellings

     3,635      2,033

Commercial buildings

     476      476
             

Total foreclosed real estate

   $ 9,514    $ 7,916
             

 

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Table of Contents

Except for one $324,000 residential property, all holdings were located in Georgia at March 31, 2010. Aggregate holdings in a single established subdivision increased from $1,330,000 at year-end 2009 to $2,835,000 at March 31, 2010 due to foreclosure activity. The next largest holding in any established subdivision approximated $446,000 at March 31, 2010.

The following table presents foreclosed real estate based on collateral values of individual properties.

 

Foreclosed Real Estate by Property

Valuations

March 31, 2010

   Number of
Properties
   Balances    Percent of
Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Property Valuation:

          

< $250,000

   30    $ 2,681    28.18   $ 89

> $250,000 - $750,000

   5      2,626    27.60     525

> $750,000

   3      4,207    44.22     1,402
                    

Total

   38    $ 9,514    100.00   $ 250
                        

 

Foreclosed Real Estate by Property

Valuations

December 31, 2009

   Number of
Properties
   Balances    Percent of
Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Property Valuation:

          

< $250,000

   30    $ 2,589    32.71   $ 86

> $250,000 - $750,000

   5      2,627    33.18     525

> $750,000

   2      2,700    34.11     1,350
                    

Total

   37    $ 7,916    100.00   $ 214
                        

As shown above, foreclosed real estate balances included eight material properties aggregating $6,833,217 at March 31, 2010; individual values ranged from $263,725 - $1,506,870. Charge-offs recognized on these larger properties prior to foreclosure approximated $1,459,000; these charge-offs were all recognized prior to 2010. Charge-offs recognized life-to-date on all active properties totaled $1,955,526; devaluations recognized subsequent to foreclosure on these properties totaled $356,579 life-to-date at March 31, 2010. None of the devaluation charges were recorded in the first quarter of 2010.

Certain foreclosed real estate balances pertain to the same borrower. The next table presents foreclosed real estate aggregated by relationship tiers.

 

Foreclosed Real Estate by Relationship Tiers

March 31, 2010

   Number of
Relationships
   Balances    Percent of
Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Relationship tier:

          

< $250,000

   17    $ 1,307    13.74   $ 77

> $250,000 - $750,000

   5      2,284    24.01     457

> $750,000

   4      5,923    62.25     1,481
                    

Total

   26    $ 9,514    100.00   $ 366
                        

 

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Table of Contents

Foreclosed Real Estate by Relationship Tiers

December 31, 2009

   Number of
Relationships
   Balances    Percent
of Total
Balance
    Average
Balance
within Tier
(Nonaccrual balances in thousands)                     

Relationship tier:

          

< $250,000

   16    $ 1,216    15.36   $ 76

> $250,000 - $750,000

   5      2,284    28.85     457

> $750,000

   3      4,416    55.79     1,472
                    

Total

   24    $ 7,916    100.00   $ 330
                        

Foreclosures subsequent to March 31 totaled $365,400, and sales, all pertaining to smaller properties, $117,000. Although foreclosed properties continue to be marketed aggressively, management expects to incur carrying costs for at least one year. Any additional devaluation will be charged to operations. The Company’s foreclosed real estate holdings can be viewed via a link from its website at www.southeasternbank.com. No significant activity occurred within other repossessed assets during 2010 year-to-date.

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing totaled $200,614 or less than 1% of net loans, at March 31, 2010. Management is unaware of any material concentrations within these past due balances; the vast majority, or 78%, of these past due balances were secured by real estate and equipment. The next table provides further information about nonperforming assets and loans past due 90 plus days.

 

Nonperforming Assets

   March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 
(In thousands)                   

Nonaccrual loans:

      

Commercial, financial, and agricultural

   $ 1,723      $ 1,483      $ 1,610   

Real estate – construction

     21,845        13,410        5,291   

Real estate – mortgage

     2,551        2,312        1,571   

Consumer, including credit cards

     299        459        208   
                        

Total nonaccrual loans

     26,418      $ 17,664        8,680   

Restructured loans1

     5,467        3,998        468   
                        

Total nonperforming loans

     31,885      $ 21,662        9,148   

Foreclosed real estate2

     9,514        7,916        3,226   

Other repossessed assets

     65        5        —     
                        

Total nonperforming assets

   $ 41,464      $ 29,583      $ 12,374   
                        

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

   $ 201      $ 211      $ 210   
                        

Ratios:

Nonperforming loans to net loans

     12.34     7.86     3.24
                        

Nonperforming assets to net loans plus foreclosed/repossessed assets

     15.47     10.43     4.33
                        

 

1

Does not include restructured loans that yield a market rate or loans reported as nonaccrual.

2

Includes only other real estate acquired through foreclosure or in settlement of debts previously contracted.

Loans past due 30-89 days comprised 0.87% of net loans at March 31, 2010, totaling $2,251,154. Approximately 70% of these past due loans were secured by real estate, predominantly 1 – 4 family residential properties with first liens and raw land. No loans in these past due balances exceeded $250,000 at March 31, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

Accruing loans classified as individually impaired under accounting guidance to creditors on impairment of loans totaled $7,552,969 at March 31, 2010, down $9,230,014 or 55.00% from year-end 2009. The first quarter decline resulted from transfers of certain loans classified as “individually impaired” to nonaccrual status. The March 31 balance pertained to six separate borrowers whose loan repayment was expected to come foremost from residential or commercial real estate development or lot loan sales of the underlying collateral. Due to lagging sales and lingering distress in the real estate markets, payment of principal and interest on these coastal real estate loans has come from borrower reserves or other resources, constituting a change in the initial source of payment/terms of these loans. One of these six credits, with an aggregate carrying balance of $4,204,467 and specific allowance of $261,717, was placed on TDR status subsequent to March 31, 2010. Management reviews all loans with total credit exposure of $250,000 or more on a monthly basis and evaluates underlying collateral, assuming salvage values and estimating any allowance necessary to cover projected losses at – worse case scenario – liquidation. After adjustments for collateral value shortfalls, the allowance for loan losses allocated to these six classified credits approximated $536,595 at March 31, 2010. The $536,595 assumes a loss if the underlying real estate required liquidation currently. Management fully expects additional relationships to be identified as impaired throughout 2010, necessitating specific allowances for the underlying loans.

Fluctuations in nonperforming assets, charge-offs, and recoveries for earlier periods are discussed in the Form 10-Qs and 10-Ks filed for those periods. Simply put, variations in these nonpeformings pale in comparison to 2009 and year-to-date 2010 results.

Policy Note. Loans classified as nonaccrual have been placed in nonperforming, or impaired, status because the borrower’s ability to make future principal and/or interest payments has become uncertain. The Company considers a loan to be nonaccrual with the occurrence of any one of the following events: a) interest or principal has been in default 90 days or more, unless the loan is well-collateralized and in the process of collection; b) collection of recorded interest or principal is not anticipated; or c) income on the loan is recognized on a cash basis due to deterioration in the financial condition of the debtor. Smaller balance consumer loans are generally not subject to the above-referenced guidelines and are normally placed on nonaccrual status or else charged-off when payments have been in default 90 days or more. Nonaccrual loans are reduced to the lower of the principal balance of the loan or the market value of the underlying real estate or other collateral net of selling costs. Any impairment in the principal balance is charged against the allowance for loan losses; subsequent charge-offs may be required as a result of changes in the market value of collateral or other repayment prospects. Unpaid interest on any loan placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest income on nonaccrual loans, if subsequently recognized, is recorded on a cash basis. No interest is subsequently recognized on nonaccrual loans until all principal has been collected. Loans are classified as TDR when a concession, including interest reduction or deferral, has been granted to the borrower due to the borrower’s deteriorating financial condition. Foreclosed real estate represents real property acquired by foreclosure or directly by title or deed transfer in settlement of debt. Provisions for subsequent devaluations of foreclosed real estate are charged to operations, while costs associated with improving the properties are generally capitalized.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company continuously reviews its loan portfolio and maintains an allowance for loan losses available to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio. The three-month provision for loan losses at March 31, 2010 totaled $2,985,000 and net charge-offs, $3,525,125. The comparable provision and net charge-off amounts at March 31, 2009 were $940,000 and $97,660. Deterioration in the real estate portfolio, particularly land acquisition and development loans, was the overriding factor in the first quarter provision; these and other loans will continue to be monitored, and the provision adjusted accordingly.

 

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Table of Contents

Net charge-offs represented 5.27% of average loans at March 31, 2010, up significantly from 0.14% at March 31, 2009 and 0.02% in 2008. Charge-offs on acquisition and development credits, which were discussed in the nonaccrual section, comprised $3,182,126 or 89.30% of total charge-offs at March 31, 2010. No material recoveries were recognized during the 2010 first quarter. Refer to the Nonperforming Assets subsection of this Analysis for references on charge-offs and recoveries recognized in earlier periods. As further mentioned in other sections of this Analysis, the Company is committed to the early recognition of problem loans and to an appropriate and adequate level of allowance. The adequacy of the allowance is further discussed in the next subsection of this Analysis. Activity in the allowance is presented in the next table.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010     2009     2008  
(Dollars in thousands)                   

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year

   $ 7,170      $ 4,929      $ 4,510   

Provision for loan losses

     2,985        940        111   

Charge-offs:

      

Commercial, financial, and agricultural

     188        136        4   

Real estate – construction

     3,182        49        1   

Real estate – mortgage

     117        42        1   

Consumer, including credit cards

     76        66        50   
                        

Total charge-offs

     3,563        293        56   
                        

Recoveries:

      

Commercial, financial, and agricultural

     13        6        2   

Real estate – construction

     —          150        —     

Real estate – mortgage

     5        2        2   

Consumer, including credit cards

     20        38        40   
                        

Total recoveries

     38        196        44   
                        

Net charge-offs

     3,525        97        12   
                        

Allowance for loan losses at end of period

   $ 6,630      $ 5,772      $ 4,609   
                        

Net loans outstanding1 at end of period

   $ 258,466      $ 282,335      $ 261,637   
                        

Average net loans outstanding1 at end of period

   $ 267,358      $ 280,966      $ 264,018   
                        

Ratios:

      

Allowance to net loans

     2.57     2.04     1.76
                        

Net charge-offs to average loans2

     5.27     0.14     0.02
                        

Provision to average loans2

     4.47     1.34     0.17
                        

Recoveries to total charge-offs

     1.07     66.89     78.57
                        

 

1

Net of unearned income

2

Annualized.

The Company prepares a comprehensive analysis of the allowance for loan losses monthly. SEB’s Board of Directors is responsible for affirming the allowance methodology and assessing the general and specific allowance factors in relation to estimated and actual net charge-off trends. Such evaluation considers numerous factors, including, but not limited to, net charge-off trends, internal risk ratings, loss forecasts, collateral values, geographic location, delinquency rates, nonperforming loans, underwriting practices, industry conditions, and economic trends. Specific allowances for loan losses are established for large impaired loans evaluated on an individual basis. The specific allowance established for these loans is based on a thorough analysis of the most probable source of repayment, including the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, the loan’s estimated market value, or the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. General allowances are established for loans grouped into pools based

 

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on similar characteristics. In this process, general allowance factors are established based on an analysis of historical charge-off experience and expected loss-given-default derived from the Company’s internal risk rating process. Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for the pools after an assessment of internal and external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data. These influences typically include recent loss experience in specific portfolio segments, trends in loan quality, changes in market focus, and concentrations of credit. This element necessarily requires a high degree of managerial judgment to anticipate the impact that economic trends, legislative or governmental actions, or other unique market and/or portfolio issues will have on credit losses. Unallocated allowances relate to inherent losses that are not included elsewhere in the allowance. The qualitative factors associated with unallocated allowances include the inherent imprecisions in models and lagging or incomplete data. Because of their subjective nature, these risk factors are carefully reviewed by management and revised as conditions indicate. Based on its analyses, management believes the allowance was adequate at March 31, 2010 but expects further provisioning throughout 2010. In April 2010, an additional $600,000 was provisioned and $234,913 charged-off, net of recoveries.

Other Commitments

The Company had no material plans or commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2010.

Liquidity

Liquidity is managed to ensure sufficient cash flow to satisfy demands for credit, deposit withdrawals, and other corporate needs. Liquidity is vital to any financial institution and its importance cannot be overstated, particularly during periods of economic crisis. Overall liquidity position is determined by the types of assets, and their duration, on the balance sheet; encumbrances; borrowing capacity from customer deposits or other sources; and retained earnings. In short, assets, predominantly loans and investment securities, are funded by customer deposits, borrowed funds, and retained earnings. Recently, in an effort to become more liquid, the Company has increased its most liquid assets, namely cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents, which variously comprise cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, and federal funds sold, increased $23,245,896 or 54.53% at March 31, 2010 compared to year-end 2009. Cash and cash equivalents represented 15.41% of total assets at March 31, 2010 versus 10.13% at December 31, 2009. The cost of the liquidity improvement has been a sacrifice of some earnings potential. Liquidity sources are discussed further in the next subsections of this Analysis.

Cash flows from the loan and securities portfolios represent important components of the Company’s overall liquidity position. At March 31, 2010, loans1 and investment securities with carrying values exceeding $154,000,000 were scheduled to mature in one year or less. The investment portfolio has also been structured to meet liquidity needs prior to asset maturity when necessary. Refer to the Maturity Distribution table in the Investment Securities subsection of this Analysis for pertinent information on contractual and other redemptions of these instruments. Of course, loans are subject to refinancing, and loans and particularly, securities, may be pledged to secure public funds and other borrowing arrangements. At March 31, 2010, 78.33% or $57,125,769 of the Company’s securities portfolio was pledged; when adjusted for overpledging due to cyclical variations in public funds and contingency pledging to the Federal Reserve Bank discount window, approximately $31,600,000 or 43% of the securities portfolio was unencumbered at March 31, 2010. The entities to which the excess collateral is pledged have no legal claim on such collateral unless amounts are owed under other obligations.

The Company has long benefited from a relatively large, stable deposit base. Customer-based core deposits, traditionally the Company’s largest and most cost-effective source of funding, comprised 81%

 

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of the funding base at March 31, 2010, down 100 basis points from year-end 2009 levels. The variation in core deposits is largely attributable to an increase in time certificates with balances of $100,000 or more at March 31, 2010 compared to year-end; these particular balances grew over $3,500,000 in the first quarter of 2010. Funding sources primarily comprise customer-based core deposits but also include borrowed funds and cash flows from operations. Borrowed funds, which variously encompass U.S. Treasury demand notes, federal funds purchased, Federal Reserve discount window borrowings, and FHLB advances, totaled $6,176,016 at March 31, 2010 versus $10,753,595 at December 31, 2009. The $4,577,579 or 42.57% drop in borrowed funds resulted mainly from the maturity of a $5,000,000 FHLB advance in March. The maximum amount of U.S. Treasury demand notes available to the Company at March 31, 2010 totaled $2,000,000, of which $1,176,016 was outstanding. Unused borrowings under unsecured federal funds lines of credit from other banks, each with varying terms and expiration dates, totaled $18,216,000 at March 31, 2010. The Company’s correspondent banks have been affected by the current economic crisis to varying degrees. Because of regulatory constraints or concerns about the banking industry and the overall economy, the Company’s remaining correspondents may be unwilling or unable to extend credit to other banks, including SEB, when needed; accordingly, the Company’s actual access to these lines may be far less than $18,216,000 although the Company has no present intention of fully advancing these lines. Subsequent to March 31, one correspondent notified the Company that its line, which totaled $13,216,000 at March 31, 2010, would no longer be available on an overnight basis unless the Company opted to become a shareholder; the Company decided against the shareholder option. The Company may receive similar notifications from other correspondents in the future.

Under a credit facility with the FHLB, the Company can borrow up to 16% of SEB’s total assets; at March 31, 2010, unused borrowings, which are subject to collateral requirements, approximated $63,202,000. Refer to the subsection entitled FHLB Advances for details on the Company’s outstanding balance with the FHLB. At March 31, 2010, the Company also had $7,664,247 of borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank discount window; no amounts were outstanding against this capacity at March 31, 2010, and except for periodic testing of availability, the Company intends to use this capacity on a limited basis. Net cash from operations derived primarily from net income adjusted for noncash items such as depreciation and amortization, accretion, and the provision for loan losses. The statements of cash flows within this Form 10-Q provide a comprehensive breakdown of cash flows provided by or used in operating, investing, and financing activities.

In the third quarter of 2009, the FDIC announced its plan to restore DIF balances as a result of recent bank failures. The restoration plan required all FDIC-insured banks to prepay their risk-based assessments for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. The assessments, usually due quarterly, were instead estimated for the three future years and paid prior to December 31, 2009. In conjunction with the adoption of this rule, the FDIC also approved a three basis points increase in assessment rates effective January 1, 2011. The Company paid the required assessment on December 29, 2009 and concurrently recorded a prepaid asset within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This prepaid asset totaled $1,690,851 at March 31, 2010. Any differences between the prepaid and actual amounts due each quarter will be funded using existing available liquidity.

Management believes the Company has the funding capacity, from operating activities or otherwise, to meet its financial commitments in 2010. Refer to the Capital Adequacy section of this Analysis for details on dividend policy and the Financial Condition section for details on unfunded loan commitments.

 

1

No cash flow assumptions other than final contractual maturities have been made for installment loans. Nonaccrual loans are excluded.

 

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Deposits

Deposits increased 3.17% or $11,136,025 since year-end 2009. Interest-bearing deposits grew $10,251,296 or 3.46% and noninterest-bearing deposits increased $884,729 or 1.60%. Within interest-bearing deposits, NOW, money market, savings and time certificate balances grew $2,589,281, $1,699,056, $420,256 and $5,542,703. The growth in NOW balances occurred chiefly in local government balances. Conversely, the growth in money market balances resulted from non-personal, or commercial accounts, predominantly Florida-based. The modest increase in savings deposits was due to customers seeking FDIC-insured investments in this low rate environment. Time certificate balances of $100,000 or more increased $3,546,976 in 2010 and represented 49.12% of certificate totals at March 31, 2010. Lower balance certificate totals grew $1,995,727 or 2.95% since December 31, 2009. The Company has focused certificate pricing on customers who also have non-certificate deposit and/or loan balances. Funding costs associated with deposits declined 19.70% overall at March 31, 2010 versus March 31, 2009 due to moderate reductions in cost of funds; see the Results of Operations section of this Analysis for more details. Renewed effort by branch personnel to attract new customers precipitated the 1.60% increase in noninterest-bearing deposits since year-end; these balances tend to be somewhat cyclical. To provide reassurance to customers and also, to reduce pledging requirements, the Company is participating in the TLGP that provides full deposit insurance for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts, regardless of dollar amount and including NOW accounts with rates of 0.50% or less until June 30, 2010 and 0.25% thereafter. The Company will incur a surcharge, currently estimated to cost less than $25,000 per year, on its deposit insurance for accounts not otherwise covered by the existing deposit insurance limit of $250,000. Overall, interest-bearing deposits comprised 84.51%, and noninterest-bearing deposits, 15.49%, of total deposits at March 31, 2010. Approximately 83% of quarter-end deposits were based in Georgia and the residual 17% in Florida. The distribution of interest-bearing balances at March 31, 2010 and certain comparable quarter-end dates is shown in the following table.

 

     March 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     March 31, 2009  

Deposits

   Balances    Percent
of Total
    Balances    Percent
of Total
    Balances    Percent
of Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                  

Interest-bearing demand deposits1

   $ 115,841    37.77   $ 111,553    37.63   $ 90,673    31.32

Savings

     54,044    17.62     53,624    18.09     66,740    23.05

Time certificates < $100,000

     69,610    22.70     67,614    22.81     66,697    23.03

Time certificates >= $100,000

     67,207    21.91     63,660    21.47     65,430    22.60
                                       

Total interest-bearing deposits

   $ 306,702    100.00   $ 296,451    100.00   $ 289,540    100.00
                                       

 

1

NOW and money market accounts.

Deposits of one local governmental body comprised approximately $17,349,000 and $22,109,000 of the overall deposit base at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. On an aggregate basis, public funds comprised approximately 18% of the deposit base at both March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The Company had no brokered deposits at March 31, 2010 and year-end 2009.

 

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As shown in the next table, approximately 87% of time certificates at March 31, 2010 were scheduled to mature within the next twelve months:

 

Maturities of Time Certificates

March 31, 2010

   Balances     
   < $100,000    >= $100,000    Total
(In thousands)               

Months to maturity:

        

3 or less

   $ 16,211    $ 14,970    $ 31,181

Over 3 through 12

     43,587      44,668      88,255

Over 12 through 36

     8,883      7,469      16,352

Over 36

     929      100      1,029
                    

Total

   $ 69,610    $ 67,207    $ 136,817
                    

The composition of average deposits and the fluctuations therein at March 31 for the last two years is shown in the Average Balances table included in the Operations section of this Analysis.

FHLB Advances

Advances outstanding with the FHLB totaled $5,000,000 at March 31, 2010, down 50% from December 31, 2009. One $5,000,000 advance that accrued interest at an effective rate of 6.00% was not renewed upon its March 17 maturity. Additional advances outstanding at March 31, 2010 included a $2,500,000 fixed rate advance due July 30, 2012 with an effective rate of 2.35% and another $2,500,000 fixed rate advance due July 29, 2013 with an effective rate of 2.89%. Both advances are used to provide temporary liquidity on a cost-effective basis. Approximately $30,711,000 in qualifying residential and commercial real estate loans were pledged to collateralize current and future advances under this line of credit at March 31, 2010. The FHLB is expected to continue tightening its credit policies given current conditions in the real estate markets, which would reduce the Company’s overall borrowing capacity.

Interest Rate and Market Risk/Interest Rate Sensitivity

The normal course of business activity exposes the Company to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates may result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows, and net interest income. The asset/liability committee regularly reviews the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk and formulates strategy based on acceptable levels of interest rate risk. The overall objective of this process is to optimize the Company’s financial position, liquidity, and net interest income, while limiting volatility to net interest income from changes in interest rates. The Company uses gap analysis and simulation modeling to measure and manage interest rate sensitivity.

An indicator of interest rate sensitivity is the difference between interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities; this difference is known as the interest rate sensitivity gap. In an asset sensitive, or positive, gap position, the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same period. Conversely, in a liability sensitive, or negative, gap position, the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within that time period. During a period of rising rates, a negative gap would tend to affect net interest income adversely, while a positive gap would theoretically result in increased net interest income. In a falling rate environment, a negative gap would tend to result in increased net interest income, while a positive gap would affect net interest income adversely. The following gap analysis provides a snapshot of the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2010.

 

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     Repricing Within      

Interest Rate Sensitivity

March 31, 2010

   0 - 3
Months
    4 - 12
Months
    One - Five
Years
    More
Than Five
Years
    Total
(Dollars in thousands)                             

Interest Rate Sensitive Assets

          

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

   $ 49,439      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 49,439

Federal funds sold

     2,150        —          —          —          2,150

Securities1

     2,302        21,536        23,730        25,359        72,927

Loans, gross2

     75,146        68,014        80,379        8,602        232,141

Other assets

     1,314        —          —          —          1,314
                                      

Total interest rate sensitive assets

     130,351        89,550        104,109        33,961        357,971
                                      

Interest Rate Sensitive Liabilities

          

Deposits3

     201,067        88,255        17,329        51        306,702

U.S. Treasury demand note

     1,176        —          —          —          1,176

FHLB advances

     —          —          5,000        —          5,000
                                      

Total interest rate sensitive liabilities

     202,243        88,255        22,329        51        312,878
                                      

Interest rate sensitivity gap

   $ (71,892   $ 1,295      $ 81,780      $ 33,910      $ 45,093
                                      

Cumulative gap

   $ (71,892   $ (70,597   $ 11,183      $ 45,093     
                                  

Ratio of cumulative gap to total rate sensitive assets

     (20.08 )%      (19.72 )%      3.12     12.60  
                                  

Ratio of cumulative rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities

     64.45     75.70     103.57     114.41  
                                  

Cumulative gap at December 31, 2009

   $ (97,238   $ (84,609   $ 9,257      $ 44,918     
                                  

Cumulative gap at March 31, 20094

   $ (94,868   $ (101,166   $ 30,917      $ 71,844     
                                  

 

1

Distribution of maturities for investment securities is based on fair value. Additionally, distribution of maturities for mortgage-backed securities is based on expected average lives, which may be different from the contractual terms. Equity securities, if any, are excluded.

2

No cash flow assumptions other than final contractual maturities have been made for installment loans with fixed rates. Floating rate loans that have reached a floor or ceiling are classified according to contractual maturity. Nonaccrual loans are excluded.

3

NOW, money market, and savings account balances are included in the 0-3 months repricing category.

4

At March 31, 2009, distribution of maturities for securities was based on amortized cost. The use of fair value versus amortized cost does not materially change the sensitivity results.

As shown in the preceding table, the Company’s cumulative gap position remained negative through the one-year repricing interval, totaling $(70,597,000) at March 31, 2010. Excluding traditionally nonvolatile NOW from the gap calculation, the cumulative gap totaled $17,515,000 at twelve months, effectively reflecting an asset sensitive position at March 31, 2010. Overall, the one-year gap position narrowed 16.56% at March 31, 2010 versus year-end 2009. At December 31, 2009 and earlier periods in 2009, the Company’s twelve-month gap position was marginally asset sensitive or liability sensitive. Changes in balance sheet mix due to liquidity considerations were primary factors in the sensitivity shift at March 31, 2010. For example, advances from the FHLB fell $5,000,000 at March 31, 2010 versus December 31, 2009. Additionally, growth in interest-bearing deposits in other banks exceeded $33,000,000. These interest-bearing deposits in other banks, primarily comprising excess reserves at the Federal Reserve and providing only a nominal return, are expected to remain elevated throughout 2010. For more details on these excess reserves and other liquidity considerations, refer to the Liquidity section of this Analysis. At March 31, 2010, adjustable rate loans that had reached a contractual floor approximated $112,000,000; at December 31, 2009, such loans approximated $134,500,000. Once these loans again float, they will be classified according to repricing characteristics, which is normally 0 – 3 months for prime-based loans. The Financial Condition section of this Analysis contains more details on these particular loans.

 

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Except for seasonal variations, mainly in deposit balances, no significant changes are anticipated in the gap position during 2010. The Company does not intend to materially extend asset duration in the current rate and economic environment. Shortcomings are inherent in any gap analysis since certain assets and liabilities may not move proportionally as rates change. For example, the gap analysis presumes that fixed rate loans2 and securities1 will perform according to their contractual maturities when, in many cases, actual loan terms are much shorter than the original terms and securities are subject to early redemption. Conversely, loans may be renewed and their maturities extended.

In addition to gap analysis, the Company uses simulation modeling to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and the balance sheet. Contractual maturity and repricing characteristics of loans are incorporated into the model, as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data, and call options within the investment portfolio. Non-maturity deposit accounts are modeled based on past experience. Simulation results quantify interest rate risks under various interest rate scenarios. Based on the Company’s latest analysis, the simulation model estimates that a gradual 300 basis points rise in rates over the next twelve months would increase net interest income approximately 19%; a gradual 300 basis points decline in rates would reduce net interest income approximately 15%. An immediate downward shock of 200 basis points would adversely impact net interest income approximately 19% over the next year; a similar upward shock would increase net interest income approximately 22%. At December 31, 2009, simulation results indicated that a gradual 300 basis points rise would increase net interest income approximately 12%, and an immediate 200 basis points increase, 15%. The variation in results at March 31 versus year-end 2009 is primarily attributable to the substantial increase in interest-bearing cash balances which would immediately reprice under the simulation model. Limitations inherent with simulation modeling include: a) In a down rate environment, competitive and other factors constrain timing of rate cuts on other deposit products whereas loans tied to prime and other variable indexes reprice instantaneously and securities with call or other prepayment features are likely to be redeemed prior to stated maturity and replaced at lower rates (lag effect); and b) changes in balance sheet mix, for example, unscheduled pay-offs of large commercial loans and significant increases in nonaccrual loans, are oftentimes difficult to forecast.

The Company has not in the past, but may in the future, utilize interest rate swaps, financial options, financial futures contracts, or other rate protection instruments to reduce interest rate and market risks.

Impact of Inflation

The effects of inflation on the local economy and the Company’s operating results have been relatively modest the last several years. Because substantially all the Company’s assets and liabilities, including cash, securities, loans, and deposits, are monetary in nature, their values are less sensitive to the effects of inflation than to changing interest rates. As discussed in the preceding section, the Company attempts to control the impact of interest rate fluctuations by managing the relationship between its interest sensitive assets and liabilities.

Capital Adequacy

Federal banking regulators have established certain capital adequacy standards required to be maintained by banks and bank holding companies. These regulations define capital as either Tier 1 (primarily realized shareholders’ equity) or Tier 2 (certain debt instruments and a portion of the allowance for loan losses). The Company and SEB are subject to a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio (Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets) of 4%, total capital ratio (Tier 1 plus Tier 2 to risk-weighted assets) of 8%, and Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 to average quarterly assets) of 4%. To be considered a “well-capitalized”

 

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institution, the Tier 1 capital, total capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios must equal or exceed 6%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. Banks and bank holding companies are prohibited from including unrealized gains and losses on debt securities in the calculation of risk-based capital but are permitted to include up to 45 percent of net unrealized pre-tax holding gains on equity securities in Tier 2 capital. The Company did not have any unrealized gains on equity securities includible in the risk-based capital calculations for any of the periods presented. At March 31, 2010, the Company’s Tier 1, total capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios totaled 18.88%, 20.14%, and 13.41%. On a stand-alone basis, SEB’s same ratios totaled 17.42%, 18.68%, and 12.11%. Regulators have expressed the need for increased capital requirements for bank holding companies and their subsidiaries; management expects minimum required capital levels will rise in the future. The Company is committed to maintaining its well-capitalized status and stress tests its capital position on a regular basis to gauge its ability to withstand deterioration in asset quality and operating performance.

Capital ratios for the most recent periods are presented in the following table.

 

Capital Ratios

   March 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    March 31,
2009
 
(Dollars in thousands)                   

Tier 1 capital:

      

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 56,269      $ 56,559      $ 57,105   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     3        1,076        1,304   

Intangible assets and other adjustments

     —          —          (119
                        

Total Tier 1 capital

     56,272        57,635        58,290   
                        

Tier 2 capital:

      

Portion of allowance for loan losses

     3,762        4,063        4,061   
                        

Total Tier 2 capital

     3,762        4,063        4,061   
                        

Total risk-based capital

   $ 60,034      $ 61,698      $ 62,351   
                        

Risk-weighted assets

   $ 298,122      $ 321,904      $ 323,172   
                        

Risk-based ratios:

      

Tier 1 capital1

     18.88     17.90     18.04
                        

Total risk-based capital

     20.14     19.17     19.29
                        

Tier 1 leverage ratio

     13.41     14.00     13.65
                        

Shareholders’ equity to assets

     13.16     13.43     13.64
                        

 

1

The Company’s tier 1 common equity ratio is the same as its tier 1 capital ratio.

Book value per share declined a marginal 0.50% or $0.09 during first quarter of 2010 to $17.93 due mainly to the first quarter net loss. Dividends declared totaled $0.06  1/2, down $0.02 or 24% from 2009. The dividend reduction reflects management’s proactive management of capital through a period of economic uncertainty and earnings pressure in the financial industry. The dividend reduction strengthens the Company’s overall balance sheet by retaining not only capital but also cash. Not surprisingly, regulators are encouraging financial companies to set dividend policies with the current economic crisis in mind. The Company declared a $0.06 1/2 dividend in the second quarter of 2010, payable June 9, but cannot guarantee that additional dividends will be paid in 2010. For more specifics on the Company’s dividend policy, refer to the subsection immediately following.

Under existing authorization, the Company can purchase up to $15,000,000 in treasury stock. From 2000 - 2009, the Company purchased 442,266 shares on the open market or though private transactions. No shares were purchased in the first quarter of 2010. The remaining consideration available for additional purchases, at prices to be determined in the future, was $6,196,969 at March 31. 2010. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, the Company purchased an additional 9,143 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $91,430 or $10.00 per share. Any additional acquisition of shares will be dictated by market conditions and capital considerations.

 

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The Company has granted various employees options to purchase shares of common stock; refer to the 2009 Form 10-K previously filed for details on the number of options outstanding and the range of exercise prices.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which measures net fluctuations in the fair values of investment securities, improved $1,073,642 since year-end 2009. Further details on investment securities, including corporates, and their associated fair values are contained in the Financial Condition section of this analysis.

Refer to the Financial Condition and Liquidity sections of this Analysis for details on planned capital expenditures.

Dividend Policy

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on operating results, capital adequacy, and the availability of liquid assets for distribution. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its bank subsidiary, and its revenues depend primarily on the payment of dividends from SEB. Unless regulatory approval is granted, SEB cannot pay a dividend to the Company until its operating performance improves and credit losses abate. See the Nonperforming Assets section of this Analysis for more details on problem asset trends and their resultant effect on earnings.

Results of Operations

A net loss approximating $1,172,409 was recognized for the 2010 first quarter compared to net income of $637,872 for the 2009 first quarter. On a per share basis, the quarterly loss totaled $0.37 at March 31, 2010, a $0.57 drop from $0.20 net income at March 31, 2009. Major variances in the 2010 – 2009 comparative results included:

 

   

$2,045,000 increase in the provision for loan losses to address loan quality issues;

 

   

$559,251 reduction in net interest income due to an increase in nonaccrual loans and lower average balances on higher-yielding earning assets, specifically loans and investment securities, offset by a reduction in interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds;

 

   

$0 net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale year-to-date in 2010 versus $197,871 in 2009; and

 

   

$1,032,876 reduction in income tax expense.

Variations in net interest income and noninterest income/expense are further discussed in the next two subsections of this Analysis; the provision for loan losses is separately discussed within the Financial Condition section.

Net Interest Income

Due to margin compression resulting largely from increased nonaccrual loans, net interest income declined $559,251 or 14.61% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009. Additionally, reducing cost of funds in the current economic cycle to mitigate earnings pressure on assets has been particularly difficult since liquidity constraints have compelled regional and other banks to rely more heavily on deposits, particularly time certificates, for funding; this reliance has kept deposit rates higher and lowered margins and spreads for competitor banks attempting to maintain market share. Although many variable rate loans have reached a contractual floor, reducing asset sensitivity, asset rates remain

 

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exceedingly low and deposit costs high on a relative basis. Net interest income and resultant margins and spreads are projected to decline further in 2010 due to a) yield reductions on a year-over-year basis, due largely to higher cash equivalent balances; b) overall lower average balances on loans and also, investment securities due to sales; and c) significant increases in nonperforming assets, particularly nonaccrual loans and foreclosed other real estate. As discussed earlier, unless collected, nonaccrual balances adversely affect interest income two ways - interest reversals and nonearning status. To recap, the net interest margin approximated 3.58% at March 31, 2010 versus 4.14% in 2009; the interest rate spread, 3.27% versus 3.70%. Interest earnings on loans and investment securities fell $460,410 and $423,668 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009, while interest income on other assets increased $21,185. Asset yields averaged 4.93% at March 31, 2010, down 85 basis points from 5.78% in 2009; see the interest differential table on the next page for more details on changes in interest income attributable to volume and rates at March 31, 2010 versus 2009. Interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds declined $303,642 or 19.23% during the first quarter of 2010 versus 2009. Cost of funds fell 43 basis points from 2009 levels, totaling 1.65% at March 31, 2010 versus 2.08% at March 31, 2009. The reduced funding costs resulted from lower rates on all interest-bearing liabilities, including deposits, at March 31, 2010 compared to 2009. Although interest expense on time certificates declined 25.00% at March 31, 2010 compared to 2009, higher average balances, competitive pressure, and the aforementioned lag effect have constrained desired rate reductions in this product. Nonetheless, rate pressure on certificates continued to ease moderately in the first quarter and is expected to drop further through the third quarter of 2010. Refer to the Liquidity and Interest Sensitivity sections of this Analysis for more details on deposit/funding fluctuations and the Company’s asset/liability sensitivity position.

The intense competition for deposits and certain loans continued in early 2010 and shows no sign of abating. The high number of financial institutions in the Company’s market areas essentially guarantees downward pressure on net interest spreads and margins as all participants struggle to amass, grow, and maintain market share. Volume of assets and deposits become even more important as margins decline. Long-term strategies implemented by management to increase average loans outstanding emphasize competitive pricing on loan products and development of additional loan relationships, all without compromising portfolio quality. Management’s strategy for deposits is to closely manage anticipated market increases and maintain a competitive position with respect to pricing and products. Comparative details about average balances, income/expense, and average yields earned and rates paid on interest-earning assets and liabilities for the last two years are provided in the table on the next page.

 

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Selected Average Balances, Income/Expense, and Average Yields Earned and Rates Paid

 

     2010     2009  

Average Balances6

Three Months Ended March 31,

   Average
Balances
   Income/
Expense
   Yields/
Rates
    Average
Balances
   Income/
Expense
   Yields/
Rates
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                 

Assets

                

Interest-earning assets:

                

Loans, net1,2,4

   $ 267,358    $ 3,682    5.59   $ 280,966    $ 4,129    5.96

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

     39,584      20    0.20     24      —      —     

Federal funds sold

     2,150      1    0.19     718      —      0.03

Taxable investment securities3

     55,442      663    4.85     81,596      1,009    5.02

Tax-exempt investment securities3,4

     18,990      308    6.58     25,210      422    6.79

Other interest-earning assets

     1,314      1    0.31     1,477      2    0.54
                                        

Total interest-earning assets

   $ 384,838    $ 4,675    4.93   $ 389,991    $ 5,562    5.78
                                        

Liabilities

                

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                

Interest-bearing demand deposits5

   $ 115,553    $ 210    0.74   $ 90,483    $ 204    0.91

Savings

     54,227      102    0.76     65,855      108    0.67

Time certificates

     133,386      870    2.65     132,249      1,159    3.55

Federal funds purchased

     —        —      —          4,614      11    0.97

U. S. Treasury demand note

     592      —      —          596      —      —     

FHLB advances

     9,167      94    4.16     14,057      97    2.80
                                        

Total interest-bearing liabilities

   $ 312,925    $ 1,276    1.65   $ 307,854    $ 1,579    2.08
                                        

Excess of interest-earning assets over interest-bearing liabilities

   $ 71,913         $ 82,137      
                                        

Interest rate spread

         3.28         3.70
                                        

Net interest income

      $ 3,399         $ 3,983   
                                        

Net interest margin

         3.58         4.14
                                        

 

1

Average loans are shown net of unearned income. Nonperforming loans are included. Income on nonaccrual loans, if recognized, is recorded on a cash basis.

2

Includes loan fees and late charges.

3

Securities are presented on an amortized cost basis. Investment securities with original maturities of three months or less are included, as applicable.

4

Interest income on tax-exempt loans and securities is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis, using a federal income tax rate of 34%. No adjustments have been made for any state tax benefits or the nondeductible portion of interest expense.

5

NOW and money market accounts.

6

Averages presented generally represent average daily balances.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

The average balance table above provides detailed information about average balances, income/expense, and average yields earned and rates paid on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The table on the next page summarizes the changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to volume and rates during this period.

 

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Interest Differential1

Three Months Ended March 31,

   2010 Compared to  2009
Increase (Decrease) Due to
 
   Volume     Rate     Net  
(In thousands)                   

Interest income:

      

Loans, net2,3

   $ (195   $ (252   $ (447

Interest bearing deposits in other banks

     20        —          20   

Federal funds sold

     —          1        1   

Taxable investment securities

     (314     (32     (346

Tax-exempt investment securities3

     (101     (13     (114

Other interest-earning assets

     —          (1     (1
                        

Total interest income

     (590     (297     (887
                        

Interest expense:

      

Interest-bearing demand deposits4

     50        (44     6   

Savings

     (21     15        (6

Time certificates

     10        (299     (289

Federal funds purchased

     (11     —          (11

U.S. Treasury demand note

     —          —          —     

FHLB advances

     (41     38        (3
                        

Total interest expense

     (13     (290     (303
                        

Net change in net interest income

   $ (577   $ (7   $ (584
                        

 

1

Changes in net interest income are attributed to either changes in average balances (volume change) or changes in average rates (rate change) for earning assets and sources of funds on which interest is received or paid. Volume change is calculated as change in volume times the previous rate while rate change is change in rate times the previous volume. The rate/volume change, change in rate times change in volume, is allocated between volume change and rate change at the ratio each component bears to the absolute value of their total.

2

Includes loan fees. See the average balances table on the previous page for more details.

3

Interest income on tax-exempt loans and securities is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis, using a federal income tax rate of 34%. No adjustments have been made for any state tax benefits or the nondeductible portion of interest expense.

4

Now and money market accounts.

Noninterest Income and Expense

Noninterest income declined $226,678 or 18.80% during the first three months of 2010 compared to 2009. Key elements in the year-to-date results included:

 

  a) Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale: The Company recognized a net gain of $197,871 on the sale of various securities, including corporate debt obligations, totaling $13,417,091 in the first quarter of 2009. These securities were sold to reduce certain sector concentrations and provide liquidity. No securities were sold during the first quarter of 2010.

 

  b) Service charges on deposit accounts: Service charges on deposit accounts declined $22,536 or 3.39% at March 31, 2010 compared to 2009. Lower volume of NSF fees and declines in analysis charges on commercial accounts were the main factors in the 2010 decline.

 

  c) Other operating income: The other operating portion of noninterest income declined a marginal $6,271 at March 31, 2010 compared to 2009. A $31,556 increase in surcharge income from ATM transactions largely offset declines in mortgage origination and other fees at March 31, 2010. By type and amount, the chief components of other operating income at March 31, 2010 were surcharge fees – ATM, $129,825; mortgage origination fees, $23,908; income on bank-owned life insurance, with a resultant yield exceeding 6.25% on a federal taxable-equivalent basis, $58,814; income on sale of check products, $23,702; safe deposit box rentals, $24,115; and commissions on the sale of credit life insurance, $21,765. Together, these six income items comprised 83.69% of other operating income. In 2009, these same six income components comprised 84.61% of other operating income.

 

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Noninterest expense increased a marginal $12,228 in 2010 year-to-date. The chief factors impacting quarterly results comprised:

 

  a) Salaries and employee benefits: Personnel costs fell 3.87% or $73,491 at March 31, 2010 compared to 2009. Declines in salaries and profit-sharing accruals, which includes 401-K matching contributions under the Company’s safe harbor plan, accounted for virtually all the 2010 variation. Specifically, salaries declined $26,400 and profit-sharing accruals, $49,903, in 2010 year-to-date compared to 2009. The vast majority, or 83%, of employee expenses remained concentrated in salaries and other direct compensation, including related payroll taxes, at March 31, 2010. Profit-sharing accruals and other fringe benefits constituted the remaining 3% and 14% of employee expenses. The division of employee expenses between compensation, profit-sharing, and other fringe benefits remained consistent with historical norms in 2010.

 

  b) Occupancy and equipment, net: When compared to the prior year, net occupancy and equipment expense increased a marginal $10,696 or 1.57% during the first three months of 2010 compared to 2009. Savings of $10,158 related to janitorial expense were offset by increases of $9,798 in building repairs & maintenance and $9,478 in building insurance. The janitorial savings resulted from a reduction in the number of days the bank facilities are cleaned each week. Renovation of the loan operations area was the main reason for the building repairs & maintenance increase. No other renovations are planned for 2010. Higher premiums due to increased coverage amounts caused the jump in building insurance costs.

 

  c) Other noninterest expense: Other noninterest expense increased $75,023 or 10.48% at March 31, 2010 compared to first quarter 2009. A $66,117 increase in regular FDIC assessment expense was the key factor in the year-to-date variation. Besides FDIC expense, which approximated $147,000 in 2010 and $81,000 in 2009; marketing expense, which approximated $64,000 in 2010 and $86,000 in 2009; and accounting, consulting, & legal fees, which approximated $98,000 in 2010 and $81,000 in 2009, no individual component of noninterest expense aggregated or exceeded 10% of the total in 2010 or 2009.

As noted above, FDIC assessment charges increased significantly the first quarter of 2010, with additional increases expected the remainder of 2010. These assessment expenses will materially and adversely impact the Company’s operating results in 2010 and beyond. Recent revisions to assessment rules and their impact on the Company are further discussed in the Liquidity section of this Analysis. Management anticipates that losses on foreclosed real estate will increase the remainder of 2010 unless the Company’s coastal real estate markets stabilize and demand for properties—at reasonable prices – improves. Due to problem asset resolutions and continued margin compression, the Company is not expected to make a profit in 2010.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared applying certain critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies require numerous estimates and strategic or economic assumptions that may prove inaccurate or subject to variations and may significantly affect the Company’s reported results and financial position for the period or in future periods. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates in any of these areas could have a material impact on the Company’s future financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and they conform to general practices in the banking industry. The Company applies its critical accounting policies consistently from period to period and intends that any change in methodology occur in an appropriate manner. Accounting policies currently deemed critical, including the a) allowance for loan losses; b) estimates of fair value pertinent to investment securities, other real estate, loans, and other assets; and c) income taxes are further discussed in the 2009 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies since December 31, 2009.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The provisions of recent pronouncements and the related impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, if any, are discussed in Note 2.

Various other accounting proposals affecting the banking industry are pending with the FASB and other regulatory authorities. Given the inherent uncertainty of the proposal process, the Company cannot assess the impact of any such proposals on its financial condition or results of operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or incorporated herein by reference, including, without limitation, matters discussed under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s outlook on earnings, stock performance, asset quality, economic conditions, real estate markets, and projected growth, and are based upon management’s beliefs as well as assumptions based on data currently available. When words like “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “may”, “continue”, “project”, “would”, “expect”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “will”, and similar expressions are used, they should be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: (1) economic conditions, both generally and in local markets, may continue to be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, further deterioration in credit quality, a reduction in demand for credit, or additional declines in real estate values; (2) the general decline in the real estate and lending market, particularly in the Company’s coastal markets, may continue to negatively affect financial results; (3) the allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover eventual loss; (4) future losses will be realized if proceeds received upon liquidation of nonperforming assets are less than carrying values of such assets; (5) restrictions or conditions imposed by regulators on the Company’s operations may make it more difficult for the Company to achieve its goals; (6) the Company’s ability to raise any needed capital in a prolonged economic downturn may be impaired if market disruption and

 

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volatility continue or worsen; (7) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards and compliance requirements, may adversely affect the Company’s business, revenue, and profit margins; (8) poor financial results may negatively affect liquidity; (9) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly, resulting in lost business relationships or reduced margins; (10) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce margins or the volumes or values of loans made; (11) competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable them to compete more successfully; (12) the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel can be affected by increased competition for experienced employees in the banking industry; (13) adverse changes may occur in the bond markets, affecting portfolio valuation and causing impairment; (14) war or terrorist activities may cause further deterioration in the economy or cause instability in credit markets; (15) economic, governmental, or other factors may prevent growth in the Company’s markets; (16) changes in consumer spending and savings habits could impede the Company’s ability to grow its loan and deposit portfolios; (17) the Company may be unfavorably impacted by litigation, which depends on judicial interpretations of law and findings of juries; (18) the Company may be unable to pay dividends on common stock; (19) third party vendors who provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure may have system failures or other difficulties which could materially affect operations; and (20) the risk factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including but not limited to, this Report. The Company undertakes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update or revise these statements following the date of this filing, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

As noted, the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. This Analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

 

  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The discussion on market risk is included in the Interest Rate and Market Risk/Interest Rate Sensitivity section of Part I, Item 2.

 

  Item 4/4T. Controls and Procedures.

An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“Treasurer”), and other members of management as of March 31, 2010. The CEO and Treasurer concluded that, as of March 31, 2010, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Act is: (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the Treasurer, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported in accordance with the SEC’s rules and forms. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, such internal controls.

The Company does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, 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

 

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occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any control procedure is also 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; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control procedure, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

The Company intends to continually review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, to improve its controls and procedures over time, and to correct any deficiencies it may discover in the future. The goal is to ensure that management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning the Company’s business. While the Company believes the present design of its disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve its goal, future events affecting its business may cause the Company to modify its disclosure controls and procedures.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that the Company evaluate and annually report on its system of internal control over financial reporting. For several years, the Company has used the widely accepted Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) framework for its evaluation of such internal controls. Going forward, the Company’s independent accountants must report on management’s evaluation unless a Congressional exemption is granted. The Company is in the process of evaluating, documenting, and testing its system of internal control over financial reporting to provide the basis for its independent accountant’s attestation report that is anticipated to be a required part of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. Due to the ongoing evaluation and testing of internal controls, there can be no assurance that any control deficiencies identified will be remediated before the end of the 2010 fiscal year, or that there may not be significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that would be required to be reported. In addition, the Company expects the evaluation process and any required remediation, if applicable, to increase accounting, legal, and other costs and divert management resources from core business operations.

 

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Part II - Other Information

 

  Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Not Applicable

 

  Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There were no material changes to the Company’s risk factors during the first quarter of 2010.

 

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

The Company declared a $0.06 1/2 dividend in both the first and second quarters of 2010 but cannot guarantee that additional dividends will be paid the remainder of 2010. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on operating results, capital adequacy, and the availability of liquid assets for distribution. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its bank subsidiary, and its revenues depend primarily on the payment of dividends from SEB. Unless regulatory approval is granted, SEB cannot pay a dividend to the Company until its operating performance improves and credit losses abate. SEB’s financial condition, including problem asset trends, is discussed in Part I, Item 2 of this 10-Q.

No treasury purchases were made during the first quarter of 2010. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, the Company purchased 9,143 treasury shares at an aggregate purchase price of $91,430 or $10.00 per share. The treasury purchase is expected to create additional value for shareholders long-term.

 

  Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not Applicable

 

  Item 4. (Removed and Reserved).

 

  Item 5. Other Information.

Not Applicable

 

  Item 6. Exhibits.

 

  (a) Index to Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 3   Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.
Exhibit 4   Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference from Form 8-A filed April 30, 2001.
Exhibit 10   2006 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008, incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Exhibit 31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of CEO.

 

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Exhibit 31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Treasurer.
Exhibit 32   Section 1350 Certification of CEO/Treasurer.

 

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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.

 

SOUTHEASTERN BANKING CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:  

/S/    ALYSON G. BEASLEY        

  Alyson G. Beasley, Vice President & Treasurer
  (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:         May 26, 2010        

 

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